westernjournal--2020-05-20--Joe Biden Once Bragged About Almost Being Arrested After Following Girls into Campus Dorm

They ’ re the three most 2020 words there are : “ Read the room.
” In case you ’ ve never heard the phrase , here ’ s a primer .
Say you ’ re a motivational speaker who delivers stories from your long career of business glory to corporate groups across the country .
You get confused every now and then about who you ’ re speaking to and when .
So , one fine morning , you ascend to the stage at a Ramada outside Pittsburgh and are confronted with a sea of Hobby Lobby corporate polos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the moment for that anecdote about that time you closed a deal in Hamburg by drinking the executive board under the table at a biergarten , all the while telling bawdy jokes .
The room can be expressed in more metaphorical ways , as well .
If a plane has just crashed , for instance , that probably isn ’ t the time to tweet a Pan Am 103 joke .
( In fact , never would probably be the time , but let ’ s start with right after the plane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded If your friends are losing their jobs left and right , it isn ’ t the moment to shoot a TikTok video in which you roll around in $ 100 bills on your bed .
And if you ’ re Joe Biden and you realize mores around creepy-sounding stories involving men are changing — particularly on the left , where people have long been able to slip the word “ patriarchy ” into a sentence three times without even cracking a smile — you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story about how you almost got arrested after following girls into a women ’ s campus dorm back in 1963 .
Now , granted , Biden ’ s read-the-room moments come from eight and 12 years ago , a veritable lifetime before the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee was accused of sexual assault .
However , it ’ s a story almost everyone would have admitted should have remained untold .
It ’ s also not quite as grotesquely bad as it could have been , given the kind of scrapes that Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tumble into .
So , for starters : A recently unearthed clip shows Biden giving a speech in the college town of Athens , Ohio , in 2008 during his time as Obama ’ s running mate .
Biden talked about how he was visiting the school as a student when the University of Delaware , his alma mater , was playing Ohio in football back in 1963 .
His school won and , as he described it , Athens “ was such a beautiful town and we all hung around out afterwards.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake here that day , I made a little mistake , ” Biden told the audience , according to CBS News .
“ I wandered in , I met this lovely group of Ohio University … students , ” he said with a wink .
RELATED : CNN Released a Favorable Trump Election Poll , Then They Tried To Hide It “ And uh , without knowing it , I shouldn ’ t admit this on national television because it ’ ll reveal that I ’ m over 60 , but I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to eat .
What ’ s that street you have down there , all you guys ?
” he said .
In a typically Bidenesque fashion , he continued rambling about how he “ just said to young , two young women I had met , said , ‘ Well why don ’ t you ’ … ‘ We ’ ll be right back.
’ I said , ‘ Well , I ’ ll come with you , ’ and they said , ‘ OK , ’ and I walked into their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cop who arrested me because back in those days men were not allowed in women ’ s dormitories .
“ But I promise you I never breached the first floor and it was only a temporary detention .
But that ’ s what I most remember about Athens .
So , folks , look , it ’ s good to be back here.
” I ’ m guessing he got laughs , or enough of them that he decided to tell the story again in 2012 .
“ The last time I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the press , I didn ’ t get arrested , but I almost did , because back in those days , you students won ’ t appreciate this , men weren ’ t allowed anywhere near a woman ’ s dorm , ” Biden said in September 2012 .
“ And I got invited into a dorm .
I thought I was walking into the waiting room ; I got brought into the hallway.
” Laughing , Biden got to the punchline : “ I got escorted out very quickly by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially given the sensitivities that have developed around the Democratic Party and the left since 2008-ish .
( Granted , they selectively went away for a little while when Bill “ Bimbo Eruption ” Clinton ’ s wife was running for the presidency , but they re-emerged with a vengeance once Donald Trump — for whom the rules were never suspended — won . )
This story was probably never politically correct at any point where Biden told it .
And then there is his history of strange behavior around women and girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those sorts of unpleasant things that weren ’ t unknown when he told these stories .
Now , not only are times different , but the accusations Biden is facing are .
Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegation is a lot different from sniffing hair , although it ’ s certainly in the same genus — if not species — from which Biden ’ s previous problems sprang .
No , Biden couldn ’ t have read the room in 2020 all the way back in 2008 .
However , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grokked that this wasn ’ t the kind of unguarded anecdote that ends up being a thornless rose .
Breitbart only managed to dig this one out of cold storage earlier this week .
It ’ s appeared a few other places since then .
My guess is that it doesn ’ t stop there .
This was always the known downside to Joe Biden .
You think Donald Trump is unguarded ?
There ’ s at least a method behind his madness .
What ’ s the method to talking about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-girls dormitory at a time when that wasn ’ t necessarily legal ?
That ’ s method-free madness .
Men may force a laugh , convinced it ’ s a harmless yarn .
I ’ d like to have seen the faces on the women in the audience .
Random guess : Those with a Y chromosome were likely a lot more amused , and not because liberal women are censorious killjoys .
Biden supporters , look forward to an entire summer of this sort of thing .
Rest assured , if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only clip like this .
If not , well , he ’ ll probably take that as an invitation to make a few once he emerges from that basement of his .
Your presumptive Democratic nominee , ladies and gentlemen .
He ’ s never bothered reading the room and he ’ s sure not going to start now .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

They’re the three most 2020 words there are: “Read the room.”
In case you’ve never heard the phrase, here’s a primer. Say you’re a motivational speaker who delivers stories from your long career of business glory to corporate groups across the country. You get confused every now and then about who you’re speaking to and when.
So, one fine morning, you ascend to the stage at a Ramada outside Pittsburgh and are confronted with a sea of Hobby Lobby corporate polos. You realize perhaps now isn’t the moment for that anecdote about that time you closed a deal in Hamburg by drinking the executive board under the table at a biergarten, all the while telling bawdy jokes.
Congratulations: You’ve read the room.
The room can be expressed in more metaphorical ways, as well.
If a plane has just crashed, for instance, that probably isn’t the time to tweet a Pan Am 103 joke. (In fact, never would probably be the time, but let’s start with right after the plane crash.)
If your friends are losing their jobs left and right, it isn’t the moment to shoot a TikTok video in which you roll around in $100 bills on your bed.
And if you’re Joe Biden and you realize mores around creepy-sounding stories involving men are changing — particularly on the left, where people have long been able to slip the word “patriarchy” into a sentence three times without even cracking a smile — you don’t regale people with a story about how you almost got arrested after following girls into a women’s campus dorm back in 1963.
Now, granted, Biden’s read-the-room moments come from eight and 12 years ago, a veritable lifetime before the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee was accused of sexual assault.
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However, it’s a story almost everyone would have admitted should have remained untold. It’s also not quite as grotesquely bad as it could have been, given the kind of scrapes that Barack Obama’s former veep was known to tumble into.
That’s not a high bar, though.
So, for starters: A recently unearthed clip shows Biden giving a speech in the college town of Athens, Ohio, in 2008 during his time as Obama’s running mate.
Biden talked about how he was visiting the school as a student when the University of Delaware, his alma mater, was playing Ohio in football back in 1963. His school won and, as he described it, Athens “was such a beautiful town and we all hung around out afterwards.”
“Now I made a little mistake here that day, I made a little mistake,” Biden told the audience, according to CBS News.
“I wandered in, I met this lovely group of Ohio University … students,” he said with a wink.
“And uh, without knowing it, I shouldn’t admit this on national television because it’ll reveal that I’m over 60, but I thought that we were gonna go get something to eat. What’s that street you have down there, all you guys?” he said.
In a typically Bidenesque fashion, he continued rambling about how he “just said to young, two young women I had met, said, ‘Well why don’t you’ … ‘We’ll be right back.’ I said, ‘Well, I’ll come with you,’ and they said, ‘OK,’ and I walked into their dormitory and was immediately accosted by a cop who arrested me because back in those days men were not allowed in women’s dormitories.
“But I promise you I never breached the first floor and it was only a temporary detention. But that’s what I most remember about Athens. So, folks, look, it’s good to be back here.”
I’m guessing he got laughs, or enough of them that he decided to tell the story again in 2012.
“The last time I was here, I want to make clear to the press, I didn’t get arrested, but I almost did, because back in those days, you students won’t appreciate this, men weren’t allowed anywhere near a woman’s dorm,” Biden said in September 2012.
“And I got invited into a dorm. I thought I was walking into the waiting room; I got brought into the hallway.”
Laughing, Biden got to the punchline: “I got escorted out very quickly by an Athens policeman.”
Mores change quickly, especially given the sensitivities that have developed around the Democratic Party and the left since 2008-ish. (Granted, they selectively went away for a little while when Bill “Bimbo Eruption” Clinton’s wife was running for the presidency, but they re-emerged with a vengeance once Donald Trump — for whom the rules were never suspended — won.)
This story was probably never politically correct at any point where Biden told it. And then there is his history of strange behavior around women and girls — inappropriate closeness, sniffing their hair, those sorts of unpleasant things that weren’t unknown when he told these stories.
Now, not only are times different, but the accusations Biden is facing are. Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation is a lot different from sniffing hair, although it’s certainly in the same genus — if not species — from which Biden’s previous problems sprang.
No, Biden couldn’t have read the room in 2020 all the way back in 2008. However, a man with more discretion probably would have grokked that this wasn’t the kind of unguarded anecdote that ends up being a thornless rose.
Breitbart only managed to dig this one out of cold storage earlier this week. It’s appeared a few other places since then. My guess is that it doesn’t stop there.
This was always the known downside to Joe Biden. You think Donald Trump is unguarded? There’s at least a method behind his madness. What’s the method to talking about how you ended up getting arrested in an all-girls dormitory at a time when that wasn’t necessarily legal? That’s method-free madness.
Men may force a laugh, convinced it’s a harmless yarn. I’d like to have seen the faces on the women in the audience. Random guess: Those with a Y chromosome were likely a lot more amused, and not because liberal women are censorious killjoys.
Biden supporters, look forward to an entire summer of this sort of thing. Rest assured, if I know Joe Biden, this is hardly the only clip like this. If not, well, he’ll probably take that as an invitation to make a few once he emerges from that basement of his.
Your presumptive Democratic nominee, ladies and gentlemen. He’s never bothered reading the room and he’s sure not going to start now.
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Dem Governor Reverses Course, Finally Allows Company To Distribute American Flags

FlagZone LLC was one among the multitudes of businesses deemed “ nonessential ” by Democratic Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf when the state was locked down in March in response to the threat posed by the novel coronavirus .
Thanks to Wolf ’ s order , one of the company ’ s key products — flags to be planted in front of veterans ’ gravestones on Memorial Day as we remember our fallen and those who have served — was sitting in their warehouse , unable to be shipped .
Now , thanks to a waiver from Gov .
Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
The story was originally covered in the Reading Eagle on May 6 .
The company had asked Gov .
Wolf for a waiver to ship their wares .
Waiver denied .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me “ We want to be able to honor veterans as we do every year and as we ’ ve done across Pennsylvania and the nation , ” company president Daniel Ziegler said .
However , at least in Berks County , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Veterans Affairs had originally said there ’ d be no flag-laying on Memorial Day this year .
The reason ?
Because of FlagZone ’ s closure , they didn ’ t have the necessary flags to carry out the tradition and were left looking for another supplier at the last minute .
“ At this time we only have 2,000 flags on stock but we need 50,000 , ” Berks County Veterans Affairs Director Ken Lebron said .
“ So 48,000 flags is our request .
“ The specifications of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ x 17 ” with a 30 ” stake ( preferably wooden ) .
” And all FlagZone said it needed was a waiver .
There wasn ’ t even any production involved .
“ We ’ re trying everything we can to honor the veterans , ” Ziegler said .
“ Perhaps it will happen in June so we can celebrate them July 4 .
They ( the flags ) are in our warehouse and we can ’ t get them free.
” The state government , alas , seemed like it wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the administration ’ s main priority is protecting the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians , flagmaking operations are thus deemed non-life-sustaining , ” said Casey Smith , communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development .
RELATED : Anti-Border Wall De Blasio Now Considering Using a Fence To Keep New Yorkers Off the Beach “ While FlagZone will unfortunately need to suspend its operations this year , we are hopeful that in the years to come , it will be able to continue to provide Pennsylvanians with a symbol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrations.
” The story received national attention , and it was clear the decision wasn ’ t going to fly for a lot of people .
In a social media post , the Rev .
Franklin Graham said FlagZone “ had requested special permission to get these shipped out , but it was turned down because their business was deemed ‘ non-life-sustaining.
’ “ It is interesting that liquor stores are considered essential and have been allowed to be open and doing business , isn ’ t it ?
These are hard decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses that can take necessary precautions need to be allowed to open back up .
“ I think honoring our fallen heroes is important .
These are men and women who paid the ultimate price so that we could experience the freedoms we enjoy today .
This is another reminder that who we vote for to lead our cities , our states , and our nation is immensely important .
We need leaders who believe in and defend our Constitutional liberties , ” he wrote .
On Monday , Berks County announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a waiver Friday allowing them to fill Memorial Day orders .
“ The waiver ( allowing Gilbertsville , PA manufacturer FLAGZONE to open ) is a result of the overwhelming groundswell of voices from concerned , patriotic citizens of this county who were extremely upset regarding the impending absence of American Flags to decorate the graves of veterans for Memorial Day 2020 , ” Lebron said in a statement .
“ The Berks County Commissioners heard those concerns and responded expeditiously by relaying those concerns directly to the leadership in Harrisburg .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local legislators and County Commissioners have proved to be fruitful as the waiver was extended to FLAGZONE by the Wolf administration late last week.
” “ We ’ re just excited to get these flags out after months of being shut down , ” Ziegler said , according to the Reading Eagle .
“ Memorial Day has such a rich history .
Hopefully , when a family goes to the gravesite of a loved one who was a veteran they will now see that they were not forgotten .
It should give them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not just getting shipped out , however .
They ’ re going out in style : The Blue Knights Motorcycle Group helped escort 50,000 flags to the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs — a moving experience for Blue Knights member Luis Gonzalez .
“ It really meant a lot to me , ” Gonzalez said , according to WTXF-TV .
Gonzalez served two tours of duty in Iraq and is a retired Reading , Pennsylvania , police officer .
“ I was able to touch every box that was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased soldiers .
It ’ s great to say that all ’ s well that ends well in situations like this .
However , that lets too many people off too easily .
This was an issue that ’ s been percolating in the media for nearly two weeks now .
In short , this wasn ’ t an issue of someone catching the story when it was first reported and realizing what a dreadful oversight it had been .
This was a case where enough media inertia finally produced the result FlagZone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have embarrassed Gov .
Wolf otherwise .
That ’ s not a good outcome ; that ’ s getting an outcome which should have been the case from the start , only weeks later and with considerable effort .
As for getting FlagZone back to manufacturing , that , unfortunately , still isn ’ t a reality .
Ziegler says things are “ moving in the right direction.
” One can only hope they move there less glacially than they did in this situation .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

FlagZone LLC was one among the multitudes of businesses deemed “nonessential” by Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf when the state was locked down in March in response to the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
Thanks to Wolf’s order, one of the company’s key products — flags to be planted in front of veterans’ gravestones on Memorial Day as we remember our fallen and those who have served — was sitting in their warehouse, unable to be shipped.
Now, thanks to a waiver from Gov. Wolf, those flags are going out after all.
The story was originally covered in the Reading Eagle on May 6.
The company had asked Gov. Wolf for a waiver to ship their wares. Waiver denied.
“We want to be able to honor veterans as we do every year and as we’ve done across Pennsylvania and the nation,” company president Daniel Ziegler said.
However, at least in Berks County, where FlagZone is located, the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs had originally said there’d be no flag-laying on Memorial Day this year. The reason?
Because of FlagZone’s closure, they didn’t have the necessary flags to carry out the tradition and were left looking for another supplier at the last minute.
“At this time we only have 2,000 flags on stock but we need 50,000,” Berks County Veterans Affairs Director Ken Lebron said. “So 48,000 flags is our request.
Are lockdown orders going too far? Yes No
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“The specifications of the nylon/cotton flag we need are 12” x 17” with a 30” stake (preferably wooden).”
And all FlagZone said it needed was a waiver. There wasn’t even any production involved.
“We’re trying everything we can to honor the veterans,” Ziegler said. “Perhaps it will happen in June so we can celebrate them July 4. They (the flags) are in our warehouse and we can’t get them free.”
The state government, alas, seemed like it wasn’t going to budge.
“As the administration’s main priority is protecting the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians, flagmaking operations are thus deemed non-life-sustaining,” said Casey Smith, communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.
“While FlagZone will unfortunately need to suspend its operations this year, we are hopeful that in the years to come, it will be able to continue to provide Pennsylvanians with a symbol of our patriotism for future Memorial Day celebrations.”
The story received national attention, and it was clear the decision wasn’t going to fly for a lot of people.
In a social media post, the Rev. Franklin Graham said FlagZone “had requested special permission to get these shipped out, but it was turned down because their business was deemed ‘non-life-sustaining.’
“It is interesting that liquor stores are considered essential and have been allowed to be open and doing business, isn’t it? These are hard decisions to make, I know, but businesses that can take necessary precautions need to be allowed to open back up.
“I think honoring our fallen heroes is important. These are men and women who paid the ultimate price so that we could experience the freedoms we enjoy today. This is another reminder that who we vote for to lead our cities, our states, and our nation is immensely important. We need leaders who believe in and defend our Constitutional liberties,” he wrote.
On Monday, Berks County announced that Gov. Wolf relented and gave FlagZone a waiver Friday allowing them to fill Memorial Day orders.
“The waiver (allowing Gilbertsville, PA manufacturer FLAGZONE to open) is a result of the overwhelming groundswell of voices from concerned, patriotic citizens of this county who were extremely upset regarding the impending absence of American Flags to decorate the graves of veterans for Memorial Day 2020,” Lebron said in a statement.
“The Berks County Commissioners heard those concerns and responded expeditiously by relaying those concerns directly to the leadership in Harrisburg. These unified efforts from the community, our local legislators and County Commissioners have proved to be fruitful as the waiver was extended to FLAGZONE by the Wolf administration late last week.”
“We’re just excited to get these flags out after months of being shut down,” Ziegler said, according to the Reading Eagle. “Memorial Day has such a rich history. Hopefully, when a family goes to the gravesite of a loved one who was a veteran they will now see that they were not forgotten. It should give them some peace to know that.”
They’re not just getting shipped out, however. They’re going out in style:
The Blue Knights Motorcycle Group helped escort 50,000 flags to the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs — a moving experience for Blue Knights member Luis Gonzalez.
“It really meant a lot to me,” Gonzalez said, according to WTXF-TV. Gonzalez served two tours of duty in Iraq and is a retired Reading, Pennsylvania, police officer.
“I was able to touch every box that was going to go on 28-to-30,000 graves of our deceased soldiers.
It’s great to say that all’s well that ends well in situations like this. However, that lets too many people off too easily.
This was an issue that’s been percolating in the media for nearly two weeks now. In short, this wasn’t an issue of someone catching the story when it was first reported and realizing what a dreadful oversight it had been.
This was a case where enough media inertia finally produced the result FlagZone was looking for — mostly because it would have embarrassed Gov. Wolf otherwise.
That’s not a good outcome; that’s getting an outcome which should have been the case from the start, only weeks later and with considerable effort.
As for getting FlagZone back to manufacturing, that, unfortunately, still isn’t a reality.
Ziegler says things are “moving in the right direction.” One can only hope they move there less glacially than they did in this situation.
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Poll: Democrats Are Significantly More Miserable Than Republicans

A new Gallup survey finds that Republicans are happier and less prone to feeling anxious , lonely or bored than Democrats amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Gallup began tracking the demographics of the emotions that coincide with the nation ’ s health and economic crises on March 23 and found that overall , people are worrying less in May than they were two months ago .
As states begin to reopen from lockdowns , according to the poll released on Monday , more Americans are feeling happier .
In the most recent poll , conducted between April 27 and May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling happy “ during a lot of the day yesterday.
” That is an increase of 5 percentage points from March 23-April 5 , when 67 percent of people answered the same way .
Meanwhile , 47 percent of those surveyed in the most recent poll reported feeling a sense of worry “ during a lot of the day yesterday.
” TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded By comparison , 59 percent of respondents reported feeling worried when asked the same question in late March and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey , Gallup noted a correlation between emotions and the party affiliation of respondents .
A higher percentage of Republicans and independents reported feeling happiness when compared to the share of Democrats who said they felt that way .
Meanwhile , Democrats seemed to report feeling negative emotions at a generally higher rate than Republicans and independents .
But Republicans seemed to be the happiest of the bunch .
Seventy-seven percent of Republicans reported feeling happiness during the day prior to being surveyed , compared to 74 percent of independents and 66 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported feeling the emotions of loneliness and boredom on the day prior to being surveyed .
Twenty-eight percent of Democrats reported feeling loneliness , compared to 23 percent of independents and 19 percent of Republicans .
Independents were most likely to be bored ( 43 percent ) , compared to 42 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Republicans .
The survey also found that Democrats were far more worried than any of the groups surveyed , and edged out Republicans in this category by 20 points .
RELATED : CNN Posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Return to 'Normal Life , ' Deletes Tweet Fifty-eight percent of Democrats said they had felt worried a day prior to being polled , compared to 44 percent of independents and 38 percent of Republicans .
“ Results for this Gallup poll are based on self-administered web surveys conducted April 27-May 10 , 2020 , with a random sample of 8,712 U.S. adults , aged 18 and older , who are members of the Gallup Panel .
Gallup uses probability-based , random sampling methods to recruit its Panel members , ” the polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on any individual sample , the margin of sampling error is ±2 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level .
Margins of error for subgroups are higher.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A new Gallup survey finds that Republicans are happier and less prone to feeling anxious, lonely or bored than Democrats amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gallup began tracking the demographics of the emotions that coincide with the nation’s health and economic crises on March 23 and found that overall, people are worrying less in May than they were two months ago.
As states begin to reopen from lockdowns, according to the poll released on Monday, more Americans are feeling happier.
In the most recent poll, conducted between April 27 and May 10, 72 percent of respondents reported feeling happy “during a lot of the day yesterday.” That is an increase of 5 percentage points from March 23-April 5, when 67 percent of people answered the same way.
Meanwhile, 47 percent of those surveyed in the most recent poll reported feeling a sense of worry “during a lot of the day yesterday.”
By comparison, 59 percent of respondents reported feeling worried when asked the same question in late March and early April.
In its most recent survey, Gallup noted a correlation between emotions and the party affiliation of respondents.
A higher percentage of Republicans and independents reported feeling happiness when compared to the share of Democrats who said they felt that way. Meanwhile, Democrats seemed to report feeling negative emotions at a generally higher rate than Republicans and independents.
But Republicans seemed to be the happiest of the bunch.
Does it surprise you that Republicans are more likely to be happy than Democrats? Yes No
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Seventy-seven percent of Republicans reported feeling happiness during the day prior to being surveyed, compared to 74 percent of independents and 66 percent of Democrats.
More Democrats than Republicans also reported feeling the emotions of loneliness and boredom on the day prior to being surveyed.
Twenty-eight percent of Democrats reported feeling loneliness, compared to 23 percent of independents and 19 percent of Republicans.
Independents were most likely to be bored (43 percent), compared to 42 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Republicans.
The survey also found that Democrats were far more worried than any of the groups surveyed, and edged out Republicans in this category by 20 points.
Fifty-eight percent of Democrats said they had felt worried a day prior to being polled, compared to 44 percent of independents and 38 percent of Republicans.
“Results for this Gallup poll are based on self-administered web surveys conducted April 27-May 10, 2020, with a random sample of 8,712 U.S. adults, aged 18 and older, who are members of the Gallup Panel. Gallup uses probability-based, random sampling methods to recruit its Panel members,” the polling organization noted.
“For results based on any individual sample, the margin of sampling error is ±2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error for subgroups are higher.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Major Reopening Milestone Hit by All 50 States

All 50 U.S. states have begun to reopen following many weeks of stay-at-home orders aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Connecticut became the final state to begin lifting restrictions on Wednesday , allowing retail shops and restaurants to reopen .
However , each state is moving at its own pace as governors try to protect their residents while also reopen their economies .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp reopened large parts of Georgia ’ s economy on April 24 , drawing some concern from the White House .
“ I told the governor of Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia , ” President Donald Trump said at the time , referring to phase one of his three-phase reopening guidelines .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me Other states , like New York , California and Pennsylvania , are allowing locales with a declining number of new cases to reopen while other cities stay closed , CNN reported .
Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Jersey all remain under stay-at-home orders , but some businesses , like retail stores , have been allowed to reopen , according to The New York Times .
Over the weekend , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a 60-page document outlining reopening guidelines for schools , child-care facilities , restaurants and mass transit .
“ This guidance sets forth a menu of safety measures , from which establishments may choose those that make sense for them in the context of their operations and local community , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the document reads .
For schools , the CDC recommends practicing social distancing policies like keeping desks at least six feet apart , cloth masks for staff and daily temperature screenings for everyone .
Restaurants and bars are also recommended to limit the number of people and allow for social distancing .
The White House initially said that the CDC ’ s recommendations — which came after many states began to reopen — were “ overly specific , ” The Washington Post reported .
The CDC director said that the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact appears to be over and that he is confident the nation ’ s public health infrastructure will be up the challenges ahead as the nation reopens .
“ I want to clarify that the community-based transmission , the community-to-community transmission that overwhelmed the public health departments in late February , March , April , that ’ s really coming down , ” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an interview with The Hill .
RELATED : CDC Declares Coronavirus Does Not Spread as Easily as Initially Thought “ CDC is putting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the nation is ready to start reopening .
“ We put out a lot over the weekend again about you know how to reopen safely.
” He added that the CDC and the state public health systems will continue to fight outbreaks over the summer , but the U.S. economy could still slowly reopen following the new guidelines .
As of Wednesday , over 1.5 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the United States and 92,128 people have died from the disease , according to data from Johns Hopkins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

All 50 U.S. states have begun to reopen following many weeks of stay-at-home orders aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Connecticut became the final state to begin lifting restrictions on Wednesday, allowing retail shops and restaurants to reopen.
However, each state is moving at its own pace as governors try to protect their residents while also reopen their economies.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp reopened large parts of Georgia’s economy on April 24, drawing some concern from the White House.
“I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia,” President Donald Trump said at the time, referring to phase one of his three-phase reopening guidelines.
Other states, like New York, California and Pennsylvania, are allowing locales with a declining number of new cases to reopen while other cities stay closed, CNN reported.
Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois and New Jersey all remain under stay-at-home orders, but some businesses, like retail stores, have been allowed to reopen, according to The New York Times.
Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a 60-page document outlining reopening guidelines for schools, child-care facilities, restaurants and mass transit.
“This guidance sets forth a menu of safety measures, from which establishments may choose those that make sense for them in the context of their operations and local community, as well as State and local regulations and directives,” the document reads.
Do you think it's time for the U.S. to reopen its economy? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (286 Votes) No: 1% (3 Votes)
For schools, the CDC recommends practicing social distancing policies like keeping desks at least six feet apart, cloth masks for staff and daily temperature screenings for everyone.
Restaurants and bars are also recommended to limit the number of people and allow for social distancing.
The White House initially said that the CDC’s recommendations — which came after many states began to reopen — were “overly specific,” The Washington Post reported.
The CDC director said that the worst of the first wave of the coronavirus impact appears to be over and that he is confident the nation’s public health infrastructure will be up the challenges ahead as the nation reopens.
“I want to clarify that the community-based transmission, the community-to-community transmission that overwhelmed the public health departments in late February, March, April, that’s really coming down,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an interview with The Hill.
“CDC is putting out guidance,” he said when asked if the nation is ready to start reopening. “We put out a lot over the weekend again about you know how to reopen safely.”
He added that the CDC and the state public health systems will continue to fight outbreaks over the summer, but the U.S. economy could still slowly reopen following the new guidelines.
As of Wednesday, over 1.5 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the United States and 92,128 people have died from the disease, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Watch Freedom-Loving Mass. Woman’s Reaction to Gov’t Painting Arrows To Enforce Distancing

Freedom is under attack from liberal socialists .
The radical group that hijacked the Democratic Party has been masterful in creating panic over COVID-19 to the point that the everyday routine American citizens have taken for granted is becoming a thing of the past .
People are told that they must wear a mask , they must stay several feet apart from others and they can not attend church .
The establishment media and liberals have teamed up to create panic so people think they are doing their part to help flatten the curve .
They have combined forces to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into puppets .
It ’ s like lambs being led to the slaughter , hopelessly following the unconstitutional mandates barked out by liberal elected officials .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me Case in point : the town of Swampscott , Massachusetts .
Not only are residents of the community required to wear a mask if they enter a retail establishment , now they are being told which way to walk on public streets .
This is happening in America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they want , and they are being highly encouraged to stay home instead .
This is exactly what liberal socialists have longed for .
They are thirsty for power and control , and for the demise of freedom in the United States .
One concerned citizen took video of two public works employees spray-painting arrows on a Swampscott sidewalk to instruct people which way to go .
Not only are there one-way streets for cars , but now there are also apparently one-way sidewalks for pedestrians .
According to Patch , town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a way to encourage social distancing .
In the video , the freedom-loving woman compared what she saw to “ communism.
” While one of the employees told her the arrows were just a “ suggestion , ” what she witnessed certainly seems like an instance of government overreach .
RELATED : Federal Judge Slaps Down Governor 's Gun Store Closure Order : 'There 's No Justification' The woman may be technically wrong that the signs are Marxist , she ’ s certainly right in spirit that they ’ re signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and went about their business in the video as they blindly accepted that the government is now telling them how to walk .
Even if the local government is not punishing people who walk the wrong way , it ’ s still disturbing that officials think they have the right to tell people which direction they can walk in the first place .
This sort of thing is not just occurring in Swampscott .
In New York City , residents who went out to enjoy a beautiful spring day at Brooklyn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own marked spots mandated by officials .
They can no longer move freely through the area — instead , government officials want people to abide by their directional rules and stay in their assigned painted circles .
In Central Park , there was a large sign instructing residents how far apart they must stay away from others , according to the New York Post .
The implication is clear : You are not at liberty to go where you want anymore .
You are a pawn , and you will move where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving a stake through the heart of freedom .
They keep pounding it harder each day and with very little resistance .
Today , the officials in the small town of Swampscott are telling you which way to stroll on a sidewalk .
Will American citizens continue to follow the painted arrows and sit in the designated circles , or are they going to start standing up for their civil liberties ?
Tomorrow , will they tell you what to eat and when to go to bed ?
But the greater questions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand up for freedom ?
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Freedom is under attack from liberal socialists.
The radical group that hijacked the Democratic Party has been masterful in creating panic over COVID-19 to the point that the everyday routine American citizens have taken for granted is becoming a thing of the past.
People are told that they must wear a mask, they must stay several feet apart from others and they cannot attend church.
The establishment media and liberals have teamed up to create panic so people think they are doing their part to help flatten the curve. They have combined forces to use panic and fear to turn people into puppets.
It’s like lambs being led to the slaughter, hopelessly following the unconstitutional mandates barked out by liberal elected officials.
Case in point: the town of Swampscott, Massachusetts.
Not only are residents of the community required to wear a mask if they enter a retail establishment, now they are being told which way to walk on public streets.
This is happening in America.
People are no longer free to go where they want, and they are being highly encouraged to stay home instead.
Do you believe Americans are losing their freedom? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (907 Votes) No: 2% (19 Votes)
This is exactly what liberal socialists have longed for. They are thirsty for power and control, and for the demise of freedom in the United States.
One concerned citizen took video of two public works employees spray-painting arrows on a Swampscott sidewalk to instruct people which way to go. Not only are there one-way streets for cars, but now there are also apparently one-way sidewalks for pedestrians.
According to Patch, town officials decided to have the arrows painted as a way to encourage social distancing.
In the video, the freedom-loving woman compared what she saw to “communism.” While one of the employees told her the arrows were just a “suggestion,” what she witnessed certainly seems like an instance of government overreach.
The woman may be technically wrong that the signs are Marxist, she’s certainly right in spirit that they’re signs of stunning government overreach. People passed by and went about their business in the video as they blindly accepted that the government is now telling them how to walk.
Even if the local government is not punishing people who walk the wrong way, it’s still disturbing that officials think they have the right to tell people which direction they can walk in the first place.
This sort of thing is not just occurring in Swampscott.
In New York City, residents who went out to enjoy a beautiful spring day at Brooklyn’s Domino Park last week discovered they have their own marked spots mandated by officials.
SOCIAL DISTANCING CIRCLES: Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York has white circles painted on the grass to help people social distance. What do you think– good or bad idea? #8NN ?: AP pic.twitter.com/ztKNXI6m8h — 8 News NOW (@8NewsNow) May 17, 2020
They can no longer move freely through the area — instead, government officials want people to abide by their directional rules and stay in their assigned painted circles.
In Central Park, there was a large sign instructing residents how far apart they must stay away from others, according to the New York Post.
The implication is clear: You are not at liberty to go where you want anymore. You are a pawn, and you will move where they place you.
Liberal socialists are driving a stake through the heart of freedom. They keep pounding it harder each day and with very little resistance.
Today, the officials in the small town of Swampscott are telling you which way to stroll on a sidewalk. Will American citizens continue to follow the painted arrows and sit in the designated circles, or are they going to start standing up for their civil liberties?
Tomorrow, will they tell you what to eat and when to go to bed? But the greater questions will be this: Will you comply or stand up for freedom?
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--2020-05-20--Pastor Encourages Churches To Open in Defiance of Totalitarian Lockdowns: ‘Stand Up and Roar’

A megachurch pastor is exhorting and organizing his fellow clergymen to defy government shutdown orders and reopen their houses of worship in time for Memorial Day weekend .
Brian Gibson , the pastor of HIS Church with congregations in Kentucky and Texas , makes a strong case , based on both the Constitution and common sense .
“ I believe that Jesus is a lamb , but he ’ s also a lion , ” he said in a video regarding his PeaceablyGather.com movement posted to YouTube on May 8 .
“ You ’ ve got to decide when to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lion .
Wisdom makes that decision .
“ Right now America needs some lions to stand up and roar .
America needs some lions to stand up and roar for the Constitution .
Needs some lions to stand up and roar for religious freedom .
Needs some lions to stand up and roar for people of worship of every type in this great nation.
” According to the group ’ s website , nearly 200 churches have signed on to the cause of resuming in-person worship services .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me “ Peaceably gather ” is clearly a reference to the First Amendment , which reads , “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; or abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble , and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
” Gibson ’ s call for pastors to stand for freedom was motivated by a run-in his Owensboro , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement when church members sought to have a drive-thru Easter service for kids in which each would receive a plastic Easter egg with candies inside .
Local health officials closed the event as a violation of the state ’ s COVID-19 shutdown order .
The McDonald ’ s across the street remained open serving drive-thru food and the nearby Starbucks , lattes and cappuccinos , but trying to bring joy to some children , following the same safety guidelines , was impermissible .
Gibson found this unacceptable .
Now he is championing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He noted in a Fox News interview on Monday that government officials allow people to gather at big-box retail stores in large numbers but forbid citizens wishing to exercise their First Amendment right to worship while practicing social distancing .
“ I promise you our church services are safer than what you see at Lowe ’ s and they ’ re safer than what you see at your Walmart , ” the preacher told Fox News host Harris Faulkner .
RELATED : Dad Says God Bless the 2nd Amendment After Killing Naked Man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , we ’ ll celebrate Memorial Day , ” he continued .
“ Veterans laid down their lives for this right .
They ’ re going to stand with us this weekend , combat , wounded veterans , saying , ‘ Don ’ t let the rights I ’ ve fought for fall during this hour . '
” Congregations in Kentucky and other states have been winning lawsuits against overbearing state actions directed against them .
On Easter Sunday , Kentucky State Police showed up at the drive-in service of Maryville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in attendance that they were in violation of the state ’ s COVID shutdown and would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days .
The 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear ’ s policy seemed to single out faith-based organizations .
“ We don ’ t doubt the Governor ’ s sincerity in trying to do his level best to lessen the spread of the virus or his authority to protect the Commonwealth ’ s citizens , ” the order from the court reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ group and exempted from another do little to further these goals and do much to burden religious freedom , ” the judges continued .
“ Assuming all of the same precautions are taken , why is it safe to wait in a car for a liquor store to open but dangerous to wait in a car to hear morning prayers ?
Why can someone safely walk down a grocery store aisle but not a pew ?
” if the same social distancing protocols are followed .
The judges concluded , “ The Commonwealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge ruled earlier this month that in-person church services could resume statewide , Beshear set May 20 as the opening date , according to Kentucky Today .
Gibson defied that order and held services this past weekend as an act of civil disobedience , he told Fox News .
Meanwhile , in Illinois last week , a federal district court upheld Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s order banning public gatherings as applied to churches .
The governor has put in place a five-phase reopening plan that does not allow large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine or highly effective treatment is available — which could take a year or more .
Judge Robert Gettleman , an appointee of former President Bill Clinton , wrote the members of the Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries were “ selfish ” for seeking to defy the governor ’ s order .
“ An injunction [ against enforcing Pritzker ’ s order ] would risk the lives of plaintiffs ’ congregants , as well as the lives of their family members , friends , co-workers and other members of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the ruling said .
In short , Gettleman wrote , “ Their interest in communal services can not and does not outweigh the health and safety of the public.
” Interestingly , both Thomas Jefferson ( author of the Declaration of Independence ) and James Madison ( “ father of the Constitution ” and author of the Bill of Rights ) argued that freedom of religion is a God-given right that no government can legitimately take away .
Madison wrote in his famous essay Memorial and Remonstrance , “ Religion or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Creator and the manner of discharging it , can only be dictated by reason and conviction and the conscience of every man .
… “ This right is in its nature an unalienable right .
… It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage , and such only , as he believes to be acceptable to him.
” Gibson predicted that many congregations throughout the U.S. will exercise that right in person , with or without the government ’ s approval .
“ Come Pentecost Sunday ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be thousands , maybe tens of thousands , of churches defying governors ’ orders in a safe , smart way , ” he told Fox News .
Gibson is right : By then , many Christians will be ready for a good old Holy Ghost-infused gathering of the faithful .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A megachurch pastor is exhorting and organizing his fellow clergymen to defy government shutdown orders and reopen their houses of worship in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Brian Gibson, the pastor of HIS Church with congregations in Kentucky and Texas, makes a strong case, based on both the Constitution and common sense.
“I believe that Jesus is a lamb, but he’s also a lion,” he said in a video regarding his PeaceablyGather.com movement posted to YouTube on May 8. “You’ve got to decide when to be the lamb and when to be the lion. Wisdom makes that decision.
“Right now America needs some lions to stand up and roar. America needs some lions to stand up and roar for the Constitution. Needs some lions to stand up and roar for religious freedom. Needs some lions to stand up and roar for people of worship of every type in this great nation.”
According to the group’s website, nearly 200 churches have signed on to the cause of resuming in-person worship services.
“Peaceably gather” is clearly a reference to the First Amendment, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Gibson’s call for pastors to stand for freedom was motivated by a run-in his Owensboro, Kentucky, congregation had with local law enforcement when church members sought to have a drive-thru Easter service for kids in which each would receive a plastic Easter egg with candies inside.
Local health officials closed the event as a violation of the state’s COVID-19 shutdown order.
Do you believe churches should defy lockdown orders to meet again in person? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 95% (318 Votes) No: 5% (16 Votes)
The McDonald’s across the street remained open serving drive-thru food and the nearby Starbucks, lattes and cappuccinos, but trying to bring joy to some children, following the same safety guidelines, was impermissible.
Gibson found this unacceptable. Now he is championing the cause of in-person services restarting nationwide.
He noted in a Fox News interview on Monday that government officials allow people to gather at big-box retail stores in large numbers but forbid citizens wishing to exercise their First Amendment right to worship while practicing social distancing.
“I promise you our church services are safer than what you see at Lowe’s and they’re safer than what you see at your Walmart,” the preacher told Fox News host Harris Faulkner.
“This weekend, we’ll celebrate Memorial Day,” he continued. “Veterans laid down their lives for this right. They’re going to stand with us this weekend, combat, wounded veterans, saying, ‘Don’t let the rights I’ve fought for fall during this hour.'”
Congregations in Kentucky and other states have been winning lawsuits against overbearing state actions directed against them.
On Easter Sunday, Kentucky State Police showed up at the drive-in service of Maryville Baptist Church in Louisville and informed those in attendance that they were in violation of the state’s COVID shutdown and would be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s policy seemed to single out faith-based organizations.
“We don’t doubt the Governor’s sincerity in trying to do his level best to lessen the spread of the virus or his authority to protect the Commonwealth’s citizens,” the order from the court reads.
“But restrictions inexplicably applied to one group and exempted from another do little to further these goals and do much to burden religious freedom,” the judges continued.
“Assuming all of the same precautions are taken, why is it safe to wait in a car for a liquor store to open but dangerous to wait in a car to hear morning prayers? Why can someone safely walk down a grocery store aisle but not a pew?” if the same social distancing protocols are followed.
The judges concluded, “The Commonwealth has no good answers.”
After a federal judge ruled earlier this month that in-person church services could resume statewide, Beshear set May 20 as the opening date, according to Kentucky Today.
Gibson defied that order and held services this past weekend as an act of civil disobedience, he told Fox News.
Meanwhile, in Illinois last week, a federal district court upheld Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order banning public gatherings as applied to churches.
The governor has put in place a five-phase reopening plan that does not allow large gatherings, including churches, until a vaccine or highly effective treatment is available — which could take a year or more.
Judge Robert Gettleman, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, wrote the members of the Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries were “selfish” for seeking to defy the governor’s order.
“An injunction [against enforcing Pritzker’s order] would risk the lives of plaintiffs’ congregants, as well as the lives of their family members, friends, co-workers and other members of their communities with whom they come in contact,” the ruling said.
In short, Gettleman wrote, “Their interest in communal services cannot and does not outweigh the health and safety of the public.”
Interestingly, both Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence) and James Madison (“father of the Constitution” and author of the Bill of Rights) argued that freedom of religion is a God-given right that no government can legitimately take away.
Madison wrote in his famous essay Memorial and Remonstrance, “Religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can only be dictated by reason and conviction and the conscience of every man. …
“This right is in its nature an unalienable right. … It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage, and such only, as he believes to be acceptable to him.”
Gibson predicted that many congregations throughout the U.S. will exercise that right in person, with or without the government’s approval.
“Come Pentecost Sunday” — May 31 — “I believe there will be thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of churches defying governors’ orders in a safe, smart way,” he told Fox News.
Gibson is right: By then, many Christians will be ready for a good old Holy Ghost-infused gathering of the faithful.
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Captain Love Gov

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/opinion/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Steve Bannon argued on "War Room" that Fox News is doing everything that it can to create an anti-Trump narrative for the 2024 election.


westernjournal--2020-05-20--Trump Issues Major Threat to Michigan Over Mail-In Voting Plan

President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at two states seeking to embrace mail-in voting .
“ Breaking : Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election .
This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State .
I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path !
” Trump tweeted .
The president tagged Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and the Treasury Department in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uses First Responders as Hostages To Make Sure He Gets Federal COVID Aid Trump then added another state to his list of targets .
“ State of Nevada ‘ thinks ’ that they can send out illegal vote by mail ballots , creating a great Voter Fraud scenario for the State and the U.S .
They can ’ t !
If they do , “ I think ” I can hold up funds to the State .
Sorry , but you must not cheat in elections , ” Trump tweeted later .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Jocelyn Benson .
And we sent applications , not ballots .
Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa , Georgia , Nebraska and West Virginia , ” she tweeted .
All 7.7 million of Michigan ’ s registered voters will receive absentee ballot applications before the state ’ s Aug. 4 primary and the Nov. 3 general election , Benson said Tuesday , according to Reuters .
Michigan is led by Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has been touted as a potential vice presidential pick by presumptive Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four Facts You Need To Know About Kamala Harris “ By mailing applications , we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote , ” Benson said in a statement .
“ Voting by mail is easy , convenient , safe , and secure , and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.
” Nevada is already embroiled in a dispute over its vote-by-mail plan for the state ’ s June 9 primary elections , according to Fox News .
The Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inactive voters , which includes people who have moved or died .
Clark County encompasses Las Vegas .
“ What ’ s going to happen with these things , they ’ re not secured at all and there are thousands of them just sitting here , ” Jenny Trobiani , a postal worker in Clark County , told Fox .
“ This just seems fraudulent to me , something stinks here , ” she said .
Republicans have said the Clark County elections commission is playing partisan politics with its actions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party on some kind of backroom deal , ” Rick Gorka , the deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee , told Fox .
“ If Trump was accused of doing this , there would be an outrage.
” “ Anyone can turn in a ballot they pick off the ground , ” added Keith Schipper , the Nevada Trump Victory communications director .
“ This is a dangerous proposition.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday lashed out at two states seeking to embrace mail-in voting.
“Breaking: Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!” Trump tweeted.
The president tagged Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and the Treasury Department in a subsequent tweet.
Trump then added another state to his list of targets.
“State of Nevada ‘thinks’ that they can send out illegal vote by mail ballots, creating a great Voter Fraud scenario for the State and the U.S. They can’t! If they do, “I think” I can hold up funds to the State. Sorry, but you must not cheat in elections,” Trump tweeted later.
State of Nevada “thinks” that they can send out illegal vote by mail ballots, creating a great Voter Fraud scenario for the State and the U.S. They can’t! If they do, “I think” I can hold up funds to the State. Sorry, but you must not cheat in elections. @RussVought45 @USTreasury — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2020
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson fired back at Trump’s tweet.
“I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia,” she tweeted.
Hi! ?? I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia. https://t.co/kBsu4nHvOy — Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) May 20, 2020
All 7.7 million of Michigan’s registered voters will receive absentee ballot applications before the state’s Aug. 4 primary and the Nov. 3 general election, Benson said Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Michigan is led by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been touted as a potential vice presidential pick by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Should Democratic vote-by-mail plans be stopped to prevent fraud? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 98% (4527 Votes) No: 2% (104 Votes)
“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Benson said in a statement. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”
Nevada is already embroiled in a dispute over its vote-by-mail plan for the state’s June 9 primary elections, according to Fox News.
The Clark County Election Department sent absentee ballots to inactive voters, which includes people who have moved or died. Clark County encompasses Las Vegas.
“What’s going to happen with these things, they’re not secured at all and there are thousands of them just sitting here,” Jenny Trobiani, a postal worker in Clark County, told Fox.
“This just seems fraudulent to me, something stinks here,” she said.
Republicans have said the Clark County elections commission is playing partisan politics with its actions.
“The Democratic county commissioners were working with the Democratic Party on some kind of backroom deal,” Rick Gorka, the deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee, told Fox.
“If Trump was accused of doing this, there would be an outrage.”
“Anyone can turn in a ballot they pick off the ground,” added Keith Schipper, the Nevada Trump Victory communications director. “This is a dangerous proposition.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--CDC Director Announces States Are Ready for Reopening

The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the worst of the first wave of the coronavirus impact appears to be over and that he is confident the nation ’ s public health infrastructure will be up the challenges ahead as the nation reopens .
“ I want to clarify that the community-based transmission , the community-to-community transmission that overwhelmed the public health departments in late February , March , April , that ’ s really coming down , ” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an interview with The Hill .
“ CDC is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked if the nation is ready to start reopening .
“ We put out a lot over the weekend again about you know how to reopen safely.
” “ Right now , what CDC and the state public health systems are doing is we ’ re fighting outbreaks , ” Redfield said .
“ And we ’ re going to continue to do that over the summer .
And as we do that , we ’ re going to be expanding what I just told you , but we have the capability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we gave — that the president gave — for the states to open up , it was important that they could test people that have flu-like illness and or syndromic disease .
They could set up surveillance .
They had the contact tracers that they needed right now.
” Redfield said the impact of the coronavirus has alerted the nation to the need for a stronger public health system that is now being put in place .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s really one of the important awakenings for a broad aspect of our society is that the public health infrastructure of this nation has been under-invested in for decades , ” he said .
“ The public health capacity of this country is great , but the challenge has been we haven ’ t had a sustained investment in data modernization .
We have some health departments that are still using pen and pencil.
” The federal response is designed to avoid further economic shutdown , Redfield said , noting , “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ [ W ] e are establishing really a robust surveillance program , which is going to be very intensive on testing , ” he said .
“ We ’ re expanding the nursing home testing so that every individual resident of a nursing home will be tested so we can make sure .
We ’ re going to be developing similar surveillances in inner city clinics and homeless populations and meat-packing things , that other parts of society to try to figure out what the best way is .
“ But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m confident that if we make this investment , we ’ re going to get the infrastructure in place , and we have every intent of sustaining containment , ” he said .
Redfield said contact tracing is vital as the nation reopens and prepares to deal with future waves of the virus in the fall and winter .
“ We need to have contact tracing .
And that means those contacts have to be all identified and traced and evaluated and tested within a day or so , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity to isolate people , and , you know , there are a number of people that are going to need isolation that don ’ t have homes or they live in multigenerational houses .
That has to be developed .
And then again , this is part of the critical component so we can do this , ” Redfield added , calling for a future contact tracing public health workforce of about 100,000 people , more than triple its current size .
He said the complexities of the future are “ why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be difficult .
I didn ’ t say it was going to be worse .
I didn ’ t say it was going to be more deadly , as some quoted , I said it ’ s going to be more difficult because we ’ re going to be getting the second experience with coronavirus as it expands in the fall and winter at the same time we ’ re getting influenza.
” RELATED : CDC Declares Coronavirus Does Not Spread as Easily as Initially Thought One critical issue for public health has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the CDC director .
“ What we can do is get the American public to a point that they ’ ll embrace flu vaccine with confidence .
Right now , less than 50 percent of the American public take advantage of the flu vaccine , and many people don ’ t realize — sadly were over 90,000 deaths from coronavirus so far this year — but over the last decade , we lost 360,000 people who died in this country from flu .
And we have a vaccine that more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide not to take , ” he said .
Redfield said components of coronavirus containment are being put in place .
“ The testing has to be readily available , and it ’ s increasing .
I think yesterday there were 400,000 tests done in a day , ” he said .
But he noted that testing has its issues .
“ One of the complexities about the coronavirus , unlike flu , is that a substantial amount of the human-human transmission is occurring from people who don ’ t even have symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do I know who ’ s infected if there ’ s no symptoms ?
” he said .
When asked about differences between CDC guidelines and White House guidelines for states as they reopen , Redfield replied that “ politics didn ’ t push us there.
” “ [ T ] his outbreak has gone from a CDC to an all of government response .
As a consequence , there are guidances that we come up that have significant interagency implications and say they go up through an interagency review , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make different comments and they come back to us not as mandates , but as comments .
And then we have to integrate them.
” Redfield said not every document is designed for every reader .
“ One of the things that became clear at the task force when we put up our initial guidelines is the number of people criticized , and I think , appropriately , that a lot of our guidelines are written in what they called CDC-eze , meaning that they ’ re not easy for the American public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ And so the decision was , why don ’ t you guys do some decision trees that are simple , one-pagers .
You ’ ve probably seen them targeting the American public .
And we released those six decision trees last week .
But behind those decision trees are the regular specific CDC documents that we have for the public health community.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the worst of the first wave of the coronavirus impact appears to be over and that he is confident the nation’s public health infrastructure will be up the challenges ahead as the nation reopens.
“I want to clarify that the community-based transmission, the community-to-community transmission that overwhelmed the public health departments in late February, March, April, that’s really coming down,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an interview with The Hill.
“CDC is putting out guidance,” he said when asked if the nation is ready to start reopening. “We put out a lot over the weekend again about you know how to reopen safely.”
“Right now, what CDC and the state public health systems are doing is we’re fighting outbreaks,” Redfield said. “And we’re going to continue to do that over the summer. And as we do that, we’re going to be expanding what I just told you, but we have the capability and as part of the guidance that we gave — that the president gave — for the states to open up, it was important that they could test people that have flu-like illness and or syndromic disease. They could set up surveillance. They had the contact tracers that they needed right now.”
Redfield said the impact of the coronavirus has alerted the nation to the need for a stronger public health system that is now being put in place.
“I think it’s really one of the important awakenings for a broad aspect of our society is that the public health infrastructure of this nation has been under-invested in for decades,” he said.
“The public health capacity of this country is great, but the challenge has been we haven’t had a sustained investment in data modernization. We have some health departments that are still using pen and pencil.”
The federal response is designed to avoid further economic shutdown, Redfield said, noting, “We can’t go back there.”
“[W]e are establishing really a robust surveillance program, which is going to be very intensive on testing,” he said. “We’re expanding the nursing home testing so that every individual resident of a nursing home will be tested so we can make sure. We’re going to be developing similar surveillances in inner city clinics and homeless populations and meat-packing things, that other parts of society to try to figure out what the best way is.
Do you think it's time for the nation to fully reopen? Yes No
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“But I want to be confident and give — I’m confident that if we make this investment, we’re going to get the infrastructure in place, and we have every intent of sustaining containment,” he said.
Redfield said contact tracing is vital as the nation reopens and prepares to deal with future waves of the virus in the fall and winter.
“We need to have contact tracing. And that means those contacts have to be all identified and traced and evaluated and tested within a day or so,” he said.
“They need to have capacity to isolate people, and, you know, there are a number of people that are going to need isolation that don’t have homes or they live in multigenerational houses. That has to be developed. And then again, this is part of the critical component so we can do this,” Redfield added, calling for a future contact tracing public health workforce of about 100,000 people, more than triple its current size.
He said the complexities of the future are “why I said this fall/winter is going to be difficult. I didn’t say it was going to be worse. I didn’t say it was going to be more deadly, as some quoted, I said it’s going to be more difficult because we’re going to be getting the second experience with coronavirus as it expands in the fall and winter at the same time we’re getting influenza.”
One critical issue for public health has nothing to do with the coronavirus, according to the CDC director.
“What we can do is get the American public to a point that they’ll embrace flu vaccine with confidence. Right now, less than 50 percent of the American public take advantage of the flu vaccine, and many people don’t realize — sadly were over 90,000 deaths from coronavirus so far this year — but over the last decade, we lost 360,000 people who died in this country from flu. And we have a vaccine that more than half of the people in this country decide not to take,” he said.
Redfield said components of coronavirus containment are being put in place.
“The testing has to be readily available, and it’s increasing. I think yesterday there were 400,000 tests done in a day,” he said.
But he noted that testing has its issues.
“One of the complexities about the coronavirus, unlike flu, is that a substantial amount of the human-human transmission is occurring from people who don’t even have symptoms. So that makes it harder. How do I know who’s infected if there’s no symptoms?” he said.
When asked about differences between CDC guidelines and White House guidelines for states as they reopen, Redfield replied that “politics didn’t push us there.”
“[T]his outbreak has gone from a CDC to an all of government response. As a consequence, there are guidances that we come up that have significant interagency implications and say they go up through an interagency review,” he said. “And the interagencies make different comments and they come back to us not as mandates, but as comments. And then we have to integrate them.”
Redfield said not every document is designed for every reader.
“One of the things that became clear at the task force when we put up our initial guidelines is the number of people criticized, and I think, appropriately, that a lot of our guidelines are written in what they called CDC-eze, meaning that they’re not easy for the American public to actually get through,” he said.
“And so the decision was, why don’t you guys do some decision trees that are simple, one-pagers. You’ve probably seen them targeting the American public. And we released those six decision trees last week. But behind those decision trees are the regular specific CDC documents that we have for the public health community.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Country Star Kenny Chesney Makes Decision To Pay His 120 Out-of-Work Employees for Rest of Year

On May 14 , country music star Kenny Chesney made an announcement that some must have seen coming , but that still saddened many of his fans .
He posted on Facebook , saying they ’ d “ done everything possible , ” tried to work out a solution , and even postponed some shows at the start of what was to be his 2020 Chillaxification Tour .
Based on expert opinions and projections , Chesney had to make the difficult decision to cancel the tour .
“ I ’ ve laid awake many nights thinking about this , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are with us every summer … some who fly from all over the country to meet up , people who ’ re coming for the first time … friends who ’ ve met at the tailgate or the Sandbar.
” TRENDING : Newsom Uses First Responders as Hostages To Make Sure He Gets Federal COVID Aid “ No Shoes Nation is not just people buying a ticket to a show , and I know that .
I care , because you guys care so very much.
” “ But that ’ s exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you guys first 2 ) I hate everything about what I ’ m about to say.
” “ No one has tried harder than my team to make the 2020 Chillaxification Tour a reality… Sadly , we can ’ t find a way to make it safe , to navigate water that ’ s just not getting any clearer.
” His team is working on finalizing the 2021 schedule , and he reassured fans that tickets would either be honored for the rescheduled date and time or refunded .
That choice was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done making sacrifices .
He decided that even though the shows were canceled , he ’ d look out for his crew .
“ I have 120 employees , ” he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times .
“ Thank God I don ’ t have to let anybody go this year .
Now , if we don ’ t play the next two or three years , it ’ s going to change the dynamic of my life .
And I ’ m not gon na lie , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much it would cost to cover those 120 employees , Chesney dodged the question .
“ I don ’ t want to get into numbers , ” he said .
“ But it ’ s a lot of money .
A lot of money .
The initial shock of it , I looked at the numbers and went , Oh my God , this is overwhelming.
” “ And , look , it ’ s affecting my life — I ’ m not gon na say it ’ s not .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was gon na keep my lifestyle the way it was or if I ’ m gon na take care of my people.
” Hopefully Chesney ’ s 2021 plans will pan out and fans will be able to understand and appreciate the postponement , but in the meantime he ’ s also looking out for his own employees .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

On May 14, country music star Kenny Chesney made an announcement that some must have seen coming, but that still saddened many of his fans.
He posted on Facebook, saying they’d “done everything possible,” tried to work out a solution, and even postponed some shows at the start of what was to be his 2020 Chillaxification Tour.
Based on expert opinions and projections, Chesney had to make the difficult decision to cancel the tour.
“I’ve laid awake many nights thinking about this, not wanting to disappoint all the people who are with us every summer … some who fly from all over the country to meet up, people who’re coming for the first time … friends who’ve met at the tailgate or the Sandbar.”
“No Shoes Nation is not just people buying a ticket to a show, and I know that. I care, because you guys care so very much.”
“But that’s exactly why… 1) I wanted to tell you guys first 2) I hate everything about what I’m about to say.”
“No one has tried harder than my team to make the 2020 Chillaxification Tour a reality… Sadly, we can’t find a way to make it safe, to navigate water that’s just not getting any clearer.”
His team is working on finalizing the 2021 schedule, and he reassured fans that tickets would either be honored for the rescheduled date and time or refunded.
That choice was trying enough, but Chesney wasn’t done making sacrifices. He decided that even though the shows were canceled, he’d look out for his crew.
“I have 120 employees,” he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “Thank God I don’t have to let anybody go this year. Now, if we don’t play the next two or three years, it’s going to change the dynamic of my life. And I’m not gonna lie, it’s expensive.”
When asked how much it would cost to cover those 120 employees, Chesney dodged the question.
“I don’t want to get into numbers,” he said. “But it’s a lot of money. A lot of money. The initial shock of it, I looked at the numbers and went, Oh my God, this is overwhelming.”
“And, look, it’s affecting my life — I’m not gonna say it’s not. But I had to make a decision if I was gonna keep my lifestyle the way it was or if I’m gonna take care of my people.”
Hopefully Chesney’s 2021 plans will pan out and fans will be able to understand and appreciate the postponement, but in the meantime he’s also looking out for his own employees.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-05-20--Oregon Gov Orders Residents of Closed Counties To Not Travel to Open Counties for Business

Almost all of Oregon is reopened for business after the coronavirus lockdown , which should be a moment we can all celebrate .
Instead , the state ’ s Democratic governor has decided to make it yet another politicized moment with an impotent order stopping residents of closed counties from traveling to open counties for services .
According to The Oregonian , most of the state was able to begin Phase 1 of the reopening last Friday with very few exceptions .
That meant gyms , hair salons , shopping malls and restaurants with sit-down diners could begin operating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
While gatherings would also be allowed , they would be limited to 25 people under Phase 1 .
Even the most inessential of inessential stores — “ furniture stores , art galleries , jewelry shops and boutiques , ” a group of retailers specifically ordered to close by Gov .
Kate Brown — reopened Friday .
So did child care centers , although priority must go to the children of essential workers .
The only exception seems to be cosmetic stores .
Not bad for a blue state , right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you read the fine print .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me Oregon ’ s three most populous counties — Clackamas , Multnomah and Washington , all of which are in the Portland area and have significantly higher rates of infection — will continue to remain closed for the time being .
According to The Oregonian , “ Brown asked Portland-area residents to hold tight and resist the urge to drive to another county to get a haircut , dine out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site.
” “ I know this is really hard , ” the governor said .
“ I know many of us are really wanting to get our hair done , get our haircut , whatever you need to do , but we are asking folks in the metro area to be thoughtful of their fellow Oregonians and to stay home and limit their travel to essential need .
… We obviously don ’ t want to overwhelm the rest of Oregon by traveling outside the metro area.
” According to Oregon Public Broadcasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were close to opening up for business .
Only Multnomah County apparently hasn ’ t come close to meeting the necessary requirements .
Oregon has reported 140 COVID-19 deaths and 3,726 confirmed cases , almost all of which are in and around Portland .
So , will Brown be enforcing this order ?
Well — not exactly .
“ Brown also said police won ’ t be stopping Portlanders who are heading out for a visit to the coast , but she asked that metro area residents respect her direction , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” The Oregonian reported .
Of course , none of these quarantined counties is out on the coast , so unless the police are repurposed to trawl every mall parking lot and type license plate numbers into the system until their fingers turn blue to determine where the car is from , this order is beyond useless .
Since that ’ s not going to happen , what we ’ re going to assume from this is that Brown issued an order that sounded good on paper but one that she realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had limited authority to make .
RELATED : Antifa Tough Guy Takes Landlord to Court , Turns Out It 's His Grandma And , on Tuesday , she officially had no authority to make that decision .
According to KOMO-TV , Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff ruled Tuesday that since the governor hadn ’ t asked the legislature for an extension of her original 28-day emergency order , her restrictions were null and void .
The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by 10 churches challenging the constitutionality of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown asked the Oregon Supreme Court for an emergency review of the ruling .
She also asked Shirtcliff to stay his ruling , which he refused to do .
“ The science behind these executive orders hasn ’ t changed one bit , ” Brown said in a statement .
“ Ongoing physical distancing , staying home as much as possible , and wearing face coverings will save lives across Oregon.
” Yes , but those weren ’ t exactly the points made by the lawsuit , which were a ) Brown didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her lockdown order and b ) subjecting constitutionally protected institutions to the same rules as the restaurants without explicit constitutional protections isn ’ t going to fly .
On the first count , my assumption , from long experience , is that this judge ’ s decision probably won ’ t hold — and , considering the legislature is in Democratic hands , it ’ s probably a moot point anyhow .
In the narrow case of churches , however , it ’ s worth pointing out other religious assemblies have won similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — something that doesn ’ t augur well for Brown maintaining control on that aspect of life in her state .
But then , that ’ s the point : Court or not , most governors will likely have less control than they think regarding people returning back to aspects of their old lives , no matter how much control the government wants to maintain .
Bringing this all back to the fact that Clackamas , Multnomah and Washington counties can ’ t enter Phase 1 of reopening , how much control could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Consider the disproportionate amount of police manpower that would be required to enforce the closure if Brown hadn ’ t given herself the convenient out of allowing Portland-area residents to drive to the coast .
The governor made it sound as if she was being merciful .
In truth , she was merely being utilitarian .
As much as one guesses she desperately wanted to micromanage who could go where , she realized that moment has passed .
We ’ ve reached the point in the coronavirus crisis , at least for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders like this should be the rule , not the exception .
The farcical idea that we could stay closed until a vaccine is developed is long over .
I understand governors enjoy power — and most of them believe they ’ re using it for good .
The science simply doesn ’ t back that up .
We can not continue destroying our economies and our freedoms in the name of chasing a chimeric safety .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial @ @

Almost all of Oregon is reopened for business after the coronavirus lockdown, which should be a moment we can all celebrate.
Instead, the state’s Democratic governor has decided to make it yet another politicized moment with an impotent order stopping residents of closed counties from traveling to open counties for services.
According to The Oregonian, most of the state was able to begin Phase 1 of the reopening last Friday with very few exceptions. That meant gyms, hair salons, shopping malls and restaurants with sit-down diners could begin operating, although there would still be plenty of restrictions. While gatherings would also be allowed, they would be limited to 25 people under Phase 1.
Even the most inessential of inessential stores — “furniture stores, art galleries, jewelry shops and boutiques,” a group of retailers specifically ordered to close by Gov. Kate Brown — reopened Friday. So did child care centers, although priority must go to the children of essential workers. The only exception seems to be cosmetic stores.
Not bad for a blue state, right? All of this sounds pretty fair until you read the fine print.
Oregon’s three most populous counties — Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington, all of which are in the Portland area and have significantly higher rates of infection — will continue to remain closed for the time being.
According to The Oregonian, “Brown asked Portland-area residents to hold tight and resist the urge to drive to another county to get a haircut, dine out at a restaurant or visit a tourist site.”
“I know this is really hard,” the governor said.
“I know many of us are really wanting to get our hair done, get our haircut, whatever you need to do, but we are asking folks in the metro area to be thoughtful of their fellow Oregonians and to stay home and limit their travel to essential need. … We obviously don’t want to overwhelm the rest of Oregon by traveling outside the metro area.”
Do you Brown's order banning travel from closed to open counties went too far? Yes No
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According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, two out of the three counties were close to opening up for business. Only Multnomah County apparently hasn’t come close to meeting the necessary requirements.
Oregon has reported 140 COVID-19 deaths and 3,726 confirmed cases, almost all of which are in and around Portland.
So, will Brown be enforcing this order? Well — not exactly.
“Brown also said police won’t be stopping Portlanders who are heading out for a visit to the coast, but she asked that metro area residents respect her direction, which is meant to lessen the spread of COVID-19,” The Oregonian reported.
Of course, none of these quarantined counties is out on the coast, so unless the police are repurposed to trawl every mall parking lot and type license plate numbers into the system until their fingers turn blue to determine where the car is from, this order is beyond useless. Since that’s not going to happen, what we’re going to assume from this is that Brown issued an order that sounded good on paper but one that she realized, at some point, that she had limited authority to make.
And, on Tuesday, she officially had no authority to make that decision.
According to KOMO-TV, Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff ruled Tuesday that since the governor hadn’t asked the legislature for an extension of her original 28-day emergency order, her restrictions were null and void.
The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by 10 churches challenging the constitutionality of the state’s social distancing regulations.
Brown asked the Oregon Supreme Court for an emergency review of the ruling. She also asked Shirtcliff to stay his ruling, which he refused to do.
“The science behind these executive orders hasn’t changed one bit,” Brown said in a statement.
“Ongoing physical distancing, staying home as much as possible, and wearing face coverings will save lives across Oregon.”
Yes, but those weren’t exactly the points made by the lawsuit, which were a) Brown didn’t have the authority to extend her lockdown order and b) subjecting constitutionally protected institutions to the same rules as the restaurants without explicit constitutional protections isn’t going to fly.
On the first count, my assumption, from long experience, is that this judge’s decision probably won’t hold — and, considering the legislature is in Democratic hands, it’s probably a moot point anyhow. In the narrow case of churches, however, it’s worth pointing out other religious assemblies have won similar court cases in states such as Kentucky — something that doesn’t augur well for Brown maintaining control on that aspect of life in her state.
But then, that’s the point: Court or not, most governors will likely have less control than they think regarding people returning back to aspects of their old lives, no matter how much control the government wants to maintain.
Bringing this all back to the fact that Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties can’t enter Phase 1 of reopening, how much control could the government realistically exert over these jurisdictions?
Consider the disproportionate amount of police manpower that would be required to enforce the closure if Brown hadn’t given herself the convenient out of allowing Portland-area residents to drive to the coast.
The governor made it sound as if she was being merciful. In truth, she was merely being utilitarian. As much as one guesses she desperately wanted to micromanage who could go where, she realized that moment has passed.
We’ve reached the point in the coronavirus crisis, at least for the time being, where nonenforcement of orders like this should be the rule, not the exception.
The farcical idea that we could stay closed until a vaccine is developed is long over. I understand governors enjoy power — and most of them believe they’re using it for good. The science simply doesn’t back that up.
We cannot continue destroying our economies and our freedoms in the name of chasing a chimeric safety.
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.