westernjournal--2020-07-18--TWJ Interviews Roger Stone: ‘I Have Been Treated Differently’ by the American Judicial System

A major domino standing between President Donald Trump and special counsel Robert Mueller throughout the Russia investigation , political operative and self-professed “ dirty trickster ” Roger Stone was arguably the American political sphere ’ s public enemy no .
1 in the wake of the 2016 presidential election .
On July 10 , Stone topped the charts in political controversy once again as the president officially commuted his 40-month federal prison sentence following months of legal jockeying at the appellate level .
But with the good news still settling in a week later , Stone told The Western Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move on from the lowest point in his life , indignant in the face of a sinking feeling that the uniquely American right to fair and speedy trial was “ not for Roger Stone.
” Stone was convicted in November 2019 of seven federal felonies — which included lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing a congressional investigation .
The charges came as a result of a years-long investigation by Mueller into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign in order to sway the results of the 2016 presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having interacted with an internet persona who federal officials alleged was linked to the Russian governmental intelligence community and had played a role in hacking the Democratic National Committee ’ s servers to steal and leak private information damaging to Hillary Clinton ’ s presidential campaign .
Federal prosecutors later pursued charges against Stone for providing false statements regarding the communications .
Stone and his legal team have long held that these statements were unrelated to any underlying crime , thus rendering them immaterial .
Other prominent members of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mueller investigation include former legal “ fixer ” Michael Cohen , former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , former campaign chair Paul Manafort , and two of Manafort ’ s associates , Alex van der Zwaan and Rick Gates .
The federal court ’ s willingness to grant home confinement and other imprisonment alternatives to several of these figures amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while attempting to ensure Stone served his 40-month sentence on-site with the federal Bureau of Prisons , however , was further evidence the deck was being stacked against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal .
Citing pre-existing respiratory conditions , the 67-year-old Stone requested deferral of his imprisonment until September as a result of increased viral transmission concerns , but was granted only a two-week delay by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson .
According to Stone , it was a “ death sentence , ” as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data reveals those with pre-existing conditions are 12 times more likely to die of the coronavirus than those without .
“ If I were just an average person , the current policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Bureau of Prisons is to protect average people from COVID , at least on paper , ” Stone told The Western Journal .
“ I don ’ t think the appeals court would have turned down my bid for transfer to home confinement , as Michael Avenatti is in home confinement .
Michael Cohen was , until he stupidly violated the terms .
Rick Gates is in home confinement .
Paul Manafort ’ s even in home confinement .
RELATED : TWJ Exclusive : Roger Stone Considering Rushmore-Esque Tattoo of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This policy is for everybody but Roger Stone , ” he said .
“ At every step of the way , I have been treated differently than other people.
” Stone ’ s interactions with the federal courts throughout his trial were anything but amiable .
Numerous controversies involving the operative , the judge and even the jury set a cloud over the case that never seemed to lift .
From early on , Stone said , he was denied a defense on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct in the Mueller investigation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues raised by the case of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn .
Motions for retrial on conviction were later dismissed , despite jury forewoman Tomeka Heart eventually being revealed to be a former Democratic congressional candidate and activist with strong anti-Trump leanings , the U.K. Daily Mail reported .
Stone had also previously been ordered in February 2019 to remain silent on the case because of a controversial image he posted to Instagram , according to The Associated Press .
The photo featured a close-up shot of Jackson , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media believed to be a graphic representing firearm crosshairs .
Stone denied any suggestion he had been attempting to threaten the judge , arguing the graphic had been a trademarked logo for the organization that originally posted the image online .
“ It was used as an excuse to gag me , ” Stone told The Western Journal .
Stone alleged Friday this series of events contributed to widespread Justice Department efforts to see the operative flipped against Trump .
“ It was , ‘ Now , we ’ ve got you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to prison forever unless you agree to testify against the president , ' ” Stone said .
“ [ Then-federal prosecutor Jeannie Rhee ] suggested to my lawyers it was time for me to cooperate , and if I were willing to say certain things , they would be willing to offer some recommendation of unspecified leniency — which she hinted might be no time in jail.
” Left-wing commentators and establishment media sources have fixated on this refusal since Stone ’ s arrest last January , theorizing that Trump might offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 sentence commutation in exchange for silence from the political operative regarding any truly incriminating details .
Stone vehemently denied such theories Friday , telling The Western Journal this had never been the case and no such details existed .
The Justice Department failed to turn up evidence of collusion on the part of the Trump campaign throughout the Mueller investigation .
With impeachment inquiries stemming from the Ukraine scandal , the Democratic Party was similarly unsuccessful .
Further efforts to remove Trump from office would be largely confined to the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent months by an economically devastating pandemic and widespread civil unrest .
Low polling numbers coinciding with these events have in turn resulted in major shakeups at the Trump campaign .
Trump ’ s team moved on Thursday moved to replace campaign manager Brad Parscale with Bill Stepien and return Parscale to his former position as a senior adviser .
The campaign had previously invited Jeff Dewitt to return to his 2016 role as chief operating officer as well .
These shakeups , Stone said , will be integral to a campaign strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an economic revival that only the current president can deliver .
“ Any campaign for any office begins with a one-sentence rationale , why the people should vote for you and not your opponent , ” Stone said .
“ That occurs to me in this instance to be quite simply , ” he added , “ Who better to revive our economy ?
A man who has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt and indisputably that he knows exactly how to do it because he ’ s already done it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the economy will take a sick patient and kill it ?
” Stone told The Western Journal that he does not expect to officially return to the fray for Trump in 2020 , but will be supporting the president ’ s re-election efforts in a “ perfectly legal ” and “ independent ” capacity .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A major domino standing between President Donald Trump and special counsel Robert Mueller throughout the Russia investigation, political operative and self-professed “dirty trickster” Roger Stone was arguably the American political sphere’s public enemy no. 1 in the wake of the 2016 presidential election.
On July 10, Stone topped the charts in political controversy once again as the president officially commuted his 40-month federal prison sentence following months of legal jockeying at the appellate level.
But with the good news still settling in a week later, Stone told The Western Journal on Friday he was simply ready to move on from the lowest point in his life, indignant in the face of a sinking feeling that the uniquely American right to fair and speedy trial was “not for Roger Stone.”
‘Treated Differently’
Stone was convicted in November 2019 of seven federal felonies — which included lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing a congressional investigation.
The charges came as a result of a years-long investigation by Mueller into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign in order to sway the results of the 2016 presidential election.
Stone was initially fingered in that investigation for having interacted with an internet persona who federal officials alleged was linked to the Russian governmental intelligence community and had played a role in hacking the Democratic National Committee’s servers to steal and leak private information damaging to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Federal prosecutors later pursued charges against Stone for providing false statements regarding the communications. Stone and his legal team have long held that these statements were unrelated to any underlying crime, thus rendering them immaterial.
Other prominent members of Trump’s inner circle convicted as a result of the Mueller investigation include former legal “fixer” Michael Cohen, former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, former campaign chair Paul Manafort, and two of Manafort’s associates, Alex van der Zwaan and Rick Gates.
Do you think Stone was treated unfairly by the U.S. justice system? 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: 96% (184 Votes) No: 4% (8 Votes)
The federal court’s willingness to grant home confinement and other imprisonment alternatives to several of these figures amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while attempting to ensure Stone served his 40-month sentence on-site with the federal Bureau of Prisons, however, was further evidence the deck was being stacked against him, the political operative told The Western Journal.
Citing pre-existing respiratory conditions, the 67-year-old Stone requested deferral of his imprisonment until September as a result of increased viral transmission concerns, but was granted only a two-week delay by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
According to Stone, it was a “death sentence,” as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data reveals those with pre-existing conditions are 12 times more likely to die of the coronavirus than those without.
“If I were just an average person, the current policy of [the Department of Justice] and the Bureau of Prisons is to protect average people from COVID, at least on paper,” Stone told The Western Journal.
“I don’t think the appeals court would have turned down my bid for transfer to home confinement, as Michael Avenatti is in home confinement. Michael Cohen was, until he stupidly violated the terms. Rick Gates is in home confinement. Paul Manafort’s even in home confinement.
“This policy is for everybody but Roger Stone,” he said.
“At every step of the way, I have been treated differently than other people.”
A Courtroom Drama
Stone’s interactions with the federal courts throughout his trial were anything but amiable. Numerous controversies involving the operative, the judge and even the jury set a cloud over the case that never seemed to lift.
From early on, Stone said, he was denied a defense on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct in the Mueller investigation, from the Strzok scandal to more recent issues raised by the case of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
Motions for retrial on conviction were later dismissed, despite jury forewoman Tomeka Heart eventually being revealed to be a former Democratic congressional candidate and activist with strong anti-Trump leanings, the U.K. Daily Mail reported.
Stone had also previously been ordered in February 2019 to remain silent on the case because of a controversial image he posted to Instagram, according to The Associated Press.
BREAKING: A now GAGGED Roger Stone leaves court now… without a word. @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/qGja9WXH7F — Ross Palombo (@RossPalomboWPLG) February 21, 2019
The photo featured a close-up shot of Jackson, as well as what some court officials and members of the media believed to be a graphic representing firearm crosshairs.
Stone denied any suggestion he had been attempting to threaten the judge, arguing the graphic had been a trademarked logo for the organization that originally posted the image online.
“It was used as an excuse to gag me,” Stone told The Western Journal.
Trump, 2016 and 2020
Stone alleged Friday this series of events contributed to widespread Justice Department efforts to see the operative flipped against Trump.
“It was, ‘Now, we’ve got you. We’re going to send you to prison forever unless you agree to testify against the president,'” Stone said. “[Then-federal prosecutor Jeannie Rhee] suggested to my lawyers it was time for me to cooperate, and if I were willing to say certain things, they would be willing to offer some recommendation of unspecified leniency — which she hinted might be no time in jail.”
“I refused,” he added.
Left-wing commentators and establishment media sources have fixated on this refusal since Stone’s arrest last January, theorizing that Trump might offer an action similar to the eventual July 10 sentence commutation in exchange for silence from the political operative regarding any truly incriminating details.
Stone vehemently denied such theories Friday, telling The Western Journal this had never been the case and no such details existed.
WATCH: After addressing the media, Roger Stone does a double peace sign, made famous by Richard Nixon. He worked for the Nixon campaign and has a tattoo of the former president on his back. https://t.co/1FVjI1PbYA pic.twitter.com/zWOW8aGOaf — CBS News (@CBSNews) January 25, 2019
The Justice Department failed to turn up evidence of collusion on the part of the Trump campaign throughout the Mueller investigation. With impeachment inquiries stemming from the Ukraine scandal, the Democratic Party was similarly unsuccessful.
Further efforts to remove Trump from office would be largely confined to the 2020 presidential election — a contest swayed dramatically in recent months by an economically devastating pandemic and widespread civil unrest.
Low polling numbers coinciding with these events have in turn resulted in major shakeups at the Trump campaign.
Trump’s team moved on Thursday moved to replace campaign manager Brad Parscale with Bill Stepien and return Parscale to his former position as a senior adviser.
The campaign had previously invited Jeff Dewitt to return to his 2016 role as chief operating officer as well.
These shakeups, Stone said, will be integral to a campaign strategy that will likely lean on the promise of an economic revival that only the current president can deliver.
“Any campaign for any office begins with a one-sentence rationale, why the people should vote for you and not your opponent,” Stone said.
“That occurs to me in this instance to be quite simply,” he added, “Who better to revive our economy? A man who has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt and indisputably that he knows exactly how to do it because he’s already done it once, or a man whose prescription for the economy will take a sick patient and kill it?”
Stone told The Western Journal that he does not expect to officially return to the fray for Trump in 2020, but will be supporting the president’s re-election efforts in a “perfectly legal” and “independent” capacity.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--SCOTUS Grants Manhattan Attorney Request, Expedites Trump Tax Return Order

The next chapter in the legal battle over President Donald Trump ’ s tax returns will begin sooner than anticipated .
On Friday , the Supreme Court ordered that last week ’ s decision against Trump take effect immediately .
Trump had argued that his tax records and personal and corporate financial information could not be disclosed because he was immune from prosecution while in office .
In a ruling issued last week , the court rejected that argument , according to The New York Times .
In general , Supreme Court rulings take about 25 days to go into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. wanted that sped up .
“ Each day that compliance with the Mazars Subpoena is delayed increases the likelihood that the grand jury will not receive the documents it sought ten months ago in a timely fashion , ” he wrote the court in urging that the decision go into effect immediately .
Vance has said that the tax returns are necessary as he investigates alleged hush-money payments prior to the 2016 election .
The Manhattan district attorney also fears that the clock is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could become void if it is delayed in the courts , so long it passes the statute of limitations .
Vance said a delay could grant Trump the “ absolute temporary immunity that this court rejected.
” Trump ’ s team did not fight the court ruling , putting the decision into effect immediately .
The Supreme Court ’ s ruling meant that Trump still can fight the case at the district court level .
However , now that a U.S. district court will be considering the case , it opens the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court level .
After the initial Supreme Court ruling , Jay Sekulow , a lawyer for Trump , said in a statement that Trump ’ s defense “ will now proceed to raise additional constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts.
” RELATED : TWJ Exclusive : Roger Stone Considering Rushmore-Esque Tattoo of Trump , Reagan and Other Conservative Heavyweights During a hearing last week , attorney William Consovoy , representing Trump , called the subpoena “ wildly overbroad ” and raised the issue of possible political motivation by Vance , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consovoy said Vance should be forced to reveal more information about his investigation , saying it was unfair to challenge the subpoena without knowing “ at least some information about its nature and scope.
” Legal sparring over the terms of the subpoena could mean that Vance will not get Trump ’ s taxes until after the November elections .
“ What the president ’ s lawyers are seeking here is [ a ] delay , ” Carey Dunne of the district attorney ’ s office said , according to The Hill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire strategy .
Every day that goes by , the president wins the type of absolute temporary immunity he ’ s been seeking in this case , even though he ’ s lost on that claim before every court that ’ s heard it , including now the Supreme Court , ” he said .
Trump ’ s lawyers have until July 27 to raises challenges to the subpoena in the district court .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The next chapter in the legal battle over President Donald Trump’s tax returns will begin sooner than anticipated.
On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered that last week’s decision against Trump take effect immediately.
Trump had argued that his tax records and personal and corporate financial information could not be disclosed because he was immune from prosecution while in office.
In a ruling issued last week, the court rejected that argument, according to The New York Times.
In general, Supreme Court rulings take about 25 days to go into effect, the New York Post reported.
However, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. wanted that sped up.
“Each day that compliance with the Mazars Subpoena is delayed increases the likelihood that the grand jury will not receive the documents it sought ten months ago in a timely fashion,” he wrote the court in urging that the decision go into effect immediately.
Vance has said that the tax returns are necessary as he investigates alleged hush-money payments prior to the 2016 election.
The Manhattan district attorney also fears that the clock is ticking on a subpoena issued in September that could become void if it is delayed in the courts so long that it passes the statute of limitations.
Is this hunt for the president's taxes pure politics? 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% (3796 Votes) No: 1% (46 Votes)
Vance said a delay could grant Trump the “absolute temporary immunity that this court rejected.”
Trump’s team did not fight the court ruling, putting the decision into effect immediately.
The Supreme Court’s decision last week meant that Trump still can fight the case at the lower court level, and opens the door for his legal team to make new arguments in the district court, as SCOTUSblog reported.
After the initial Supreme Court ruling, Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Trump, said in a statement that Trump’s defense “will now proceed to raise additional constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts.”
During a hearing last week, attorney William Consovoy, representing Trump, called the subpoena “wildly overbroad” and raised the issue of possible political motivation by Vance, a Democrat, according to The Times.
Consovoy said Vance should be forced to reveal more information about his investigation, saying it was unfair to challenge the subpoena without knowing “at least some information about its nature and scope.”
“Our strategy seeks due process,” Sekulow told The Times.
Legal sparring over the terms of the subpoena could mean that Vance will not get Trump’s taxes until after the November elections.
“What the president’s lawyers are seeking here is [a] delay,” Carey Dunne of the district attorney’s office said, according to The Hill.
“I think that’s the entire strategy. Every day that goes by, the president wins the type of absolute temporary immunity he’s been seeking in this case, even though he’s lost on that claim before every court that’s heard it, including now the Supreme Court,” he said.
Trump’s lawyers have until July 27 to raise challenges to the subpoena in the district court.
CORRECTION, July 19, 2020: The Western Journal revised the wording of two sentences in this article to clarify the implications of the remanding of this case to district court.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--Left-Leaning Group Loses It After Ivanka’s Goya Endorsement, Files Ethics Complaint

When Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue appeared next to Donald Trump in the White House Rose Garden for a Hispanic leadership event last week — and had the nerve to offer words of praise for the president — the cancellation was quick and inevitable .
If you were on the left and you could pretend you knew how to spell “ sazón ” without googling it to find where the accent went ( and also what sazón was ) , you were outraged .
If you had a blue check mark , you let the world know you weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wares again , or at least until this was such a distant memory that Page Six photographers wouldn ’ t bother taking a picture of you putting Malta Goya in your shopping cart .
Some of the most famous Goya boycotters , it should be noted , were politicians .
In fact , the two most prominent individuals I can think of were a sitting congresswoman and a Democratic presidential candidate : So there ’ s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro , the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Goya boycott .
And then there was the Goya buy-cott , a sign of support from conservatives who wanted to show support for Unanue , particularly because he refused to apologize .
The most famous of Goya ’ s new unpaid endorsers was the first daughter , Ivanka Trump : “ If it ’ s Goya , it has to be good , ” Ivanka ’ s tweet read , echoing the company ’ s slogan .
She also included it en español : “ Si es Goya , tiene que @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an ethics complaint against her now .
According to the Washington Examiner , the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint Friday with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics over the tweet , which the citizens ’ group says is an “ apparent violation of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.
” CREW nominally is a nonpartisan organization in the same way every politician running for office is nominally interested in working across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion .
If you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , simply look at the front page of its website , which — as of Saturday morning — didn ’ t contain a single link to a fresh , meaningless outrage that doesn ’ t have something to do with either the president or a Trump administration official .
On Ivanka ’ s hill of beans : “ Federal ethics regulations prohibit any employee from endorsing ‘ any product , service or enterprise , ’ ” CREW said on its website .
“ While it may seem silly to be focused on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to direct business to supporters of the president is a massive ethics problem .
And for this White House , it is just one more example of unchecked corruption.
” “ This is not just about beans ; it ’ s another example of a disturbing pattern of this administration acting to benefit the businesses of the president ’ s supporters , ” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement on the website .
“ In the midst of a worsening pandemic , senior administration officials should not be focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s business and should not be providing official incentives for businesses to support them politically .
Senior Trump officials continue to act like ethics laws [ do ] not apply to them.
” The letter CREW sent to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics , addressed to the director , the Honorable Emory Rounds , was more detailed and yet only slightly less fatuous .
“ The circumstances would lead any reasonable person to conclude her Goya Foods posts represented an official government endorsement intended to counteract the negative effect of any boycott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In particular , when viewed in the context of President Trump ’ s own contemporaneous social media messages about the company , any argument to the contrary would be disingenuous .
As a result , Ms. Trump appears to have clearly violated the Standards of Conduct barring her from using her government position , title or any authority associated with her public office to endorse any product , service , or enterprise.
” Except no .
No reasonable person would conclude the White House was endorsing Goya , no more than they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuke against Goya .
“ As has been reiterated prior , this tweet was made in her personal capacity voicing her personal support , ” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany when asked about the complaint , according to The Hill .
“ This complaint is another politically motivated , baseless attack from an organization with a vendetta against all of the administration.
” For the moment , Goya Foods is a political accoutrement .
It is to your pantry what a Toyota Prius was to your garage in 2008 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the moment .
Goya ’ s products also cost a lot less than a Prius and taste a lot better .
The point is that this isn ’ t about advertising .
It ’ s about aligning yourself with ( or decoupling yourself from ) a company whose CEO made a bold and controversial stand .
McEnany is right inasmuch as this is something Ivanka Trump clearly was doing in a personal capacity .
CREW ’ s letter said Trump “ holds one of the most highly visible positions in the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisor and the President ’ s daughter , she is recognized as a member of President Trump ’ s innermost circle.
” The letter also notes that her Instagram profile lists her as “ Advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment , workforce development & entrepreneurship.
” All of which is profoundly unconvincing , since all of those positions are nebulous and none were brought up in the context of Ivanka showing her support for Goya Foods .
The post said , “ If it ’ s Goya , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say , “ If it ’ s Goya , it has to be good .
I should know , I ’ m a top presidential adviser , and I ’ m recognized as a member of the president ’ s innermost circle.
” I mean , if she did say that , by golly , they ’ d have her .
But no such luck for the left .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue appeared next to Donald Trump in the White House Rose Garden for a Hispanic leadership event last week — and had the nerve to offer words of praise for the president — the cancellation was quick and inevitable.
If you were on the left and you could pretend you knew how to spell “sazón” without googling it to find where the accent went (and also what sazón was), you were outraged. If you had a blue check mark, you let the world know you weren’t going to buy any of Goya’s wares again, or at least until this was such a distant memory that Page Six photographers wouldn’t bother taking a picture of you putting Malta Goya in your shopping cart.
Say, September-ish.
Some of the most famous Goya boycotters, it should be noted, were politicians. In fact, the two most prominent individuals I can think of were a sitting congresswoman and a Democratic presidential candidate:
Oh look, it’s the sound of me Googling “how to make your own Adobo” https://t.co/YOScAcyAnC — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 10, 2020
.@GoyaFoods has been a staple of so many Latino households for generations. Now their CEO, Bob Unanue, is praising a president who villainizes and maliciously attacks Latinos for political gain. Americans should think twice before buying their products. #Goyaway https://t.co/lZDQlK6TcU — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) July 9, 2020
So there’s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, the latter an erstwhile presidential candidate, signing on to a Goya boycott.
Did Ivanka Trump commit an ethics violation? 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: 1% (19 Votes) No: 99% (1346 Votes)
And then there was the Goya buy-cott, a sign of support for Unanue, both for his comments about Trump and for his later refusal to walk them back.
The most famous of Goya’s new supporters was probably the first daughter, Ivanka Trump.
“If it’s Goya, it has to be good,” Ivanka’s tweet read, echoing the company’s slogan. She also included it en español: “Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno.”
So naturally, there’s an ethics complaint against her now.
If it’s Goya, it has to be good.
Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno. pic.twitter.com/9tjVrfmo9z — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2020
According to the Washington Examiner, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint Friday with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics over the tweet, which the citizens’ group says is an “apparent violation of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.”
CREW nominally is a nonpartisan organization in the same way every politician running for office is nominally interested in working across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion. If you want to acquaint yourself with how CREW rolls, simply look at the front page of its website, which — as of Saturday morning — didn’t contain a single link to a fresh, meaningless outrage that doesn’t have something to do with either the president or a Trump administration official.
On Ivanka’s hill of beans: “Federal ethics regulations prohibit any employee from endorsing ‘any product, service or enterprise,’ ” CREW said on its website. “While it may seem silly to be focused on a can of beans, a White House trying to direct business to supporters of the president is a massive ethics problem. And for this White House, it is just one more example of unchecked corruption.”
“This is not just about beans; it’s another example of a disturbing pattern of this administration acting to benefit the businesses of the president’s supporters,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement on the website. “In the midst of a worsening pandemic, senior administration officials should not be focused on the promotion of an ally’s business and should not be providing official incentives for businesses to support them politically. Senior Trump officials continue to act like ethics laws [do] not apply to them.”
The letter CREW sent to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, addressed to the director, the Honorable Emory Rounds, was more detailed and yet only slightly less fatuous.
“The circumstances would lead any reasonable person to conclude her Goya Foods posts represented an official government endorsement intended to counteract the negative effect of any boycott,” the letter read.
“In particular, when viewed in the context of President Trump’s own contemporaneous social media messages about the company, any argument to the contrary would be disingenuous. As a result, Ms. Trump appears to have clearly violated the Standards of Conduct barring her from using her government position, title or any authority associated with her public office to endorse any product, service, or enterprise.”
Except no. No reasonable person would conclude the White House was endorsing Goya, no more than they would conclude Ocasio-Cortez was issuing an official government rebuke against Goya.
“As has been reiterated prior, this tweet was made in her personal capacity voicing her personal support,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany when asked about the complaint, according to The Hill. “This complaint is another politically motivated, baseless attack from an organization with a vendetta against all of the administration.”
For the moment, Goya Foods is a political accoutrement. It is to your pantry what a Toyota Prius was to your garage in 2008. It says a lot about who you are at the moment. (Goya’s products also cost a lot less than a Prius and taste a lot better.)
The point is that this isn’t about advertising. It’s about aligning yourself with (or decoupling yourself from) a company whose CEO made a bold and controversial stand.
McEnany is right inasmuch as this is something Ivanka Trump clearly was doing in a personal capacity.
CREW’s letter said Trump “holds one of the most highly visible positions in the government and, as both a top presidential advisor and the President’s daughter, she is recognized as a member of President Trump’s innermost circle.”
The letter also notes that her Instagram profile lists her as “Advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment, workforce development & entrepreneurship.”
All of which is profoundly unconvincing, since all of those positions are nebulous and none were brought up in the context of Ivanka showing her support for Goya Foods.
The post said, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good.”
It didn’t say, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good. I should know, I’m a top presidential adviser, and I’m recognized as a member of the president’s innermost circle.”
I mean, if she did say that, by golly, they’d have her.
But no such luck for the left.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--Amidst Leftist Anti-Monument Fervor, Trump Pledges $2 Million to 9/11 Memorial So Those Lost ‘Will N

Amidst Leftist Anti-Monument Fervor, Trump Pledges $2 Million to 9/11 Memorial So Those Lost ‘Will Never Be Forgotten’

President Donald Trump has announced he is allocating government funds to the New York City memorial honoring those killed in the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks .
Amid an ongoing leftist movement to take down monuments across the nation , the president tweeted Friday that $ 2 million dollars will go to the memorial and museum , which is located in lower Manhattan .
“ I am proud to announce $ 2 million for the @ Sept11Memorial in NYC !
” Trump wrote on Twitter .
“ This special site ensures that the memory of the nearly 3,000 people killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2001 , as well as those lost in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 , will never be forgotten !
” he added .
The statement on Twitter was posted two weeks after the president vowed to put an emphasis on protecting statues and monuments following more than a month of nationwide civil unrest .
In recent weeks , statues and monuments honoring figures from Frederick Douglass to George Washington have been targeted or destroyed by activists .
Speaking July 3 in front of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacred sites and figures .
“ Make no mistake : This left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American Revolution .
In so doing , they would destroy the very civilization that rescued billions from poverty , disease , violence and hunger , and that lifted humanity to new heights of achievement , discovery and progress , ” he said .
“ To make this possible , they are determined to tear down every statue , symbol and memory of our national heritage , ” Trump added .
“ Against every law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taught in school to hate their own country , and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes , but that were villains , ” the president said .
“ The radical view of American history is a web of lies — all perspective is removed , every virtue is obscured , every motive is twisted , every fact is distorted and every flaw is magnified until the history is purged and the record is disfigured beyond all recognition.
” Trump ’ s speech vowing to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically mention the 9/11 memorial .
But the Friday announcement signals the president intends to take action to ensure national monuments can be enjoyed by generations to come .
While the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City hasn ’ t suffered the same fate as other memorials across the nation with regard to damage , the museum portion of the site has been closed since March due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The outdoor memorial only recently reopened to the public , but not before 148 employees were laid off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial , which is funded by admissions fees to the museum , recently asked the public for help to stay open .
“ The reopening of the 9/11 Memorial is only possible through donations and your support is needed .
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has launched a major fundraising campaign to sustain the Memorial , ” the memorial says on its website .
“ Help maintain this sacred site and contribute to this critical effort or dedicate a Memorial cobblestone to someone affected by COVID-19.
” No details have been released yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that $ 2 million in government assistance will go the struggling memorial and museum .
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum first opened to the public on Sept. 12 , 2011 , just a day after the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump has announced he is allocating government funds to the New York City memorial honoring those killed in the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks.
Amid an ongoing leftist movement to take down monuments across the nation, the president tweeted Friday that $2 million dollars will go to the memorial and museum, which is located in lower Manhattan.
“I am proud to announce $2 million for the @Sept11Memorial in NYC!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
“This special site ensures that the memory of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as those lost in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, will never be forgotten!” he added.
I am proud to announce $2 million for the @Sept11Memorial in NYC! This special site ensures that the memory of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as those lost in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, will never be forgotten! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2020
The statement on Twitter was posted two weeks after the president vowed to put an emphasis on protecting statues and monuments following more than a month of nationwide civil unrest.
In recent weeks, statues and monuments honoring figures from Frederick Douglass to George Washington have been targeted or destroyed by activists.
Speaking July 3 in front of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Trump said he would protect America’s sacred sites and figures.
Have you ever visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York? 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: 17% (18 Votes) No: 83% (89 Votes)
“Make no mistake: This left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American Revolution. In so doing, they would destroy the very civilization that rescued billions from poverty, disease, violence and hunger, and that lifted humanity to new heights of achievement, discovery and progress,” he said.
“To make this possible, they are determined to tear down every statue, symbol and memory of our national heritage,” Trump added.
“Against every law of society and nature, our children are taught in school to hate their own country, and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but that were villains,” the president said.
“The radical view of American history is a web of lies — all perspective is removed, every virtue is obscured, every motive is twisted, every fact is distorted and every flaw is magnified until the history is purged and the record is disfigured beyond all recognition.”
Trump’s speech vowing to protect and preserve sacred American memorials did not specifically mention the 9/11 memorial.
But the Friday announcement signals the president intends to take action to ensure national monuments can be enjoyed by generations to come.
While the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City hasn’t suffered the same fate as other memorials across the nation with regard to damage, the museum portion of the site has been closed since March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The outdoor memorial only recently reopened to the public, but not before 148 employees were laid off, The New York Times reported.
The memorial, which is funded by admissions fees to the museum, recently asked the public for help to stay open.
“The reopening of the 9/11 Memorial is only possible through donations and your support is needed. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has launched a major fundraising campaign to sustain the Memorial,” the memorial says on its website.
“Help maintain this sacred site and contribute to this critical effort or dedicate a Memorial cobblestone to someone affected by COVID-19.”
No details have been released yet with regard to Trump’s announcement that $2 million in government assistance will go the struggling memorial and museum.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum first opened to the public on Sept. 12, 2011, just a day after the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--‘Soviet-Style’ Punishment Imposed on College Student After He Posted Photo with Gun

Rising Fordham University senior Austin Tong made two posts to his social media account which intimidated no one and expressed no racial bias .
One , posted on June 4 , showed him holding a rifle , a perfectly legal thing to do .
The caption read : “ Don ’ t tread on me .
# 198964.
” That hashtag refers to June 4 , 1989 — the date of the peak of the Tiananmen Square protests .
On June 3 , meanwhile , he ’ d posted a picture of David Dorn , a black retired St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to an armed robbery at a pawn shop during a riot associated with Black Lives Matter protests in the city .
For expressing those opinions and making a political statement with a firearm , Tong was found in violation of “ Regulations relating to Bias and/or Hate Crimes ” and “ Threats/Intimidation , ” according to a Tuesday letter from Keith Eldredge , Fordham University ’ s dean of students , that Tong posted to Instagram .
Welcome to America , where private universities now feel free to impose what Tong rightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” over wholly inoffensive political speech .
“ As part of Tong ’ s disciplinary probation , which will remain in effect until he graduates , Tong is forbidden from representing the university in any official capacity , ” Campus Reform reported Thursday .
“ This includes a ban on him running for or holding leadership roles in student organizations and participation in varsity or club sports .
“ Tong ’ s access to the university campus without permission from the dean has also been restricted and he is required to complete the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must also undergo implicit bias training with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and write an apology letter.
” In other words , he needs to be rehabilitated in order to receive his degree .
Tong says he was first notified of the university ’ s issues with his posts in a June 8 letter from Eldredge .
As for the David Dorn post , Tong told Campus Reform : “ I expressed my disappointment in people that did not care about the death of a black policeman , something which never should ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in a letter to Fordham , saying : “ I believe that Black Lives Matter means that all Black Lives matter , including the lost life of a patriotic police officer that dedicated his life to his family and country This post was not only expressive of my remorse that a police officer ’ s life was lost , but also to reaffirm my belief that the lives of everyone matter.
” As for Tong ’ s Tiananmen photo : “ I want to honor the memory of an important Chinese Democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms in America , ” he told Campus Reform .
RELATED : Legendary Thomas Sowell Warns Our Country Is Approaching the 'Point of No Return' “ As an immigrant , a big beauty of America to me is the right it gives its citizens to bear arms , not only to protect themselves but also to keep the government in check.
” Those are correct answers in the context of truth and logic .
When it comes to academia , however , one is racked with an involuntary cringe after considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office of Multicultural Affairs .
They were also received poorly among certain Fordham students , some of whom expressed shock they shared space with someone who had an opinion that differed from theirs .
“ Austin , I am extremely disappointed that you are actively utilizing your platform to invalidate the BLM movement rather than using your time to facilitate conversations about the issues at hand/trying to raise awareness , ” one student commented on Tong ’ s Dorn post , according to Fordham ’ s student newspaper , The Observer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Code of Conduct prohibits “ threats , intimidation , coercion , and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.
” I ’ d be curious where someone found any of that here — but that ’ s beside the point , considering the same document also prohibits actions “ which prevents or limits the free expression of the ideas of others.
” “ Coming to this country as an immigrant , one would think that America is a nation of law and free speech .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tong wrote Fordham officials this week in an open letter posted to his Instagram account .
“ I was forcibly silenced , faced verbal and assaulting harassment from mobs , and subjected to Soviet-style interrogation and punishment by a Jesuit university that claims in its own code of conduct , that it protects ‘ freedom of expression and the open exchange of ideas.
’ ” Fordham , meanwhile , tried to reframe the issue as one of “ hate speech ” in a terse statement issued by Christopher Rodgers , dean of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus .
“ Fordham University neither condones nor allows hate speech .
After researching the background , symbolism and context of the University took steps to address the situation with the students involved , ” the statement said .
In his open letter , Tong said the punishment “ signaled to students nationwide , that free speech is a political trap that will destroy you.
” “ America is under attack .
Americans are being silenced , ” he wrote .
“ I hope to use my punishment as a milestone and reflection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today as a society .
Coming to this country as an immigrant , one would think that America is a nation of law and free speech .
Yet that is no longer the case.
” “ I write this letter in hopes that Fordham University will change its mind and retract the punishments , apologize to me for smearing my reputation and obstructing my academic and professional future , and give society a just and reasonable answer , ” Tong wrote .
“ If not , I will be firmly taking legal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for breaching its own code of conduct , and treading on the fundamental freedoms of this country.
” Fordham is , of course , a private university , which means it ’ s not bound by the First Amendment like state colleges and universities are .
In saner times , it would be bound by a sense of shame and a dedication to free intellectual expression .
Austin Tong seems to rely on this bedrock assumption — that , at the very least , Fordham should feel itself bound by its own rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges ( $ 54,730 a year , according to Fordham ’ s website ) should clue you in to the fact that , like most American institutions of higher learning , Fordham is bound not by the long-held ideals of the university but by the whims of its customers , occasionally referred to as students .
The most outspoken consumers of higher education — who not coincidentally have their beliefs blessed and amplified by the media — are the ones who don ’ t particularly want to shop with customers who have beliefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s store managers ( occasionally referred to as the faculty ) are almost universally in concurrence .
That line about prohibiting actions “ which prevents or limits the free expression of the ideas of others ” sounds great , but it ’ s not very pragmatic when the university ’ s cost structure depends on a coterie of noisy people who believe their $ 54,730 bought them respite from encountering people who blaspheme Black Lives Matter and still believe the Second Amendment means what it says .
My thoughts and prayers go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I hope he ’ s able to successfully challenge Fordham and overturn this draconian , Orwellian punishment .
As an experienced conservative , I fear he ’ s about to learn an expensive lesson in what our country ’ s cultural institutions think of us and the impunity with which they ’ re able to act toward us .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Rising Fordham University senior Austin Tong made two posts to his social media account which intimidated no one and expressed no racial bias.
One, posted on June 4, showed him holding a rifle, a perfectly legal thing to do. The caption read: “Don’t tread on me. #198964.” That hashtag refers to June 4, 1989 — the date of the peak of the Tiananmen Square protests.
On June 3, meanwhile, he’d posted a picture of David Dorn, a black retired St. Louis police captain who was killed as he responded to an armed robbery at a pawn shop during a riot associated with Black Lives Matter protests in the city.
“Y’all a bunch of hypocrites,” Tong wrote.
For expressing those opinions and making a political statement with a firearm, Tong was found in violation of “Regulations relating to Bias and/or Hate Crimes” and “Threats/Intimidation,” according to a Tuesday letter from Keith Eldredge, Fordham University’s dean of students, that Tong posted to Instagram.
Welcome to America, where private universities now feel free to impose what Tong rightly pegged as “Soviet-style interrogation and punishment” over wholly inoffensive political speech.
“As part of Tong’s disciplinary probation, which will remain in effect until he graduates, Tong is forbidden from representing the university in any official capacity,” Campus Reform reported Thursday. “This includes a ban on him running for or holding leadership roles in student organizations and participation in varsity or club sports.
“Tong’s access to the university campus without permission from the dean has also been restricted and he is required to complete the rest of his courses online. Tong must also undergo implicit bias training with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and write an apology letter.”
In other words, he needs to be rehabilitated in order to receive his degree.
Do you think the punishment Tong received for his posts is fair? 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: 4% (130 Votes) No: 96% (3537 Votes)
Tong says he was first notified of the university’s issues with his posts in a June 8 letter from Eldredge.
As for the David Dorn post, Tong told Campus Reform: “I expressed my disappointment in people that did not care about the death of a black policeman, something which never should’ve happened.”
Tong enumerated the same position in a letter to Fordham, saying: “I believe that Black Lives Matter means that all Black Lives matter, including the lost life of a patriotic police officer that dedicated his life to his family and country This post was not only expressive of my remorse that a police officer’s life was lost, but also to reaffirm my belief that the lives of everyone matter.”
As for Tong’s Tiananmen photo: “I want to honor the memory of an important Chinese Democracy Movement and the appreciation of the right to bear arms in America,” he told Campus Reform.
“As an immigrant, a big beauty of America to me is the right it gives its citizens to bear arms, not only to protect themselves but also to keep the government in check.”
Those are correct answers in the context of truth and logic. When it comes to academia, however, one is racked with an involuntary cringe after considering how those thoughts were received in Fordham’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.
They were also received poorly among certain Fordham students, some of whom expressed shock they shared space with someone who had an opinion that differed from theirs.
“Austin, I am extremely disappointed that you are actively utilizing your platform to invalidate the BLM movement rather than using your time to facilitate conversations about the issues at hand/trying to raise awareness,” one student commented on Tong’s Dorn post, according to Fordham’s student newspaper, The Observer.
The Observer pointed out that the University Code of Conduct prohibits “threats, intimidation, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.”
I’d be curious where someone found any of that here — but that’s beside the point, considering the same document also prohibits actions “which prevents or limits the free expression of the ideas of others.”
“Coming to this country as an immigrant, one would think that America is a nation of law and free speech. Yet that is no longer the case,” Tong wrote Fordham officials this week in an open letter posted to his Instagram account.
“I was forcibly silenced, faced verbal and assaulting harassment from mobs, and subjected to Soviet-style interrogation and punishment by a Jesuit university that claims in its own code of conduct, that it protects ‘freedom of expression and the open exchange of ideas.’”
Fordham, meanwhile, tried to reframe the issue as one of “hate speech” in a terse statement issued by Christopher Rodgers, dean of students at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus.
“Fordham University neither condones nor allows hate speech. After researching the background, symbolism and context of the University took steps to address the situation with the students involved,” the statement said.
In his open letter, Tong said the punishment “signaled to students nationwide, that free speech is a political trap that will destroy you.”
“America is under attack. Americans are being silenced,” he wrote. “I hope to use my punishment as a milestone and reflection of the Constitutional crisis we are facing today as a society. Coming to this country as an immigrant, one would think that America is a nation of law and free speech. Yet that is no longer the case.”
“I write this letter in hopes that Fordham University will change its mind and retract the punishments, apologize to me for smearing my reputation and obstructing my academic and professional future, and give society a just and reasonable answer,” Tong wrote.
“If not, I will be firmly taking legal action against Fordham University and relative decision makers for breaching its own code of conduct, and treading on the fundamental freedoms of this country.”
Fordham is, of course, a private university, which means it’s not bound by the First Amendment like state colleges and universities are. In saner times, it would be bound by a sense of shame and a dedication to free intellectual expression.
Austin Tong seems to rely on this bedrock assumption — that, at the very least, Fordham should feel itself bound by its own rules.
One look at the tuition it charges ($54,730 a year, according to Fordham’s website) should clue you in to the fact that, like most American institutions of higher learning, Fordham is bound not by the long-held ideals of the university but by the whims of its customers, occasionally referred to as students.
The most outspoken consumers of higher education — who not coincidentally have their beliefs blessed and amplified by the media — are the ones who don’t particularly want to shop with customers who have beliefs like Tong’s.
Academia’s store managers (occasionally referred to as the faculty) are almost universally in concurrence.
That line about prohibiting actions “which prevents or limits the free expression of the ideas of others” sounds great, but it’s not very pragmatic when the university’s cost structure depends on a coterie of noisy people who believe their $54,730 bought them respite from encountering people who blaspheme Black Lives Matter and still believe the Second Amendment means what it says.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Austin Tong.
As a conservative, I hope he’s able to successfully challenge Fordham and overturn this draconian, Orwellian punishment.
As an experienced conservative, I fear he’s about to learn an expensive lesson in what our country’s cultural institutions think of us and the impunity with which they’re able to act toward us.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--Close-Up of McEnany’s Notebook Shows How She’s Been Destroying Reporters at Every Press Briefing

One piece of the tactics White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany uses to foil establishment media attacks on the Trump administration came to light this week as the media marveled at her level of preparedness for the onslaughts that are hallmarks of White House briefings .
The focus on McEnany ’ s preparation began Thursday when Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst took a picture of McEnany ’ s hand flipping through a tabbed binder during that day ’ s briefing .
“ White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany flips through the topic headings in her binder during the daily press briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. July 16 , 2020 , ” he tweeted .
CNN ’ s Chris Cillizza found the concept of McEnany being prepared so fascinating that he wrote a piece analyzing each of the binder ’ s tabs .
Of course , the article came with Cillizza ’ s special brand of spin , so the entry for Russia was analyzed this way : “ Not sure if you ’ ve heard but the President believes Russian interference in the 2016 election designed to help him and hurt Hillary Clinton is a ‘ hoax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence community , special counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate Intelligence Committee have all concluded it was very real.
” Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple noted , in between jabs at Trump , that McEnany has “ first-rate organizational skills.
” “ Don ’ t underestimate their importance , ” he wrote .
“ At any given briefing , McEnany turns frequently to her impeccably tabulated topic binder .
“ It ’ s not difficult , after all , to anticipate what issues will be of interest to White House reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House communications shop receive emails from correspondents asking about this matter or that matter .
The assembled files enable McEnany to pepper her responses with specifics — quotes , statistics , anecdotes , whatever advances her cause.
” Wemple quoted Tom DeFrank , a contributing editor to National Journal who has covered 10 presidential administrations in his career , as marveling at McEnany ’ s work .
“ [ M ] ost press secretaries routinely come to the podium armed with talking points , opening statements and comebacks for likely questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” DeFrank said .
“ But Kayleigh arrives with the War and Peace of briefing materials .
In more than 52 years of covering WH briefings , I ’ ve never seen a binder that prodigious at a regular briefing , ” he added .
Wemple said this helps McEnany do her job well .
RELATED : Left 's Fear-Mongering 'Secret Police ' Narrative Shattered , Turns Out Viral Portland Arrest Was by Trump 's New PACT Force “ Watching McEnany in front of a depleted group of reporters , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rehearsed .
It is possible , accordingly , that McEnany represents the very best day-to-day defense that Trumpism can procure , ” he wrote .
The preparation was evident Thursday , when McEnany was asked , in the middle of a series of questions about the coronavirus , about President Donald Trump ’ s comments on police shootings and race .
“ The president has routinely acknowledged and expressed the absolute atrocity of the case of George Floyd , and his heart goes out to that family still , ” she replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there were — when you look at unarmed killings with police interactions in this country , that you had nine unarmed black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals .
That ’ s down from 38 and 32 , respectively , in 2015 .
“ So numbers have actually come down since the Obama administration .
He was making that point .
“ But one point he wants to strongly make is this : that black men and women who die of homicide , they ’ re likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that of white individuals and Hispanics combined .
That ’ s the rate combined .
So that ’ s an extraordinary thing that we want to look at , ” she said “ I ’ ve listed for you the names of these kids who have died across this country .
It is unacceptable , and under this president , he ’ ll take action .
“ And the derelict mayor of Chicago should step up and ask for federal help because she ’ s doing a very poor job at securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One piece of the tactics White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany uses to foil establishment media attacks on the Trump administration came to light this week as the media marveled at her level of preparedness for the onslaughts that are hallmarks of White House briefings.
The focus on McEnany’s preparation began Thursday when Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst took a picture of McEnany’s hand flipping through a tabbed binder during that day’s briefing.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany flips through the topic headings in her binder during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. July 16, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst #Reuters pic.twitter.com/8QFTgBKa06 — Jonathan Ernst (@j_ernst_DC) July 17, 2020
“White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany flips through the topic headings in her binder during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. July 16, 2020,” he tweeted.
CNN’s Chris Cillizza found the concept of McEnany being prepared so fascinating that he wrote a piece analyzing each of the binder’s tabs.
Of course, the article came with Cillizza’s special brand of spin, so the entry for Russia was analyzed this way: “Not sure if you’ve heard but the President believes Russian interference in the 2016 election designed to help him and hurt Hillary Clinton is a ‘hoax’ — despite the fact that the intelligence community, special counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate Intelligence Committee have all concluded it was very real.”
Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple noted, in between jabs at Trump, that McEnany has “first-rate organizational skills.”
“Don’t underestimate their importance,” he wrote. “At any given briefing, McEnany turns frequently to her impeccably tabulated topic binder.
Is Kayleigh McEnany doing a good job as press secretary? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (1282 Votes) No: 0% (4 Votes)
“It’s not difficult, after all, to anticipate what issues will be of interest to White House reporters. Every day McEnany and her colleagues in the White House communications shop receive emails from correspondents asking about this matter or that matter. The assembled files enable McEnany to pepper her responses with specifics — quotes, statistics, anecdotes, whatever advances her cause.”
Wemple quoted Tom DeFrank, a contributing editor to National Journal who has covered 10 presidential administrations in his career, as marveling at McEnany’s work.
“[M]ost press secretaries routinely come to the podium armed with talking points, opening statements and comebacks for likely questions given the topics of the moment,” DeFrank said.
“But Kayleigh arrives with the War and Peace of briefing materials. In more than 52 years of covering WH briefings, I’ve never seen a binder that prodigious at a regular briefing,” he added.
Wemple said this helps McEnany do her job well.
“Watching McEnany in front of a depleted group of reporters, it’s evident that responses are workshopped — vetted and rehearsed. It is possible, accordingly, that McEnany represents the very best day-to-day defense that Trumpism can procure,” he wrote.
The preparation was evident Thursday, when McEnany was asked, in the middle of a series of questions about the coronavirus, about President Donald Trump’s comments on police shootings and race.
“The president has routinely acknowledged and expressed the absolute atrocity of the case of George Floyd, and his heart goes out to that family still,” she replied. “He was noting a fact that there were — when you look at unarmed killings with police interactions in this country, that you had nine unarmed black individuals who were fatally shot and 19 unarmed white individuals. That’s down from 38 and 32, respectively, in 2015.
“So numbers have actually come down since the Obama administration. He was making that point.
“But one point he wants to strongly make is this: that black men and women who die of homicide, they’re likely to die of homicide at eight times greater than that of white individuals and Hispanics combined. That’s the rate combined. So that’s an extraordinary thing that we want to look at,” she said.
“I’ve listed for you the names of these kids who have died across this country. It is unacceptable, and under this president, he’ll take action.
“And the derelict mayor of Chicago should step up and ask for federal help because she’s doing a very poor job at securing her streets.”
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--2020-07-18--Ricky Gervais Blasts Woke Fascism, Defends Conservatives and Free Speech

The left likes to claim that conservatives are fascists , but in reality , it ’ s liberals who have become the true fascists .
British comedian Ricky Gervais , who created and starred in the U.K. version of the hit television series “ The Office ” ( the American adaption was loosely based on his show ) , is by no means on the political right , yet he nonetheless sees radical leftism for what it really is , and has repeatedly called the far left out over its anti-free speech agenda .
Gervais pointed out the fascistic nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on talkRadio , saying that “ if you ’ re mildly conservative ” on Twitter , people call you “ Hitler.
” “ There ’ s this new , weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you can ’ t , and it ’ s a really weird thing that there ’ s this new trendy myth that people who want free speech want it to say awful things all the time .
It just isn ’ t true , [ free speech ] protects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And this new thing ‘ hate speech ’ — ‘ oh , well that ’ s hate speech.
’ And , well , the two catastrophic problems with the term ‘ hate speech ’ is one , what constitutes ‘ hate speech ’ ?
Everyone disagrees .
There ’ s no consensus on what ‘ hate speech ’ is , ” Gervas added .
“ And two , who decides ?
And there ’ s the real rub , because obviously the people who think they want to close down free speech because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ These people hide behind this shield of goodness : ‘ We ’ re good .
We ’ re social justice warriors .
We ’ re doing this for good and what we say goes.
’ And they don ’ t realize how corrupt and wrong that is , ” he said .
People get so entrenched in their views online that a slight lean toward either the left or the right immediately gets you labeled as some sort of extremist , Gervais added .
“ If you ’ re mildly left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly Trotsky , ” he said .
“ If you ’ re mildly conservative , you ’ re Hitler , and if you ’ re centrist and you look at both arguments , you ’ re a coward and they both hate you.
” This is hardly the first time that the famous comedian has taken a stand for free speech .
“ I think offense is the collateral damage of free speech , and it ’ s no reason not to have free speech , ” he told The Hollywood Reporter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s what I ’ d say — it ’ s the lesser of two evils .
Having free speech and some people getting upset by it is the lesser of two evils because not having free speech is horrendous.
” “ People like the idea of freedom of speech until they hear something they don ’ t like , ” he added .
“ So there ’ s still a pressure , but that doesn ’ t mean I ’ m going to water it down or back down and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just another form of what we ’ ve been through many , many times — it used to be called P.C.
” The comedian has also made it a habit of calling out virtue-signaling celebrities .
While hosting the Golden Globe Awards ceremony earlier this year , Gervais famously made several jokes mocking Hollywood celebrities ’ preening and lack of self awareness .
“ So if you do win an award tonight , don ’ t use it as a platform to make a political speech , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecture the public about anything .
You know nothing about the real world .
Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg .
“ So if you win , come up , accept your little award , thank your agent , and your God and f— off.
” In an April interview , Gervais slammed celebrities like Sam Smith and Ellen DeGeneres for complaining about how hard life is during the current health crisis .
“ But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honestly , I just don ’ t want to hear it , ” he told the U.K. tabloid The Sun .
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The left likes to claim that conservatives are fascists, but in reality, it’s liberals who have become the true fascists.
British comedian Ricky Gervais, who created and starred in the U.K. version of the hit television series “The Office” (the American adaption was loosely based on his show), is by no means on the political right, yet he nonetheless sees radical leftism for what it really is, and has repeatedly called the far left out over its anti-free speech agenda.
Gervais pointed out the fascistic nature of cancel culture during a recent interview on talkRadio, saying that “if you’re mildly conservative” on Twitter, people call you “Hitler.”
“There’s this new, weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you can’t, and it’s a really weird thing that there’s this new trendy myth that people who want free speech want it to say awful things all the time. It just isn’t true, [free speech] protects everyone,” he said.
“And this new thing ‘hate speech’ — ‘oh, well that’s hate speech.’ And, well, the two catastrophic problems with the term ‘hate speech’ is one, what constitutes ‘hate speech’? Everyone disagrees. There’s no consensus on what ‘hate speech’ is,” Gervas added.
“And two, who decides? And there’s the real rub, because obviously the people who think they want to close down free speech because it’s bad are the fascists.”
Gervais continued, specifically calling out “social justice warriors.”
“These people hide behind this shield of goodness: ‘We’re good. We’re social justice warriors. We’re doing this for good and what we say goes.’ And they don’t realize how corrupt and wrong that is,” he said.
Is Ricky Gervais correct about free speech? Yes No
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People get so entrenched in their views online that a slight lean toward either the left or the right immediately gets you labeled as some sort of extremist, Gervais added.
“If you’re mildly left wing on Twitter, you’re suddenly Trotsky,” he said. “If you’re mildly conservative, you’re Hitler, and if you’re centrist and you look at both arguments, you’re a coward and they both hate you.”
This is hardly the first time that the famous comedian has taken a stand for free speech.
“I think offense is the collateral damage of free speech, and it’s no reason not to have free speech,” he told The Hollywood Reporter for an interview published in January. “That’s what I’d say — it’s the lesser of two evils. Having free speech and some people getting upset by it is the lesser of two evils because not having free speech is horrendous.”
“People like the idea of freedom of speech until they hear something they don’t like,” he added.
“So there’s still a pressure, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to water it down or back down and not say what I want. It’s just another form of what we’ve been through many, many times — it used to be called P.C.”
The comedian has also made it a habit of calling out virtue-signaling celebrities.
While hosting the Golden Globe Awards ceremony earlier this year, Gervais famously made several jokes mocking Hollywood celebrities’ preening and lack of self awareness.
“So if you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech,” he said. “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.
“So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f— off.”
In an April interview, Gervais slammed celebrities like Sam Smith and Ellen DeGeneres for complaining about how hard life is during the current health crisis.
“But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it,” he told the U.K. tabloid The Sun.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--Chicago Mayor Can’t Handle McEnany Schooling, Says ‘Hey, Karen. Watch Your Mouth’

Most of us who watch these things figured Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot couldn ’ t be any more ineffectual than the Windy City ’ s last mayor , Rahm Emanuel .
So far , no such luck .
Mind you , there have been plenty of cities experiencing an uptick in violence in the last few weeks — although Chicago could ill afford it , given the fact it ’ s not exactly known as the Midwest ’ s capital of tranquility .
WMAQ-TV reported that in June , shootings in the city were up by 75 percent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period last year .
Chicago has received special attention in the national media due to the fact that children have been among the victims .
Of the 17 people killed by gunshots over the July 4 weekend , two of them were children .
“ The youngest person killed over the weekend was 7-year-old Natalia Wallace , of Chatham .
She was shot in the head around 7 p.m. Saturday in the South Austin neighborhood while outside at a family gathering , ” the Chicago Tribune reported .
“ A 14-year-old boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night in Englewood along with three others who have not yet been identified after four men started shooting at a large gathering , according to Chicago police .
Four others were injured in the mass shooting , including an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.
” I know mayors and other government officials are often asked to walk and chew gum at the same time , which means they have to attend to other issues even with serious ongoing problems .
That said , if a certain event held by Lightfoot this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Census Cowboy ” — counts as an efficient use of time in your universe , given the exigencies Chicago finds itself in , please drop me a line because I ’ m legitimately confused how this didn ’ t get canceled : Anyhow , given the fact the Trump administration has placed a great emphasis on law and order , it ’ s unsurprising the White House has taken issue with Chicago ’ s recent violence problems .
President Donald Trump has likened the situation in the city to Afghanistan , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 18 died last week [ in Chicago ] .
We ’ re not going to put up with that.
” This didn ’ t seem to be just idle talk , either , as rumors abound that the administration will take federal action to stem violence in cities which have seen a dramatic rise in violent crime .
If Lightfoot was unmoved by the president , however , his press secretary certainly seems to have struck a nerve .
Answering a question at Thursday ’ s media briefing regarding the rates at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the real issue ought to be “ that black men and women who die of homicide , they ’ re likely to die of homicide at eight times greater than that of white individuals and Hispanics combined.
” “ I ’ ve listed for you the names of these kids who have died across this country , ” she said .
“ It is unacceptable , and under this president , he ’ ll take action .
And the derelict mayor of Chicago should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because she ’ s doing a very poor job at securing her streets.
” Mayor Lightfoot quickly reached for the insult of the moment : Consider the mic duly dropped .
Asked about the tweet by reporters on Friday , Lightfoot called the remark “ pretty straightforward.
” WMAQ also reported she claimed “ some in the Trump administration think they can score political points by trying to demonize Democratic mayors , particularly women mayors.
” “ They think that they ’ re going to take us on , and make us look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their base , ” Lightfoot said .
By his absence in the reports coming out of Chicago , I can only assume the Census Cowboy declined comment .
Lightfoot would do well to spare us all the talk about scoring political points and rallying the base ; this is the job of the modern politician in every democracy , and it ’ s particularly rich for Lightfoot to pretend she ’ s the Cincinnatus of Chicago at the same time she wallpapers over her city ’ s runaway violence by deflecting onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
Furthermore , Bill de Blasio ’ s Twitter profile lists his preferred pronouns are “ he/him/his.
” I mention this because the New York City mayor has attracted far more attention from the president over the sudden uptick in violence than either Lightfoot or the other distaff Democratic mayor with a serious problem regarding unrest on her hands , Atlanta ’ s Keisha Lance Bottoms .
Thus , one might safely conclude the lack of a Y chromosome isn ’ t factoring into the Trump administration ’ s criticism — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make your point by attacking another woman .
Finally , WMAQ defined Karen as a “ stereotypical name associated with rude , obnoxious and insufferable middle aged white women.
” This is mostly accurate ( Karens aren ’ t just white anymore , it ’ s worth noting , and McEnany is 32 ) , but hardly exhaustive .
Notably absent is the defining feature of the Karen : their natural desire to insert themselves into personal decisions of others which are of no consequence to society at large , while vehemently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others ( and usually while recording the encounter with their iPhone SE ) .
If you ’ ve taken off your mask in the parking lot at Lowe ’ s and you ’ re suddenly confronted with a screeching woman accusing you of killing her 70-year-old mother because your face isn ’ t covered , you ’ ve met yourself a Karen .
Do you have a slight paunch and decided to order a hamburger instead of a salad at the diner ?
Karen will be at the table next to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it affects her health insurance premiums in a voice just loud enough for you to hear .
Do you let your kid play in your front yard without supervision ?
There ’ s a Karen for that — and rest assured , she ’ s already called Child Protective Services .
Twice A “ rude , obnoxious and insufferable middle aged white woman ” is basically just a Hollywood actress with a Twitter account .
To make the leap to a Karen , that obnoxiousness has to be a ) very public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the same day Lightfoot called her McEnany/Karen diss “ pretty straightforward , ” this was tweeted by Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern : You can agree with every other implied insult dished out by Lori Lightfoot toward Kayleigh McEnany when she called the White House press secretary a “ Karen.
” However , if this is what passes as low stakes for the Chicago mayor — along with every other dispiriting statistic involving gun violence in her city that ’ s accumulated in recent months — Chicago has problems neither federal intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve .
Either way , “ Karen ” certainly shouldn ’ t be the tag Lightfoot is throwing around unless she wants to admit she ’ s not taking Chicago ’ s gun violence problem very seriously .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Most of us who watch these things figured Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot couldn’t be any more ineffectual than the Windy City’s last mayor, Rahm Emanuel.
So far, no such luck.
Mind you, there have been plenty of cities experiencing an uptick in violence in the last few weeks — although Chicago could ill afford it, given the fact it’s not exactly known as the Midwest’s capital of tranquility. WMAQ-TV reported that in June, shootings in the city were up by 75 percent and murders by 78 percent compared to the same period last year.
Chicago has received special attention in the national media due to the fact that children have been among the victims. Of the 17 people killed by gunshots over the July 4 weekend, two of them were children.
“The youngest person killed over the weekend was 7-year-old Natalia Wallace, of Chatham. She was shot in the head around 7 p.m. Saturday in the South Austin neighborhood while outside at a family gathering,” the Chicago Tribune reported.
“A 14-year-old boy was also shot and killed later in the night in Englewood along with three others who have not yet been identified after four men started shooting at a large gathering, according to Chicago police. Four others were injured in the mass shooting, including an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.”
I know mayors and other government officials are often asked to walk and chew gum at the same time, which means they have to attend to other issues even with serious ongoing problems.
That said, if a certain event held by Lightfoot this week — the unveiling of the “Census Cowboy” — counts as an efficient use of time in your universe, given the exigencies Chicago finds itself in, please drop me a line because I’m legitimately confused how this didn’t get canceled:
Giddy up, Chicago. I’m calling on the Census Cowboy to help improve our Census response rates across Chicago. Make the Census Cowboy proud by filling out the Census today at https://t.co/tt2S9ojTmW. pic.twitter.com/eT2e6V74uk — Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 13, 2020
Anyhow, given the fact the Trump administration has placed a great emphasis on law and order, it’s unsurprising the White House has taken issue with Chicago’s recent violence problems.
President Donald Trump has likened the situation in the city to Afghanistan, and said Wednesday that “68 people were shot and 18 died last week [in Chicago]. We’re not going to put up with that.”
This didn’t seem to be just idle talk, either, as rumors abound that the administration will take federal action to stem violence in cities which have seen a dramatic rise in violent crime.
If Lightfoot was unmoved by the president, however, his press secretary certainly seems to have struck a nerve.
Answering a question at Thursday’s media briefing regarding the rates at which black individuals are killed during police encounters, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the real issue ought to be “that black men and women who die of homicide, they’re likely to die of homicide at eight times greater than that of white individuals and Hispanics combined.”
“I’ve listed for you the names of these kids who have died across this country,” she said. “It is unacceptable, and under this president, he’ll take action. And the derelict mayor of Chicago should step up and ask for federal help because she’s doing a very poor job at securing her streets.”
WATCH: Press Sec. Kayleigh McEnany blasts Chicago Mayor Lightfoot: “She’s doing a very poor job of securing her streets.” pic.twitter.com/qyxF7BiMsA — The Hill (@thehill) July 17, 2020
Mayor Lightfoot quickly reached for the insult of the moment:
Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth. pic.twitter.com/zhjRyokKD5 — Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) July 16, 2020
“Hey, Karen. Watch your mouth,” she tweeted.
Should the Trump administration intervene in cities with violence issues? Yes No
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Consider the mic duly dropped. Asked about the tweet by reporters on Friday, Lightfoot called the remark “pretty straightforward.”
WMAQ also reported she claimed “some in the Trump administration think they can score political points by trying to demonize Democratic mayors, particularly women mayors.”
“They think that they’re going to take us on, and make us look bad because that’ll score points with their base,” Lightfoot said.
By his absence in the reports coming out of Chicago, I can only assume the Census Cowboy declined comment.
Lightfoot would do well to spare us all the talk about scoring political points and rallying the base; this is the job of the modern politician in every democracy, and it’s particularly rich for Lightfoot to pretend she’s the Cincinnatus of Chicago at the same time she wallpapers over her city’s runaway violence by deflecting onto a “Karen” in the Trump administration.
Furthermore, Bill de Blasio’s Twitter profile lists his preferred pronouns are “he/him/his.” I mention this because the New York City mayor has attracted far more attention from the president over the sudden uptick in violence than either Lightfoot or the other distaff Democratic mayor with a serious problem regarding unrest on her hands, Atlanta’s Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Thus, one might safely conclude the lack of a Y chromosome isn’t factoring into the Trump administration’s criticism — but thanks for the effort, and way to make your point by attacking another woman.
Finally, WMAQ defined Karen as a “stereotypical name associated with rude, obnoxious and insufferable middle aged white women.” This is mostly accurate (Karens aren’t just white anymore, it’s worth noting, and McEnany is 32), but hardly exhaustive.
Notably absent is the defining feature of the Karen: their natural desire to insert themselves into personal decisions of others which are of no consequence to society at large, while vehemently insisting those decisions are directly harming them and others (and usually while recording the encounter with their iPhone SE).
If you’ve taken off your mask in the parking lot at Lowe’s and you’re suddenly confronted with a screeching woman accusing you of killing her 70-year-old mother because your face isn’t covered, you’ve met yourself a Karen.
Do you have a slight paunch and decided to order a hamburger instead of a salad at the diner? Karen will be at the table next to you making passive-aggressive remarks about your weight and how it affects her health insurance premiums in a voice just loud enough for you to hear.
Do you let your kid play in your front yard without supervision? There’s a Karen for that — and rest assured, she’s already called Child Protective Services. Twice
A “rude, obnoxious and insufferable middle aged white woman” is basically just a Hollywood actress with a Twitter account. To make the leap to a Karen, that obnoxiousness has to be a) very public and b) very low stakes.
On the same day Lightfoot called her McEnany/Karen diss “pretty straightforward,” this was tweeted by Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern:
UPDATE: Two adults one 5 month old sustained gun shot wounds. Adults transported to Northwester Hospital. Child to Lurie Childrens. Chief Eric Carter will address media shortly. — Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) July 17, 2020
You can agree with every other implied insult dished out by Lori Lightfoot toward Kayleigh McEnany when she called the White House press secretary a “Karen.”
However, if this is what passes as low stakes for the Chicago mayor — along with every other dispiriting statistic involving gun violence in her city that’s accumulated in recent months — Chicago has problems neither federal intervention nor the Census Cowboy are going to solve.
Either way, “Karen” certainly shouldn’t be the tag Lightfoot is throwing around unless she wants to admit she’s not taking Chicago’s gun violence problem very seriously.
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westernjournal--2020-07-18--College Student Bikes for 48 Days To Make It Home After COVID Restrictions Stranded Him

Just like other college students all across the United States and Europe , Kleon Papadimitriou was forced to return home when college classes were canceled this spring due to the coronavirus .
But Papadimitriou faced a few extra complications in addition to the mass cancellation of flights that snarled everyone ’ s travel plans , according to CNN .
He was attending the University of Aberdeen in Scotland , which is a long way from his home in Athens , Greece .
Although Europe does boast of such things as rental cars and trains , Papadimitriou did not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the logic that only an adventuresome 20-year-old can supply , he came up with a different option — a 2,175-mile bike ride .
It took 48 days , but he made it .
“ It ’ s just now dawning on me how big of an achievement this was , ” he told CNN .
“ And I did learn a lot of things about myself , about my limits , about my strengths and my weaknesses .
And I ’ d say I really hope that the trip inspired at least one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort zone and try something new , something big.
” Papadimitriou had competed in a bike race in 2019 and spent a few weeks this year training for another one , but that small amount of preparation was all he had when he was taken by the idea of this trip as an alternative to the prospect of being stuck in Aberdeen for weeks on end .
As the time for departure neared , he let his parents in on the secret .
“ They thought it was just an idea that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , noting that his parents set one condition : that he download an app so they could track his trip .
The adventure began on May 10 as Papadimitriou took off from Scotland , laden with a tent , sleeping bag , food and some bicycle equipment .
Days would range from 35 miles to 75 miles , he said , along a route that , after leaving England , took him from the Netherlands to Germany , Austria , Italy and then by sea to Greece .
He camped outdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he reached out to friends for indoor accommodations that included a shower .
“ As a relatively introverted person , I was forced to kind of get out of my comfort zone in the sense that if I did not do some things , I would not have a place to stay , I would not have water , ” he said .
“ It forced me to kind of have those interactions and reach out.
” “ It was very emotional , ” he said .
“ Coming from a family from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their younger years , seeing me kind of follow in their footsteps , I think is very emotional to them and obviously gives me a lot of meaning.
” Looking back , he said the journey was more than just a trip home .
“ I think I improved as a person , I ’ m more confident in myself , I ’ m more confident in my abilities , ” he said .
“ If I didn ’ t know that I ’ ve done the trip and you asked me now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would say no , how could I do all those things ?
” And that is a message he shared with others who think they can not handle adventure .
“ When you set the bar really high and you attempt to reach a really ambitious goal , whether you achieve it or you don ’ t , you will have improved , ” he said .
“ You will learn things about yourself and you will surprise yourself.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Just like other college students all across the United States and Europe, Kleon Papadimitriou was forced to return home when college classes were canceled this spring due to the coronavirus.
But Papadimitriou faced a few extra complications in addition to the mass cancellation of flights that snarled everyone’s travel plans, according to CNN. He was attending the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, which is a long way from his home in Athens, Greece.
Although Europe does boast of such things as rental cars and trains, Papadimitriou did not want to spend time in quarantine, and with the logic that only an adventuresome 20-year-old can supply, he came up with a different option — a 2,175-mile bike ride.
It took 48 days, but he made it.
“It’s just now dawning on me how big of an achievement this was,” he told CNN. “And I did learn a lot of things about myself, about my limits, about my strengths and my weaknesses. And I’d say I really hope that the trip inspired at least one more person to go out of their comfort zone and try something new, something big.”
Papadimitriou had competed in a bike race in 2019 and spent a few weeks this year training for another one, but that small amount of preparation was all he had when he was taken by the idea of this trip as an alternative to the prospect of being stuck in Aberdeen for weeks on end.
As the time for departure neared, he let his parents in on the secret.
“They thought it was just an idea that I would eventually let go of,” he said, noting that his parents set one condition: that he download an app so they could track his trip.
Could you endure a journey like this? Yes No
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The adventure began on May 10 as Papadimitriou took off from Scotland, laden with a tent, sleeping bag, food and some bicycle equipment.
Days would range from 35 miles to 75 miles, he said, along a route that, after leaving England, took him from the Netherlands to Germany, Austria, Italy and then by sea to Greece.
He camped outdoors on many nights, but when possible he reached out to friends for indoor accommodations that included a shower.
“As a relatively introverted person, I was forced to kind of get out of my comfort zone in the sense that if I did not do some things, I would not have a place to stay, I would not have water,” he said.
“It forced me to kind of have those interactions and reach out.”
Papadimitriou reached Athens on June 27.
“It was very emotional,” he said. “Coming from a family from two parents that were very adventurous in their younger years, seeing me kind of follow in their footsteps, I think is very emotional to them and obviously gives me a lot of meaning.”
Looking back, he said the journey was more than just a trip home.
“I think I improved as a person, I’m more confident in myself, I’m more confident in my abilities,” he said. “If I didn’t know that I’ve done the trip and you asked me now if I could [do] it, I would say no, how could I do all those things?”
And that is a message he shared with others who think they cannot handle adventure.
“When you set the bar really high and you attempt to reach a really ambitious goal, whether you achieve it or you don’t, you will have improved,” he said.
“You will learn things about yourself and you will surprise yourself.”
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.