westernjournal--2020-11-29--Another GOP Woman Now Expected To Win House Seat Previously Held by Democrat

In one of the tightest congressional elections of the year , Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks has emerged with a six-vote lead in Iowa ’ s 2nd District , based on a recount that ended Saturday .
A state canvassing board meets Monday to certify the results .
More than 394,000 votes were cast in the contest between Miller-Meeks and Democrat Rita Hart , according to Fox News .
“ While the race is extraordinarily close , I am proud to have won this contest and look forward to being certified as the winner by the state ’ s Executive Council on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ It is the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve the people of eastern and southern Iowa.
” TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters Hart ’ s campaign manager , Zach Meunier , did not telegraph the campaign ’ s next move , according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen .
“ When we began this recount Rita Hart was down by 47 votes , ” Meunier said .
“ As more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has narrowed dramatically and is now down to a mere 6 votes — making this the closest Congressional race in recent history , and one of the very closest in the last hundred years .
“ Unfortunately , as this process continues , the Miller-Meeks campaign has sought to keep legitimate votes from being counted — pushing to disqualify and limit the number of Iowans whose votes are counted , ” he said .
“ We will closely review what the county and state boards do on Monday with an eye toward making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairly heard.
” After certification , the next step would likely be the Hart campaign taking the race to court .
The contest has had more than its share of post-election drama .
Miller-Meeks had a 282-vote lead as of Nov. 4 .
Although she declared victory , a Nov. 6 recount gave Hart a 162-vote lead due to an initial error from one county in the district .
Four days later , another county recounted its votes , giving Miller-Meeks a 40-vote margin .
Prior to Thanksgiving , her lead dropped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
If the results hold , a victory for Miller-Meeks would cement a stunning reversal for Republicans .
Democrats had three of Iowa ’ s four congressional seats going into the election and will emerge with only one .
The seat Miller-Meeks appears to have won had been held by Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack , who is retiring .
RELATED : Report : Here 's When Donald Trump May Launch a 2024 Presidential Campaign Nationally , Republicans flipped multiple seats held by Democrats , giving House Republicans new clout on Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Miller-Meeks will join a group of about 20 Republican women in the House .
One race , the 22nd District in New York State , remains too close to call , with the differing numbers being reported daily that give either Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi a slight lead or give a narrow lead to former Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney .
Tenney won the 2016 election to represent the district but lost to Brindisi in 2018 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial @ @

In one of the tightest congressional elections of the year, Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks has emerged with a six-vote lead in Iowa’s 2nd District, based on a recount that ended Saturday.
A state canvassing board meets Monday to certify the results. More than 394,000 votes were cast in the contest between Miller-Meeks and Democrat Rita Hart, according to Fox News.
“While the race is extraordinarily close, I am proud to have won this contest and look forward to being certified as the winner by the state’s Executive Council on Monday,” Miller-Meeks said in a statement. “It is the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve the people of eastern and southern Iowa.”
It is the honor of a lifetime to be elected to serve the people of eastern and southern Iowa. Iowans are tenacious, optimistic and hard working, and I will take those same attributes to Washington, D.C. #ia02 pic.twitter.com/WKkAuap5Qf — Dr. Miller-Meeks (@millermeeks) November 28, 2020
Congratulations to my friend, and the first woman to represent Iowa’s 2nd District, @millermeeks! Looking forward to serving alongside you in Congress representing our Great State of Iowa. — Joni Ernst (@joniernst) November 29, 2020
Hart’s campaign manager, Zach Meunier, did not telegraph the campaign’s next move, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
“When we began this recount Rita Hart was down by 47 votes,” Meunier said. “As more ballots have been counted, the margin has narrowed dramatically and is now down to a mere 6 votes — making this the closest Congressional race in recent history, and one of the very closest in the last hundred years.
Do you think the GOP will regain control of the House? Yes No
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“Unfortunately, as this process continues, the Miller-Meeks campaign has sought to keep legitimate votes from being counted — pushing to disqualify and limit the number of Iowans whose votes are counted,” he said. “We will closely review what the county and state boards do on Monday with an eye toward making sure all Iowa voices are fully and fairly heard.”
After certification, the next step would likely be the Hart campaign taking the race to court.
The contest has had more than its share of post-election drama. Miller-Meeks had a 282-vote lead as of Nov. 4. Although she declared victory, a Nov. 6 recount gave Hart a 162-vote lead due to an initial error from one county in the district.
Four days later, another county recounted its votes, giving Miller-Meeks a 40-vote margin. Prior to Thanksgiving, her lead dropped to eight votes, before dropping even further on Saturday.
If the results hold, a victory for Miller-Meeks would cement a stunning reversal for Republicans. Democrats had three of Iowa’s four congressional seats going into the election and will emerge with only one. The seat Miller-Meeks appears to have won had been held by Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack, who is retiring.
Nationally, Republicans flipped multiple seats held by Democrats, giving House Republicans new clout on Washington as the Democratic majority becomes exceedingly narrow. Miller-Meeks will join a group of about 20 Republican women in the House.
Republicans have now flipped 13 seats in the House. https://t.co/noXa75Wen1 — Kirk A. Bado (@kirk_bado) November 27, 2020
One race, the 22nd District in New York State, remains too close to call, with the differing numbers being reported daily that give either Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi a slight lead or give a narrow lead to former Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney.
After an audit and correction by the Herkimer County Board of Elections, Claudia Tenney leads Anthony Brindisi by 13 votes in the contest to represent NY 22 in Congress. — Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) November 29, 2020
Brindisi campaign says he’s taken lead over Tenney in #NY22 race — by 12 or 13 votes.https://t.co/vjPp0mrkSJ — Josh Weinberger (@kitson) November 29, 2020
Tenney won the 2016 election to represent the district but lost to Brindisi in 2018.
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--The Way Hollywood Liberals Just Changed ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Will Make You Angry

The charity table read is easily the bane of 2020 .
If you aren ’ t familiar with the phenomenon , here ’ s a primer : Because we ’ re so starved for entertainment , Hollywood assumes we ’ re in a position to pay money to watch a bunch of stars do a dramatic reading of a movie script over video conference .
Thus , we round up a motley crew of bored talent , either from the original work or fresher faces — usually playing against type — to engage in a Zoom re-enactment of a film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the picture .
Or the music .
Or the special effects .
The hook is supposed to be a demonstration of Tinseltown bonhomie , a reminder that we ’ re all in this together .
Turn that frown upside-down , America — here ’ s Jennifer Aniston , Jimmy Kimmel , Morgan Freeman , Shia LaBeouf and others in a table read of “ Fast Times at Ridgemont High !
” ( I wish I were making that up , but this is our reality now . )
At least there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex/stoner comedy from the 1980s , one that Freeman can only improve .
When you ’ re talking about “ It ’ s a Wonderful Life , ” things are different .
TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters Particularly when you ’ re talking about Pete Davidson as George Bailey .
Yes , according to Deadline , the 27-year-old Davidson — best known for his time on “ Saturday Night Live ” and his active dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 original .
“ We are so thrilled to have Pete reenact the role of George in It ’ s a Wonderful Life with his talented wit and clever vocalizations , ” Matthew Asner of The Ed Asner Family Center , which is putting on the Dec. 13 production , said in a statement Monday .
The cast includes several other stars you know and tolerate , such as Mia Farrow , Ellie Kemper , Carol Kane , Ed Begley Jr. , Bill Pullman and Michael Shannon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , that ’ s raising the most eyebrows — and not just because Jimmy Stewart ’ s George Bailey was never quite known for his “ talented wit and clever vocalizations.
” You might remember Davidson for his infamous remark about Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw ’ s eye patch in a 2018 episode of “ Saturday Night Live ” : “ You may be surprised to hear he ’ s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie , ” Davidson said , followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know he lost his eye in war — or whatever.
” You may also remember his on-air apology afterward .
What you might not remember is that he un-apologized for that : “ I didn ’ t think I did anything wrong , ” he said during his 2020 Netflix comedy special , according to The Hill .
“ It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous .
… So I made fun of this guy with an eye patch and then , like , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might also not remember this joke he made about R & B singer R. Kelly , who stands accused of numerous counts of sexual abuse , mostly against young women : “ This guy is a monster , and he should go to jail forever , ” Davidson said on SNL in March of 2019 .
“ But if you support the Catholic Church , isn ’ t that like the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan ?
I don ’ t really see the difference , except for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That line , according to The Washington Post , “ drew some titters and stunned ‘ oooooohs ’ from the audience.
” When the audience of “ Saturday Night Live ” is genuinely shocked about a joke Pete Davidson made about the Catholic church , I would posit there are issues with it .
This isn ’ t to say Davidson is an unalloyed villain .
He ’ s been admirably open about his struggles with mental-health issues .
He ’ s done charity for firefighting causes , having lost his father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 .
But that still doesn ’ t make him George Bailey material , something Twitter took note of : Maybe that last one will get Hollywood ’ s attention in regard to just how bad of an idea this is , provided any of them can remember a Pauly Shore movie .
What we should probably remember in regard to recasting “ It ’ s a Wonderful Life ” is just how outsized of a shadow the film casts over American holiday lore .
Mostly forgotten until a legal quirk meant it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the film has been shown repeatedly on television during the Christmas season , turning it into a holiday classic .
It ’ s a film with an explicitly Christian message about family , faith and priorities , something that ’ s an anachronism in the liberal Hollywood of today .
In no small part , it works because Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey .
It was hardly a reach to cast him in the role .
As for Davidson , this is casting against type with an actor who ’ s shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not only that , but it ’ s casting that feels like it ’ s being done solely because it generates buzz around the production .
All publicity is good publicity , at least as far as table reads go .
Yes , it ’ s just a table read .
It ’ s an expensive one , with tickets going from $ 50 to $ 250 to watch Davidson and Co. perform over Zoom .
The original movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime or purchased for far less than those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you still have $ 50 to $ 250 lying around , give it to a charity that doesn ’ t feel the need to vulgarize “ It ’ s a Wonderful Life ” because it wants your money .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The charity table read is easily the bane of 2020.
If you aren’t familiar with the phenomenon, here’s a primer: Because we’re so starved for entertainment, Hollywood assumes we’re in a position to pay money to watch a bunch of stars do a dramatic reading of a movie script over video conference. Thus, we round up a motley crew of bored talent, either from the original work or fresher faces — usually playing against type — to engage in a Zoom re-enactment of a film you used to love.
Except without the picture. Or the music. Or the special effects.
The hook is supposed to be a demonstration of Tinseltown bonhomie, a reminder that we’re all in this together. Turn that frown upside-down, America — here’s Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Morgan Freeman, Shia LaBeouf and others in a table read of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High!” (I wish I were making that up, but this is our reality now.)
At least there’s nothing culturally sacrosanct about a high school sex/stoner comedy from the 1980s, one that Freeman can only improve. When you’re talking about “It’s a Wonderful Life,” things are different.
Particularly when you’re talking about Pete Davidson as George Bailey.
Yes, according to Deadline, the 27-year-old Davidson — best known for his time on “Saturday Night Live” and his active dating life — will take the role played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 original.
“We are so thrilled to have Pete reenact the role of George in It’s a Wonderful Life with his talented wit and clever vocalizations,” Matthew Asner of The Ed Asner Family Center, which is putting on the Dec. 13 production, said in a statement Monday.
The cast includes several other stars you know and tolerate, such as Mia Farrow, Ellie Kemper, Carol Kane, Ed Begley Jr., Bill Pullman and Michael Shannon.
Is this casting off-base? Yes No
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It’s Davidson’s casting, however, that’s raising the most eyebrows — and not just because Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey was never quite known for his “talented wit and clever vocalizations.”
You might remember Davidson for his infamous remark about Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s eye patch in a 2018 episode of “Saturday Night Live”: “You may be surprised to hear he’s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie,” Davidson said, followed by, “I’m sorry. I know he lost his eye in war — or whatever.”
You may also remember his on-air apology afterward.
What you might not remember is that he un-apologized for that: “I didn’t think I did anything wrong,” he said during his 2020 Netflix comedy special, according to The Hill. “It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous. … So I made fun of this guy with an eye patch and then, like, I kind of got forced to apologize.”
You might also not remember this joke he made about R&B singer R. Kelly, who stands accused of numerous counts of sexual abuse, mostly against young women: “This guy is a monster, and he should go to jail forever,” Davidson said on SNL in March of 2019. “But if you support the Catholic Church, isn’t that like the same thing as being an R. Kelly fan? I don’t really see the difference, except for one’s music is significantly better.”
That line, according to The Washington Post, “drew some titters and stunned ‘oooooohs’ from the audience.” When the audience of “Saturday Night Live” is genuinely shocked about a joke Pete Davidson made about the Catholic church, I would posit there are issues with it.
This isn’t to say Davidson is an unalloyed villain. He’s been admirably open about his struggles with mental-health issues. He’s done charity for firefighting causes, having lost his father, a New York City firefighter, on 9/11. But that still doesn’t make him George Bailey material, something Twitter took note of:
Pete Davidson portraying George Bailey is peak 2020. https://t.co/adK53brn1o — Sam Valley (@SamValley) November 24, 2020
Well this sounds like a bag of dog crap lit on fire, stuffed into a dumpster lit on fire, dumped into a landfill set on fire, hit by an asteroid https://t.co/bQVkgxErhb — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 24, 2020
What in the blue hell https://t.co/4Z4MSVlkoS — Corona delenda est (@cabbag3_) November 24, 2020
“Yes that’s right, when I think of the traditionally handsome, charismatic, and lovable family man George Bailey, I think of um… well the card says I’m supposed to say Pete Davidson but that has to be a mistake.” https://t.co/UdDdQRSETF — Evan Diem’s Tweets (@EvanOutOfTen) November 24, 2020
I know it’s just a table read, but casting Pete Davidson as George Bailey is like casting…..I don’t know…..Pauly Shore as Barack Obama. — Mark’s Seasonal Horror Name (@The_Shape14) November 24, 2020
Maybe that last one will get Hollywood’s attention in regard to just how bad of an idea this is, provided any of them can remember a Pauly Shore movie.
What we should probably remember in regard to recasting “It’s a Wonderful Life” is just how outsized of a shadow the film casts over American holiday lore. Mostly forgotten until a legal quirk meant it entered the public domain in the 1970s, the film has been shown repeatedly on television during the Christmas season, turning it into a holiday classic.
It’s a film with an explicitly Christian message about family, faith and priorities, something that’s an anachronism in the liberal Hollywood of today. In no small part, it works because Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey. It was hardly a reach to cast him in the role.
As for Davidson, this is casting against type with an actor who’s shown no competence getting outside his comfort zone. Not only that, but it’s casting that feels like it’s being done solely because it generates buzz around the production. All publicity is good publicity, at least as far as table reads go.
Yes, it’s just a table read. It’s an expensive one, with tickets going from $50 to $250 to watch Davidson and Co. perform over Zoom. The original movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime or purchased for far less than those tickets on any number of digital services.
If you still have $50 to $250 lying around, give it to a charity that doesn’t feel the need to vulgarize “It’s a Wonderful Life” because it wants your money.
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Pro Boxer Revealed How Donald Trump Changed His Life with Just 4 Words

It took only four words for Donald Trump to change a man ’ s life .
William Campudoni , a boxer from Spanish Harlem in New York , grew up poor and was , at one point of his life , “ on the brink of being homeless.
” Then he met the man now known as the president of the United States and everything changed .
In a five-minute-long ad from 2016 , titled “ American Comeback Story , ” Campudoni explained the series of events that changed his life for the better and how Trump was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters It was the night of Christmas Eve when Campudoni said he ’ d finally hit his breaking point .
“ I walked into the Saint Patrick ’ s Cathedral and I said ‘ God , please give me a purpose , ' ” Campudoni explained .
He then walked outside and saw a “ gorgeous building ” : it was Trump Tower .
Desperate , Campudoni walked inside and said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , on Christmas , he was hired by Trump himself .
According to the boxer , along with the hiring , Trump gifted him five navy blue suits , shook his hand and said four words Campudoni would carry with him for the rest of his life .
Campudoni then addressed the “ accusations ” of racism and xenophobia that have been constantly levied at Trump since early on in his first campaign .
“ I hear these accusations , but let me tell you firsthand .
He employed people from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , and I remember that , and I admired him for that .
He put us all first , ” Campudoni continued .
In what might have been the most influential moment of Campudoni ’ s life , he said Trump handed him a personal letter “ expressing just how proud he was ” of Campudoni .
RELATED : With Biden Edging Closer to White House , Mexican Ambassador Urges Resumption of Mass Migration Into USA Having never had a father figure in his life , this approval meant everything to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know this , but along with a few momentos in life , this letter was the one that gave me the most inspiration .
These words , they have been a constant reminder of how much I have been appreciated , ” the boxer explained .
“ Donald Trump taught me how to act like a champion .
Mr. Trump just didn ’ t give me a job that Christmas day .
What I realize today is that he gave me a tool to help rediscover my purpose .
To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It took only four words for Donald Trump to change a man’s life.
William Campudoni, a boxer from Spanish Harlem in New York, grew up poor and was, at one point of his life, “on the brink of being homeless.”
Then he met the man now known as the president of the United States and everything changed.
In a five-minute-long ad from 2016, titled “American Comeback Story,” Campudoni explained the series of events that changed his life for the better and how Trump was at the center of that transformation.
It was the night of Christmas Eve when Campudoni said he’d finally hit his breaking point.
“I walked into the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and I said ‘God, please give me a purpose,'” Campudoni explained.
He then walked outside and saw a “gorgeous building”: it was Trump Tower.
Desperate, Campudoni walked inside and said he was looking for work. The very next day, on Christmas, he was hired by Trump himself.
Is President Trump a racist? Yes No
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According to the boxer, along with the hiring, Trump gifted him five navy blue suits, shook his hand and said four words Campudoni would carry with him for the rest of his life.
“Welcome to the family.”
Campudoni then addressed the “accusations” of racism and xenophobia that have been constantly levied at Trump since early on in his first campaign.
“I hear these accusations, but let me tell you firsthand. He employed people from all origins. We were all treated like family, and I remember that, and I admired him for that. He put us all first,” Campudoni continued.
In what might have been the most influential moment of Campudoni’s life, he said Trump handed him a personal letter “expressing just how proud he was” of Campudoni.
Having never had a father figure in his life, this approval meant everything to him.
“You know, Trump wouldn’t know this, but along with a few momentos in life, this letter was the one that gave me the most inspiration. These words, they have been a constant reminder of how much I have been appreciated,” the boxer explained.
“Donald Trump taught me how to act like a champion. Mr. Trump just didn’t give me a job that Christmas day. What I realize today is that he gave me a tool to help rediscover my purpose. To be an inspiration to my children.”
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Woman Reportedly Let a Homeless Man Sleep on Her Living Room Floor, Woke up Hours Later to a Horrifi

Woman Reportedly Let a Homeless Man Sleep on Her Living Room Floor, Woke up Hours Later to a Horrific Discovery

Authorities say a Good Samaritan in Florida who gave a homeless man a place to sleep on Thanksgiving night was allegedly a victim of sexual battery after she awoke to find the man ’ s hands around her neck .
Fox News reported that the purported crime happened in the city of St. Pete Beach .
According to WTVT-TV , the Pinellas County Sheriff ’ s Office reported that 44-year-old Clark Caplan knocked on the woman ’ s door near midnight Thursday and asked if he could stay .
Deputies said the woman agreed to let the man sleep on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she slept in a bedroom .
At some point during the night , according to WTVT , the woman awoke to find Caplan with his hands around her neck , sexually assaulting her .
TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters While the victim tried to escape through the front door , WTVT reported , the man grabbed her hair to prevent her from leaving .
The report did not explain who called authorities or how Caplan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into custody and charged with sexual battery , felony battery and false imprisonment .
His bail was set at $ 112,500 , WTVT reported .
Florida hasn ’ t been the state hardest hit by the homelessness epidemic in terms of its population .
According to data from 2019 , the estimated homeless rate had Florida at 15th per capita , with 13.5 homeless individuals per 10,000 population .
New York , Hawaii and California were the top three states , with 46.4 homeless per 10,000 , 44.9 and 38.3 , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far No .
1 with 94 homeless per 10,000 population , but it isn ’ t a state . )
However , the Sunshine State does have the third-largest homeless population in the United States by raw numbers , with over 28,000 , according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness .
There are plenty of solutions forwarded to deal with the issues , most of which assume the issue is simply a matter of getting a roof over the homeless person ’ s head .
The rest of the problems will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go .
There ’ s nothing wrong with getting a roof over a homeless person ’ s head — in fact , that ’ s the ultimate aim — but it also doesn ’ t solve the root issues behind homelessness .
In many cases , it actually perpetuates them .
In this case , according to reports , it ’ s a woman who put her personal safety at risk to give a man in need a place to stay .
No one can blame her , but the impulse should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s driven by the most charitable impulses .
RELATED : Pro Boxer Revealed How Donald Trump Changed His Life with Just 4 Words Even in cases where the “ solution ” is a bit less ad hoc and personal , there are still issues .
In May , as homeless individuals were being given free room and board in many cities due to the pandemic , San Francisco said it was also providing free alcohol and drugs to some of the individuals who were staying in hotels at the time .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself “ T Wolf ” wrote that “ I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol , Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE.
” He wrote , not wrongly , that the city is “ supposed to be offering treatment .
This is enabling and is wrong on many levels.
” The city didn ’ t just confirm that this was the case , it also essentially told “ T Wolf ” to check his privilege .
“ These harm reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to San Francisco , and are not paid for with taxpayer money , help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic , ” the city ’ s Department of Public Health tweeted .
Except , at some level , it was being paid for with taxpayer money .
Even if the drugs and alcohol were not purchased with public funds , it was all part of a city program that is paid for by taxpayers .
( That bureaucrat who wrote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wasn ’ t working for free . )
But this wasn ’ t quite the point : Drunken and drugged individuals have a higher propensity to pose a danger to themselves or others .
While “ harm reduction based practices ” may work in certain circumstances , they ’ re based on science from situations that don ’ t involve hotel rooms in a pandemic .
We ’ ve seen more than a few occasions during the COVID crisis where allowing those with substance abuse and mental health problems into subsidized hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety .
So , yes , it ’ s a moral thing to spare a thought for the homeless , particularly in these grim times .
You should first think of your own safety , however , or the safety of others .
Homelessness may be ameliorated by acts of kindness , but not when they cut against reason and common sense .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Authorities say a Good Samaritan in Florida who gave a homeless man a place to sleep on Thanksgiving night was allegedly a victim of sexual battery after she awoke to find the man’s hands around her neck.
Fox News reported that the purported crime happened in the city of St. Pete Beach.
According to WTVT-TV, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reported that 44-year-old Clark Caplan knocked on the woman’s door near midnight Thursday and asked if he could stay.
Deputies said the woman agreed to let the man sleep on the floor in her living room while she slept in a bedroom.
At some point during the night, according to WTVT, the woman awoke to find Caplan with his hands around her neck, sexually assaulting her.
While the victim tried to escape through the front door, WTVT reported, the man grabbed her hair to prevent her from leaving.
Pinellas County deputies arrested Clark Caplan, 44, after they say he sexually battered a woman who gave him a place to spend the night. https://t.co/4oVpBsUViA — FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) November 27, 2020
The report did not explain who called authorities or how Caplan was arrested, but he was taken into custody and charged with sexual battery, felony battery and false imprisonment.
His bail was set at $112,500, WTVT reported.
Florida hasn’t been the state hardest hit by the homelessness epidemic in terms of its population. According to data from 2019, the estimated homeless rate had Florida at 15th per capita, with 13.5 homeless individuals per 10,000 population. New York, Hawaii and California were the top three states, with 46.4 homeless per 10,000, 44.9 and 38.3, respectively. (The District of Columbia was by far No. 1 with 94 homeless per 10,000 population, but it isn’t a state.)
However, the Sunshine State does have the third-largest homeless population in the United States by raw numbers, with over 28,000, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
There are plenty of solutions forwarded to deal with the issues, most of which assume the issue is simply a matter of getting a roof over the homeless person’s head. The rest of the problems will sort themselves out, the liberal line will go.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a roof over a homeless person’s head — in fact, that’s the ultimate aim — but it also doesn’t solve the root issues behind homelessness. In many cases, it actually perpetuates them.
In this case, according to reports, it’s a woman who put her personal safety at risk to give a man in need a place to stay. No one can blame her, but the impulse should be warned against, even if it’s driven by the most charitable impulses.
Even in cases where the “solution” is a bit less ad hoc and personal, there are still issues. In May, as homeless individuals were being given free room and board in many cities due to the pandemic, San Francisco said it was also providing free alcohol and drugs to some of the individuals who were staying in hotels at the time.
At the time, a Twitter user calling himself “T Wolf” wrote that “I just found out that homeless placed in hotels in SF are being delivered Alcohol, Weed and Methadone because they identified as an addict/alcoholic for FREE.”
He wrote, not wrongly, that the city is “supposed to be offering treatment. This is enabling and is wrong on many levels.”
The city didn’t just confirm that this was the case, it also essentially told “T Wolf” to check his privilege.
These harm reduction based practices, which are not unique to San Francisco, and are not paid for with taxpayer money, help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic. — SFDPH (@SF_DPH) May 5, 2020
“These harm reduction based practices, which are not unique to San Francisco, and are not paid for with taxpayer money, help guests successfully complete isolation and quarantine and have significant individual and public health benefits in the COVID-19 pandemic,” the city’s Department of Public Health tweeted.
Do liberal programs make the homeless problem worse? Yes No
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Except, at some level, it was being paid for with taxpayer money. Even if the drugs and alcohol were not purchased with public funds, it was all part of a city program that is paid for by taxpayers. (That bureaucrat who wrote the tweet defending the practice, for instance, wasn’t working for free.)
But this wasn’t quite the point: Drunken and drugged individuals have a higher propensity to pose a danger to themselves or others. While “harm reduction based practices” may work in certain circumstances, they’re based on science from situations that don’t involve hotel rooms in a pandemic.
We’ve seen more than a few occasions during the COVID crisis where allowing those with substance abuse and mental health problems into subsidized hotel housing has created serious issues with public safety.
So, yes, it’s a moral thing to spare a thought for the homeless, particularly in these grim times. You should first think of your own safety, however, or the safety of others.
Homelessness may be ameliorated by acts of kindness, but not when they cut against reason and common sense.
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Report: Here’s When Donald Trump May Launch a 2024 Presidential Campaign

President Donald Trump could announce his 2024 plans as soon as Inauguration Day , if his legal battle over the presidential election falls short , according to a published report .
Taking the spotlight away from presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden is among the idea bandied about in a report by the Daily Beast based on a variety of unnamed sources .
The Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona , Nevada , Georgia , Michigan and Wisconsin , as well as Pennsylvania .
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election .
As the Trump campaign has lost lawsuit after lawsuit to overturn the results in states won by Biden , increasing attention has been paid in the media to the potential for a Trump candidacy in 2024 .
TRENDING : Punk Slugs Cop Out of the Blue , Officer Opens Cruiser Door and Lets 'Lee ' Handle Him The Daily Beast report frames Trump ’ s deliberations about 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is running more than whether he will run .
The report said the president has “ floated the idea of doing a 2024-related event during Biden ’ s inauguration week , possibly on Inauguration Day.
” The report also said the Trump believes he can retain a major media presence even if he leaves office because the media finds Biden “ boring.
” The Daily Beast report comes amid multiple reports that 2024 is looming large in Trump ’ s mind .
A report by Bloomberg said that during a meeting earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Advisor Robert O ’ Brien , Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence , the president said he would run in 2024 .
“ If you do that — and I think I speak for everybody in the room — we ’ re with you 100 percent , ” Bloomberg quotes O ’ Brien as saying , citing unnamed sources .
Bryan Lanza , communications director for President Donald Trump ’ s transition team after Trump ’ s 2016 triumph , has said Trump is in a good position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” “ There ’ s nobody in the Republican party that can challenge President Trump in the primaries , ” Lanza said , according to The Independent .
Given Trump ’ s ability to get votes and the unprecedented loyalty his supporters have shown , “ the Republicans would step aside to let it happen , ” Lanza said if Trump should lose this year and run in 2024 .
RELATED : Another GOP Woman Now Expected To Win House Seat Previously Held by Democrat Last month , former White House aide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk away just because he loses a round .
“ You ’ re not going to see the end of Donald Trump , ” he said , according to the Daily Mail .
“ I ’ ll make this prediction right now : if for any reason the election is stolen from or in some sort of way Joe Biden is declared the winner , Trump will announce he ’ s going to run for re-election in 2024 , ” Bannon said last month .
Amid varying reports about timing and tactics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will “ try to remain a political and media force , ” said Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy , according to The Washington Post .
“ He has all these existing businesses .
He ’ ll have new relationships.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump could announce his 2024 plans as soon as Inauguration Day, if his legal battle over the presidential election falls short, according to a published report.
Taking the spotlight away from presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden is among the idea bandied about in a report by the Daily Beast based on a variety of unnamed sources.
The Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania.
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities, proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election.
As the Trump campaign has lost lawsuit after lawsuit to overturn the results in states won by Biden, increasing attention has been paid in the media to the potential for a Trump candidacy in 2024.
The Daily Beast report frames Trump’s deliberations about 2024 in terms of when he will announce he is running more than whether he will run.
The report said the president has “floated the idea of doing a 2024-related event during Biden’s inauguration week, possibly on Inauguration Day.”
The report also said the Trump believes he can retain a major media presence even if he leaves office because the media finds Biden “boring.”
The Daily Beast report comes amid multiple reports that 2024 is looming large in Trump’s mind.
Should President Donald Trump run for the White House in 2024? Yes No
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A report by Bloomberg said that during a meeting earlier this month attended by Trump, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence, the president said he would run in 2024.
“If you do that — and I think I speak for everybody in the room — we’re with you 100 percent,” Bloomberg quotes O’Brien as saying, citing unnamed sources.
Bryan Lanza, communications director for President Donald Trump’s transition team after Trump’s 2016 triumph, has said Trump is in a good position to “run again four years from now.”
“There’s nobody in the Republican party that can challenge President Trump in the primaries,” Lanza said, according to The Independent.
Given Trump’s ability to get votes and the unprecedented loyalty his supporters have shown, “the Republicans would step aside to let it happen,” Lanza said if Trump should lose this year and run in 2024.
Last month, former White House aide Steve Bannon said that Trump will not walk away just because he loses a round.
“You’re not going to see the end of Donald Trump,” he said, according to the Daily Mail.
“I’ll make this prediction right now: if for any reason the election is stolen from or in some sort of way Joe Biden is declared the winner, Trump will announce he’s going to run for re-election in 2024,” Bannon said last month.
Amid varying reports about timing and tactics, one Trump ally offered his perspective.
Trump will “try to remain a political and media force,” said Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, according to The Washington Post.
“He has all these existing businesses. He’ll have new relationships.”
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--PA Supreme Court Tosses Challenge To Vote-by-Mail

A challenge to Pennsylvania ’ s mail-in voting system was rejected Saturday by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court .
Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania and several other plaintiffs claimed that the state law that allowed mass mail-in ballots in the state was in violation of the state ’ s Constitution .
The lawsuit had the potential to swing the state , because President Donald Trump appeared to carry the state based on in-person voting , but presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden won it on the strength of mail-in votes .
The Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada , Georgia , Michigan and Wisconsin , as well as Pennsylvania .
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities , proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election .
Kelly ’ s lawsuit was separate from those filed by the Trump campaign , but suffered the same fate as the campaign ’ s legal challenges in Pennsylvania , which the campaign has said it will take to the U @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit had appeared to gain traction last week after Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough said a hearing on the lawsuit had to be held before the state could certify the results of the election , according to the Philadelphia Inquirer .
TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters Plaintiff Sean Parnell indicated that despite the rejection of the Kelly lawsuit further legal action may be in the cards .
“ It ’ s not over .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he tweeted .
The result was panned by Jenna Ellis , an attorney representing the Trump campaign .
However , the judges were firm that the bid to throw out the mail-in ballots should be rejected .
RELATED : Another GOP Woman Now Expected To Win House Seat Previously Held by Democrat “ Petitioners sought to invalidate the ballots of the millions of Pennsylvania voters who utilized the mail-in voting procedures established by Act 77 and count only those ballots that Petitioners deem to be ‘ legal votes.
’ Alternatively , Petitioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disenfranchise all 6.9 million Pennsylvanians who voted in the General Election and instead ‘ direct [ ] the General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania ’ s electors , ' ” the court ruled .
The court said that the challenge to the 2019 law came far too late .
“ Petitioners filed this facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory provisions more than one year after the enactment of Act 77 .
At the time this action was filed on November 21 , 2020 , millions of Pennsylvania voters had already expressed their will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the November 2020 General Election and the final ballots in the 2020 General Election were being tallied , with the results becoming seemingly apparent , ” the court ruled .
“ Nevertheless , Petitioners waited to commence this litigation until days before the county boards of election were required to certify the election results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth .
Thus , it is beyond cavil that Petitioners failed to act with due diligence in presenting the instant claim .
Equally clear is the substantial prejudice arising from Petitioners ’ failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mail-in voting statutory scheme , as such inaction would result in the disenfranchisement of millions of Pennsylvania voters , ” the court ruled in throwing out Kelly ’ s claim .
“ Petitioners filed this facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory provisions more than one year after the enactment of Act 77 .
At the time this action was filed on November 21 , 2020 , millions of Pennsylvania voters had already expressed their will in both the June 2020 Primary Election and the November 2020 General Election and the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being tallied , with the results becoming seemingly apparent , ” the ruling said .
“ Nevertheless , Petitioners waited to commence this litigation until days before the county boards of election were required to certify the election results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth .
Thus , it is beyond cavil that Petitioners failed to act with due diligence in presenting the instant claim .
Equally clear is the substantial prejudice arising from Petitioners ’ failure to institute promptly a facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory scheme , as such inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvania voters , ” the ruling said .
“ It is not our role to lend legitimacy to such transparent and untimely efforts to subvert the will of Pennsylvania voters , ” Justice David Wecht wrote in a concurring opinion , according to Attorney General of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro .
“ Courts should not decide elections when the will of the voters is clear.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A challenge to Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting system was rejected Saturday by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania and several other plaintiffs claimed that the state law that allowed mass mail-in ballots in the state was in violation of the state’s Constitution. The lawsuit had the potential to swing the state, because President Donald Trump appeared to carry the state based on in-person voting, but presumptive potential President-elect Joe Biden won it on the strength of mail-in votes.
The Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania. Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities, proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such as way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election.
Kelly’s lawsuit was separate from those filed by the Trump campaign, but suffered the same fate as the campaign’s legal challenges in Pennsylvania, which the campaign has said it will take to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The lawsuit had appeared to gain traction last week after Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough said a hearing on the lawsuit had to be held before the state could certify the results of the election, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Plaintiff Sean Parnell indicated that despite the rejection of the Kelly lawsuit further legal action may be in the cards.
“It’s not over. This was not unexpected. Stay tuned,” he tweeted.
It’s not over. This was not unexpected. Stay tuned. https://t.co/1H3M0UVnMi — Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) November 28, 2020
Note the dismissal is on procedural grounds; court ruled the suit was brought too late, not that the mail ballot law is constitutional. Expect another challenge. If the GOP legislature and the Dem Gov want to keep no-excuse mail voting, they need to amend the state Constitution. https://t.co/IRdRI1Ar1i — Brad Todd (@BradOnMessage) November 29, 2020
The result was panned by Jenna Ellis, an attorney representing the Trump campaign.
This has become a ridiculous political game. If Kelly had challenged the statute BEFORE the election, the court would have thrown out the suit saying there was no injury in fact. This is a fight for the very integrity of our entire system. Article II!!https://t.co/mZoFgd0yvO — Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) November 29, 2020
However, the judges were firm that the bid to throw out the mail-in ballots should be rejected.
“Petitioners sought to invalidate the ballots of the millions of Pennsylvania voters who utilized the mail-in voting procedures established by Act 77 and count only those ballots that Petitioners deem to be ‘legal votes.’ Alternatively, Petitioners advocated the extraordinary proposition that the court disenfranchise all 6.9 million Pennsylvanians who voted in the General Election and instead ‘direct[] the General Assembly to choose Pennsylvania’s electors,'” the court ruled.
The court said that the challenge to the 2019 law came far too late.
“Petitioners filed this facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory provisions more than one year after the enactment of Act 77. At the time this action was filed on November 21, 2020, millions of Pennsylvania voters had already expressed their will in both the June 2020 Primary Election and the November 2020 General Election and the final ballots in the 2020 General Election were being tallied, with the results becoming seemingly apparent,” the court ruled.
Will this case make it to the Supreme Court of the United States? Yes No
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“Nevertheless, Petitioners waited to commence this litigation until days before the county boards of election were required to certify the election results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Thus, it is beyond cavil that Petitioners failed to act with due diligence in presenting the instant claim. Equally clear is the substantial prejudice arising from Petitioners’ failure to institute promptly a facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory scheme, as such inaction would result in the disenfranchisement of millions of Pennsylvania voters,” the court ruled in throwing out Kelly’s claim.
“Petitioners filed this facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory provisions more than one year after the enactment of Act 77. At the time this action was filed on November 21, 2020, millions of Pennsylvania voters had already expressed their will in both the June 2020 Primary Election and the November 2020 General Election and the final ballots in the 2020 General Election were being tallied, with the results becoming seemingly apparent,” the ruling said.
“Nevertheless, Petitioners waited to commence this litigation until days before the county boards of election were required to certify the election results to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Thus, it is beyond cavil that Petitioners failed to act with due diligence in presenting the instant claim. Equally clear is the substantial prejudice arising from Petitioners’ failure to institute promptly a facial challenge to the mail-in voting statutory scheme, as such inaction would result in the disenfranchisement of millions of Pennsylvania voters,” the ruling said.
“It is not our role to lend legitimacy to such transparent and untimely efforts to subvert the will of Pennsylvania voters,” Justice David Wecht wrote in a concurring opinion, according to Attorney General of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro. “Courts should not decide elections when the will of the voters is clear.”
“It is not our role to lend legitimacy
to such transparent and untimely efforts to subvert the will of Pennsylvania voters. Courts should not decide elections when the will of the voters is clear.” – Justice Wecht, PA Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/HzhjGEQJad — AG Josh Shapiro (@PAAttorneyGen) November 29, 2020
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Former NYPD Detective Blames Increased Crime on 3 Main Things. Hint – COVID Isn’t One of Them

The past year has been plagued by a sharp increase in violent crime , and many would like to blame the uptick on coronavirus lockdowns .
But according to one ex-New York Police Department detective on Monday , when it comes to the reasons why violence has increased , the coronavirus doesn ’ t even make his top three .
During an interview on Fox ’ s “ American Newsroom , ” Pat Brosnan , the retired detective , laid out exactly why crime is skyrocketing in major cities across the country .
In his opinion , the three main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources , riots , and an absence of the rule of law .
“ It ’ s a convenient narrative to lay the blame on the doorstep of COVID .
Granted , COVID is a contributing factor ; there is no doubt about it , ” Brosnan told Fox News .
TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters “ But riots for fun and profit , a desecrated police department in both morale and operationally , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law relative to the adherence to it are the main drivers here –they ’ re the catalyst .
COVID is just a first cousin that was a cause-and- effect.
” In 2020 , Brosnan ’ s former employer , the city of New York , is facing massive increases in violent crime when compared to 2019 .
Shootings in the city have almost doubled from 698 total in 2019 to 1,359 in 2020 as of Nov. 15 , Fox News reported , citing NYPD figures .
Moreover , shooting victims have more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide victims have increased from 295 in 2019 to a whopping 405 this year .
All three main factors laid out by Brosnan in explaining the massive increases in crime and violence can by attributed to the rhetoric and actions of the radical left .
Riots have been commonplace following any police shooting of a minority , regardless of whether evidence has shown that said shooting was justified .
Additionally , Black Lives Matter and other far-left activists have called for the defunding of police and have labeled all police forces as inherently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ’ s trust in police , ruining their morale as well as their operationality given that many cities , such as New York , actually are defunding their police forces .
Lastly , many on the left tacitly approve of the violence and mass looting by describing it as the cries of the unheard .
At the same time , however , leftists denigrate police forces for trying to fight back against the crowds , calling them racists and fascists .
If that doesn ’ t qualify as a destruction of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adherence to it , ” I don ’ t know what does .
RELATED : Woman Reportedly Let a Homeless Man Sleep on Her Living Room Floor , Woke up Hours Later to a Horrific Discovery Brosnan continued his interview with Fox News by giving a specific example of how the left ’ s lax approach to crime is contributing to New York City ’ s increased lawlessness .
“ The reality is a brand-new term has come to light .
It is called de-arresting , where someone is lawfully placed under arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-arrested because police commanders , under pressure from politicians , under pressure from the media , are saying certain crimes are no longer illegal , so people get a free pass .
So how does that affect it at all ?
” Brosnan said .
“ We have commercial burglaries up in New York City –42 percent .
Car thefts 66 percent .
A lot of this is directly related to the COVID , right .
There is a lot more homeless , a lot more emotionally disturbed folks , but the reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no sanction , there is no penalty — it is all carrot and no stick.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The past year has been plagued by a sharp increase in violent crime, and many would like to blame the uptick on coronavirus lockdowns.
But according to one ex-New York Police Department detective on Monday, when it comes to the reasons why violence has increased, the coronavirus doesn’t even make his top three.
During an interview on Fox’s “American Newsroom,” Pat Brosnan, the retired detective, laid out exactly why crime is skyrocketing in major cities across the country.
In his opinion, the three main catalysts are a lack police morale and resources, riots, and an absence of the rule of law.
“It’s a convenient narrative to lay the blame on the doorstep of COVID. Granted, COVID is a contributing factor; there is no doubt about it,” Brosnan told Fox News.
“But riots for fun and profit, a desecrated police department in both morale and operationally, and a completely destructed and destructed rule of law relative to the adherence to it are the main drivers here –they’re the catalyst. COVID is just a first cousin that was a cause-and- effect.”
In 2020, Brosnan’s former employer, the city of New York, is facing massive increases in violent crime when compared to 2019.
Shootings in the city have almost doubled from 698 total in 2019 to 1,359 in 2020 as of Nov. 15, Fox News reported, citing NYPD figures.
Moreover, shooting victims have more than doubled from 828 to 1,667, and homicide victims have increased from 295 in 2019 to a whopping 405 this year.
Does the Democratic Party support law enforcement? Yes No
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All three main factors laid out by Brosnan in explaining the massive increases in crime and violence can by attributed to the rhetoric and actions of the radical left.
Riots have been commonplace following any police shooting of a minority, regardless of whether evidence has shown that said shooting was justified. Additionally, Black Lives Matter and other far-left activists have called for the defunding of police and have labeled all police forces as inherently racist institutions.
This has hurt the public’s trust in police, ruining their morale as well as their operationality given that many cities, such as New York, actually are defunding their police forces.
Lastly, many on the left tacitly approve of the violence and mass looting by describing it as the cries of the unheard. At the same time, however, leftists denigrate police forces for trying to fight back against the crowds, calling them racists and fascists.
If that doesn’t qualify as a destruction of the “rule of law relative to the adherence to it,” I don’t know what does.
Brosnan continued his interview with Fox News by giving a specific example of how the left’s lax approach to crime is contributing to New York City’s increased lawlessness.
“The reality is a brand-new term has come to light. It is called de-arresting, where someone is lawfully placed under arrest for probable cause and then they are de-arrested because police commanders, under pressure from politicians, under pressure from the media, are saying certain crimes are no longer illegal, so people get a free pass. So how does that affect it at all?” Brosnan said.
“We have commercial burglaries up in New York City –42 percent. Car thefts 66 percent. A lot of this is directly related to the COVID, right. There is a lot more homeless, a lot more emotionally disturbed folks, but the reality is this free-for-all sense that there is no sanction, there is no penalty — it is all carrot and no stick.”
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Fred Weinberg: The Government Is Embracing a Worrying Concept Under Cover of COVID

The big news of Thanksgiving Day was that the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the night before that New York ’ s Emmy-winning butthead governor could not restrict the religious gatherings of Orthodox Jews or devout Catholics .
In point of fact , the ruling mimics a 1977 ruling .
“ In a per curiam opinion , the Court held that Illinois must provide strict procedural safeguards , including appellate review , to deny a stay for an injunction depriving the Nazi Party of protected First Amendment rights , ” according to Oyez .
That was the Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie .
That ’ s right .
The American Nazi Party versus the then-largely Jewish town of Skokie , Illinois , in which the American Civil Liberties Union represented the Nazi Party as a matter of First Amendment principle .
TRENDING : Researcher Stumbles Across Worrying Discovery in Nevada , Look What She Says Was Listed as a Home Address for Some Voters The ACLU is no longer as principled .
In fact , it condemned the Thanksgiving eve decision .
The executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberties Union said the ruling would “ undermine New York ’ s efforts to curb the pandemic.
” “ The freedom to worship is one of our most cherished fundamental rights , but it does not include a license to harm others or endanger public health , ” said Daniel Mach , director of the ACLU Program of Freedom of Religion and Belief .
Especially if that claim of endangering public health comes from the flapping piehole of a socialist wannabe dictator like Andrew Cuomo .
That ’ s funny .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important in 2020 than actual civil liberties , at least to the American Civil Liberties Union .
You know what “ undermines ” New York ’ s efforts to curb the pandemic ?
A certain governor who directed COVID patients to be admitted to nursing homes where many of them subsequently died .
As a friend of mine put it , if the government were put in charge of the Sahara Desert , the sand would be gone in three years .
Why is it that government officials suddenly embrace the concept that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stupid to make other decisions for them ?
In Nevada , we have a governor who thinks that casinos should be able to operate more freely than religious institutions .
And we ’ re guessing that the Thanksgiving eve decision by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the Supremes may serve as the writing on the wall to him .
RELATED : Victor Davis Hanson : If Trump Is Playing Politics with COVID , It Does n't Hold a Candle to What Dems Have Done Denver ’ s mayor told his constituents not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight to Houston to visit his daughter in Mississippi , and said that his wife was already there .
In point of fact , there is good reason not to celebrate Thanksgiving with ten 70+ family members who have diabetes , fresh from the airport after flying in .
But moronic dictates from public officials who almost never get it right is the wrong way to go about it .
Just like the ACLU embracing liberal politics before actual civil liberties .
You just can ’ t trust liberals to be consistent anymore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all of this it is that you , I and most of America are not stupid .
If we ’ re smart enough to elect some of these putzes , we ’ re smart enough to evaluate the risks involved in everyday life .
And if we make the wrong decisions , well , this is America and that ’ s life .
In a free country , those decisions are ours to make .
Everybody has the option to stay home , not have guests and isolate .
Those decisions depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But they are best made by us , not some politician with a wannabe dictator complex .
Andrew Cuomo and Steve Sisolak were not elected because they are so smart they can make decisions for all of us despite the fact they know nothing about us individually .
If there is an error to be made , let ’ s follow the Supreme Court and err on the side of liberty .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal , you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The big news of Thanksgiving Day was that the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the night before that New York’s Emmy-winning butthead governor could not restrict the religious gatherings of Orthodox Jews or devout Catholics.
In point of fact, the ruling mimics a 1977 ruling.
“In a per curiam opinion, the Court held that Illinois must provide strict procedural safeguards, including appellate review, to deny a stay for an injunction depriving the Nazi Party of protected First Amendment rights,” according to Oyez.
That was the Warren Burger court’s ruling in the case of National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie.
That’s right. The American Nazi Party versus the then-largely Jewish town of Skokie, Illinois, in which the American Civil Liberties Union represented the Nazi Party as a matter of First Amendment principle.
The ACLU is no longer as principled. In fact, it condemned the Thanksgiving eve decision. The executive director of the affiliate New York Civil Liberties Union said the ruling would “undermine New York’s efforts to curb the pandemic.”
“The freedom to worship is one of our most cherished fundamental rights, but it does not include a license to harm others or endanger public health,” said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program of Freedom of Religion and Belief.
Especially if that claim of endangering public health comes from the flapping piehole of a socialist wannabe dictator like Andrew Cuomo.
That’s funny. And it spells out that liberal orthodoxy is more important in 2020 than actual civil liberties, at least to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision? Yes No
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You know what “undermines” New York’s efforts to curb the pandemic?
A certain governor who directed COVID patients to be admitted to nursing homes where many of them subsequently died.
As a friend of mine put it, if the government were put in charge of the Sahara Desert, the sand would be gone in three years.
Why is it that government officials suddenly embrace the concept that the people who elected them are too stupid to make other decisions for them?
In Nevada, we have a governor who thinks that casinos should be able to operate more freely than religious institutions. And we’re guessing that the Thanksgiving eve decision by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the Supremes may serve as the writing on the wall to him.
Denver’s mayor told his constituents not to travel — just before he boarded a flight to Houston to visit his daughter in Mississippi, and said that his wife was already there.
Now that’s leadership!
In point of fact, there is good reason not to celebrate Thanksgiving with ten 70+ family members who have diabetes, fresh from the airport after flying in.
But moronic dictates from public officials who almost never get it right is the wrong way to go about it.
Just like the ACLU embracing liberal politics before actual civil liberties.
You just can’t trust liberals to be consistent anymore.
If there’s a message in all of this it is that you, I and most of America are not stupid. If we’re smart enough to elect some of these putzes, we’re smart enough to evaluate the risks involved in everyday life. And if we make the wrong decisions, well, this is America and that’s life. In a free country, those decisions are ours to make.
Everybody has the option to stay home, not have guests and isolate.
Those decisions depend on circumstances, current health, etc. But they are best made by us, not some politician with a wannabe dictator complex.
Andrew Cuomo and Steve Sisolak were not elected because they are so smart they can make decisions for all of us despite the fact they know nothing about us individually.
If there is an error to be made, let’s follow the Supreme Court and err on the side of liberty.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Israeli Embassies on High Alert as Iran Plans Revenge for Assassination

Threats and wariness were the watchwords in the Middle East over the weekend in the aftermath of the assassination of Iran ’ s top nuclear scientist .
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed Friday near Tehran .
Iran has blamed Israel for his death .
Israel has made no claim of responsibility .
Israel put its embassies on high alert , according to Reuters , which cited Israeli N12 news .
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it had no comment on security issues .
TRENDING : Punk Slugs Cop Out of the Blue , Officer Opens Cruiser Door and Lets 'Lee ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assassination of Martyr Fakhrizadeh in a proper time , ” Iran President Hassan Rouhani said , according to The Associated Press .
“ The Iranian nation is smarter than falling into the trap of the Zionists .
They are thinking to create chaos.
” The Islamic Republic ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Fakhrizadeh “ the country ’ s prominent and distinguished nuclear and defensive scientist.
” Khamenei said Iran will make “ definitive punishment of the perpetrators and those who ordered it ” its top priority .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flags of Israel and the U.S. as well as photos of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden , according to the New York Post .
Iran ’ s Kayhan newspaper , which has close ties to Khamenei , according to The Washington Post , published an opinion piece stating Iran should attack the city of Haifa in Israel if it can be proven Israel was responsible for Fakhrizadeh ’ s death .
On Sunday , after a session of Iran ’ s parliament , speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said revenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not regret it except with a strong reaction , ” he said , The Washington Post reported .
During a legislature ’ s public session , lawmakers chanted , “ Death to America !
” and “ Death to Israel !
” The United States sent the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier into the region , according to the AP , citing as the rationale the reduction in forces in Afghanistan and Iraq .
Iranian army commander Mohammed Bagheri said Fakhrizadeh ’ s death represents a serious setback for the Iranian nuclear program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a former leader of Israeli military intelligence who is director of Tel Aviv University ’ s Institute for National Security Studies , said Fakhrizadeh ran “ all covert activities with weaponization of the program , ” The Washington Post reported .
The damage caused by his death “ can not be measured since nobody knows exactly the scope and the depth what the Iranians are doing covertly , ” Yadlin told the newspaper .
“ But no doubt that he was the core source of authority , knowledge and organization of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Threats and wariness were the watchwords in the Middle East over the weekend in the aftermath of the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist.
Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed Friday near Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for his death. Israel has made no claim of responsibility.
Israel put its embassies on high alert, according to Reuters, which cited Israeli N12 news.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it had no comment on security issues.
Iranian officials seethed with talk of revenge.
“We will respond to the assassination of Martyr Fakhrizadeh in a proper time,” Iran President Hassan Rouhani said, according to The Associated Press. “The Iranian nation is smarter than falling into the trap of the Zionists. They are thinking to create chaos.”
The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Fakhrizadeh “the country’s prominent and distinguished nuclear and defensive scientist.” Khamenei said Iran will make “definitive punishment of the perpetrators and those who ordered it” its top priority.
On the streets of Tehran, demonstrators burned the flags of Israel and the U.S. as well as photos of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, according to the New York Post.
Iran’s Kayhan newspaper, which has close ties to Khamenei, according to The Washington Post, published an opinion piece stating Iran should attack the city of Haifa in Israel if it can be proven Israel was responsible for Fakhrizadeh’s death.
Do you think this assassination will spark a Middle East war? 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: 41% (47 Votes) No: 59% (67 Votes)
The article advocated “heavy human casualties.”
On Sunday, after a session of Iran’s parliament, speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said revenge must come.
“The criminal enemy does not regret it except with a strong reaction,” he said, The Washington Post reported.
During a legislature’s public session, lawmakers chanted, “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”
The United States sent the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier into the region, according to the AP, citing as the rationale the reduction in forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iranian army commander Mohammed Bagheri said Fakhrizadeh’s death represents a serious setback for the Iranian nuclear program, according to Axios.
Amos Yadlin, a former leader of Israeli military intelligence who is director of Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Fakhrizadeh ran “all covert activities with weaponization of the program,” The Washington Post reported.
The damage caused by his death “cannot be measured since nobody knows exactly the scope and the depth what the Iranians are doing covertly,” Yadlin told the newspaper. “But no doubt that he was the core source of authority, knowledge and organization of this program.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-11-29--Heartbreaking: 90-Year-Old Social Butterfly Chooses Assisted Suicide Over Another Isolating Lockdown

An elderly Canadian woman chose doctor-assisted suicide last month rather than go through another restrictive lockdown in her long-term care facility .
The story is troubling for a number of reasons , but chiefly , it highlights how quickly a spry and sharp social butterfly declined after her life was devalued by the extreme measures that were supposed to protect her .
Those measures actually drove her to the point where she chose to die .
CTV News reported Nancy Russell , 90 , chose to end her life via controversial medically assisted suicide in October instead of go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toronto retirement home facility where she lived .
The outlet reported Russell declined significantly during a similar lockdown earlier this year amid the initial onset of the coronavirus pandemic .
TRENDING : Punk Slugs Cop Out of the Blue , Officer Opens Cruiser Door and Lets 'Lee ' Handle Him Russell ’ s daughter , Tory , described her once agile mother ’ s decline .
“ She , almost overnight , went from a very active lifestyle to a very limited life , and they had , very early on , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Tory Russell said .
“ She just truly did not believe that she wanted to try another one of those two-week confinements into her room.
” “ She was just drooping , ” Tory added .
“ It was contact with people that was like food to her , it was like , oxygen .
She would be just tired all the time because she was under-stimulated.
” Russell was denied the essentials of socialization , love and exercise , and so she experienced a decline which she apparently couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The woman reportedly withered away in the spring while at the mercy of a system which made her life ’ s decisions for her .
Amid an international rise in reported cases of the coronavirus in recent months , a new round of retirement home lockdowns took effect across Canada , and Russell apparently couldn ’ t bear the thought of going through the ordeal again .
CTV News reported she requested a medically-assisted death , but was at first denied .
Such physician-assisted suicides are rare in the U.S. , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russell eventually applied again , by which point “ more concrete medical health ” problems had manifested themselves , and she was approved , her daughter said .
RELATED : Former NYPD Detective Blames Increased Crime on 3 Main Things .
Hint - COVID Is n't One of Them In the days prior to Russell ’ s death , she was able to spend time with her family , Tory added , even as “ her facility was in full lockdown.
” And it isn ’ t just Russell , with CTV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiring about medial assistance in dying , or MAiD , amid the pandemic .
“ I would say it is an accelerator , not a cause for people ’ s MAiD requests , ” said Dr. Susan Woolhouse , a member of the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers .
“ They met the criteria and wanted MAiD prior to lockdown but are choosing to die sooner than they would otherwise because the [ long-term care ] and retirement lockdowns , particularly visitor restrictions , are so miserable , ” she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into question the entire point of the lockdowns .
While most of those in society who choose to go along with limits on freedom complain of the isolation of sitting indoors , or of limited in-person interactions , most of those residing in long-term care facilities are simply at the mercy of what is happening around them .
These people , in many cases , have lived long , productive and impressive lives , and they ’ re are already isolated in so many ways .
But , for their own good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re being kept away from those they love , and away from things which bring them joy .
Toronto ’ s government website states that the city ’ s long-term care residents can only be seen by “ essential visitors.
” What and who is “ essential ” is of course relative to individuals , but not to the bureaucracy .
There are those out there who believe the government is looking out for their best interests , specifically when it comes to placing limits on commerce , mobility and social gatherings amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who understand the wise words of former President Ronald Reagan : “ Government is not the solution to our problem , government is the problem.
” This is not to oversimplify the issue , or the world ’ s current health crisis .
Governments are made up of people , and some of them have good intentions .
Some bureaucrats surely have families , too .
But the overall handling of the pandemic response by governments in Canada , the U.S. and much of Europe is an example of how quickly blanket policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations .
What is the point of locking people down if it ’ s robbing them of their will to live ?
How did civilized societies arrive at a place where protecting people equates to stripping them of their dignity and mental health ?
Russell lived in Canada , where there are apparently physicians who subscribe to the Dr. Jack Kevorkian approach to medicine , and they ’ re waiting in the wings to administer a quick , painless death for those who have lost the will to go on after experiencing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is illegal nearly everywhere in the U.S. for a reason : It ’ s a state-sanctioned practice that depreciates the human condition , preying on the emotionally or psychologically vulnerable , while simultaneously playing God .
Proponents for euthanizing the sick argue the practice allows people to die with dignity .
But there is nothing dignified about a person being tormented by isolation to the point where they seek , and are offered , an escape from the forced nightmare their life has become .
In Canada , unwell people have the option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those whose pledge was to do no harm .
But more broadly , why aren ’ t seniors given the option to roll the dice and live their lives free from the psychological torment of isolation ?
Sure , in some cases , isolation for the frail from potentially sick people is the best bad option .
But lockdowns , generally speaking , are supposed to protect the elderly , yet these authoritarian measures can be just as harmful , if not more damaging , than the disease itself .
One can overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter their physical condition .
Suicide is permanent , as can be the loss of one ’ s cognitive and motor functions .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An elderly Canadian woman chose doctor-assisted suicide last month rather than go through another restrictive lockdown in her long-term care facility.
The story is troubling for a number of reasons, but chiefly, it highlights how quickly a spry and sharp social butterfly declined after her life was devalued by the extreme measures that were supposed to protect her.
Those measures actually drove her to the point where she chose to die.
CTV News reported Nancy Russell, 90, chose to end her life via controversial medically assisted suicide in October instead of go through the draconian lockdown measures imposed at the Toronto retirement home facility where she lived.
The outlet reported Russell declined significantly during a similar lockdown earlier this year amid the initial onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Russell’s daughter, Tory, described her once agile mother’s decline.
“She, almost overnight, went from a very active lifestyle to a very limited life, and they had, very early on, a complete two-week confinement just to her room,” Tory Russell said. “She just truly did not believe that she wanted to try another one of those two-week confinements into her room.”
“She was just drooping,” Tory added. “It was contact with people that was like food to her, it was like, oxygen. She would be just tired all the time because she was under-stimulated.”
Do you think the only way to end government lockdowns is to simply ignore them? 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: 84% (244 Votes) No: 16% (46 Votes)
Russell was denied the essentials of socialization, love and exercise, and so she experienced a decline which she apparently couldn’t see herself coming back from.
The woman reportedly withered away in the spring while at the mercy of a system which made her life’s decisions for her.
Amid an international rise in reported cases of the coronavirus in recent months, a new round of retirement home lockdowns took effect across Canada, and Russell apparently couldn’t bear the thought of going through the ordeal again.
CTV News reported she requested a medically-assisted death, but was at first denied.
Such physician-assisted suicides are rare in the U.S., but that isn’t the case in Canada.
Russell eventually applied again, by which point “more concrete medical health” problems had manifested themselves, and she was approved, her daughter said.
In the days prior to Russell’s death, she was able to spend time with her family, Tory added, even as “her facility was in full lockdown.”
And it isn’t just Russell, with CTV News reported that more elderly Canadians are inquiring about medial assistance in dying, or MAiD, amid the pandemic.
“I would say it is an accelerator, not a cause for people’s MAiD requests,” said Dr. Susan Woolhouse, a member of the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers.
“They met the criteria and wanted MAiD prior to lockdown but are choosing to die sooner than they would otherwise because the [long-term care] and retirement lockdowns, particularly visitor restrictions, are so miserable,” she told CTV News.
This of course calls into question the entire point of the lockdowns.
While most of those in society who choose to go along with limits on freedom complain of the isolation of sitting indoors, or of limited in-person interactions, most of those residing in long-term care facilities are simply at the mercy of what is happening around them.
These people, in many cases, have lived long, productive and impressive lives, and they’re are already isolated in so many ways.
But, for their own good, they’re told, they’re being kept away from those they love, and away from things which bring them joy.
Toronto’s government website states that the city’s long-term care residents can only be seen by “essential visitors.”
What and who is “essential” is of course relative to individuals, but not to the bureaucracy.
There are those out there who believe the government is looking out for their best interests, specifically when it comes to placing limits on commerce, mobility and social gatherings amid a pandemic.
Then there are those who understand the wise words of former President Ronald Reagan: “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.”
This is not to oversimplify the issue, or the world’s current health crisis.
Governments are made up of people, and some of them have good intentions. Some bureaucrats surely have families, too.
But the overall handling of the pandemic response by governments in Canada, the U.S. and much of Europe is an example of how quickly blanket policies such as lockdowns can exacerbate already bad situations.
What is the point of locking people down if it’s robbing them of their will to live?
How did civilized societies arrive at a place where protecting people equates to stripping them of their dignity and mental health?
Russell lived in Canada, where there are apparently physicians who subscribe to the Dr. Jack Kevorkian approach to medicine, and they’re waiting in the wings to administer a quick, painless death for those who have lost the will to go on after experiencing the isolation of restrictive lockdowns.
Doctor-assisted suicide is illegal nearly everywhere in the U.S. for a reason: It’s a state-sanctioned practice that depreciates the human condition, preying on the emotionally or psychologically vulnerable, while simultaneously playing God.
Proponents for euthanizing the sick argue the practice allows people to die with dignity.
But there is nothing dignified about a person being tormented by isolation to the point where they seek, and are offered, an escape from the forced nightmare their life has become.
In Canada, unwell people have the option to be killed with the help of those whose pledge was to do no harm.
But more broadly, why aren’t seniors given the option to roll the dice and live their lives free from the psychological torment of isolation?
Sure, in some cases, isolation for the frail from potentially sick people is the best bad option.
But lockdowns, generally speaking, are supposed to protect the elderly, yet these authoritarian measures can be just as harmful, if not more damaging, than the disease itself.
One can overcome an infection of the coronavirus, no matter their physical condition.
Suicide is permanent, as can be the loss of one’s cognitive and motor functions.
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.