westernjournal--2020-05-18--Federal Judge Blocks State’s Restrictions on Religious Services

Democratic North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s restrictions on indoor religious services show a distrust of those who are worshipping , according to a ruling from a federal judge .
U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III temporarily blocked Cooper ’ s restrictions on indoor services in a Saturday ruling , The News & Observer in Raleigh , North Carolina , reported .
Dever said that Cooper ’ s stay-at-home order presents a double standard by only allowing up to 1o people to be present at religious services while allowing other businesses to allow up to 50 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling , The News & Observer reported , and a hearing is scheduled for May 29 to decide whether the order is permanent .
“ The record , at this admittedly early stage of the case , reveals that the Governor appears to trust citizens to perform non-religious activities indoors ( such as shopping or working or selling merchandise ) but does not trust them to do the same when they worship together indoors , ” the judge ’ s ruling said .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues Statement Cooper ’ s spokesperson Ford Porter responded to the ruling in a Saturday statement .
“ We don ’ t want indoor meetings to become hotspots for the virus and our health experts continue to warn that large groups sitting together inside for long periods of time are much more likely to cause the spread of COVID-19 , ” Porter said .
“ While our office disagrees with the decision , we will not appeal , but instead urge houses of worship and their leaders to voluntarily follow public health guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
“ The court trusts worshipers and their leaders to look after one another and society while exercising their free exercise rights just as they and their fellow citizens ( whether religious or not ) do when engaged in non-religious activities , ” Dever ’ s order said .
The ruling comes after a minister , a Christian revival group and two baptist churches sued Cooper through a federal lawsuit that sought to immediately block Cooper ’ s rules restricting religious services .
The lawsuit accused Cooper of violating First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The News & Observer .
“ Freedoms curbed eventually becomes no freedom at all , ” said the Rev .
Ron Baity , one of the plaintiffs and the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem , North Carolina , according to the Associated Press .
“ If there ’ s ever been a time our communities need the church , it is now , ” Baity said .
Cooper had previously said that he does not wish churches “ to become hot spots for this virus.
” The governor emphasized that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , but said he hoped “ congregations across North Carolina will talk with their leaders and will make good decisions about what is right to look after each other.
” Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .
A version of this article appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s restrictions on indoor religious services show a distrust of those who are worshipping, according to a ruling from a federal judge.
U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III temporarily blocked Cooper’s restrictions on indoor services in a Saturday ruling, The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported.
Dever said that Cooper’s stay-at-home order presents a double standard by only allowing up to 1o people to be present at religious services while allowing other businesses to allow up to 50 people.
The governor will not appeal the ruling, The News & Observer reported, and a hearing is scheduled for May 29 to decide whether the order is permanent.
“The record, at this admittedly early stage of the case, reveals that the Governor appears to trust citizens to perform non-religious activities indoors (such as shopping or working or selling merchandise) but does not trust them to do the same when they worship together indoors,” the judge’s ruling said.
Cooper’s spokesperson Ford Porter responded to the ruling in a Saturday statement.
“We don’t want indoor meetings to become hotspots for the virus and our health experts continue to warn that large groups sitting together inside for long periods of time are much more likely to cause the spread of COVID-19,” Porter said.
“While our office disagrees with the decision, we will not appeal, but instead urge houses of worship and their leaders to voluntarily follow public health guidance to keep their members safe,” he added.
“The court trusts worshipers and their leaders to look after one another and society while exercising their free exercise rights just as they and their fellow citizens (whether religious or not) do when engaged in non-religious activities,” Dever’s order said.
Should churches be allowed to proceed with in-person worship services? Yes No
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The ruling comes after a minister, a Christian revival group and two baptist churches sued Cooper through a federal lawsuit that sought to immediately block Cooper’s rules restricting religious services.
The lawsuit accused Cooper of violating First Amendment rights to religious freedom, according to The News & Observer.
“Freedoms curbed eventually becomes no freedom at all,” said the Rev. Ron Baity, one of the plaintiffs and the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, according to the Associated Press.
“If there’s ever been a time our communities need the church, it is now,” Baity said.
Cooper had previously said that he does not wish churches “to become hot spots for this virus.”
The governor emphasized that he understands the importance of faith during the crisis, but said he hoped “congregations across North Carolina will talk with their leaders and will make good decisions about what is right to look after each other.”
Cooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-05-18--The ONE … Who Did It

The ONE … Who Did It

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

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


westernjournal--2020-05-18--FBI: Al-Qaida Connected to Deadly Attack on Florida Military Base

The gunman in a deadly rampage late last year at a military base in Florida communicated with al-Qaida operatives about the attacks in the months leading up to it , U.S. officials said Monday as they laid out new details of a shooting that killed three American sailors .
The FBI learned of the contacts between Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani and operatives of al-Qaida after breaking the encryption on cellphones that had previously been locked and that the shooter , a Saudi Air Force officer , had tried to destroy before being killed by law enforcement .
“ We now have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associations in the years , months and days leading up to his attack , ” Attorney General William Barr said at a news conference in which he sharply chastised Apple for not providing help in unlocking the phones .
Once unlocked by the FBI , the phones revealed contact between Alshamrani and “ dangerous ” operatives from al-Qaida in the Arabian Pensinsula , and also showed how he had been radicalized overseas for at least the last five years , officials said .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues Statement He also was meticulous in his planning , including saving a will on his phone that sought to explain himself — the same document AQAP later released in taking responsibility for the attack .
“ It is certainly more than just inspired , ” FBI Director Chris Wray said of Alshamrani ’ s contacts with al-Qaida .
“ We know , for example , that he was sharing plans and tactics with them .
We know that he was coordinating with them and providing an opportunity for them to take credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a sheriff ’ s deputy during the Dec. 6 rampage at a classroom building at Pensacola Naval Air Station .
He had been undergoing flight training at Pensacola , where members of foreign militaries routinely receive instruction .
In addition to the three sailors who died , eight other people were injured .
The Justice Department had previously asked Apple to help extract data from two iPhones that belonged to the gunman , including one that authorities say Alshamrani damaged with a bullet after being confronted by law enforcement .
Wray said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encryption without the help of Apple .
Law enforcement officials left no doubt that Alshamrani was motivated by jihadist ideology , saying he visited a New York City memorial to the attacks of Sept. 11 , 2001 , over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and posted anti-American and anti-Israeli messages on social media just two hours before the shooting .
RELATED : White House Says Osama bin Laden 's Son Has Been Killed in US Operation In January , U.S. officials announced that they were sending home 21 Saudi military students after an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-American sentiments on social media pages or had “ contact with child pornography.
” Barr said at the time that Saudi Arabia had agreed to review the conduct of all 21 to see if they should face military discipline and to send back anyone the U.S. later determines should face charges .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The gunman in a deadly rampage late last year at a military base in Florida communicated with al-Qaida operatives about the attacks in the months leading up to it, U.S. officials said Monday as they laid out new details of a shooting that killed three American sailors.
The FBI learned of the contacts between Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani and operatives of al-Qaida after breaking the encryption on cellphones that had previously been locked and that the shooter, a Saudi Air Force officer, had tried to destroy before being killed by law enforcement.
“We now have a clearer understanding of Alshamrani’s associations in the years, months and days leading up to his attack,” Attorney General William Barr said at a news conference in which he sharply chastised Apple for not providing help in unlocking the phones.
Once unlocked by the FBI, the phones revealed contact between Alshamrani and “dangerous” operatives from al-Qaida in the Arabian Pensinsula, and also showed how he had been radicalized overseas for at least the last five years, officials said.
He also was meticulous in his planning, including saving a will on his phone that sought to explain himself — the same document AQAP later released in taking responsibility for the attack.
“It is certainly more than just inspired,” FBI Director Chris Wray said of Alshamrani’s contacts with al-Qaida. “We know, for example, that he was sharing plans and tactics with them. We know that he was coordinating with them and providing an opportunity for them to take credit for the attack.”
Alshamrani was killed by a sheriff’s deputy during the Dec. 6 rampage at a classroom building at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
He had been undergoing flight training at Pensacola, where members of foreign militaries routinely receive instruction.
In addition to the three sailors who died, eight other people were injured.
The Justice Department had previously asked Apple to help extract data from two iPhones that belonged to the gunman, including one that authorities say Alshamrani damaged with a bullet after being confronted by law enforcement.
Wray said FBI agents were able to break the encryption without the help of Apple.
Law enforcement officials left no doubt that Alshamrani was motivated by jihadist ideology, saying he visited a New York City memorial to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and posted anti-American and anti-Israeli messages on social media just two hours before the shooting.
Separately, al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen released a video claiming the attack.
In January, U.S. officials announced that they were sending home 21 Saudi military students after an investigation revealed that they had had jihadist or anti-American sentiments on social media pages or had “contact with child pornography.”
Barr said at the time that Saudi Arabia had agreed to review the conduct of all 21 to see if they should face military discipline and to send back anyone the U.S. later determines should face charges.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-18--In Midst of Flynn Unmasking Scandal, Trump Reveals What He Thinks Obama Was Really Doing

Former President Barack Obama directed the conspiracy of top intelligence community aides who sought to take down former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , President Donald Trump said Sunday .
Trump appeared Sunday on the Fox News show “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” He was interviewed Wednesday by host Maria Bartiromo .
Much of their conversation centered around the case of Flynn , who had been accused of improperly communicating with a foreign official after his phone calls to a former Russian ambassador during Trump ’ s transition period were listened to and later leaked .
Flynn was forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after an FBI investigation .
The Justice Department is currently seeking to drop charges against Flynn and have his case dismissed .
Flynn was among those “ unmasked ” by Obama-era officials .
Unmasking is the intelligence term used for those instances when American citizens speaking to foreign nationals under surveillance have their identities revealed .
It takes an official request to do so .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement In recent days , the Trump administration released a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unmasking requests and who could have learned of Flynn ’ s identity through them .
Due to the presence on that list of former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , and comments from the attorney currently representing Flynn , Obama ’ s name has now become linked to the effort to target Flynn .
Other names on the list include former U.N .
Ambassador Samantha Power , former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , former CIA Director John Brennan , former FBI Director James Comey and former White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pulled no punches in the interview .
“ It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country , ” he said .
“ If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican , I think everybody would have been in jail a long time ago .
And I ’ m talking with 50-year sentences , ” the president said .
“ It is a disgrace , what ’ s happened .
This is the greatest political scam , hoax in the history of our country , and people should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , hopefully , a lot of people are going to have to pay.
” He said that “ Flynn and others are heroes , heroes , because what ’ s happened to them — they weren ’ t after General Flynn .
They wanted him to lie about me , make up a story .
And with few exceptions , nobody did that , ” he said .
“ This was all Obama .
This was all Biden .
These people were corrupt .
The whole thing was corrupt .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said .
RELATED : Barr Reveals Whether Biden or Obama Are Likely To Face Criminal Investigation “ I watched Biden yesterday .
He could barely speak , ” Trump said .
“ He was on ‘ Good Morning America , ’ right ?
And he said he didn ’ t know anything about it .
And now it just gets released .
Right after he said that , it gets released that he was one of the unmaskers , meaning he knew everything about it.
” The president said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people viciously , all because they wanted to hurt the president of the United States .
They figure they ’ ll either hurt him or they ’ ll take him out .
That would be the ideal .
“ Comey is a corrupt person , but let me tell you , Brennan bad .
They ’ re all bad , everyone .
Clapper is a not-smart guy , in charge of intelligence .
But here ’ s the thing .
It was impossible for it to happen without the man that sits right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He knew everything.
” Bartiromo asked Trump whether Obama directed the effort against him .
“ Yes , he probably directed them .
But if he didn ’ t direct them , he knew everything .
And you will see that , ” he said .
Trump noted that communications from FBI agents involved in the hunt for evidence to show his campaign colluded with Russia mentioned that the then-president wanted to see everything .
“ They ’ re not talking about me .
I wasn ’ t president .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see everything . '
” Trump said .
He said Brennan was “ totally involved.
” “ John Brennan was one of the architects , in my opinion .
You look at Brennan , you look at Clapper , you look at them all , ” the president said .
Trump said the intelligence community did not go rogue .
“ But , ultimately , the president knew everything .
The president knew everything .
President Obama and Vice President Biden , they knew everything , ” he said .
The president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If this happened to Obama instead of to a Republican president that ’ s popular , 96 percent in the Republican Party , but it ’ s a whole different thing .
If this happened to Obama instead of to me , you know what ?
Everybody would be in jail for years already , for years .
It ’ s a disgraceful thing , ” Trump said .
“ We caught them in the act , Maria .
It ’ s a beautiful thing , ” he said .
“ And every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more information come out .
We caught them .
And their guys are gone .
They were guarding the fort .
Comey and all these guys , they were guarding the fort .
And once they left , it got easier and easier .
“ And now it ’ s like an avalanche of really bad — call it treason , call it whatever you want , but they tried to take down a duly elected president of the United States.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Former President Barack Obama directed the conspiracy of top intelligence community aides who sought to take down former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump said Sunday.
Trump appeared Sunday on the Fox News show “Sunday Morning Futures.” He was interviewed Wednesday by host Maria Bartiromo.
Much of their conversation centered around the case of Flynn, who had been accused of improperly communicating with a foreign official after his phone calls to a former Russian ambassador during Trump’s transition period were listened to and later leaked. Flynn was forced to step down, and later faced charges after an FBI investigation.
The Justice Department is currently seeking to drop charges against Flynn and have his case dismissed.
Flynn was among those “unmasked” by Obama-era officials. Unmasking is the intelligence term used for those instances when American citizens speaking to foreign nationals under surveillance have their identities revealed. It takes an official request to do so.
In recent days, the Trump administration released a list of Obama administration officials who made unmasking requests and who could have learned of Flynn’s identity through them.
Due to the presence on that list of former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and comments from the attorney currently representing Flynn, Obama’s name has now become linked to the effort to target Flynn.
Other names on the list include former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey and former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough.
Trump pulled no punches in the interview.
“It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country,” he said.
“If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican, I think everybody would have been in jail a long time ago. And I’m talking with 50-year sentences,” the president said. “It is a disgrace, what’s happened. This is the greatest political scam, hoax in the history of our country, and people should be going to jail for this stuff. And, hopefully, a lot of people are going to have to pay.”
He said that “Flynn and others are heroes, heroes, because what’s happened to them — they weren’t after General Flynn. They wanted him to lie about me, make up a story. And with few exceptions, nobody did that,” he said.
“This was all Obama. This was all Biden. These people were corrupt. The whole thing was corrupt. And we caught them. We caught them,” Trump said.
The president fired a shot at Biden.
“I watched Biden yesterday. He could barely speak,” Trump said. “He was on ‘Good Morning America,’ right? And he said he didn’t know anything about it. And now it just gets released. Right after he said that, it gets released that he was one of the unmaskers, meaning he knew everything about it.”
The president said the Obama-era intelligence community “went after these people viciously, all because they wanted to hurt the president of the United States. They figure they’ll either hurt him or they’ll take him out. That would be the ideal.
“Comey is a corrupt person, but let me tell you, Brennan bad. They’re all bad, everyone. Clapper is a not-smart guy, in charge of intelligence. But here’s the thing. It was impossible for it to happen without the man that sits right in that chair in the Oval Office. He knew everything.”
Do you think Obama knew? Yes No
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Bartiromo asked Trump whether Obama directed the effort against him.
“Yes, he probably directed them. But if he didn’t direct them, he knew everything. And you will see that,” he said.
Trump noted that communications from FBI agents involved in the hunt for evidence to show his campaign colluded with Russia mentioned that the then-president wanted to see everything.
“They’re not talking about me. I wasn’t president. They’re talking about ‘POTUS wants to see everything.'” Trump said.
He said Brennan was “totally involved.”
“John Brennan was one of the architects, in my opinion. You look at Brennan, you look at Clapper, you look at them all,” the president said.
Trump said the intelligence community did not go rogue.
“But, ultimately, the president knew everything. The president knew everything. President Obama and Vice President Biden, they knew everything,” he said.
The president said the truth has finally emerged.
“If this happened to Obama instead of to a Republican president that’s popular, 96 percent in the Republican Party, but it’s a whole different thing. If this happened to Obama instead of to me, you know what? Everybody would be in jail for years already, for years. It’s a disgraceful thing,” Trump said.
“We caught them in the act, Maria. It’s a beautiful thing,” he said. “And every day, we’re seeing more and more information come out. We caught them. And their guys are gone. They were guarding the fort. Comey and all these guys, they were guarding the fort. And once they left, it got easier and easier.
“And now it’s like an avalanche of really bad — call it treason, call it whatever you want, but they tried to take down a duly elected president of the United States.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-18--Primary Opponent Hammers Ocasio-Cortez Over Unpaid Tax Bill

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York is being called out for being delinquent on a $ 2,000 tax bill .
“ She just thinks she ’ s better than everyone else .
Clearly , she ’ s worse , ” said Hank Sheinkopf , spokesman for Michelle Caruso-Cabrera , who is running against Ocasio Cortez in a Democratic primary next month , according to the New York Post .
In 2012 , Ocasio-Cortez founded Brook Avenue Press to publish children ’ s stories showing the Bronx in a favorable light .
In October 2016 , the state forcibly dissolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken in New York state when a business fails to pay its taxes .
The New York State Tax Department filed a warrant against the business in July 2017 , seeking $ 1,618.36 .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement The bill , which is now $ 2,088.78 , was unpaid as of Friday .
“ The congresswoman is still in the process of contesting the tax warrant .
The business has been closed for several years now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tax Department has continued to collect the franchise tax in error , ” spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said .
“ As anyone who ’ s tried to contest a tax bill in error knows , it takes time , ” she said .
That explanation did not play well on Twitter .
Earlier this month , Ocasio-Cortez failed to make it on the ballot on the Working Families Party — a line sought by progressive candidates in New York .
Ocasio-Cortez was required to submit just 15 signatures to make it on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic .
After challenges by Caruso-Cabrera , Ocasio-Cortez was found to have only 13 valid signatures , according to The New York Times .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York is being called out for being delinquent on a $2,000 tax bill.
“She just thinks she’s better than everyone else. Clearly, she’s worse,” said Hank Sheinkopf, spokesman for Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who is running against Ocasio Cortez in a Democratic primary next month, according to the New York Post.
In 2012, Ocasio-Cortez founded Brook Avenue Press to publish children’s stories showing the Bronx in a favorable light.
In October 2016, the state forcibly dissolved the company, an action that can be taken in New York state when a business fails to pay its taxes.
The New York State Tax Department filed a warrant against the business in July 2017, seeking $1,618.36.
The bill, which is now $2,088.78, was unpaid as of Friday.
We are experiencing historic unemployment. The working people of the Bronx and Queens pay @AOC close to $200,000 a year. So why can’t she pay a 7 year old tax bill? Ask her. https://t.co/vLgJi2pO98 — Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (@MCaruso_Cabrera) May 17, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez’s camp insists the bill was a mistake.
“The congresswoman is still in the process of contesting the tax warrant. The business has been closed for several years now, and so we believe that the state Tax Department has continued to collect the franchise tax in error,” spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said.
“As anyone who’s tried to contest a tax bill in error knows, it takes time,” she said.
That explanation did not play well on Twitter.
She needs to pay her fair share — EastinMalojinn (@Malojinn) May 18, 2020
@AOC You would think the person in congress wanting to redistribute tax dollars the most… would pay her own tax bill in a timely manner. 7 years unpaid? Sends quite a message of “do what I say.. not what I do.” — Art Pepper (@ArtPepper11) May 18, 2020
Earlier this month, Ocasio-Cortez failed to make it on the ballot on the Working Families Party — a line sought by progressive candidates in New York.
.@AOC has hurt working people of the Bronx and Queens with her votes and creates disunity within our party. Her own campaign spokesman ran away from her in March. No wonder why pro union forces don’t want her and neither do our neighborhoods. https://t.co/HdKL44lCwG — Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (@MCaruso_Cabrera) May 12, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez was required to submit just 15 signatures to make it on the ballot as the required total was reduced because of the coronavirus pandemic. After challenges by Caruso-Cabrera, Ocasio-Cortez was found to have only 13 valid signatures, according to The New York Times.
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westernjournal--2020-05-18--First Coronavirus Vaccine Tested on Humans Shows Extremely Successful Early Results

An experimental vaccine against the coronavirus showed encouraging results in very early testing , triggering hoped-for immune responses in eight healthy , middle-aged volunteers , its maker announced Monday .
Study volunteers given either a low or medium dose of the vaccine by Cambridge , Massachusetts-based Moderna Inc. had antibodies similar to those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19 .
In the next phase of the study , led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health , researchers will try to determine which dose is best for a definitive experiment that they aim to start in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one or two shots of the vaccine , which was being tested at three different doses .
The kinds of detailed antibody results needed to assess responses are only available on eight volunteers so far .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement The vaccine seems safe , the company said , but much more extensive testing is needed to see if it remains so .
A high-dose version is being dropped after spurring some short-term side effects .
The results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the first of three stages of testing that vaccines and drugs normally undergo .
U.S. government officials have launched a project called “ Operation Warp Speed ” to develop a vaccine and hopefully have 300 million doses by January .
Worldwide , about a dozen vaccine candidates are in the first stages of testing or nearing it .
Health officials have said that if all goes well , studies of a potential vaccine might wrap up by very late this year or early next year .
More than 4.7 million infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed worldwide since it emerged in China late last year .
There are no specific approved treatments , although several are being used on an emergency basis after showing some promise in preliminary testing .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An experimental vaccine against the coronavirus showed encouraging results in very early testing, triggering hoped-for immune responses in eight healthy, middle-aged volunteers, its maker announced Monday.
Study volunteers given either a low or medium dose of the vaccine by Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna Inc. had antibodies similar to those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19.
In the next phase of the study, led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers will try to determine which dose is best for a definitive experiment that they aim to start in July.
In all, 45 people have received one or two shots of the vaccine, which was being tested at three different doses.
The kinds of detailed antibody results needed to assess responses are only available on eight volunteers so far.
The vaccine seems safe, the company said, but much more extensive testing is needed to see if it remains so.
A high-dose version is being dropped after spurring some short-term side effects.
The results have not been published and are only from the first of three stages of testing that vaccines and drugs normally undergo.
U.S. government officials have launched a project called “Operation Warp Speed” to develop a vaccine and hopefully have 300 million doses by January.
Are you waiting to be vaccinated before resuming your usual activities? 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: 13% (33 Votes) No: 87% (221 Votes)
Worldwide, about a dozen vaccine candidates are in the first stages of testing or nearing it.
Health officials have said that if all goes well, studies of a potential vaccine might wrap up by very late this year or early next year.
More than 4.7 million infections and 315,000 deaths from the coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide since it emerged in China late last year.
There are no specific approved treatments, although several are being used on an emergency basis after showing some promise in preliminary testing.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-18--Even Amid Media’s COVID Smear Job, Trump Scores Higher Approval Than Obama Had at Same Point

CNN ’ s landing page is pretty much a good temperature check regarding how febrile the media ’ s Trump-adjacent COVID-19 coverage is .
Here ’ s a good sampling : “ Trump officials deflect blame for US death toll , escalate reopening push.
” “ While Obama calls out ‘ so-called grown-ups , ’ Trump administration takes a victory lap.
” “ Senior CDC official rebukes White House trade adviser ’ s criticism as tensions escalate over reopening strategy.
” At least they ’ ve forgotten about that time they insisted President Donald Trump seriously told us we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill the coronavirus .
They ’ ve moved onto reopening fears and the fact that former President Barack Obama is attacking Trump again .
And yes , there ’ s always Obama .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement This past week , during his virtual commencement speech for historically black colleges and universities , he had this unveiled criticism of the Trump administration : “ More than anything , this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the folks in charge know what they ’ re doing .
They ’ re not even pretending to be in charge.
” Obama echoed a similar sentiment Saturday during his virtual commencement for high school students .
“ All those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing ?
It turns out that they don ’ t have all the answers , ” he said .
“ A lot of them aren ’ t even asking the right questions .
So , if the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to be up to you .
… “ Doing what feels good , what ’ s convenient , what ’ s easy — that ’ s how little kids think .
Unfortunately , a lot of so-called grown-ups , including some with fancy titles and important jobs , still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.
” The adult in the room , ladies and gentlemen .
The sad thing is that I pick CNN for this exercise because it ’ s the most identifiably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but you could pretty much pick any network ’ s website and come up with the same result .
This isn ’ t much different from the treatment Trump has received thus far in his presidency — but what was once morbidly funny is now just morbid .
And yet , even with the smear job , the president numbers aren ’ t as bad as the media would have you believe .
Consider a Gallup poll released Friday that found Trump ’ s approval rating at 49 percent compared with 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release by Gallup , this is “ unchanged from the prior measure in late April and tied for the best of his presidency.
” RELATED : Pelosi Called Trump 's IG Firing 'Dangerous , ' Was Silent When Obama Went an Entire Term Without One As Paul Bedard noted in the Washington Examiner , this puts him just shy of the 50-51 percent that most experts say would make him a lock for re-election .
Actually , neither of the last two presidents to be re-elected even had that level of support in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their presidency .
In fact , they were both a tick lower than Trump ’ s approval rating .
On day 1,209 of Obama ’ s presidency , he had a 47 percent approval rating in the Gallup poll .
On day 1,205 in the George W. Bush presidency , he had a 46 percent approval rating .
Now , granted , both were dealing with pressures .
That being said , neither was dealing with a global pandemic that has resulted in mass unemployment and unprecedented lockdowns .
In addition , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t going to see many poll numbers above 50 percent for Trump — and yet , he ’ s in the White House .
Bedard pointed out other surveys that look good for Trump .
A May Economist/YouGov poll , for instance , showed that just 33 percent of adults felt that he bore “ all ” or “ most ” of the blame for unemployment under COVID , compared with 57 percent who said he bore “ some ” or “ none ” of the blame .
A McLaughlin & Associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people said the media had been unfair to Trump in their coverage of the coronavirus crisis compared to 42 percent who found it was fair .
In some measure , that last poll should probably tell you all you need to know about why the president can ’ t be counted out this fall quite as easily as the media thinks he can be .
For the media , the coronavirus is all part of a longer story arc .
It began before Trump came down that escalator and will follow him down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is an incompetent doofus one day and a malevolent godfather making deals with the Kremlin the next .
There are even days when he ’ s the incompetent godfather , like Mr. Magoo shortsightedly bumbling his way into doing exactly what the Russians want him to do .
And then there ’ s the former president , increasingly worming his way back into our political life by taking shots at afar at his successor — including in virtual commencement addresses .
His message seems to be that the days of grown-ups being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the political sphere , apparently , is now defined as making passive-aggressive comments from afar about the current president to high school and college graduates .
This seems to be a liberal feedback loop : The media covers liberal politicians decrying the Trump administration , liberal politicians point to that media coverage to demonize the administration , the media covers this again , and the cycle of life continues .
This cycle , however , is divorced from how most Americans experience politics and policy .
Yes , these are just three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although Gallup is generally considered one of the gold standards in presidential polling , the polling average of Trump ’ s approval rating is about three points lower , according to RealClearPolitics .
However , even that number doesn ’ t indicate an American public entirely convinced they ’ re being led by a man who told them to inject cleaning products into their veins to fight COVID-19 .
If that ’ s CNN and the media ’ s universe , well , good for them .
They can continue to plaster their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve always said about Trump , only with the panic and righteous anger slathered on with extra vigor thanks to the coronavirus .
They can continue to seethe about Trump ’ s demeanor and wish for the good ol ’ days when there were some real adults in the room .
Liberal politicians can echo this and run a return-to-normalcy campaign , with normalcy being defined as the senescent Joe Biden and the insurgent young left .
They couldn ’ t figure out why they got Trump the first time .
They won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out this time , either .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

CNN’s landing page is pretty much a good temperature check regarding how febrile the media’s Trump-adjacent COVID-19 coverage is.
As of Monday morning, it’s pretty overheated.
Here’s a good sampling: “Trump officials deflect blame for US death toll, escalate reopening push.” “While Obama calls out ‘so-called grown-ups,’ Trump administration takes a victory lap.” “Senior CDC official rebukes White House trade adviser’s criticism as tensions escalate over reopening strategy.”
At least they’ve forgotten about that time they insisted President Donald Trump seriously told us we had to inject cleaning solution into our veins to kill the coronavirus. They’ve moved onto reopening fears and the fact that former President Barack Obama is attacking Trump again.
And yes, there’s always Obama.
This past week, during his virtual commencement speech for historically black colleges and universities, he had this unveiled criticism of the Trump administration: “More than anything, this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. They’re not even pretending to be in charge.”
Obama echoed a similar sentiment Saturday during his virtual commencement for high school students.
“All those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing? It turns out that they don’t have all the answers,” he said. “A lot of them aren’t even asking the right questions. So, if the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you. …
“Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy — that’s how little kids think. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.”
Will Donald Trump be re-elected? Yes No
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The adult in the room, ladies and gentlemen.
The sad thing is that I pick CNN for this exercise because it’s the most identifiably anti-Trumpist of the major cable news channels, but you could pretty much pick any network’s website and come up with the same result.
This isn’t much different from the treatment Trump has received thus far in his presidency — but what was once morbidly funny is now just morbid.
And yet, even with the smear job, the president numbers aren’t as bad as the media would have you believe.
Consider a Gallup poll released Friday that found Trump’s approval rating at 49 percent compared with 48 percent disapproval. According to a news release by Gallup, this is “unchanged from the prior measure in late April and tied for the best of his presidency.”
As Paul Bedard noted in the Washington Examiner, this puts him just shy of the 50-51 percent that most experts say would make him a lock for re-election.
Actually, neither of the last two presidents to be re-elected even had that level of support in the Gallup poll at this point in their presidency. In fact, they were both a tick lower than Trump’s approval rating.
On day 1,209 of Obama’s presidency, he had a 47 percent approval rating in the Gallup poll. On day 1,205 in the George W. Bush presidency, he had a 46 percent approval rating.
Now, granted, both were dealing with pressures. That being said, neither was dealing with a global pandemic that has resulted in mass unemployment and unprecedented lockdowns.
In addition, Trump is naturally divisive; you probably aren’t going to see many poll numbers above 50 percent for Trump — and yet, he’s in the White House.
Bedard pointed out other surveys that look good for Trump. A May Economist/YouGov poll, for instance, showed that just 33 percent of adults felt that he bore “all” or “most” of the blame for unemployment under COVID, compared with 57 percent who said he bore “some” or “none” of the blame.
A McLaughlin & Associates survey from April found 48 percent of people said the media had been unfair to Trump in their coverage of the coronavirus crisis compared to 42 percent who found it was fair.
In some measure, that last poll should probably tell you all you need to know about why the president can’t be counted out this fall quite as easily as the media thinks he can be.
For the media, the coronavirus is all part of a longer story arc. It began before Trump came down that escalator and will follow him down into the grave. To them, he is an incompetent doofus one day and a malevolent godfather making deals with the Kremlin the next. There are even days when he’s the incompetent godfather, like Mr. Magoo shortsightedly bumbling his way into doing exactly what the Russians want him to do.
And then there’s the former president, increasingly worming his way back into our political life by taking shots at afar at his successor — including in virtual commencement addresses.
His message seems to be that the days of grown-ups being in the room has passed. Adulthood in the political sphere, apparently, is now defined as making passive-aggressive comments from afar about the current president to high school and college graduates.
This seems to be a liberal feedback loop: The media covers liberal politicians decrying the Trump administration, liberal politicians point to that media coverage to demonize the administration, the media covers this again, and the cycle of life continues.
This cycle, however, is divorced from how most Americans experience politics and policy. Yes, these are just three polls among a panoply of them. Although Gallup is generally considered one of the gold standards in presidential polling, the polling average of Trump’s approval rating is about three points lower, according to RealClearPolitics.
However, even that number doesn’t indicate an American public entirely convinced they’re being led by a man who told them to inject cleaning products into their veins to fight COVID-19.
If that’s CNN and the media’s universe, well, good for them.
They can continue to plaster their coverage with the same piffle they’ve always said about Trump, only with the panic and righteous anger slathered on with extra vigor thanks to the coronavirus.
They can continue to seethe about Trump’s demeanor and wish for the good ol’ days when there were some real adults in the room.
Liberal politicians can echo this and run a return-to-normalcy campaign, with normalcy being defined as the senescent Joe Biden and the insurgent young left.
They couldn’t figure out why they got Trump the first time. They won’t be able to figure it out this time, either.
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westernjournal--2020-05-17--China Admits It Ordered Labs To Destroy Virus Samples, Possibly Setting World Back Months

Citing safety and bureaucracy as its reasons , a Chinese official admitted Friday that China ’ s government ordered the destruction of samples of the coronavirus .
Last month , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of censoring its own experts and destroying samples of the virus as a means to cover up how dangerous the pandemic was .
“ The CCP still has not shared the virus sample from inside of China with the outside world , making it impossible to track the disease ’ s evolution , ” he told reporters on April 22 .
On Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reasons for destroying samples of the virus .
Liu Dengfeng of the Chinese National Health Commission ’ s science and education department said samples of the virus were destroyed at unauthorized labs to “ prevent the risk to laboratory biological safety and prevent secondary disasters caused by unidentified pathogens.
” TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement “ The remarks made by some U.S. officials were taken out of context and intended to confuse , ” he said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South China Morning Post .
Liu said “ national-level professional institutes ” were seeking to identify the virus causing the disease when it first impacted residents of Wuhan .
“ Based on comprehensive research and expert opinion , we decided to temporarily manage the pathogen causing the pneumonia as Class II — highly pathogenic — and imposed biosafety requirements on sample collection , transport and experimental activities , as well as destroying the samples , ” he said .
Liu claimed China ’ s only motive was to act in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples , saying labs that do not meet safety requirements should not have samples .
In February , a provincial health commission notice called upon unauthorized labs to either destroy their samples or send them to a larger center .
Further , the Chinese magazine Caixin reported the same month that at least one company was ordered to destroy early samples of the virus .
The magazine said certain hospitals , hoping to identify the virus , had sent samples to private gene sequencing companies for analysis .
Some results that came back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the same family as SARS , according to the magazine .
At least one company that had analyzed samples was ordered to destroy them .
Liu said China might share samples of the virus “ in an orderly manner within the framework of the World Health Organization.
” China will act to “ further strengthen international cooperation and scientific research , promote the development , production and fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines , diagnostic tools and therapeutic drugs , ” he said .
But Pompeo has painted China ’ s actions as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
“ It covered up how dangerous the disease is .
It didn ’ t report sustained human-to-human transmission for a month until it was in every province inside of China , ” he said on April 22 .
“ It censored those who tried to warn the world , it ordered a halt to testing of new samples , and it destroyed existing samples.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Citing safety and bureaucracy as its reasons, a Chinese official admitted Friday that China’s government ordered the destruction of samples of the coronavirus.
Last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of censoring its own experts and destroying samples of the virus as a means to cover up how dangerous the pandemic was.
“The CCP still has not shared the virus sample from inside of China with the outside world, making it impossible to track the disease’s evolution,” he told reporters on April 22.
On Friday, a Chinese official claimed there were good reasons for destroying samples of the virus.
Liu Dengfeng of the Chinese National Health Commission’s science and education department said samples of the virus were destroyed at unauthorized labs to “prevent the risk to laboratory biological safety and prevent secondary disasters caused by unidentified pathogens.”
“The remarks made by some U.S. officials were taken out of context and intended to confuse,” he said at a news briefing in Beijing, according to the South China Morning Post.
Liu said “national-level professional institutes” were seeking to identify the virus causing the disease when it first impacted residents of Wuhan.
“Based on comprehensive research and expert opinion, we decided to temporarily manage the pathogen causing the pneumonia as Class II — highly pathogenic — and imposed biosafety requirements on sample collection, transport and experimental activities, as well as destroying the samples,” he said.
Liu claimed China’s only motive was to act in accordance with its standard practice for handling dangerous virus samples, saying labs that do not meet safety requirements should not have samples.
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In February, a provincial health commission notice called upon unauthorized labs to either destroy their samples or send them to a larger center.
Further, the Chinese magazine Caixin reported the same month that at least one company was ordered to destroy early samples of the virus.
The magazine said certain hospitals, hoping to identify the virus, had sent samples to private gene sequencing companies for analysis.
Some results that came back in late December showed the virus was from the same family as SARS, according to the magazine. At least one company that had analyzed samples was ordered to destroy them.
Liu said China might share samples of the virus “in an orderly manner within the framework of the World Health Organization.”
China will act to “further strengthen international cooperation and scientific research, promote the development, production and fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostic tools and therapeutic drugs,” he said.
But Pompeo has painted China’s actions as part of its effort to hide the truth.
“It covered up how dangerous the disease is. It didn’t report sustained human-to-human transmission for a month until it was in every province inside of China,” he said on April 22. “It censored those who tried to warn the world, it ordered a halt to testing of new samples, and it destroyed existing samples.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-17--Reports: Chinese Ambassador to Israel Found Dead in Tel Aviv

China ’ s ambassador to Israel has been found dead at his residence in Tel Aviv .
No indications of foul play are being reported in the death of Du Wei , 57 , an Israeli official told the BBC .
Du became China ’ s ambassador to Israel in February .
Before that , he was China ’ s envoy to Ukraine .
An Israeli police spokesman told Reuters that police were at Du ’ s residence “ as part of the regular procedure.
” Although Du has a wife and son , they had not yet moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement Du was found deceased by staff at his residence on Sunday , according to Haaretz .
First responders said his death appeared to be due to a cardiac event .
China is sending its own team of investigators on Monday , sources told Haaretz .
The special unit will also accompany the diplomat ’ s body home .
In a recent interview with an Israeli newspaper , Du said China ’ s actions in connection with the coronavirus were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than once , a certain group of people was accused of spreading pandemics , ” he said , according to the BBC .
“ That is despicable and should be condemned .
The disease is an enemy of the entire humankind and the world should fight it together.
” During the interview , he called for a positive view of China .
“ I assumed my post in an extraordinary time when China was fighting against the COVID-19 , ” Du said .
“ Immediately after my arrival on Feb. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine .
During which , I had not taken a single step out of my residence nor had any direct contact with my embassy colleagues .
I just want to send a message to all Israeli friends that China is a responsible , rule-abiding and trustworthy country.
” “ There are different voices regarding China ’ s fight .
In the beginning , some voices were condescending and schadenfreude .
Later , when the disease broke out around the world , the voices became ‘ China should apologize.
’ It is scapegoating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

China’s ambassador to Israel has been found dead at his residence in Tel Aviv.
No indications of foul play are being reported in the death of Du Wei, 57, an Israeli official told the BBC.
Du became China’s ambassador to Israel in February. Before that, he was China’s envoy to Ukraine.
An Israeli police spokesman told Reuters that police were at Du’s residence “as part of the regular procedure.”
Although Du has a wife and son, they had not yet moved to Israel.
Du was found deceased by staff at his residence on Sunday, according to Haaretz.
First responders said his death appeared to be due to a cardiac event.
China is sending its own team of investigators on Monday, sources told Haaretz. The special unit will also accompany the diplomat’s body home.
Chinese Ambassador to Israel Du Wei confirmed dead from a health condition in Tel Aviv on May 17 (file photo) pic.twitter.com/CSQyEV7Hta — CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) May 17, 2020
Ambassador Du was a distinguished career diplomat and during his short time in Israel had already contributed to the bilateral relations between the countries. — ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 17, 2020
In a recent interview with an Israeli newspaper, Du said China’s actions in connection with the coronavirus were being wrongly portrayed.
“In history, more than once, a certain group of people was accused of spreading pandemics,” he said, according to the BBC.
“That is despicable and should be condemned. The disease is an enemy of the entire humankind and the world should fight it together.”
During the interview, he called for a positive view of China.
“I assumed my post in an extraordinary time when China was fighting against the COVID-19,” Du said.
“Immediately after my arrival on Feb. 15, I went into the 14-day home quarantine. During which, I had not taken a single step out of my residence nor had any direct contact with my embassy colleagues. I just want to send a message to all Israeli friends that China is a responsible, rule-abiding and trustworthy country.”
“There are different voices regarding China’s fight. In the beginning, some voices were condescending and schadenfreude. Later, when the disease broke out around the world, the voices became ‘China should apologize.’ It is scapegoating,” Du said.
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westernjournal--2020-05-17--Salon Owner Defies Oregon Governor’s Shutdown Order, Gets Slapped with 5-Figure Fine

An Oregon salon owner who defied a lockdown order said Friday she is now facing a $ 14,000 fine .
Lindsey Graham , who owns Glamour Salon in Salem , said the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division , which goes by the acronym of OSHA , will fine her $ 14,000 for defying Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s ban on opening .
She will also face an order specifically requiring her to close within three days .
″ [ Graham ] is unquestionably operating in violation of the governor ’ s executive order , designed to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Aaron Corvin told the Salem Statesman Journal .
But Graham said the state is wrong to force her to stay closed .
TRENDING : Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement “ Everyone ’ s job is essential , not because what we do or how we do it , but because it ’ s how we make our living , ” she told reporters on Friday , according to KPTV .
The salon is one of several businesses Graham and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been shuttered since March due to state orders .
Graham also said the fine is wrong because she it not technically the employer of the stylists who work in her shop .
“ I have independent contractors that are choosing to work in this facility .
OSHA has illegally deemed them employees and is citing me as an employer , which I am not , ” she said .
Corvin said Graham was wrong in that claim .
“ Our jurisdiction is indeed limited to exposure of employees , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as construction have learned , not everyone whose employer refers to them as an independent contractor actually falls outside our jurisdiction.
” Graham said that since she defied Brown , Child Protective Services officials came to her home to interview her and her family .
She said CPS is being used to play politics .
The agency ’ s press secretary , Jake Sunderland , said that due to confidentiality laws , he could not comment on an individual case .
RELATED : Oregon Man Visits 11 Wendy 's Locations Twice Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day “ Due to confidentiality laws , we can not comment on whether or not there is an open CPS assessment against any individual .
I want to stress however , that not following Governor Brown ’ s Stay Home , Save Lives executive order or not following physical distancing guidelines would never be a reason to assign a CPS assessment , ” he told KPTV .
The governor ’ s office has called the reopening of a business without permission “ irresponsible , ” adding that “ these business owners are putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health crisis should never be used as a marketing opportunity , ” a statement from Brown ’ s office said .
But Graham said she is not budging .
“ I ’ m vowing to stay open as long as I can , basically , until the governor tries to take my entire career , something I ’ ve worked 15 years for , out from underneath me , ” she said .
And if the government tries to take her license , she will fight to save her business .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m almost closing , which is terrifying , ” Graham , whose lawyers are challenging the OSHA fine , told reporters .
“ I would love to see Kate Brown be as brave as me.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An Oregon salon owner who defied a lockdown order said Friday she is now facing a $14,000 fine.
Lindsey Graham, who owns Glamour Salon in Salem, said the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, which goes by the acronym of OSHA, will fine her $14,000 for defying Democratic Gov. Kate Brown’s ban on opening.
She will also face an order specifically requiring her to close within three days.
″[Graham] is unquestionably operating in violation of the governor’s executive order, designed to protect workers and the public,” OSHA spokesman Aaron Corvin told the Salem Statesman Journal.
But Graham said the state is wrong to force her to stay closed.
“Everyone’s job is essential, not because what we do or how we do it, but because it’s how we make our living,” she told reporters on Friday, according to KPTV.
The salon is one of several businesses Graham and her husband own, all of which have been shuttered since March due to state orders.
Graham also said the fine is wrong because she it not technically the employer of the stylists who work in her shop.
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“I have independent contractors that are choosing to work in this facility. OSHA has illegally deemed them employees and is citing me as an employer, which I am not,” she said.
Corvin said Graham was wrong in that claim.
“Our jurisdiction is indeed limited to exposure of employees,” he said, “but as many employers in industries such as construction have learned, not everyone whose employer refers to them as an independent contractor actually falls outside our jurisdiction.”
Graham said that since she defied Brown, Child Protective Services officials came to her home to interview her and her family. She said CPS is being used to play politics.
The agency’s press secretary, Jake Sunderland, said that due to confidentiality laws, he could not comment on an individual case.
“Due to confidentiality laws, we cannot comment on whether or not there is an open CPS assessment against any individual. I want to stress however, that not following Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive order or not following physical distancing guidelines would never be a reason to assign a CPS assessment,” he told KPTV.
The governor’s office has called the reopening of a business without permission “irresponsible,” adding that “these business owners are putting the public at risk.”
“A public health crisis should never be used as a marketing opportunity,” a statement from Brown’s office said.
But Graham said she is not budging.
“I’m vowing to stay open as long as I can, basically, until the governor tries to take my entire career, something I’ve worked 15 years for, out from underneath me,” she said.
And if the government tries to take her license, she will fight to save her business.
“I’m almost broken, I’m almost closing, which is terrifying,” Graham, whose lawyers are challenging the OSHA fine, told reporters. “I would love to see Kate Brown be as brave as me.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-17--Justin Amash Drops His Presidential Run Against Trump, Blames Stubborn Americans for His Failed Bid

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash , who fled the Republican Party last year amid his denunciations of President Donald Trump , said Saturday that he is ending his exploration of a presidential campaign .
Amash announced last month he was considering a pursuit of the Libertarian Party ’ s nomination for president .
In 2016 , a Libertarian ticket of former New Mexico Gov .
Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov .
Bill Weld won about 3 percent of the national popular vote , according to The New York Times .
“ After much reflection , I ’ ve concluded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my success as a candidate for president this year , and therefore I will not be a candidate , ” Amash tweeted Saturday .
“ This was a difficult decision for me , especially having seen grassroots supporters put so much effort into this campaign .
It ’ s been humbling and awesome.
” “ I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties , offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality , can break through in the right environment .
But this environment presents extraordinary challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Worker with Coronavirus Found Dead with Her Small Child by Her Side , Hospital Issues Statement Amash then cited why everything was against him , from the media to the attitudes of most Americans to the various lockdowns across the nation .
“ Polarization is near an all-time high .
Electoral success requires an audience willing to consider alternatives , but both social media and traditional media are dominated by voices strongly averse to the political risks posed by a viable third candidate , ” he tweeted .
“ The new reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the candidates in many respects , but it also means lesser known candidates are more dependent on adequate media opportunities to reach people.
” “ Today , most Americans are understandably more interested in what life will look like tomorrow than they are in broader policy debates , and news coverage has reflected those priorities .
At the same time , fundraising challenges posed by an idled economy will hinder advertising , ” Amash said .
Amash indicated the Libertarian Party also has issues to address before any presidential nominee from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Libertarian Party ’ s national committee members and delegates have worked diligently to organize the national convention , ” he tweeted , “ but lingering uncertainty regarding ratification of online voting , the feasibility of 50-state ballot access and related legal challenges , and unity after the nomination have also weighed heavily on me .
We must address these issues as a party to ensure we maximize our potential.
” In assessing the potential of Amash to hurt Trump , “ The View ” co-host Meghan McCain predicted presumptive Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one who lost votes .
“ There ’ s about 10 percent of the Republican demographic [ that ] are NeverTrumpers that would , in theory , vote for Joe Biden and they will be picked off from voting for Joe Biden and vote for this libertarian candidate , ” she said last month , according to Fox News .
Amash running “ 100 percent helps Trump [ and ] hurts Biden , especially in [ Amash ’ s ] home state of Michigan where he is a complete known … nationally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a known [ than ] the other candidates running .
And that swing state , again … is going to be make or break in this election , and Biden can ’ t afford to lose it , ” McCain added .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, who fled the Republican Party last year amid his denunciations of President Donald Trump, said Saturday that he is ending his exploration of a presidential campaign.
Amash announced last month he was considering a pursuit of the Libertarian Party’s nomination for president. In 2016, a Libertarian ticket of former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld won about 3 percent of the national popular vote, according to The New York Times.
“After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate,” Amash tweeted Saturday. “This was a difficult decision for me, especially having seen grassroots supporters put so much effort into this campaign. It’s been humbling and awesome.”
“I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties, offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality, can break through in the right environment. But this environment presents extraordinary challenges,” he added.
This was a difficult decision for me, especially having seen grassroots supporters put so much effort into this campaign. It’s been humbling and awesome. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
Amash then cited why everything was against him, from the media to the attitudes of most Americans to the various lockdowns across the nation.
“Polarization is near an all-time high. Electoral success requires an audience willing to consider alternatives, but both social media and traditional media are dominated by voices strongly averse to the political risks posed by a viable third candidate,” he tweeted.
I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties, offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality, can break through in the right environment. But this environment presents extraordinary challenges. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
Do you think Justin Amash just wants attention? Yes No
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“The new reality of social distancing levels the playing field among the candidates in many respects, but it also means lesser known candidates are more dependent on adequate media opportunities to reach people.”
“Today, most Americans are understandably more interested in what life will look like tomorrow than they are in broader policy debates, and news coverage has reflected those priorities. At the same time, fundraising challenges posed by an idled economy will hinder advertising,” Amash said.
Today, most Americans are understandably more interested in what life will look like tomorrow than they are in broader policy debates, and news coverage has reflected those priorities. At the same time, fundraising challenges posed by an idled economy will hinder advertising. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
Amash indicated the Libertarian Party also has issues to address before any presidential nominee from the party can be a viable national candidate.
“The Libertarian Party’s national committee members and delegates have worked diligently to organize the national convention,” he tweeted, “but lingering uncertainty regarding ratification of online voting, the feasibility of 50-state ballot access and related legal challenges, and unity after the nomination have also weighed heavily on me. We must address these issues as a party to ensure we maximize our potential.”
but lingering uncertainty regarding ratification of online voting, the feasibility of 50-state ballot access and related legal challenges, and unity after the nomination have also weighed heavily on me. We must address these issues as a party to ensure we maximize our potential. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
In assessing the potential of Amash to hurt Trump, “The View” co-host Meghan McCain predicted presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would be the one who lost votes.
“There’s about 10 percent of the Republican demographic [that] are NeverTrumpers that would, in theory, vote for Joe Biden and they will be picked off from voting for Joe Biden and vote for this libertarian candidate,” she said last month, according to Fox News.
Amash running “100 percent helps Trump [and] hurts Biden, especially in [Amash’s] home state of Michigan where he is a complete known … nationally, he seems to be probably less of a known [than] the other candidates running. And that swing state, again … is going to be make or break in this election, and Biden can’t afford to lose it,” McCain added.
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Left Implodes When Trump Uses Biden’s Own Line Against Him in Brilliant New Campaign Initiative

President Donald Trump is using presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s words against him .
Trump ’ s campaign has launched what it called an “ investigative website ” called thetruthoverfacts.com .
“ Donald J. Trump for President , Inc. announced the launch of ‘ Truth Over Facts , ’ an investigative website aimed at uncovering the truth behind Joe Biden ’ s never-ending , seemingly incomprehensible statements during his third , plodding campaign for president , ” the Trump campaign said in a news release .
The title of the site is taken from a Biden flub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everybody knows who Donald Trump is .
Even his supporters know who he is , ” Biden said then , according to the Washington Examiner .
“ We got to let him know who we are .
We choose unity over division .
We choose science over fiction .
We choose truth over facts.
” TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh was the host of a kickoff video on the satirical site , which is styled to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while delivering a breezy tongue-in-cheek mockery of Biden ’ s many miscues .
The initial video includes Biden ’ s reference to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill when asked a question about his age as the oldest American president , if elected , by the end of his term .
The video later goes on to include a clip of Biden mangling the wording of the Declaration of Independence and using the words “ the thing ” to describe the founding document ’ s discussion of human liberty .
The mockery raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked the site as incompatible with what they thought it should be .
Ezra Klein of Vox also slammed the site .
Dan Pfeiffer , who hosts the liberal podcast “ Pod Save America ” and is a former adviser to President Barack Obama , ridiculed the effort .
Washington Examiner writer Emily Larsen said some folks just missed the joke .
“ The American people deserve to know the truth behind Joe Biden ’ s delirious and nonsensical claims on the campaign trail , ” Murtaugh said of the new website in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mangling the text of the Declaration of Independence or calling someone a ‘ lying , dog-faced pony soldier , ’ is he really speaking a language that only he and a select group of others understand ?
This campaign for president can not be allowed to continue for one more minute until we try to unlock the secrets behind Joe Biden ’ s incomprehensible babbling.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump is using presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s words against him.
Trump’s campaign has launched what it called an “investigative website” called thetruthoverfacts.com.
“Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. announced the launch of ‘Truth Over Facts,’ an investigative website aimed at uncovering the truth behind Joe Biden’s never-ending, seemingly incomprehensible statements during his third, plodding campaign for president,” the Trump campaign said in a news release.
The title of the site is taken from a Biden flub during an Iowa campaign event last year.
“Everybody knows who Donald Trump is. Even his supporters know who he is,” Biden said then, according to the Washington Examiner. “We got to let him know who we are. We choose unity over division. We choose science over fiction. We choose truth over facts.”
Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh was the host of a kickoff video on the satirical site, which is styled to give the visual vibe of a crime documentary while delivering a breezy tongue-in-cheek mockery of Biden’s many miscues.
The initial video includes Biden’s reference to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill when asked a question about his age as the oldest American president, if elected, by the end of his term.
The video later goes on to include a clip of Biden mangling the wording of the Declaration of Independence and using the words “the thing” to describe the founding document’s discussion of human liberty.
Do you think the media is always looking for a chance to bash Trump? Yes No
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The mockery raised some eyebrows as critics in the media attacked the site as incompatible with what they thought it should be.
CNBC White House reporter Christina Wilkie was aghast.
Inbox: Trump Campaign Announces Launch of ‘Truth Over Facts’ Investigative Website So I guess the war on facts has a name now. pic.twitter.com/GQBMx7Q1O5 — Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) May 18, 2020
Ezra Klein of Vox also slammed the site.
If you’d written a satire of the Trump administration where they launched a campaign called “Truth Over Facts” it would’ve been dismissed as heavyhanded and unfair. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) May 18, 2020
Dan Pfeiffer, who hosts the liberal podcast “Pod Save America” and is a former adviser to President Barack Obama, ridiculed the effort.
On one hand, this is funny: The Trump campaign is too stupid to name a propaganda site without embarrassing themselves. On the other hand, the propaganda is so blatant that Trump has declared war on facts (a very visible enemy). https://t.co/sxV7I2s3by — Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) May 18, 2020
Washington Examiner writer Emily Larsen said some folks just missed the joke.
Joe Biden said “truth over facts” in an Iowa State Fair speech stumble. This became a meme on the right. But when the Trump campaign spun this into an obvious parody “investigative website” that referenced the gaffe, I don’t think a lot of people got it… pic.twitter.com/G5nZ1vOeRh — Emily Larsen (@emilyelarsen) May 18, 2020
“The American people deserve to know the truth behind Joe Biden’s delirious and nonsensical claims on the campaign trail,” Murtaugh said of the new website in a statement.
“When he’s mangling the text of the Declaration of Independence or calling someone a ‘lying, dog-faced pony soldier,’ is he really speaking a language that only he and a select group of others understand? This campaign for president cannot be allowed to continue for one more minute until we try to unlock the secrets behind Joe Biden’s incomprehensible babbling.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-19--Op-Ed: Biden’s Plan on Guns Is Armed Lawfare, Bad Policy

Joe Biden ’ s campaign is going after guns , presumably to reduce the availability of firearms to citizens .
And the first step he plans to take , according to his own website , is to “ hold gun manufacturers accountable.
” In simple terms , his principal idea to “ end our gun violence epidemic ” is to bankrupt U.S. firearms manufacturers by surrogate-initiated lawfare rather than legislation .
This single policy ( and there are many more bad gun control policies in his manifesto ) shows , among other things , a complete or willful ignorance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also the social and economic impacts of its destruction .
It ’ s true that we ’ re the most heavily armed civilian population in history , worldwide ; it ’ s estimated that well over 400 million firearms are owned by law-abiding U.S. citizens .
This makes reducing gun violence by limiting access to firearms effectively pointless , especially given that this number is the legally owned number — and no one knows how many illegally owned guns are held by criminals ( although estimates from those who study such matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Criminals by definition don ’ t follow the law , so any legislation or policy aimed at reducing the vast number of guns will have no discernible result , at least for many generations .
If the aim of going after gun manufacturers is to reduce gun violence , it just won ’ t work .
TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded The very term “ gun violence epidemic ” is ( willfully ) misleading ; Americans are actually incredibly law-abiding .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the international mean and claims that we “ lead the world in gun violence ” are false .
More than half of all U.S. counties experience zero murders in any given year , and indeed most gun violence takes place in relatively small areas of major cities ( most of which already have relatively strong gun control laws and policies ) .
To further place the “ gun violence epidemic ” into perspective ( using 2018 data from the FBI , NHTSA and CDC ) , 10,265 people were murdered with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 67,300 died of a drug overdose and 1,515 were stabbed to death .
Following Joe Biden ’ s logic , the manufacturers of all these things should also be held accountable for these many deaths .
Despite the common belief that arms manufacturers are immensely profitable , the history of the industry proves otherwise , with mergers , takeovers , downsizing and “ right-sizing ” a regular and frequent occurrence .
Any sizable court award will not be “ eaten ” by the owners .
Rather , it ’ s likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partial payment only of any compensation ( with the lawyers taking their cut first by describing them as “ costs ” ) and an increase in unemployment in areas around affected factories .
What Biden ’ s policy would do is bankrupt manufacturers and in turn reduce or remove manufacturing capability across the U.S. That would increase unemployment in a $ 60 billion per year industry , placing at risk 330,000 jobs .
It would also decrease innovation in firearms development , resulting in a less capable military , an ever-increasing problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , Biden ’ s policy would have no discernible effect on gun crime rates .
No criminals will willingly surrender their guns , whether currently legal or illegal ( and to be clear , most murderers are career criminals ) .
They will continue to access the international arms trade , smuggling firearms across our borders as they do now , both for profit and to protect their contraband cargoes .
Or they will steal guns from legal owners ( including police and military weapons ) or they will make them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winners in trying to implement a policy that would allow victims of the “ gun violence epidemic ” to sue manufacturers – allowing activists to wage lawfare on them – are likely to be the lawyers , who will make money regardless of the outcome .
It ’ s the use of laws to limit the capabilities of your enemies .
The practice has spread in recent decades to the use of laws to limit or prevent the activities of a political foe — to tie the hands of “ the other guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly against you .
This can be as easy as dragging into court someone with relatively limited financial assets — again and again — until they are drained of cash .
By the time the cases are all thrown out , the “ threat ” has been eliminated .
As Brooke Goldstein , a human rights lawyer , has commented , this is a perversion of the law .
Why ?
Because “ the question is not ‘ who is the target , ’ but ‘ what is the intention ’ behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice , to apply the law in the interests of freedom and democracy , or is the intent to undermine the system of laws being manipulated ?
” Suing gun manufacturers won ’ t provide any real justice to anyone concerned , nor will it reduce gun crime .
What it will do is leave people out of work , and leave the nation with a less capable military and a weaker national defense .
The successful implementation of Biden ’ s policy would twist the law , weaken our nation and damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Joe Biden’s campaign is going after guns, presumably to reduce the availability of firearms to citizens. And the first step he plans to take, according to his own website, is to “hold gun manufacturers accountable.”
In simple terms, his principal idea to “end our gun violence epidemic” is to bankrupt U.S. firearms manufacturers by surrogate-initiated lawfare rather than legislation.
This single policy (and there are many more bad gun control policies in his manifesto) shows, among other things, a complete or willful ignorance of the strategic importance of the firearms industry and also the social and economic impacts of its destruction.
It’s true that we’re the most heavily armed civilian population in history, worldwide; it’s estimated that well over 400 million firearms are owned by law-abiding U.S. citizens. This makes reducing gun violence by limiting access to firearms effectively pointless, especially given that this number is the legally owned number — and no one knows how many illegally owned guns are held by criminals (although estimates from those who study such matters run from 10 to over 100 million).
Criminals by definition don’t follow the law, so any legislation or policy aimed at reducing the vast number of guns will have no discernible result, at least for many generations. If the aim of going after gun manufacturers is to reduce gun violence, it just won’t work.
The very term “gun violence epidemic” is (willfully) misleading; Americans are actually incredibly law-abiding. The U.S. murder rate is, in fact, below the international mean and claims that we “lead the world in gun violence” are false. More than half of all U.S. counties experience zero murders in any given year, and indeed most gun violence takes place in relatively small areas of major cities (most of which already have relatively strong gun control laws and policies).
To further place the “gun violence epidemic” into perspective (using 2018 data from the FBI, NHTSA and CDC), 10,265 people were murdered with a gun, 36,560 died in motor vehicles, 67,300 died of a drug overdose and 1,515 were stabbed to death. Following Joe Biden’s logic, the manufacturers of all these things should also be held accountable for these many deaths.
Despite the common belief that arms manufacturers are immensely profitable, the history of the industry proves otherwise, with mergers, takeovers, downsizing and “right-sizing” a regular and frequent occurrence. Any sizable court award will not be “eaten” by the owners. Rather, it’s likely to result in the bankruptcy of another manufacturer, partial payment only of any compensation (with the lawyers taking their cut first by describing them as “costs”) and an increase in unemployment in areas around affected factories.
What Biden’s policy would do is bankrupt manufacturers and in turn reduce or remove manufacturing capability across the U.S. That would increase unemployment in a $60 billion per year industry, placing at risk 330,000 jobs. It would also decrease innovation in firearms development, resulting in a less capable military, an ever-increasing problem as time goes by.
Do you think Joe Biden will win the 2020 presidential election? Yes No
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At the same time, Biden’s policy would have no discernible effect on gun crime rates.
No criminals will willingly surrender their guns, whether currently legal or illegal (and to be clear, most murderers are career criminals).
They will continue to access the international arms trade, smuggling firearms across our borders as they do now, both for profit and to protect their contraband cargoes. Or they will steal guns from legal owners (including police and military weapons) or they will make them themselves.
Sadly, the only real winners in trying to implement a policy that would allow victims of the “gun violence epidemic” to sue manufacturers – allowing activists to wage lawfare on them – are likely to be the lawyers, who will make money regardless of the outcome.
What is lawfare?
It’s the use of laws to limit the capabilities of your enemies. The practice has spread in recent decades to the use of laws to limit or prevent the activities of a political foe — to tie the hands of “the other guy” that he is incapable of acting directly against you.
This can be as easy as dragging into court someone with relatively limited financial assets — again and again — until they are drained of cash. By the time the cases are all thrown out, the “threat” has been eliminated.
As Brooke Goldstein, a human rights lawyer, has commented, this is a perversion of the law.
Why? Because “the question is not ‘who is the target,’ but ‘what is the intention’ behind the legal action: is it to pursue justice, to apply the law in the interests of freedom and democracy, or is the intent to undermine the system of laws being manipulated?”
Suing gun manufacturers won’t provide any real justice to anyone concerned, nor will it reduce gun crime. What it will do is leave people out of work, and leave the nation with a less capable military and a weaker national defense. The successful implementation of Biden’s policy would twist the law, weaken our nation and damage the Constitution.
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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Pete O'Brien Summary Contact Pete O’Brien is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, a retired Naval officer and a successful business owner.