westernjournal--2020-06-08--Trump Camp Dials Up Pressure on Biden After ‘Weak’ Statement on Police Funding

President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign on Monday called on former Vice President Joe Biden to fully explain his position on a budding movement to defund police forces around the country .
A statement opposing the defunding of police departments from the Biden campaign ’ s rapid response director Andrew Bates is not good enough , Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement Monday .
“ Joe Biden can not be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer , ” Murtaugh said .
“ We still haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical ‘ Defund the Police ’ movement in the Democrat Party.
” TRENDING : Candace Owens Exposes George Floyd 's Criminal Past , Says She Does Not Support Him as a Martyr The former vice president needs to show that he is prepared to lead his party away from a campaign to defund police departments , according to Murtaugh .
“ We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another , ” he said .
“ Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he really stands .
Joe Biden is the leader of his party and he could single-handedly step in and steer elected Democrats away from this terrible policy.
” Bates released a statement on Monday saying that Biden “ does not believe that police should be defunded.
” The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee does support police reforms that create more diversity within the police force , according to Bates .
Biden “ hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change , and is driven to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stop to this terrible pain , ” Bates said .
“ There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes , but haven ’ t had the resources to — and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult , ” he added .
The push to divert resources away from local police forces began amid protests over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” has become a common slogan among protesters and left-wing figures .
A veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to eliminate the city ’ s police department on Sunday .
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
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Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign on Monday called on former Vice President Joe Biden to fully explain his position on a budding movement to defund police forces around the country.
A statement opposing the defunding of police departments from the Biden campaign’s rapid response director Andrew Bates is not good enough, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement Monday.
“Joe Biden cannot be let off the hook after his campaign issued a weak statement from a mid-level staffer,” Murtaugh said. “We still haven’t heard from Joe Biden himself on the radical ‘Defund the Police’ movement in the Democrat Party.”
Joe Biden can’t be let off the hook after his team issued a weak statement from some mid-level staffer. “We still haven’t heard from Joe Biden
himself on the radical ‘Defund the Police’ movement in the Democrat Party.” – @TimMurtaugh Our full statement:https://t.co/LWHGeiGTkY — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) June 8, 2020
The former vice president needs to show that he is prepared to lead his party away from a campaign to defund police departments, according to Murtaugh.
“We have previously seen the Biden campaign say one thing on an issue right before their candidate says another,” he said.
“Until Americans hear from Joe Biden himself, they have no way of knowing where he really stands. Joe Biden is the leader of his party and he could single-handedly step in and steer elected Democrats away from this terrible policy.”
Will Biden lead the Democratic Party away from the campaign to defund police? Yes No
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Bates released a statement on Monday saying that Biden “does not believe that police should be defunded.”
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee does support police reforms that create more diversity within the police force, according to Bates.
Biden “hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain,” Bates said.
NEW: “@JoeBiden does not believe that police should be defunded. He hears & shares the deep grief & frustration of those calling out for change, & is driven to ensure that justice is done & that we put a stop to this terrible pain…” @AndrewBatesNC says in a new statement pic.twitter.com/hvW7aUggMQ — Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) June 8, 2020
“There are many police departments across the country who are seeking to realize these kinds of changes, but haven’t had the resources to — and the Trump administration has in fact made obtaining those resources more difficult,” he added.
The push to divert resources away from local police forces began amid protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes.
“Defund the police” has become a common slogan among protesters and left-wing figures.
A veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to eliminate the city’s police department on Sunday.
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westernjournal--2020-06-08--GOP Lawmakers Won’t Let RNC Ditch North Carolina Without a Fight

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are planning to vote this week on a measure that would allow President Donald Trump to speak in front of a full Republican National Convention without some of the restrictions mandated by officials .
Tuesday ’ s vote will largely be a symbolic one , as the measure will almost assuredly be rejected by Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper and Republicans will be unlikely to have the votes to override his veto .
A draft of the bill , authored by Republican state Rep. John Torbett of Gaston and circulated last week by North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for convention events in Charlotte to be held at full capacity , just as Trump had demanded from Cooper .
Cooper refused , saying the convention in August would be scaled down to protect public health .
In response , Trump announced plans to hold his speech elsewhere .
TRENDING : Candace Owens Exposes George Floyd 's Criminal Past , Says She Does Not Support Him as a Martyr The bill would require attendees to complete both pre-attendance and daily health surveys and have their temperatures taken prior to entry .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of physical distancing .
“ If they choose to gather in close proximity without any protection , they have the option to do that under their own personal responsibility , ” said Torbett , who added that restrictions could be added or reduced at a later date .
The Republican National Committee , which runs the convention , is exploring other sites for Trump to speak in front of a full capacity crowd after Cooper ’ s refusal , but said it plans to keep its official business meetings in Charlotte .
Torbett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support among Democratic state lawmakers , who are determined to keep North Carolina under certain restrictions .
“ I don ’ t think we should be letting politics supersede how we react to a public health crisis , ” House Minority Leader Darren Jackson said .
He later added : “ I doubt by late August we ’ ll be in an area where everything can return to normal .
There is a scenario where things can be much improved and you could have a bigger convention , but I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Torbett insisted Trump ’ s presence is important for local Charlotte businesses looking to recover from a national economic crisis .
He said many people think the convention can be carried out “ in a healthy fashion and with safety first , just not prescribed by one individual [ Cooper ] .
” A House rules committee originally planned a first vote on the measure on Monday afternoon , but that meeting was later rescheduled to Tuesday , when it will also go to the House floor .
Torbett is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by gutting and amending a bill introduced last year to revise state motor vehicle laws .
If the House and Senate approve Torbett ’ s bill , the plan will make its way to the governor , where it faces an all-but-certain death .
Cooper ’ s office did not respond to an email requesting comment .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are planning to vote this week on a measure that would allow President Donald Trump to speak in front of a full Republican National Convention without some of the restrictions mandated by officials.
Tuesday’s vote will largely be a symbolic one, as the measure will almost assuredly be rejected by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republicans will be unlikely to have the votes to override his veto.
A draft of the bill, authored by Republican state Rep. John Torbett of Gaston and circulated last week by North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, calls for convention events in Charlotte to be held at full capacity, just as Trump had demanded from Cooper.
Cooper refused, saying the convention in August would be scaled down to protect public health.
In response, Trump announced plans to hold his speech elsewhere.
The bill would require attendees to complete both pre-attendance and daily health surveys and have their temperatures taken prior to entry. It would not require face masks or six feet of physical distancing.
“If they choose to gather in close proximity without any protection, they have the option to do that under their own personal responsibility,” said Torbett, who added that restrictions could be added or reduced at a later date.
The Republican National Committee, which runs the convention, is exploring other sites for Trump to speak in front of a full capacity crowd after Cooper’s refusal, but said it plans to keep its official business meetings in Charlotte.
Torbett’s bill is unlikely to garner support among Democratic state lawmakers, who are determined to keep North Carolina under certain restrictions.
Should the RNC hold its national convention in Charlotte? Yes No
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“I don’t think we should be letting politics supersede how we react to a public health crisis,” House Minority Leader Darren Jackson said.
He later added: “I doubt by late August we’ll be in an area where everything can return to normal. There is a scenario where things can be much improved and you could have a bigger convention, but I don’t know how you make that guarantee today.”
Torbett insisted Trump’s presence is important for local Charlotte businesses looking to recover from a national economic crisis. He said many people think the convention can be carried out “in a healthy fashion and with safety first, just not prescribed by one individual [Cooper].”
A House rules committee originally planned a first vote on the measure on Monday afternoon, but that meeting was later rescheduled to Tuesday, when it will also go to the House floor.
Torbett is expected to bypass the deadline for introducing new bills by gutting and amending a bill introduced last year to revise state motor vehicle laws.
If the House and Senate approve Torbett’s bill, the plan will make its way to the governor, where it faces an all-but-certain death.
Cooper’s office did not respond to an email requesting comment.
[jwplayer fHyru7Jl]
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westernjournal--2020-06-08--As Left Pushes To Defund Police, Poll Reveals Only 16% of Americans Support the Measure

Just 16 percent of Americans support cutting funding for police departments , according to a YouGov poll .
The poll shows a contrast between what Americans want and what is being pushed by activists and politicians in response to the death of George Floyd .
Floyd died on May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes .
YouGov ’ s poll revealed a divide , however , between white and black Americans on the question of defunding police .
Seventy-five percent of white respondents opposed cutting funding , compared to 36 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respondents supported cutting funding versus 33 percent of black respondents .
TRENDING : Rioter Douses Police Officer , Sets Him on Fire as Unrest Spreads Across Globe Meanwhile , a veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council vowed to dismantle the city ’ s police department over the weekend .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a protest on Saturday after not committing to abolish the city ’ s police force .
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota told protesters , “ we need to completely dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York said in a primary debate on Friday that she was actively advocating for a “ reduction ” of the New York Police Department ’ s budget , which she said was taking away from potential investment in housing .
Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser wouldn ’ t answer questions on Sunday about removing a “ DEFUND THE POLICE ” inscription which activists painted on a D.C. street .
Bowser ’ s office had commissioned local artists and activists to paint “ Black Lives Matter ” on the street .
Celebrities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legend have signed an online petition demanding divestment from police departments .
Despite the growing fervor behind defunding police departments around the country , several leaders have come out against the idea , echoing the views of most Americans .
“ I don ’ t believe that you should disband police departments , ” Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of California told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Sunday .
Bass chairs the Congressional Black Caucus .
The YouGov poll was conducted with Yahoo News on May 29-30 .
The poll surveyed 1,060 U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Just 16 percent of Americans support cutting funding for police departments, according to a YouGov poll.
The poll shows a contrast between what Americans want and what is being pushed by activists and politicians in response to the death of George Floyd.
Floyd died on May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for roughly nine minutes.
YouGov’s poll revealed a divide, however, between white and black Americans on the question of defunding police.
Seventy-five percent of white respondents opposed cutting funding, compared to 36 percent of black respondents. Twelve percent of white respondents supported cutting funding versus 33 percent of black respondents.
Meanwhile, a veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis City Council vowed to dismantle the city’s police department over the weekend. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a protest on Saturday after not committing to abolish the city’s police force.
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota told protesters, “we need to completely dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.”
Fellow Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said in a primary debate on Friday that she was actively advocating for a “reduction” of the New York Police Department’s budget, which she said was taking away from potential investment in housing.
Should police department funds be cut? Yes No
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Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser wouldn’t answer questions on Sunday about removing a “DEFUND THE POLICE” inscription which activists painted on a D.C. street.
Bowser’s office had commissioned local artists and activists to paint “Black Lives Matter” on the street.
Celebrities including Lizzo, Chris Martin and John Legend have signed an online petition demanding divestment from police departments.
I signed on to #DefendBlackLives and to push to #DefundThePolice. Join our 5 days of action with @Mvmnt4BlkLives. pic.twitter.com/Sgbwtm6S2S — John Legend (@johnlegend) June 3, 2020
Despite the growing fervor behind defunding police departments around the country, several leaders have come out against the idea, echoing the views of most Americans.
“I don’t believe that you should disband police departments,” Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of California told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday. Bass chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.
The YouGov poll was conducted with Yahoo News on May 29-30. The poll surveyed 1,060 U.S. adults.
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 their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--Dem Mayor Lashes Out After Being Warned of Riots: ‘I Think You’re 100% Full of S***’

As protests erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd , many of them were followed by incredibly violent riots .
The destruction was especially present in the city of Chicago , whose mayor was dismissive of the problem altogether .
In leaked audio of a May 31 conference call , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was recorded telling an alderman he was “ full of s— ” when he demanded answers for how Chicago would respond to the devastation .
WARNING : The following audio contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive .
“ Half our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raymond Lopez , a known critic of Lightfoot according to the Washington Examiner , said .
“ We have to come up with a better plan because , my fear is , once they ’ re done looting and rioting and whatever ’ s going to happen tonight , God help us , what happens when they start going after residents ?
Going into the neighborhoods ?
” Lopez then gave a chilling description of the realities many of his constituents face .
“ I ’ ve got gang bangers with AK-47s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to settle some scores .
What are we going to do and what do we tell our residents other than ‘ good faith people stand up ’ ?
It ’ s not going to be enough.
” Instead of answering the questions , Lightfoot attempted to move on with the discussion without addressing the alderman .
Lopez wasn ’ t going to let that slide and demanded an answer , which prompted Lightfoot to announce “ I think you ’ re 100 percent full of s—.
” Lopez responded which some profanities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , Lopez ’ s prediction came true and the looting began to spill over into Chicago neighborhoods , according to the Chicago Tribune .
Compared to many other cities that have also suffered , Chicago riots and lootings have been especially pervasive .
Businesses were looted , people were shot and buildings were set on fire in great numbers as the riots spread across the city .
Between May 31 and June 1 , Chicago firefighters responded to 85 calls around the city .
“ Each call represented retailers , who once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by looters , then turned into infernos , ” WBBM-TV reported .
Thursday marked Chicago ’ s most violent day in 60 years , according to the Chicago Sun-Times , as 18 murders happened within a span of 24 hours .
In a statement released on Friday , experts at the Anderson Economic Group estimated that the looting damage done between May 29 and June 3 in America ’ s 2o largest metropolitan areas , including Chicago , exceeds $ 400 million .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

As protests erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd, many of them were followed by incredibly violent riots.
The destruction was especially present in the city of Chicago, whose mayor was dismissive of the problem altogether.
In leaked audio of a May 31 conference call, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was recorded telling an alderman he was “full of s—” when he demanded answers for how Chicago would respond to the devastation.
WARNING: The following audio contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive.
.@LoriLightfoot: “I think you’re 100% full of shit, is what I think.” Alderman Lopez: “F— you, then.”@chicagosmayor and an alderman exchange profanities over concerns about looters in leaked audio.pic.twitter.com/VteElUT096 — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) June 9, 2020
“Half our neighborhoods are already obliterated,” said Alderman Raymond Lopez, a known critic of Lightfoot according to the Washington Examiner.
“We have to come up with a better plan because, my fear is, once they’re done looting and rioting and whatever’s going to happen tonight, God help us, what happens when they start going after residents? Going into the neighborhoods?”
Lopez then gave a chilling description of the realities many of his constituents face.
Was Mayor Lightfoot's response to the Ald. Lopez's questions acceptable? Yes No
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“I’ve got gang bangers with AK-47s walking around right now, just waiting to settle some scores. What are we going to do and what do we tell our residents other than ‘good faith people stand up’? It’s not going to be enough.”
Instead of answering the questions, Lightfoot attempted to move on with the discussion without addressing the alderman.
Lopez wasn’t going to let that slide and demanded an answer, which prompted Lightfoot to announce “I think you’re 100 percent full of s—.” Lopez responded which some profanities of his own.
On the very next day, Lopez’s prediction came true and the looting began to spill over into Chicago neighborhoods, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Compared to many other cities that have also suffered, Chicago riots and lootings have been especially pervasive.
Businesses were looted, people were shot and buildings were set on fire in great numbers as the riots spread across the city.
IT TOOK 3 MINUTES: A crowd broke into a liquor store at Cermak & Cicero on Chicago’s far west side and began looting. Police quickly arrived and they scattered. This really shows you how quickly these guys move – and how hard they can be to stop. pic.twitter.com/JY0sGxgaIk — Ben Bradley (@BenBradleyTV) June 1, 2020
Between May 31 and June 1, Chicago firefighters responded to 85 calls around the city.
“Each call represented retailers, who once had thriving business that were first ravaged by looters, then turned into infernos,” WBBM-TV reported.
Thursday marked Chicago’s most violent day in 60 years, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, as 18 murders happened within a span of 24 hours.
In a statement released on Friday, experts at the Anderson Economic Group estimated that the looting damage done between May 29 and June 3 in America’s 2o largest metropolitan areas, including Chicago, exceeds $400 million.
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--Media Bias: Axios Allows Reporters To Protest, Will Even Cover Bail & Medical Bills

The prominent media organization Axios has given its reporters the green light to participate in public protests — going as far as saying it would cover employees ’ bail and medical bills if necessary .
“ First , let me say we proudly support and encourage you to exercise your rights to free speech , press , and protest .
If you ’ re arrested or meet harm while exercising these rights , Axios will stand behind you and use the Family Fund to cover your bail or assist with medical bills , ” read a company-wide memo from Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to The New York Times .
The Monday memo reportedly came after a question from an employee about the company ’ s stance on staff members protesting .
Axios , which employs 192 people , allows staff to anonymously submit questions to management every week , The Times reported .
VandeHei made the announcement amid both peaceful protests and violent riots occurring around the country following the death of George Floyd , who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finance , sports and tech — including frequent scoops — Axios has become a popular outlet among Beltway readers , and has garnered over one million subscribers .
Journalists obviously have the right to protest under the Constitution , though it is worth wondering whether reporters advocating for certain issues by publicly protesting will be able to report on some of those same issues in a nonpartisan , unbiased way .
VandeHei , for his part , said his memo to employees does not mean that Axios is changing its policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right thing , and stand firmly behind them should they decide to exercise their constitutional right to free speech , ” he told The Times .
According to The Times , which cited “ several people with knowledge of recent discussions at Axios , ” VandeHei “ said he did not intend his note to actively encourage marching in protests .
He has also reminded the staff that the company ’ s reporters still need sources to open up to them , and that appearing to take one side could jeopardize their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allowing reporters to participate in protests will foster objectivity ?
Even The New York Times , which often has a hard time keeping its left-leaning bias in check , has a policy in place prohibiting this sort of thing .
“ Staff members may not march or rally in support of public causes or movements , sign ads taking a position on public issues , or lend their name to campaigns , benefit dinners or similar events if doing so might reasonably raise doubts about their ability or The Times ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering the news , ” The Times ’ ethics guidelines read .
If such a stance can ’ t even keep The Times , the nation ’ s so-called “ paper of record , ” from staying unbiased , how does Axios think its reporters will be able to maintain any semblance of objectivity ?
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign manager , Brad Parscale , summed the issue up well .
“ I ’ m old enough to remember when reporters covered the news , not took part in it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists .
This is objectivity ?
” When journalists become political activists , any pretense of nonpartisan objectivity .
Reporters are supposed to report on news , not take part in it or help create a narrative .
Apparently , Axios doesn ’ t care .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The prominent media organization Axios has given its reporters the green light to participate in public protests — going as far as saying it would cover employees’ bail and medical bills if necessary.
“First, let me say we proudly support and encourage you to exercise your rights to free speech, press, and protest. If you’re arrested or meet harm while exercising these rights, Axios will stand behind you and use the Family Fund to cover your bail or assist with medical bills,” read a company-wide memo from Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios, according to The New York Times.
The Monday memo reportedly came after a question from an employee about the company’s stance on staff members protesting. Axios, which employs 192 people, allows staff to anonymously submit questions to management every week, The Times reported.
VandeHei made the announcement amid both peaceful protests and violent riots occurring around the country following the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest.
With its articles on politics, finance, sports and tech — including frequent scoops — Axios has become a popular outlet among Beltway readers, and has garnered over one million subscribers.
Journalists obviously have the right to protest under the Constitution, though it is worth wondering whether reporters advocating for certain issues by publicly protesting will be able to report on some of those same issues in a nonpartisan, unbiased way.
VandeHei, for his part, said his memo to employees does not mean that Axios is changing its policy.
“We trust our colleagues to do the right thing, and stand firmly behind them should they decide to exercise their constitutional right to free speech,” he told The Times.
According to The Times, which cited “several people with knowledge of recent discussions at Axios,” VandeHei “said he did not intend his note to actively encourage marching in protests. He has also reminded the staff that the company’s reporters still need sources to open up to them, and that appearing to take one side could jeopardize their position.”
Should news organizations pay reporters' bail if they're arrested while protesting? Yes No
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Still, does anyone think that allowing reporters to participate in protests will foster objectivity?
Even The New York Times, which often has a hard time keeping its left-leaning bias in check, has a policy in place prohibiting this sort of thing.
“Staff members may not march or rally in support of public causes or movements, sign ads taking a position on public issues, or lend their name to campaigns, benefit dinners or similar events if doing so might reasonably raise doubts about their ability or The Times’s ability to function as neutral observers in covering the news,” The Times’ ethics guidelines read.
If such a stance can’t even keep The Times, the nation’s so-called “paper of record,” from staying unbiased, how does Axios think its reporters will be able to maintain any semblance of objectivity?
President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, summed the issue up well.
“I’m old enough to remember when reporters covered the news, not took part in it,” he tweeted. “Journalists as political activists. This is objectivity?”
I’m old enough to remember when reporters covered the news, not took part in it. Journalists as political activists. This is objectivity?https://t.co/bOOqmYZgtP — Brad Parscale (@parscale) June 8, 2020
When journalists become political activists, any pretense of nonpartisan objectivity.
Reporters are supposed to report on news, not take part in it or help create a narrative. Apparently, Axios doesn’t care.
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--Herman Cain: Getting Rid of Police Is What Radical Leftists Have Always Wanted

The Minneapolis City Council didn ’ t just decide last week that it doesn ’ t like the police .
( That ’ s not how we go from big and terrible events to big and terrible ideas . )
The nation has been buzzing for several days with the news that a majority on the council wants to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department .
Dismantle it ?
They have no idea who or what would take its place , but they do want you to know that if you ’ re concerned about who to call if someone breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an example of your “ privilege.
” Don ’ t worry .
They ’ re going to engage the entire community — except for those who enjoy “ privilege ” or those who like the police , I would presume — and come up with a way to “ reimagine ” a future for the city without police .
What an amazing time this is to be a crook .
Now maybe you ’ re wondering : Prior to the death of George Floyd two weeks ago , we never heard anything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting rid of the city ’ s police department .
How is it that two weeks later they all of a sudden want to disband it ?
I ’ ll tell you how : because this is not a new idea for them .
What ’ s changed is the events of the past two weeks have made it politically safe for them to say what they were always thinking .
Anyone radical enough to want to eliminate police now had to be anti-police before this happened .
When a major event causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narratives , it often has the effect of emboldening people to say in public what they used to only say in private .
You can bet your bottom dollar that these people — in the privacy of their own homes or their exclusive cocktail parties , with no one from the outside listening in – have been condemning police and the whole idea of law enforcement for a long time .
You can bet they ’ ve long believed what Council President Lisa Bender said recently on CNN — that you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than you are from a burglar breaking into your home .
The death of George Floyd merely presented the opportunity for them to openly advocate what they have always wanted to do but never thought they could get away with .
And you ’ ll notice something : When you ask Bender and others on the council what people should do if they ’ re threatened by criminals , the response is always to point the finger at police as the bigger threat .
They didn ’ t just decide this week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed this for years .
Many ideas germinate within the Democratic Party in this same way .
Most Democrats don ’ t really believe in capitalism , but they say they do because they think they have to .
They don ’ t think the public is ready to accept a socialist .
That almost changed when Bernie Sanders looked headed for the Democrats ’ presidential nomination a few months back .
Had he won it , you would have been amazed how many Democrats were suddenly willing to admit they hate capitalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RELATED : Herman Cain : The Distinction Between Peaceful Protesters and Rioters Someday , when they think it ’ s safe , they will admit that .
Someday they will admit they want to get rid of the U.S. military .
Someday they will admit they want to get rid of all private-sector profits .
Someday they will admit they want to get rid of churches .
When will they admit these things ?
As soon as they think it ’ s safe , which is why so many of them are suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and let criminals run wild .
This is what they ’ ve always wanted .
It ’ s just that now they think they have their opportunity .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Minneapolis City Council didn’t just decide last week that it doesn’t like the police. (That’s not how we go from big and terrible events to big and terrible ideas.)
The nation has been buzzing for several days with the news that a majority on the council wants to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. Dismantle it? They have no idea who or what would take its place, but they do want you to know that if you’re concerned about who to call if someone breaks into your house, that’s an example of your “privilege.”
Don’t worry. They’re going to engage the entire community — except for those who enjoy “privilege” or those who like the police, I would presume — and come up with a way to “reimagine” a future for the city without police.
What an amazing time this is to be a crook.
Now maybe you’re wondering: Prior to the death of George Floyd two weeks ago, we never heard anything from members of the Minneapolis City Council about getting rid of the city’s police department.
How is it that two weeks later they all of a sudden want to disband it?
I’ll tell you how: because this is not a new idea for them. What’s changed is the events of the past two weeks have made it politically safe for them to say what they were always thinking.
Anyone radical enough to want to eliminate police now had to be anti-police before this happened. When a major event causes tensions to rise and drives new media narratives, it often has the effect of emboldening people to say in public what they used to only say in private.
You can bet your bottom dollar that these people — in the privacy of their own homes or their exclusive cocktail parties, with no one from the outside listening in – have been condemning police and the whole idea of law enforcement for a long time. You can bet they’ve long believed what Council President Lisa Bender said recently on CNN — that you’re more in danger from calling the police than you are from a burglar breaking into your home.
Do you think most Democrats want to abolish the police entirely? Yes No
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The death of George Floyd merely presented the opportunity for them to openly advocate what they have always wanted to do but never thought they could get away with.
And you’ll notice something: When you ask Bender and others on the council what people should do if they’re threatened by criminals, the response is always to point the finger at police as the bigger threat. They didn’t just decide this week that they believe this. They’ve believed this for years.
Many ideas germinate within the Democratic Party in this same way.
Most Democrats don’t really believe in capitalism, but they say they do because they think they have to. They don’t think the public is ready to accept a socialist.
That almost changed when Bernie Sanders looked headed for the Democrats’ presidential nomination a few months back. Had he won it, you would have been amazed how many Democrats were suddenly willing to admit they hate capitalism and want it done away with.
Someday, when they think it’s safe, they will admit that. Someday they will admit they want to get rid of the U.S. military. Someday they will admit they want to get rid of all private-sector profits. Someday they will admit they want to get rid of churches.
When will they admit these things? As soon as they think it’s safe, which is why so many of them are suddenly admitting they want to get rid of police and let criminals run wild.
This is what they’ve always wanted. It’s just that now they think they have their opportunity.
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--2020-06-09--Typical Libs: Teachers Union Says School Police Are an Example of White Supremacy, Wants Them Gone

The American left , by and large , has told us for decades that the Second Amendment is a menace to society .
Many of those same people have also squawked that the only people who need to possess firearms are police officers .
In recent weeks , the national conversation is trending in the direction that all police officers are inherently biased against minorities and must be defunded , disbanded and essentially disarmed .
That has now widened to include the officers whose job it is to protect schoolchildren .
If you find it difficult to keep up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the May 25 death of George Floyd while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department , you ’ re not alone .
Progressive Democrats have cornered the market on cognitive dissonance , especially in California .
What is truly troubling , though , is that many of these folks in the Golden State are not found in straight jackets or yoga studios , they are influencing policy decisions by proposing nonsensical ideas .
One of those ideas is to eliminate the Los Angeles School Police Department from protecting the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them to defend children from gun and other violence .
A school union proposal to remove those officers from campuses in the city has a lot of support , according to the Los Angeles Times .
“ We have to dismantle white supremacy .
We must … defund the police and bring in the mental health services that our students need , ” Cecily Myart-Cruz , the incoming president of the United Teachers Los Angeles union , told the Times .
In a tweet Tuesday , Myart-Cruz pointed to similar action by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the union represents roughly 30,000 teachers and other staff members employed by the LA school district , and they want school resource officers gone from the campuses of city schools .
RELATED : Harvard Mag 's Snide Attack on Home Schooling Backfires , Did n't Even Spell 'Arithmetic ' Right Their answer to preventing violence on campuses , including school shootings , apparently is to replace those officers with 800 mental health experts .
How those new counselors will react if , God forbid , bullets start flying in classrooms has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is floating the idea of removing the highly trained officers out of schools after meeting with local members of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Naturally , the union that represents the city ’ s school resource officers is pushing back .
Gil Gamez , president of the LA School Police Officers Association , told The Times that the officers are armed with much more than firearms and a desire to impose white supremacy on students .
Many of these officers are not white .
“ We are trained different .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice [ training ] , our police officers come from the communities they serve , ” Gamez told the paper .
“ To see us be demonized and ostracized , I don ’ t get it , ” he said .
School resource officers have become more and more common in American schools in recent decades .
In addition to protecting children , they are specifically trained in how to handle adolescent behavior — which can be chaotic .
But knee-jerk reactions from adults seem to be prevailing as the country seeks answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nationwide systemic racism .
And at least in Los Angeles , the security of children might soon be sacrificed in order to appease those with apparent political motivations .
The UTLA board of directors voted 35-2 to begin the process of expelling school officers .
The left is now apparently ready and willing to sacrifice the safety of schoolchildren by replacing common-sense security measures — 400 highly trained and vetted officers — with yet-to-be-determined “ woke ” alternatives .
Many on the left have talked about the need to protect children from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-gun advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety touts school officers as essential for the safety of children .
The group says on its website that “ empowering teachers and law enforcement to intervene when students show signs they could be a danger to themselves or others ” is essential to protecting children .
Outlandish ideas and political rhetoric are increasingly replacing rational thought as the country reels from the crises of a foreign pandemic , an apparent overreaction to it and now civil unrest .
The left is abandoning its principles to appease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal justice system — and , indeed , all non-minority Americans — with George Floyd ’ s death .
Those in Los Angeles are now willing to use children as guinea pigs for their radical ideas about school safety .
If police officers are forced out of schools , a deterrent for those who wish to prey on the vulnerable will go out with them .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The American left, by and large, has told us for decades that the Second Amendment is a menace to society.
Many of those same people have also squawked that the only people who need to possess firearms are police officers.
In recent weeks, the national conversation is trending in the direction that all police officers are inherently biased against minorities and must be defunded, disbanded and essentially disarmed.
That has now widened to include the officers whose job it is to protect schoolchildren.
If you find it difficult to keep up with the increasingly unstable logic following the events since the May 25 death of George Floyd while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department, you’re not alone.
Progressive Democrats have cornered the market on cognitive dissonance, especially in California.
What is truly troubling, though, is that many of these folks in the Golden State are not found in straight jackets or yoga studios, they are influencing policy decisions by proposing nonsensical ideas.
One of those ideas is to eliminate the Los Angeles School Police Department from protecting the city’s schools by pulling the funds appropriated for them to defend children from gun and other violence.
A school union proposal to remove those officers from campuses in the city has a lot of support, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Do you think police officers should be removed from schools? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (5 Votes) No: 99% (421 Votes)
“We have to dismantle white supremacy. We must … defund the police and bring in the mental health services that our students need,” Cecily Myart-Cruz, the incoming president of the United Teachers Los Angeles union, told the Times.
In a tweet Tuesday, Myart-Cruz pointed to similar action by the Seattle teachers union.
Listen to our students! Their voices matter… https://t.co/xLsR7RAweW — Cecily Myart-Cruz ??? (@UTLA_NEAVP) June 9, 2020
The Times said the union represents roughly 30,000 teachers and other staff members employed by the LA school district, and they want school resource officers gone from the campuses of city schools.
Their answer to preventing violence on campuses, including school shootings, apparently is to replace those officers with 800 mental health experts.
How those new counselors will react if, God forbid, bullets start flying in classrooms has not been answered.
Still, the UTLA is floating the idea of removing the highly trained officers out of schools after meeting with local members of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Naturally, the union that represents the city’s school resource officers is pushing back.
Gil Gamez, president of the LA School Police Officers Association, told The Times that the officers are armed with much more than firearms and a desire to impose white supremacy on students.
Many of these officers are not white.
“We are trained different. We have a vested interest … we had restorative justice [training], our police officers come from the communities they serve,” Gamez told the paper.
“To see us be demonized and ostracized, I don’t get it,” he said.
School resource officers have become more and more common in American schools in recent decades. In addition to protecting children, they are specifically trained in how to handle adolescent behavior — which can be chaotic.
But knee-jerk reactions from adults seem to be prevailing as the country seeks answers to what many are calling a pattern of nationwide systemic racism.
And at least in Los Angeles, the security of children might soon be sacrificed in order to appease those with apparent political motivations.
The UTLA board of directors voted 35-2 to begin the process of expelling school officers.
The left is now apparently ready and willing to sacrifice the safety of schoolchildren by replacing common-sense security measures — 400 highly trained and vetted officers — with yet-to-be-determined “woke” alternatives.
Many on the left have talked about the need to protect children from school violence for decades.
Even the anti-gun advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety touts school officers as essential for the safety of children.
The group says on its website that “empowering teachers and law enforcement to intervene when students show signs they could be a danger to themselves or others” is essential to protecting children.
Outlandish ideas and political rhetoric are increasingly replacing rational thought as the country reels from the crises of a foreign pandemic, an apparent overreaction to it and now civil unrest.
The left is abandoning its principles to appease those who have charged the entire American criminal justice system — and, indeed, all non-minority Americans — with George Floyd’s death.
Those in Los Angeles are now willing to use children as guinea pigs for their radical ideas about school safety.
If police officers are forced out of schools, a deterrent for those who wish to prey on the vulnerable will go out with them.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-06-09--As the Left Pushes To Defund Police, Here Is a Look into Chicago’s Deadly Weekend

Forget about “ Black Lives Matter ” or even “ all lives matter ” — for leftists , lives only matter when it ’ s politically expedient to say they do .
When George Floyd died after a police officer placed a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis last month , his death was protested , publicly lamented and mourned by members of Congress who genuflected for a moment of silence .
But there was no protesting or kneeling for the 345,672 abortions Planned Parenthood reported last year .
And even now , as cities smolder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from violent protests in Floyd ’ s name , leftist politicians are silent about the bloodshed in cities like Chicago .
During the last weekend of May alone , 25 people were shot and killed and another 85 wounded in Chicago , according to the Chicago Sun-Times , and the weekend prior was the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in four years for the city .
Eighteen of those deaths came on Sunday , May 31 , alone , according to tracking data , making it the single bloodiest day in over 60 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chicago Crime Lab .
In total , the weekend was the deadliest in the city ’ s modern history .
Hidden in those statistics is the heartbreaking reality of the lives cut short — a high school student , a father of three shot while paying his cell phone bill and a college freshman with law enforcement aspirations are just some of them .
Among the wounded was a 15 year-old-boy , as well as 18-year-old Teyonna Lofton , a young woman who was shot on the day of her high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help despite repeated calls to 911 .
“ When I needed help , to call the police and stuff , nobody responded .
Nobody answered , ” Lofton said .
“ My mom had to come from home , and we had to get to the hospital.
” That weekend , Chicago was embroiled in mayhem and violence as riots erupted throughout the city , leaving law enforcement resources stretched thin or absent .
“ On Saturday and particularly Sunday , I heard people saying all over , ‘ Hey , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t doing nothing , ’ ” the Rev .
Michael Pfleger said .
“ I sat and watched a store looted for over an hour , ” he continued .
“ No police came .
I got in my car and drove around to some other places getting looted [ and ] didn ’ t see police anywhere.
” Ironically , many of the protests spurred on by George Floyd ’ s death include calls for police departments to be defunded or completely dismantled .
Democrats such as Rep. Ilhan Omar of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council publicly supported disbanding its police force as currently constituted and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also cut funding to the New York Police Department .
RELATED : After Proving Themselves Incapable of Policing at City Level , Dems Move To Remake Entire Nation 's Law Enforcement Clearly , these Democrats are cementing their party ’ s reputation as the party of crime .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was asked by MSNBC ’ s Kasie Hunt on “ Kasie DC ” Sunday if she agreed with calls to defund the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by stating the calls were instead a “ desire and demand for resources ” and not “ [ relying ] on law enforcement only.
” She mentioned including parks , libraries , schools and social services to make the community safer , although it is unclear how any of those other entities would have saved a life that weekend .
Lightfoot also blamed union contracts , saying she may “ announce soon some pretty monumental reforms ” in what she called a “ long fight around police reform , ” the Democratic mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the current inability to make anonymous reports against police , and promised she ’ d make sure officers “ don ’ t have so much due process they can ’ t be held accountable.
” Although Lightfoot wouldn ’ t go as far as saying she ’ d defund the police , she essentially promised to redirect resources while insinuating that police are out of control and often escape prosecution .
She said this even as so many in her city were slain by lawless thugs .
Other Democrats such as House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Schumer , and California Sen. Kamala Harris essentially ducked the question but did not denounce the idea , according to Fox News .
The insanity of the left , especially Pelosi and others who took a knee for George Floyd while ignoring the senseless deaths in cities torn apart by riots , was summed up by former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik .
“ Their racist theatrics are sickening , ” Kerik tweeted with a clip of Pelosi calling for the moment of silence for Floyd in Emancipation Hall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 people slaughtered in Chicago in 24 hours this last weekend ?
” “ The systematic violent crime and murder happens to be in most of the communities they represent , yet they are diverting the attention elsewhere ” he wrote .
His words are especially poignant against the backdrop of the accompanying video that showed Pelosi and other Congressional Democrats in their virtue-signaling spectacle .
Although Democrats are currently using George Floyd ’ s death as their latest springboard for political posturing , their underlying desire to allow criminals to run amok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is nice that they acknowledge that some deaths are a tragedy , but they only selectively grieve for whichever corpse will prove most useful at the ballot box .
The choice this November will be as clear as ever : Will the American people choose the party of law and order or the party of chaos and destruction ?
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Forget about “Black Lives Matter” or even “all lives matter” — for leftists, lives only matter when it’s politically expedient to say they do.
When George Floyd died after a police officer placed a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis last month, his death was protested, publicly lamented and mourned by members of Congress who genuflected for a moment of silence.
But there was no protesting or kneeling for the 345,672 abortions Planned Parenthood reported last year.
And even now, as cities smolder in the aftermath of chaos and destruction from violent protests in Floyd’s name, leftist politicians are silent about the bloodshed in cities like Chicago.
During the last weekend of May alone, 25 people were shot and killed and another 85 wounded in Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and the weekend prior was the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in four years for the city.
Eighteen of those deaths came on Sunday, May 31, alone, according to tracking data, making it the single bloodiest day in over 60 years, according to data from the University of Chicago Crime Lab. In total, the weekend was the deadliest in the city’s modern history.
Hidden in those statistics is the heartbreaking reality of the lives cut short — a high school student, a father of three shot while paying his cellphone bill and a college freshman with law enforcement aspirations are just some of them.
Among the wounded was a 15 year-old-boy, as well as 18-year-old Teyonna Lofton, a young woman who was shot on the day of her high school graduation party and couldn’t get help despite repeated calls to 911.
“When I needed help, to call the police and stuff, nobody responded. Nobody answered,” Lofton said. “My mom had to come from home, and we had to get to the hospital.”
Do you think the deadly violence in Chicago will ever be highlighted by the left? 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: 2% (34 Votes) No: 98% (1377 Votes)
That weekend, Chicago was embroiled in violence as riots erupted throughout the city, leaving law enforcement resources stretched thin or absent.
“On Saturday and particularly Sunday, I heard people saying all over, ‘Hey, there’s no police anywhere, police ain’t doing nothing,’” the Rev. Michael Pfleger said.
“I sat and watched a store looted for over an hour,” he continued. “No police came. I got in my car and drove around to some other places getting looted [and] didn’t see police anywhere.”
Ironically, many of the protests spurred on by George Floyd’s death include calls for police departments to be defunded or completely dismantled.
Democrats such as Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and members of the Minneapolis City Council publicly supported disbanding its police force as currently constituted and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also cut funding to the New York Police Department.
Clearly, these Democrats are cementing their party’s reputation as the party of crime.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was asked by MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt on “Kasie DC” Sunday if she agreed with calls to defund the police, and the Democratic mayor deflected by stating the calls were instead a “desire and demand for resources” and not “[relying] on law enforcement only.”
She mentioned including parks, libraries, schools and social services to make the community safer, although it is unclear how any of those other entities would have saved a life that weekend.
Lightfoot also blamed union contracts, saying she may “announce soon some pretty monumental reforms” in what she called a “long fight around police reform.”
She complained about things such as the current inability to make anonymous reports against police, and promised she’d make sure officers “don’t have so much due process they can’t be held accountable.”
Although Lightfoot wouldn’t go as far as saying she’d defund the police, she essentially promised to redirect resources while insinuating that police are out of control and often escape prosecution.
She said this even as so many in her city were slain by lawless thugs.
“I’m hoping we’re going to announce soon pretty monumental reforms that we push for and we’ve won,” says @ChicagoMayor Lori Lightfoot about policing and unions. “I know it’s going to set the stage for what I know is going to be a long fight around police reform.” pic.twitter.com/iT8K4mk7mQ — Kasie DC (@KasieDC) June 7, 2020
Other Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and California Sen. Kamala Harris essentially ducked the question but did not denounce the idea, according to Fox News.
The insanity of the left, especially Pelosi and others who took a knee for George Floyd while ignoring the senseless deaths in cities torn apart by riots, was summed up by former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik.
“Their racist theatrics are sickening,” Kerik tweeted with a clip of Pelosi calling for the moment of silence for Floyd in Emancipation Hall. “Did one of them mention the 18 people slaughtered in Chicago in 24 hours this last weekend?”
“The systematic violent crime and murder happens to be in most of the communities they represent, yet they are diverting the attention elsewhere” he wrote.
Their racist theatrics are sickening. Did one of them mention the 18 people slaughtered in Chicago in 24 hours this last weekend? The systematic violent crime and murder happens to be in most of the communities they represent, yet they are diverting the attention elsewhere. https://t.co/BBtaj5YT5T — Bernard B. Kerik (@BernardKerik) June 8, 2020
His words are especially poignant against the backdrop of the accompanying video that showed Pelosi and other congressional Democrats in their virtue-signaling spectacle.
Although Democrats are currently using George Floyd’s death as their latest springboard for political posturing, their underlying desire to allow criminals to run amok and ruin cities is nothing new.
It is nice that they acknowledge that some deaths are a tragedy, but they only selectively grieve for whichever corpse will prove most useful at the ballot box.
The choice this November will be as clear as ever: Will the American people choose the party of law and order or the party of chaos and destruction?
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--NY Police Union Chief Erupts on Lawmakers: ‘Stop Treating Us Like Animals and Thugs’

After almost two weeks of the nation ’ s media being dominated by “ peaceful protesters ” turning cities into war zones , and endless video of endless grievances against the country ’ s law enforcement , one police union leader got a chance at the microphone .
And his words were electrifying .
The moment came during a news conference Tuesday in New York City , the scene of some of the worst urban rioting the country has experienced in the current spasm of nationwide “ unrest ” sparked by the death of a Minneapolis man in police custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meara , president of the New York State Association of Police Benevolent Associations , had had enough .
“ I read in the papers all week , we all read in the papers , that in the black community , mothers are worried about their children getting home from school without being killed by a cop , ” O ’ Meara said .
“ What world are we living in ?
That doesn ’ t happen !
” Check out the whole statement here .
O ’ Meara spoke for just over two-and-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening to every second .
O ’ Meara blasted Derek Chauvin , the former Minneapolis police officer accused of second-degree murder in the death of George Floyd , and stressed that no police officers should be judged by Chauvin ’ s actions .
“ I am not Dereck Chauvin .
They are not him , ” he said , gesturing at the police officers assembled behind him .
RELATED : Typical Libs : Teachers Union Says School Police Are an Example of White Supremacy , Wants Them Gone “ Everybody ’ s trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
Everybody ’ s trying to shame us into being embarrassed about our profession , ” he said .
“ Stop treating us like animals and thugs , ” O ’ Meara said .
“ And start treating us with some respect .
That ’ s what we ’ re here today to say.
” At one powerful point , O ’ Meara pulled his police badge from his pocket and displayed it for the cameras .
“ This isn ’ t stained by someone in Minneapolis , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” O ’ Meara said , about the 1:15 mark of the video above .
“ And so do theirs.
” There was a time not that long ago when the idea of treating police officers with respect wouldn ’ t require an impassioned statement in front of a full news conference .
But that was before the overwhelmingly liberal national media decided to treat the relatively few undeniable stories of police officers overstepping their bounds , occasionally seriously injuring or even killing an innocent person , as though they were typical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever worn a badge or wielded a gun .
Since Floyd ’ s death , and the days of utterly unacceptable looting and mayhem that have followed , the tendency of the media and liberal lawmakers to cover the police in blanket guilt has only grown – resulting in the recent , ridiculous support for the idea of “ defunding ” police departments around the country .
Only a liberal could think removing police officers would solve the problem of crime in the country .
To most sane Americans , O ’ Meara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it ’ s hard to think of anyone who would disagree .
But a look at some of the snarky , sometimes-obscene Twitter responses gives a clear look at the mindset of a segment of the country that ’ s probably not as big as its social media impact , but is still too big .
Are there police officers who should never have worn a badge ?
Of course .
There ’ s not a field of human endeavor where there has not been bad men and women – humans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t going to change in this life .
Does the United States have a history of shameful treatment of individuals based on their race ?
Of course .
Slavery was an institution in the early colonies and in the country itself for far too long after independence .
( It might help the critics ’ cause if they occasionally acknowledged that anti-slavery forces , led by a Republican president , fought a long and bloody war to put an end to that . )
Even in the contemporary world , there are doubtless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this is 2020 – 12 years after the United States elected a black man to the most powerful office in the world ; eight years after he was re-elected .
The Black Lives Matter gripe that the country ’ s police are uniquely racist , or that black Americans face a substantially greater risk of death at the hands of police officers than white Americans is simply not borne out by statistics , as noted by a Michigan University study published long before the Floyd incident .
Details like that likely don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course .
To a certain brand of lowlife , the chance to steal without consequence is its own explanation .
But more troubling is that it obviously doesn ’ t matter to the mainstream media , which has spent three years fomenting phantom accusations against President Donald Trump and his administration .
And it clearly doesn ’ t matter to the leaders of the Democratic Party , who are desperate to use any weapon to defeat the man who crushed their dreams of a Hillary Clinton victory in 2016 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women who had either patriotism or integrity — but here we are .
There will likely never be a time when the country is free of racial problems .
But there ’ s zero chance that the current outbreak of fake outrage , the current extrapolation of an unfortunate incident in Minneapolis into an indictment of the entire social and government system of the United States will move the country one inch toward the direction of racial peace .
Was O ’ Meara ’ s outburst the level of discourse the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course not .
But the frustration is understandable , given the level of vitriol police have been subjected to .
The current duty of every American of goodwill , every responsible citizen of the greatest country that ’ s ever been , is to use the tools at hand — in personal interactions , in social media posts — to try to help improve the situation .
That ’ s the polar opposite of the path liberals are taking , because what the current unrest is stoking – unrest not anywhere close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States – isn ’ t peace , or progress , it ’ s rage .
When Mike O ’ Meara took the microphone at that news conference on Tuesday , that was the rage he was venting .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s a rage every American should recognize.
After almost two weeks of the nation’s media being dominated by “peaceful protesters” turning cities into war zones, and endless video of endless grievances against the country’s law enforcement, one police union leader got a chance at the microphone.
And his words were electrifying.
WATCH ? New York police boss Mike O’Meara went off on the media today: “Stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect … Our legislators abandoned us. The press is vilifying us. It’s disgusting.” pic.twitter.com/CXOPARKff7 — August Takala (@AugustTakala) June 9, 2020
The moment came during a news conference Tuesday in New York City, the scene of some of the worst urban rioting the country has experienced in the current spasm of nationwide “unrest” sparked by the death of a Minneapolis man in police custody on May 25.
Mike O’Meara, president of the New York State Association of Police Benevolent Associations, had had enough.
“I read in the papers all week, we all read in the papers, that in the black community, mothers are worried about their children getting home from school without being killed by a cop,” O’Meara said.
“What world are we living in? That doesn’t happen!”
Check out the whole statement here. O’Meara spoke for just over two-and-half minutes, but it’s worth listening to every second.
O’Meara blasted Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of second-degree murder in the death of George Floyd, and stressed that no police officers should be judged by Chauvin’s actions.
“I am not Derek Chauvin. They are not him,” he said, gesturing at the police officers assembled behind him.
“He killed someone. We didn’t.”
Then O’Meara got rolling.
“Everybody’s trying to shame us. The legislators, the press. Everybody’s trying to shame us into being embarrassed about our profession,” he said.
Obviously, he isn’t embarrassed — he’s furious.
“Stop treating us like animals and thugs,” O’Meara said. “And start treating us with some respect. That’s what we’re here today to say.”
At one powerful point, O’Meara pulled his police badge from his pocket and displayed it for the cameras.
“This isn’t stained by someone in Minneapolis, it’s still got a shine on it,” O’Meara said, about the 1:15 mark of the video above. “And so do theirs.”
There was a time not that long ago when the idea of treating police officers with respect wouldn’t require an impassioned statement in front of a full news conference.
But that was before the overwhelmingly liberal national media decided to treat the relatively few undeniable stories of police officers overstepping their bounds, occasionally seriously injuring or even killing an innocent person, as though they were typical of every man or woman who’s ever worn a badge or wielded a gun.
Since Floyd’s death, and the days of utterly unacceptable looting and mayhem that have followed, the tendency of the media and liberal lawmakers to cover the police in blanket guilt has only grown – resulting in the recent, ridiculous support for the idea of “defunding” police departments around the country.
Only a liberal could think removing police officers would solve the problem of crime in the country.
To most sane Americans, O’Meara’s rage should be understandable — and it’s hard to think of anyone who would disagree. But a look at some of the snarky, sometimes-obscene Twitter responses gives a clear look at the mindset of a segment of the country that’s probably not as big as its social media impact, but is still too big.
Are there police officers who should never have worn a badge? Of course. There’s not a field of human endeavor where there has not been bad men and women – humans are a fallen species, that isn’t going to change in this life.
Did you think O'Meara had a right to be furious? Yes No
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Does the United States have a history of shameful treatment of individuals based on their race? Of course.
Slavery was an institution in the early colonies and in the country itself for far too long after independence. (It might help the critics’ cause if they occasionally acknowledged that anti-slavery forces, led by a Republican president, fought a long and bloody war to put an end to that.)
Even in the contemporary world, there are doubtless problems when it comes to race, but this is 2020 – 12 years after the United States elected a black man to the most powerful office in the world; eight years after he was re-elected.
The Black Lives Matter gripe that the country’s police are uniquely racist, or that black Americans face a substantially greater risk of death at the hands of police officers than white Americans is simply not borne out by statistics, as noted by a Michigan University study published long before the Floyd incident.
Details like that likely don’t matter to the average looter, of course. To a certain brand of lowlife, the chance to steal without consequence is its own explanation.
But more troubling is that it obviously doesn’t matter to the mainstream media, which has spent three years fomenting phantom accusations against President Donald Trump and his administration. And it clearly doesn’t matter to the leaders of the Democratic Party, who are desperate to use any weapon to defeat the man who crushed their dreams of a Hillary Clinton victory in 2016.
It would matter, of course, to men and women who had either patriotism or integrity — but here we are.
There will likely never be a time when the country is free of racial problems. But there’s zero chance that the current outbreak of fake outrage, the current extrapolation of an unfortunate incident in Minneapolis into an indictment of the entire social and government system of the United States will move the country one inch toward the direction of racial peace.
Was O’Meara’s outburst the level of discourse the country should be aspiring to? Of course not. But the frustration is understandable, given the level of vitriol police have been subjected to.
The current duty of every American of goodwill, every responsible citizen of the greatest country that’s ever been, is to use the tools at hand — in personal interactions, in social media posts — to try to help improve the situation.
That’s the polar opposite of the path liberals are taking, because what the current unrest is stoking – unrest not anywhere close to justified by the actual conditions of the United States – isn’t peace, or progress, it’s rage.
When Mike O’Meara took the microphone at that news conference on Tuesday, that was the rage he was venting.
It’s a rage every American should recognize.
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--Dem Official Costs Taxpayers $100K for Private LAPD Security While Calling for Massive Police Cuts

Some Democrats are the epitome of hypocrisy .
In recent days , many on the left have called for cuts in police department budgets and even the removal of units altogether following the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody and subsequent protests .
In Minneapolis , where Floyd died , there is a strong push to dismantle the police force .
Nine council members have announced their committed to the idea , which would be enough votes to pull it off .
That ’ s alarming .
A strong movement is also afoot in Los Angeles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a motion to slash $ 150 million from the police budget .
Interestingly , Martinez ’ s own home has been guarded by a private security team of LAPD officers since April , according to a report Monday from Spectrum News 1 .
After the report from reporter Natalie Brunell aired , the council president put the kibosh on the security detail .
She had been exposed .
“ It ’ s kind of ironic , ” LAPD Detective Jamie McBride , director of the LA Police Protective League , told Brunell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million be reallocated from the police budget , but yet she has security at her house by the Los Angeles Police Department.
” Martinez apparently thinks that she is entitled and important enough to have her own protection at her disposal , but the people of LA should fend for themselves .
“ It ’ s disgusting , ” McBride said .
“ For two officers in front of a residence since April , you ’ re probably over $ 100,000 of the people ’ s money.
” It ’ s obvious she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people she represents .
She only wants her own property protected .
RELATED : Typical Libs : Teachers Union Says School Police Are an Example of White Supremacy , Wants Them Gone According to the Spectrum report , “ Multiple LAPD sources confirmed the units were directed to provide 24/7 security beginning April 4 at Martinez ’ s home , almost always staffed by two officers .
As of May 6 , we ’ re told the detail decreased to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with roving patrol checks overnight.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the police detail was sought because she had received threats .
“ After death threats to the Council President and her daughter and safety concerns that began over a month ago , LAPD recommended that placing a detail at her home was the best course of action to ensure the safety of the Council President and her family , ” Rick Coca said .
Coca said Martinez canceled the detail “ because she felt the security it was supposed to provide was now compromised , ” Spectrum reported .
Even if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prime example of liberal hypocrisy , placing herself on a pedestal so high that she used taxpayer dollars for her personal security while seeking to yank police protection away from others in her city .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Some Democrats are the epitome of hypocrisy.
In recent days, many on the left have called for cuts in police department budgets and even the removal of units altogether following the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody and subsequent protests.
In Minneapolis, where Floyd died, there is a strong push to dismantle the police force. Nine council members have announced their committed to the idea, which would be enough votes to pull it off. That’s alarming.
A strong movement is also afoot in Los Angeles, where City Council President Nury Martinez filed a motion to slash $150 million from the police budget.
Interestingly, Martinez’s own home has been guarded by a private security team of LAPD officers since April, according to a report Monday from Spectrum News 1.
That’s beyond hypocritical.
After the report from reporter Natalie Brunell aired, the council president put the kibosh on the security detail. She had been exposed.
#LATEST LA Council Pres. Nury Martinez, who introduced a motion to cut #LAPD’s budget by $150 million, had a private LAPD protection detail camped at her home from April to June. It was called off the night we called to ask her team about it. Full story coming to @SpecNews1SoCal pic.twitter.com/1lv5ctqQEC — Natalie Brunell (@natbrunell) June 9, 2020
“It’s kind of ironic,” LAPD Detective Jamie McBride, director of the LA Police Protective League, told Brunell. “Here she is demanding $150 million be reallocated from the police budget, but yet she has security at her house by the Los Angeles Police Department.”
While one LA Councilmember was introducing a motion to cut $150 million in #LAPD funding, that official also had round-the-clock private security provided by the department at their home. @LAPPL calls it hypocrisy, adding it may have cost taxpayers around $100k. @SpecNews1SoCal pic.twitter.com/lrrRC65oj1 — Natalie Brunell (@natbrunell) June 8, 2020
Martinez apparently thinks that she is entitled and important enough to have her own protection at her disposal, but the people of LA should fend for themselves.
“It’s disgusting,” McBride said. “For two officers in front of a residence since April, you’re probably over $100,000 of the people’s money.”
It’s obvious she doesn’t care about the safety of the people she represents. She only wants her own property protected.
According to the Spectrum report, “Multiple LAPD sources confirmed the units were directed to provide 24/7 security beginning April 4 at Martinez’s home, almost always staffed by two officers. As of May 6, we’re told the detail decreased to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with roving patrol checks overnight.”
A Martinez spokesman told Spectrum on Monday that the police detail was sought because she had received threats.
“After death threats to the Council President and her daughter and safety concerns that began over a month ago, LAPD recommended that placing a detail at her home was the best course of action to ensure the safety of the Council President and her family,” Rick Coca said.
Is Nury Martinez a hypocrite? Yes No
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Coca said Martinez canceled the detail “because she felt the security it was supposed to provide was now compromised,” Spectrum reported.
Even if you believe that explanation, Martinez is still a prime example of liberal hypocrisy, placing herself on a pedestal so high that she used taxpayer dollars for her personal security while seeking to yank police protection away from others in her city.
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westernjournal--2020-06-09--Minneapolis City Councilwoman: Expecting Police Protection Is a ‘Privilege’

As racial tensions continued to flare across the nation , Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender doubled down Monday on recent calls to “ dismantle ” the local police department .
A member of Minnesota ’ s progressive Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party , Bender dismissed public fear regarding a police-free city in a television spot on CNN ’ s “ New Day ” with Alisyn Camerota , adding that societal expectations of police protection come from a place of “ privilege.
” “ Do you understand that the word ‘ dismantle ’ or ‘ police-free ’ also makes some people nervous , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What if , in the middle of the night , my home is broken into ?
Who do I call ?
” Bender , however , would not answer the question directly , instead addressing what she considers to be the dangers faced by people of color when police respond to calls for service .
The councilwoman would also go on to discuss potential alternatives to law enforcement .
“ I mean , I hear that loud and clear from a lot of my neighbors — and myself , too — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place of privilege , ” Bender said .
“ Because for those of us for whom the system is working , I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done.
” “ We ’ ve done an analysis of all the reasons people call 911 and have looked up ways we can shift the response away from armed police officers into a more appropriate response for mental health calls , for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she added .
A strong proponent of radical justice reform , Bender joined Sunday with her colleagues on the Minneapolis City Council to pledge to disband the city ’ s police department and replace it with a wider array of responsive social programs , according to The New York Times .
Supported by a nine-vote majority , the proposal will be unstoppable — even by the veto pen of Mayor Jacob Frey , who has expressed support for any and all reforms short of police abolition .
Calls for such radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the mainstream of political discourse in recent weeks by left-wing activists following the well-publicized death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest over his alleged use of a counterfeit $ 20 bill .
Racial tensions were already coming to boil at the time , with the deaths of unarmed black citizens Breonna Taylor of Louisiana and Ahmaud Arbery of Georgia drawing widespread media and activist attention in the weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
RELATED : Dem Mayor Lashes Out After Being Warned of Riots : ' I Think You 're 100 % Full of S***' Bystander video of the incident , however , quickly went viral , a fire-starter for reopening nationwide conversations surrounding alleged police brutality and racism in the justice system .
The weeks that followed would also see sizable Black Lives Matter protests around the nation , some of which made headlines as they devolved into riots and looting .
Described by the nonprofit Global Citizen as an “ unearned benefit or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their identity , ” the term “ privilege ” has been a popular buzzword in the resulting discourse , cited by progressives as a leading cause of perceived societal apathy and inability to relate to events like the death of Floyd , or figures like Trayvon Martin and Philando Castile before him .
Conservatives like talk radio host Rush Limbaugh have long batted down use of the term , suggesting allusions to a vague and intangible social “ privilege ” only serve to abstract the racial and political problems facing the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible .
“ I don ’ t buy into the notion of white privilege , ” Limbaugh said last week on popular radio program “ The Breakfast Club.
” Journalist Lara Logan was even less reserved on topic , however , suggesting the left ’ s blanket application of the term is downright offensive .
Attacking Bender in a tweet Tuesday , Logan recounted her alleged sexual assault at the hands of a gang in Egypt and said her desire for law enforcement protection at the time of her victimization came from anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember when I was being gang-raped & beaten by a mob in Egypt , ” Logan said .
“ Would have been great to have a police force to call then .
“ Would that have been my white privilege talking ?
” she asked .
The Western Journal has reached out to Bender for comment but has not yet received a response .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As racial tensions continued to flare across the nation, Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender doubled down Monday on recent calls to “dismantle” the local police department.
A member of Minnesota’s progressive Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Bender dismissed public fear regarding a police-free city in a television spot on CNN’s “New Day” with Alisyn Camerota, adding that societal expectations of police protection come from a place of “privilege.”
“Do you understand that the word ‘dismantle’ or ‘police-free’ also makes some people nervous, for instance?” Camerota asked. “What if, in the middle of the night, my home is broken into? Who do I call?”
Bender, however, would not answer the question directly, instead addressing what she considers to be the dangers faced by people of color when police respond to calls for service.
The councilwoman would also go on to discuss potential alternatives to law enforcement.
“I mean, I hear that loud and clear from a lot of my neighbors — and myself, too — and I know that that comes from a place of privilege,” Bender said.
“Because for those of us for whom the system is working, I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done.”
“We’ve done an analysis of all the reasons people call 911 and have looked up ways we can shift the response away from armed police officers into a more appropriate response for mental health calls, for some domestic violence calls, for health-related issues,” she added.
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender on the intent to defund and dismantle the city’s police department: “[We] have looked up ways we can shift the response away from our armed police officers… the groundwork is laid already”https://t.co/wpF6KVqkBv pic.twitter.com/RdYbkqEdhL — New Day (@NewDay) June 8, 2020
A strong proponent of radical justice reform, Bender joined Sunday with her colleagues on the Minneapolis City Council to pledge to disband the city’s police department and replace it with a wider array of responsive social programs, according to The New York Times.
Supported by a nine-vote majority, the proposal will be unstoppable — even by the veto pen of Mayor Jacob Frey, who has expressed support for any and all reforms short of police abolition.
Calls for such radical action, however, have been elevated into the mainstream of political discourse in recent weeks by left-wing activists following the well-publicized death of George Floyd.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest over his alleged use of a counterfeit $20 bill.
Racial tensions were already coming to boil at the time, with the deaths of unarmed black citizens Breonna Taylor of Louisiana and Ahmaud Arbery of Georgia drawing widespread media and activist attention in the weeks leading up to Floyd’s death.
Do you agree with the left's concept of "privilege?" Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (1 Votes) No: 99% (148 Votes)
Bystander video of the incident, however, quickly went viral, a fire-starter for reopening nationwide conversations surrounding alleged police brutality and racism in the justice system. The weeks that followed would also see sizable Black Lives Matter protests around the nation, some of which made headlines as they devolved into riots and looting.
Described by the nonprofit Global Citizen as an “unearned benefit or advantage one receives in society by nature of their identity,” the term “privilege” has been a popular buzzword in the resulting discourse, cited by progressives as a leading cause of perceived societal apathy and inability to relate to events like the death of Floyd, or figures like Trayvon Martin and Philando Castile before him.
Conservatives like talk radio host Rush Limbaugh have long batted down use of the term, suggesting allusions to a vague and intangible social “privilege” only serve to abstract the racial and political problems facing the nation, making the hunt for tangible solutions impossible.
“I don’t buy into the notion of white privilege,” Limbaugh said last week on popular radio program “The Breakfast Club.”
Rush Limbaugh debating white privilege w/ @cthagod and @breakfastclubam today went about as you’d expect. pic.twitter.com/fR1ehf7D7z — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) June 1, 2020
Journalist Lara Logan was even less reserved on topic, however, suggesting the left’s blanket application of the term is downright offensive.
I remember when I was being gang-raped & beaten by a mob in Egypt, would have been great to have a police force to call then. Would that have been my white privilege talking? I’ve stood against racism all my life,don’t have a racist bone in my body. My heart breaks… https://t.co/U4USN1cMP6 — Lara Logan (@laralogan) June 9, 2020
Attacking Bender in a tweet Tuesday, Logan recounted her alleged sexual assault at the hands of a gang in Egypt and said her desire for law enforcement protection at the time of her victimization came from anywhere but a place of privilege.
“I remember when I was being gang-raped & beaten by a mob in Egypt,” Logan said. “Would have been great to have a police force to call then.
“Would that have been my white privilege talking?” she asked.
The Western Journal has reached out to Bender for comment but has not yet received a response.
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