westernjournal--2020-08-03--Detroit Police Chief Offers Simple Explanation on Why Mob Hasn’t Taken Over: ‘We Don’t Retreat Here’

As major cities across the United States have succumbed to violence from liberal mobs and given in demands to cut police funding in the months following the death of George Floyd , one major American city has not experienced the same level of mob violence .
Like other major cities , Detroit votes overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections and has been controlled by Democrats for decades .
However , unlike the cities that have experienced destructive riots at the hands of Black Lives Matter and antifa supporters , the Motor City has a leadership that is willing to put its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police chief , James Craig , appeared on “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” last week to explain what makes his city different .
Host Tucker Carlson began the Tuesday segment by pointing to Detroit as “ one unlikely success story ” that has emerged in the time of national unrest .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years “ Rioters there have not looted or destroyed a single business in the city of Detroit , ” he added .
When Carlson asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of riots that have struck elsewhere , Craig gave a simple , straightforward answer : “ We don ’ t retreat here in Detroit .
We ’ re just not going to do it.
” In addition to praising his police department , Craig complimented the citizens of Detroit for their refusal to put up with a group of “ misguided radicals who have tried to incite violence in our city.
” “ When you talk about what ’ s different here , we have a city that has stood together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit ’ s Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan , proclaiming that “ he stands with this police chief ” and “ stands with this police department.
” Other major cities in the U.S. could do themselves a favor by following Detroit ’ s example .
While other cities ’ disastrous handling of the riots and pushes to defund the police have sucked up most of the media oxygen , Detroit is not the only one bucking the national trend .
In early June , the city of San Diego , California , actually increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as thousands of leftists demanded funding be reduced , according to The San Diego Union-Tribune .
One resident participating in a public meeting called the police force a “ city-sanctioned militia that is terrorizing black people.
” She also referred to the police as “ thugs wearing a badge.
” Perhaps the naive leaders of cities such as New York City believe that by defunding the police , they will tamp down the violence .
In reality , just the opposite will happen .
As Carlson explained , “ Violence , like appendicitis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you ignore it .
It tends to get much worse .
There ’ s only one thing that stops it and that ’ s policing.
” RELATED : Liar ?
Joe Biden Has a Long History of Making Up Stories About Being Arrested While it definitely makes sense to blame local leaders for giving in to mob demands , those involved in national politics can not escape blame for the “ defund the police ” movement .
After all , it is their rhetoric that is egging on the far-left rioters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , Sara Pearl , now a campaign staffer for former Vice President Joe Biden , published Twitter posts in June , just before joining the Biden campaign , that declared that police officers are worse than pigs , contrasting the men and women in blue with “ highly intelligent & empathetic animals who would never racially profile you.
” While Pearl deleted her tweet , she should know that nothing can completely disappear from the internet once it ’ s out there .
The horrendous rhetoric embraced by Pearl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the month following the death of Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody , nearly 300 New York City police officers filed for retirement , a noticeable increase from the number of NYPD officers who filed for retirement in the same time period last year .
This phenomenon is not unique to the Big Apple .
The demonization of the police has created an environment where a large number of police officers want to quit their jobs as soon as possible .
In Washington , D.C. , a survey found that 70 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In order to prevent the collapse of law and order , more American cities must embrace the Detroit approach as opposed to the politically correct approach .
The survival of the nation and the safety of its people depend on police officers having the ability to do their jobs .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As major cities across the United States have succumbed to violence from liberal mobs and given in demands to cut police funding in the months following the death of George Floyd, one major American city has not experienced the same level of mob violence.
Like other major cities, Detroit votes overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections and has been controlled by Democrats for decades. However, unlike the cities that have experienced destructive riots at the hands of Black Lives Matter and antifa supporters, the Motor City has a leadership that is willing to put its feet down.
The city’s police chief, James Craig, appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” last week to explain what makes his city different.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Host Tucker Carlson began the Tuesday segment by pointing to Detroit as “one unlikely success story” that has emerged in the time of national unrest.
“Rioters there have not looted or destroyed a single business in the city of Detroit,” he added.
When Carlson asked why the city has not experienced the kind of riots that have struck elsewhere, Craig gave a simple, straightforward answer: “We don’t retreat here in Detroit. We’re just not going to do it.”
In addition to praising his police department, Craig complimented the citizens of Detroit for their refusal to put up with a group of “misguided radicals who have tried to incite violence in our city.”
“When you talk about what’s different here, we have a city that has stood together,” he said.
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Craig also praised Detroit’s Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan, proclaiming that “he stands with this police chief” and “stands with this police department.” Other major cities in the U.S. could do themselves a favor by following Detroit’s example.
While other cities’ disastrous handling of the riots and pushes to defund the police have sucked up most of the media oxygen, Detroit is not the only one bucking the national trend.
In early June, the city of San Diego, California, actually increased its police department’s budget even as thousands of leftists demanded funding be reduced, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. One resident participating in a public meeting called the police force a “city-sanctioned militia that is terrorizing black people.” She also referred to the police as “thugs wearing a badge.”
Perhaps the naive leaders of cities such as New York City believe that by defunding the police, they will tamp down the violence. In reality, just the opposite will happen.
As Carlson explained, “Violence, like appendicitis, doesn’t go away just because you ignore it. It tends to get much worse. There’s only one thing that stops it and that’s policing.”
While it definitely makes sense to blame local leaders for giving in to mob demands, those involved in national politics cannot escape blame for the “defund the police” movement. After all, it is their rhetoric that is egging on the far-left rioters and the politicians who feel beholden to them.
For example, Sara Pearl, now a campaign staffer for former Vice President Joe Biden, published Twitter posts in June, just before joining the Biden campaign, that declared that police officers are worse than pigs, contrasting the men and women in blue with “highly intelligent & empathetic animals who would never racially profile you.”
While Pearl deleted her tweet, she should know that nothing can completely disappear from the internet once it’s out there.
The horrendous rhetoric embraced by Pearl and others has already had devastating consequences. In the month following the death of Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody, nearly 300 New York City police officers filed for retirement, a noticeable increase from the number of NYPD officers who filed for retirement in the same time period last year.
This phenomenon is not unique to the Big Apple. The demonization of the police has created an environment where a large number of police officers want to quit their jobs as soon as possible. In Washington, D.C., a survey found that 70 percent of police officers want to quit.
In order to prevent the collapse of law and order, more American cities must embrace the Detroit approach as opposed to the politically correct approach.
The survival of the nation and the safety of its people depend on police officers having the ability to do their jobs.
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westernjournal--2020-08-03--PGA Tour Golfer Wins Tournament a Week After Coming Under Fire for ‘Blue Lives Matter’ Bracelet

Some athletes have a lot to say when they are engulfed in a controversy .
Not Richy Werenski , who last week was only famous for wearing a “ Blue Lives Matter ” bracelet at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine , Minnesota .
While the news media ’ s talking heads and social media ’ s clicking fingers reviled him ever since they discovered the bracelet , Werenski just did what he does — play golf .
TRENDING : Always Remember Joe Biden Misled Everyone About Wife 's Death , Blamed Innocent Man for Years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a strong finish — won the Barracuda Championship on Sunday at Tahoe Mountain Club ’ s Old Greenwood Course in Truckee , California .
It was his first victory on the PGA Tour .
The championship is an unusual PGA Tour event .
It used a modified Stableford scoring system that assigned points based upon how well , or how poorly , a player does .
For example , Werenski , 28 , received five points for the eagle on the 16th hole that helped propel him to his win .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been playing well for I feel like the last couple of months , but to get a win , I mean , that ’ s huge .
I got a couple seconds and everything , so it just helps my confidence a lot .
Now I know I ’ m good enough , and now we ’ re going to go make a good move for the FedExCup Playoffs , ” Werenski said , according to the PGA ’ s website .
“ I knew I needed a big day and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which wasn ’ t good , ” Werenski told the website .
“ Just wasn ’ t in a great rhythm early on in the round , but did a good job of just kind of snapping out of it , stopped trying on every shot , stick with my game plan and just try and make as many birdies as we could.
” He said that until his 16th-hole eagle , he had not been thinking about winning .
“ When it went in , I wasn ’ t really thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader until then , ” Werenski said .
“ But when you start kind of doing the math , you ’ re like , ‘ I ’ ve got three holes left , make a couple birdies and see what we can do.
’ It was pretty cool.
” But nothing was over until the 18th hole , where he nailed a 15-foot putt .
RELATED : PGA Tour Golfer Comes Under Fire from Media for Supporting 'Blue Lives Matter ' During Tournament “ There was a lot going on , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-shot routine , focus on that as hard as I could and just fall in love with the speed of that putt and just kind of go through the motions , ” Werenski told the PGA website .
“ I did a pretty good job of that.
” Werenski has made a habit of avoiding questions about the “ Blue Lives Matter ” bracelet .
His brother , Michael , however , has filled in the background , saying Werenski “ comes from a family where his grandparents and cousins have been serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Werenski said his brother has worn the “ Blue Lives Matter ” bracelet for several years , and was adamant that “ no assumption should have been made ” about its relation to the death of George Floyd or current Black Lives Matter protests .
“ I understand how divisive the movements are , and I know I ’ m biased , ” Michael Werenski told Golf Digest .
“ But Richy is one of the best , calmest guys on tour , and it ’ s not fun to see him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bracelet to support what his grandparents and cousins do.
” The Barracuda win followed a tie for third place at the 3M Tournament .
The Barracuda field did not include many of golf ’ s top players , who were competing in the World Golf Championship FedEx- St. Jude Invitational .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Some athletes have a lot to say when they are engulfed in a controversy.
Not Richy Werenski, who last week was only famous for wearing a “Blue Lives Matter” bracelet at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine, Minnesota.
While the news media’s talking heads and social media’s clicking fingers reviled him ever since they discovered the bracelet, Werenski just did what he does — play golf.
Do you guys think wearing a “Blue Lives Matter” bracelet…
in the final group of a PGA Tour event…
in the Twin Cities…
could be viewed as kind of tone deaf or no? https://t.co/c8tFOwTKvi — D.J. Piehowski (@DJPie) July 26, 2020
As a result, Werenski — thanks to a strong finish — won the Barracuda Championship on Sunday at Tahoe Mountain Club’s Old Greenwood Course in Truckee, California. It was his first victory on the PGA Tour.
Hard to describe this feeling right now!! Years of hard work and trusting the process ? @CudaChamp pic.twitter.com/rBN9mQy0uw — Richy Werenski (@werenskir) August 3, 2020
The championship is an unusual PGA Tour event. It used a modified Stableford scoring system that assigned points based upon how well, or how poorly, a player does. For example, Werenski, 28, received five points for the eagle on the 16th hole that helped propel him to his win.
Do you support America's police? Yes No
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“It’s huge. I’ve been playing well for I feel like the last couple of months, but to get a win, I mean, that’s huge. I got a couple seconds and everything, so it just helps my confidence a lot. Now I know I’m good enough, and now we’re going to go make a good move for the FedExCup Playoffs,” Werenski said, according to the PGA’s website.
“I knew I needed a big day and then I started off with a bogey, which wasn’t good,” Werenski told the website. “Just wasn’t in a great rhythm early on in the round, but did a good job of just kind of snapping out of it, stopped trying on every shot, stick with my game plan and just try and make as many birdies as we could.”
He said that until his 16th-hole eagle, he had not been thinking about winning.
“When it went in, I wasn’t really thinking about where I was in relation to the leader until then,” Werenski said. “But when you start kind of doing the math, you’re like, ‘I’ve got three holes left, make a couple birdies and see what we can do.’ It was pretty cool.”
But nothing was over until the 18th hole, where he nailed a 15-foot putt.
“There was a lot going on, but I really just tried to stay in my pre-shot routine, focus on that as hard as I could and just fall in love with the speed of that putt and just kind of go through the motions,” Werenski told the PGA website. “I did a pretty good job of that.”
Last week the “woke” mob tried to crucify Richy Werenski for wearing a BLUE LIVES MATTER bracelet at a golf tournament in Minnesota. This week he WON his first #PGA golf tournament!! I love it when good things happen to good people! ❤⛳?? pic.twitter.com/TGK9JZsUMk — Bradley Scott ??? (@Hoosiers1986) August 3, 2020
Werenski has made a habit of avoiding questions about the “Blue Lives Matter” bracelet.
His brother, Michael, however, has filled in the background, saying Werenski “comes from a family where his grandparents and cousins have been serving,” according to Golf Digest.
Michael Werenski said his brother has worn the “Blue Lives Matter” bracelet for several years, and was adamant that “no assumption should have been made” about its relation to the death of George Floyd or current Black Lives Matter protests.
“I understand how divisive the movements are, and I know I’m biased,” Michael Werenski told Golf Digest. “But Richy is one of the best, calmest guys on tour, and it’s not fun to see him get so much hate for wearing a bracelet to support what his grandparents and cousins do.”
The Barracuda win followed a tie for third place at the 3M Tournament.
The Barracuda field did not include many of golf’s top players, who were competing in the World Golf Championship FedEx- St. Jude Invitational.
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westernjournal--2020-08-03--‘Deadliest Catch’ Star Mahlon Reyes Dead at Age 38

Mahlon Reyes , a deckhand in the Discovery Channel hit “ Deadliest Catch ” about fishing for Alaska king crab , has died at the age of 38 .
The Flathead County Sheriff ’ s Office in Montana confirmed that Reyes died at 12:10 a.m. July 27 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Montana .
An autopsy at the Montana State Crime Laboratory is pending , according to Entertainment Tonight .
The Discovery Channel also confirmed Reyes ’ s death .
The website TMZ quoted Reyes ’ wife , Heather Sullivan , as saying that while in Whitefish , Montana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 25 .
She said the family decided on July 26 to take him off life support because of the damage his body had suffered in the heart attack .
TRENDING : Detroit Police Chief Offers Simple Explanation on Why Mob Has n't Taken Over : 'We Do n't Retreat Here' A Facebook post on a memorial page set up for Reyes went into further detail : “ On Saturday 7/26 mahlon suffered a heart attack when paramedics reached him he was not breathing and had no pulse .
The doctors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked so hard to get him back and after 45 minutes they were able to get his pulse back .
He was transferred to the ICU at KRMC .
Mahlon never woke up there was too much time without oxygen , causing irreversible brain damage , ” the post stated .
“ On Sunday night our family together made the hardest choice we ’ ve ever made and that was to remove him from life support .
Mahlon ’ s body was tired and had put up an amazing fight .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shortly after midnight on July 27th he passed with his brother and mom right by his side His oldest kids , some of his best friends were all with him as well although they couldn ’ t be by his they were there as well .
He was surrounded by so much love.
” Sullivan told USA Today in an email that her family is recalling their time with Reyes to make the “ impossible situation bearable.
” “ We laugh and remember all the funny stories and have been surrounded by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , ” Sullivan wrote .
“ I am in awe of the people that he touched just by his positive attitude and smile.
” “ He was my rock and I was his.
” RELATED : Actor Wilford Brimley Dead at Age 85 : 'He Was One of a Kind' Some , including “ Deadliest Catch ” deck boss Nick McGlashan , paid their respects on Twitter .
According to USA Today , Sullivan said that Reyes was cremated and his closest friends will spread his ashes in the Bering Sea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ where he and his brother would snowcat .
These are two of his favorite places.
” His “ Deadliest Catch ” co-stars will spread the ashes in the Bering Sea , Fox News reported .
According to USA Today , the Discovery Channel , in its statement about Reyes , wrote : “ So sad , he was so young .
Our thoughts and prayers to his family.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Mahlon Reyes, a deckhand in the Discovery Channel hit “Deadliest Catch” about fishing for Alaska king crab, has died at the age of 38.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in Montana confirmed that Reyes died at 12:10 a.m. July 27 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Montana. An autopsy at the Montana State Crime Laboratory is pending, according to Entertainment Tonight. The Discovery Channel also confirmed Reyes’s death.
The website TMZ quoted Reyes’ wife, Heather Sullivan, as saying that while in Whitefish, Montana, Reyes suffered a massive heart attack on July 25. She said the family decided on July 26 to take him off life support because of the damage his body had suffered in the heart attack.
https://t.co/HPaoMEvUJn Mahlon Reyes, a deckhand on the Discovery Channel’s reality show “Deadliest Catch,” has died of a heart attack. He was 38. — Eli Anderson (@ElliLAnderson) August 3, 2020
A Facebook post on a memorial page set up for Reyes went into further detail:
“On Saturday 7/26 mahlon suffered a heart attack when paramedics reached him he was not breathing and had no pulse. The doctors, nurses and team at North Valley Hospital worked so hard to get him back and after 45 minutes they were able to get his pulse back. He was transferred to the ICU at KRMC. Mahlon never woke up there was too much time without oxygen, causing irreversible brain damage,” the post stated.
“On Sunday night our family together made the hardest choice we’ve ever made and that was to remove him from life support. Mahlon’s body was tired and had put up an amazing fight. He was the strongest guy we knew.
“Shortly after midnight on July 27th he passed with his brother and mom right by his side His oldest kids, some of his best friends were all with him as well although they couldn’t be by his they were there as well. He was surrounded by so much love.”
Sullivan told USA Today in an email that her family is recalling their time with Reyes to make the “impossible situation bearable.”
“We laugh and remember all the funny stories and have been surrounded by an amazing group of our best friends and family,” Sullivan wrote. “I am in awe of the people that he touched just by his positive attitude and smile.”
“He was my rock and I was his.”
Some, including “Deadliest Catch” deck boss Nick McGlashan, paid their respects on Twitter.
Love you Mahlonn m v you’re missed. RIP https://t.co/JrlqRzRRjS — Nick McGlashan (@NickMcglashan) August 1, 2020
According to USA Today, Sullivan said that Reyes was cremated and his closest friends will spread his ashes in the Bering Sea and in Montana’s Swan Range mountains “where he and his brother would snowcat. These are two of his favorite places.”
His “Deadliest Catch” co-stars will spread the ashes in the Bering Sea, Fox News reported.
According to USA Today, the Discovery Channel, in its statement about Reyes, wrote: “So sad, he was so young. Our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Reyes appeared on 14 “Deadliest Catch” episodes.
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westernjournal--2020-08-03--Marines Identify All Victims of Training Accident Off of California Coast

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified all nine people killed when a Marine landing craft sank in hundreds of feet of water off the Southern California coast .
Only one of their bodies was found , despite an intense days-long search involving helicopters and boats ranging from inflatables to a Navy destroyer .
Found at the scene was Lance Cpl .
Guillermo S. Perez , 20 , of New Braunfels Texas .
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit announced on Sunday that the others , from California , Texas , Wisconsin and Oregon , are “ presumed dead.
” They include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , of Corona , California ; Lance Cpl .
Marco A. Barranco , 21 , of Montebello , California ; Pfc .
Evan A. Bath , 19 , of Oak Creek , Wisconsin ; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem , 22 , of Stockton , California ; Pfc .
Jack Ryan Ostrovsky , 21 , of Bend , Oregon ; Cpl .
Wesley A. Rodd , 23 , of Harris , Texas ; Lance Cpl .
Chase D. Sweetwood , 19 , of Portland , Oregon ; and Cpl .
Cesar A.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
TRENDING : Detroit Police Chief Offers Simple Explanation on Why Mob Has n't Taken Over : 'We Do n't Retreat Here' “ Literally every asset we have available ” was mobilized in the search for seven Marines and a Navy corpsman , Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman , commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force , said Friday .
They were aboard an amphibious assault vehicle that was heading back to a Navy ship Thursday evening after a routine training exercise when it began taking on water about a half-mile ( 0.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , off San Diego .
Other assault vehicles quickly responded but couldn ’ t stop the 26-ton , tank-like vehicle from quickly sinking , Osterman said .
“ The assumption is that it went completely to the bottom ” several hundred feet below , Osterman said .
That was too deep for divers , and the Navy and Coast Guard were discussing ways to reach the sunken vehicle to get a view inside it , he added .
Seven other Marines were rescued from the water ; two were in stable condition at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Marines were attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit , based at nearby Camp Pendleton .
They ranged in age from 19 to early 30s and all were wearing combat gear , including body armor , and flotation vests , Osterman said .
The vehicle , known as an AAV but nicknamed an “ amtrac , ” for “ amphibious tractor , ” is used to take Marines and their gear from Navy ships to land .
The sunken craft , one of 13 involved in the exercise , was designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hatches and two large troop hatches , Osterman said .
The vehicles have been used since 1972 , and continually refurbished .
Marine Corps officials said Friday they did not know the age or other details of the one that sank .
The Marine Corps commandant , Gen. David Berger , suspended waterborne operations of more than 800 amphibious assault vehicles across the branch until the cause of the accident is determined .
This is the third time in recent years that Camp Pendleton Marines have been injured or died in amphibious assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 14 Marines and one Navy sailor were hospitalized after their vehicle hit a natural gas line , igniting a fire that engulfed the landing craft at Camp Pendleton .
In 2011 , a Marine died when an amphibious assault vehicle in a training exercise sank offshore of the camp .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified all nine people killed when a Marine landing craft sank in hundreds of feet of water off the Southern California coast.
Only one of their bodies was found, despite an intense days-long search involving helicopters and boats ranging from inflatables to a Navy destroyer.
Found at the scene was Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels Texas.
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit announced on Sunday that the others, from California, Texas, Wisconsin and Oregon, are “presumed dead.”
They include: Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, of Corona, California; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon; and Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California.
“Literally every asset we have available” was mobilized in the search for seven Marines and a Navy corpsman, Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said Friday.
They were aboard an amphibious assault vehicle that was heading back to a Navy ship Thursday evening after a routine training exercise when it began taking on water about a half-mile (0.8 kilometers) from Navy-owned San Clemente Island, off San Diego.
Other assault vehicles quickly responded but couldn’t stop the 26-ton, tank-like vehicle from quickly sinking, Osterman said.
“The assumption is that it went completely to the bottom” several hundred feet below, Osterman said.
That was too deep for divers, and the Navy and Coast Guard were discussing ways to reach the sunken vehicle to get a view inside it, he added.
Seven other Marines were rescued from the water; two were in stable condition at a hospital, authorities said.
All the Marines were attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at nearby Camp Pendleton.
They ranged in age from 19 to early 30s and all were wearing combat gear, including body armor, and flotation vests, Osterman said.
The vehicle, known as an AAV but nicknamed an “amtrac,” for “amphibious tractor,” is used to take Marines and their gear from Navy ships to land.
The sunken craft, one of 13 involved in the exercise, was designed to be naturally buoyant and had three water-tight hatches and two large troop hatches, Osterman said.
The vehicles have been used since 1972, and continually refurbished. Marine Corps officials said Friday they did not know the age or other details of the one that sank.
The Marine Corps commandant, Gen. David Berger, suspended waterborne operations of more than 800 amphibious assault vehicles across the branch until the cause of the accident is determined.
This is the third time in recent years that Camp Pendleton Marines have been injured or died in amphibious assault vehicles during training exercises.
In 2017, 14 Marines and one Navy sailor were hospitalized after their vehicle hit a natural gas line, igniting a fire that engulfed the landing craft at Camp Pendleton.
In 2011, a Marine died when an amphibious assault vehicle in a training exercise sank offshore of the camp.
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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--2020-08-04--One of the Biggest Problems with Today’s Relationships? ‘1st Class Weddings and 2nd Rate Marriages’

Ladies and gentlemen , they did it !
Thousands of years of interpersonal drudgery and hardship have led mankind to its crowning scientific achievement : an artificial intelligence capable of providing pre-emptive assurance of relational success and failure .
Mankind will never again be plagued by the inconvenience of relationships that require work .
Only perfect matches from here on out .
Kidding , kidding .
All we have here is another academic attempt to reduce human relationship down to a series of variables that , when combined , may or may not determine compatibility .
According to a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , self-report data analysis has revealed the factors most predictive of whether a romantic relationship will succeed or fail .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong The study ’ s authors , scientific minds spanning numerous disciplines and continents , reportedly fed artificial intelligence the raw data collected from 11,196 couples across 43 previous survey experiments and found substantial commonalities between them with regard to each couple ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific factors .
Those factors — the first five individual and the other five communal — included life satisfaction , negative affect , depression , attachment avoidance , attachment anxiety , perceived partner commitment , appreciation , sexual satisfaction , perceived partner satisfaction and conflict .
Now , bear in mind the study ’ s authors hedge substantially in their written summary , admitting the predictors were imperfect — unable to determine relational longevity or even be combined for a more holistic analysis of what makes for the strongest relationship .
Even discounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with couples reporting greater relational success and overall happiness when both partners were , for instance , satisfied with life outside their relationship or feeling appreciated by their significant other .
As Christian minister Brian Bowman wrote Tuesday for UpsidedownMarriage.com , “ Of course a romantic relationship is affected by factors like life satisfaction , negative affect , depression , attachment avoidance , attachment anxiety.
” “ One or both of the people in a marriage may suffer from depression for any number of reasons , and that will put serious strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfaction ’ is low it makes sense that the relationship will be difficult , ” he wrote .
This , however , is largely beside the point .
Simply put , these indicators constitute no more than the highs and lows of human existence and relationship .
And the notion that those challenges guarantee , or even predict , relational doom is almost entirely exclusive to the modern culture .
RELATED : Report : Omar Continued Using Campaign Funds To Pay Husband 's Firm After the Marriage It is an idea far from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , as Bowman noted , “ The only phrase in the Bible by written by Moses , spoken by Jesus , and cited by Paul is a plan for relationship that has stood the test of millennia .
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife , and they shall become one flesh.
” The wisdom appears in Genesis 2:24 , Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:31 ; that one spouse shall “ cleave ” to another .
So , what does that word mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it means to “ adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly.
” Take note : Neither the Bible nor the dictionary provides a preface or addendum here .
To cleave is to cling loyally to another , regardless of circumstance .
“ I think one of our major problems is that people plan for weddings but not marriages , ” Bowman told The Western Journal in a statement .
“ We have 1st class weddings and 2nd rate marriages.
” “ I believe this with all my heart .
It sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have helped many couples think it through , ” Bowman said .
“ They have spent no time planning what to do when there are problems .
That ’ s why they say , ‘ The marriage isn ’ t working , ’ when in fact it ’ s working perfectly .
It ’ s keeping you where you don ’ t want to be right now , ” he added .
“ I like to say that marriage is screws , bolts , nails and glue .
It is intended to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together.
” A powerful picture — particularly considering beloved figures like President Ronald Reagan long revered family as the “ fundamental unit of American life.
” Ironic then that , as our culture continues to de-emphasize marriage and family , allowing absentee fatherhood and divorce to claim the mainstream , our politics and social dialogue continue to fall apart .
Sure , it ’ s possible the glue just isn ’ t so sticky these days — but , for some reason , I doubt it .
Chances are we ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happiness ” over hard work , moving in over marriage and politicians over faithful families .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
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Ladies and gentlemen, they did it!
Thousands of years of interpersonal drudgery and hardship have led mankind to its crowning scientific achievement: an artificial intelligence capable of providing pre-emptive assurance of relational success and failure.
Mankind will never again be plagued by the inconvenience of relationships that require work. Only perfect matches from here on out.
Kidding, kidding. All we have here is another academic attempt to reduce human relationship down to a series of variables that, when combined, may or may not determine compatibility.
According to a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, self-report data analysis has revealed the factors most predictive of whether a romantic relationship will succeed or fail.
The study’s authors, scientific minds spanning numerous disciplines and continents, reportedly fed artificial intelligence the raw data collected from 11,196 couples across 43 previous survey experiments and found substantial commonalities between them with regard to each couple’s overall happiness in relation to ten specific factors.
Those factors — the first five individual and the other five communal — included life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, perceived partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived partner satisfaction and conflict.
Now, bear in mind the study’s authors hedge substantially in their written summary, admitting the predictors were imperfect — unable to determine relational longevity or even be combined for a more holistic analysis of what makes for the strongest relationship.
Even discounting this, the findings remain deeply unsurprising, with couples reporting greater relational success and overall happiness when both partners were, for instance, satisfied with life outside their relationship or feeling appreciated by their significant other.
Do you agree with Bowman? Yes No
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As Christian minister Brian Bowman wrote Tuesday for UpsidedownMarriage.com, “Of course a romantic relationship is affected by factors like life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety.”
“One or both of the people in a marriage may suffer from depression for any number of reasons, and that will put serious strain on the relationship. If ‘life satisfaction’ is low it makes sense that the relationship will be difficult,” he wrote.
This, however, is largely beside the point.
Simply put, these indicators constitute no more than the highs and lows of human existence and relationship.
And the notion that those challenges guarantee, or even predict, relational doom is almost entirely exclusive to the modern culture.
It is an idea far from conservatism and anything but biblical.
In fact, as Bowman noted, “The only phrase in the Bible by written by Moses, spoken by Jesus, and cited by Paul is a plan for relationship that has stood the test of millennia. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
The wisdom appears in Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5 and Ephesians 5:31; that one spouse shall “cleave” to another.
So, what does that word mean?
Well, right out of Meriam-Webster, it means to “adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly.”
Take note: Neither the Bible nor the dictionary provides a preface or addendum here. To cleave is to cling loyally to another, regardless of circumstance.
“I think one of our major problems is that people plan for weddings but not marriages,” Bowman told The Western Journal in a statement. “We have 1st class weddings and 2nd rate marriages.”
“I believe this with all my heart. It sounds like just a quip, but I have helped many couples think it through,” Bowman said.
“They have spent no time planning what to do when there are problems. That’s why they say, ‘The marriage isn’t working,’ when in fact it’s working perfectly. It’s keeping you where you don’t want to be right now,” he added.
“I like to say that marriage is screws, bolts, nails and glue. It is intended to hold things together that would not naturally stay together.”
A powerful picture — particularly considering beloved figures like President Ronald Reagan long revered family as the “fundamental unit of American life.”
Ironic then that, as our culture continues to de-emphasize marriage and family, allowing absentee fatherhood and divorce to claim the mainstream, our politics and social dialogue continue to fall apart.
Sure, it’s possible the glue just isn’t so sticky these days — but, for some reason, I doubt it.
Chances are we’re just using the wrong glue: fleeting “happiness” over hard work, moving in over marriage and politicians over faithful families.
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--NYC Health Commissioner Resigns Over de Blasio’s COVID Response

Dr. Oxiris Barbot resigned Tuesday as New York City health commissioner , capping months of tensions between health experts and Mayor Bill de Blasio .
Hard feelings between Barbot and de Blasio began with the onset of the coronavirus , with health experts calling for the city to take the steps it eventually did to lock down the city .
De Blasio , at the time , downplayed the need for social distancing and restrictions on public events .
Barbot ’ s resignation letter suggested the city fought the pandemic without using its best health experts as weapons against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
“ I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime , that the health department ’ s incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been , ” Barbot wrote in her resignation email to de Blasio .
“ Our experts are world renowned for their epidemiology , surveillance and response work .
The city would be well served by having them at the strategic center of the response not in the background , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong Within hours of Barbot ’ s resignation , de Blasio appointed Dr. Dave Chokshi , who had been a senior leader at Health + Hospitals , the city ’ s public hospital system , to replace her .
Councilman Mark Levine , who chairs the City Council ’ s Health Committee , called Barbot ’ s exit “ deeply disturbing , ” according to the Daily News .
“ The job of public health leaders is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if that policy is not politically popular .
Dr. Barbot did that , to her enormous credit .
It is why her departure is so worrisome , ” he said .
Levine said Barbot ’ s departure is a symptom of what is wrong with the city ’ s battle against COVID-19 .
“ I think this is the culmination of months of conflict between the health department and City Hall , ” Levine said , according to The Times .
“ This reflects enormous frustration that global experts in infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a pandemic.
” The mayor said he needs team players .
“ It had been clear in recent days that it was time for a change , ” he said .
“ We need an atmosphere of unity .
We need an atmosphere of common purpose.
” “ It ’ s a bad day for the city .
She ’ s a very qualified commissioner of health , ” said Lilliam Barrios-Paoli , a former deputy mayor of health under de Blasio .
“ It ’ s just a shame that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the mayor.
” As the daily toll of the coronavirus has dropped , New York City ’ s schools will partially reopen in September , a step that is expected to test the city ’ s health system .
One of the issues upon which Barbot and de Blasio differed was the mayor ’ s decision to put the city ’ s contact tracing program under the umbrella of the hospital system — which had never done such work — instead of the health department , which has a history of performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are popping up all over the place and we are not linking them to known contacts except in a small proportion of cases , ” Dr. Neil Vora , the director of the tracing effort , said last month .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dr. Oxiris Barbot resigned Tuesday as New York City health commissioner, capping months of tensions between health experts and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Hard feelings between Barbot and de Blasio began with the onset of the coronavirus, with health experts calling for the city to take the steps it eventually did to lock down the city. De Blasio, at the time, downplayed the need for social distancing and restrictions on public events.
Barbot’s resignation letter suggested the city fought the pandemic without using its best health experts as weapons against the virus, according to The New York Times.
“I leave my post today with deep disappointment that during the most critical public health crisis in our lifetime, that the health department’s incomparable disease control expertise was not used to the degree it could have been,” Barbot wrote in her resignation email to de Blasio.
“Our experts are world renowned for their epidemiology, surveillance and response work. The city would be well served by having them at the strategic center of the response not in the background,” she wrote.
Within hours of Barbot’s resignation, de Blasio appointed Dr. Dave Chokshi, who had been a senior leader at Health + Hospitals, the city’s public hospital system, to replace her.
Councilman Mark Levine, who chairs the City Council’s Health Committee, called Barbot’s exit “deeply disturbing,” according to the Daily News.
“The job of public health leaders is to stand up for policy based on science, even if that policy is not politically popular. Dr. Barbot did that, to her enormous credit. It is why her departure is so worrisome,” he said.
The departure of Dr. Oxiris Barbot as New York City’s Health Commissioner is a grave blow to the fight for public health here in NYC. Read my statement below. pic.twitter.com/XbtfV1nogg — Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) August 4, 2020
Levine said Barbot’s departure is a symptom of what is wrong with the city’s battle against COVID-19.
“I think this is the culmination of months of conflict between the health department and City Hall,” Levine said, according to The Times. “This reflects enormous frustration that global experts in infectious disease are being marginalized in the middle of a pandemic.”
The mayor said he needs team players.
“It had been clear in recent days that it was time for a change,” he said. “We need an atmosphere of unity. We need an atmosphere of common purpose.”
Barbot’s departure provoked commentary on Twitter.
De Blasio compels Dr. Barbot to resign just as we decide that public schools are going to reopen in the midst of this horrid pandemic. It’s hard to blame her though. When you actually give a damn about people, it’s difficult to work with mayors who don’thttps://t.co/82VwTs0poF — Jabari Brisport? (@JabariBrisport) August 4, 2020
The resignation of @NYCHealthCommr Oxiris Barbot is an incredible blow to the fight for public health in NYC. @NYCMayor incompetence is damaging this city in unimaginable ways. Dr Barbot has worked tirelessly for the health & safety of our city. — Marti Gould Cummings (@MartiGCummings) August 4, 2020
Bill de Blasio is the worst Mayor in NYC history. https://t.co/EOeqhSWM8z — Dan K. Eberhart (@DanKEberhart) August 4, 2020
“It’s a bad day for the city. She’s a very qualified commissioner of health,” said Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, a former deputy mayor of health under de Blasio. “It’s just a shame that she did not feel that she was supported by the mayor.”
As the daily toll of the coronavirus has dropped, New York City’s schools will partially reopen in September, a step that is expected to test the city’s health system.
Will this make things worse in NYC? Yes No
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One of the issues upon which Barbot and de Blasio differed was the mayor’s decision to put the city’s contact tracing program under the umbrella of the hospital system — which had never done such work — instead of the health department, which has a history of performing contact tracing.
“Right now, cases are popping up all over the place and we are not linking them to known contacts except in a small proportion of cases,” Dr. Neil Vora, the director of the tracing effort, said last month.
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--Chip and Joanna Gaines Share Big News: ‘Fixer Upper’ Is Back But with 1 Major Change

Chip and Joanna Gaines have made a huge impact on society .
Their last name has become synonymous with wholesome fun and bright , airy makeovers .
The show that started it all for most people is “ Fixer Upper , ” which became wildly popular after its debut in 2013 .
While the show ended in 2018 after five seasons , the “ Magnolia ” phenomenon has continued to spread to restaurants , books , shops , and now an entire network .
People love the Gaineses and their work , enough that it made sense to the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network entirely dedicated to their craft and others with the same goals .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong Originally set to launch in the fall , the Magnolia Network is now slated to start next year .
But there ’ s some other big news with that .
Chip tweeted the exciting update on Tuesday with a video that revealed the surprise .
“ Everybody knows.. # fixerUpper is where we ’ ve been and @ magnolianetwork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he tweeted .
“ But what if we tied both together as a tribute to this new journey — for old times ’ sake.
” The video opens to the familiar couple in the truck as Chip drives Joanna to an undisclosed location .
As they drive , she commented on the fact that he ’ d brought some tools along , and he responded that he brought it “ just in case.
” Chip pulled up to a house , told Joanna to close her eyes and get out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad-looking house in need of a facelift .
“ What did you do , Chip ?
” Joanna asked .
“ I signed us up for another season of ‘ Fixer Upper , ' ” he said .
“ I answered the office phone like you told me never to do.
” RELATED : Actor Reni Santoni Dead at Age 81 : 'Another Great One Is Gone' “ Well , can I tell you a little secret ?
” Joanna said .
“ I kinda missed it.
” And just like that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be on HGTV , as it will be airing on their new network .
“ These past few years , we ’ ve continued tackling renovations and projects , doing the work we ’ re passionate about , but I don ’ t think either of us anticipated how the show would become such a permanent fixture in our hearts , ” Chip and Joanna revealed in a statement , according to The Dallas Morning News .
“ We ’ ve missed sharing the stories of these families and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re excited to do that again very soon !
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Chip and Joanna Gaines have made a huge impact on society. Their last name has become synonymous with wholesome fun and bright, airy makeovers.
The show that started it all for most people is “Fixer Upper,” which became wildly popular after its debut in 2013.
While the show ended in 2018 after five seasons, the “Magnolia” phenomenon has continued to spread to restaurants, books, shops, and now an entire network.
People love the Gaineses and their work, enough that it made sense to the couple to try something completely new: a network entirely dedicated to their craft and others with the same goals.
Originally set to launch in the fall, the Magnolia Network is now slated to start next year. But there’s some other big news with that.
Chip tweeted the exciting update on Tuesday with a video that revealed the surprise.
“Everybody knows.. #fixerUpper is where we’ve been and @magnolianetwork is where we’re going!” he tweeted. “But what if we tied both together as a tribute to this new journey — for old times’ sake.”
“Fixer Upper: meet Magnolia Network. Magnolia Network: meet Fixer Upper! Feels pretty good to me.”
Everybody knows.. #fixerUpper is where we’ve been and @magnolianetwork is where we’re going! But what if we tied both together as a tribute to this new journey—for old times’ sake. Fixer Upper: meet Magnolia Network. Magnolia Network: meet Fixer Upper! Feels pretty good to me.. pic.twitter.com/BxKZzac61f — Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) August 4, 2020
The video opens to the familiar couple in the truck as Chip drives Joanna to an undisclosed location. As they drive, she commented on the fact that he’d brought some tools along, and he responded that he brought it “just in case.”
Chip pulled up to a house, told Joanna to close her eyes and get out of the car, and then revealed a rather sad-looking house in need of a facelift.
“What did you do, Chip?” Joanna asked.
“I signed us up for another season of ‘Fixer Upper,'” he said. “I answered the office phone like you told me never to do.”
“Well, can I tell you a little secret?” Joanna said. “I kinda missed it.”
Are you a 'Fixer Upper' fan? Yes No
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And just like that, Season 6 is underway — but it won’t be on HGTV, as it will be airing on their new network.
“These past few years, we’ve continued tackling renovations and projects, doing the work we’re passionate about, but I don’t think either of us anticipated how the show would become such a permanent fixture in our hearts,” Chip and Joanna revealed in a statement, according to The Dallas Morning News.
“We’ve missed sharing the stories of these families and their homes with you, and we’re excited to do that again very soon!”
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--Trump: Explosion in Lebanon Was Likely an ‘Attack’

President Donald Trump said U.S. generals have told him that they think the massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ people , was likely caused by a bomb .
“ I ’ ve met with @ @ @ @ @ and they just seem to feel that this was not some kind of manufacturing explosion @ @ @ @ @ … They seem to think it was an attack .
It was a bomb of @ @ @ @ @ flattened much of a port and damaged buildings across the capital , sending a giant @ @ @ @ @ .
The death toll currently stands at more than 70 , with more than 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ in the rubble , officials say .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump said U.S. generals have told him that they think the massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Tuesday, killing more than 70 people, was likely caused by a bomb.
“I’ve met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that this was not some kind of manufacturing explosion type of an event. … They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind.”
The explosion flattened much of a port and damaged buildings across the capital, sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky.
The death toll currently stands at more than 70, with more than 3,000 injured and bodies still buried in the rubble, officials say.
[jwplayer 0G92UmQm]
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--2020-08-04--B&B Pressured To Remove ‘Confederate’ Flag That’s Actually Norwegian Flag

For months , “ cancel culture ” mobs have been tearing down statues and removing monuments across the country .
Now , the married couple who own a bed and breakfast in St. Johns , Michigan , say their establishment came under attack because people mistakenly believed they were flying a Confederate flag outside of their inn .
The owners of the The Nordic Pineapple , Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker , were actually flying the Norwegian national flag .
Nevertheless , because of the confusion — and the harassment they say they received due to the flag — the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both the name of the inn and the flag flying out front were meant to honor the legacy of Kjersten ’ s family .
( Her grandfather was born in Norway . )
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong The couple received “ at least a dozen hateful emails ” regarding the flag and twice as many comments , Kjersten Offenbecker told the Lansing State Journal for a story published July 27 .
“ It bugs me as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Greg Offenbecker said .
“ Even if the flag is blowing in the wind or laying limp , there are no stars on it .
They look nothing alike.
” Kjersten Offenbecker was deeply hurt by the latest hateful email the couple received .
“ How could we be so bigoted and close minded , this person wrote , and I was really hurt because I feel like we ’ ve done a lot to integrate into this small community and be part of St. Johns , ” she said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nordic Pineapple announced that the flag was coming down : “ It is a sad day at The Nordic Pineapple .
We have decided to no longer fly The Norwegian flag on the front of the inn .
This flag is so often mistaken for the Confederate flag and people are often offended by it before they realize that they are mistaken , ” the post read .
There may be hope that the flag will fly again soon , however .
In a subsequent Facebook post on Monday , the bed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outpouring of support they had received and announced that the removal of the flag was never meant to be a “ permanent solution.
” “ The outpouring of support we have received has been overwhelming , ” the post read .
“ We know that removing our flag has been seen by many to be giving into the hate and we know that hateful voices can be very loud , much louder than the kind , supportive ones .
When you are on the receiving end of such hate it is very hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can be very emotionally difficult .
“ We never intended the removal of our flag to be a permanent solution , we were looking for a break and a way to display the flag in which it clearly shows that it represents the people of Norway and the values that we hold dear.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

For months, “cancel culture” mobs have been tearing down statues and removing monuments across the country.
Now, the married couple who own a bed and breakfast in St. Johns, Michigan, say their establishment came under attack because people mistakenly believed they were flying a Confederate flag outside of their inn.
The owners of the The Nordic Pineapple, Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker, were actually flying the Norwegian national flag. Nevertheless, because of the confusion — and the harassment they say they received due to the flag — the couple finally decided to take it down.
Both the name of the inn and the flag flying out front were meant to honor the legacy of Kjersten’s family. (Her grandfather was born in Norway.)
The couple received “at least a dozen hateful emails” regarding the flag and twice as many comments, Kjersten Offenbecker told the Lansing State Journal for a story published July 27.
“It bugs me as far as the stupidity of people,” Greg Offenbecker said. “Even if the flag is blowing in the wind or laying limp, there are no stars on it. They look nothing alike.”
Kjersten Offenbecker was deeply hurt by the latest hateful email the couple received.
Do you think the Offenbeckers should have removed the flag? Yes No
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“How could we be so bigoted and close minded, this person wrote, and I was really hurt because I feel like we’ve done a lot to integrate into this small community and be part of St. Johns,” she said.
In a July 20 Facebook post, The Nordic Pineapple announced that the flag was coming down:
“It is a sad day at The Nordic Pineapple. We have decided to no longer fly The Norwegian flag on the front of the inn. This flag is so often mistaken for the Confederate flag and people are often offended by it before they realize that they are mistaken,” the post read.
There may be hope that the flag will fly again soon, however.
In a subsequent Facebook post on Monday, the bed and breakfast owners shared their gratitude for the outpouring of support they had received and announced that the removal of the flag was never meant to be a “permanent solution.”
“The outpouring of support we have received has been overwhelming,” the post read. “We know that removing our flag has been seen by many to be giving into the hate and we know that hateful voices can be very loud, much louder than the kind, supportive ones. When you are on the receiving end of such hate it is very hard to hear those kind, supportive voices and can be very emotionally difficult.
“We never intended the removal of our flag to be a permanent solution, we were looking for a break and a way to display the flag in which it clearly shows that it represents the people of Norway and the values that we hold dear.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--Fred Weinberg: The COVID/Education Disaster Has an Easy Solution, But Teachers Unions Won’t Stand fo

Fred Weinberg: The COVID/Education Disaster Has an Easy Solution, But Teachers Unions Won’t Stand for It

So let me get this straight .
Members of teachers unions either don ’ t want to go back to school or they do not think online instruction works ( or both ) .
Whatever happens , though , they want to get paid — or they ’ ll strike .
Well , let me tell you the story of a man who was undoubtedly ahead of his time .
My late father , Professor Philip Weinberg , was an engineer by training , an educator by vocation and what they used to call a futurist by avocation .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy , he married my late mother , left his hometown of Brooklyn , got his degrees in electrical engineering , had me and my two sisters and ended up in Peoria , Illinois , where he founded the electrical engineering school at Bradley University .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong For most people , that would have been a great career , but in the mid-1960s , he became intrigued by the power of television and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV to schools called Instructional Television Fixed Service .
I got to be with him when he sold the idea of putting four channels of television in first the Catholic schools in Central Illinois and then the public schools .
His idea went like this : What if we could find the best sixth-grade math teachers , second-grade spelling teachers , etc .
in the nation , pay them like TV stars and have them teach those classes on TV , received in the classroom ?
Want to guess who opposed that idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions .
So the idea was sold by suggesting that it was like classroom movies without the projectors and reels of film .
Pretty soon , just about every school in the middle section of Illinois had a little tower on its roof , a small microwave dish on that tower and a TV set in each classroom .
And , sure enough , there were lessons being beamed out to those schools .
The problem was that the content was OK but not great .
And there was never much enthusiasm for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s idea , which was to find the best teachers and dramatically improve the teaching .
Can you guess who opposed that ?
Then , “ Sesame Street ” and “ The Electric Company ” came along and “ educational ” television became “ public ” television which was much more fun because there wasn ’ t much of an anti-early education lobby .
RELATED : Op-Ed : The Bible Does n't Teach Tolerance , It Teaches Love & That Means Speaking Hard Truths And my dad built Channel 47 in Central Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because their jobs weren ’ t being threatened .
We know that most kids need a structured environment to learn , be that a teaching parent home schooling or a classroom .
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared : “ We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom .
But children get much more than academics at school .
They also learn social and emotional skills at school , get healthy meals and exercise , mental health support and other services that can not be easily replicated online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in addressing racial and social inequity .
Our nation ’ s response to COVID-19 has laid bare inequities and consequences for children that must be addressed .
This pandemic is especially hard on families who rely on school lunches , have children with disabilities , or lack access to Internet or health care.
” Ummmm … maybe it ’ s now time for my father ’ s idea .
We no longer need those big old TV sets in the classrooms , nor a special over-the-air network .
We can equip just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cheap tablet for almost nothing and they can social distance all they want in our school buildings because you can put 50 kids or more in a classroom if they are getting their actual instruction online .
You know who is still going to be against that ?
Yep .
Our friends the unionized teachers — many of whom have been failing kids for years in concert with the horrible curriculum decisions made by administrators .
But no matter how hard they scream , they can ’ t have it both ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds .
Teach and get paid or get replaced .
If only my father could have lived to see this .
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 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

So let me get this straight.
Members of teachers unions either don’t want to go back to school or they do not think online instruction works (or both). Whatever happens, though, they want to get paid — or they’ll strike.
Well, let me tell you the story of a man who was undoubtedly ahead of his time.
My late father, Professor Philip Weinberg, was an engineer by training, an educator by vocation and what they used to call a futurist by avocation.
After mustering out of the World War II Navy, he married my late mother, left his hometown of Brooklyn, got his degrees in electrical engineering, had me and my two sisters and ended up in Peoria, Illinois, where he founded the electrical engineering school at Bradley University.
For most people, that would have been a great career, but in the mid-1960s, he became intrigued by the power of television and helped create a new way to distribute TV to schools called Instructional Television Fixed Service.
I got to be with him when he sold the idea of putting four channels of television in first the Catholic schools in Central Illinois and then the public schools.
His idea went like this: What if we could find the best sixth-grade math teachers, second-grade spelling teachers, etc. in the nation, pay them like TV stars and have them teach those classes on TV, received in the classroom?
Want to guess who opposed that idea?
Do you think the teachers unions are standing in the way of education for our nation's children? Yes No
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Oh yeah. The teachers’ unions. So the idea was sold by suggesting that it was like classroom movies without the projectors and reels of film.
Pretty soon, just about every school in the middle section of Illinois had a little tower on its roof, a small microwave dish on that tower and a TV set in each classroom. And, sure enough, there were lessons being beamed out to those schools.
The problem was that the content was OK but not great. And there was never much enthusiasm for the other part of my dad’s idea, which was to find the best teachers and dramatically improve the teaching.
Can you guess who opposed that?
Then, “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company” came along and “educational” television became “public” television which was much more fun because there wasn’t much of an anti-early education lobby.
And my dad built Channel 47 in Central Illinois, which all of the intelligentsia loved because their jobs weren’t being threatened.
Fast-forward to today.
We know that most kids need a structured environment to learn, be that a teaching parent home schooling or a classroom.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared: “We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school. They also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that cannot be easily replicated online. Schools also play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity. Our nation’s response to COVID-19 has laid bare inequities and consequences for children that must be addressed. This pandemic is especially hard on families who rely on school lunches, have children with disabilities, or lack access to Internet or health care.”
Ummmm … maybe it’s now time for my father’s idea.
We no longer need those big old TV sets in the classrooms, nor a special over-the-air network.
We can equip just about every student with a notebook computer or a cheap tablet for almost nothing and they can social distance all they want in our school buildings because you can put 50 kids or more in a classroom if they are getting their actual instruction online.
You know who is still going to be against that?
Yep. Our friends the unionized teachers — many of whom have been failing kids for years in concert with the horrible curriculum decisions made by administrators.
But no matter how hard they scream, they can’t have it both ways.
They need to make up their minds. Teach and get paid or get replaced.
If only my father could have lived to see this.
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--2020-08-04--Ted Cruz Kicks Off Antifa Hearing with Video of Group’s Violent Reality

Sen. Ted Cruz knew how to set the stage .
Opening a hearing Tuesday on the violent riots that have wracked the country with the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the so-called anti-fascist group known as “ antifa , ” the Texas Republican made it clear from the outset exactly what the topic was going to be .
And in this case , seeing was believing .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong With a video lasting just over a minute and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and street fighting , Cruz backed up the central tenets of why he called the hearing of the Subcommittee on the Constitution he chairs .
Americans have been watching almost nightly violence in the streets of Portland , Oregon , for two months .
Before that , in late May and June , the country watched city after city succumbing to rioters who stole untold millions in property and caused untold millions in property damage through arson and mayhem .
At least 24 deaths have resulted from the riots , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call all that “ mostly peaceful.
” Cruz has a different take .
“ Antifa is fundamentally against free-speech and is using peaceful protests as a cover and an excuse to engage in violence and other criminal actions , ” Cruz said in a Thursday statement announcing the hearing , according to The Dallas Morning News .
“ We are seeing this most clearly in Portland right now , as criminals are trying to burn down the federal courthouse .
The hearing will highlight how antifa and other anarchists are hijacking peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not only criminal , but antithetical to the First Amendment.
” Those are strong words , but no harsher than the reality requires .
If anything , the Cruz video was a PG version of the kind of violence – particularly against property — that ’ s become almost normal since the left and the mainstream media decided they could define “ peaceful ” just about any way they choose .
There ’ s no doubt that many — probably most — Black Lives Matter demonstrations start out peacefully , with peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt that too many have disintegrated into looting that ended up sacking the very minority neighborhoods and businesses the Black Lives Matter movement pretends to care about .
As to the thugs from antifa , no matter how much of a “ myth ” New York ’ s rotund Rep. Jerrold Nadler seems to think it , the violence is not a “ myth , ” it ’ s a motivating force for the outfit .
( Its members don ’ t wear helmets to gatherings because they ’ re afraid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Ted Cruz : Democrats Are 'Letting Their Cities Burn ' ; It 's Time They Paid the Price If anything , the Cruz video went too easy on the agitators — it could easily have been longer and filled with much more incendiary images just about every American has seen on a household television over the past two months .
But it still provoked a social media reaction .
There were quite a few liberals responding to Cruz — there usually are — but plenty understood the truth .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in the last stretch before the presidential election — and they need to use every means within their power to do it .
The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee knew exactly what they were doing last week when they unsuccessfully tried to turn Attorney General William Barr into a pinata , and it had nothing to do with getting to the bottom of alleged abuses of power by the Justice Department .
Republicans should never sink as low as the “ reclaim my time ” mean girls in the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to carry on hearings like the one Cruz started Tuesday — hearings that will give Americans the knowledge they need to reject Democrats in the fall .
For the Republicans to hold onto the White House and the Senate , as well as make a serious effort to retake the House , it will mean showing Americans which political party can really be trusted — and it ’ s not the Democratic Party of 2020 .
Cruz got that show off to a good start on Tuesday .
If the GOP is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for much more to come .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Sen. Ted Cruz knew how to set the stage.
Opening a hearing Tuesday on the violent riots that have wracked the country with the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the so-called anti-fascist group known as “antifa,” the Texas Republican made it clear from the outset exactly what the topic was going to be.
And in this case, seeing was believing.
WATCH: Ted Cruz plays video as Senate convenes on Antifa ‘terror attacks’ pic.twitter.com/g5SzV809WB — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4, 2020
With a video lasting just over a minute and filled with images of arson, looting and street fighting, Cruz backed up the central tenets of why he called the hearing of the Subcommittee on the Constitution he chairs. Americans have been watching almost nightly violence in the streets of Portland, Oregon, for two months.
Before that, in late May and June, the country watched city after city succumbing to rioters who stole untold millions in property and caused untold millions in property damage through arson and mayhem.
At least 24 deaths have resulted from the riots, according to The Daily Caller.
The mainstream media likes to call all that “mostly peaceful.” Cruz has a different take.
Do you think the antifa/BLM violence will affect the 2020 election? Yes No
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“Antifa is fundamentally against free-speech and is using peaceful protests as a cover and an excuse to engage in violence and other criminal actions,” Cruz said in a Thursday statement announcing the hearing, according to The Dallas Morning News.
“We are seeing this most clearly in Portland right now, as criminals are trying to burn down the federal courthouse. The hearing will highlight how antifa and other anarchists are hijacking peaceful protests and engaging in political violence that is not only criminal, but antithetical to the First Amendment.”
Those are strong words, but no harsher than the reality requires. If anything, the Cruz video was a PG version of the kind of violence – particularly against property — that’s become almost normal since the left and the mainstream media decided they could define “peaceful” just about any way they choose.
There’s no doubt that many — probably most — Black Lives Matter demonstrations start out peacefully, with peaceful intentions. But there’s also no doubt that too many have disintegrated into looting that ended up sacking the very minority neighborhoods and businesses the Black Lives Matter movement pretends to care about.
As to the thugs from antifa, no matter how much of a “myth” New York’s rotund Rep. Jerrold Nadler seems to think it, the violence is not a “myth,” it’s a motivating force for the outfit. (Its members don’t wear helmets to gatherings because they’re afraid of falling off their bikes.)
If anything, the Cruz video went too easy on the agitators — it could easily have been longer and filled with much more incendiary images just about every American has seen on a household television over the past two months.
But it still provoked a social media reaction. There were quite a few liberals responding to Cruz — there usually are — but plenty understood the truth.
Powerful – the video speaks for itself!! — Tigerlady’s Den ??? (@Tigress21) August 4, 2020
“Peaceful” protestors as shields are complicit after months of this and therefore accomplices. They know, just watch the live feeds. It’s clearly coordinated. Even their “press” has weaponized protection provided for such. All the same team. There are few who know and dissociate. — Liberty4theBrave (@liberty4brave) August 4, 2020
Jerry Nadler called ANTIFA a hoax is just insanity ,smh — Em69Got (@Em69Got) August 4, 2020
This is the kind of message Republicans need to drive home in the last stretch before the presidential election — and they need to use every means within their power to do it.
The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee knew exactly what they were doing last week when they unsuccessfully tried to turn Attorney General William Barr into a pinata, and it had nothing to do with getting to the bottom of alleged abuses of power by the Justice Department.
(After the presidency of Barack Obama and Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch serving as attorneys general, Democrats know good and well what corruption and abuse of power at Justice looks like, and it’s not William Barr.)
Republicans should never sink as low as the “reclaim my time” mean girls in the House, but control of the Senate carries the power to carry on hearings like the one Cruz started Tuesday — hearings that will give Americans the knowledge they need to reject Democrats in the fall.
For the Republicans to hold onto the White House and the Senate, as well as make a serious effort to retake the House, it will mean showing Americans which political party can really be trusted — and it’s not the Democratic Party of 2020.
Cruz got that show off to a good start on Tuesday. If the GOP is smart, it will set the stage for much more to come.
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--Actor Reni Santoni Dead at Age 81: ‘Another Great One Is Gone’

Reni Santoni , born in New York on April 21 , 1939 , died Saturday after dealing with a number of health issues for years .
He was 81 .
Santoni originally found his feet in the sports world , playing baseball and setting his sights on sports writing , according to his IMDb bio .
Of French and Spanish descent , he started writing comedy and playing small parts on television in the 1960s .
When he got into acting , he mainly held supporting roles , with some of his best-known performances being “ sloppy ” Poppie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and Detective Chico Gonzalez , the partner of Clint Eastwood ’ s Harry Callahan in “ Dirty Harry.
” He would be active in film and television until 2012 .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong Santoni also did voice acting and wrote “ Raisin ’ Hell in the Son , ” an off-Broadway play that premiered in 1962 .
Tracy Newman , a friend of Santoni ’ s , told Fox News that Santoni died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was in hospice care in Los Angeles at the time of his death .
“ Reni Santoni passed away yesterday morning , ” Newman posted Sunday .
“ April 21 , 1939-August 1 , 2020 .
He had been sick for quite a while.
” “ Those of you who knew him know how funny he was , what a terrific actor , improviser , performer , etc .
So brilliant.
” “ I loved him very much and will miss him terribly .
Another great one is gone .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , and will post them over the next week.
” “ My heart goes out to his son , Nick , who has been such a comfort to Reni over that past five years or more.
” Newman has kept her word , sharing a lot of photos of Santoni from better years .
Others have also chimed in with their own memories of the actor .
“ It ’ s truly amazing how famous these characters became from a single episode , ” writer Kevin Rozell shared , along with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another wonderful character actor gone , ” director Steve Hughes posted .
“ RIP Reni Santoni , 81 , so good in Seinfeld , Dirty Harry , Dead Men Don ’ t Wear Plaid , Cobra , Private Parts .
Godspeed and thank you.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Reni Santoni, born in New York on April 21, 1939, died Saturday after dealing with a number of health issues for years. He was 81.
Santoni originally found his feet in the sports world, playing baseball and setting his sights on sports writing, according to his IMDb bio.
Of French and Spanish descent, he started writing comedy and playing small parts on television in the 1960s.
When he got into acting, he mainly held supporting roles, with some of his best-known performances being “sloppy” Poppie, a restaurant owner on “Seinfeld,” and Detective Chico Gonzalez, the partner of Clint Eastwood’s Harry Callahan in “Dirty Harry.”
He would be active in film and television until 2012.
Santoni also did voice acting and wrote “Raisin’ Hell in the Son,” an off-Broadway play that premiered in 1962.
Tracy Newman, a friend of Santoni’s, told Fox News that Santoni died of natural causes after years of health issues. He was in hospice care in Los Angeles at the time of his death.
“Reni Santoni passed away yesterday morning,” Newman posted Sunday. “April 21, 1939-August 1, 2020. He had been sick for quite a while.”
“Those of you who knew him know how funny he was, what a terrific actor, improviser, performer, etc. So brilliant.”
“I loved him very much and will miss him terribly. Another great one is gone. I have a lot of wonderful pictures of him, and will post them over the next week.”
“My heart goes out to his son, Nick, who has been such a comfort to Reni over that past five years or more.”
Newman has kept her word, sharing a lot of photos of Santoni from better years. Others have also chimed in with their own memories of the actor.
“Viva Inspector Chico Gonzales …” writer and director Edgar Wright tweeted. “RIP Reni Santoni.”
“It’s truly amazing how famous these characters became from a single episode,” writer Kevin Rozell shared, along with a photo of Santoni as Poppie.
“Another wonderful character actor gone,” director Steve Hughes posted. “RIP Reni Santoni, 81, so good in Seinfeld, Dirty Harry, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, Cobra, Private Parts. Godspeed and thank you.”
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westernjournal--2020-08-04--Pro-Lifers Arrested for Chalk on Sidewalk in Same City with Massive BLM Street Mural

The Democratic mayor was all for defacing District of Columbia streets with massive painted slogans , but using sidewalk chalk will get folks arrested in her city — that is , if what they are writing is a pro-life message in front of an abortion clinic .
Last June , amid escalating racial tensions following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody , Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser unequivocally expressed her radical politics when she commissioned the slogan “ Black Lives Matter ” to be painted on a street near the White House and renamed the area “ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t arrest vandals who added “ Defund the Police ” to her slogan , and she had city workers add a D.C. flag to the asphalt near St. John ’ s Church , spinning off the false narrative that President Donald Trump had ordered authorities to use tear gas to break up peaceful protests to clear the way for a photo op there .
But city officials ’ approval of street art only goes so far .
D.C. police arrested Townson University student Erica Caporaletti and city resident Warner DePriest on Saturday for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter ” on the sidewalk in front of a Washington Planned Parenthood clinic , according to The Washington Post .
TRENDING : I Looked Up What Happened When Sweden Refused To Shut Down - They Were Right , We Were Wrong The two were part of a Students for Life of America planned protest .
The group initially applied for a permit to paint on the street and were under the impression they wouldn ’ t be stopped .
“ We decided that because of all the things that have been going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wanted to draw attention to the fact that preborn black lives matter , ” Tina Whittington , SLA executive vice president , said in a video tweeted by MRCTV .
Citing the fact that Bowser supported other slogans on her street and even participated in creating the mural herself , Whittington thought her group would be granted the same rights .
“ She has opened up the streets to free expression , and so we thought , what better message to put in front of a Planned Parenthood that aborts hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pre-Born Lives Matter ’ painted right here on the street ?
” Whittington said she sent a letter to the mayor ’ s office asking Bowser to “ extend the same grace ” as she did to other groups who were allowed to paint on the street , and also applied for a permit to assemble .
“ I was told by the special events officer that the mayor had opened up Pandora ’ s box and so there really was not much he could really do to stop us from painting even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that they agreed to use temporary paint .
The pro-life group didn ’ t receive a formal response until “ six police officers in their vehicles were waiting here to arrest us if we started painting on the street , ” Whittington said .
RELATED : Double Standard : No Quarantines for Politicians Who Attended John Lewis Funeral Instead , they decided to use chalk on the public sidewalk , as students do every weekend , usually writing positive slogans in hopes of encouraging women not to abort their babies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group would be arrested if they went ahead with the chalking .
And sure enough , when Caporaletti and DePriest continued writing their message on the sidewalk , the officers followed through on the threat .
“ We were sidewalk chalking , as we always do , and the officer arrested us , ” DePriest said .
“ He did not read us our Miranda rights .
He did not tell us what we were charged with .
He just put us in the paddy wagon and drove us off.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mug shots taken , and they were put into a holding cell before being released .
According to The Post , DePriest and Caporaletti were charged with defacing public or private property .
The report said the mayor ’ s office did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment .
“ The cops seemed to not agree with the fact that we were being arrested for simply writing with chalk on a public sidewalk , ” Caporaletti added .
Whittington promised to file a lawsuit against the mayor for violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ People like her who pride themselves on their wokeness : Well , Mayor Bowser , you ’ re about to get ‘ woke ’ on Planned Parenthood ’ s racist past and present ; you ’ re about to get ‘ woke ’ on the violence of abortion ; and you ’ re about to get ‘ woke ’ on the First Amendment , ” Whittington said .
This incident exposes the unabashed hypocrisy of Democratic politicians who engage in viewpoint discrimination , applying the law selectively and always favoring radical leftists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city streets to be vandalized with certain messages but not others , prohibited funerals and large gatherings for the regular people while exempting themselves , and now apparently allow massive permanent murals on the city streets while picking people off the street for using chalk .
What Caporaletti and DePriest did was completely lawful in most circumstances , including their weekly gatherings in front of the abortion clinic .
Chalk is a temporary medium that can easily be washed away with a garden hose , which is why it is so popular with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it turns into a tool for criminals when in the hands of pro-lifers .
The Students for Life were exercising their First Amendment right to assemble peacefully on a public street and express their viewpoint , even if it is not one with which Bowser agrees .
Furthermore , if the movement and slogan “ Black Lives Matter ” were really about preserving black lives , its supporters would be in favor of protests in front of facilities routinely snuffing out the lives of black children in the womb .
Bowser and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewpoint , however , and the city ’ s officials are disinterested in anything that isn ’ t part of the radical leftist agenda .
It isn ’ t “ white privilege ” or “ systemic racism ” that unfairly favor certain groups ; it is leftist privilege that is the scourge of modern America .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Democratic mayor was all for defacing District of Columbia streets with massive painted slogans, but using sidewalk chalk will get folks arrested in her city — that is, if what they are writing is a pro-life message in front of an abortion clinic.
Last June, amid escalating racial tensions following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser unequivocally expressed her radical politics when she commissioned the slogan “Black Lives Matter” to be painted on a street near the White House and renamed the area “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
Bowser didn’t arrest vandals who added “Defund the Police” to her slogan, and she had city workers add a D.C. flag to the asphalt near St. John’s Church, spinning off the false narrative that President Donald Trump had ordered authorities to use tear gas to break up peaceful protests to clear the way for a photo op there.
But city officials’ approval of street art only goes so far.
D.C. police arrested Townson University student Erica Caporaletti and city resident Warner DePriest on Saturday for attempting to chalk “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” on the sidewalk in front of a Washington Planned Parenthood clinic, according to The Washington Post.
The two were part of a Students for Life of America planned protest.
The group initially applied for a permit to paint on the street and were under the impression they wouldn’t be stopped.
“We decided that because of all the things that have been going on with ‘Black Lives Matter’ that we wanted to draw attention to the fact that preborn black lives matter,” Tina Whittington, SLA executive vice president, said in a video tweeted by MRCTV.
Were the pro-lifers who were arrested unfairly targeted because of their viewpoint? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (1020 Votes) No: 1% (13 Votes)
Citing the fact that Bowser supported other slogans on her street and even participated in creating the mural herself, Whittington thought her group would be granted the same rights.
“She has opened up the streets to free expression, and so we thought, what better message to put in front of a Planned Parenthood that aborts hundreds of black babies every year than ‘Black Pre-Born Lives Matter’ painted right here on the street?”
Whittington said she sent a letter to the mayor’s office asking Bowser to “extend the same grace” as she did to other groups who were allowed to paint on the street, and also applied for a permit to assemble.
“I was told by the special events officer that the mayor had opened up Pandora’s box and so there really was not much he could really do to stop us from painting even if he wanted to,” she said, adding that they agreed to use temporary paint.
The pro-life group didn’t receive a formal response until “six police officers in their vehicles were waiting here to arrest us if we started painting on the street,” Whittington said.
Instead, they decided to use chalk on the public sidewalk, as students do every weekend, usually writing positive slogans in hopes of encouraging women not to abort their babies.
However, this time police warned the group would be arrested if they went ahead with the chalking. And sure enough, when Caporaletti and DePriest continued writing their message on the sidewalk, the officers followed through on the threat.
“We were sidewalk chalking, as we always do, and the officer arrested us,” DePriest said.
“He did not read us our Miranda rights. He did not tell us what we were charged with. He just put us in the paddy wagon and drove us off.”
The pair were cuffed, fingerprinted and had their mug shots taken, and they were put into a holding cell before being released.
According to The Post, DePriest and Caporaletti were charged with defacing public or private property. The report said the mayor’s office did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
“The cops seemed to not agree with the fact that we were being arrested for simply writing with chalk on a public sidewalk,” Caporaletti added.
Whittington promised to file a lawsuit against the mayor for violating the group’s First Amendment rights.
“People like her who pride themselves on their wokeness: Well, Mayor Bowser, you’re about to get ‘woke’ on Planned Parenthood’s racist past and present; you’re about to get ‘woke’ on the violence of abortion; and you’re about to get ‘woke’ on the First Amendment,” Whittington said.
Two Students For Life activists got arrested for painting “Black Preborn Lives Matter” on a public sidewalk. Students For Life VP Tina Whittington says the group will be suing DC Mayor Bowser for “violating our 1st Amendment rights.” pic.twitter.com/qB0E4PvPca — MRCTV (@mrctv) August 1, 2020
This incident exposes the unabashed hypocrisy of Democratic politicians who engage in viewpoint discrimination, applying the law selectively and always favoring radical leftists.
Bowser and others have allowed their city streets to be vandalized with certain messages but not others, prohibited funerals and large gatherings for the regular people while exempting themselves, and now apparently allow massive permanent murals on the city streets while picking people off the street for using chalk.
What Caporaletti and DePriest did was completely lawful in most circumstances, including their weekly gatherings in front of the abortion clinic.
Chalk is a temporary medium that can easily be washed away with a garden hose, which is why it is so popular with parents of preschoolers.
Apparently, however, it turns into a tool for criminals when in the hands of pro-lifers.
The Students for Life were exercising their First Amendment right to assemble peacefully on a public street and express their viewpoint, even if it is not one with which Bowser agrees.
Furthermore, if the movement and slogan “Black Lives Matter” were really about preserving black lives, its supporters would be in favor of protests in front of facilities routinely snuffing out the lives of black children in the womb.
Bowser and her ilk have no room for that viewpoint, however, and the city’s officials are disinterested in anything that isn’t part of the radical leftist agenda.
It isn’t “white privilege” or “systemic racism” that unfairly favor certain groups; it is leftist privilege that is the scourge of modern America.
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