westernjournal--2020-04-28--Hillary Clinton Endorses Joe Biden at Women’s Town Hall as Sexual Assault Allegation Gains Steam

The ironies were inescapable – but Hillary Clinton pretended they weren ’ t there .
When the former first lady on Tuesday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden at a virtual women ’ s town hall staged by the Biden campaign , she had to be fully aware of the cloud surrounding Biden ’ s candidacy thanks to a sexual assault allegation from his career as a senator .
But as she did so unflinchingly during her years in the White House when her husband ’ s second term was plagued by a sexual scandal in the White House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his political career , Clinton just ignored it entirely .
As an example of Clintonian brassiness , the unmatched ability to look directly into the face of the American people and avoid speaking what everyone in the country is thinking , it was a bravura performance .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward “ I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president , ” Clinton said in a split-screen conversation with Biden while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what a difference it would make , right now , if we had a president who not only listened to the science , put fact over fiction , but brought us together , ” she said .
“ Showed the kind of compassion and caring that we need from our president and which Joe Biden has been exemplifying throughout his entire life.
” So far , so much pablum from a woman who has spent decades dolloping out this kind of nonsense while avoiding the real elephant in the room .
The fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in 1993 , he pushed a young woman named Tara Reade , then an aide in his Senate office , up against a wall , put his hand under her skirt and penetrated her vagina with his fingers .
The truth of that accusation has not been established , and Biden deserves the presumption of innocence that Democrats routinely deny conservatives .
But it ’ s there , though it ’ s been shamefully ignored by the mainstream media , and there ’ s probably not a Democrat in the country who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it does exist .
And it ’ s gathering steam , as more potential evidence emerges beyond Reade ’ s own story .
There ’ s intriguing footage from a “ Larry King Live ” episode from 1993 that includes a woman Reade says is her mother describing her daughter being mistreated by a sitting United States senator .
There is a former neighbor , who told Business Insider in an article published Monday that she recalls Reade told her about the Biden attack in the mid-1990s .
There ’ s another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had told her , also in the mid-1990s , that she ’ d been sexually harassed while working in a political office in Washington .
It ’ s true that those facts aren ’ t dispositive , but they are at least supportive of Reade ’ s story .
And if Democrats and the Democratic media had had anything close to that in 2018 to back up their spurious accusations against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , history would have been very different the past two years .
Even the Biden-supporting actress Alyssa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s because she genuinely cares about whether the story is true , or whether it ’ s just because her knee-jerk support for Biden looks bad remains to be seen . )
RELATED : They Asked Every Senate Dem About Biden Sex Assault Allegation , Not a Single One Acknowledged It And Democrats wishing otherwise won ’ t change it .
And if there ’ s any truth at all to Tara Reade ’ s story about what then-Sen. Joe Biden did in the nation ’ s Capitol 27-odd years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t describe Biden as showing “ compassion and caring.
” ( “ You ’ re nothing to me , ” Reade said Biden told her at that point . )
Clinton then went from inescapable irony to simply insulting .
“ Think of what it would mean if we had a real president , not just somebody who plays one on TV , but somebody who gets up every morning worried about the people that he ’ s responsible for leading during this crisis .
“ I know what a difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been there , I ’ ve seen first-hand what presidents can and should do.
” Not someone who just plays one on TV ?
Hillary Clinton has every reason to resent President Donald Trump – his upset victory in the 2016 election had to be a humiliating personal as well as political embarrassment .
The fact that his presidency was , until the coronavirus pandemic hit , a rousing success by any logical standard after the anemic years of Clinton ’ s own party in power has been a standing rebuke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t give her license to lie .
As to what Clinton has seen presidents do “ first-hand , ” neither example is exactly thrilling to the American spirit .
What successes Bill Clinton enjoyed were largely due to the Cold War that was won before he got into office ( largely by Ronald Reagan ) and the Republican Congress he had to work with .
The fact that he escaped being pushed out of office by impeachment was mainly due to American satisfaction with a roaring economy that Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second president Hillary has seen “ first-hand ” was even worse .
While Obama , as far as is known , didn ’ t have any sexual escapades with interns half his age , he led the United States into its worst standing in world affairs since Jimmy Carter ’ s benighted presidency .
Sure the cosmopolitan Europeans cheered for Obama in Paris and Berlin , but the hard men in Moscow , in Tehran and Beijing knew a sap when they saw one , and took advantage of it all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathetic : “ And I , like so many Americans , really wish we had that kind of leadership now , ” Clinton said .
Meaning , “ I really wish I ’ d won that 2016 election.
” So , what happened on Tuesday was Hillary Clinton , wife of probably the most infamous womanizer in American politics , a man who has been – as liberals like to say – “ credibly accused ” of rape and sexual abuse and who is known to have used the White House as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s town hall to endorse Joe Biden .
She did it in the full knowledge that Biden also stands accused of sexual assault on a young woman in the nation ’ s capital – and didn ’ t have the guts or the decency to address it .
She did it at an event billed as a town hall for women .
And she did it while assailing the performance of a president who , in the actual performance of his duties , has been exactly the kind of president Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Trump used Twitter a little less ?
Of course .
But enemies and potential enemies in Tehran , in Beijing , in Moscow and in Pyonyang , to name just a few , know full well that the president of the United States is not a sap like Obama , or a feckless lothario like Clinton .
Or an ineffectual hack politician of questionable mental faculties , like Joe Biden .
The ironies Tuesday were inescapable , even if Hillary refused to see them .
It ’ s a solid bet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans did .
And if they didn ’ t , they will by November .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The ironies were inescapable – but Hillary Clinton pretended they weren’t there.
When the former first lady on Tuesday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden at a virtual women’s town hall staged by the Biden campaign, she had to be fully aware of the cloud surrounding Biden’s candidacy thanks to a sexual assault allegation from his career as a senator.
But as she did so unflinchingly during her years in the White House when her husband’s second term was plagued by a sexual scandal in the White House and a closetful of sexual scandals from earlier in his political career, Clinton just ignored it entirely.
As an example of Clintonian brassiness, the unmatched ability to look directly into the face of the American people and avoid speaking what everyone in the country is thinking, it was a bravura performance.
“I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president,” Clinton said in a split-screen conversation with Biden while both are self-isolating.
“Just think what a difference it would make, right now, if we had a president who not only listened to the science, put fact over fiction, but brought us together,” she said. “Showed the kind of compassion and caring that we need from our president and which Joe Biden has been exemplifying throughout his entire life.”
So far, so much pablum from a woman who has spent decades dolloping out this kind of nonsense while avoiding the real elephant in the room.
The fact is, Biden is facing an accusation that in 1993, he pushed a young woman named Tara Reade, then an aide in his Senate office, up against a wall, put his hand under her skirt and penetrated her vagina with his fingers.
The truth of that accusation has not been established, and Biden deserves the presumption of innocence that Democrats routinely deny conservatives. But it’s there, though it’s been shamefully ignored by the mainstream media, and there’s probably not a Democrat in the country who wished it didn’t exist.
But it does exist. And it’s gathering steam, as more potential evidence emerges beyond Reade’s own story.
There’s intriguing footage from a “Larry King Live” episode from 1993 that includes a woman Reade says is her mother describing her daughter being mistreated by a sitting United States senator.
There is a former neighbor, who told Business Insider in an article published Monday that she recalls Reade told her about the Biden attack in the mid-1990s. There’s another woman who told Business Insider that Reade had told her, also in the mid-1990s, that she’d been sexually harassed while working in a political office in Washington.
It’s true that those facts aren’t dispositive, but they are at least supportive of Reade’s story. And if Democrats and the Democratic media had had anything close to that in 2018 to back up their spurious accusations against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, history would have been very different the past two years.
Even the Biden-supporting actress Alyssa Milano has softened somewhat (whether it’s because she genuinely cares about whether the story is true, or whether it’s just because her knee-jerk support for Biden looks bad remains to be seen.)
And Democrats wishing otherwise won’t change it.
One response. Tara Reade — Frank Sindler (@franklster) April 28, 2020
And if there’s any truth at all to Tara Reade’s story about what then-Sen. Joe Biden did in the nation’s Capitol 27-odd years ago, it’s a solid bet Reade wouldn’t describe Biden as showing “compassion and caring.” (“You’re nothing to me,” Reade said Biden told her at that point.)
Clinton then went from inescapable irony to simply insulting.
“Think of what it would mean if we had a real president, not just somebody who plays one on TV, but somebody who gets up every morning worried about the people that he’s responsible for leading during this crisis.
“I know what a difference it would make, because I’ve been there, I’ve seen first-hand what presidents can and should do.”
Not someone who just plays one on TV?
Hillary Clinton has every reason to resent President Donald Trump – his upset victory in the 2016 election had to be a humiliating personal as well as political embarrassment.
The fact that his presidency was, until the coronavirus pandemic hit, a rousing success by any logical standard after the anemic years of Clinton’s own party in power has been a standing rebuke to her and her whole worldview.
But that doesn’t give her license to lie.
As to what Clinton has seen presidents do “first-hand,” neither example is exactly thrilling to the American spirit. What successes Bill Clinton enjoyed were largely due to the Cold War that was won before he got into office (largely by Ronald Reagan) and the Republican Congress he had to work with.
The fact that he escaped being pushed out of office by impeachment was mainly due to American satisfaction with a roaring economy that Bill Clinton could claim little legitimate credit for.
Do you think Hillary Clinton's endorsement will help Joe Biden? Yes No
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The second president Hillary has seen “first-hand” was even worse. While Obama, as far as is known, didn’t have any sexual escapades with interns half his age, he led the United States into its worst standing in world affairs since Jimmy Carter’s benighted presidency.
Sure the cosmopolitan Europeans cheered for Obama in Paris and Berlin, but the hard men in Moscow, in Tehran and Beijing knew a sap when they saw one, and took advantage of it all the way.
The final irony was particularly pathetic:
“And I, like so many Americans, really wish we had that kind of leadership now,” Clinton said.
Meaning, “I really wish I’d won that 2016 election.”
So, what happened on Tuesday was Hillary Clinton, wife of probably the most infamous womanizer in American politics, a man who has been – as liberals like to say – “credibly accused” of rape and sexual abuse and who is known to have used the White House as his own sexual hunting grounds, used a women’s town hall to endorse Joe Biden.
She did it in the full knowledge that Biden also stands accused of sexual assault on a young woman in the nation’s capital – and didn’t have the guts or the decency to address it.
She did it at an event billed as a town hall for women.
And she did it while assailing the performance of a president who, in the actual performance of his duties, has been exactly the kind of president Americans should want.
Would everyone rest easier if Trump used Twitter a little less? Of course.
But enemies and potential enemies in Tehran, in Beijing, in Moscow and in Pyonyang, to name just a few, know full well that the president of the United States is not a sap like Obama, or a feckless lothario like Clinton.
Or an ineffectual hack politician of questionable mental faculties, like Joe Biden.
The ironies Tuesday were inescapable, even if Hillary refused to see them.
It’s a solid bet, though, that millions and millions of Americans did.
And if they didn’t, they will by November.
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--Recent Super Bowl Champion and Doctor Begins Working on Coronavirus Frontlines

Super Bowl champion Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has stepped away from the football field to answer a second calling in the medical field .
The Canadian-born offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs , who holds a doctorate in medicine , wrote in Sports Illustrated on Monday that he is using his medical training to treat patients in the Montreal area amid the coronavirus outbreak .
It seems shocking that a man who was celebrating being a Super Bowl champion just over two months ago is working in a white coat and scrubs instead of football pads and a bright red jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that just 10 weeks earlier I played in the biggest game in sports , ” he wrote .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward But the 29-year-old guard is following his heart and his training during an unprecedented situation .
On the coronavirus pandemic , the first medical doctor to ever play in the NFL wrote : “ Three days before Super Bowl LIV in February , a reporter asked what I thought about the coronavirus .
Crazy , right ?
Back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and knew what type of virus it was and that there were a few thousands cases in China .
I told the reporter as much , but added that I was trying to focus on football going into the biggest game of my life.
” Things unfolded quickly from there , though , and Duvernay-Tardif found himself suspending a vacation to head home to Montreal .
After rushing to return to his native Canada in March as the disease spread across the globe , he asked himself if there was any way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to use his position as a public figure to advocate for social distancing .
“ I reached out to the health ministry and public health authorities , but found out that I fell into a gray area where they didn ’ t know what to do with me , because I don ’ t have a license to practice — yet , ” Duvernay-Tardif wrote .
“ I don ’ t have a specialty yet , and I haven ’ t done the residency portion of the program.
” Health care administrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far away from the painted lines at Arrowhead Stadium .
“ My first day back in the hospital was April 24 .
I felt nervous the night before , but a good nervous , like before a game , and I packed everything neatly : scrubs , white coat , extra pens , even a second pair of shoes that I could leave in my locker , knowing they were clean , ” Duvernay-Tardif continued .
RELATED : Chiefs Stars Address Potential White House Visit : 'That Would Be Great' Commenting on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the offensive lineman made it clear he will return to football .
“ I wasn ’ t aware the Chiefs had drafted a running back that night in the first round , even though I will block for my future teammate , Clyde Edwards-Helaire , from LSU , ” he wrote .
But he is going to see his new role through , at least for now .
Duvernay-Tardif serves on an NFL Players Association task force that will help decide when professional football will return for eager sports fans .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how they will travel and how the games will take place and , since this is the NFL , a league with a lot of resources , it seems like every option is on the table .
For now , we ’ re just getting started , ” he said of his role on the task force .
But Duvernay-Tardif is also trying to keep sports in perspective as he assists his country ’ s health care workers .
“ Playing in the Super Bowl vs. heading back to the medical system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he wrote , adding that when playing football , he only “ wanted to win.
” “ When you ’ re going in to help it ’ s more about your duty as a doctor and a citizen .
It ’ s not the time to be the hero and be impulsive .
You ’ ve got ta do it the right way , ” Duvernay-Tardif added .
“ Sport is really important ; it ’ s a connective tissue for society .
But it is not an essential business , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be interesting to see what will happen when it comes to baseball , hockey , basketball and , eventually , football in September , ” Duvernay-Tardif concluded .
While the Chiefs guard holds a doctorate in medicine , he said he is working as more of an auxiliary worker at a long-term care facility .
Duvernay-Tardif described his place in the medical facility as “ more of a nursing role , helping relieve the workers who have already been in place.
” But no matter what position he is playing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team back in the states has given him its full blessing .
“ I had to check in with the Chiefs from a contract standpoint .
They ’ ve been amazing .
They were proud of the fact that I wanted to go help .
They said they would support me , ” he wrote .
The Chiefs , with Duvernay-Tardif blocking for quarterback Patrick Mahomes , are favored to repeat as Super Bowl champions in the upcoming season , whenever that might be played .
We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

Super Bowl champion Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has stepped away from the football field to answer a second calling in the medical field.
The Canadian-born offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, who holds a doctorate in medicine, wrote in Sports Illustrated on Monday that he is using his medical training to treat patients in the Montreal area amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It seems shocking that a man who was celebrating being a Super Bowl champion just over two months ago is working in a white coat and scrubs instead of football pads and a bright red jersey.
That fact isn’t lost on Duvernay-Tardif.
“It’s wild to think that just 10 weeks earlier I played in the biggest game in sports,” he wrote.
But the 29-year-old guard is following his heart and his training during an unprecedented situation.
On the coronavirus pandemic, the first medical doctor to ever play in the NFL wrote: “Three days before Super Bowl LIV in February, a reporter asked what I thought about the coronavirus. Crazy, right? Back then, I had read a little and knew what type of virus it was and that there were a few thousands cases in China. I told the reporter as much, but added that I was trying to focus on football going into the biggest game of my life.”
Things unfolded quickly from there, though, and Duvernay-Tardif found himself suspending a vacation to head home to Montreal.
After rushing to return to his native Canada in March as the disease spread across the globe, he asked himself if there was any way he could help, and he was initially asked to use his position as a public figure to advocate for social distancing.
Do you think the Chiefs will repeat as Super Bowl champions? 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: 52% (96 Votes) No: 48% (87 Votes)
“I reached out to the health ministry and public health authorities, but found out that I fell into a gray area where they didn’t know what to do with me, because I don’t have a license to practice — yet,” Duvernay-Tardif wrote. “I don’t have a specialty yet, and I haven’t done the residency portion of the program.”
Health care administrators eventually found a roster spot for him far away from the painted lines at Arrowhead Stadium.
“My first day back in the hospital was April 24. I felt nervous the night before, but a good nervous, like before a game, and I packed everything neatly: scrubs, white coat, extra pens, even a second pair of shoes that I could leave in my locker, knowing they were clean,” Duvernay-Tardif continued.
Back in January, a reporter asked the NFL’s only doctor/guard about the coronavirus. Then Laurent Duvernay-Tardif won the Super Bowl. Then came the pandemic. His story and his move to the front lines here: https://t.co/7EGd29SrNj — Greg Bishop (@GregBishopSI) April 27, 2020
Commenting on this past weekend’s NFL draft, the offensive lineman made it clear he will return to football.
“I wasn’t aware the Chiefs had drafted a running back that night in the first round, even though I will block for my future teammate, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, from LSU,” he wrote.
But he is going to see his new role through, at least for now.
Duvernay-Tardif serves on an NFL Players Association task force that will help decide when professional football will return for eager sports fans.
“We will look at how teams will train, how they will travel and how the games will take place and, since this is the NFL, a league with a lot of resources, it seems like every option is on the table. For now, we’re just getting started,” he said of his role on the task force.
But Duvernay-Tardif is also trying to keep sports in perspective as he assists his country’s health care workers.
“Playing in the Super Bowl vs. heading back to the medical system during a pandemic is totally different,” he wrote, adding that when playing football, he only “wanted to win.”
“When you’re going in to help it’s more about your duty as a doctor and a citizen. It’s not the time to be the hero and be impulsive. You’ve gotta do it the right way,” Duvernay-Tardif added.
“Sport is really important; it’s a connective tissue for society. But it is not an essential business,” he wrote.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what will happen when it comes to baseball, hockey, basketball and, eventually, football in September,” Duvernay-Tardif concluded.
While the Chiefs guard holds a doctorate in medicine, he said he is working as more of an auxiliary worker at a long-term care facility.
Duvernay-Tardif described his place in the medical facility as “more of a nursing role, helping relieve the workers who have already been in place.”
But no matter what position he is playing in health care, he assured fans that his team back in the states has given him its full blessing.
“I had to check in with the Chiefs from a contract standpoint. They’ve been amazing. They were proud of the fact that I wanted to go help. They said they would support me,” he wrote.
The Chiefs, with Duvernay-Tardif blocking for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are favored to repeat as Super Bowl champions in the upcoming season, whenever that might be played.
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--Family Spending Lockdown Cleaning Headstones of Complete Strangers

Many people pass through the world seeing only their plan , their path , and how they can benefit from the world around them .
Others go through life observing their surroundings and finding ways to leave the places they visit a little nicer than they found them .
Ryan van Emmenis , 37 , from Winsford in Cheshire , England , seems to be one of the latter .
He runs a cleaning business called “ Cleaning Helps , ” and it being a practical trade , he can use his skills pretty much anywhere .
One of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gravestone for a friend ’ s sister .
He saw the friend post a photo online , noticed that the gravestone was dirty and offered to clean it .
After encouragement from his wife , Hayley , he knew this could extend far beyond a single grave and began to work in more .
“ I thought ‘ I can do this more , ' ” he told the PA news agency , according to the Surrey Comet .
“ When I ’ m out on my walks I pass a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old headstones and tombstones.
” TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward “ I thought ‘ I ’ ll just take a out a little brush , some cleaning products etc and as I pass when I stop for my little break I ’ ll have a little drink of my water and do a bit each day . '
” “ You see results and you ’ re like ‘ oh , this is great ’ so I just wanted to keep doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after of a grave stone at my local church , ” he posted to his business Facebook page on April 18 .
“ I cleaned and restored the gravestone when passing by on my daily exercise on a quick break .
It will continue to look cleaner and cleaner over the coming months.
” “ Do something nice , and be kind : ) ” It takes several visits during his exercise and about an hour total to clean one headstone .
But soon van Emmenis realized that he had more resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those resources were his children , Brooke , Lana and Larsson , ages 12 , 4 and 3 , respectively .
He started to involve them in his project , finding the work educational and beneficial .
“ It ’ s good for the children to learn a little bit of history but also respect their environment , ” he said .
RELATED : Grocery Store Sends Man Caught Stealing Home with Bag Full of Food : 'We Will Feed You' “ You ’ ve got to be respectful of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member , it ’ s someone ’ s memories .
You ’ ve got to make sure you ’ re using the right products and you ’ re being careful and delicate with it.
” “ Some of these headstones I ’ m cleaning are over 100 years old .
And algae , moss etc can have a really negative impact on them so you ’ ve got to be really careful.
” Van Emmenis handles the heavy lifting ( aka the chemicals ) , but lets the kids do the brushing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can still get involved and they can still help , ” he said .
“ They ’ re quite good at it to be fair.
” “ A little bit of patience , care and attention and a soft bristled brush with a bit of soapy water will do a fantastic job.
” Their work cleaning more than 20 headstones has been noted and appreciated , and they ’ ve received gratitude from family members of the deceased — especially those who haven ’ t managed to get round and clean the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his work was helping bring “ memories back to people.
” “ I had some feedback from people saying they were really grateful for what I ’ d done because it was family members and they hadn ’ t visited the grave for 20 years , they ’ d been unable [ to ] , ” he shared .
“ When a grave is dull and it ’ s got algae on it and you can ’ t read it , there ’ s nobody seems to give it much time if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once you ’ ve cleaned up one of these graves , it ’ s really noticeable , which means people are stopping and taking a moment to read and remember these people.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Many people pass through the world seeing only their plan, their path, and how they can benefit from the world around them. Others go through life observing their surroundings and finding ways to leave the places they visit a little nicer than they found them.
Ryan van Emmenis, 37, from Winsford in Cheshire, England, seems to be one of the latter. He runs a cleaning business called “Cleaning Helps,” and it being a practical trade, he can use his skills pretty much anywhere.
One of those places happened to be a cemetery with a gravestone for a friend’s sister. He saw the friend post a photo online, noticed that the gravestone was dirty and offered to clean it.
After encouragement from his wife, Hayley, he knew this could extend far beyond a single grave and began to work in more.
“I thought ‘I can do this more,'” he told the PA news agency, according to the Surrey Comet. “When I’m out on my walks I pass a couple of churches and there are some really old headstones and tombstones.”
“I thought ‘I’ll just take a out a little brush, some cleaning products etc and as I pass when I stop for my little break I’ll have a little drink of my water and do a bit each day.'”
“You see results and you’re like ‘oh, this is great’ so I just wanted to keep doing it.”
“Here is a before and after of a grave stone at my local church,” he posted to his business Facebook page on April 18. “I cleaned and restored the gravestone when passing by on my daily exercise on a quick break. It will continue to look cleaner and cleaner over the coming months.”
“Do something nice, and be kind :)”
It takes several visits during his exercise and about an hour total to clean one headstone. But soon van Emmenis realized that he had more resources at his disposal than ever before.
Those resources were his children, Brooke, Lana and Larsson, ages 12, 4 and 3, respectively. He started to involve them in his project, finding the work educational and beneficial.
“It’s good for the children to learn a little bit of history but also respect their environment,” he said.
“You’ve got to be respectful of the fact that it’s someone’s family member, it’s someone’s memories. You’ve got to make sure you’re using the right products and you’re being careful and delicate with it.”
“Some of these headstones I’m cleaning are over 100 years old. And algae, moss etc can have a really negative impact on them so you’ve got to be really careful.”
Van Emmenis handles the heavy lifting (aka the chemicals), but lets the kids do the brushing.
“As young as they are, they can still get involved and they can still help,” he said. “They’re quite good at it to be fair.”
“A little bit of patience, care and attention and a soft bristled brush with a bit of soapy water will do a fantastic job.”
Their work cleaning more than 20 headstones has been noted and appreciated, and they’ve received gratitude from family members of the deceased — especially those who haven’t managed to get round and clean the stones themselves.
Someone even told him that his work was helping bring “memories back to people.”
“I had some feedback from people saying they were really grateful for what I’d done because it was family members and they hadn’t visited the grave for 20 years, they’d been unable [to],” he shared.
“When a grave is dull and it’s got algae on it and you can’t read it, there’s nobody seems to give it much time if they don’t know the person. Once you’ve cleaned up one of these graves, it’s really noticeable, which means people are stopping and taking a moment to read and remember these people.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--House Leaders Reverse Course, Won’t Return to Washington Next Week

House leaders abruptly reversed course Tuesday and said that the House of Representatives will not be returning to Washington next week .
The announcement comes a day after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House would return on Monday , May 4 , Politico reported .
“ We made a judgement that we will not come back next week but that we hope to come back very soon , ” Hoyer said Tuesday .
Hoyer and Pelosi had consulted Monday with Congress ’ attending physician , Dr. Brian Monahan , who said that lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising number of coronavirus cases in the Washington , D.C. area .
“ The House physician ’ s view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking , ” Hoyer said .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward “ The House doctor , when I talked to him yesterday , was concerned because the numbers in the District of Columbia are going up , ” he added , according to ABC News .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not going down.
” House leaders will be called back when the next round of coronavirus relief legislation is ready to be voted on , Hoyer said , The Hill reported .
Hoyer and Pelosi ’ s initial announcement that the body would be reconvening in Washington on May 4 caught both Democrats and Republicans off guard , with some lawmakers saying House leadership did not consult with them before making the call .
“ We have a bipartisan committee of six meeting on it and they decided without talking to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico .
A task force comprised of lawmakers from both parties , including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Hoyer , has been discussing safe ways for lawmakers to conduct votes and committee business virtually , according to The Hill .
“ We are going to be working in the interim on trying to facilitate committees meeting in a real way , but virtually , and provisions for the House of the Representatives to meet if in fact members can not come back because of the virus , ” Hoyer said .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxy voting , where an absent member of the House could authorize someone else physically present to cast their vote for them .
The rule change was set to be voted on last week , but the vote was called off after the idea was met with disapproval from Republicans .
The Senate still intends to follow through on plans to return on May 4 .
RELATED : Elizabeth Warren Leads Senate Dems in Calling for Investigation of Trump 's Coronavirus Response “ We ’ re going to take whatever safeguards the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we believe we can do that safely , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Politico on Monday .
“ Look , it doesn ’ t make sense for the Senate to sit on the sidelines while a lot of other people are going to work every day and trying to get us through this.
” Washington , D.C. ’ s stay-at-home order is in effect until at least May 15 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

House leaders abruptly reversed course Tuesday and said that the House of Representatives will not be returning to Washington next week.
The announcement comes a day after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House would return on Monday, May 4, Politico reported.
“We made a judgement that we will not come back next week but that we hope to come back very soon,” Hoyer said Tuesday.
Hoyer and Pelosi had consulted Monday with Congress’ attending physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, who said that lawmakers could be at risk because of the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Washington, D.C. area.
“The House physician’s view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking,” Hoyer said.
“The House doctor, when I talked to him yesterday, was concerned because the numbers in the District of Columbia are going up,” he added, according to ABC News. “They’re not flat and they’re not going down.”
House leaders will be called back when the next round of coronavirus relief legislation is ready to be voted on, Hoyer said, The Hill reported.
Hoyer and Pelosi’s initial announcement that the body would be reconvening in Washington on May 4 caught both Democrats and Republicans off guard, with some lawmakers saying House leadership did not consult with them before making the call.
“We have a bipartisan committee of six meeting on it and they decided without talking to us,” one senior Republican lawmaker told Politico.
Do you think lawmakers should be back in Washington to vote on legislation? 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: 98% (502 Votes) No: 2% (11 Votes)
A task force comprised of lawmakers from both parties, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Hoyer, has been discussing safe ways for lawmakers to conduct votes and committee business virtually, according to The Hill.
“We are going to be working in the interim on trying to facilitate committees meeting in a real way, but virtually, and provisions for the House of the Representatives to meet if in fact members cannot come back because of the virus,” Hoyer said.
One idea supported by House Democratic leaders is proxy voting, where an absent member of the House could authorize someone else physically present to cast their vote for them.
The rule change was set to be voted on last week, but the vote was called off after the idea was met with disapproval from Republicans.
The Senate still intends to follow through on plans to return on May 4.
“We’re going to take whatever safeguards the Capitol physician recommends that we engage in and we believe we can do that safely,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Politico on Monday.
“Look, it doesn’t make sense for the Senate to sit on the sidelines while a lot of other people are going to work every day and trying to get us through this.”
Washington, D.C.’s stay-at-home order is in effect until at least May 15.
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--WHO Backpedals Again, Deletes Tweet About No COVID Immunity

The World Health Organization is supposed to be the premiere global authority on diseases , research and information relating to public well being .
Unfortunately , we ’ ve learned that the agency has been misleading , and appears to have a peculiar proclivity toward disseminating false information and kowtowing to China ’ s authoritarian government .
The WHO , which is part of the United Nations , is now operating with its credibility diminished , and its suggestions relating to the global coronavirus pandemic are under increased scrutiny .
So it should come as little surprise that the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 crisis last week , when it was forced to walk back a statement on Twitter that struck a fearful tone about the virus .
Reason reported the WHO posted and deleted a tweet Saturday claiming there ’ s “ no evidence ” that people with coronavirus antibodies who have already recovered are immune from the virus .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward The tweet accompanied a scientific brief published Friday on so-called “ immunity passports ” that weighed whether governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus — and have antibodies — to travel and return to work .
“ There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from # COVID19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection , ” the WHO ’ s deleted tweet , which was a pull quote from the brief , read .
“ No evidence antibodies protect people from second COVID-19 infection , WHO says , ” CBS News reported .
BuzzFeed News , citing the WHO , told its audience , “ No Studies Have Yet Shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Coronavirus If You ’ ve Been Infected Before.
” NPR also seized on the information , and reported , “ The World Health Organization has pushed back against the theory that individuals can only catch the coronavirus once , as well as proposals for reopening society that are based on this supposed immunity.
” Of course , there were those who called out the WHO for its misleading tweet .
Nate Silver , the statistician who founded the statistical analysis site FiveThirtyEight , was among those critical of the agency ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its communication on this .
When they say ‘ no evidence ’ they mean something like ‘ no definitive proof , yet , ' ” Silver wrote .
“ But the average person is going to read it as ‘ there ’ s no immunity to coronavirus , ’ which is likely false and not a good summation of the evidence.
” RELATED : WHO 's 'Reckless Dereliction of Duty ' and Pro-China Rhetoric Could 've Made COVID Much Worse : Experts “ The consensus of the evidence , as best as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very likely to be some degree of immunity , although we don ’ t know how absolute it is and for how long it confers and there ’ s still a lot to be learned about it , ” Silver added .
Reason ’ s Robby Soave also summed up the issue well , pointing out that “ the tweet version of the brief was missing important context.
” “ There ’ s no evidence of immunity .
But that ’ s because COVID-19 is new and the matter hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reason to expect COVID-19 survivors to have some immunity to the virus , though they ’ re unsure how strong it will be or how long it will last , ” he wrote .
The WHO ended up deleting the irresponsible tweet and issued a clarification .
“ Earlier today we tweeted about a new WHO scientific brief on ‘ immunity passports ’ .
The thread caused some concern & we would like to clarify , ” the WHO tweeted .
“ We expect that most people who are infected with # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide some level of protection.
” The WHO also thanked Silver and others for their “ constructive input.
” The WHO can write its fear-mongering tweets and issue follow-up clarifications , but information from the agency is borderline immaterial at this point .
Its credibility has been severely compromised in the eyes of many people seeking facts about a disease that has affected every aspect of life .
This is the same agency that cited Chinese authorities when it told the world in January that “ no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We all know how that information turned out .
The WHO damaged itself when it blindly accepted Communist Party of China information about the virus and made itself complicit in the disease becoming the unprecedented global health and economic emergency it is today .
Now , it has had to walk back a statement that may have misled people into believing that COVID-19 infections could turn into a never-ending carousel of reinfection and sickness .
The WHO dropped the ball on the pandemic from the very beginning , and the ball continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The World Health Organization is supposed to be the premiere global authority on diseases, research and information relating to public well being.
Unfortunately, we’ve learned that the agency has been misleading, and appears to have a peculiar proclivity toward disseminating false information and kowtowing to China’s authoritarian government.
The WHO, which is part of the United Nations, is now operating with its credibility diminished, and its suggestions relating to the global coronavirus pandemic are under increased scrutiny.
So it should come as little surprise that the WHO again dropped the ball on information about the COVID-19 crisis last week, when it was forced to walk back a statement on Twitter that struck a fearful tone about the virus.
Reason reported the WHO posted and deleted a tweet Saturday claiming there’s “no evidence” that people with coronavirus antibodies who have already recovered are immune from the virus.
The tweet accompanied a scientific brief published Friday on so-called “immunity passports” that weighed whether governments should allow citizens who have recovered from the coronavirus — and have antibodies — to travel and return to work.
“There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from #COVID19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection,” the WHO’s deleted tweet, which was a pull quote from the brief, read.
The misleading tweet initiated a flurry of gloomy news reports.
“No evidence antibodies protect people from second COVID-19 infection, WHO says,” CBS News reported.
Do you think the World Health Organization should be permanently defunded by the U.S.? 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: 98% (770 Votes) No: 2% (16 Votes)
BuzzFeed News, citing the WHO, told its audience, “No Studies Have Yet Shown That You’ll Be Immune To The Coronavirus If You’ve Been Infected Before.”
NPR also seized on the information, and reported, “The World Health Organization has pushed back against the theory that individuals can only catch the coronavirus once, as well as proposals for reopening society that are based on this supposed immunity.”
Of course, there were those who called out the WHO for its misleading tweet.
Nate Silver, the statistician who founded the statistical analysis site FiveThirtyEight, was among those critical of the agency’s language.
“WHO needs to improve its communication on this. When they say ‘no evidence’ they mean something like ‘no definitive proof, yet,'” Silver wrote. “But the average person is going to read it as ‘there’s no immunity to coronavirus,’ which is likely false and not a good summation of the evidence.”
“The consensus of the evidence, as best as I can tell, is that there’s very likely to be some degree of immunity, although we don’t know how absolute it is and for how long it confers and there’s still a lot to be learned about it,” Silver added.
The consensus of the evidence, as best as I can tell, is that there’s very likely to be some degree of immunity, although we don’t know how absolute it is and for how long it confers and there’s still a lot to be learned about it. https://t.co/VKIyTMK2Eu — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) April 25, 2020
Reason’s Robby Soave also summed up the issue well, pointing out that “the tweet version of the brief was missing important context.”
“There’s no evidence of immunity. But that’s because COVID-19 is new and the matter hasn’t been conclusively studied yet. Scientists have good reason to expect COVID-19 survivors to have some immunity to the virus, though they’re unsure how strong it will be or how long it will last,” he wrote.
The WHO ended up deleting the irresponsible tweet and issued a clarification.
“Earlier today we tweeted about a new WHO scientific brief on ‘immunity passports’. The thread caused some concern & we would like to clarify,” the WHO tweeted.
“We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.”
Earlier today we tweeted about a new WHO scientific brief on ‘immunity passports’. The thread caused some concern & we would like to clarify: We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection. pic.twitter.com/AmxvQQLTjM — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 25, 2020
The WHO also thanked Silver and others for their “constructive input.”
To avoid further confusion, we are taking down the previous thread on the #COVID19 “immunity passport”, but you can still see it here? pic.twitter.com/bLx3bRDaTB — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 25, 2020
The WHO can write its fear-mongering tweets and issue follow-up clarifications, but information from the agency is borderline immaterial at this point.
Its credibility has been severely compromised in the eyes of many people seeking facts about a disease that has affected every aspect of life.
This is the same agency that cited Chinese authorities when it told the world in January that “no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission” of the virus had been found.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) identified in #Wuhan, #China??. pic.twitter.com/Fnl5P877VG — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 14, 2020
We all know how that information turned out.
The WHO damaged itself when it blindly accepted Communist Party of China information about the virus and made itself complicit in the disease becoming the unprecedented global health and economic emergency it is today.
Now, it has had to walk back a statement that may have misled people into believing that COVID-19 infections could turn into a never-ending carousel of reinfection and sickness.
The WHO dropped the ball on the pandemic from the very beginning, and the ball continues to roll away from of its grasp.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-28--Dick Morris: Don’t Let Liberal Governors Rip Us Off

The stage is set for the next congressional food fight — a battle over a phase-four stimulus package aimed at relieving state and local governments .
Truly they have both suffered from sharply declining revenues as business life closed down and patients piled up at their hospitals .
Nobody should begrudge them the funds to make them whole .
But in most liberal states ( e.g .
Connecticut , Illinois , Michigan and New York ) the coronavirus deficit comes on top of the regular state budget shortfall that surfaces each year .
For years , particularly after the open-handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have papered over their deficits by borrowing and other fiscal gimmicks .
Rolling them over from year to year , the snowball has gotten quite large as it has rolled down the Capitol Hills of the northeastern states — so large that now the states ’ hungry eyes focus on Washington , hoping to slip in a subsidy of their routine annual deficits into a coronavirus relief bill .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward Now , House Democrats are leading the chorus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo even asked that we change the moniker of such aid from “ subsidy to state and local governments ” to “ money for police , nurses , firefighters and the like.
” Senate Republicans clearly need to approve some aid to these states .
But it should only fund relief from deficits due to the virus , not from the routine budget deficits .
All grants under the phase-four relief should require that each state seeking special aid submit to an audit by the Treasury Department to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is for coronavirus-specific shortfalls and how much is its regular , annual budget deficit .
The coronavirus-specific aid should be given immediately with no strings .
We must sympathize with states like Connecticut , New Jersey and New York for having taken the brunt of the hit from this virus .
But if the states want Congress to go further and fund their regular deficits , the legislation should require the appointment of a fiscal control board , perhaps appointed by the chairman of the Federal Reserve System , to review their annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance and not just trying to disguise deficits with gimmicks .
After all , every state requires a balanced budget each year — unlike the federal government — and these profligate states have pretended to balance their books by one-shot revenues , borrowing and capital debt being used for operating costs .
If federal funds are to be used , we need to be sure that states are not just disguising their deficits , but genuinely balancing their budgets .
When New York City went bankrupt in the ‘ 70s , state aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review board ( Municipal Assistance Corporation , dubbed Big MAC ) .
It only relinquished its control over city finances in the 1980s .
More recently , Detroit has labored under just such constraints .
The key culprit is , of course , the costs of pensions .
When he was mayor of New York City , Rudy Giuliani said “ I have to pay for three police forces : the current one , the last one and the one before that.
” RELATED : Herman Cain : You 're Going To Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions unaffordable wage increases , states and cities bought off labor at each year ’ s collective bargaining table with pension benefits .
When interest rates fluctuated in the six-nine percent range , the revenues were enough to pay for this largesse without unduly burdening state coffers .
But with rates as low as they are now , investment income from pension funds makes barely a dent in the annual cost of pension outlays .
The only solution to the pension crunch is state bankruptcy , as proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ howls of criticism from Democrats , but bankruptcy , under which union contracts can be renegotiated , might be the only solution .
Eventually , pensions should be allocated based on available funds , not on a rigid guarantee of a fixed income to the pensioners regardless of fiscal reality .
But it will be a cold day in hell before the municipal unions agree to this reform .
Now , when they earnestly seek Washington ’ s aid , might be the time to force the issue .
Democrats will cry that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy .
But if virus-related aid is separated out and given without restrictions , they won ’ t have a case .
Of course , some states may decide that fiscal honesty and integrity is too high a price to pay for assistance .
In which case they are on their own until they come back for more aid next year .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The stage is set for the next congressional food fight — a battle over a phase-four stimulus package aimed at relieving state and local governments.
Truly they have both suffered from sharply declining revenues as business life closed down and patients piled up at their hospitals. Nobody should begrudge them the funds to make them whole.
But in most liberal states (e.g. Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan and New York) the coronavirus deficit comes on top of the regular state budget shortfall that surfaces each year.
For years, particularly after the open-handed Obama administration left office, these states have papered over their deficits by borrowing and other fiscal gimmicks.
Rolling them over from year to year, the snowball has gotten quite large as it has rolled down the Capitol Hills of the northeastern states — so large that now the states’ hungry eyes focus on Washington, hoping to slip in a subsidy of their routine annual deficits into a coronavirus relief bill.
Now, House Democrats are leading the chorus for aid to deserving states.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo even asked that we change the moniker of such aid from “subsidy to state and local governments” to “money for police, nurses, firefighters and the like.”
Senate Republicans clearly need to approve some aid to these states.
But it should only fund relief from deficits due to the virus, not from the routine budget deficits. All grants under the phase-four relief should require that each state seeking special aid submit to an audit by the Treasury Department to determine how much of the amount it needs is for coronavirus-specific shortfalls and how much is its regular, annual budget deficit.
Do you think federal aid to states should be given with no strings attached? 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: 3% (4 Votes) No: 97% (111 Votes)
The coronavirus-specific aid should be given immediately with no strings. We must sympathize with states like Connecticut, New Jersey and New York for having taken the brunt of the hit from this virus.
But if the states want Congress to go further and fund their regular deficits, the legislation should require the appointment of a fiscal control board, perhaps appointed by the chairman of the Federal Reserve System, to review their annual budgets and certify that they are in balance and not just trying to disguise deficits with gimmicks.
After all, every state requires a balanced budget each year — unlike the federal government — and these profligate states have pretended to balance their books by one-shot revenues, borrowing and capital debt being used for operating costs. If federal funds are to be used, we need to be sure that states are not just disguising their deficits, but genuinely balancing their budgets.
When New York City went bankrupt in the ‘70s, state aid was conditioned on just such a financial review board (Municipal Assistance Corporation, dubbed Big MAC). It only relinquished its control over city finances in the 1980s. More recently, Detroit has labored under just such constraints.
The key culprit is, of course, the costs of pensions. When he was mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani said “I have to pay for three police forces: the current one, the last one and the one before that.”
To avoid giving demanding public employee unions unaffordable wage increases, states and cities bought off labor at each year’s collective bargaining table with pension benefits.
When interest rates fluctuated in the six-nine percent range, the revenues were enough to pay for this largesse without unduly burdening state coffers. But with rates as low as they are now, investment income from pension funds makes barely a dent in the annual cost of pension outlays.
The only solution to the pension crunch is state bankruptcy, as proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. His idea was greeted with howls of criticism from Democrats, but bankruptcy, under which union contracts can be renegotiated, might be the only solution.
Eventually, pensions should be allocated based on available funds, not on a rigid guarantee of a fixed income to the pensioners regardless of fiscal reality.
But it will be a cold day in hell before the municipal unions agree to this reform. Now, when they earnestly seek Washington’s aid, might be the time to force the issue.
Democrats will cry that we are using the virus to force bankruptcy. But if virus-related aid is separated out and given without restrictions, they won’t have a case.
Of course, some states may decide that fiscal honesty and integrity is too high a price to pay for assistance. In which case they are on their own until they come back for more aid next year.
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.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--AG Barr Issues Warning on Coronavirus Lockdowns: ‘The Constitution Is Not Suspended’

These are the words Americans needed to hear .
As the country struggles to emerge from the coronavirus lockdowns that have played havoc with the economy and given state and local government an excuse to crack down on cherished freedoms , Attorney General William Barr is putting the full weight of the Justice Department behind defending the country ’ s founding document .
It ’ s not the message overreaching governors like Michigan ’ s Gretchen Whitmer probably wanted to get , but it ’ s what ordinary citizens were waiting for .
In a memo on Monday to United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the coronavirus crisis has brought restrictions on Americans that would never be acceptable under normal circumstances .
But he made clear there are limits to how much freedoms can be restricted .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward “ Many policies that would be unthinkable in regular times have become commonplace in recent weeks , and we do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public , ” Barr wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in times of crisis.
” That probably comes as news to state and local officials who thought health concerns gave them license to decide which religious gatherings they would tolerate and which could be supressed .
“ As the Department of Justice explained recently in guidance to states and localities taking steps to battle the pandemic , even in times of emergency , when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights , the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers , ” Barr wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t the only ones where government infringement is off-limits .
“ The legal restrictions on state and local authority are not limited to discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers , ” he wrote .
“ For example , the Constitution also forbids , in certain circumstances , discrimination against disfavored speech and undue interference with the national economy .
If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation to address that overreach in federal court.
” RELATED : After Failing To Remove Trump from Office , Schiff and Nadler Now Target Barr The line about “ undue interference with the national economy ” is going to carry a lot of weight in the weeks ahead as state leaders make decisions about whether — and how — to let their economies return to life .
And social media users lost no time in backing Barr up .
Even Democrats and liberal media commentators understand that the U.S. economy that was humming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s biggest argument for re-election .
Getting the economy back into anything resembling the jaw-droppingly low unemployment the country enjoyed before March would go a long way toward pushing Trump over the finish line in November .
At the same time , the protests erupting around the country against the continued lockdowns are evidence that the patience of a good part of the American people has run its course .
Obviously , something had to be done to slow the spread of the coronavirus , but working people with families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own calculus – one that ’ s a good deal different from liberal journalists and Democratic politicians whose paychecks don ’ t depend on their being physically on the job .
Just as obviously , getting American businesses back up and running shouldn ’ t be a pell-mell affair .
Barr ’ s memo specifically acknowledges that the measures were “ required ” in some cases by the national emergency .
It also acknowledges that the Justice Department does not wish “ to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the presumption has to be in favor of getting the country as close to normal as possible – and Barr ’ s memo puts the United States Justice Department firmly on that side .
Anyone old enough to remember when Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch were holding the office under President Barack Obama knows full well that if they – or someone like them – had been wielding the power Barr now has , Americans wanting to get back to work would have no friend in that office .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man like Barr as attorney general .
And a man like William Barr as attorney general means Americans got the words they needed to hear .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

These are the words Americans needed to hear.
As the country struggles to emerge from the coronavirus lockdowns that have played havoc with the economy and given state and local government an excuse to crack down on cherished freedoms, Attorney General William Barr is putting the full weight of the Justice Department behind defending the country’s founding document.
It’s not the message overreaching governors like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer probably wanted to get, but it’s what ordinary citizens were waiting for.
In a memo on Monday to United States attorneys around the country, Barr noted that the coronavirus crisis has brought restrictions on Americans that would never be acceptable under normal circumstances.
But he made clear there are limits to how much freedoms can be restricted.
“Many policies that would be unthinkable in regular times have become commonplace in recent weeks, and we do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public,” Barr wrote. “But the Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis.”
Attorney General Barr’s Memo to U.S. Attorneys: “The Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis.” The Attorney General is right. We can’t forget freedom during the #coronavirus crisis. pic.twitter.com/KMKbtroziZ — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) April 27, 2020
That probably comes as news to state and local officials who thought health concerns gave them license to decide which religious gatherings they would tolerate and which could be supressed.
Do you think President Donald Trump will win re-election despite the coronavirus pandemic? 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: 98% (1687 Votes) No: 2% (27 Votes)
But Barr’s language is crystal clear.
“As the Department of Justice explained recently in guidance to states and localities taking steps to battle the pandemic, even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” Barr wrote.
However, he added, religious rights aren’t the only ones where government infringement is off-limits.
“The legal restrictions on state and local authority are not limited to discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” he wrote.
“For example, the Constitution also forbids, in certain circumstances, discrimination against disfavored speech and undue interference with the national economy. If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court.”
The line about “undue interference with the national economy” is going to carry a lot of weight in the weeks ahead as state leaders make decisions about whether — and how — to let their economies return to life.
And social media users lost no time in backing Barr up.
Thank God someone is doing something. THANK YOU from California, AG Barr! #OpenCalifornia — TheTroubleWithLisa (@troublewithlisa) April 27, 2020
My civil rights to earn a living are seriously infringed upon. What happened to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness? They let prisoners out of jail and arrest hairdressers. — Annmarie Cantwell (@TravelinTootsie) April 27, 2020
Better start w whitmer…she is going to overstep her authority again…she is all about power — 4wtrained (@bturnmire12) April 27, 2020
I love that!
Now something have be done to stop those violations against America people. — Lidia Strong (@LidiaStrong2020) April 27, 2020
Even Democrats and liberal media commentators understand that the U.S. economy that was humming before the coronavirus pandemic hit was President Donald Trump’s biggest argument for re-election.
Getting the economy back into anything resembling the jaw-droppingly low unemployment the country enjoyed before March would go a long way toward pushing Trump over the finish line in November.
At the same time, the protests erupting around the country against the continued lockdowns are evidence that the patience of a good part of the American people has run its course.
Obviously, something had to be done to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but working people with families to feed and bills to pay have their own calculus – one that’s a good deal different from liberal journalists and Democratic politicians whose paychecks don’t depend on their being physically on the job.
(In fact, it might be worth paying Democratic politicians to stay off the job if it keeps liberals like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the office for a while.)
Just as obviously, getting American businesses back up and running shouldn’t be a pell-mell affair. Barr’s memo specifically acknowledges that the measures were “required” in some cases by the national emergency.
It also acknowledges that the Justice Department does not wish “to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public.”
But the presumption has to be in favor of getting the country as close to normal as possible – and Barr’s memo puts the United States Justice Department firmly on that side.
Anyone old enough to remember when Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch were holding the office under President Barack Obama knows full well that if they – or someone like them – had been wielding the power Barr now has, Americans wanting to get back to work would have no friend in that office.
But Trump in the Oval Office means a man like Barr as attorney general.
And a man like William Barr as attorney general means Americans got the words they needed to hear.
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--Nan Hayworth: It’s Time To Stop Ignoring Biden’s Dangerous Agenda, Unfitness for Office

“ Step right up , folks , and behold the Incredible Disappearing Presidential Candidate !
” In a year of many sad “ firsts ” for our nation , one of the most striking to witness is the day-by-day deterioration in the capacities of the Democrat who would be president , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Even in the most limited appearances , with interviewers so friendly they practically do the talking for him , Biden is mumbling , stumbling and crumbling before our eyes .
We ’ ve seen him fade after the first few words of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way trying to explain his plan for the coronavirus pandemic ( Spoiler alert : It ’ s plagiarized — not the first time the former vice president ’ s copied someone else ’ s work — from President Trump ’ s plan , which is already well underway ) and repeatedly insult and attack voters rather than charm them .
Biden also constantly confuses names and people , from newsman Chris [ “ Chuck ” ] Wallace to Gov .
Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania , who briefly became long-retired Gov .
Dale Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward For all of these deepening failings , though , far worse is the erstwhile centrist Democrat ’ s leftward fall into the policies of his party ’ s “ Sandernista ” wing — a striking transformation whose unnaturalness and awkward execution further bespeak Biden ’ s diminished condition .
One of the former vice president ’ s strengths was his appeal to a broad swath of Americans , sometimes putting him at odds with many Democratic compatriots .
It was jarring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce , on the campaign trail , that he no longer supported the Hyde Amendment .
For decades prior to that moment he ’ d been an advocate for this law , which prohibits federal funding of nearly all abortions .
His flip , so unexpected that his campaign struggled for days to clarify his position , left voters justifiably dubious about his integrity — and , surely , his state of mind .
Amply adding to the doubts are still more policy reversals : Formerly a voice for “ clean coal ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , Biden has now pledged to eliminate fossil fuels and proposed his own version of the unworkable Green New Deal .
Once a defender of the Second Amendment , he now endorses aggressive gun control legislation .
Following years of support for border security , Biden ’ s now vowed to roll back President Trump ’ s border security initiatives .
Former President Barack Obama , in his recent endorsement of his two-term running-mate , described Biden ’ s platform as “ the most progressive … of any major party nominee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that today “ the world is different , ” and that he himself wouldn ’ t run on the same platform as he did in 2008 .
President Obama ’ s right about one thing : The world is truly quite different than it was 12 years ago — and it dramatically changed for the better when President Trump took office in 2017 .
He made our economy stronger , increased jobs and wages , facilitated a rise in household savings , confronted our adversaries forcefully and substantially strengthened our borders and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , has become dominated by a pandemic the likes of which humanity hasn ’ t experienced for over a century .
Talk about a different world — and diametrically different approaches to the threat as it emerged .
While President Trump had the instinct to make the initial decision to restrict travel from China — a move credited by Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , with going “ a long way ” to spare Americans from exposure to coronavirus at a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hysteria , xenophobia , and fear-mongering.
” Then , in early April , Biden ’ s campaign announced perhaps his most breathtaking self-contradiction yet : Two months after the fact , he now supports the travel ban .
Today , in Joe Biden , we see a man who has abandoned his long-held convictions in favor of leftist ideology ; who tries weakly to mimic President Trump ’ s crisis leadership ; and who can not coherently sustain a line of rhetoric — or even genial conversation — under the most favorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration stalwarts and Democratic partisans are laboring mightily to prop up their candidate , and they ’ ve been dutifully joined by mainstream media desperate to return to the days of the former vice president ’ s perceived glory .
But while their efforts may transiently distract our attention , Joe Biden ’ s faltering words and incomprehensible actions betray the illusion .
We ’ re watching a presidential candidate disintegrate before our eyes , and no attempts at magic can save him — but our votes for President Trump in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s dangerous agenda .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

“Step right up, folks, and behold the Incredible Disappearing Presidential Candidate!”
In a year of many sad “firsts” for our nation, one of the most striking to witness is the day-by-day deterioration in the capacities of the Democrat who would be president, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Even in the most limited appearances, with interviewers so friendly they practically do the talking for him, Biden is mumbling, stumbling and crumbling before our eyes.
We’ve seen him fade after the first few words of the Declaration of Independence, repeatedly lose his way trying to explain his plan for the coronavirus pandemic (Spoiler alert: It’s plagiarized — not the first time the former vice president’s copied someone else’s work — from President Trump’s plan, which is already well underway) and repeatedly insult and attack voters rather than charm them.
Biden also constantly confuses names and people, from newsman Chris [“Chuck”] Wallace to Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, who briefly became long-retired Gov. Dale Wolf of Delaware.
For all of these deepening failings, though, far worse is the erstwhile centrist Democrat’s leftward fall into the policies of his party’s “Sandernista” wing — a striking transformation whose unnaturalness and awkward execution further bespeak Biden’s diminished condition.
One of the former vice president’s strengths was his appeal to a broad swath of Americans, sometimes putting him at odds with many Democratic compatriots. It was jarring, then, to hear Biden suddenly announce, on the campaign trail, that he no longer supported the Hyde Amendment.
For decades prior to that moment he’d been an advocate for this law, which prohibits federal funding of nearly all abortions. His flip, so unexpected that his campaign struggled for days to clarify his position, left voters justifiably dubious about his integrity — and, surely, his state of mind.
Amply adding to the doubts are still more policy reversals: Formerly a voice for “clean coal” and the mining jobs that go with it, Biden has now pledged to eliminate fossil fuels and proposed his own version of the unworkable Green New Deal.
Do you think Biden is fit to be president? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (10 Votes) No: 99% (888 Votes)
Once a defender of the Second Amendment, he now endorses aggressive gun control legislation.
Following years of support for border security, Biden’s now vowed to roll back President Trump’s border security initiatives.
Former President Barack Obama, in his recent endorsement of his two-term running-mate, described Biden’s platform as “the most progressive … of any major party nominee in history.” Obama attempted to reassure us that today “the world is different,” and that he himself wouldn’t run on the same platform as he did in 2008.
President Obama’s right about one thing: The world is truly quite different than it was 12 years ago — and it dramatically changed for the better when President Trump took office in 2017.
He made our economy stronger, increased jobs and wages, facilitated a rise in household savings, confronted our adversaries forcefully and substantially strengthened our borders and our military.
The 2020 news cycle, of course, has become dominated by a pandemic the likes of which humanity hasn’t experienced for over a century. Talk about a different world — and diametrically different approaches to the threat as it emerged.
While President Trump had the instinct to make the initial decision to restrict travel from China — a move credited by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, with going “a long way” to spare Americans from exposure to coronavirus at a crucial time — Joe Biden accused him of “hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering.”
Then, in early April, Biden’s campaign announced perhaps his most breathtaking self-contradiction yet: Two months after the fact, he now supports the travel ban.
Today, in Joe Biden, we see a man who has abandoned his long-held convictions in favor of leftist ideology; who tries weakly to mimic President Trump’s crisis leadership; and who cannot coherently sustain a line of rhetoric — or even genial conversation — under the most favorable of circumstances.
Erstwhile primary rivals, Obama administration stalwarts and Democratic partisans are laboring mightily to prop up their candidate, and they’ve been dutifully joined by mainstream media desperate to return to the days of the former vice president’s perceived glory.
But while their efforts may transiently distract our attention, Joe Biden’s faltering words and incomprehensible actions betray the illusion.
We’re watching a presidential candidate disintegrate before our eyes, and no attempts at magic can save him — but our votes for President Trump in November can and will save our nation from Biden’s dangerous agenda.
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--2020-04-28--South Dakota Residents Throw Parade for Governor Who Refused To Issue Stay-at-Home Order

South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem , who did not issue a stay-at-home order for her state , was surprised with a parade in her honor as residents praised the Republican ’ s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic .
Video footage posted on the governor ’ s Twitter account shows fire trucks blaring their sirens and people honking from their cars as Noem walks out of what appears to be the governor ’ s mansion in Pierre .
The woman filming her tells the governor , “ It ’ s a parade for you !
Wave to them !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a little emotional .
“ I am so blessed to serve the people of the great State of South Dakota , ” she tweeted .
“ You folks made my day !
” TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward She expressed her gratitude to her residents in an interview with Go Watertown , saying that “ you can ’ t describe this to people in other states.
” “ I just love this state and these people and they ’ re amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed .
I love them , ” she said .
Noem made headlines and received criticism during the pandemic for refusing to implement a stay-at-home order for her state , but she has refused to back down .
“ For me personally , I took an oath to uphold our state Constitution .
I took an oath when I was in Congress to uphold the United States Constitution .
So I believe in people ’ s freedoms and liberties and I always balance that with every decision that I make as governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get overly concerned with leaders who take too much power in a time of crisis because I think that ’ s how we directly lose our country someday by leaders overstepping their proper role.
” She added that she does not believe in a “ one-size-fits-all approach ” because South Dakota has “ pretty diverse communities.
” “ I wanted to leave some flexibility there for local folks to make decisions but also recognizing that when it comes down to it that these guys had to take on the personal responsibility that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus.
” Although Noem did not issue a stay-at-home order , she did place some restrictions on her state .
RELATED : Governor Bucks Trend by Refusing To Issue Stay-at-Home Order : ' I Believe in Our Freedoms and Liberties' Schools have been closed since March 16 and businesses were directed to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The governor told Breitbart News that despite earlier projections of a surge of coronavirus patients flooding hospitals , South Dakota has cut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and only 111 people total have been hospitalized with coronavirus .
“ We probably , from all of our projections and studying the science behind the virus , we won ’ t peak until the middle of June , ” Noem said .
“ But we already have done much better than what we had thought would have been hitting our state already.
” As of Tuesday morning , there have been 2,245 cases of coronavirus in South Dakota and 11 fatalities , according to data from Johns Hopkins .
We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who did not issue a stay-at-home order for her state, was surprised with a parade in her honor as residents praised the Republican’s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
Video footage posted on the governor’s Twitter account shows fire trucks blaring their sirens and people honking from their cars as Noem walks out of what appears to be the governor’s mansion in Pierre.
The woman filming her tells the governor, “It’s a parade for you! Wave to them!” and Noem waves as she appears to get a little emotional.
“I am so blessed to serve the people of the great State of South Dakota,” she tweeted. “You folks made my day!”
I am so blessed to serve the people of the great State of South Dakota. You folks made my day! pic.twitter.com/oy0e5KO9RZ — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) April 28, 2020
She expressed her gratitude to her residents in an interview with Go Watertown, saying that “you can’t describe this to people in other states.”
“I just love this state and these people and they’re amazing. And I, I’m overwhelmed. I love them,” she said.
Noem made headlines and received criticism during the pandemic for refusing to implement a stay-at-home order for her state, but she has refused to back down.
Do you think this governor made the right move by refusing to issue a stay-at-home order? 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: 98% (881 Votes) No: 2% (21 Votes)
“For me personally, I took an oath to uphold our state Constitution. I took an oath when I was in Congress to uphold the United States Constitution. So I believe in people’s freedoms and liberties and I always balance that with every decision that I make as governor,” Noem told Breitbart News.
“I get overly concerned with leaders who take too much power in a time of crisis because I think that’s how we directly lose our country someday by leaders overstepping their proper role.”
She added that she does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all approach” because South Dakota has “pretty diverse communities.”
“I wanted to leave some flexibility there for local folks to make decisions but also recognizing that when it comes down to it that these guys had to take on the personal responsibility that is necessary to really go after this virus.”
Although Noem did not issue a stay-at-home order, she did place some restrictions on her state.
Schools have been closed since March 16 and businesses were directed to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The governor told Breitbart News that despite earlier projections of a surge of coronavirus patients flooding hospitals, South Dakota has cut down the projection number by 75 percent, and only 111 people total have been hospitalized with coronavirus.
“We probably, from all of our projections and studying the science behind the virus, we won’t peak until the middle of June,” Noem said. “But we already have done much better than what we had thought would have been hitting our state already.”
As of Tuesday morning, there have been 2,245 cases of coronavirus in South Dakota and 11 fatalities, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
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westernjournal--2020-04-28--Reality TV Star Ashley Ross Dead at Age 34

On Monday , Ashley Ross , also known as Ms. Minnie , passed away after suffering complications following a car accident that took place the night before .
At 11 p.m. Sunday night , Ross was involved in a “ hit and run car accident ” according to what her representative told USA Today .
She was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta , Georgia , where she passed away around 10:30 p.m. Monday night .
Ross was known as a founding cast member of “ Little Women : Atlanta , ” though she didn ’ t start out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initially , she was a hairdresser .
“ The opportunity came and fell into my lap and I ran with it , ” she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club .
TRENDING : Pennsylvania Takes Hundreds of 'Probable ' COVID Deaths Off Books After Coroners Come Forward Apparently , she was known by the cast as “ Mama Bear ” and was the one they would turn to when they needed some guidance .
“ Everybody in the whole group , they come to me for advice , ” she explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacemaker.
” On Tuesday , the sad news of her passing was posted to her Instagram acc0unt .
“ Full Statement from the management team of @ MsMinnieLW , ” the post began .
“ It is with profound sadness that we confirm on behalf of the family of Ashley Ross aka ‘ Ms Minnie ’ of Little Women Atlanta has succumbed to injuries from a tragic hit and run car accident today at the age of 34.
” “ The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condolences to the family and expressed their sorrow over the loss of life .
“ Lifetime and the Little Women Family are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the sudden passing of Ashley Ross , our beloved ‘ Ms .
Minnie , ’ ” Lifetime representative Theresa Black told USA Today .
RELATED : 'Price Is Right ' Announcer George Gray Thankful To Be Alive After Suffering 3 Heart Attacks “ Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends .
Ms. Minnie was an amazing talent and a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She will be dearly missed.
” Ross ’ publicist said that the 34-year-old will be missed and that she made a big impact on the lives of those around her .
“ Ashley was a sweet and kind person with a big heart , ” she told CNN .
“ She was an advocate for St. Jude and young women .
She will be remembered for her contagious smile.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

On Monday, Ashley Ross, also known as Ms. Minnie, passed away after suffering complications following a car accident that took place the night before.
At 11 p.m. Sunday night, Ross was involved in a “hit and run car accident” according to what her representative told USA Today.
She was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where she passed away around 10:30 p.m. Monday night.
Ross was known as a founding cast member of “Little Women: Atlanta,” though she didn’t start out to become a reality tv star. Initially, she was a hairdresser.
“The opportunity came and fell into my lap and I ran with it,” she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club.
Apparently, she was known by the cast as “Mama Bear” and was the one they would turn to when they needed some guidance.
“Everybody in the whole group, they come to me for advice,” she explained. “I’m always the peacemaker.”
On Tuesday, the sad news of her passing was posted to her Instagram acc0unt.
“Full Statement from the management team of @MsMinnieLW,” the post began. “It is with profound sadness that we confirm on behalf of the family of Ashley Ross aka ‘Ms Minnie’ of Little Women Atlanta has succumbed to injuries from a tragic hit and run car accident today at the age of 34.”
“The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
Many have extended their condolences to the family and expressed their sorrow over the loss of life.
“Lifetime and the Little Women Family are deeply saddened to hear the tragic news of the sudden passing of Ashley Ross, our beloved ‘Ms. Minnie,’” Lifetime representative Theresa Black told USA Today.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. Ms. Minnie was an amazing talent and a special part of Little Women: Atlanta. She will be dearly missed.”
Ross’ publicist said that the 34-year-old will be missed and that she made a big impact on the lives of those around her.
“Ashley was a sweet and kind person with a big heart,” she told CNN. “She was an advocate for St. Jude and young women. She will be remembered for her contagious smile.”
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