westernjournal--2020-04-30--Celebs Band Together To Make Sure More People Die During Pandemic, Rally for Abortion

You know what ’ s apparently very essential right now ?
Abortion .
I know what you ’ re saying : We live in a world where colonoscopies and joint replacements have been deemed nonessential .
We can ’ t go into a grocery store unless there ’ s enough room for all of us to be six feet away from each other wearing masks we cobbled together based on instructions from a YouTube video .
But killing babies is apparently essential , and a few minor Hollywood celebrities are going to try to ensure clinics stay open and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonessential are dead to them .
You know , like the babies those clinics abort .
According to The Hollywood Reporter , Lizz Winstead — co-creator of “ The Daily Show ” — is leading the effort via her organization Abortion Access Front , formerly known as the Lady Parts Justice League .
( No , for real . )
She ’ s helming Operation Save Abortion , “ an urgent fundraiser to help independent abortion providers keep their doors open.
” TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent clinics perform three out of five abortions , and that “ the average independent clinic will need $ 50,000 per month or else their doors may close permanently.
” More ’ s the pity .
Part of the problem is , of course , that abortions are fundamentally nonessential , use personal protective equipment and could spread coronavirus .
That ’ s why many states have deemed them nonessential and , as such , shut abortion clinics down .
Most of these orders are tied up in court cases right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and C-list celebrities will help aid the independent clinics during an all-day event Thursday on Instagram .
It ’ s worth noting that this isn ’ t exactly a star-studded event , as the celebrities participating include Elizabeth Banks , W. Kamau Bell , Nikki Glaser , Jenny Slate , Sandra Bernhard and Margaret Cho .
Well , I suppose Margaret Cho and Nikki Glaser do at least have audiences .
I liked one Elizabeth Banks movie .
( “ Wet Hot American Summer , ” but mostly because of the members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
There you go .
This band of Hollywood legends wants to make sure you have the ability to end your pregnancy no matter what kind of risk you ’ re putting yourself or others at .
“ This is important now because anti-abortion politicians are using COVID as a way to halt abortion access , ” Winstead told THR .
The “ interview ” mostly took the form of an anti-adversarial news release — which would normally be obnoxious and beneath THR , but the format actually gave Winstead enough rope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the day-long celebration of Moloch .
Take this argument , which Winstead probably would have been more guarded about proffering if the interviewer were even slightly critical : RELATED : WaPo Falls Flat on Its Face in Attempt To Label Trump Abortion Statement 'False' “ As someone who has had abortions , I know that they allowed me to create a life for myself that allowed me to survive and thrive , ” Winstead said .
“ Thank God for those who provide this care ; it saves lives , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who provide abortions and those who need them be alone in this fight .
They need all our support .
And to those of you compelled to weigh in on the health care decisions of strangers , literally — no one asked you.
” Yeah , I don ’ t quite think God is the one you want to be thanking for that .
The interview also allowed Winstead to pretend she was living in a universe where adoption didn ’ t exist , abortion was necessary health care and legislators were trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a petty thing like a global pandemic .
“ This country has already profoundly stripped away access to abortion care , ” Winstead said .
“ To think that [ pro-life politicians ] would use a pandemic as an excuse to cut off health care to people in a time where so many people are food , housing and job insecure because they see an opening to achieve their political goals is unconscionable.
” Those reprehensible theocrats .
Why would they label an elective procedure nonessential when doctors are reusing PPE on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news release theme : “ Instagram is where people publicly share intimate feelings and a more personal side of who they are , and we thought it the perfect platform to bring conversations and raise awareness about a very personal topic , ” Winstead said .
Is this an advertisement for Instagram ?
It feels like one — and it blessedly detracts from the message .
And then there ’ s this part of the article that ’ s supposed to act as an inducement to watch this thing and instead seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Other stars taking part ‘ from the confines of their quarantine ’ include Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls , Kristin Hersh , Alysia Reiner ( Orange Is the New Black , Better Things ) , Donna Lynne Champlin ( Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ) , Ambrosia Parsley , Beth Stelling ( Stand Up ) , Dana Gould , Josh Gondelman , Samantha Irby , Shannon Woodward , Greg Proops ( Whose Line Is It Anyway ? )
, Jessica Kirson ( Stand Up ) , Krystyna Hutchinson ( co-host of the Guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Orange Is the New Black ) , Lori Alan ( SpongeBob SquarePants , Family Guy ) , Lindy West and DJ Samantha Ronson , ” the article reads .
“ The event will feature performances , interviews and an auction including handmade crafts and experiences.
” Amanda Palmer and DJ Samantha Ronson are deliberately awful and I ’ d do anything not to hear their music .
Kristin Hersh hasn ’ t made a good album in a quarter-century .
I haven ’ t heard of any of these other people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New Black ” and I don ’ t particularly care about them either .
I don ’ t want to see them interviewed or auctioning off “ handmade crafts and experiences.
” Perhaps most importantly , I don ’ t care what any of these people think about opening up abortion clinics at the same time that they want to wail and gnash their teeth about COVID-19 deaths .
What would this motley crew have to say , anyhow ?
Lizz Winstead can talk about how ripping babies out of her womb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak to the public health risks of running abortion clinics during a pandemic ?
Can Margaret Cho speak to the kind of PPE that abortion doctors use and how that might be better used elsewhere ?
Can Donna Lynne Champlin of “ Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ” ( whoever she is and whatever that is ) speak to us about the challenges of running an independent abortion clinic without it becoming a locus of coronavirus infections ?
No ?
But I thought we were all listening to experts now .
Yeah , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We F—ed ” podcast might be able to tell us about how one might arrive in the condition that might lead one to seek a pregnancy termination , but not necessarily about the nature of the procedure in the time of coronavirus and why it is being banned in many states .
And — while I haven ’ t polled every member of the Operation Save Abortion lineup to see what their opinion on the matter was — they belong to a cohort wringing their hands over the possibility of opening up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re not only fine , they ’ re essential .
So buy those handmade crafts and experiences , folks .
Rest assured it ’ s going toward a cause that not a single member of the cast of Operation Save Abortion actually understands .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

You know what’s apparently very essential right now? Abortion.
I know what you’re saying: We live in a world where colonoscopies and joint replacements have been deemed nonessential. We can’t go into a grocery store unless there’s enough room for all of us to be six feet away from each other wearing masks we cobbled together based on instructions from a YouTube video.
But killing babies is apparently essential, and a few minor Hollywood celebrities are going to try to ensure clinics stay open and that states which have declared abortion to be nonessential are dead to them. You know, like the babies those clinics abort.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lizz Winstead — co-creator of “The Daily Show” — is leading the effort via her organization Abortion Access Front, formerly known as the Lady Parts Justice League. (No, for real.)
She’s helming Operation Save Abortion, “an urgent fundraiser to help independent abortion providers keep their doors open.”
Organizers say independent clinics perform three out of five abortions, and that “the average independent clinic will need $50,000 per month or else their doors may close permanently.”
More’s the pity. Part of the problem is, of course, that abortions are fundamentally nonessential, use personal protective equipment and could spread coronavirus. That’s why many states have deemed them nonessential and, as such, shut abortion clinics down.
Most of these orders are tied up in court cases right now, but Winstead believes a team of B- and C-list celebrities will help aid the independent clinics during an all-day event Thursday on Instagram.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t exactly a star-studded event, as the celebrities participating include Elizabeth Banks, W. Kamau Bell, Nikki Glaser, Jenny Slate, Sandra Bernhard and Margaret Cho.
Should abortion be banned during the coronavirus crisis? 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% (1159 Votes) No: 2% (26 Votes)
Well, I suppose Margaret Cho and Nikki Glaser do at least have audiences. I liked one Elizabeth Banks movie. (“Wet Hot American Summer,” but mostly because of the members of “The State” were in it.)
There you go. This band of Hollywood legends wants to make sure you have the ability to end your pregnancy no matter what kind of risk you’re putting yourself or others at.
“This is important now because anti-abortion politicians are using COVID as a way to halt abortion access,” Winstead told THR.
The “interview” mostly took the form of an anti-adversarial news release — which would normally be obnoxious and beneath THR, but the format actually gave Winstead enough rope to inadvertently hang pretty much everyone participating in the day-long celebration of Moloch.
Take this argument, which Winstead probably would have been more guarded about proffering if the interviewer were even slightly critical:
“As someone who has had abortions, I know that they allowed me to create a life for myself that allowed me to survive and thrive,” Winstead said.
“Thank God for those who provide this care; it saves lives, and I will not sit back and let those who provide abortions and those who need them be alone in this fight. They need all our support. And to those of you compelled to weigh in on the health care decisions of strangers, literally — no one asked you.”
Yeah, I don’t quite think God is the one you want to be thanking for that.
The interview also allowed Winstead to pretend she was living in a universe where adoption didn’t exist, abortion was necessary health care and legislators were trying to take it away from women because of a petty thing like a global pandemic.
“This country has already profoundly stripped away access to abortion care,” Winstead said.
“To think that [pro-life politicians] would use a pandemic as an excuse to cut off health care to people in a time where so many people are food, housing and job insecure because they see an opening to achieve their political goals is unconscionable.”
Those reprehensible theocrats. Why would they label an elective procedure nonessential when doctors are reusing PPE on patients with actual life-threatening ailments?
Continuing the news release theme: “Instagram is where people publicly share intimate feelings and a more personal side of who they are, and we thought it the perfect platform to bring conversations and raise awareness about a very personal topic,” Winstead said.
Is this an advertisement for Instagram? It feels like one — and it blessedly detracts from the message.
And then there’s this part of the article that’s supposed to act as an inducement to watch this thing and instead seems to actively warn you off of it: “Other stars taking part ‘from the confines of their quarantine’ include Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, Kristin Hersh, Alysia Reiner (Orange Is the New Black, Better Things), Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Ambrosia Parsley, Beth Stelling (Stand Up), Dana Gould, Josh Gondelman, Samantha Irby, Shannon Woodward, Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Jessica Kirson (Stand Up), Krystyna Hutchinson (co-host of the Guys We F—ed pod), Lea DeLaria (Orange Is the New Black), Lori Alan (SpongeBob SquarePants, Family Guy), Lindy West and DJ Samantha Ronson,” the article reads.
“The event will feature performances, interviews and an auction including handmade crafts and experiences.”
Amanda Palmer and DJ Samantha Ronson are deliberately awful and I’d do anything not to hear their music. Kristin Hersh hasn’t made a good album in a quarter-century. I haven’t heard of any of these other people who aren’t in “Orange Is the New Black” and I don’t particularly care about them either.
I don’t want to see them interviewed or auctioning off “handmade crafts and experiences.”
Perhaps most importantly, I don’t care what any of these people think about opening up abortion clinics at the same time that they want to wail and gnash their teeth about COVID-19 deaths.
What would this motley crew have to say, anyhow?
Lizz Winstead can talk about how ripping babies out of her womb made her life better. Can she speak to the public health risks of running abortion clinics during a pandemic?
Can Margaret Cho speak to the kind of PPE that abortion doctors use and how that might be better used elsewhere?
Can Donna Lynne Champlin of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (whoever she is and whatever that is) speak to us about the challenges of running an independent abortion clinic without it becoming a locus of coronavirus infections?
No? But I thought we were all listening to experts now.
Yeah, I’m sure the co-host of the “Guys We F—ed” podcast might be able to tell us about how one might arrive in the condition that might lead one to seek a pregnancy termination, but not necessarily about the nature of the procedure in the time of coronavirus and why it is being banned in many states.
And — while I haven’t polled every member of the Operation Save Abortion lineup to see what their opinion on the matter was — they belong to a cohort wringing their hands over the possibility of opening up the country again.
But abortion clinics? They’re not only fine, they’re essential.
So buy those handmade crafts and experiences, folks. Rest assured it’s going toward a cause that not a single member of the cast of Operation Save Abortion actually understands.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Dem Gov Yanks State’s Florists Around, Flip-Flops Twice on Mother’s Day Exemption

Hawaiian florists have been yanked around quite a bit over the last several days .
After the state ’ s floral shops were told they would be allowed to operate for Mother ’ s Day , Hawaiian Gov .
David Ige reversed the decision on Saturday .
On Monday , the Democratic governor reversed the decision yet again .
Initially , on April 18 , florists across the state received an email from covidexemption @ hawaii.gov , an address that the Hawaiian governor ’ s office had been using , saying a stay-at-home exemption had been granted , KHON-TV in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager of Watanabe Floral , told the outlet about the exemption and subsequent reversal .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP “ When the exemption came in , all the florists here put in our orders with farms around the world , ” Pereira said .
“ When all of our orders went in , we all had to pay upfront , so depending on the size of the florist , you ’ re talking about a couple thousand dollars to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to for Mother ’ s Day , ” he said .
That investment paid off , Pereira told KHON , as hundreds of Hawaiians called in hoping to get their mothers a beautiful bouquet for Mother ’ s Day .
“ Once it actually hit out there , within 48 hours we had 500 orders already in our system , ” he said .
“ So it was staggering , the response , how quickly it came in.
” Then , at a midday news conference Saturday , the governor reversed the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted prematurely , ” Ige said , according to The Associated Press .
“ I was not aware that it was actually granted , and the person authorizing it did not have the authority , ” he said .
Flower shops such as Watanabe Floral were shocked at the decision .
RELATED : Chuck Grassley Rails Against 'Unconstitutional Punishment ' for Flynn , Demands 'Consequences ' for FBI “ I was like , ‘ Wait , is this real ?
This can ’ t possibly be real , ' ” Pereira said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is there some compromise we can reach at this point ?
Understand that all the financial commitments have been made from all the florists.
” “ I discussed this with the mayors , and we all believe that florists , certainly , is one of the businesses where the risk is low , ” the governor said .
“ Florists will be included in the very first phase of businesses that would be allowed to reopen as we approach this safer-at-home phase of COVID-19 , ” he said .
With safer practices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This flip-flopping over stay-at-home exemptions isn ’ t unique to Hawaii .
Last month , another Democrat , Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , issued an order to close all “ non-life-sustaining ” businesses , including gun shops .
But days later , after being pressured by residents , Wolf changed the order to read , “ Firearms dealers may operate physical businesses on a limited basis to complete only the portions of a sale/transfer that must be conducted in-person under the law.
” Until the country is reopened for good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued uncertainty .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Hawaiian florists have been yanked around quite a bit over the last several days.
After the state’s floral shops were told they would be allowed to operate for Mother’s Day, Hawaiian Gov. David Ige reversed the decision on Saturday.
On Monday, the Democratic governor reversed the decision yet again.
Initially, on April 18, florists across the state received an email from covidexemption@hawaii.gov, an address that the Hawaiian governor’s office had been using, saying a stay-at-home exemption had been granted, KHON-TV in Honolulu reported.
Monty Pereira, general manager of Watanabe Floral, told the outlet about the exemption and subsequent reversal.
“When the exemption came in, all the florists here put in our orders with farms around the world,” Pereira said.
“When all of our orders went in, we all had to pay upfront, so depending on the size of the florist, you’re talking about a couple thousand dollars to more than $20,000 in product that we committed to for Mother’s Day,” he said.
That investment paid off, Pereira told KHON, as hundreds of Hawaiians called in hoping to get their mothers a beautiful bouquet for Mother’s Day.
“Once it actually hit out there, within 48 hours we had 500 orders already in our system,” he said. “So it was staggering, the response, how quickly it came in.”
Should floral shops receive exemptions from government shutdowns for Mother's Day? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (198 Votes) No: 1% (2 Votes)
Then, at a midday news conference Saturday, the governor reversed the decision.
“I think that permission was granted prematurely,” Ige said, according to The Associated Press.
“I was not aware that it was actually granted, and the person authorizing it did not have the authority,” he said.
Flower shops such as Watanabe Floral were shocked at the decision.
For customers who placed their orders for Mother's Day, please note that there is a chance that we might not be able to… Posted by Watanabe Floral, Inc. on Saturday, April 25, 2020
“I was like, ‘Wait, is this real? This can’t possibly be real,'” Pereira said.
“I don’t understand. Is there some compromise we can reach at this point? Understand that all the financial commitments have been made from all the florists.”
Ige reversed his decision in a Facebook Live video Monday.
Announcing florist operations Posted by Governor David Ige on Monday, April 27, 2020
“I discussed this with the mayors, and we all believe that florists, certainly, is one of the businesses where the risk is low,” the governor said.
“Florists will be included in the very first phase of businesses that would be allowed to reopen as we approach this safer-at-home phase of COVID-19,” he said.
With safer practices, florists will be allowed to reopen Friday.
This flip-flopping over stay-at-home exemptions isn’t unique to Hawaii.
Last month, another Democrat, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, issued an order to close all “non-life-sustaining” businesses, including gun shops.
But days later, after being pressured by residents, Wolf changed the order to read, “Firearms dealers may operate physical businesses on a limited basis to complete only the portions of a sale/transfer that must be conducted in-person under the law.”
Until the country is reopened for good, businesses will likely be forced to face continued uncertainty.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Report: Video Shows CA Virus Police Go After Couple in Their 90s for Simply Sitting in Chairs

Every now and then , a viral video comes along that isn ’ t so much about what is happening during the moment captured as it is about what is going on in the world at large .
Such is the case with recent footage of an incident in which a police officer reportedly told a 93-year-old couple they were not allowed to sit on folding chairs on a beach in Oxnard , California .
The clip says more about the government ’ s overreach during the coronavirus pandemic than it does about what happened to the couple .
YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be independently verified , but The Daily Wire reported on the incident Monday , and the news outlet ’ s editor-in-chief , Ben Shapiro , said he is friends with someone close to the story .
According to report , the problem arose because setting up a folding chair in the sand created a “ a permanent place as opposed to the temporary nature of sitting on the sand itself.
” TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP Although the clip appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was courteous , he did approach the couple to tell them , “ I ’ m not supposed to allow chairs.
” He even seemed apologetic as he further explained the rule he was enforcing .
Bystanders came to the couple ’ s defense , and one shouted , “ They ’ re old people !
” Shapiro also tweeted about the incident .
Although he mentioned a friend who was present , he didn ’ t specify if that was the person who posted the footage .
“ A friend of mine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oxnard today ” he explained .
“ Yes , they were socially distancing .
About thirty feet away , the police proceeded to tell a 93-year-old couple — sitting away from people on beach chairs — that they could sit on the sand but not on the chairs , ” Shapiro wrote .
“ The reason ?
Apparently , the police have been informed that it ’ s okay to swim or walk or sit in ‘ temporary fashion , ’ but chairs represent permanence .
Even for 93-year-olds .
Because everyone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought tens of thousands to area beaches over the weekend , which apparently spooked California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , whose state has been virtually locked down since he enacted a March 19 executive order to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
In a news conference Monday , the Democratic governor seemed to dangle the prospect of lifting the onerous stay-at-home order , but said that the decision would be driven by residents ’ “ behavior.
” “ This virus doesn ’ t take the weekends off , ” Newsom said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it ’ s a beautiful , sunny day around our coasts.
” He seemed to take issue with the previous weekend ’ s crowds and chided residents that he didn ’ t want to “ see the images like we saw , particularly on Saturday in Newport Beach and elsewhere in the state of California , ” even as he acknowledged most people on beaches practiced social distancing .
Starting Friday , Newsom will reportedly go a step further , closing all state parks and beaches , according to a memo provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious threat to Californians , but the finger-wagging from Newsom coupled with such nitpicky regulations that prohibit elderly residents from using beach chairs demonstrate how impactful sweeping stay-at-home orders around the country have become .
Stories pop up frequently of outrageous incidents , such as the instance of police cuffing a man for letting his daughter play ball in an empty field or the baffling example of an Idaho woman facing a fine and prison time for holding a yard sale , just to name a couple .
Basic freedoms are falling by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most innocent of activities , regardless of the actual risk to health and safety involved .
Sitting in a chair while social distancing is not an effective way to spread coronavirus .
Prohibiting such an activity , however , is an effective way to spread authoritarian control .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Every now and then, a viral video comes along that isn’t so much about what is happening during the moment captured as it is about what is going on in the world at large.
Such is the case with recent footage of an incident in which a police officer reportedly told a 93-year-old couple they were not allowed to sit on folding chairs on a beach in Oxnard, California.
The clip says more about the government’s overreach during the coronavirus pandemic than it does about what happened to the couple.
YouTube user John Smith’s video couldn’t be independently verified, but The Daily Wire reported on the incident Monday, and the news outlet’s editor-in-chief, Ben Shapiro, said he is friends with someone close to the story.
According to report, the problem arose because setting up a folding chair in the sand created a “a permanent place as opposed to the temporary nature of sitting on the sand itself.”
Although the clip appeared to show that the officer on horseback was courteous, he did approach the couple to tell them, “I’m not supposed to allow chairs.”
He even seemed apologetic as he further explained the rule he was enforcing. Bystanders came to the couple’s defense, and one shouted, “They’re old people!”
Shapiro also tweeted about the incident. Although he mentioned a friend who was present, he didn’t specify if that was the person who posted the footage.
Do you think this couple was a victim of California's government overreach? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (1366 Votes) No: 1% (16 Votes)
“A friend of mine took his family to the beach in Oxnard today” he explained.
“Yes, they were socially distancing. About thirty feet away, the police proceeded to tell a 93-year-old couple — sitting away from people on beach chairs — that they could sit on the sand but not on the chairs,” Shapiro wrote.
“The reason? Apparently, the police have been informed that it’s okay to swim or walk or sit in ‘temporary fashion,’ but chairs represent permanence. Even for 93-year-olds. Because everyone is an idiot.”
The reason? Apparently, the police have been informed that it’s okay to swim or walk or sit in “temporary fashion,” but chairs represent permanence. Even for 93-year-olds. Because everyone is an idiot. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 27, 2020
A spring heat wave brought tens of thousands to area beaches over the weekend, which apparently spooked California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose state has been virtually locked down since he enacted a March 19 executive order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
In a news conference Monday, the Democratic governor seemed to dangle the prospect of lifting the onerous stay-at-home order, but said that the decision would be driven by residents’ “behavior.”
“This virus doesn’t take the weekends off,” Newsom said.
“This virus doesn’t go home because it’s a beautiful, sunny day around our coasts.”
He seemed to take issue with the previous weekend’s crowds and chided residents that he didn’t want to “see the images like we saw, particularly on Saturday in Newport Beach and elsewhere in the state of California,” even as he acknowledged most people on beaches practiced social distancing.
On Thursday, Newsom went a step further, closing all state parks and beaches in Orange County.
The coronavirus poses a serious threat to Californians, but the finger-wagging from Newsom coupled with such nitpicky regulations that prohibit elderly residents from using beach chairs demonstrate how impactful sweeping stay-at-home orders around the country have become.
Stories pop up frequently of outrageous incidents, such as the instance of police cuffing a man for letting his daughter play ball in an empty field or the baffling example of an Idaho woman facing a fine and prison time for holding a yard sale, just to name a couple.
Basic freedoms are falling by the wayside as governments clamp down on the most innocent of activities, regardless of the actual risk to health and safety involved.
Sitting in a chair while social distancing is not an effective way to spread coronavirus.
Prohibiting such an activity, however, is an effective way to spread authoritarian control.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-30--Couple Married 73 Years Die 6 Hours Apart While Holding Hands

Mary and Wilford Kepler went through a lot together .
During World War II , Mary wrote to Wilford , and through wars , depressions and recessions since , the two stuck together .
Even in their final moments , 94-year-old Wilford and 92-year-old Mary from Wisconsin were able to be together — a luxury many have not been afforded lately .
On April 8 , Mary tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at home , according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
On April 12 , Wilford fell and hit his head , and both he and Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital .
“ They were aware of what was going on , and they were at peace with it , ” granddaughter Natalie Lameka said .
TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP After being admitted , Wilford also tested positive for COVID-19 , and the hospital made the call to keep them together .
On April 18 , when they died — Mary six hours after Wilfred — they were able to stay together .
“ After more than 70 years of marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within six hours of each other , ” the hospital shared in a Facebook post Tuesday .
“ Both had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Our staff at Froedtert Hospital pushed their beds together so they could hold hands during their final hours.
” “ They had been holding hands and that was just heartbreaking to hear but also heartwarming to hear , ” Lameka told WTMJ-TV .
“ And we were just so thankful they were together and they were aware they were together.
” “ It was definitely hard .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t have a flurry of people come through because of the coronavirus restrictions , they were able to talk to loved ones through video chats and phone calls .
“ They were able to say , ‘ I love you , ' ” Lameka said .
They will be remembered as a loving couple , and according to their son Michael Kepler , they did all the things that good parents do .
RELATED : Divorced Couple Remarries Exactly 55 Years After They First Said ' I Do' “ They took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They lived a good life , and they got their kids educated .
They did the things that most people would want to do for their children and for their families.
” Mary was determined to have died from the coronavirus , while Wilford ’ s cause of death was officially listed as complications arising from his fall .
The couple will be buried in a cemetery near Boaz , close to where both Mary and Wilford grew up .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Mary and Wilford Kepler went through a lot together. During World War II, Mary wrote to Wilford, and through wars, depressions and recessions since, the two stuck together.
Even in their final moments, 94-year-old Wilford and 92-year-old Mary from Wisconsin were able to be together — a luxury many have not been afforded lately.
On April 8, Mary tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at home, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. On April 12, Wilford fell and hit his head, and both he and Mary went to and were admitted to Froedtert Hospital.
“They were aware of what was going on, and they were at peace with it,” granddaughter Natalie Lameka said.
After being admitted, Wilford also tested positive for COVID-19, and the hospital made the call to keep them together. On April 18, when they died — Mary six hours after Wilfred — they were able to stay together.
“After more than 70 years of marriage, Wilford and Mary Kepler passed away within six hours of each other,” the hospital shared in a Facebook post Tuesday.
“Both had tested positive for COVID-19. Our staff at Froedtert Hospital pushed their beds together so they could hold hands during their final hours.”
“They had been holding hands and that was just heartbreaking to hear but also heartwarming to hear,” Lameka told WTMJ-TV. “And we were just so thankful they were together and they were aware they were together.”
“It was definitely hard. But it was bittersweet.”
While the couple couldn’t have a flurry of people come through because of the coronavirus restrictions, they were able to talk to loved ones through video chats and phone calls.
“They were able to say, ‘I love you,'” Lameka said.
They will be remembered as a loving couple, and according to their son Michael Kepler, they did all the things that good parents do.
“They took care of their children,” he said. “They lived a good life, and they got their kids educated. They did the things that most people would want to do for their children and for their families.”
Mary was determined to have died from the coronavirus, while Wilford’s cause of death was officially listed as complications arising from his fall.
The couple will be buried in a cemetery near Boaz, close to where both Mary and Wilford grew up.
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westernjournal--2020-04-30--Illinois Senate Member Comes Forward, Warns US Not To Bail Out State’s ‘Failed System’

An Illinois state senator is warning America to not bail out his state , arguing that self-serving politicians built a house of cards and that a bailout would only prolong the inevitable .
Republican State Sen. Jason Plummer made the appeal to the American taxpayer in an Op-Ed published by Fox News on Wednesday .
In the piece , Plummer made a simple but shocking plea : “ Don ’ t waste federal funds on my state ’ s bankrupt system.
” Plummer pointed to Illinois ’ infamous reputation as the nation ’ s “ most corrupt state , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bailout in an effort to prop up their crumbling system .
“ The message from Illinois ’ elected leaders is crystal clear : no humility , no regrets , no acknowledgment of failures , and no strings attached .
American Taxpayers — bail us out !
” he wrote .
“ Don ’ t let it happen .
Federal dollars should not prop up Illinois ’ failed system.
” TRENDING : Biden Chooses Man Famously Accused of 'Sexual Assault ' To Help Find Female VP “ [ Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State of the State address declaring Illinois strong and dismissing fiscal realists as ‘ carnival barkers ’ and ‘ doomsayers , ’ receiving thunderous approval from his allies , ” Plummer added .
“ Now the entire nation knows we ’ re broke and these same politicians are pleading for a bailout.
” Despite Pritzker ’ s faith in the Illinois economy , the governor recently issued a 30-day extension of the state ’ s stay-at-home order .
It ’ s unclear how much additional financial strain this will place on the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panned the order , saying it “ shredded the Constitution.
” The same judge ruled Pritzker ’ s order was illegal when applied to one citizen ’ s case seen by the court , opening the door for more legal challenges .
Plummer blamed Illinois ’ troubles on the shortsighted politicians who control the state , claiming the leaders recklessly spent money despite financial shortcomings , and will continue to do so even if the state gets a federal taxpayer-funded bailout .
“ [ A ] massive federal bailout won ’ t satiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political class , ” he wrote .
Illinois , as the state senator pointed out , was once the well-oiled juggernaut of America ’ s heartland .
“ We were once the blessed economic engine of the Midwest , ” Plummer wrote .
“ But our debts have turned us into a zombie-state lagging in every meaningful financial metric , economic statistic and population trend.
” “ Here ’ s the harsh truth : The Land of Lincoln is no longer a government of the people , by the people and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our government ’ s moral bankruptcy.
” RELATED : 'Shredded the Constitution ' : Illinois Judge Smacks Down Dem Gov 's Attempt To Extend Stay-at-Home Order Plummer said that the economy isn ’ t the only place you can see Illinois ’ leadership shortcomings , either .
To him , state leaders ’ moral and ethical failings are just as damning .
“ Scan Illinois political headlines from the past year , ” he wrote , “ and you ’ ll see the FBI has been picking off powerful politicians and insiders for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ A massive , systemic corruption scandal is being exposed .
In the meantime , American taxpayers shouldn ’ t sink a dime into Illinois ’ unreformed fiscal and moral quagmire , ” he added .
While Plummer does have a point — that Americans from all corners of the nation should not be expected to bail out Illinois ’ corrupt and crumbling system — it ’ s also true that the failure of Illinois to secure a bailout could be felt by residents of the state .
The way this state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its last legs .
Missing out on a federal bailout wouldn ’ t only bring the whole rotten structure to the ground faster , but could effectively hit the reset button on state politics when angry citizens get involved .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An Illinois state senator is warning America to not bail out his state, arguing that self-serving politicians built a house of cards and that a bailout would only prolong the inevitable.
Republican State Sen. Jason Plummer made the appeal to the American taxpayer in an Op-Ed published by Fox News on Wednesday.
In the piece, Plummer made a simple but shocking plea: “Don’t waste federal funds on my state’s bankrupt system.”
Plummer pointed to Illinois’ infamous reputation as the nation’s “most corrupt state,” claiming that state politicians are begging for a bailout in an effort to prop up their crumbling system.
“The message from Illinois’ elected leaders is crystal clear: no humility, no regrets, no acknowledgment of failures, and no strings attached. American Taxpayers — bail us out!” he wrote. “Don’t let it happen. Federal dollars should not prop up Illinois’ failed system.”
“[Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker] took to the lectern for his 2020 State of the State address declaring Illinois strong and dismissing fiscal realists as ‘carnival barkers’ and ‘doomsayers,’ receiving thunderous approval from his allies,” Plummer added.
“Now the entire nation knows we’re broke and these same politicians are pleading for a bailout.”
Despite Pritzker’s faith in the Illinois economy, the governor recently issued a 30-day extension of the state’s stay-at-home order. It’s unclear how much additional financial strain this will place on the state and its residents.
A state judge panned the order, saying it “shredded the Constitution.” The same judge ruled Pritzker’s order was illegal when applied to one citizen’s case seen by the court, opening the door for more legal challenges.
Should Illinois receive a federal taxpayer-funded bailout? 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% (4 Votes) No: 99% (340 Votes)
Plummer blamed Illinois’ troubles on the shortsighted politicians who control the state, claiming the leaders recklessly spent money despite financial shortcomings, and will continue to do so even if the state gets a federal taxpayer-funded bailout.
“[A] massive federal bailout won’t satiate the reckless spending habits of Illinois’ political class,” he wrote.
Illinois, as the state senator pointed out, was once the well-oiled juggernaut of America’s heartland.
“We were once the blessed economic engine of the Midwest,” Plummer wrote. “But our debts have turned us into a zombie-state lagging in every meaningful financial metric, economic statistic and population trend.”
“Here’s the harsh truth: The Land of Lincoln is no longer a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Illinois’ financial collapse reveals our government’s moral bankruptcy.”
Plummer said that the economy isn’t the only place you can see Illinois’ leadership shortcomings, either.
To him, state leaders’ moral and ethical failings are just as damning.
“Scan Illinois political headlines from the past year,” he wrote, “and you’ll see the FBI has been picking off powerful politicians and insiders for bribery, self-dealing and abuse of power.”
“A massive, systemic corruption scandal is being exposed. In the meantime, American taxpayers shouldn’t sink a dime into Illinois’ unreformed fiscal and moral quagmire,” he added.
While Plummer does have a point — that Americans from all corners of the nation should not be expected to bail out Illinois’ corrupt and crumbling system — it’s also true that the failure of Illinois to secure a bailout could be felt by residents of the state.
The way this state senator tells it, Illinois is on its last legs. Missing out on a federal bailout wouldn’t only bring the whole rotten structure to the ground faster, but could effectively hit the reset button on state politics when angry citizens get involved.
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westernjournal--2020-05-01--As Citizens Try To Scrape By During Pandemic, Dem Mayor Tries 32% Property Tax Hike

Democrats never miss an opportunity to stick it to the American people with taxes — no matter the situation .
And that is precisely what the mayor of Nashville , Tennessee , proposed doing while many of his constituents are out of work .
Mayor John Cooper pushed for a 31.7 percent property tax increase and major cuts because , he said , the city is faced with “ the greatest financial challenge ” it has had in a lifetime , the Tennessean reported .
“ This is a crisis budget , ” he said as he gave a frightening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
And he is correct : This is likely the “ greatest financial challenge ” the city has faced in modern history .
TRENDING : CNN 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID But it is also the greatest financial challenge many of his city ’ s residents have faced in a lifetime , and raising taxes on them to that degree is not going to help .
“ Cooper ’ s $ 2.44 billion budget proposal is about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s budget , ” the Tennessean reported .
“ After two deals to bring in a quick influx of cash faltered last year , Nashville ’ s house of cards collapsed , leading to a $ 42 million shortfall.
” Nashville was in a financial hole before it was hit with a major storm and then the coronavirus pandemic .
City grants to nonprofits would bear the brunt of Cooper ’ s proposed new budget , the Tennessean reported .
The mayor had ruled out cuts to cost-of-living adjustments for city employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard decisions have to be made , ” he said .
“ Everybody is sacrificing in this budget.
” But while city employees will be keeping their jobs , property-owning taxpayers will be taken to the woodshed by the proposed budget .
“ It ’ s an insult to small businesses in Nashville that are literally at best on their knees , but most are on the ground .
It ’ s like getting kicked in the gut with a steel-toed boot , ” local restaurant owner Will Newman told WKRN-TV .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left , crush it .
Small businesses in Nashville are on life support and you know our plea now is to metro council : Do the right thing and propose an alternate budget that is balanced in its approach and not shocking to the core.
” District 19 Councilman Freddie O ’ Connell said he has received many calls from restaurant owners who are concerned about the proposed increase .
“ Thinking about a sharp property tax increase right now is really , really troubling to me , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably going to see their rent increase as they also try and deal with an economy that ’ s struggling to regain its footing.
” No one who lives in a city with a Democratic mayor should ever be surprised when tax increases are proposed .
The simple solution to eliminate that issue is to stop voting for Democrats .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democrats never miss an opportunity to stick it to the American people with taxes — no matter the situation.
And that is precisely what the mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, proposed doing while many of his constituents are out of work.
Mayor John Cooper pushed for a 31.7 percent property tax increase and major cuts because, he said, the city is faced with “the greatest financial challenge” it has had in a lifetime, the Tennessean reported.
“This is a crisis budget,” he said as he gave a frightening outlook for the financial future of the city.
And he is correct: This is likely the “greatest financial challenge” the city has faced in modern history.
But it is also the greatest financial challenge many of his city’s residents have faced in a lifetime, and raising taxes on them to that degree is not going to help.
“Cooper’s $2.44 billion budget proposal is about $115 million more than this year’s budget,” the Tennessean reported.
“After two deals to bring in a quick influx of cash faltered last year, Nashville’s house of cards collapsed, leading to a $42 million shortfall.”
Nashville was in a financial hole before it was hit with a major storm and then the coronavirus pandemic.
Do you think the city should cut its budget further rather than raise the property tax? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (3499 Votes) No: 1% (24 Votes)
City grants to nonprofits would bear the brunt of Cooper’s proposed new budget, the Tennessean reported. The mayor had ruled out cuts to cost-of-living adjustments for city employees.
“In the end, hard, hard decisions have to be made,” he said. “Everybody is sacrificing in this budget.”
But while city employees will be keeping their jobs, property-owning taxpayers will be taken to the woodshed by the proposed budget.
“It’s an insult to small businesses in Nashville that are literally at best on their knees, but most are on the ground. It’s like getting kicked in the gut with a steel-toed boot,” local restaurant owner Will Newman told WKRN-TV.
“This will absolutely crush whatever restaurants are left, crush it. Small businesses in Nashville are on life support and you know our plea now is to metro council: Do the right thing and propose an alternate budget that is balanced in its approach and not shocking to the core.”
District 19 Councilman Freddie O’Connell said he has received many calls from restaurant owners who are concerned about the proposed increase.
“Thinking about a sharp property tax increase right now is really, really troubling to me,” he said.
“A small business by sometime next year is probably going to see their rent increase as they also try and deal with an economy that’s struggling to regain its footing.”
No one who lives in a city with a Democratic mayor should ever be surprised when tax increases are proposed.
The simple solution to eliminate that issue is to stop voting for Democrats.
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westernjournal--2020-05-01--Biden Accuser Tara Reade Says She’ll Testify Under Oath if Necessary

Tara Reade , whose accusation of sexual assault against presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden refuses to fade away , said she will tell her story under oath if that ’ s what it takes to make someone listen .
Reade , who was a staffer for Biden when he was a U.S. senator , has accused the former vice president of sexually assaulting her in 1993 .
Reade worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993 , and has said Biden had kissed , groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance .
“ I will cooperate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in the future , and go under oath if I need to about what happened , ” Reade told the Washington Examiner .
Multiple sources have confirmed that at the time Reade said she was assaulted , she spoke to them about the incident .
She has said she filed a complaint about the incident , but its whereabouts are not known .
TRENDING : CNN 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID Although Reade has spent the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one place she has not told it — in an in-depth TV interview .
That became fodder for Ben Smith of The New York Times to liken the media ’ s shunning of Reade to a similar media reaction that took place in 1999 , when Juanita Broaddrick first came forward with her story that former President Bill Clinton had raped her in 1978 .
Smith wrote in his “ The Media Equation ” column that “ the handling of Ms. Broaddrick ’ s story was one of the most damaging media mistakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment of Mr. Clinton ’ s accusers by the Democratic Party and the media alike is one of the original sins that led to today ’ s divided , partisan news environment.
” “ The same thing is about to happen again , ” Smith wrote in transition to his examination of why Reade has not been booked to a single major TV news show .
“ There are , as with Ms. Broaddrick , reasons to doubt her story ; there aren ’ t good reasons not to hear her out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only offers she has had have come from Fox News , including an offer to appear on Sean Hannity ’ s show .
“ I ’ ve been trying to just kind of wait to get someone in the middle , ” Reade told Smith , explaining why she has been hesitant to say yes to Fox News .
“ I don ’ t want to be pigeonholed as a progressive , I don ’ t want to be pigeonholed as a Trump supporter.
” RELATED : Pelosi Snaps at Reporter Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden' “ They ’ re not offering to put me on TV — they ’ re just doing stories , ” Reade said .
“ No anchors , no nothing like that.
” Reade said she expects to accept Fox ’ s offer as long as she can speak with “ someone a little more up the middle.
” Smith wrote that a source said Reade had been talking to Fox News host Chris Wallace about an interview .
“ Typically , in a situation like this , media outlets would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , yet the only network calling Reade is Fox News , ” Ryan Grim of the Intercept , which first reported Reade ’ s allegations , said .
“ That the media isn ’ t more concerned about the image ignoring this story creates , and the fodder it gives to cynical actors like Donald Trump Jr. , gleefully parading the media ’ s hypocrisy , suggests a potentially destructive lack of self-awareness.
” Broaddrick said she is trying to support Reade by phone and text .
“ It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told Smith .
“ People have got to learn that it doesn ’ t matter who somebody supports — if they can be vetted and investigated and we find that it ’ s credible allegations then it doesn ’ t matter what their political preference is.
” Reade said she knows she has a hard road ahead .
“ I think there are people who are hard-wired to not believe it and that ’ s OK — they need to be able to justify their vote , and I have sympathy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an interview with Fox that she the media have not treated all accusations of sexual assault the same .
“ I guess my question is , if this were Donald Trump , would they treat it the same way ?
If this were Brett Kavanaugh , did they treat it the same way ?
” Reade said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Tara Reade, whose accusation of sexual assault against presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden refuses to fade away, said she will tell her story under oath if that’s what it takes to make someone listen.
Reade, who was a staffer for Biden when he was a U.S. senator, has accused the former vice president of sexually assaulting her in 1993. Reade worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993, and has said Biden had kissed, groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance.
Biden’s campaign has denied Reade’s allegation.
“I will cooperate with law enforcement of any investigation going forward or in the future, and go under oath if I need to about what happened,” Reade told the Washington Examiner.
Multiple sources have confirmed that at the time Reade said she was assaulted, she spoke to them about the incident. She has said she filed a complaint about the incident, but its whereabouts are not known.
Although Reade has spent the last few weeks telling her story, there is one place she has not told it — in an in-depth TV interview.
That became fodder for Ben Smith of The New York Times to liken the media’s shunning of Reade to a similar media reaction that took place in 1999, when Juanita Broaddrick first came forward with her story that former President Bill Clinton had raped her in 1978.
Tara Reade’s Joe Biden assault claim gives Juanita Broaddrick déjà vu: ‘I believe her’ | Fox News https://t.co/v2zqHvqtIN — Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) April 29, 2020
Do you think Reade will end up testifying under oath about her accusation? 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: 87% (2578 Votes) No: 13% (400 Votes)
Smith wrote in his “The Media Equation” column that “the handling of Ms. Broaddrick’s story was one of the most damaging media mistakes of the Clinton years. And the treatment of Mr. Clinton’s accusers by the Democratic Party and the media alike is one of the original sins that led to today’s divided, partisan news environment.”
“The same thing is about to happen again,” Smith wrote in transition to his examination of why Reade has not been booked to a single major TV news show.
“There are, as with Ms. Broaddrick, reasons to doubt her story; there aren’t good reasons not to hear her out,” Smith wrote.
Reade said that the only offers she has had have come from Fox News, including an offer to appear on Sean Hannity’s show.
“I’ve been trying to just kind of wait to get someone in the middle,” Reade told Smith, explaining why she has been hesitant to say yes to Fox News. “I don’t want to be pigeonholed as a progressive, I don’t want to be pigeonholed as a Trump supporter.”
“They’re not offering to put me on TV — they’re just doing stories,” Reade said. “No anchors, no nothing like that.”
Reade said she expects to accept Fox’s offer as long as she can speak with “someone a little more up the middle.” Smith wrote that a source said Reade had been talking to Fox News host Chris Wallace about an interview.
“Typically, in a situation like this, media outlets would be competing intensely for the first major on-camera interview, yet the only network calling Reade is Fox News,” Ryan Grim of the Intercept, which first reported Reade’s allegations, said.
“That the media isn’t more concerned about the image ignoring this story creates, and the fodder it gives to cynical actors like Donald Trump Jr., gleefully parading the media’s hypocrisy, suggests a potentially destructive lack of self-awareness.”
Broaddrick said she is trying to support Reade by phone and text.
“It’s the same stuff all over again,” she told Smith. “People have got to learn that it doesn’t matter who somebody supports — if they can be vetted and investigated and we find that it’s credible allegations then it doesn’t matter what their political preference is.”
Reade said she knows she has a hard road ahead.
“I think there are people who are hard-wired to not believe it and that’s OK — they need to be able to justify their vote, and I have sympathy for that,” she said.
Reade said in an interview with Fox that the media have not treated all accusations of sexual assault the same.
“I guess my question is, if this were Donald Trump, would they treat it the same way? If this were Brett Kavanaugh, did they treat it the same way?” Reade said.
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westernjournal--2020-05-01--Chuck Grassley Rails Against ‘Unconstitutional Punishment’ for Flynn, Demands ‘Consequences’ for FBI

Known for his reticence , Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa was in rare form Thursday , railing against the federal justice apparatus in light of revelations the FBI may have attempted to induce illegal behavior on the part of former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn during the Russia probe .
The former Senate Judiciary Committee chairman did not mince words in a series of tweets , accusing government investigators and prosecutors of “ unconstitutional ” misconduct throughout the course of their Logan Act inquiry into Flynn and then-president-elect Donald Trump ’ s 2016 White House transition team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional oversight into the foundations of the probe , also suggested the recently unsealed documents regarding FBI intentions when interviewing Flynn should be subject to independent judicial review and should potentially see the former Army lieutenant general exonerated .
“ New DOJ docs seem 2back Lt Gen Flynns claim that FBI/DOJ/Mueller team railroaded 30yr veteran in Russia probe For yrs , Ive asked for DOJs Flynn records Their response : ‘ nothing 2see here , ' ” Grassley wrote .
“ Obviously not true !
Time to put all cards on the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID “ FBI/DOJ screwed up so many times in Russia probe , very reasonable for AG Barr + impartial judge 2take close look at Flynn case Accused deserves fairness + Public deserves accountability + Prosecutor/investigator/lawyer misconduct deserves consequences , ” the senator added .
Caught up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election , Flynn was fingered for potential Logan Act violations as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to Trump ’ s inauguration , Fox News reported .
The Logan Act , never successfully prosecuted , was signed into law in 1799 to prevent non-government actors and unauthorized American citizens from carrying out policy negotiations with foreign governments .
Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 , however , on charges of knowingly providing false statements to the FBI regarding his conversations with Kislyak .
Years later , the case has not yet been moved to sentencing as a result of arguments since raised by Flynn ’ s legal team suggesting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their client may have agreed to the plea deal under false pretenses .
Flynn ’ s defense team alleged early on in the case that the two FBI agents tasked with interviewing him had advised against having White House legal counsel present at the time .
According to NBC News , federal prosecutors had also promised Flynn leniency before flip-flopping on the guarantee , leading the former national security advisor to motion for his guilty plea to be withdrawn this past January .
And FBI notes unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taken in the days leading up to FBI interview with Flynn , the notes reveal that investigators considered a series of approaches to their questioning of the suspect .
“ What is our goal ?
” one of the notes read .
“ Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Overnight , the documents sparked a firestorm in political circles , leading many conservatives to claim they had been proven correct in their concerns regarding the validity and legality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those involved in the process be held legally accountable , calling on Attorney General William Barr to “ intervene ” and see Flynn freed .
“ Many of my colleagues r rightfully calling for prosecution of ppl who violated Flynn ’ s constitutional rights MORE IMPORTANTLY the whole country needs to know how his rights were violated TRUTH getting out is most important so this FBI abuse wont be repeated again on someone else , ” Grassley wrote .
“ AttGen Barr : it ’ s so obvious the unconstitutional punishment that GenFlynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to intervene and # FREE FLYNN , ” he added .
According to The Hill , similar talk has also come down from the Oval Office , where Trump suggested in March that he was “ strongly considering ” a full presidential pardon for Flynn .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Known for his reticence, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa was in rare form Thursday, railing against the federal justice apparatus in light of revelations the FBI may have attempted to induce illegal behavior on the part of former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn during the Russia probe.
The former Senate Judiciary Committee chairman did not mince words in a series of tweets, accusing government investigators and prosecutors of “unconstitutional” misconduct throughout the course of their Logan Act inquiry into Flynn and then-president-elect Donald Trump’s 2016 White House transition team.
Grassley, a longtime proponent of congressional oversight into the foundations of the probe, also suggested the recently unsealed documents regarding FBI intentions when interviewing Flynn should be subject to independent judicial review and should potentially see the former Army lieutenant general exonerated.
“New DOJ docs seem 2back Lt Gen Flynns claim that FBI/DOJ/Mueller team railroaded 30yr veteran in Russia probe For yrs, Ive asked for DOJs Flynn records Their response: ‘nothing 2see here,'” Grassley wrote.
“Obviously not true! Time to put all cards on the table Transparency brings accountability.”
New DOJ docs seem 2back Lt Gen Flynns claim that FBI/DOJ/Mueller team railroaded 30yr veteran in Russia probe For yrs, Ive asked for DOJs Flynn records Their response: “nothing 2see here” Obviously not true! Time to put all cards on the table Transparency brings accountability — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 30, 2020
“FBI/DOJ screwed up so many times in Russia probe, very reasonable for AG Barr + impartial judge 2take close look at Flynn case Accused deserves fairness + Public deserves accountability + Prosecutor/investigator/lawyer misconduct deserves consequences,” the senator added.
FBI/DOJ screwed up so many times in Russia probe, very reasonable for AG Barr + impartial judge 2take close look at Flynn case Accused deserves fairness + Public deserves accountability + Prosecutor/investigator/lawyer misconduct deserves consequences — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 30, 2020
Many of my colleagues r rightfully calling for prosecution of ppl who violated Flynn’s constitutional rights MORE IMPORTANTLY the whole country needs to know how his rights were violated TRUTH getting out is most important so this FBI abuse wont be repeated again on someone else — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 30, 2020
Caught up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Flynn was fingered for potential Logan Act violations as a result of conversations with then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak prior to Trump’s inauguration, Fox News reported.
The Logan Act, never successfully prosecuted, was signed into law in 1799 to prevent non-government actors and unauthorized American citizens from carrying out policy negotiations with foreign governments.
Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017, however, on charges of knowingly providing false statements to the FBI regarding his conversations with Kislyak.
Years later, the case has not yet been moved to sentencing as a result of arguments since raised by Flynn’s legal team suggesting the FBI improperly gathered its evidence and that their client may have agreed to the plea deal under false pretenses.
#FLYNN docs just unsealed, including handwritten notes 1/24/2017 day of Flynn FBI interview. Transcript: “What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” Read transcript notes, copy original just filed. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/8oqUok8i7m — Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) April 29, 2020
Flynn’s defense team alleged early on in the case that the two FBI agents tasked with interviewing him had advised against having White House legal counsel present at the time.
According to NBC News, federal prosecutors had also promised Flynn leniency before flip-flopping on the guarantee, leading the former national security advisor to motion for his guilty plea to be withdrawn this past January.
And FBI notes unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice may be key in that fight.
Do you agree with Grassley? 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: 100% (1777 Votes) No: 0% (5 Votes)
Taken in the days leading up to FBI interview with Flynn, the notes reveal that investigators considered a series of approaches to their questioning of the suspect.
“What is our goal?” one of the notes read. “Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?”
Overnight, the documents sparked a firestorm in political circles, leading many conservatives to claim they had been proven correct in their concerns regarding the validity and legality of the Russia probe.
Grassley himself demanded those involved in the process be held legally accountable, calling on Attorney General William Barr to “intervene” and see Flynn freed.
AttGen Barr: it’s so obvious the unconstitutional punishment that GenFlynn has had for four long years u need to intervene and #FREE FLYNN — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 30, 2020
“Many of my colleagues r rightfully calling for prosecution of ppl who violated Flynn’s constitutional rights MORE IMPORTANTLY the whole country needs to know how his rights were violated TRUTH getting out is most important so this FBI abuse wont be repeated again on someone else,” Grassley wrote.
“AttGen Barr: it’s so obvious the unconstitutional punishment that GenFlynn has had for four long years u need to intervene and #FREE FLYNN,” he added.
According to The Hill, similar talk has also come down from the Oval Office, where Trump suggested in March that he was “strongly considering” a full presidential pardon for Flynn.
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westernjournal--2020-05-01--Former GOP Rep Was To Be Released from Jail Over COVID Fears, Now Order’s Been Rescinded: Report

Former Republican Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas was reportedly pulled from a list of inmates at a minimum security prison who were being transferred to home confinement amid the coronavirus pandemic , despite having several risk factors that increase his chances of dying should he contract the disease .
Stockman , who was a fierce critic of former President Barack Obama and officials in his administration , has been imprisoned for over two years so far as part of a 10-year sentence after being found guilty in April 2018 of violations of campaign-finance law and other related charges .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Journal her husband was informed in early April he was being released to home confinement as part of a policy announced by U.S. Attorney General William Barr “ for combatting the dangers that COVID-19 poses to our vulnerable inmates.
” Michael Cohen , the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump , was released under this program after having served less than a year of his three-year sentence for bank fraud , tax evasion , and campaign finance violations .
According to the Bureau of Prisons website , in according with Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been released to home confinement so far .
TRENDING : CNN 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID When Steve Stockman showed up at the appointed time and place to begin his 14-day quarantine prior to being released , a prison official at the federal prison he is being held in Beaumont , Texas , told him his name had been pulled from the list , according to his wife .
The Bureau of Prisons confirmed in an email to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beaumont are currently reviewing all inmates for their suitability for home confinement or compassionate release.
” “ However , given the fluid nature of the pandemic situation , we are just providing the total number of inmates transferred to home confinement or compassionate release across the BOP on our resource page , ” the BOP Public Affairs Office added .
Patti Stockman pointed out that her husband has multiple risk factors that should make him among the most eligible to be transferred to home confinement , including being in his mid-sixties with Type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that his lungs are scarred from severe asthma he struggled with in years past and that he is overweight .
“ Steve is a sitting duck waiting for this virus to hit , because he ’ s got all the risk factors , ” Patti said , noting that inmates live in close quarters .
Guidance put out by Barr specifically listed among criteria for release to home confinement , “ [ t ] he age and vulnerability of the inmate to COVID-19 , in accordance to the Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That guidance says people who are at higher risk for serious illness due to COVID-19 include those 65 and older , have diabetes , are severely overweight or have “ moderate to severe asthma.
” At 63 , Stockman is just shy of the age threshold the CDC identified , but clearly falls in the higher risk group for multiple other factors .
RELATED : Conservative Activist Slams Alarmist CNN for 'Sesame Street ' Town Hall : 'It 's Actually Inducing More Fear' Another criterion the attorney general listed in considering whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of the facility .
Patti Stockman said her husband is housed in “ the camp ” at the Beaumont facility , which is the lowest level of security .
An additional criterion is the nature of the criminal conviction of the inmate , whether he or she would pose a danger to the community , such as sex offender ( who would not be eligible ) or other “ serious offenses.
” Steve Stockman was convicted for white-collar crimes , primarily campaign-law violations and misuse of funds from nonprofits with which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among the crimes were “ straw man ” contributions to his campaign , which were in violation of Federal Election Commission rules .
Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D ’ Souza pleaded guilty to this crime in 2014 and was sentenced to serve eight months in a detention center ( in the evenings ) and five years probation and pay a $ 30,000 fine .
President Donald Trump pardoned D ’ Souza in May 2018 , saying the conservative was “ treated very unfairly.
” Earlier this month , Patti Stockman made a direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon her husband or commute his sentence .
“ Every time I visit , it ’ s so hard to drive away from there and leave him a place I know he doesn ’ t belong , ” she said .
( 2:15 ) .
“ Mr .
President , I ask you please to intervene so that this unjust sentence that Steve is serving does not become a death penalty , ” Stockman added .
Groups as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union and Freedom Works wrote a letter to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commute the sentence for inmates at high health risk for serious COVID-19 illness .
Steve Stockman ’ s supporters — including former attorney Sidney Powell , who is currently representing former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn — believe his prosecution and imprisonment was unjust .
Some see him as the victim of so-called “ deep state ” retaliation .
Two weeks after the conservative firebrand filed a resolution in Congress calling for the arrest of former IRS official Lois Lerner in July 2014 , FBI agents showed up at his door informing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal investigation .
In a court pleading , Stockman ’ s lawyer recounted that multiple grand juries reportedly considered and rejected the charges being brought against his client , until the Justice Department was able to convince one to indict in March 2017 , with led to his April 2018 conviction .
Powell , a fellow Texan who did some pro-bono work for Stockman ’ s legal team following his conviction , told The Western Journal at the time that justice was not served in his case .
“ The ‘ Public Integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrongly named .
It is notorious for political prosecutions , ” she said .
“ It is highly likely they targeted former Congressman Stockman and have been extremely and unreasonably harsh toward him because he was so outspoken in trying to hold Lois Lerner , the Clintons , and Obama accountable.
” The attorney and author of the book “ Licensed to Lie : Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice ” added that the DOJ clearly had “ an enemies list ” that included the lawmaker “ and they acted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Republican Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas was reportedly pulled from a list of inmates at a minimum security prison who were being transferred to home confinement amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite having several risk factors that increase his chances of dying should he contract the disease.
Stockman, who was a fierce critic of former President Barack Obama and officials in his administration, has been imprisoned for over two years so far as part of a 10-year sentence after being found guilty in April 2018 of violations of campaign-finance law and other related charges.
His wife, Patti Stockman, told The Western Journal her husband was informed in early April he was being released to home confinement as part of a policy announced by U.S. Attorney General William Barr “for combatting the dangers that COVID-19 poses to our vulnerable inmates.”
Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, was released under this program after having served less than a year of his three-year sentence for bank fraud, tax evasion, and campaign finance violations.
According to the Bureau of Prisons website, in keeping with Barr’s guidance, over 1,800 inmates have been released to home confinement so far.
When Steve Stockman showed up at the appointed time and place to begin his 14-day quarantine prior to being released, a prison official at the federal prison he is being held in Beaumont, Texas, told him his name had been pulled from the list, according to his wife.
The Bureau of Prisons confirmed in an email to The Western Journal, “Staff at FCC Beaumont are currently reviewing all inmates for their suitability for home confinement or compassionate release.”
“However, given the fluid nature of the pandemic situation, we are just providing the total number of inmates transferred to home confinement or compassionate release across the BOP on our resource page,” the BOP Public Affairs Office added.
Patti Stockman pointed out that her husband has multiple risk factors that should make him among the most eligible to be transferred to home confinement, including being in his mid-sixties with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Do you think Stockman should be released to home confinement? 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: 90% (210 Votes) No: 10% (24 Votes)
She added that his lungs are scarred from severe asthma he struggled with in years past and that he is overweight.
“Steve is a sitting duck waiting for this virus to hit, because he’s got all the risk factors,” Patti said, noting that inmates live in close quarters.
Guidance put out by Barr specifically listed among criteria for release to home confinement, “[t]he age and vulnerability of the inmate to COVID-19, in accordance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
That guidance says people who are at higher risk for serious illness due to COVID-19 include those 65 and older, have diabetes, are severely overweight or have “moderate to severe asthma.”
At 63, Stockman is just shy of the age threshold the CDC identified, but clearly falls in the higher risk group for multiple other factors.
Another criterion the attorney general listed in considering whether inmates should be released is the security level of the facility.
Patti Stockman said her husband is housed in “the camp” at the Beaumont facility, which is the lowest level of security.
An additional criterion is the nature of the criminal conviction of the inmate, whether he or she would pose a danger to the community, such as sex offender (who would not be eligible) or other “serious offenses.”
Steve Stockman was convicted for white-collar crimes, primarily campaign-law violations and misuse of funds from nonprofits with which he was associated for campaign and personal expenses.
Among the crimes were “straw man” contributions to his campaign, which were in violation of Federal Election Commission rules.
Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza pleaded guilty to this crime in 2014 and was sentenced to serve eight months in a detention center (in the evenings) and five years probation and pay a $30,000 fine.
President Donald Trump pardoned D’Souza in May 2018, saying the conservative was “treated very unfairly.”
Earlier this month, Patti Stockman made a direct appeal to Trump in a video to pardon her husband or commute his sentence.
“Every time I visit, it’s so hard to drive away from there and leave him a place I know he doesn’t belong,” she said. (2:15).
“Mr. President, I ask you please to intervene so that this unjust sentence that Steve is serving does not become a death penalty,” Stockman added.
Groups as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union and Freedom Works wrote a letter to Trump late last month calling on him to commute the sentence for inmates at high health risk for serious COVID-19 illness.
Steve Stockman’s supporters — including former attorney Sidney Powell, who is currently representing former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn — believe his prosecution and imprisonment was unjust.
Some see him as the victim of so-called “deep state” retaliation.
Two weeks after the conservative firebrand filed a resolution in Congress calling for the arrest of former IRS official Lois Lerner in July 2014, FBI agents showed up at his door informing the lawmaker he was the subject of a criminal investigation.
In a court pleading, Stockman’s lawyer recounted that multiple grand juries reportedly considered and rejected the charges being brought against his client, until the Justice Department was able to convince one to indict in March 2017, with led to his April 2018 conviction.
Powell, a fellow Texan who did some pro-bono work for Stockman’s legal team following his conviction, told The Western Journal at the time that justice was not served in his case.
“The ‘Public Integrity’ section of the Department of Justice is wrongly named. It is notorious for political prosecutions,” she said.
“It is highly likely they targeted former Congressman Stockman and have been extremely and unreasonably harsh toward him because he was so outspoken in trying to hold Lois Lerner, the Clintons, and Obama accountable.”
The attorney and author of the book “Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice” added that the DOJ clearly had “an enemies list” that included the lawmaker “and they acted on it.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-05-01--Mike Huckabee: Clear Proof of Flynn Setup Is Just the Beginning

“ I don ’ t think we have seen the beginning of the reality of what was going on in this faux investigation , from the top to bottom.
” That ’ s Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice , commenting on Sean Hannity ’ s TV show Thursday night about revelations in the Michael Flynn case .
He ’ s right ; there is much more to come .
But one thing we know for sure is that James Comey deliberately set Flynn up , and he did it because he assumed he could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flynn attorney Sidney Powell really is the hero in all this ; I nominate her for “ Person Of The Year.
” She has changed history .
If she hadn ’ t gone after the powers that be like a pit bull , Flynn , an innocent political victim , would have been stuck with a coerced guilty plea and would never have been exonerated .
( Flynn truly is vindicated from this day forward –- Trump was right to hold off on a pardon for now and let Powell do her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Stelter Blasted Hydroxychloroquine for Virus , But Turns Out His Wife Uses It - Just Not for COVID Oh sure , the same books and columns would have been written exposing what the intelligence community had been up to , and the people who actually read them would have been aware of the travesty , but it wouldn ’ t have made any difference in the life of Michael Flynn and others who were abused by the system .
Thanks to Powell , and also to the doggedness of Attorney General Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. attorney Jeff Jensen ( who has also been reviewing the case ) , the scheme to take Flynn down is in the process of being exposed .
There must be accountability .
Powell appeared on “ Hannity ” this week as well , saying that the case absolutely must be dismissed , “ preferably for government misconduct , ” and that in any event the guilty plea has got to be thrown out , as there is finally documentation that Flynn was coerced in “ a secret side deal ” involving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , who himself had just become the father of a newborn baby .
She recapped the story we already know , that they “ tried one thing after the other , ” starting with the Russia hoax ( they ’ d been trying to falsely associate him with Russians since 2014-15 ) , which failed to find anything on Flynn .
Now we have a revealing timeline for January 2017 .
On Jan. 4 , the FBI file was closed on the Flynn investigation , “ Crossfire Razor , ” with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI agent Peter Strzok heard this , he texted an unknown recipient , “ if you haven ’ t closed RAZOR , don ’ t do so yet.
” ( Recipient : “ Okay.
” ) On Jan. 5 , President Obama met in the Oval Office with Comey and the crew ; Christopher Steele also “ wiped ” his records , including those on Fusion GPS .
On Jan. 6 , Comey briefed Trump on the “ dossier ” to give Buzzfeed and CNN a “ hook ” for using the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January is ‘ abuzz ’ with activity , both before and after Trump ’ s inauguration .
I ’ ll refer you to Sara Carter for a rundown of the documents released on Thursday .
RELATED : The Deep State 's Vendetta Against General Flynn Led to the Russia Collusion Hoax These communications are absolutely stunning , particularly the texting among Strzok , Lisa Page and Bill Priestap about how they planned to question Flynn .
Texts between Strzok and Page also reveal that they substantially rewrote the original 302 of the ambush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a crime he never committed .
Unfortunately , there are still some redactions in the texts as released , but what these people were doing is obvious .
One disturbing piece of information that might explain a lot : According to Powell , the person who advanced the career of Andrew Weissmann , a prosecutor for Robert Mueller , was none other than … ( drum roll , please ) … our current FBI director , Christopher Wray .
Wray was Weissmann ’ s supervisor when they were at the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of everyone in Houston.
” “ There are people there who still have nightmares as a result of [ Weissmann ’ s ] conduct , ” she said to Hannity , “ in violation of everyone ’ s rights , naming over 100 people as unindicted co-conspirators , forcing them to ‘ lawyer-up , ’ threatening witnesses right and left , every variety of prosecutorial misconduct you can imagine .
He was a terrorist of a prosecutor .
And he was handpicked for that job by Michael Chertoff and Bob Mueller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Bush administration.
” That ’ s right , “ the swamp ” predates Obama , but his administration sure did take full advantage of it .
Since Wray was presiding over all of this earlier in his career , Powell has no illusions that as FBI director he will seriously address the corruption .
I would really like to know the backstory of how he got that job .
Surely there was a lot Trump didn ’ t know when he appointed him .
Wray does serve “ at the pleasure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hard to imagine that the president is at all pleased .
There are similar questions about Robert Mueller .
As Sekulow mentioned Thursday , the documents and notes that have just been released had the same notation : “ OSC , ” for “ Office of Special Counsel.
” So where was Mueller ?
If he had been doing his job , those documents would have been turned over to the defense .
But , no , he said , “ the Weissmanns of the world were running that office.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this case is by Jonathan Turley at The Hill .
He went down the list of FBI officials who have lied and otherwise “ acted in arguably criminal or unethical ways , ” such as leaking and falsifying evidence , but have not been charged .
In Turley ’ s words , “ the disconnect of these cases with the treatment of Flynn is galling and grotesque.
” Turley also had plenty to say about the presiding judge in the case , Emmet Sullivan , who has treated Flynn shamefully .
“ Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what he saw as a treasonous plot , ” he wrote .
Of course , Turley was referring to the phony “ Russia hoax ” plot , not the actual plot that was going on inside Sullivan ’ s own courtroom , courtesy of the DOJ and FBI .
Now watch the media pull out all the stops trying to dismiss or rewrite this .
Turley is no Republican or Trump cheerleader , but he ’ s objective enough to recognize a miscarriage of justice when he sees one .
His commentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

“I don’t think we have seen the beginning of the reality of what was going on in this faux investigation, from the top to bottom.”
That’s Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice, commenting on Sean Hannity’s TV show Thursday night about revelations in the Michael Flynn case. He’s right; there is much more to come.
But one thing we know for sure is that James Comey deliberately set Flynn up, and he did it because he assumed he could get away with it. He almost did.
Flynn attorney Sidney Powell really is the hero in all this; I nominate her for “Person Of The Year.” She has changed history.
If she hadn’t gone after the powers that be like a pit bull, Flynn, an innocent political victim, would have been stuck with a coerced guilty plea and would never have been exonerated. (Flynn truly is vindicated from this day forward –- Trump was right to hold off on a pardon for now and let Powell do her work instead.)
Oh sure, the same books and columns would have been written exposing what the intelligence community had been up to, and the people who actually read them would have been aware of the travesty, but it wouldn’t have made any difference in the life of Michael Flynn and others who were abused by the system.
Thanks to Powell, and also to the doggedness of Attorney General Bill Barr, U.S. Attorney John Durham and U.S. attorney Jeff Jensen (who has also been reviewing the case), the scheme to take Flynn down is in the process of being exposed.
There must be accountability.
Powell appeared on “Hannity” this week as well, saying that the case absolutely must be dismissed, “preferably for government misconduct,” and that in any event the guilty plea has got to be thrown out, as there is finally documentation that Flynn was coerced in “a secret side deal” involving the threat of prosecution of Flynn’s son, who himself had just become the father of a newborn baby.
Do you think the media is covering Flynn's case fairly? 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: 4% (7 Votes) No: 96% (182 Votes)
She recapped the story we already know, that they “tried one thing after the other,” starting with the Russia hoax (they’d been trying to falsely associate him with Russians since 2014-15), which failed to find anything on Flynn.
Now we have a revealing timeline for January 2017. On Jan. 4, the FBI file was closed on the Flynn investigation, “Crossfire Razor,” with “no derogatory information” found. When FBI agent Peter Strzok heard this, he texted an unknown recipient, “if you haven’t closed RAZOR, don’t do so yet.” (Recipient: “Okay.”)
On Jan. 5, President Obama met in the Oval Office with Comey and the crew; Christopher Steele also “wiped” his records, including those on Fusion GPS.
On Jan. 6, Comey briefed Trump on the “dossier” to give Buzzfeed and CNN a “hook” for using the story. It goes on from there; January is ‘abuzz’ with activity, both before and after Trump’s inauguration.
I’ll refer you to Sara Carter for a rundown of the documents released on Thursday.
These communications are absolutely stunning, particularly the texting among Strzok, Lisa Page and Bill Priestap about how they planned to question Flynn. Texts between Strzok and Page also reveal that they substantially rewrote the original 302 of the ambush interview in order to eventually charge Flynn with a crime he never committed.
Unfortunately, there are still some redactions in the texts as released, but what these people were doing is obvious.
One disturbing piece of information that might explain a lot: According to Powell, the person who advanced the career of Andrew Weissmann, a prosecutor for Robert Mueller, was none other than … (drum roll, please) … our current FBI director, Christopher Wray. Wray was Weissmann’s supervisor when they were at the Department of Justice, “running roughshod over the rights of everyone in Houston.”
“There are people there who still have nightmares as a result of [Weissmann’s] conduct,” she said to Hannity, “in violation of everyone’s rights, naming over 100 people as unindicted co-conspirators, forcing them to ‘lawyer-up,’ threatening witnesses right and left, every variety of prosecutorial misconduct you can imagine. He was a terrorist of a prosecutor. And he was handpicked for that job by Michael Chertoff and Bob Mueller and James Comey and people like that, during the Bush administration.”
That’s right, “the swamp” predates Obama, but his administration sure did take full advantage of it.
Since Wray was presiding over all of this earlier in his career, Powell has no illusions that as FBI director he will seriously address the corruption. I would really like to know the backstory of how he got that job. Surely there was a lot Trump didn’t know when he appointed him. Wray does serve “at the pleasure of the president,” and it’s hard to imagine that the president is at all pleased.
There are similar questions about Robert Mueller.
As Sekulow mentioned Thursday, the documents and notes that have just been released had the same notation: “OSC,” for “Office of Special Counsel.” So where was Mueller? If he had been doing his job, those documents would have been turned over to the defense. But, no, he said, “the Weissmanns of the world were running that office.”
One must-read article about the misconduct in this case is by Jonathan Turley at The Hill. He went down the list of FBI officials who have lied and otherwise “acted in arguably criminal or unethical ways,” such as leaking and falsifying evidence, but have not been charged.
In Turley’s words, “the disconnect of these cases with the treatment of Flynn is galling and grotesque.”
Turley also had plenty to say about the presiding judge in the case, Emmet Sullivan, who has treated Flynn shamefully. “Even the federal judge used Flynn to rail against what he saw as a treasonous plot,” he wrote.
Of course, Turley was referring to the phony “Russia hoax” plot, not the actual plot that was going on inside Sullivan’s own courtroom, courtesy of the DOJ and FBI.
Now watch the media pull out all the stops trying to dismiss or rewrite this.
Turley is no Republican or Trump cheerleader, but he’s objective enough to recognize a miscarriage of justice when he sees one. His commentary here is magnificent.
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
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.