westernjournal--2020-05-19--California Ignites Outrage by Opening Up Relief Funding for Illegal Immigrants

California on Monday began doling out state tax dollars to illegal immigrants who can claim they have hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The state has a $ 75 million fund for illegal immigrants that will pay $ 500 per person or up to $ 1,000 per household , according to the Los Angeles Times .
The state projects that 150,000 illegal immigrants will be served by the project , which was announced last month by Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
Illegal immigrants are largely ineligible for federal coronavirus relief funds , according to The New York Times , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund for them .
The state money is one part of the effort to build a $ 125 million pot of money to support illegal immigrants in the state .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' A coalition of private groups is seeking to raise $ 50 million for illegal immigrants who are not supported by any other funding .
Demand for the cash was so intense on Monday that California ’ s coronavirus disaster relief website crashed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresno Bee .
The $ 75 million taxpayer-funded giveaway had been opposed by the conservative nonprofit group Judicial Watch , which last week filed suit in an attempt to block the plan .
“ The governor has no legal authority on his own to spend state taxpayer money for cash payments to illegal aliens , and coronavirus doesn ’ t give him or any other politician a pass to violate the law , ” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement , according to Fox News .
RELATED : First Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris “ Instead of meeting these urgent needs , Governor Newsom has chosen to irresponsibly pursue a left-wing path and unilaterally secured $ 125 million for undocumented immigrants , ” California State Senate Republican Minority Leader Shannon Grove said last month , according to KESQ .
An advocate for illegal immigrants said they need the help .
“ Prior to this crisis , we had individuals not wanting to see the doctor , not taking care of their health because of this administration ’ s anti-immigrant attacks , ” Samuel Molina of Mi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic has only exacerbated the situation.
” “ What I would say to those who oppose thus executive order is that I would encourage them to really educate themselves on how undocumented individuals contribute to our economy , ” Molina said .
Some advocates have said the funding is not enough to help all of the state ’ s estimated 2 million illegal immigrants .
“ In the best-case scenario , these funds would reach 1 in 10 people , ” Unai Montes-Irueste , director of communications for United Ways of California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

California on Monday began doling out state tax dollars to illegal immigrants who can claim they have hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state has a $75 million fund for illegal immigrants that will pay $500 per person or up to $1,000 per household, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The state projects that 150,000 illegal immigrants will be served by the project, which was announced last month by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Illegal immigrants are largely ineligible for federal coronavirus relief funds, according to The New York Times, which led the Democratic governor to create a fund for them.
The state money is one part of the effort to build a $125 million pot of money to support illegal immigrants in the state.
A coalition of private groups is seeking to raise $50 million for illegal immigrants who are not supported by any other funding.
Demand for the cash was so intense on Monday that California’s coronavirus disaster relief website crashed for a few hours, according to The Fresno Bee.
The $75 million taxpayer-funded giveaway had been opposed by the conservative nonprofit group Judicial Watch, which last week filed suit in an attempt to block the plan.
“The governor has no legal authority on his own to spend state taxpayer money for cash payments to illegal aliens, and coronavirus doesn’t give him or any other politician a pass to violate the law,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement, according to Fox News.
The payments made many people furious:
We went to the California Supreme Court to stop this, because it violates state and federal law and constitution, but the court allowed it to proceed. Remember our government’s priorities as this shutdown, and your misery, continues in California. #illegal https://t.co/iPlkev0UBE — Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) May 18, 2020
https://t.co/GVzWc3oEdq There are Americans who have not received a stimulus check, or unemployment check from california, and here Gavin Newsom is illlegally taking your hard earned money you paid in taxes and giving it to illegal aliens! This has to
stop! #RecallGavinNewsom !! — VeryCoolThings4U (@VeryCoolThings4) May 16, 2020
Gov Newsom’s decision to allocate taxpayer funds to California’s illegal immigrant population is a slap in the face to U.S. citizens who are also struggling with the shutdown, as well as a violation of his office. He should be recalled immediately. https://t.co/H2VPgHZrYl — James P. Bradley (R) CA-33 (@BradleyCongress) May 19, 2020
California: where illegal immigrants have more rights than American citizens. #FreeCalifornia — Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) May 12, 2020
“Instead of meeting these urgent needs, Governor Newsom has chosen to irresponsibly pursue a left-wing path and unilaterally secured $125 million for undocumented immigrants,” California State Senate Republican Minority Leader Shannon Grove said last month, according to KESQ.
Should public money be used to support illegal immigrants? 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: 0% (2 Votes) No: 100% (458 Votes)
An advocate for illegal immigrants said they need the help.
“Prior to this crisis, we had individuals not wanting to see the doctor, not taking care of their health because of this administration’s anti-immigrant attacks,” Samuel Molina of Mi Familia Vota told KFSN.
“And this pandemic has only exacerbated the situation.”
“What I would say to those who oppose thus executive order is that I would encourage them to really educate themselves on how undocumented individuals contribute to our economy,” Molina said.
Some advocates have said the funding is not enough to help all of the state’s estimated 2 million illegal immigrants.
“In the best-case scenario, these funds would reach 1 in 10 people,” Unai Montes-Irueste, director of communications for United Ways of California, told the San Jose Mercury News.
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--2020-05-19--Levin: Greatest Entity That Interfered in 2016 Election Was the Obama Administration

Fox News host Mark Levin argued that the Obama administration was the “ greatest entity ” interfering in the 2016 presidential election .
Further , he said it then turned around and used the intelligence and law enforcement apparatuses of the federal government to sabotage the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump .
“ The most lawless administration in modern history was the Obama/Biden administration , ” Levin said Sunday night on his program , “ Life , Liberty & Levin.
” “ These aren ’ t a few one-off rogue FBI agents .
This is a ubiquitous activity throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effort to build the false Trump-Russia collusion narrative .
Levin , who served as chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese during the Reagan administration in the 1980s , observed that it stretches credulity to believe former President Barack Obama did not know about his administration ’ s efforts directed at the Trump team .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' He played a March 2017 “ Fox & Friends ” clip in which he quoted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ The agencies involved in the inquiry are the FBI , the CIA , the NSA , the Justice Department , the Treasury Department ’ s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and representatives of the director of the national intelligence , ' ” Levin said .
“ Are you telling me Barack Obama didn ’ t know what was going on in six agencies ?
” He believes the 44th president approved of the undertaking .
In another clip from 2017 , Levin noted that Obama received daily intelligence briefings in which the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court warrants to surveil the Trump campaign surely would have come up .
“ Let me tell you something about daily intelligence briefings .
If your attorney general and your FBI is going to the FISA court to get a warrant to investigate aspects of an opposition party in the middle of a general election campaign , how much you want to bet the president of the United States knew that ?
” the former top DOJ official questioned .
Levin also pointed to recently released documents showing Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Vice President Joe Biden , CIA Director John Brennan , Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and discussed incoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynn ’ s phone calls with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak , Fox News reported .
“ So the leaking before Obama leaves office is enormous — to The New York Times , to The Washington Post to British newspapers , to websites , ” Levin said concerning what happened in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show host argued that the Obama administration worked with the establishment media to establish the false narrative that the president-elect ’ s campaign colluded with Russia .
RELATED : Chuck Schumer Hit with Multiple Ethics Complaints in Wake of Supreme Court Threat “ The word has gone out , ‘ Push out this narrative of Russia collusion .
Push it out .
Cripple the incoming president of the United States .
Create this cloud over his head so when he comes into office , he will be viewed as a Russian puppet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we now know , of course , as a result of the Mueller investigation as well as the release of information the other week out of the director of the national intelligence , none of them believed for a minute that there was Russia collusion.
” Multiple Obama administration officials , including Clapper and National Security Advisor Susan Rice , testified before the House Intelligence Committee in closed-door sessions in 2017 that they had no direct knowledge or evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia .
Mollie Hemingway , a senior editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s show and agreed with him that the purpose of the leaks by Obama administration officials was to set the narrative of Trump-Russia collusion .
“ There was no leak that they were too resistant to taking it seems like , ” she said .
She pointed to a Washington Post story published the day before FBI agents showed up at the White House to interview Flynn .
“ Flynn himself is not the active target of an investigation , U.S. officials said , ” The Post story read .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recounted , but it was meant to give Flynn a false sense of assurance .
She further argued on “ Life , Liberty & Levin ” that the FBI efforts directed at Flynn and others were for the purpose of “ sidelining ” them .
“ This was about making sure that they could sideline people who would expose what they had been doing throughout the campaign , throughout the transition , ” Hemingway said , “ and then , of course , what they hoped to continue doing into the Trump administration.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ” because he had previously served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration and would quickly sense something “ fishy and problematic ” was going on in intelligence community efforts direct against Trump and his team .
“ The Trump administration was the victim of a coordinated leak campaign to set a knowingly false narrative of Russia collusion , ” Hemingway said .
“ This is unprecedented levels of unmasking and leaking and conspiring against an incoming administration .
“ We have always prided ourselves in having healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a willful attempt to undermine that smooth transition of power , and that ’ s an attack on the American people themselves.
” Levin concluded , “ Seems like the greatest entity that interfered in the election was the Obama administration.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Fox News host Mark Levin argued that the Obama administration was the “greatest entity” interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
Further, he said it then turned around and used the intelligence and law enforcement apparatuses of the federal government to sabotage the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
“The most lawless administration in modern history was the Obama/Biden administration,” Levin said Sunday night on his program, “Life, Liberty & Levin.”
“These aren’t a few one-off rogue FBI agents. This is a ubiquitous activity throughout the government,” he said regarding the effort to build the false Trump-Russia collusion narrative.
Levin, who served as chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese during the Reagan administration in the 1980s, observed that it stretches credulity to believe former President Barack Obama did not know about his administration’s efforts directed at the Trump team.
He played a March 2017 “Fox & Friends” clip in which he quoted a McClatchy report from January 2017.
“‘The agencies involved in the inquiry are the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, the Justice Department, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and representatives of the director of the national intelligence,'” Levin said.
“Are you telling me Barack Obama didn’t know what was going on in six agencies?”
He believes the 44th president approved of the undertaking.
Do you agree with Levin that Obama knew about the FBI efforts directed against Trump's team? 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% (170 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
In another clip from 2017, Levin noted that Obama received daily intelligence briefings in which the Department of Justice’s pursuit of multiple Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court warrants to surveil the Trump campaign surely would have come up.
“Let me tell you something about daily intelligence briefings. If your attorney general and your FBI is going to the FISA court to get a warrant to investigate aspects of an opposition party in the middle of a general election campaign, how much you want to bet the president of the United States knew that?” the former top DOJ official questioned.
Levin also pointed to recently released documents showing Obama met on Jan. 5, 2017, with Vice President Joe Biden, CIA Director John Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and discussed incoming National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s phone calls with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Fox News reported.
“So the leaking before Obama leaves office is enormous — to The New York Times, to The Washington Post to British newspapers, to websites,” Levin said concerning what happened in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2017.
The radio talk show host argued that the Obama administration worked with the establishment media to establish the false narrative that the president-elect’s campaign colluded with Russia.
“The word has gone out, ‘Push out this narrative of Russia collusion. Push it out. Cripple the incoming president of the United States. Create this cloud over his head so when he comes into office, he will be viewed as a Russian puppet,”‘ he said.
“And we now know, of course, as a result of the Mueller investigation as well as the release of information the other week out of the director of the national intelligence, none of them believed for a minute that there was Russia collusion.”
Multiple Obama administration officials, including Clapper and National Security Advisor Susan Rice, testified before the House Intelligence Committee in closed-door sessions in 2017 that they had no direct knowledge or evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
Mollie Hemingway, a senior editor at The Federalist, appeared on Levin’s show and agreed with him that the purpose of the leaks by Obama administration officials was to set the narrative of Trump-Russia collusion.
“There was no leak that they were too resistant to taking it seems like,” she said.
She pointed to a Washington Post story published the day before FBI agents showed up at the White House to interview Flynn.
“Flynn himself is not the active target of an investigation, U.S. officials said,” The Post story read.
“That wasn’t true,” Hemingway recounted, but it was meant to give Flynn a false sense of assurance.
She further argued on “Life, Liberty & Levin” that the FBI efforts directed at Flynn and others were for the purpose of “sidelining” them.
“This was about making sure that they could sideline people who would expose what they had been doing throughout the campaign, throughout the transition,” Hemingway said, “and then, of course, what they hoped to continue doing into the Trump administration.”
Flynn became “target No. 1” because he had previously served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency during the Obama administration and would quickly sense something “fishy and problematic” was going on in intelligence community efforts direct against Trump and his team.
“The Trump administration was the victim of a coordinated leak campaign to set a knowingly false narrative of Russia collusion,” Hemingway said. “This is unprecedented levels of unmasking and leaking and conspiring against an incoming administration.
“We have always prided ourselves in having healthy, smooth transitions of power. This was a willful attempt to undermine that smooth transition of power, and that’s an attack on the American people themselves.”
Levin concluded, “Seems like the greatest entity that interfered in the election was the Obama administration.”
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--2020-05-19--While Preaching for Rich To Pay More Taxes, AOC Reportedly Doesn’t Even Pay All of Hers

“ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is right .
A 70 % tax on the rich makes sense.
” It ’ s not just because that ’ s the most U.K .
Guardian headline ever that I mention it .
It ’ s that the official paper of 10 out of 10 people still hanging on to that Jeremy Corbyn dream managed to hit roughly the median of media reaction after AOC introduced this completely untenable plan when she arrived in Congress in January 2019 .
NBC News : “ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s 70 percent tax on the rich isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decreasing inequality.
” ( Hah ! )
CNBC : “ Ocasio-Cortez ’ s 70 % tax plan gets fierce response , but even Warren Buffett says rich should pay more.
” TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Vox : “ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is floating a 70 percent top tax rate — here ’ s the research that backs her up.
” ( Sub-headline : “ Some studies indicate she ’ s aiming too low.
” ) She ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I say this not because I ’ m terribly concerned about her electoral fortunes ( unless the Democrats decide they ’ ve reached the point of AOC-saturation and eliminate her seat after the census , she ’ ll be with us as a legislator until she ’ s no longer able to or desirous of serving ) .
I say that because it seems she has a bit of an issue with her taxes .
Namely , she can ’ t even pay an outstanding $ 2,000 bill issued by the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez is the founder of Brook Avenue Press .
Here ’ s the genius business model behind this 2012 business venture : It wanted , according to the Post , to get “ designers , artists and writers from urban areas to help paint The Bronx in a positive way in children ’ s stories.
” Now , for those of you outside of the NYC area , you probably have a negative impression of The Bronx left over from 1980s hip-hop videos .
That ’ s actually somewhat erroneous , particularly given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , however , I ’ m curious how this business model was supposed to work .
There ’ s not a huge market for books that help paint The Bronx in a positive light , even given the city ’ s school system .
Anyhow , public records indicate that New York state dissolved Brook Avenue Press four years later in October 2016 ; the reason the state would move in to dissolve a business is if a company either fails to pay its corporate tax bill or just decides filing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As of Friday , the tax warrant had still not been satisfied , and the outstanding balance had grown to $ 2,088.78 , ” the Post reported .
Ocasio-Cortez ’ s camp , meanwhile , says the bill was “ in error .
“ The congresswoman is still in the process of contesting the tax warrant .
The business has been closed for several years now , and so we believe that the state Tax Department has continued to collect the franchise tax in error , ” AOC spokeswoman Lauren Hitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities of getting things wrong ?
They ’ re the government , though .
Surely she ’ s not conceding they got a tax bill messed up for four years !
“ As anyone who ’ s tried to contest a tax bill in error knows , it takes time , ” Hitt said .
So , TL ; DR version : Tax compliance for thee , not for me .
Or , to quote that notable democratic socialist , Leona Helmsley , “ We don ’ t pay taxes .
Only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just thinks she ’ s better than everyone else .
Clearly , she ’ s worse , ” said the spokesman for Caruso-Cabrera , Hank Sheinkopf .
Well , not necessarily .
The realities of socialism or communism — unless you believe in the kind of socialism that ’ s “ never really been tried , man ” — is that there ’ s a permanent overclass who believes the rules don ’ t apply to them because they don ’ t .
Look at the most prominent example : the USSR .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Politburo were driving Moscow around in beat-up Ladas ?
No — they were being chauffeured in limousines .
They may not have been nice limousines , but that wasn ’ t because of class equality — it was because Russia couldn ’ t make anything better .
We ’ re not the Soviet Union , obviously , but the mentality still holds : Come the revolution , everyone with the rose next to their name on Twitter expects to be the shot-callers , not the ones who now have the shots called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be different for them — and why shouldn ’ t they be ?
They ’ re working so much harder for you , after all .
So your taxes are going up to a 70 percent marginal rate ?
That ’ s for the benefit of everyone else , comrade .
That ’ s not your money , after all — that ’ s money that could make other people ’ s lives better .
Meanwhile , if you ’ re not among the elect , you ’ re not going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After all , all bureaucrats are equal , but some bureaucrats are more equal than others .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is right. A 70% tax on the rich makes sense.”
It’s not just because that’s the most U.K. Guardian headline ever that I mention it.
It’s that the official paper of 10 out of 10 people still hanging on to that Jeremy Corbyn dream managed to hit roughly the median of media reaction after AOC introduced this completely untenable plan when she arrived in Congress in January 2019.
NBC News: “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 70 percent tax on the rich isn’t about revenue, it’s about decreasing inequality.” (Hah!)
CNBC: “Ocasio-Cortez’s 70% tax plan gets fierce response, but even Warren Buffett says rich should pay more.”
Vox: “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is floating a 70 percent top tax rate — here’s the research that backs her up.” (Sub-headline: “Some studies indicate she’s aiming too low.”)
She’d better hope she wasn’t. I say this not because I’m terribly concerned about her electoral fortunes (unless the Democrats decide they’ve reached the point of AOC-saturation and eliminate her seat after the census, she’ll be with us as a legislator until she’s no longer able to or desirous of serving).
I say that because it seems she has a bit of an issue with her taxes. Namely, she can’t even pay an outstanding $2,000 bill issued by the state.
According to the New York Post, Ocasio-Cortez is the founder of Brook Avenue Press. Here’s the genius business model behind this 2012 business venture: It wanted, according to the Post, to get “designers, artists and writers from urban areas to help paint The Bronx in a positive way in children’s stories.”
Do you think that AOC doesn't practice what she preaches? 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: 95% (659 Votes) No: 5% (33 Votes)
Now, for those of you outside of the NYC area, you probably have a negative impression of The Bronx left over from 1980s hip-hop videos. That’s actually somewhat erroneous, particularly given The Bronx of 2020.
Even with that, however, I’m curious how this business model was supposed to work. There’s not a huge market for books that help paint The Bronx in a positive light, even given the city’s school system.
Anyhow, public records indicate that New York state dissolved Brook Avenue Press four years later in October 2016; the reason the state would move in to dissolve a business is if a company either fails to pay its corporate tax bill or just decides filing a return just isn’t worth it.
“As of Friday, the tax warrant had still not been satisfied, and the outstanding balance had grown to $2,088.78,” the Post reported.
Ocasio-Cortez’s camp, meanwhile, says the bill was “in error.
“The congresswoman is still in the process of contesting the tax warrant. The business has been closed for several years now, and so we believe that the state Tax Department has continued to collect the franchise tax in error,” AOC spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said.
Are you accusing the tax authorities of getting things wrong? They’re the government, though. Surely she’s not conceding they got a tax bill messed up for four years!
“As anyone who’s tried to contest a tax bill in error knows, it takes time,” Hitt said.
So, TL;DR version: Tax compliance for thee, not for me. Or, to quote that notable democratic socialist, Leona Helmsley, “We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s primary opponent, former CNBC contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, slammed AOC’s apparent tax noncompliance.
“She just thinks she’s better than everyone else. Clearly, she’s worse,” said the spokesman for Caruso-Cabrera, Hank Sheinkopf.
Well, not necessarily. The realities of socialism or communism — unless you believe in the kind of socialism that’s “never really been tried, man” — is that there’s a permanent overclass who believes the rules don’t apply to them because they don’t.
Look at the most prominent example: the USSR. Do you think that top officials in the Politburo were driving Moscow around in beat-up Ladas? No — they were being chauffeured in limousines.
They may not have been nice limousines, but that wasn’t because of class equality — it was because Russia couldn’t make anything better.
We’re not the Soviet Union, obviously, but the mentality still holds: Come the revolution, everyone with the rose next to their name on Twitter expects to be the shot-callers, not the ones who now have the shots called for them.
The rules will always be different for them — and why shouldn’t they be? They’re working so much harder for you, after all.
So your taxes are going up to a 70 percent marginal rate? That’s for the benefit of everyone else, comrade.
That’s not your money, after all — that’s money that could make other people’s lives better.
Meanwhile, if you’re not among the elect, you’re not going to get the same kind of treatment AOC gets.
After all, all bureaucrats are equal, but some bureaucrats are more equal than others.
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--2020-05-20--Op-Ed: National Popular Vote Would Corrupt the Constitution

Political operatives never give up on their agenda , which is generally to make it easier to advance their plans , whatever they may be .
One of those attempts to corrupt our “ supreme law of the land , ” the Constitution , is the national popular vote .
The NPV has been proposed as a populist measure : The candidate who receives the most votes across the nation is elected president .
This would throw out the Electoral College system established by our Founders in the Constitution .
Since it would be difficult and time-consuming to have this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution , there is a new version of the NPV that the underminers have proposed .
The new NPV is a compact or contract between states in which they agree to bind their Electoral College electors to the national popular vote .
Once enough states totaling the majority of electoral college votes join the compact , we have the NPV without a constitutional amendment .
We have been sold such a “ populist ” bill of goods before .
The very same progressive movement was responsible for the 17th Amendment , the popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was passed by Congress on May 13 , 1912 , a few months after Arizona became a state and at the height of the Progressive Era .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' Until that time , U.S. senators were elected by the state legislatures , two from every state , with the intent to protect the interests of every state individually — to protect each state from the misbehaviors and financial mismanagement of other states .
The Framers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would suffer directly from the mismanagement of any one of their peers .
They also gave senators six-year terms , longer than the term of even the president .
The argument against state legislators electing senators was also a populist one : allowing the direct vote of the people and stopping the senate from being a “ millionaire ’ s club.
” The latter promise was a true failure , as the average net worth of senators in 2011 was over $ 14 million .
The result was a Senate whose members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money machine than to their own states .
We can see the previously latent but now fully operable failure of the direct election of senators as they take up enacting trillions of dollars of debt .
States like California , Oregon , Illinois and New York , financially mismanaged by Democratic Party majorities for years , now seek to push their predictable financial collapse on the rest of the states that have been far more responsible with their financial affairs .
Imagine , if you will , the hellish response that Arizona senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Arizona , with a balanced budget , billion-dollar surplus and fiscally conservative legislators , to bail out California with hundreds of billions of dollars of debt and unfunded mandates brought on by pandering legislators who have for years given more than they knew they could pay for .
America might want to rethink the 17th Amendment and consider outright repeal .
Now that would make senators squirm .
The NPV is another example of flawed progressive policies brought on by political types who are not satisfied with the process because their guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
RELATED : KrisAnne Hall : State Attorney Admits That Coercion and Intimidation Are His `` North Star '' The current pandemic shows more than anything that different states need to be able to manage their affairs in ways that suit their circumstances .
Imagine if the current crisis were being headed up by a president who could ignore states and only cater to the wishes of our largest urban areas .
New York , Chicago , Los Angeles and other liberal strongholds would be setting policy for every state .
The 17th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us not compound it with another faux-populist error , the NPV .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Political operatives never give up on their agenda, which is generally to make it easier to advance their plans, whatever they may be. One of those attempts to corrupt our “supreme law of the land,” the Constitution, is the national popular vote.
The NPV has been proposed as a populist measure: The candidate who receives the most votes across the nation is elected president.
This would throw out the Electoral College system established by our Founders in the Constitution. Since it would be difficult and time-consuming to have this passed as an actual amendment to the Constitution, there is a new version of the NPV that the underminers have proposed.
The new NPV is a compact or contract between states in which they agree to bind their Electoral College electors to the national popular vote. Once enough states totaling the majority of electoral college votes join the compact, we have the NPV without a constitutional amendment.
We have been sold such a “populist” bill of goods before. The very same progressive movement was responsible for the 17th Amendment, the popular election of U.S. senators. That amendment was passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, a few months after Arizona became a state and at the height of the Progressive Era.
Until that time, U.S. senators were elected by the state legislatures, two from every state, with the intent to protect the interests of every state individually — to protect each state from the misbehaviors and financial mismanagement of other states.
The Framers understood that it would be the states that would suffer directly from the mismanagement of any one of their peers. They also gave senators six-year terms, longer than the term of even the president.
The argument against state legislators electing senators was also a populist one: allowing the direct vote of the people and stopping the senate from being a “millionaire’s club.”
The latter promise was a true failure, as the average net worth of senators in 2011 was over $14 million. The result was a Senate whose members were more beholden to the Washington lobbyist money machine than to their own states.
Do you think a national popular vote would be a bad idea? 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% (198 Votes) No: 2% (4 Votes)
We can see the previously latent but now fully operable failure of the direct election of senators as they take up enacting trillions of dollars of debt.
States like California, Oregon, Illinois and New York, financially mismanaged by Democratic Party majorities for years, now seek to push their predictable financial collapse on the rest of the states that have been far more responsible with their financial affairs.
Imagine, if you will, the hellish response that Arizona senators would face from legislators if they voted for Arizona, with a balanced budget, billion-dollar surplus and fiscally conservative legislators, to bail out California with hundreds of billions of dollars of debt and unfunded mandates brought on by pandering legislators who have for years given more than they knew they could pay for.
America might want to rethink the 17th Amendment and consider outright repeal. Now that would make senators squirm.
The NPV is another example of flawed progressive policies brought on by political types who are not satisfied with the process because their guy or gal did not make the cut.
The current pandemic shows more than anything that different states need to be able to manage their affairs in ways that suit their circumstances.
Imagine if the current crisis were being headed up by a president who could ignore states and only cater to the wishes of our largest urban areas. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other liberal strongholds would be setting policy for every state.
The 17th Amendment was a bad idea. Let us not compound it with another faux-populist error, the NPV.
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.


westernjournal--2020-05-20--Tim Allen Announces What’s Next for Popular Sitcom ‘Last Man Standing’

There ’ s another season in store for the hit sitcom “ Last Man Standing , ” star Tim Allen has revealed .
“ Good news .
Today Fox announced Last Man Standing is on for season 9 !
!
!
!
” he tweeted Tuesday .
“ Last Man Standing ” averages eight million viewers as Fox ’ s top-ranked comedy series , according to Fox News .
TRENDING : WH Adviser Responds to Obama 's Dig Against Trump , Labels Barack 's Presidency a 'Kumbaya of Incompetence' “ The Resident and Last Man Standing are such important parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so pleased they will be returning next season , ” Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn said , referring to the sitcom and a medical drama that has also been renewed .
“ We want to thank all of the writers , actors , directors , producers and talented crews for both of these shows , and , of course , our friends and producing partners at 20th Century Fox Television.
” The show ’ s season was impacted by the coronavirus and ended on what had been scheduled to be its penultimate episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weekly he ’ s happy to start off the new season with what was supposed to end season eight .
“ I think it would be outstanding as a premiere , ” he said .
“ You ’ d save it , we could do some pieces over the summer.
” Allen added that the show ’ s future is up in the air .
“ We have planned for a future but this is an extremely unusual circumstance .
The studios are closed down .
There are no pilots being shot that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what they ’ re going to do , I don ’ t know how they ’ re going to get back up , ” he said .
“ But they have to come up with some sort of content .
The good news for veteran shows it that we ’ re already set up .
The big question is , ‘ Will August work ?
’ My best guess would be yes , you can probably do a show — maybe not a live audience but a show.
” However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall will be disappointed , Deadline reported .
Fox will be using “ Last Man Standing ” and other scripted shows that are filmed live as midseason replacements .
Because of the coronavirus pandemic ’ s impact on the entertainment world , Fox will be starting its fall scheduled with only animated shows , which have been the least impacted by the disease , and with shows that are ready to go now .
“ Last Man Standing ” began on ABC but was canceled after six seasons .
Fox brought back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the show ’ s third year on Fox .
“ I never really felt we were finished , ” Allen told USA Today in an interview published Jan. 1 .
“ When we got [ to Fox ] , the writers seemed like they got new ideas and it was really quite exciting .
It was like a new show.
” Although the show goes against the liberal grain of Hollywood , Allen said what makes the show work is not politics but family .
“ Even for those of us who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of our day .
Most of our day is getting along and working , our families , [ our ] kids and the things at their school , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

There’s another season in store for the hit sitcom “Last Man Standing,” star Tim Allen has revealed.
“Good news. Today Fox announced Last Man Standing is on for season 9!!!!” he tweeted Tuesday.
Good news. Today Fox announced Last Man Standing is on for season 9!!!! — Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) May 19, 2020
“Last Man Standing” averages eight million viewers as Fox’s top-ranked comedy series, according to Fox News.
“The Resident and Last Man Standing are such important parts of Fox, and we’re so pleased they will be returning next season,” Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn said, referring to the sitcom and a medical drama that has also been renewed. “We want to thank all of the writers, actors, directors, producers and talented crews for both of these shows, and, of course, our friends and producing partners at 20th Century Fox Television.”
The show’s season was impacted by the coronavirus and ended on what had been scheduled to be its penultimate episode.
In April, Allen told Us Weekly he’s happy to start off the new season with what was supposed to end season eight.
“I think it would be outstanding as a premiere,” he said. “You’d save it, we could do some pieces over the summer.”
Would you be interested in watching the new season of "Last Man Standing"? 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: 97% (3622 Votes) No: 3% (103 Votes)
Allen added that the show’s future is up in the air.
“We have planned for a future but this is an extremely unusual circumstance. The studios are closed down. There are no pilots being shot that I know of. I don’t know what they’re going to do, I don’t know how they’re going to get back up,” he said.
“But they have to come up with some sort of content. The good news for veteran shows it that we’re already set up. The big question is, ‘Will August work?’ My best guess would be yes, you can probably do a show — maybe not a live audience but a show.”
However, fans hoping to see new shows in the fall will be disappointed, Deadline reported.
Fox will be using “Last Man Standing” and other scripted shows that are filmed live as midseason replacements.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the entertainment world, Fox will be starting its fall scheduled with only animated shows, which have been the least impacted by the disease, and with shows that are ready to go now.
“Last Man Standing” began on ABC but was canceled after six seasons. Fox brought back the show. The new season will be the show’s third year on Fox.
“I never really felt we were finished,” Allen told USA Today in an interview published Jan. 1. “When we got [to Fox], the writers seemed like they got new ideas and it was really quite exciting. It was like a new show.”
Although the show goes against the liberal grain of Hollywood, Allen said what makes the show work is not politics but family.
“Even for those of us who are political, that’s not much of our day. Most of our day is getting along and working, our families, [our] kids and the things at their school,” he said.
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--2020-05-21--Republicans Issue Biden-Burisma Probe Subpoena

An effort one Republican senator called essential to “ get to the truth about the Bidens ’ relationship with Burisma ” moved forward Wednesday as the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the first subpoena in its investigation .
The committee is investigating the relationship between Burisma , a Ukrainian energy company , and Hunter Biden , the son of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden , according to The Hill .
In 2016 , while the elder Biden was still vice president , he intervened to instruct the Ukrainian government to fire a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation of Burisma , the company on whose board his son had served .
Republicans have said the intervention was designed to protect Hunter Biden and are investigating whether there was widespread corruption related to Ukraine during the Obama administration .
Democrats have argued that the prosecutor Biden helped to get fired was himself corrupt and that Biden was acting in consort with American allies when he pressured Ukraine to remove him .
Wednesday ’ s subpoena was aimed at Blue Star Strategies , which has links to Burisma .
The subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2013 , to the present “ related to work for or on behalf of Burisma Holdings or individuals associated with Burisma.
” TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said he supported the investigation because “ we needed to get to the truth about the Bidens ’ relationship with Burisma.
” “ These hearings will provide the Senate with the full picture , ” Scott said .
“ This is not a serious bipartisan investigation in the tradition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we should be going down this road , ” Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said , adding that the “ extremely partisan investigation is pulling us apart.
” Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California also slammed Republicans , who were able to push the subpoena forward by prevailing on a party-line vote .
“ There are literally matters of life and death waiting for our committee ’ s attention , but instead this committee is doing the president ’ s personal bidding , ” she said , Fox News reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ urge you to vote against this political sideshow so that we can focus our attention on the pandemic that is threatening the lives and livelihood of the American people , ” she said .
Committee chair Ron Johnson , a Wisconsin Republican , said the Democrats ’ objections make him even more curious .
Appearing on the Fox News show “ Outnumbered Overtime ” on Wednesday , Johnson said that Democratic objections have left him “ somewhat suspicious.
” ( 2:37 ) “ I think they protest a little bit too much , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] pparently we ’ re hitting a nerve here.
” ( 2:41 ) “ Maybe we ’ re getting close to finding some important information , ” he said .
Johnson said the subpoena was “ actually requested on a bipartisan basis.
” ( 2:12 ) “ Then when it comes down to subpoenaing Blue Star , all of a sudden they object and they kind of throw a little bit of a hissy fit there , ” he said .
“ But , trust me … I didn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just want to get the information , I just want to get those records.
” ( Continued from the previous paragraph ) “ We ’ ll get those records now and we ’ ll see if we find something , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An effort one Republican senator said was essential to “get to the truth about the Bidens’ relationship with Burisma” moved forward Wednesday as the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee issued the first subpoena in its investigation.
The committee is investigating the relationship between Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, and Hunter Biden, the son of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden, according to The Hill.
In 2016, while the elder Biden was still vice president, he intervened to instruct the Ukrainian government to fire a prosecutor who had at one time begun an investigation of Burisma, the company on whose board his son had served.
Republicans have said the intervention was designed to protect Hunter Biden and are investigating whether there was widespread corruption related to Ukraine during the Obama administration. Democrats have argued that the prosecutor Biden helped to get fired was himself corrupt and that Biden was acting in consort with American allies when he pressured Ukraine to remove him.
Wednesday’s subpoena was aimed at Blue Star Strategies, which has links to Burisma. The subpoena seeks records from Blue Star from Jan. 1, 2013, to the present “related to work for or on behalf of Burisma Holdings or individuals associated with Burisma.”
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said he supported the investigation because “we needed to get to the truth about the Bidens’ relationship with Burisma.”
“These hearings will provide the Senate with the full picture,” Scott said.
Democrats claim the committee is playing politics.
“This is not a serious bipartisan investigation in the tradition of this committee, and I do not believe we should be going down this road,” Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said, adding that the “extremely partisan investigation is pulling us apart.”
Do you think these committee hearings will reveal more information about Hunter Biden's conduct? 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: 97% (3340 Votes) No: 3% (102 Votes)
Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California also slammed Republicans, who were able to push the subpoena forward by prevailing on a party-line vote.
“There are literally matters of life and death waiting for our committee’s attention, but instead this committee is doing the president’s personal bidding,” she said, according to Fox News.
“Members of this committee, I urge you to vote against this political sideshow so that we can focus our attention on the pandemic that is threatening the lives and livelihood of the American people,” Harris continued.
Committee chair Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, said the Democrats’ objections make him even more curious.
Appearing on the Fox News show “Outnumbered Overtime” on Wednesday, Johnson said that Democratic objections have left him “somewhat suspicious.”
“I think they protest a little bit too much,” said Johnson. “Apparently we’re hitting a nerve here.”
“Maybe we’re getting close to finding out some important information,” he said.
Johnson said the subpoena was “actually requested on a bipartisan basis.”
“Then when it comes down to subpoenaing Blue Star, all of a sudden they object and they kind of throw a little bit of a hissy fit there,” he said. “But, trust me … I didn’t want to make this a big deal. I just want to get the information, I just want to get those records.”
“We’ll get those records now and we’ll see if we find something.”
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--2020-05-20--Op-Ed: COVID Exposes the Dangers of Globalization

Fifteen years ago , New York Times columnist Tom Friedman released his bestselling book “ The World Is Flat.
” During a trip to India , Friedman had been jerked awake to the reality that the world had changed overnight .
The dotcom bubble had created a hyperconnected world , flattening the playing field so people who had been cut off from participating in the global economy could now participate equally .
“ Globalization 3.0 is not only going to be driven more by individuals but also by a much more diverse — non-Western , nonwhite — group of individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to see every color of the human rainbow take part , ” Friedman predicted .
Many of Friedman ’ s sage observations proved to be true .
A prime example : Zoom , the most popular platform the world is using for teleconferences due to the coronavirus pandemic , was founded by a Chinese immigrant to the U.S .
Yet even as the world embraced the wonders of globalization , a crucial question remained unanswered : What exactly are the rules of the game so all have a chance to benefit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reasons this question has remained unanswered is that globalization has often been conflated with free enterprise gone global .
But the free enterprise model that brought prosperity to many parts of the world had a different set of rules .
Among them was the idea that business can thrive when there is fairness , transparency and a level playing field for all citizens .
TRENDING : Newsom Uses First Responders as Hostages To Make Sure He Gets Federal COVID Aid Genuine free enterprise promoted the rule of law and rejected the marginalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fairly to make a better life for themselves .
Globalization , while allowing for some of the concepts of free enterprise , created a vastly irregular playing field .
Powerful businesses , such as the sweatshops in Bangladesh , gladly overlooked unhealthy working conditions and wanton destruction of the local environment to maximize profit .
Many companies based in wealthy nations also moved their production lines to other countries , where they could make their products for a fraction of the cost , even if it meant tens of thousands of workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Profit at any cost was the driving motive .
While nations capitalized on new opportunities for furthering global trade , it was often at the expense of their citizens ’ self-interest and national security .
This entire narrative sums up the socioeconomic angst that propelled President Donald Trump to the White House and fueled Britain ’ s exit from the European Union .
Trump ’ s “ America first ” policy was a backlash against unrestrained globalization .
Of course , President Trump and the “ Brexiters ” were denounced as isolationists who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global community , but now , as the coronavirus is sweeping across the world , the negative effects of globalization are becoming undeniably evident .
During the globalization years , the U.S. and many Western nations made the grave mistake of outsourcing their health industries to foreign nations , compromising the health security of their citizens and opening themselves up to blackmail .
How can it be that Italy , Canada and other nations , including the U.S. , depend so much on China — where COVID-19 originated — for their personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies ?
The coronavirus has made us realize the health security of a nation is as important as the fight against terrorism .
Like many other things , the coronavirus crisis is demanding an urgent reset on globalization .
Every country is now forced to put its self-interests first to deal with and manage its own crisis .
The damage brought to the economy is going to be severe in many parts of the world .
It is going to be felt acutely by hundreds of millions of Indians through no fault of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the present government is putting India first .
Prime Minister Modi recently resurrected the slogan “ self-reliant India ” as he spoke to the nation in a televised address .
The global reset will have to first address the unemployment issue caused by the economic consequence of the pandemic .
Hundreds of millions of workers in India , the U.S. and the world over have lost their employment because of the way this virus was allowed to spread .
Free trade can not be based on slave labor trade .
It can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignore a country ’ s agricultural needs to be self-sufficient .
Nations need to decide what industries working in a free market are essential to the livelihood of their citizens .
For too long , the world has allowed economic interests to sidestep human rights and dictate the terms of globalization .
The coronavirus is a warning shot alerting us to this dangerous pattern .
It ’ s up to the political , business and health care leaders of each nation to decide whether they will heed it or not .
The views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Fifteen years ago, New York Times columnist Tom Friedman released his bestselling book “The World Is Flat.” During a trip to India, Friedman had been jerked awake to the reality that the world had changed overnight. The dotcom bubble had created a hyperconnected world, flattening the playing field so people who had been cut off from participating in the global economy could now participate equally.
“Globalization 3.0 is not only going to be driven more by individuals but also by a much more diverse — non-Western, nonwhite — group of individuals. In Globalization 3.0, you are going to see every color of the human rainbow take part,” Friedman predicted.
Many of Friedman’s sage observations proved to be true. A prime example: Zoom, the most popular platform the world is using for teleconferences due to the coronavirus pandemic, was founded by a Chinese immigrant to the U.S.
Yet even as the world embraced the wonders of globalization, a crucial question remained unanswered: What exactly are the rules of the game so all have a chance to benefit and play equally and fairly?
One of the reasons this question has remained unanswered is that globalization has often been conflated with free enterprise gone global. But the free enterprise model that brought prosperity to many parts of the world had a different set of rules. Among them was the idea that business can thrive when there is fairness, transparency and a level playing field for all citizens.
Genuine free enterprise promoted the rule of law and rejected the marginalization and exploitation of individuals who worked hard and fairly to make a better life for themselves.
Globalization, while allowing for some of the concepts of free enterprise, created a vastly irregular playing field.
Powerful businesses, such as the sweatshops in Bangladesh, gladly overlooked unhealthy working conditions and wanton destruction of the local environment to maximize profit. Many companies based in wealthy nations also moved their production lines to other countries, where they could make their products for a fraction of the cost, even if it meant tens of thousands of workers back home would lose their jobs.
Profit at any cost was the driving motive.
While nations capitalized on new opportunities for furthering global trade, it was often at the expense of their citizens’ self-interest and national security. This entire narrative sums up the socioeconomic angst that propelled President Donald Trump to the White House and fueled Britain’s exit from the European Union. Trump’s “America first” policy was a backlash against unrestrained globalization.
Of course, President Trump and the “Brexiters” were denounced as isolationists who didn’t want to cooperate with the global community, but now, as the coronavirus is sweeping across the world, the negative effects of globalization are becoming undeniably evident.
During the globalization years, the U.S. and many Western nations made the grave mistake of outsourcing their health industries to foreign nations, compromising the health security of their citizens and opening themselves up to blackmail.
How can it be that Italy, Canada and other nations, including the U.S., depend so much on China — where COVID-19 originated — for their personal protective equipment and other urgently required medical supplies? The coronavirus has made us realize the health security of a nation is as important as the fight against terrorism.
Like many other things, the coronavirus crisis is demanding an urgent reset on globalization. Every country is now forced to put its self-interests first to deal with and manage its own crisis.
The damage brought to the economy is going to be severe in many parts of the world. It is going to be felt acutely by hundreds of millions of Indians through no fault of their own. India, too, under the present government is putting India first. Prime Minister Modi recently resurrected the slogan “self-reliant India” as he spoke to the nation in a televised address.
The global reset will have to first address the unemployment issue caused by the economic consequence of the pandemic. Hundreds of millions of workers in India, the U.S. and the world over have lost their employment because of the way this virus was allowed to spread.
Free trade cannot be based on slave labor trade. It cannot be built on currency manipulations or ignore a country’s agricultural needs to be self-sufficient. Nations need to decide what industries working in a free market are essential to the livelihood of their citizens.
For too long, the world has allowed economic interests to sidestep human rights and dictate the terms of globalization. The coronavirus is a warning shot alerting us to this dangerous pattern. It’s up to the political, business and health care leaders of each nation to decide whether they will heed it or not.
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.


westernjournal--2020-05-20--Despite Strictest Quarantines, Virus Resurges in China and Sends 100 Million Into Lockdown

There ’ s little doubt that China ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic is among the strictest and harshest seen in the world .
With over 700 million people locked down in the early days of the country ’ s outbreak , the response sought to defeat the virus by utterly crushing citizens ’ rights .
Despite the extreme measures , the communist powerhouse has yet to defeat COVID-19 .
Last month , 10 million unlucky Chinese were thrown into a strict lockdown after the virus resurged .
Thanks to the unquestioned rule of the Chinese Communist Party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an additional 108 million are looking at the same fate .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me A outbreak of the virus in Jilin province has caused the Chinese government to impose a brutal lockdown in the country ’ s northeast region , Bloomberg reported Monday .
The restrictions put on residents are at a level pro-lockdown Democrats in America can only dream of implementing .
A list of rules announced by the government of Shulan , a city in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily lives of people in the area now look like .
“ [ Communities ] with confirmed cases and suspected cases shall be fully enclosed and controlled , ” the regional government wrote in Mandarin in a Monday post on WeChat , a Chinese social media platform .
It ’ s not all doom and gloom in the quarantined blocks and apartment buildings , however .
For residents itching to go outdoors , the government does make minor allowances — with some major punishments if rules are ignored .
“ In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the post later continues , “ each family assigns a family member to purchase living materials for 2 days , and the time limit for each outing is 2 hours , and the entry and exit time is indicated on the pass.
” “ Failure to comply with this regulation , if the time is exceeded , the qualification for entering and leaving the community shall be cancelled.
” In short , only one family member per household is allowed to venture out every two days for supplies .
Any violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For those lucky enough to get some fresh air , they better be prepared to walk , as train and bus services in cities across the province have been totally cancelled .
RELATED : Navarro : China Cut Off Domestic Travel from Wuhan but Allowed Int ' l Travel To Continue , Spreading COVID The news isn ’ t all bad — kids who may have been dreading school now have an extended break to look forward to thanks to mass cancellation of classes .
The latest news out of China should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail to provide 100 percent protection against outbreaks , and come with the added horror of the destruction of basic rights .
If it isn ’ t clear , what ’ s been happening in China should be a warning for American leaders , not a playbook .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

There’s little doubt that China’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is among the strictest and harshest seen in the world.
With over 700 million people locked down in the early days of the country’s outbreak, the response sought to defeat the virus by utterly crushing citizens’ rights.
Despite the extreme measures, the communist powerhouse has yet to defeat COVID-19.
Last month, 10 million unlucky Chinese were thrown into a strict lockdown after the virus resurged. Thanks to the unquestioned rule of the Chinese Communist Party, these moves go largely unchallenged.
Now, an additional 108 million are looking at the same fate.
A outbreak of the virus in Jilin province has caused the Chinese government to impose a brutal lockdown in the country’s northeast region, Bloomberg reported Monday. The restrictions put on residents are at a level pro-lockdown Democrats in America can only dream of implementing.
A list of rules announced by the government of Shulan, a city in Jilin, gives a glimpse into what the daily lives of people in the area now look like.
“[Communities] with confirmed cases and suspected cases shall be fully enclosed and controlled,” the regional government wrote in Mandarin in a Monday post on WeChat, a Chinese social media platform.
It’s not all doom and gloom in the quarantined blocks and apartment buildings, however.
Are China-style lockdowns effective against COVID-19? 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: 8% (48 Votes) No: 92% (587 Votes)
For residents itching to go outdoors, the government does make minor allowances — with some major punishments if rules are ignored.
“In the ordinary closed-managed community (village),” the post later continues, “each family assigns a family member to purchase living materials for 2 days, and the time limit for each outing is 2 hours, and the entry and exit time is indicated on the pass.”
“Failure to comply with this regulation, if the time is exceeded, the qualification for entering and leaving the community shall be cancelled.”
In short, only one family member per household is allowed to venture out every two days for supplies. Any violation of rules means this privilege can be revoked.
For those lucky enough to get some fresh air, they better be prepared to walk, as train and bus services in cities across the province have been totally cancelled.
The news isn’t all bad — kids who may have been dreading school now have an extended break to look forward to thanks to mass cancellation of classes.
The latest news out of China should serve as further proof that strict lockdowns fail to provide 100 percent protection against outbreaks, and come with the added horror of the destruction of basic rights.
If it isn’t clear, what’s been happening in China should be a warning for American leaders, not a playbook.
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--2020-05-20--Only a Month After Tornado Tore Through Town, HS Seniors Gather for Emotional Class Photo

High school seniors everywhere have been coping with the fact that most of them won ’ t have the opportunity to walk at their graduation ceremony this year .
The seniors at a school in Chattanooga , Tennessee , are dealing with loss far beyond that after a tornado ripped through the city on Easter Sunday .
Though the EF-3 tornado devastated Grace Baptist Academy and the church it stands next to in under two minutes , the students and faculty have rallied together and remained faithful .
“ We have only lost our House — we have not lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen and allowed it to happen .
He has an exciting plan for the next chapter of our ministry , ” the school ’ s website says .
Last week , the graduating class of 2020 came together to take a class photo in front of where the school they all loved used to stand .
TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me It was a memory that none of them will soon forget .
“ A week or so after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chat on Instagram with the entirety of my class , ” senior class president Allison Sigler told ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
“ “ There are only 30 of us , and I just proposed that we go down and take a picture in front of the high school — our home.
” Thankfully none of the students or faculty ( or any of the missionaries who live on campus ) were injured in the twister ’ s path of destruction through the church and school campus .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the campus .
We are so thankful that no one was injured .
The missionaries who reside in the houses on campus are all safe .
We are thanking the Lord for His protection but admit we feel a bit shaken from this event , ” the school wrote on Facebook .
Between the novel coronavirus cutting their senior year short and the tornado destroying the school building , everybody impacted by the devastation is searching for ways to grieve .
“ God has a plan , but He allows us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grieve at times .
I do not apologize for the tears .
They are shed for what these students have experienced , and the tears usher in prayers for these students , ” Donna Dean , one of the school ’ s admissions coordinators , wrote on Facebook .
RELATED : Doctor Who Went Viral for Greeting Son Through Glass Door Survived Tornado 'By the Grace of God' Despite the major loss , the members of the ministry have put all of their faith in God and believe that there is a light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A vision for our school has always been these two words : ‘ Grace Transforms , ' ” the head of the school , Matthew Pollock , told “ GMA.
” “ Our school is being transformed … we can see the future is very , very bright.
” Even though the academy is choosing to focus on hope , its website lists several ways others can help the school get back on its feet : praying , spreading the word about their story and sending “ gifts of love.
” We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

High school seniors everywhere have been coping with the fact that most of them won’t have the opportunity to walk at their graduation ceremony this year.
The seniors at a school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are dealing with loss far beyond that after a tornado ripped through the city on Easter Sunday.
Though the EF-3 tornado devastated Grace Baptist Academy and the church it stands next to in under two minutes, the students and faculty have rallied together and remained faithful.
“We have only lost our House — we have not lost our Home! God knew this would happen and allowed it to happen. He has an exciting plan for the next chapter of our ministry,” the school’s website says.
Last week, the graduating class of 2020 came together to take a class photo in front of where the school they all loved used to stand.
It was a memory that none of them will soon forget.
“A week or so after the tornadoes, I made a whole group chat on Instagram with the entirety of my class,” senior class president Allison Sigler told ABC’s “Good Morning America.“
“There are only 30 of us, and I just proposed that we go down and take a picture in front of the high school — our home.”
Thankfully none of the students or faculty (or any of the missionaries who live on campus) were injured in the twister’s path of destruction through the church and school campus.
“There is severe damage to all our buildings and across the campus. We are so thankful that no one was injured. The missionaries who reside in the houses on campus are all safe. We are thanking the Lord for His protection but admit we feel a bit shaken from this event,” the school wrote on Facebook.
Between the novel coronavirus cutting their senior year short and the tornado destroying the school building, everybody impacted by the devastation is searching for ways to grieve.
“God has a plan, but He allows us to grieve. He even commands us to grieve at times. I do not apologize for the tears. They are shed for what these students have experienced, and the tears usher in prayers for these students,” Donna Dean, one of the school’s admissions coordinators, wrote on Facebook.
Despite the major loss, the members of the ministry have put all of their faith in God and believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“A vision for our school has always been these two words: ‘Grace Transforms,'” the head of the school, Matthew Pollock, told “GMA.”
“Our school is being transformed … we can see the future is very, very bright.”
Even though the academy is choosing to focus on hope, its website lists several ways others can help the school get back on its feet: praying, spreading the word about their story and sending “gifts of love.”
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--2020-05-20--CDC Declares Coronavirus Does Not Spread as Easily as Initially Thought

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its information regarding how the agency believes the coronavirus spreads .
According to the revised CDC information , the virus is spread mostly from person-to-person contact and not so much through the presence of the virus on surfaces , as was previously believed .
“ COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person .
Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus , ” the new information says .
“ We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CDC says the coronavirus is generally spread between people who come into “ close contact with one another , ” as well as via “ respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs , sneezes , or talks.
” TRENDING : Frmr Biden Staffer Drops Bombshell Allegation : Joe Pinned Me to the Wall Then Penetrated Me “ The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people .
Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza , but not as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contagious , ” the CDC says .
As for fears that the coronavirus is rampant on surfaces or objects , the CDC now says it believes the virus “ does not spread easily in other ways , ” beyond close contact with an infected person .
The CDC does caution , however , that “ COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads.
” A study published in March found that the coronavirus could remain on some surfaces for hours and even days .
Researchers evaluated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that it could live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic for up to 72 hours .
“ It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways , but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads , ” the updated CDC information says .
The information might help to calm fears for those concerned about contracting the illness from some surfaces .
“ It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth , nose , or possibly their eyes .
This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads , but we are still learning more about this virus , ” the CDC says .
Still , the CDC advises that the best way to avoid becoming sick is to avoid close contact with others , wash your hands regularly with soap and water and keep surfaces clean .
Dr. John Whyte , the chief medical officer for WebMD , spoke to Fox News about the updated information and called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus is spread , especially as we gain new information.
” “ It also may help reduce anxiety and stress .
Many people were concerned that by simply touching an object they may get coronavirus , and that ’ s simply not the case .
Even when a virus may stay on a surface , it doesn ’ t mean that it ’ s actually infectious , ” Whyte told Fox News .
For more details about the spread of the coronavirus , visit the CDC website .
We are committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its information regarding how the agency believes the coronavirus spreads.
According to the revised CDC information, the virus is spread mostly from person-to-person contact and not so much through the presence of the virus on surfaces, as was previously believed.
“COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus,” the new information says.
“We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes,” the agency says.
The CDC says the coronavirus is generally spread between people who come into “close contact with one another,” as well as via “respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.”
“The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggest that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious,” the CDC says.
As for fears that the coronavirus is rampant on surfaces or objects, the CDC now says it believes the virus “does not spread easily in other ways,” beyond close contact with an infected person.
The CDC does caution, however, that “COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads.”
A study published in March found that the coronavirus could remain on some surfaces for hours and even days.
Does the updated CDC information make you feel more confident that you can protect yourself from getting sick? 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: 78% (486 Votes) No: 22% (137 Votes)
Researchers evaluated the presence of the virus on surfaces and found that it could live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic for up to 72 hours.
“It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads,” the updated CDC information says.
The information might help to calm fears for those concerned about contracting the illness from some surfaces.
“It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus,” the CDC says.
Still, the CDC advises that the best way to avoid becoming sick is to avoid close contact with others, wash your hands regularly with soap and water and keep surfaces clean.
Dr. John Whyte, the chief medical officer for WebMD, spoke to Fox News about the updated information and called it an “important step in clarifying how the virus is spread, especially as we gain new information.”
“It also may help reduce anxiety and stress. Many people were concerned that by simply touching an object they may get coronavirus, and that’s simply not the case. Even when a virus may stay on a surface, it doesn’t mean that it’s actually infectious,” Whyte told Fox News.
For more details about the spread of the coronavirus, visit the CDC website.
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--2020-05-20--Gowdy Reacts to Newly Released Susan Rice Email About Investigating Flynn: It’s ‘Bizarre’

Former South Carolina Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy found a newly released email about Michael Flynn written by outgoing National Security Advisor Susan Rice on President Donald Trump ’ s Inauguration Day “ bizarre.
” In the Jan. 20 , 2017 , email , Rice wrote about a conversation in the Oval Office involving President Barack Obama , FBI Director James Comey , Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and Vice President Joe Biden about investigating Flynn , the incoming national security advisor , that had taken place two weeks earlier , on Jan. 5 .
Gowdy was asked Tuesday on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” what stuck out to him most about the email .
“ Just how bizarre it is , ” the former federal prosecutor answered .
“ I mean , it ’ s two weeks late , so it can ’ t be a present sense recalled .
It can ’ t be a contemporaneous recollection of something that happened : It took her two weeks.
” “ It ’ s the most bizarre thing I ’ ve read , ” Gowdy reiterated .
“ It is , ‘ Dear diary , President Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s done everything by the book.
’ TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded “ Well , I ’ d like to know what book he ’ s following .
Remember , they ’ re about to close the counterintelligence investigation .
It can ’ t possibly be a criminal investigation , ’ cause , remember , Sally Yates don ’ t know nothing about it .
She ’ s the top law enforcement official in the country , and this is news to her.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Yates was surprised when Obama mentioned the details of calls intercepted between Flynn and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak , Fox News reported .
Many , including former President George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen , have noted it is not unusual for incoming administration officials to be in communication with representatives from other countries .
“ Yates had no idea what the president was talking about , but figured it out based on the conversation .
Yates recalled Comey mentioning the Logan Act , but can ’ t recall if he specified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not talk about prosecution in the meeting , ” a document read .
Gowdy wondered what book Comey was following as he proceeded against Flynn .
“ Remember , he said he did things to Flynn that he never would have done to the other administrations .
So I ’ d like to know what the name of the d— book that they ’ re following is because it ’ s not the FBI manual , ” Gowdy said Tuesday .
RELATED : Trey Gowdy Pans Lisa Page 's Excuses for Anti-Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Shoes' In a December 2018 interview with MSNBC ’ s Nicolle Wallace , Comey admitted that he did not follow protocol when he sent FBI agents to the White House to interview Flynn on Jan. 24 , 2017 , just days after Trump took office .
It is “ something I probably wouldn ’ t have done , or maybe gotten away with , in a more organized … administration , ” Comey said .
“ If the FBI wanted to send agents into the White House itself to interview a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House counsel , there would be discussions and approvals , and it would be there , ” he said .
“ And I thought , ‘ It ’ s early enough , let ’ s just send a couple guys over . '
” In a court filing earlier this month seeking to dismiss criminal charges against Flynn , the Justice Department recounted that Yates was “ flabbergasted ” and “ dumbfounded ” at the FBI ’ s decision to question the national security advisor given that it “ should have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents showed that a top bureau official had questioned if the “ goal ” in interviewing Flynn was “ to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired.
” Mollie Hemingway , a senior editor at The Federalist , argued the FBI sought to deceive Flynn about the purpose of its interview with him by leaking false information to the media .
The FBI meeting with the new national security advisor came a day after The Washington Post reported “ Flynn is not the active target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Trump campaign in 2016 , according to unnamed “ U.S .
officials.
” “ That wasn ’ t true , ” Hemingway told Fox News host Mark Levin over the weekend , but it was meant to give Flynn a false sense of assurance .
Rice defended her Jan. 20 , 2017 , email , saying through a representative that she “ welcomed ” its release .
Rice contended the email “ confirmed what she and others have indicated all along : that the Obama administration had legitimate counter-intelligence concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russia.
” “ In the interest of transparency , Ambassador Rice again calls upon the Director of National Intelligence to release the transcripts of all Kislyak-Flynn calls , ” the statement read .
“ The American people deserve the full transcripts so they can judge for themselves Michael Flynn ’ s conduct.
” Gowdy said while it is unclear whether Flynn committed a crime , someone in the Obama administration did by leaking details of his calls with Kislyak to the media .
“ My question for the FBI is we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview Michael Flynn , that ’ s well documented .
How is your leak investigation going ?
It ’ s been almost four years , ” Gowdy said .
“ We know Flynn was the victim of a crime , ” he continued .
“ We ain ’ t sure he committed one , but we know he ’ s the victim of one .
How is that investigation going ?
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former South Carolina Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy found a newly released email about Michael Flynn written by outgoing National Security Advisor Susan Rice on President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day “bizarre.”
In the Jan. 20, 2017, email, Rice wrote about a conversation in the Oval Office involving President Barack Obama, FBI Director James Comey, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and Vice President Joe Biden about investigating Flynn, the incoming national security advisor, that had taken place two weeks earlier, on Jan. 5.
Gowdy was asked Tuesday on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” what stuck out to him most about the email.
“Just how bizarre it is,” the former federal prosecutor answered. “I mean, it’s two weeks late, so it can’t be a present sense recalled. It can’t be a contemporaneous recollection of something that happened: It took her two weeks.”
“It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve read,” Gowdy reiterated. “It is, ‘Dear diary, President Obama is perfect and Jim Comey says he’s done everything by the book.’
“Well, I’d like to know what book he’s following. Remember, they’re about to close the counterintelligence investigation. It can’t possibly be a criminal investigation, ’cause, remember, Sally Yates don’t know nothing about it. She’s the top law enforcement official in the country, and this is news to her.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
According to documents released earlier this month, Yates was surprised when Obama mentioned the details of calls intercepted between Flynn and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Fox News reported.
Many, including former President George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen, have noted it is not unusual for incoming administration officials to be in communication with representatives from other countries.
Do you think the Obama administration laid a legal trap for Flynn? 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: 97% (822 Votes) No: 3% (28 Votes)
“Yates had no idea what the president was talking about, but figured it out based on the conversation. Yates recalled Comey mentioning the Logan Act, but can’t recall if he specified there was an ‘investigation.’ Comey did not talk about prosecution in the meeting,” a document read.
The January 5, 2017 meeting in which Sally Yates said she learned of Flynn-Kislyak call from President Obama himself–Susan Rice and VP Joe Biden were in that meeting, too, per Rice’s famous memo-to-self. pic.twitter.com/6Wpdvkte0y — Byron York (@ByronYork) May 7, 2020
Gowdy wondered what book Comey was following as he proceeded against Flynn.
“Remember, he said he did things to Flynn that he never would have done to the other administrations. So I’d like to know what the name of the d— book that they’re following is because it’s not the FBI manual,” Gowdy said Tuesday.
In a December 2018 interview with MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace, Comey admitted that he did not follow protocol when he sent FBI agents to the White House to interview Flynn on Jan. 24, 2017, just days after Trump took office.
It is “something I probably wouldn’t have done, or maybe gotten away with, in a more organized … administration,” Comey said.
“If the FBI wanted to send agents into the White House itself to interview a senior official, you would work through the White House counsel, there would be discussions and approvals, and it would be there,” he said. “And I thought, ‘It’s early enough, let’s just send a couple guys over.'”
In a court filing earlier this month seeking to dismiss criminal charges against Flynn, the Justice Department recounted that Yates was “flabbergasted” and “dumbfounded” at the FBI’s decision to question the national security advisor given that it “should have been coordinated with DOJ.”
Unsealed internal FBI documents showed that a top bureau official had questioned if the “goal” in interviewing Flynn was “to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired.”
Mollie Hemingway, a senior editor at The Federalist, argued the FBI sought to deceive Flynn about the purpose of its interview with him by leaking false information to the media.
The FBI meeting with the new national security advisor came a day after The Washington Post reported “Flynn is not the active target of an investigation” into potential Russian collusion with the Trump campaign in 2016, according to unnamed “U.S. officials.”
“That wasn’t true,” Hemingway told Fox News host Mark Levin over the weekend, but it was meant to give Flynn a false sense of assurance.
Rice defended her Jan. 20, 2017, email, saying through a representative that she “welcomed” its release.
Rice contended the email “confirmed what she and others have indicated all along: that the Obama administration had legitimate counter-intelligence concerns about National Security Advisor-designate Flynn’s communications with Russia.”
My statement on behalf of @AmbassadorRice on the declassification of her Jan 20, 2017 email. pic.twitter.com/9fXQCeBjbV — Erin Pelton (@erin_pelton) May 19, 2020
“In the interest of transparency, Ambassador Rice again calls upon the Director of National Intelligence to release the transcripts of all Kislyak-Flynn calls,” the statement read.
“The American people deserve the full transcripts so they can judge for themselves Michael Flynn’s conduct.”
Gowdy said while it is unclear whether Flynn committed a crime, someone in the Obama administration did by leaking details of his calls with Kislyak to the media.
“My question for the FBI is we know the lengths to which you meant to interview Michael Flynn, that’s well documented. How is your leak investigation going? It’s been almost four years,” Gowdy said.
“We know Flynn was the victim of a crime,” he continued. “We ain’t sure he committed one, but we know he’s the victim of one. How is that investigation going?”
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--2020-05-20--Kentucky Convenience Store Ignites Firestorm with ‘No Face Masks Allowed’ Sign

A rural Kentucky convenience store ignited a firestorm over a vulgar sign displayed in a window that targeted both the mask-wearing public and Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear .
Now , the gas station behind the sign says the whole incident was a misunderstanding .
A picture of the sign at Alvin ’ s was posted to Facebook on Monday , and it soon made its way across the social network .
Commenters on the post were divided , with some expressing support for the business and others insulting those behind the sign .
WARNING : The following post contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive .
“ No Face Masks Allowed In Store , ” the sign reads .
“ Lower Your mask or Go Somewhere Else !
Stop Listening to Beshear , He ’ s A Dumba–.
” TRENDING : Amy Klobuchar Issues Threat Against Republicans If Vote-by-Mail Is Not Funded The critical post , which encouraged users to “ spread [ Alvin ’ s ] shame , ” has been shared over 6,000 times , more than four times the total population of Manchester , the town where the convenience store is located .
Alvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative attention , took to Facebook to address the controversy .
Sandwiched between pictures showcasing the store ’ s heartland fixings — including fried chicken , pork chops , mashed potatoes , corn and collard greens — was the no-nonsense explanation for the viral sign .
“ First of all , we would never deny any customer access inside our store , that is wearing a mask or not wearing a mask , ” the store wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday .
“ We are not telling you to not wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , [ it ’ s ] your choice to wear one or not , not our [ government ’ s ] choice for us.
” Although the explanation boasted only a fraction of the shares that the post originally criticizing the store garnered , people soon jumped to the defense of Alvin ’ s .
“ Most of the people who complained couldn ’ t find Manchester or Clay County on a map , even if you told them it ’ s between London and Hazard , ” one supportive user wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hour-long drive from Lee County just to come get lunch.
” RELATED : Despite Strictest Quarantines , Virus Resurges in China and Sends 100 Million Into Lockdown Previous posts from Alvin ’ s prove the store takes precautions to not only safeguard its employees , but the public as well .
A sign from early April posted to the business ’ Facebook page , for instance , encourages customers to keep six feet apart from one another .
Even more proof of the store ’ s stance on masks can be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks ( some with the store ’ s logo , others with pro-President Donald Trump motifs ) for sale .
From what can be seen of the store ’ s past , it seems the outrage directed at the business is not only misplaced , but plain irresponsible , unfair and lazy .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A rural Kentucky convenience store ignited a firestorm over a vulgar sign displayed in a window that targeted both the mask-wearing public and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
Now, the gas station behind the sign says the whole incident was a misunderstanding.
A picture of the sign at Alvin’s was posted to Facebook on Monday, and it soon made its way across the social network. Commenters on the post were divided, with some expressing support for the business and others insulting those behind the sign.
WARNING: The following post contains vulgar language that some viewers will find offensive.
“No Face Masks Allowed In Store,” the sign reads. “Lower Your mask or Go Somewhere Else! Stop Listening to Beshear, He’s A Dumba–.”
The critical post, which encouraged users to “spread [Alvin’s] shame,” has been shared over 6,000 times, more than four times the total population of Manchester, the town where the convenience store is located.
Alvin’s, perhaps spurred by the negative attention, took to Facebook to address the controversy.
Do you wear a protective mask in public? 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: 33% (571 Votes) No: 67% (1167 Votes)
Sandwiched between pictures showcasing the store’s heartland fixings — including fried chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn and collard greens — was the no-nonsense explanation for the viral sign.
“First of all, we would never deny any customer access inside our store, that is wearing a mask or not wearing a mask,” the store wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. “We are not telling you to not wear a mask, what we are saying is, [it’s] your choice to wear one or not, not our [government’s] choice for us.”
Although the explanation boasted only a fraction of the shares that the post originally criticizing the store garnered, people soon jumped to the defense of Alvin’s.
“Most of the people who complained couldn’t find Manchester or Clay County on a map, even if you told them it’s between London and Hazard,” one supportive user wrote.
“I’m thinking about making the hour-long drive from Lee County just to come get lunch.”
Previous posts from Alvin’s prove the store takes precautions to not only safeguard its employees, but the public as well. A sign from early April posted to the business’ Facebook page, for instance, encourages customers to keep six feet apart from one another.
Even more proof of the store’s stance on masks can be seen from a picture posted last week advertising masks (some with the store’s logo, others with pro-President Donald Trump motifs) for sale.
From what can be seen of the store’s past, it seems the outrage directed at the business is not only misplaced, but plain irresponsible, unfair and lazy.
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.