westernjournal--2020-04-15--Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer and Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Willie Davis Dies

Willie Davis , a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who helped the Green Bay Packers win each of the first two Super Bowls , has died .
He was 85 .
The Packers confirmed Davis ’ death to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday , as did his former teammate and fellow hall member , Dave Robinson .
A 15th-round draft pick from Grambling , Davis began his NFL career by playing both offense and defense for the Cleveland Browns in 1958 and ’ 59 .
He had his greatest success after getting traded to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until finishing his NFL career in 1969 as a five-time All-Pro .
Although tackles and sacks weren ’ t measured at the time Davis played , his 22 career fumble recoveries showcased his dominance and big-play ability .
He was voted to the NFL ’ s all-decade team for the 1960s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981 .
“ There were few players in the league who were as tough as Willie , ” Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr said in the foreword to Davis ’ book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Packers Dynasty and the Pursuit of Excellence .
“ He was at his best in games in which we struggled .
When it was tough , he rose to the top and took our defensive people right along with him.
” Davis helped the Packers win the NFL championship in 1965 before capping the 1966 and 1967 seasons with titles in the first two Super Bowls .
But he didn ’ t initially embrace the move to Green Bay .
Davis noted in his book that he had just signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being groomed as Cleveland ’ s future starting left tackle on offense when he learned about the trade on the radio .
Green Bay acquired Davis in a July 1960 trade that sent wide receiver A.D. Williams to Cleveland .
“ At the time , I felt slightly betrayed , ” Davis wrote in his book .
“ I felt the organization didn ’ t care much about me , like I was being thrown away .
“ I also panicked , wondering what this would mean for my future .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green Bay .
In fact , I was so turned off by the idea that my first thought was about retiring.
” He instead stuck it out and developed into one of the top defensive linemen of his era .
RELATED : Unlikely Hero 's Historic Day Carries 49ers to Win Over Packers , Trip to Super Bowl “ Willie ’ s extraordinary athleticism was an undeniable factor in Green Bay ’ s winning tradition of the 1960s under coach Vince Lombardi , ” Hall of Fame President David Baker said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championship run and to two Super Bowl victories .
Willie was a man of true character on and off the field .
The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations.
” In an NFL Films tribute to Davis , former Packers center Bill Curry called him “ the finest combination of leader and player that I ever saw.
” In that same tribute , former Packers offensive lineman and Hall of Fame member Forrest Gregg said that “ I can ’ t ever remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I didn ’ t think Willie Davis played absolutely the best he could possibly play that day.
’ ’ Davis forced a Johnny Unitas fumble to help seal the Packers ’ 1966 Western Conference championship , and he tormented Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson and Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica in the first two Super Bowls .
“ He put as much fear in me , because of what he could do and his abilities , as any defensive end that I had to face , ” Dawson told NFL Films .
Davis earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration from the University of Chicago late in his NFL career , which helped him make a successful transition to the business world after he stopped playing .
“ We all knew football wasn ’ t going to last forever , ” Davis wrote in his book .
“ The longevity of the average football player was less than 10 years , and that meant there were many men who were jobless with little financial security by the time they were in their early 30s .
That was a scary prospect .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t fall into that category.
” Davis instead had a successful business career and served on the boards of directors for several companies , including Dow Chemical Co. , Sara Lee Corp. , Schlitz Brewing and Mattel Toys .
He also was on the Packers ’ board of directors from 1994-2005 .
“ Along the way , there were key moments at each stage , key opportunities that , when I took full advantage of them , propelled me to the next level , ” Davis wrote in his book .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but when it mattered , when it was important , I stepped up , practiced what I believed , took the advice of those I respected and went for it with everything I could give .
That ’ s how I succeeded in football , business and beyond.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Willie Davis, a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman who helped the Green Bay Packers win each of the first two Super Bowls, has died. He was 85.
The Packers confirmed Davis’ death to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday, as did his former teammate and fellow hall member, Dave Robinson.
A 15th-round draft pick from Grambling, Davis began his NFL career by playing both offense and defense for the Cleveland Browns in 1958 and ’59. He had his greatest success after getting traded to the Packers.
He remained with the Packers until finishing his NFL career in 1969 as a five-time All-Pro. Although tackles and sacks weren’t measured at the time Davis played, his 22 career fumble recoveries showcased his dominance and big-play ability.
He was voted to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1960s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
“There were few players in the league who were as tough as Willie,” Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr said in the foreword to Davis’ book, “Closing The Gap: Lombardi, the Packers Dynasty and the Pursuit of Excellence.
“He was at his best in games in which we struggled. When it was tough, he rose to the top and took our defensive people right along with him.”
Davis helped the Packers win the NFL championship in 1965 before capping the 1966 and 1967 seasons with titles in the first two Super Bowls.
But he didn’t initially embrace the move to Green Bay.
Davis noted in his book that he had just signed a contract with the Browns and believed he was being groomed as Cleveland’s future starting left tackle on offense when he learned about the trade on the radio.
Green Bay acquired Davis in a July 1960 trade that sent wide receiver A.D. Williams to Cleveland.
“At the time, I felt slightly betrayed,” Davis wrote in his book. “I felt the organization didn’t care much about me, like I was being thrown away.
“I also panicked, wondering what this would mean for my future. I absolutely did not want to play in Green Bay. In fact, I was so turned off by the idea that my first thought was about retiring.”
He instead stuck it out and developed into one of the top defensive linemen of his era.
“Willie’s extraordinary athleticism was an undeniable factor in Green Bay’s winning tradition of the 1960s under coach Vince Lombardi,” Hall of Fame President David Baker said.
“He helped the Packers through an unprecedented championship run and to two Super Bowl victories. Willie was a man of true character on and off the field. The Hall of Fame will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations.”
In an NFL Films tribute to Davis, former Packers center Bill Curry called him “the finest combination of leader and player that I ever saw.”
In that same tribute, former Packers offensive lineman and Hall of Fame member Forrest Gregg said that “I can’t ever remember a football game that he played in where I didn’t think Willie Davis played absolutely the best he could possibly play that day.’’
Davis forced a Johnny Unitas fumble to help seal the Packers’ 1966 Western Conference championship, and he tormented Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson and Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica in the first two Super Bowls.
“He put as much fear in me, because of what he could do and his abilities, as any defensive end that I had to face,” Dawson told NFL Films.
Davis earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago late in his NFL career, which helped him make a successful transition to the business world after he stopped playing.
“We all knew football wasn’t going to last forever,” Davis wrote in his book. “The longevity of the average football player was less than 10 years, and that meant there were many men who were jobless with little financial security by the time they were in their early 30s. That was a scary prospect. I wanted to make sure I didn’t fall into that category.”
Davis instead had a successful business career and served on the boards of directors for several companies, including Dow Chemical Co., Sara Lee Corp., Schlitz Brewing and Mattel Toys.
He also was on the Packers’ board of directors from 1994-2005.
“Along the way, there were key moments at each stage, key opportunities that, when I took full advantage of them, propelled me to the next level,” Davis wrote in his book.
“I had some slip-ups along the way, but when it mattered, when it was important, I stepped up, practiced what I believed, took the advice of those I respected and went for it with everything I could give. That’s how I succeeded in football, business and beyond.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--COVID Gun Grab Turns into Nightmare for Leftists as Gun Stores Open Drive-Thru Windows

There is something distinctly , wonderfully American about the drive-thru window .
We were the first country to have a love affair with our cars .
In the 1950s , the French were sweating their derrieres off fixing their Citroën 2CVs — a diminutive rattletrap that was easy to fix because it had an engine that was little changed from the first internal combustion motors from the 1800s .
Meanwhile , we were at drive-ins across this fruited plain with our Chevrolet Bel-Airs and Ford Galaxie 500s , enjoying hamburgers from the comfort of our automobiles .
A little while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further : You didn ’ t have to get out of the car at all .
You rev your Ford Mustang through the drive-thru at Burger King and , in a minute or two , you had a Whopper and fries .
And the French were still repairing their 2CVs .
In the 21st century , the drive-thru has evolved .
Not only did The Associated Press adopt the truncated “ drive-thru ” spelling as its official style a decade ago , but consumers can now get just about anything without getting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thai food , vegan ketogenic meals … even a gun .
Yes , a gun .
Thanks to the novel coronavirus , you can now exercise your Second Amendment rights without getting out of your car .
Of course , you can also get a weapon at curbside , or even at a table outside the gun shop .
In fact , one imagines that in the absence of widespread dedicated drive-thru windows for gun shops , those two options will be more common — at least for now .
But the drive-thru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of approval .
And even though drive-thru and curbside gun service was necessitated by the coronavirus , I wholeheartedly approve .
This is American ingenuity and our constitutional values taken to their logical apex .
Some media outlets didn ’ t agree with me .
Take CNN ( surprisingly enough ) .
See if you can notice the subtle bias in the headline : “ U.S .
gun retailers can operate in their parking lots during pandemic , ATF says.
” This is accurate , although the anti-Trump network sounds a bit soured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Friday letter from the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives that allows drive-thru gun sales during the coronavirus outbreak .
The letter involved guidance from the ATF regarding the Department of Homeland Security ’ s classification of gun shops as essential businesses and whether Federal Firearms Licensees can operate through “ ( 1 ) a drive-up or walk-up window or doorway on the FFL ’ s property ; ( 2 ) a temporary table or booth located in a parking lot on the FFL ’ s property ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is not located on the FFL ’ s property.
” So the answers : “ yes ” on one ; “ yes ” on two ; and “ no ” on three unless it ’ s at a gun show .
( Remember those ?
Remember meeting en masse pretty much anywhere ? )
“ An FFL may carry out the requested activities through a drive-up or walk-up window or doorway where the customer is on the licensee ’ s property on the exterior of the brick-and-mortar structure at the address listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated in the letter .
“ An FFL may also carry out the requested activities from a temporary table or booth located in a parking lot or other exterior location on the licensee ’ s property at the address listed on the license , but any such activities must occur in a location where the licensee has the authority to permit ATF ’ s entry for inspection purposes.
” However , the FFL needed to obviously check whether a location was indeed its property and whether it could permit the entry of ATF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be kept inside the store .
RELATED : Gun Store Owner Relays Epic Stories as Libs Become Victims of Own Gun Control Laws As for that nearby space , no can do .
The guns still need to be sold at the address listed on the license .
While this probably wasn ’ t received with unalloyed joy among liberals , Second Amendment-loving Americans were pretty happy .
“ We have been working closely with the ATF to gain clarity on this front for firearm retailers , ” the National Shooting Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Guns.com .
“ Today we thank the ATF for issuing guidance for FFLs regarding sidewalk/curbside transactions.
” The group had previously asked the ATF for guidance on how gun retailers could operate given the coronavirus outbreak .
The guidance also comes as lawsuits involving whether gun shops can legally be closed by state governments wind their way through the court systems .
Given that many states that have closed nonessential businesses haven ’ t specifically mentioned gun shops , gun shops have been shuttered in a lot of places — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales are proceeding at a record ( pun unintended ) clip .
According to TheBlaze , the FBI conducted more background checks during the month of March than any month in its history .
Second place was December of 2015 , and it wasn ’ t particularly close .
March 2020 : 3.7 million checks .
December 2015 : 3.3 million .
In March of 2019 , the FBI did 2.64 million background checks , according to TheBlaze .
More than a million fewer than this year .
While some media complaints are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of tacit tsk-tsking in the CNN headline , left-wing gun control groups like the Brady Campaign are going to be more vocal .
Calling the new rules “ unsafe and indulgent , ” the Brady Campaign complained in a news release that the new rules upended “ long-standing protocols.
” ( Because clearly the coronavirus pandemic hasn ’ t upended “ long-standing protocols ” or anything . )
“ At a time when we need our federal government to put the interests and safety of its people first , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , ” Brady President Kris Brown said in the release .
“ The Administration has used broad interpretations of the federal Gun Control Act to suggest that FFLs conduct business at a drive-by or walk-up window , as if they were a McDonald ’ s , or at a temporary table or booth , as if they were a lemonade stand , removing the protective influence that responsible gun dealers can have on stopping the proliferation of crime guns and on educating gun owners about the risks of guns and how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting guns at a drive-thru window “ as if they were a McDonalds ” as if it were a bad thing .
As for “ educating gun owners about the risks of guns and how to mitigate them , ” there ’ s nothing to prevent gun dealers from doing so at drive-thrus or tables , which makes this objection silly and extraneous .
But that ’ s pretty much what a lot of the objections to this are .
The right to bear arms is constitutionally protected , which makes states excluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID gun grab .
Now , that gun grab is turning into a nightmare for leftists .
Of course , it ’ s not going to be as easy as picking up a meal in a McDonald ’ s of Burger King drive-thru from coast to coast .
Liberal lawmakers in liberal states are going to continue to do everything they can to limit the Second Amendment no matter what the ATF says .
But the principle is at least established .
Have a problem with gun stores being conduits for infection ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to worry about that now — and that just made them more angry .
At least we can socially distance from them .
After this is over , I propose we should still be able to buy guns from drive-thru windows .
Now , granted , the majority of the service here will be curbside , at least for the moment , since there aren ’ t a lot of drive-up windows at gun shops .
Time marches on , however .
We live in an era where even those recalcitrant French have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can order guns online , although we have to have them shipped to a licensed FFL dealer .
Speed up the process a bit and let us stay in our cars while we get them .
I can think no more American product of the pandemic that ought to survive than this one .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

There is something distinctly, wonderfully American about the drive-thru window.
We were the first country to have a love affair with our cars. In the 1950s, the French were sweating their derrieres off fixing their Citroën 2CVs — a diminutive rattletrap that was easy to fix because it had an engine that was little changed from the first internal combustion motors from the 1800s. Meanwhile, we were at drive-ins across this fruited plain with our Chevrolet Bel-Airs and Ford Galaxie 500s, enjoying hamburgers from the comfort of our automobiles.
A little while later, we took it a step further: You didn’t have to get out of the car at all. You rev your Ford Mustang through the drive-thru at Burger King and, in a minute or two, you had a Whopper and fries. And the French were still repairing their 2CVs.
In the 21st century, the drive-thru has evolved. Not only did The Associated Press adopt the truncated “drive-thru” spelling as its official style a decade ago, but consumers can now get just about anything without getting out of their cars — a latte, Thai food, vegan ketogenic meals … even a gun.
Yes, a gun. Thanks to the novel coronavirus, you can now exercise your Second Amendment rights without getting out of your car.
Of course, you can also get a weapon at curbside, or even at a table outside the gun shop. In fact, one imagines that in the absence of widespread dedicated drive-thru windows for gun shops, those two options will be more common — at least for now. But the drive-thru gun window has an official federal stamp of approval.
And even though drive-thru and curbside gun service was necessitated by the coronavirus, I wholeheartedly approve. This is American ingenuity and our constitutional values taken to their logical apex.
Some media outlets didn’t agree with me. Take CNN (surprisingly enough). See if you can notice the subtle bias in the headline: “U.S. gun retailers can operate in their parking lots during pandemic, ATF says.”
This is accurate, although the anti-Trump network sounds a bit soured on the phenomenon. It was reacting to a Friday letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that allows drive-thru gun sales during the coronavirus outbreak.
Do you think a drive-thru window at a gun store is a good 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: 94% (461 Votes) No: 6% (27 Votes)
The letter involved guidance from the ATF regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s classification of gun shops as essential businesses and whether Federal Firearms Licensees can operate through “(1) a drive-up or walk-up window or doorway on the FFL’s property; (2) a temporary table or booth located in a parking lot on the FFL’s property; and (3) a nearby space that is not located on the FFL’s property.”
So the answers: “yes” on one; “yes” on two; and “no” on three unless it’s at a gun show. (Remember those? Remember meeting en masse pretty much anywhere?)
“An FFL may carry out the requested activities through a drive-up or walk-up window or doorway where the customer is on the licensee’s property on the exterior of the brick-and-mortar structure at the address listed on the license,” the ATF stated in the letter.
“An FFL may also carry out the requested activities from a temporary table or booth located in a parking lot or other exterior location on the licensee’s property at the address listed on the license, but any such activities must occur in a location where the licensee has the authority to permit ATF’s entry for inspection purposes.”
However, the FFL needed to obviously check whether a location was indeed its property and whether it could permit the entry of ATF agents onto it. Records still needed to be kept inside the store.
As for that nearby space, no can do. The guns still need to be sold at the address listed on the license.
While this probably wasn’t received with unalloyed joy among liberals, Second Amendment-loving Americans were pretty happy.
“We have been working closely with the ATF to gain clarity on this front for firearm retailers,” the National Shooting Sports Foundation said in a statement Friday, according to Guns.com.
“Today we thank the ATF for issuing guidance for FFLs regarding sidewalk/curbside transactions.”
The group had previously asked the ATF for guidance on how gun retailers could operate given the coronavirus outbreak.
The guidance also comes as lawsuits involving whether gun shops can legally be closed by state governments wind their way through the court systems. Given that many states that have closed nonessential businesses haven’t specifically mentioned gun shops, gun shops have been shuttered in a lot of places — which is problematic when you consider that gun sales are proceeding at a record (pun unintended) clip.
According to TheBlaze, the FBI conducted more background checks during the month of March than any month in its history. Second place was December of 2015, and it wasn’t particularly close. March 2020: 3.7 million checks. December 2015: 3.3 million.
In March of 2019, the FBI did 2.64 million background checks, according to TheBlaze. More than a million fewer than this year.
While some media complaints are going to be in sotto voce, the kind of tacit tsk-tsking in the CNN headline, left-wing gun control groups like the Brady Campaign are going to be more vocal.
Calling the new rules “unsafe and indulgent,” the Brady Campaign complained in a news release that the new rules upended “long-standing protocols.” (Because clearly the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t upended “long-standing protocols” or anything.)
“At a time when we need our federal government to put the interests and safety of its people first, the Trump Administration has once again put profits over people,” Brady President Kris Brown said in the release.
“The Administration has used broad interpretations of the federal Gun Control Act to suggest that FFLs conduct business at a drive-by or walk-up window, as if they were a McDonald’s, or at a temporary table or booth, as if they were a lemonade stand, removing the protective influence that responsible gun dealers can have on stopping the proliferation of crime guns and on educating gun owners about the risks of guns and how to mitigate them.”
First, they say getting guns at a drive-thru window “as if they were a McDonalds” as if it were a bad thing. As for “educating gun owners about the risks of guns and how to mitigate them,” there’s nothing to prevent gun dealers from doing so at drive-thrus or tables, which makes this objection silly and extraneous.
But that’s pretty much what a lot of the objections to this are. The right to bear arms is constitutionally protected, which makes states excluding them as essential businesses a purely bogus COVID gun grab. Now, that gun grab is turning into a nightmare for leftists.
Of course, it’s not going to be as easy as picking up a meal in a McDonald’s of Burger King drive-thru from coast to coast. Liberal lawmakers in liberal states are going to continue to do everything they can to limit the Second Amendment no matter what the ATF says. But the principle is at least established.
Have a problem with gun stores being conduits for infection? Fine. Liberals don’t have to worry about that now — and that just made them more angry.
At least we can socially distance from them.
After this is over, I propose we should still be able to buy guns from drive-thru windows. Now, granted, the majority of the service here will be curbside, at least for the moment, since there aren’t a lot of drive-up windows at gun shops.
Time marches on, however. We live in an era where even those recalcitrant French have scrapped their 2CVs and gotten real cars. We can order guns online, although we have to have them shipped to a licensed FFL dealer.
Speed up the process a bit and let us stay in our cars while we get them. I can think no more American product of the pandemic that ought to survive than this one.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--4 Men Arrested for Allegedly Plotting ISIS Attack on US Military Facilities

Officials in Germany have arrested four alleged members of the Islamic State group after discovering a plan by the accused to attack U.S. military facilities .
The Jerusalem Post reported five people in total are implicated in a plot to carry out attacks against U.S. Air Force bases in Germany .
“ They jointly founded a so-called cell in Germany .
They initially planned to travel to Tajikistan to take part in fighting against the government as part of the armed ‘ jihad , ’ ” the federal prosecutor ’ s agency of Germany said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project , they now intended to commit fatal attacks in Germany , ” the statement added .
One man was arrested in March 2019 , while the others were arrested on Wednesday .
The suspects , whose last names were not released , are Tajikistan nationals identified as Azizjon B , Muhammadali G , Farhodshoh K , Sunatullokh K and Ravsan B .
The Jerusalem Post reported the terror cell formed in January 2019 and was receiving orders from high-ranking members of the Islamic State group in Syria and Afghanistan .
The terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , according to authorities .
“ To finance their plans and the ‘ Islamic State ’ in Syria , the accused collected money in Germany and transferred it to the association via financial agents located in Turkey , ” the statement said .
The agency added that the accused “ planned a murder attempt on a person who , from the perspective of the accused , had made public statements that were critical of the Islam .
“ Against this background , the targeted murder victim has already been spied on by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases in Germany were also scouted , ” the agency ’ s statement said .
The alleged Islamic State group cell had already acquired a number of conventional firearms and was also collecting plans and components in order to make homemade explosives and other incendiary weapons , authorities said .
RELATED : While Left Hammers Him for Racism , Trump Becomes First POTUS To Declare White Supremacist Group 'Terrorists' The Associated Press reported that tactical police units found and apprehended four of the terror suspects at a number of locations early Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ravsan B. who was described as the terror cell ’ s leader , is also accused of accepting a $ 40,000 contract to murder an individual in Albania , but that killing never took place .
Ravsan has been behind bars for more than a year in Germany , but officials did not specify if the charges he was jailed on last year were related to the alleged murder contract or whether they had to do with additional alleged crimes .
All five suspects face charges being members of a terrorist organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests of the alleged terrorists come weeks after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning that terrorists might attempt to take advantage of the country ’ s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in order to further their agendas .
“ Violent extremists probably are seeking to exploit public fears associated with the spread of COVID-19 to incite violence , intimidate targets and promote their ideologies , and we assess these efforts will intensify in the coming months , ” according to the memo , which circulated late last month .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ABC News reported .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Officials in Germany have arrested four alleged members of the Islamic State group after discovering a plan by the accused to attack U.S. military facilities.
The Jerusalem Post reported five people in total are implicated in a plot to carry out attacks against U.S. Air Force bases in Germany.
“They jointly founded a so-called cell in Germany. They initially planned to travel to Tajikistan to take part in fighting against the government as part of the armed ‘jihad,’” the federal prosecutor’s agency of Germany said in a statement.
“After the accused had refrained from this project, they now intended to commit fatal attacks in Germany,” the statement added.
One man was arrested in March 2019, while the others were arrested on Wednesday.
The suspects, whose last names were not released, are Tajikistan nationals identified as Azizjon B, Muhammadali G, Farhodshoh K, Sunatullokh K and Ravsan B.
#BREAKING Germany arrests five Tajiki citizens that were part of #ISIS cell — Guy Elster (@guyelster) April 15, 2020
The Jerusalem Post reported the terror cell formed in January 2019 and was receiving orders from high-ranking members of the Islamic State group in Syria and Afghanistan.
Do you worry about terrorism during the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 78% (1807 Votes) No: 22% (514 Votes)
The terror plan also had links to individuals in Turkey, according to authorities.
“To finance their plans and the ‘Islamic State’ in Syria, the accused collected money in Germany and transferred it to the association via financial agents located in Turkey,” the statement said.
The agency added that the accused “planned a murder attempt on a person who, from the perspective of the accused, had made public statements that were critical of the Islam.
“Against this background, the targeted murder victim has already been spied on by the accused Farhodshoh K. US Air Force bases in Germany were also scouted,” the agency’s statement said.
The alleged Islamic State group cell had already acquired a number of conventional firearms and was also collecting plans and components in order to make homemade explosives and other incendiary weapons, authorities said.
Prosecutors said the suspects joined ISIS in Jan. 2019 and initially had plans to travel to Tajikistan to join the “jihad”. After abandoning those plans, the suspects reportedly wanted to stage deadly attacks in ?? and were in touch with top ISIS members in Syria and Afghanistan. — Andy Eckardt (@ameckardt) April 15, 2020
The Associated Press reported that tactical police units found and apprehended four of the terror suspects at a number of locations early Wednesday morning in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state.
Ravsan B. who was described as the terror cell’s leader, is also accused of accepting a $40,000 contract to murder an individual in Albania, but that killing never took place.
Ravsan has been behind bars for more than a year in Germany, but officials did not specify if the charges he was jailed on last year were related to the alleged murder contract or whether they had to do with additional alleged crimes.
All five suspects face charges being members of a terrorist organization, according to the AP.
The arrests of the alleged terrorists come weeks after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning that terrorists might attempt to take advantage of the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in order to further their agendas.
“Violent extremists probably are seeking to exploit public fears associated with the spread of COVID-19 to incite violence, intimidate targets and promote their ideologies, and we assess these efforts will intensify in the coming months,” according to the memo, which circulated late last month.
The memo did not identify any specific threats, ABC News reported.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--NYT Exec. Editor Admits Paper Changed Biden Sex Assault Story After Campaign Thought It Looked Bad

The New York Times took 19 days to report a sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden made by former aide Tara Reade .
The newspaper then edited a paragraph to take out the problematic second half of this sentence , the part that existed beyond the first comma : “ The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden , beyond the hugs , kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable.
” On Monday , Times executive editor Dean Baquet sat down for an interview with one of his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper ’ s editing decisions — and inexplicably made things look worse .
Most of the interview , it must be said , was an uneventful farrago of dubious logic .
Baquet ’ s take on why he decided to wait so long on the story is that , while it was being covered as breaking news at the time , almost no outlets ( save for the Bernie-boosters over at The Intercept ) were covering Reade ’ s claim that Biden had assaulted her in 1993 with any depth .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do and bring to the story was the expertise we had developed over doing more than a dozen of these kinds of stories , ” Baquet said .
This is all fine — except using such “ expertise ” is not mutually exclusive from covering the story as breaking news .
Baquet perhaps got a little closer to saying what he meant a few paragraphs down when he explained that “ mainly I thought that what The New York Times could offer and should try to offer was the reporting to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairly serious allegation against a guy who had been a vice president of the United States and was knocking on the door of being his party ’ s nominee.
” “ Look , I get the argument .
Just do a short , straightforward news story , ” he added .
“ But I ’ m not sure that doing this sort of straightforward news story would have helped the reader understand .
Have all the information he or she needs to think about what to make of this thing.
” In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times-style treatment , the paper ’ s executive editor thinks his readership would be unable to process or comprehend this story .
I don ’ t know if Baquet fully comprehends what he ’ s saying here , or if he ’ s aware that he ’ s painting his readers as baby eaglets unable to leave the Gray Lady ’ s nest or consume information without little bits torn off for them by The Times ’ editors .
It ’ s worse if he does .
As for the rest , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baquet for his honesty in the interview or be genuinely troubled by what honesty consisted of in a conversation not so much plagued by conflicts of interest as comprised of them .
The executive editor of the nation ’ s so-called “ newspaper of record ” went on to say it didn ’ t disclose it was working on the story because , “ Let ’ s say for some reason we found out something that made us not want to write a story .
Then what do we say to readers ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we found a reason .
We found out something that made us not want to write .
But we ’ re not going to tell you about it . '
” I ’ m not in Baquet ’ s lofty position and I haven ’ t seen everything there is to see , but I ’ d be curious about what contingency he could imagine that could cause the newspaper to just spike a sexual assault allegation against the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee and act as if nothing would happen .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mind when you consider what ’ ll be the most parsed response uttered by Baquet .
When asked why The Times changed that sentence — “ The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden , beyond the hugs , kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable ” — the executive editor of the United States ’ most influential newspaper said it was because the campaign of the man being accused of sexual assault thought it looked bad .
RELATED : Trump Releases Brutal Campaign Ad Tying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time “ Even though a lot of us , including me , had looked at it before the story went into the paper , I think that the campaign thought that the phrasing was awkward and made it look like there were other instances in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct , ” Baquet said [ emphasis ours ] .
“ And that ’ s not what the sentence was intended to say.
” Let ’ s leave aside the fact Biden has been accused of wildly inappropriate violations of personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were exclusively female — something that sounds an awful lot like it ’ s at least adjacent to sexual misconduct , albeit not rising to the level of what he ’ s accused of in the Reade case .
Baquet is admitting 1 ) The Biden campaign talked to The Times , 2 ) The Biden campaign disapproved of the way Biden was portrayed in The Times ’ report and 3 ) that was apparently sufficient for The Times to rewrite a key sentence .
This isn ’ t an editorial profile in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuse given , too , since there ’ s not a hint of awkward phraseology involved .
The original sentence said what it did and did so effectively .
Biden has never been accused of sexual assault beyond the allegation made by Tara Reade .
After The Times investigation , that remains the only such allegation .
That said , Biden ’ s behavior around women leaves something to be desired , which isn ’ t necessarily a point in his favor if you ’ re keeping a scorecard .
By deleting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t so much move thoughts around to make a point more effectively — which is what Baquet is arguing — so much as extirpate a thought entirely .
If clumsy phrasing isn ’ t the reason The Times changed the story after the Biden campaign contacted it , I have a problem coming to a conclusion that doesn ’ t assume Baquet and The Times have quietly abdicated journalistic integrity .
This isn ’ t merely finding the lowest possible motive The Times might have and concluding it ’ s the only real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited subset of excuses for the change that could be inferred from Baquet ’ s answer .
Logic eliminates all alternatives but that .
And it wasn ’ t as if the article was unfair to the presumptive Democratic nominee .
The authors already provided lenient treatment to Biden , examining Reade ’ s claims in a clinical , just-the-facts manner the paper hasn ’ t given to other political figures accused of sexual misconduct , in particular Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings or President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking of the Trump campaign , the authors of the Times ’ article about Reade ’ s accusation against Biden also made sure to mention that Trump “ has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by more than a dozen women , who have described a pattern of behavior that went far beyond the accusations against Mr. Biden.
” The article further contextualized the Reade allegations by reminding readers of Trump ’ s infamous “ Access Hollywood ” tape , which had nothing to do with whether or not Joe Biden committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baquet was “ not sure that doing this sort of straightforward news story would have helped the reader understand ” — and apparently Times ’ readers couldn ’ t understand Reade ’ s allegation on their own without also understanding that Trump has been accused of doing bad things , too , and more times .
No word on whether the Trump campaign contacted The Times on whether or not those few paragraphs were phrased awkwardly , but The Times doubtlessly would have changed the piece in response .
Alas , dear reader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sexual misconduct allegations were necessary in a piece about sexual misconduct allegations against Joe Biden remained unasked during this hard-hitting New York Times “ interview ” by a New York Times media columnist of The New York Times ’ executive editor .
There are plenty of questions as to why The Times didn ’ t report on the Reade allegations earlier , and Baquet ’ s interview didn ’ t answer a whole lot of them .
But don ’ t worry : He assured readers neither he nor his paper have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q : Do you think that , in your heart , you ’ re reluctant to promote a story that would hurt Joe Biden and get Donald Trump re-elected ?
A : I can ’ t make that calculation .
I won ’ t .
I won ’ t let my head or my heart go there .
I think once you start making those kinds of calculations , you are not a journalist anymore .
You ’ re some sort of political actor .
The interviewer didn ’ t , unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said all that with a straight face .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The New York Times took 19 days to report a sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden made by former aide Tara Reade.
The newspaper then edited a paragraph to take out the problematic second half of this sentence, the part that existed beyond the first comma: “The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable.”
On Monday, Times executive editor Dean Baquet sat down for an interview with one of his own staff members to clear the air about the paper’s editing decisions — and inexplicably made things look worse.
Most of the interview, it must be said, was an uneventful farrago of dubious logic. Baquet’s take on why he decided to wait so long on the story is that, while it was being covered as breaking news at the time, almost no outlets (save for the Bernie-boosters over at The Intercept) were covering Reade’s claim that Biden had assaulted her in 1993 with any depth.
“I thought what The New York Times could do and bring to the story was the expertise we had developed over doing more than a dozen of these kinds of stories,” Baquet said.
This is all fine — except using such “expertise” is not mutually exclusive from covering the story as breaking news.
Baquet perhaps got a little closer to saying what he meant a few paragraphs down when he explained that “mainly I thought that what The New York Times could offer and should try to offer was the reporting to help people understand what to make of a fairly serious allegation against a guy who had been a vice president of the United States and was knocking on the door of being his party’s nominee.”
“Look, I get the argument. Just do a short, straightforward news story,” he added. “But I’m not sure that doing this sort of straightforward news story would have helped the reader understand. Have all the information he or she needs to think about what to make of this thing.”
In other words, without the full New York Times-style treatment, the paper’s executive editor thinks his readership would be unable to process or comprehend this story. I don’t know if Baquet fully comprehends what he’s saying here, or if he’s aware that he’s painting his readers as baby eaglets unable to leave the Gray Lady’s nest or consume information without little bits torn off for them by The Times’ editors. It’s worse if he does.
Has The New York Times openly showed its pro-Biden bias with this decision? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (1973 Votes) No: 1% (11 Votes)
As for the rest, I don’t know whether to compliment Baquet for his honesty in the interview or be genuinely troubled by what honesty consisted of in a conversation not so much plagued by conflicts of interest as comprised of them.
The executive editor of the nation’s so-called “newspaper of record” went on to say it didn’t disclose it was working on the story because, “Let’s say for some reason we found out something that made us not want to write a story. Then what do we say to readers? ‘We looked at this hard and we found a reason. We found out something that made us not want to write. But we’re not going to tell you about it.'”
I’m not in Baquet’s lofty position and I haven’t seen everything there is to see, but I’d be curious about what contingency he could imagine that could cause the newspaper to just spike a sexual assault allegation against the presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee and act as if nothing would happen.
That kind of attitude is critical to keep in mind when you consider what’ll be the most parsed response uttered by Baquet.
When asked why The Times changed that sentence — “The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden, beyond the hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable” — the executive editor of the United States’ most influential newspaper said it was because the campaign of the man being accused of sexual assault thought it looked bad.
“Even though a lot of us, including me, had looked at it before the story went into the paper, I think that the campaign thought that the phrasing was awkward and made it look like there were other instances in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct,” Baquet said [emphasis ours]. “And that’s not what the sentence was intended to say.”
Let’s leave aside the fact Biden has been accused of wildly inappropriate violations of personal space by a cluster of people who were exclusively female — something that sounds an awful lot like it’s at least adjacent to sexual misconduct, albeit not rising to the level of what he’s accused of in the Reade case.
Baquet is admitting 1) The Biden campaign talked to The Times, 2) The Biden campaign disapproved of the way Biden was portrayed in The Times’ report and 3) that was apparently sufficient for The Times to rewrite a key sentence. This isn’t an editorial profile in courage.
We can dispense with the excuse given, too, since there’s not a hint of awkward phraseology involved.
The original sentence said what it did and did so effectively. Biden has never been accused of sexual assault beyond the allegation made by Tara Reade. After The Times investigation, that remains the only such allegation. That said, Biden’s behavior around women leaves something to be desired, which isn’t necessarily a point in his favor if you’re keeping a scorecard.
By deleting the second half, The Times didn’t so much move thoughts around to make a point more effectively — which is what Baquet is arguing — so much as extirpate a thought entirely.
If clumsy phrasing isn’t the reason The Times changed the story after the Biden campaign contacted it, I have a problem coming to a conclusion that doesn’t assume Baquet and The Times have quietly abdicated journalistic integrity.
This isn’t merely finding the lowest possible motive The Times might have and concluding it’s the only real one. There’s a very limited subset of excuses for the change that could be inferred from Baquet’s answer. Logic eliminates all alternatives but that.
And it wasn’t as if the article was unfair to the presumptive Democratic nominee. The authors already provided lenient treatment to Biden, examining Reade’s claims in a clinical, just-the-facts manner the paper hasn’t given to other political figures accused of sexual misconduct, in particular Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings or President Donald Trump’s campaign in 2016.
Oh, and speaking of the Trump campaign, the authors of the Times’ article about Reade’s accusation against Biden also made sure to mention that Trump “has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by more than a dozen women, who have described a pattern of behavior that went far beyond the accusations against Mr. Biden.”
The article further contextualized the Reade allegations by reminding readers of Trump’s infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, which had nothing to do with whether or not Joe Biden committed sexual assault in 1993.
Remember, Baquet was “not sure that doing this sort of straightforward news story would have helped the reader understand” — and apparently Times’ readers couldn’t understand Reade’s allegation on their own without also understanding that Trump has been accused of doing bad things, too, and more times.
No word on whether the Trump campaign contacted The Times on whether or not those few paragraphs were phrased awkwardly, but The Times doubtlessly would have changed the piece in response.
Alas, dear reader, the question of why Trump’s sexual misconduct allegations were necessary in a piece about sexual misconduct allegations against Joe Biden remained unasked during this hard-hitting New York Times “interview” by a New York Times media columnist of The New York Times’ executive editor.
There are plenty of questions as to why The Times didn’t report on the Reade allegations earlier, and Baquet’s interview didn’t answer a whole lot of them. But don’t worry: He assured readers neither he nor his paper have their thumbs on the electoral scales.
Q: Do you think that, in your heart, you’re reluctant to promote a story that would hurt Joe Biden and get Donald Trump re-elected?
A: I can’t make that calculation. I won’t. I won’t let my head or my heart go there. I think once you start making those kinds of calculations, you are not a journalist anymore. You’re some sort of political actor.
The interviewer didn’t, unfortunately, inform us whether or not Dean Baquet said all that with a straight face.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--Mayor of California City Resigns After Sick Joke About Trump Supporters and KKK

Elected Democrats , who have a penchant for portraying themselves as virtuous mavericks working toward progress , have a leadership problem that has trickled down from the upper echelons of government to the smallest of communities .
As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped nearly every aspect of American life , Democratic leadership has failed American citizens who are in need of adequate and appropriate response from the government .
Liberals have weaponized the coronavirus outbreak in order to attempt to harm President Donald Trump ’ s re-election chances and to smear conservatives who support the president .
It is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy at every turn .
Sadly , the trend of Democrats attacking the president as Americans become sick and die from a foreign illness is not isolated to Washington , D.C. One California town is going through a change in leadership after its mayor decided his time during the national pandemic was best spent attacking Trump supporters online .
KTXL-TV reported that Auburn , California , Mayor William Kirby is resigning after he compared Trump supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan in one of those posts on Facebook .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hooded Klan member and commented , “ Good news for Trump supporters is that most of them already have masks.
” KTXL reporter Bridgette Bjorlo shared a screen shot of the post along with a statement from Kirby .
“ The mayor of Auburn , CA is facing backlash tonight over controversial social media posts .
One post appears to equate Trump supporters to members of the KKK , ” Bjorlo wrote .
“ Mayor Bill Kirby has been a vocal critic of Pres Trump but community members say this crossed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the reporter added .
Kirby said in the statement he regretted the post , which has been deleted , but he doubled down on his criticism of the president and Trump supporters .
RELATED : As Citizens Need 911 More Than Ever , Police Chief Tells People To Use It To Report Hate Speech “ Some people have viewed my posts , which were meant to be private and made out of frustration , as over the top .
Some were and I regret that , ” the mayor wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk .
I believe history will judge those who stood up against damaging policies and ideologies and those that did not , ” he added .
It is laughable that the mayor , who is also a physician , would talk about “ damaging policies and ideologies ” when the only policy position being pushed by Democratic lawmakers seems to be to further divide a nation along racial and ideological lines as it struggles with a pandemic .
Luckily for the residents of Auburn , Kirby has decided to fall on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a video City Council meeting that he will step down as mayor later this month , KTXL reported .
That time can ’ t come soon enough for a population that , like the rest of the country , is likely looking for competent leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic .
But morality for far-left Democrats is a paradox .
How can a people whose precepts change with the wind possibly vilify everyday Americans simply for supporting their president ?
Democrats such as Kirby exhibit such faux outrage when criticizing Trump or conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong side of history .
How can the far left even attempt to project such superiority when they have no standards of which to measure morality ?
What Kirby left out of his Facebook post was that Democrats were they were the ones adorning white hoods and erecting monuments of confederate civil war icons .
This is the party that favors late-term abortion and even infanticide and aims to force women and girls to share restrooms with adult men .
Democrats have no moral authority — on any issue .
So it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a man as small as William Kirby would invoke the Ku Klux Klan when referring to patriotic Americans .
Kirby ’ s elitist attitude and political views prevented him from doing the job the citizens of Auburn hired him to do .
Instead of managing his city through a crisis , he debased himself by sharing hateful rhetoric .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Elected Democrats, who have a penchant for portraying themselves as virtuous mavericks working toward progress, have a leadership problem that has trickled down from the upper echelons of government to the smallest of communities.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped nearly every aspect of American life, Democratic leadership has failed American citizens who are in need of adequate and appropriate response from the government.
Liberals have weaponized the coronavirus outbreak in order to attempt to harm President Donald Trump’s re-election chances and to smear conservatives who support the president.
It is an immoral game played by people who diminish democracy at every turn.
Sadly, the trend of Democrats attacking the president as Americans become sick and die from a foreign illness is not isolated to Washington, D.C.
One California town is going through a change in leadership after its mayor decided his time during the national pandemic was best spent attacking Trump supporters online.
KTXL-TV reported that Auburn, California, Mayor William Kirby is resigning after he compared Trump supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan in one of those posts on Facebook.
The report said Kirby recently shared a photo of a hooded Klan member and commented, “Good news for Trump supporters is that most of them already have masks.”
KTXL reporter Bridgette Bjorlo shared a screen shot of the post along with a statement from Kirby.
Do you think this mayor reflects the views of most Democrats? 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% (3564 Votes) No: 5% (186 Votes)
“The mayor of Auburn, CA is facing backlash tonight over controversial social media posts. One post appears to equate Trump supporters to members of the KKK,” Bjorlo wrote.
“Mayor Bill Kirby has been a vocal critic of Pres Trump but community members say this crossed the line. Here’s his response,” the reporter added.
The mayor of Auburn, CA is facing backlash tonight over controversial social media posts. One post appears to equate Trump supporters to members of the KKK. Mayor Bill Kirby has been a vocal critic of Pres Trump but community members say this crossed the line. Here’s his response pic.twitter.com/6cr1Su1aN0 — Bridgette Bjorlo (@bridgettebjorlo) April 13, 2020
Kirby said in the statement he regretted the post, which has been deleted, but he doubled down on his criticism of the president and Trump supporters.
“Some people have viewed my posts, which were meant to be private and made out of frustration, as over the top. Some were and I regret that,” the mayor wrote.
“The president has put us all at risk. I believe history will judge those who stood up against damaging policies and ideologies and those that did not,” he added.
It is laughable that the mayor, who is also a physician, would talk about “damaging policies and ideologies” when the only policy position being pushed by Democratic lawmakers seems to be to further divide a nation along racial and ideological lines as it struggles with a pandemic.
Luckily for the residents of Auburn, Kirby has decided to fall on his sword and resign.
He announced Monday at a video City Council meeting that he will step down as mayor later this month, KTXL reported.
That time can’t come soon enough for a population that, like the rest of the country, is likely looking for competent leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kirby’s statement explaining his post reeked of moral superiority.
But morality for far-left Democrats is a paradox. How can a people whose precepts change with the wind possibly vilify everyday Americans simply for supporting their president?
Democrats such as Kirby exhibit such faux outrage when criticizing Trump or conservatives as bigoted rednecks who are on the wrong side of history.
How can the far left even attempt to project such superiority when they have no standards of which to measure morality?
What Kirby left out of his Facebook post was that Democrats were the ones adorning white hoods and erecting monuments of confederate civil war icons.
This is the party that favors late-term abortion and even infanticide and aims to force women and girls to share restrooms with adult men.
Democrats have no moral authority — on any issue.
So it’s rich that during a national emergency, a man as small as William Kirby would invoke the Ku Klux Klan when referring to patriotic Americans.
Kirby’s elitist attitude and political views prevented him from doing the job the citizens of Auburn hired him to do. Instead of managing his city through a crisis, he debased himself by sharing hateful rhetoric.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--Man in the Mirror

Man in the Mirror

For more A.F .
Branco cartoons , go to WesternJournal.com/opinion/cartoons .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

Aldi opened its first store in the U.S. in 1976 after it was founded a decade earlier in Germany by two brothers.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--Ocasio-Cortez Laments Biden’s ‘Long History of Being Creepy to Women,’ Highlights Allegations Agains

Ocasio-Cortez Laments Biden’s ‘Long History of Being Creepy to Women,’ Highlights Allegations Against Him

The Democratic Party needs to address the recent sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden even though his campaign has denied it , Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Tuesday .
The representative was asked about the recent accusation from Tara Reade against the former vice president during an online conversation with The Wing , a networking space for women , CBS News reported .
Reade , a staff assistant for Biden when he was in the Senate , accused the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee of sexually assaulting her while the two were alone in 1993 .
Although the questioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s re-election , she “ really resent [ s ] the fact that the other choice is someone who has a really long history of being creepy to women.
” “ What you ’ re voicing is so legitimate and real , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ That ’ s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.
” Reade , who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993 and told liberal podcaster Katie Halperin that Biden had kissed , groped and digitally penetrated her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 years ago .
The allegation came after other women have previously shared stories of Biden making them feel uncomfortable by invading their personal space with his hands and body , or by smelling their hair .
“ Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women , ” Biden campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield said in a statement .
“ He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully .
Such claims should also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is clear about this claim : It is untrue .
This absolutely did not happen.
” Ocasio-Cortez argued that Democrats need to be talking about this allegation .
“ I think it ’ s legitimate to talk about these things .
And if we again want to have integrity , you can ’ t say , you know — both believe women , support all of this , until it inconveniences you , until it inconveniences us , ” she said .
RELATED : Ocasio-Cortez Claims Coronavirus Relief Should Be 'Drafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of us are survivors , and it ’ s really , really hard and uncomfortable.
” She added that it is not OK to prioritize beating Trump in November at the cost of ignoring sensitive issues .
Reade told CBS News she ’ s “ humbled and honored ” by Ocasio-Cortez ’ s support , adding that she is the only politician who has spoken up for her .
News outlets like The New York Times have reported on Reade ’ s accusations , but said that her former colleagues did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s behavior .
Hours before Ocasio-Cortez spoke in favor of Reade , former President Barack Obama formally endorsed Biden .
The congresswoman was a strong supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ presidential run .
“ My job is to push and push back against everyone .
To push back against Republican Party and the Democratic Party , ” she said .
“ That makes people uncomfortable , but we ’ re just not where we need to be right now.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Democratic Party needs to address the recent sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden even though his campaign has denied it, Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Tuesday.
The representative was asked about the recent accusation from Tara Reade against the former vice president during an online conversation with The Wing, a networking space for women, CBS News reported.
Reade, a staff assistant for Biden when he was in the Senate, accused the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee of sexually assaulting her while the two were alone in 1993.
Although the questioner said she opposes President Donald Trump’s re-election, she “really resent[s] the fact that the other choice is someone who has a really long history of being creepy to women.”
“What you’re voicing is so legitimate and real,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“That’s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.”
Reade, who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993 and told liberal podcaster Katie Halperin that Biden had kissed, groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance more than 25 years ago.
This is a story that @ReadeAlexandra has been trying to tell since it happened in 1993. It’s a story about sexual assault, retaliation and silencing. #meToo https://t.co/yHz3iFi9a5 — Katie Halper (@kthalps) March 25, 2020
Do you think the Democrats are hypocrites when it comes to sexual assault allegations? 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% (809 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
The allegation came after other women have previously shared stories of Biden making them feel uncomfortable by invading their personal space with his hands and body, or by smelling their hair.
“Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women,” Biden campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield said in a statement.
“He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: It is untrue. This absolutely did not happen.”
Ocasio-Cortez argued that Democrats need to be talking about this allegation.
“I think it’s legitimate to talk about these things. And if we again want to have integrity, you can’t say, you know — both believe women, support all of this, until it inconveniences you, until it inconveniences us,” she said.
“A lot of us are survivors, and it’s really, really hard and uncomfortable.”
She added that it is not OK to prioritize beating Trump in November at the cost of ignoring sensitive issues.
Reade told CBS News she’s “humbled and honored” by Ocasio-Cortez’s support, adding that she is the only politician who has spoken up for her.
News outlets like The New York Times have reported on Reade’s accusations, but said that her former colleagues did not remember any complaints from Reade about Biden’s behavior.
Hours before Ocasio-Cortez spoke in favor of Reade, former President Barack Obama formally endorsed Biden.
The congresswoman was a strong supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential run.
“My job is to push and push back against everyone. To push back against Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” she said.
“That makes people uncomfortable, but we’re just not where we need to be right now.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--Cruz Blasts Stelter’s Partisan Double Standard After Getting Mocked for Deleting Tweet

Sen. Ted Cruz absolutely shredded CNN ’ s Brian Stelter this week over a tweet the Texas Republican shared and then deleted .
Generally , when one posts and deletes something on social media , it is because they find themselves on the defensive end regarding something they chose to share .
That wasn ’ t the case for Cruz , who turned jeering from CNN ’ s Stelter over a deleted tweet into a referendum on not only CNN , but the broader establishment media .
Cruz retweeted a viral image Monday that purported to show Michigan Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine residents $ 1,000 for failing to adhere to statewide social-distancing guidelines .
In the image , Whitmer is seated in close proximity to about 10 other individuals , meaning that every person in the photo was hypothetically guilty of violating the order .
“ As I count it , that ’ s $ 11k right there….
” Cruz wrote in the post .
The only problem : The image was not from the bill ’ s signing and was actually taken in 2019 , as Whitmer pointed out in a snarky post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shared by a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times , who took it from Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ ’ s reporting of Whitmer signing the Michigan bill into law .
Cruz , upon discovering out the error , did the honorable thing and deleted the post containing false information .
The only mistake the senator made was trusting the accuracy and reporting of an established media outlet , such as WXYZ .
Still , CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter , a man who fancies himself as a media watchdog , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Why senators shouldn ’ t rush to dunk on others based on a too-good-to-be-true tweet .
@ TedCruz deleted his shot after @ GovWhitmer corrected him , ” Stelter tweeted .
RELATED : Ted Cruz Blasts Dems for Treating Americans Like We Live in a Police State But , the saga didn ’ t end there .
Cruz used the incident to not only call out CNN and Stelter for their biased reporting , but also to point out that WXYZ was actually to blame for its misleading graphic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reporter who had tweeted pics that mistakenly ran on the ABC local news broadcast .
When I found out the story was erroneous , I deleted the tweet .
Gosh , Brian , why does your tweet omit the MSM error that started it ?
Or does CNN only exist to attack GOP ?
” Cruz responded to Stelter .
Cruz then shared a correction from the station , which apologized for the error .
“ Your job title is literally ‘ chief media correspondent ’ for CNN .
And yet you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed their reporting was accurate .
It ’ s almost as if your real job title is ‘ chief of rapid response , DNC , ’ ” Cruz wrote to Stelter .
Stelter refrained from responding and quickly moved on to discussing other subjects on his Twitter page .
That ’ s what happens when you go up against a man who is a former Ivy League debate champion and a master of dialogue and policy .
But one description that is not part of the senator ’ s job is media fact-checker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on CNN and its so-called experts .
Cruz was correct to point out that he had simply made the mistake of trusting the media ’ s reporting on Whitmer ’ s continued overreach during the coronavirus pandemic .
It is Stelter ’ s job to hold the media accountable .
But rather than do that job , the host of a show that is laughably called “ Reliable Sources ” chose to “ dunk ” on a conservative lawmaker — and it blew up in his face .
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

Sen. Ted Cruz absolutely shredded CNN’s Brian Stelter this week over a tweet the Texas Republican shared and then deleted.
Generally, when one posts and deletes something on social media, it is because they find themselves on the defensive end regarding something they chose to share.
That wasn’t the case for Cruz, who turned jeering from CNN’s Stelter over a deleted tweet into a referendum on not only CNN, but the broader establishment media.
Cruz retweeted a viral image Monday that purported to show Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing a bill that would fine residents $1,000 for failing to adhere to statewide social-distancing guidelines.
In the image, Whitmer is seated in close proximity to about 10 other individuals, meaning that every person in the photo was hypothetically guilty of violating the order.
“As I count it, that’s $11k right there….” Cruz wrote in the post.
The only problem: The image was not from the bill’s signing and was actually taken in 2019, as Whitmer pointed out in a snarky post.
Hello Senator! This photo is from January of 2019, and is being misused to spread fear and anger. I know you would never intentionally mislead the public during a pandemic, so I’m hopeful you’ll correct this mistake as soon as possible. Stay safe, & happy Easter from Michigan ? — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) April 13, 2020
Do you think Whitmer and other leaders are abusing their powers during the coronavirus crisis? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (811 Votes) No: 1% (7 Votes)
According to Cruz, the image was shared by a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, who took it from Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ’s reporting of Whitmer signing the Michigan bill into law.
Cruz, upon discovering out the error, did the honorable thing and deleted the post containing false information.
The only mistake the senator made was trusting the accuracy and reporting of an established media outlet, such as WXYZ.
Still, CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter, a man who fancies himself as a media watchdog, pounced on Cruz over the deleted post.
“Why senators shouldn’t rush to dunk on others based on a too-good-to-be-true tweet. @TedCruz deleted his shot after @GovWhitmer corrected him,” Stelter tweeted.
Why senators shouldn’t rush to dunk on others based on a too-good-to-be-true tweet. @TedCruz deleted his shot after @GovWhitmer corrected him pic.twitter.com/n2SiLmnb4U — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 13, 2020
But, the saga didn’t end there.
Cruz used the incident to not only call out CNN and Stelter for their biased reporting, but also to point out that WXYZ was actually to blame for its misleading graphic.
“I [retweeted] a former LA Times reporter who had tweeted pics that mistakenly ran on the ABC local news broadcast. When I found out the story was erroneous, I deleted the tweet. Gosh, Brian, why does your tweet omit the MSM error that started it? Or does CNN only exist to attack GOP?” Cruz responded to Stelter.
I RT’ed a former LA Times reporter who had tweeted pics that mistakenly ran on the ABC local news broadcast. When I found out the story was erroneous, I deleted the tweet. Gosh, Brian, why does your tweet omit the MSM error that started it? Or does CNN only exist to attack GOP? https://t.co/ehvPHPMrGh — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 13, 2020
Cruz then shared a correction from the station, which apologized for the error.
2/3 Here’s the correction from the local ABC affiliate: https://t.co/YGHBCSC2SI — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 13, 2020
“Your job title is literally ‘chief media correspondent’ for CNN. And yet you ignore the MSM culpability. I simply believed their reporting was accurate. It’s almost as if your real job title is ‘chief of rapid response, DNC,’” Cruz wrote to Stelter.
3/3 Your job title is literally “chief media correspondent” for CNN. And yet you ignore the MSM culpability. I simply believed their reporting was accurate. It’s almost as if your real job title is “chief of rapid response, DNC.” — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 13, 2020
Stelter refrained from responding and quickly moved on to discussing other subjects on his Twitter page.
That’s what happens when you go up against a man who is a former Ivy League debate champion and a master of dialogue and policy.
But one description that is not part of the senator’s job is media fact-checker.
That job is supposed to fall on CNN and its so-called experts.
Cruz was correct to point out that he had simply made the mistake of trusting the media’s reporting on Whitmer’s continued overreach during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is Stelter’s job to hold the media accountable.
But rather than do that job, the host of a show that is laughably called “Reliable Sources” chose to “dunk” on a conservative lawmaker — and it blew up in his face.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-04-15--Barr’s DOJ Stands Up for 1st Amendment, Intervenes in Lawsuit for Drive-in Churchgoers

It ’ s one thing for authorities to bust up in-person church services when worshippers are gathered under one roof and ignoring social distancing guidelines .
It ’ s quite another to do it when they ’ re doing it at a drive-in church .
That ’ s what one Mississippi town did — and it led to a lawsuit from the church .
Now , Attorney General William Barr ’ s Justice Department is joining in , on the church ’ s side .
According to Fox News , the DOJ is joining a lawsuit by Temple Baptist Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave $ 500 tickets to congregants who refused to leave a drive-in service .
A DOJ “ statement of interest ” published by Fox News on Tuesday concluded the actions taken by police “ strongly suggest that the city ’ s actions target religious conduct.
” The Justice Department , the statement said , has an interest in intervening in “ important issues of religious liberty in courts at every level , from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.
” “ Today , the Department filed a Statement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi that allegedly sought to hold parking lot worship services , in which congregants listened to their pastor preach over their car radios , while sitting in their cars in the church parking lot with their windows rolled up , ” Barr said in the Tuesday statement , according to Fox .
“ The City of Greenville fined congregants $ 500 per person for attending these parking lot services – while permitting citizens to attend nearby drive-in restaurants , even with their windows open.
” “ The City appears to have thereby singled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( as designated by the state of Mississippi ) that may not operate despite following all CDC and state recommendations regarding social distancing , ” Barr added .
And that ’ s one of the key issues in these cases — even though the free exercise of religion and the freedom of assembly are protected under the First Amendment , churches actually receive stricter scrutiny than other “ essential ” establishments .
In Greenville , for instance , Mayor Errick Simmons said the city government would ban drive-in services until Mississippi Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Churches are strongly encouraged to hold services via Facebook Live , Zoom , Free Conference Call , and any and all other social media , streaming and telephonic platforms , ” the mayor ’ s office stated in an April 7 news release .
However , the governor ’ s order didn ’ t say anything about drive-in churches — and , in fact , Reeves thanked the Trump administration for entering the fray on the side of Temple Baptist Church .
“ Thank you to the Trump administration and Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of religious liberty , ” Reeves wrote in a Twitter post Tuesday .
“ The government can not shut down churches .
Mississippi is not China .
This is still America .
We will help support this any way we can.
” RELATED : Pelosi Rages at Trump 's 'Illegal ' Decision To Defund WHO On Monday , according to The Associated Press , Simmons announced the fines would be waived , but the church ’ s lawsuit is continuing .
Given that Mississippi isn ’ t necessarily known for suffocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll probably not shock you when I tell you things are worse in other states .
In New Jersey , for instance , churches are closed but print shops are open .
New Jersey is also one of many states that have closed places of worship but have kept liquor stores open .
While there ’ s a purely utilitarian reason for this — you don ’ t want to deal with an influx of detoxing alcoholics experiencing delirium tremens in the intensive care unit just as you need those beds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to booze baked into the U.S. Constitution .
While there might be issues with a church that doesn ’ t offer social distancing and continues to meet indoors , there ’ s a huge difference in a church where people are in their freaking cars .
“ Even in times of emergency , when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights , the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers , ” Barr ’ s statement read .
“ Religion and religious worship continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Americans .
This is true more so than ever during this difficult time .
The pandemic has changed the ways Americans live their lives , ” it continued .
“ Religious communities have rallied to the critical need to protect the community from the spread of this disease by making services available online and in ways that otherwise comply with social distancing guidelines.
” The drive-in restaurants in Greenville , which were apparently allowed to operate as drive-in establishments with patrons having their windows at various levels of ajar-ness ( ajar-itude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
The church ’ s complaints “ strongly suggest that there are no such differences [ with restaurants ] and that the city should allow the church to hold its drive-in services , ” the DOJ ’ s statement of interest declares .
“ Under strict scrutiny , the city has the burden to demonstrate that prohibiting the small church here from holding the drive-in services at issue here — services where attendees are required to remain in their cars in the church parking lot at all times with their windows rolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling interest , ” it states .
“ As of now , it seems unlikely that the city will be able to carry that burden.
” “ If proven , these facts establish a free exercise violation unless the city demonstrates that its actions are neutral and apply generally to nonreligious and religious institutions or satisfies the demanding strict scrutiny standard.
” In his statement on Tuesday , Barr reiterated that message .
“ Even in times of emergency , when reasonable and temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers , ” he said , according to Fox .
“ Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans .
This is true more so than ever during this difficult time .
The pandemic has changed the ways Americans live their lives , ” he added .
“ Religious communities have rallied to the critical need to protect the community from the spread of this disease by making services available online and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines.
” The case of in-person church services in other contexts is still a thorny issue ; while potentially protected under the Constitution , someone ’ s attendance at one of these service , absent significant social distancing , evinces a certain level of daftness .
That said , the courts can sort out the brambles there .
It ’ s hard to see thorns with people staying in their cars at a church service unless you ’ re determined to find thorns .
Also , a similar case has already been ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck down a similar ordinance .
After Louisville , Kentucky , police pulled a similar stunt with a drive-in service at On Fire Christian Church after an order from the mayor , according to Fox , U.S. District Judge Justin Walker ruled that the city was enjoined from “ enforcing ; attempting to enforce ; threatening to enforce ; or otherwise requiring compliance with any prohibition on drive-in church services at On Fire.
” It ’ s difficult not to expect a similar win for Temple Baptist Church .
It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common sense .
The coronavirus can pass easily , but not from one car with closed windows to another car with closed windows .
If any other city , county or state sees fit to try this kind of crackdown on Christian churches , Barr ’ s DOJ shouldn ’ t hesitate to file of a statement of interest .
These bans on drive-in church services do nothing to stop the spread of the disease .
But they should serve as a canary in the coal mine to Americans concerned with their First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s one thing for authorities to bust up in-person church services when worshippers are gathered under one roof and ignoring social distancing guidelines. It’s quite another to do it when they’re doing it at a drive-in church.
That’s what one Mississippi town did — and it led to a lawsuit from the church. Now, Attorney General William Barr’s Justice Department is joining in, on the church’s side.
According to Fox News, the DOJ is joining a lawsuit by Temple Baptist Church in Greenville, Mississippi, after police gave $500 tickets to congregants who refused to leave a drive-in service.
A DOJ “statement of interest” published by Fox News on Tuesday concluded the actions taken by police “strongly suggest that the city’s actions target religious conduct.”
The Justice Department, the statement said, has an interest in intervening in “important issues of religious liberty in courts at every level, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
“Today, the Department filed a Statement of Interest in support of a church in Mississippi that allegedly sought to hold parking lot worship services, in which congregants listened to their pastor preach over their car radios, while sitting in their cars in the church parking lot with their windows rolled up,” Barr said in the Tuesday statement, according to Fox.
“The City of Greenville fined congregants $500 per person for attending these parking lot services – while permitting citizens to attend nearby drive-in restaurants, even with their windows open.”
“The City appears to have thereby singled churches out as the only essential service (as designated by the state of Mississippi) that may not operate despite following all CDC and state recommendations regarding social distancing,” Barr added.
And that’s one of the key issues in these cases — even though the free exercise of religion and the freedom of assembly are protected under the First Amendment, churches actually receive stricter scrutiny than other “essential” establishments.
Do governments disregard the First Amendment when it comes to churches? 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% (981 Votes) No: 2% (20 Votes)
In Greenville, for instance, Mayor Errick Simmons said the city government would ban drive-in services until Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ shelter-in-place order was lifted.
“Churches are strongly encouraged to hold services via Facebook Live, Zoom, Free Conference Call, and any and all other social media, streaming and telephonic platforms,” the mayor’s office stated in an April 7 news release.
However, the governor’s order didn’t say anything about drive-in churches — and, in fact, Reeves thanked the Trump administration for entering the fray on the side of Temple Baptist Church.
“Thank you to the Trump administration and Attorney General Bill Barr for this strong stand in support of religious liberty,” Reeves wrote in a Twitter post Tuesday. “The government cannot shut down churches. Mississippi is not China. This is still America. We will help support this any way we can.”
Thank you to the Trump administration and Attorney General Bill Barr for this strong stand in support of religious liberty. The government cannot shut down churches. Mississippi is not China. This is still America. We will help support this any way we can. https://t.co/a2cc5s3oXe — Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 14, 2020
On Monday, according to The Associated Press, Simmons announced the fines would be waived, but the church’s lawsuit is continuing.
Given that Mississippi isn’t necessarily known for suffocating the religious freedom of Christians, it’ll probably not shock you when I tell you things are worse in other states.
In New Jersey, for instance, churches are closed but print shops are open. New Jersey is also one of many states that have closed places of worship but have kept liquor stores open. While there’s a purely utilitarian reason for this — you don’t want to deal with an influx of detoxing alcoholics experiencing delirium tremens in the intensive care unit just as you need those beds for coronavirus patients — there’s no right to booze baked into the U.S. Constitution.
While there might be issues with a church that doesn’t offer social distancing and continues to meet indoors, there’s a huge difference in a church where people are in their freaking cars.
“Even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” Barr’s statement read.
“Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans. This is true more so than ever during this difficult time. The pandemic has changed the ways Americans live their lives,” it continued.
“Religious communities have rallied to the critical need to protect the community from the spread of this disease by making services available online and in ways that otherwise comply with social distancing guidelines.”
The drive-in restaurants in Greenville, which were apparently allowed to operate as drive-in establishments with patrons having their windows at various levels of ajar-ness (ajar-itude?), is key to the case.
The church’s complaints “strongly suggest that there are no such differences [with restaurants] and that the city should allow the church to hold its drive-in services,” the DOJ’s statement of interest declares.
“Under strict scrutiny, the city has the burden to demonstrate that prohibiting the small church here from holding the drive-in services at issue here — services where attendees are required to remain in their cars in the church parking lot at all times with their windows rolled up and spaced consistent with CDC guidelines — is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling interest,” it states. “As of now, it seems unlikely that the city will be able to carry that burden.”
“If proven, these facts establish a free exercise violation unless the city demonstrates that its actions are neutral and apply generally to nonreligious and religious institutions or satisfies the demanding strict scrutiny standard.”
In his statement on Tuesday, Barr reiterated that message.
“Even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers,” he said, according to Fox.
“Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans. This is true more so than ever during this difficult time. The pandemic has changed the ways Americans live their lives,” he added. “Religious communities have rallied to the critical need to protect the community from the spread of this disease by making services available online and in ways that otherwise comply with social distancing guidelines.”
The case of in-person church services in other contexts is still a thorny issue; while potentially protected under the Constitution, someone’s attendance at one of these service, absent significant social distancing, evinces a certain level of daftness. That said, the courts can sort out the brambles there. It’s hard to see thorns with people staying in their cars at a church service unless you’re determined to find thorns.
Also, a similar case has already been ruled on by a federal judge, who struck down a similar ordinance. After Louisville, Kentucky, police pulled a similar stunt with a drive-in service at On Fire Christian Church after an order from the mayor, according to Fox, U.S. District Judge Justin Walker ruled that the city was enjoined from “enforcing; attempting to enforce; threatening to enforce; or otherwise requiring compliance with any prohibition on drive-in church services at On Fire.”
It’s difficult not to expect a similar win for Temple Baptist Church. It’s not just recondite legal reasoning here, but common sense. The coronavirus can pass easily, but not from one car with closed windows to another car with closed windows.
If any other city, county or state sees fit to try this kind of crackdown on Christian churches, Barr’s DOJ shouldn’t hesitate to file of a statement of interest.
These bans on drive-in church services do nothing to stop the spread of the disease. But they should serve as a canary in the coal mine to Americans concerned with their First Amendment freedoms.
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.