westernjournal--2020-01-24--‘World’s Worst Cat’ Up for Adoption: ‘We Thought She Was Sick, Turns Out She’s Just a Jerk’

A black-and-white rescue cat named Perdita , playfully dubbed the “ world ’ s worst cat , ” is waiting for the right “ socially awkward human ” to adopt her .
Perdita and her foul demeanor have gone viral after Amber Lowery , executive director of Mitchell Animal Rescue in North Carolina , introduced the prospective pet in a blunt and humorous post on Facebook .
“ Meet Perdita , not for the faint of heart , ” the post began .
The cat was pictured underneath in a photo that read , “ Pertida , we thought she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just a jerk .
World ’ s Worst Cat.
” Staff admitted that Perdita does enjoy several things , such as : “ staring into your soul until you feel as if you may never be cheerful again ; the song Cat Scratch Fever , the movie Pet Cemetery ( Church is her hero ) , jump scares ( her specialty ) , lurking in dark corners , being queen of her domicile , fooling shelter staff into thinking she ’ s sick ( vet agrees … she ’ s just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Father Confronts Stunned Elizabeth Warren over Student Loan Plan - 'Am I Going To Get My Money Back ? '
The sour-tempered feline also has some strong opinions on what she dislikes , including : “ the color pink , kittens ( yuk they are so chipper ) , dogs , children , the Dixie Chicks , Disney movies , Christmas and last but NOT least … HUGS.
” Perdita ’ s soulmate is likely out there somewhere , and the right candidate , who will go through the rescue ’ s screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for free .
“ She ’ s single and ready to be socially awkward with a socially awkward human who understands personal space , ” the post concluded .
The playful and straightforward post has been a smashing success with viewers , bringing in adoption applications from as far as Russia , Lowery told WYFF .
Lowery , who has been with the shelter for 13 years , said that Perdita was found home alone on Christmas Eve after her owner died .
“ She ’ s definitely earned the right to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cat was “ fat and healthy ” when she was found , leading Lowery to believe that someone , perhaps the neighbors , had been feeding her .
While she has been overwhelmed with the inadvertent fame that Perdita has brought to the shelter , Lowery said the exposure has been “ wonderful.
” RELATED : Cat Euthanized by Mistake During Routine Visit to Vet for Check-Up Grouchy Perdita has raised almost $ 800 for the shelter , which can be used to care for other rescue animals in need .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their flaws , ” Lowery said of the clever post .
“ Adopters need to know up front that this is what you ’ re going to get with this cat or dog.
” Even though Perdita is listed as a free adoption , the shelter staff is committed to making sure the adoption will be suitable for both parties .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A black-and-white rescue cat named Perdita, playfully dubbed the “world’s worst cat,” is waiting for the right “socially awkward human” to adopt her.
Perdita and her foul demeanor have gone viral after Amber Lowery, executive director of Mitchell Animal Rescue in North Carolina, introduced the prospective pet in a blunt and humorous post on Facebook.
“Meet Perdita, not for the faint of heart,” the post began. The cat was pictured underneath in a photo that read, “Pertida, we thought she was sick, turns out she’s just a jerk. World’s Worst Cat.”
Staff admitted that Perdita does enjoy several things, such as:
“staring into your soul until you feel as if you may never be cheerful again; the song Cat Scratch Fever, the movie Pet Cemetery (Church is her hero), jump scares (her specialty), lurking in dark corners, being queen of her domicile, fooling shelter staff into thinking she’s sick (vet agrees … she’s just a jerk).”
The sour-tempered feline also has some strong opinions on what she dislikes, including: “the color pink, kittens (yuk they are so chipper), dogs, children, the Dixie Chicks, Disney movies, Christmas and last but NOT least … HUGS.”
Perdita’s soulmate is likely out there somewhere, and the right candidate, who will go through the rescue’s screening process, can snatch this lovebug up for free.
“She’s single and ready to be socially awkward with a socially awkward human who understands personal space,” the post concluded.
The playful and straightforward post has been a smashing success with viewers, bringing in adoption applications from as far as Russia, Lowery told WYFF.
Lowery, who has been with the shelter for 13 years, said that Perdita was found home alone on Christmas Eve after her owner died.
“She’s definitely earned the right to be a jerk,” Lowery said.
The cat was “fat and healthy” when she was found, leading Lowery to believe that someone, perhaps the neighbors, had been feeding her.
While she has been overwhelmed with the inadvertent fame that Perdita has brought to the shelter, Lowery said the exposure has been “wonderful.”
Grouchy Perdita has raised almost $800 for the shelter, which can be used to care for other rescue animals in need.
Would you adopt an ill-tempered cat? Yes No
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“We like to be brutally honest about their flaws,” Lowery said of the clever post.
“Adopters need to know up front that this is what you’re going to get with this cat or dog.”
Even though Perdita is listed as a free adoption, the shelter staff is committed to making sure the adoption will be suitable for both parties.
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--DOJ Concludes FBI Surveillance of Trump Campaign Adviser Lacked Evidence Require by Law

A recently declassified document reveals the Justice Department has admitted two warrants approving surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser were not valid .
The disclosure was made by James Boasberg , the top judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court , in a recently declassified FISC order .
“ [ T ] he Court has received notice of material misstatements and omissions in the applications filed by the government in the above-captioned dockets , ” the order from Boasberg read , listing four warrants that allowed surveillance on Carter Page in 2016 and 2017 .
The surveillance on Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s efforts to find collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia .
The FBI investigation was the first step of the multiple probes that eventually morphed into the investigation of former special counsel Robert Mueller .
TRENDING : Angry Father Confronts Stunned Elizabeth Warren over Student Loan Plan - 'Am I Going To Get My Money Back ? '
The order said the “ DOJ assesses that with respect to the applications in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679 , ‘ if not earlier , there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting as an agent of a foreign power . '
” The numbers are for the final two in the series of four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applications for warrants .
Both warrants were obtained in 2017 .
“ The Court understands the government to have concluded , in view of the material misstatements and omissions , that the Court ’ s authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17- 679 were not valid , ” the order read .
“ The government apparently does not take a position on the validity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but intends to sequester information acquired pursuant to those dockets in the same manner as information acquired pursuant to the subsequent dockets.
” The order requires that the Justice Department tell the court how it plans to handle information collected from and about Page .
Last month , the Justice Department ’ s Office of Inspector General criticized the FBI ’ s investigation into the Trump campaign .
Although Inspector General Michael Horowitz said the FBI was not wrong to open its investigation , he criticized the bureau for not adhering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : FBI Tells Family of Kristin Smart , Missing for 23 Years , To 'Be Ready ' for News - Report Attorney General William Barr has said he disagrees with the Horowitz report , because he does not believe there were grounds for opening the investigation .
John Durham , a U.S. Attorney based in Connecticut , is also investigating the opening of the FBI probe .
Meanwhile , House Oversight Committee Republicans are taking the FISC to task over its handling of the FBI ’ s surveillance of Page .
Reps. Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina have written to Boasberg demanding to be told whether the court “ bears any responsibility for the FBI ’ s illegal surveillance of Carter Page.
” The letter also demands to know what “ disciplinary action ” the FISC will take against attorneys who deceived the court , and also when the court first learned of deficiencies in the Page applications .
Jordan and Meadows want to know if the court has “ conducted any internal review to examine the accuracy or validity of information contained in the FBI ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the GOP lawmakers seek to have the FISC tell them “ what specific steps the FISC will take to better protect the civil liberties of American citizens who are not represented in ex parte proceedings for electronic surveillance.
” The phrase “ ex parte ” refers to legal proceedings where one party is not present .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A recently declassified document reveals the Justice Department has admitted two warrants approving surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser were not valid.
The disclosure was made by James Boasberg, the top judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, in a recently declassified FISC order.
“[T]he Court has received notice of material misstatements and omissions in the applications filed by the government in the above-captioned dockets,” the order from Boasberg read, listing four warrants that allowed surveillance on Carter Page in 2016 and 2017.
The surveillance on Page came as part of the FBI’s efforts to find collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The FBI investigation was the first step of the multiple probes that eventually morphed into the investigation of former special counsel Robert Mueller.
The order said the “DOJ assesses that with respect to the applications in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679, ‘if not earlier, there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that [Carter] Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power.'”
The numbers are for the final two in the series of four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act applications for warrants. Both warrants were obtained in 2017.
“The Court understands the government to have concluded, in view of the material misstatements and omissions, that the Court’s authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17- 679 were not valid,” the order read.
Does this prove the FBI was pursuing a witch hunt against the Trump campaign? 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% (3869 Votes) No: 0% (18 Votes)
“The government apparently does not take a position on the validity of the authorizations in Docket Numbers 16-1182 and 17-52, but intends to sequester information acquired pursuant to those dockets in the same manner as information acquired pursuant to the subsequent dockets.”
The order requires that the Justice Department tell the court how it plans to handle information collected from and about Page.
In a blockbuster ruling, the FISA court declared that least two of the four Carter Page spy warrants were illegal, meaning ANY evidence collected from that surveillance is now invalid. This could have huge implications for every case brought by Mueller. https://t.co/XIIVBKf7XI — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) January 23, 2020
Last month, the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General criticized the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.
Although Inspector General Michael Horowitz said the FBI was not wrong to open its investigation, he criticized the bureau for not adhering to proper protocol in multiple instances.
Attorney General William Barr has said he disagrees with the Horowitz report, because he does not believe there were grounds for opening the investigation.
John Durham, a U.S. Attorney based in Connecticut, is also investigating the opening of the FBI probe.
Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Republicans are taking the FISC to task over its handling of the FBI’s surveillance of Page.
Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Mark Meadows of North Carolina have written to Boasberg demanding to be told whether the court “bears any responsibility for the FBI’s illegal surveillance of Carter Page.”
The letter also demands to know what “disciplinary action” the FISC will take against attorneys who deceived the court, and also when the court first learned of deficiencies in the Page applications.
Jordan and Meadows want to know if the court has “conducted any internal review to examine the accuracy or validity of information contained in the FBI’s surveillance applications for Carter Page.”
Further, the GOP lawmakers seek to have the FISC tell them “what specific steps the FISC will take to better protect the civil liberties of American citizens who are not represented in ex parte proceedings for electronic surveillance.”
The phrase “ex parte” refers to legal proceedings where one party is not present.
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--Rudy Giuliani Threatens To Go Public with Evidence of Biden ‘Corruption’ in Ukraine

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is launching what he says is an effort to prove there was corruption in former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
Giuliani , who is now an attorney for President Donald Trump , announced his plans Thursday .
“ Everything I tried to tell the press last March is now coming out , and more , ” he tweeted .
“ I will now start to reveal the evidence directly to you , the People .
“ The Biden Family Enterprise made millions by selling public office .
Then when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they ALL made millions.
” He followed up the tweet with an interview on Fox News ’ “ Fox & Friends.
” As vice president , Biden , currently the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary race , intervened in Ukraine to urge the dismissal of a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that was paying a large sum to his son .
TRENDING : Trump Rolls Back 'One of the Most Ridiculous Regulations of All ' from Obama Era Trump has insisted that Biden acted to protect his son and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said that he acted in partnership with U.S. allies to get rid of a prosecutor who himself was corrupt .
“ I never went to look for dirt on Joe Biden , ” Giuliani said on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ It was handed to me .
It was handed to me almost a year and a half ago .
It involved Ukrainian corruption.
” Giuliani said his sources told him that within Ukraine , efforts were underway to help steer the 2016 election in favor of Democrat Hillary Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine were in on the scheme .
“ The embassy was involved in gathering dirt on Trump , on Trump Jr. , and Manafort , ” he said , referring to Donald Trump Jr. , the president ’ s son , and Paul Manafort , Trump ’ s former campaign manager , who had dealings with Ukraine long before he joined the Trump campaign and has been convicted of fraud in connection with those activities .
“ I ’ m going to present , over the next two to three weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both governments , ” he said , denigrating allegations against Trump being made in his Senate impeachment trial as “ phony stories.
” RELATED : Trump Fires Back at Hillary Clinton Over Bernie Sanders Comments : 'Nobody Likes Her' “ I started investigating Biden two years ago , ” when there was at best a vague expectation of a Biden 2020 candidacy , Giuliani said .
“ It looked to me like he couldn ’ t cross the street , much less run.
” During the interview , Giuliani said he can prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the head of Burisma Holdings — the energy company that hired Hunter Biden — “ was buying Joe Biden to protect his company.
” Giuliani traced what he said was a timeline that showed the extent of Ukrainian efforts to investigate Burisma — efforts that he said were cut short when the prosecutor was dismissed .
During the segment , the show ’ s hosts asked Giuliani about his methods in uncovering the evidence Giuliani said he has amassed .
“ They way I approached it has benefitted the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vice president of the United States corrupts the president of another country , that is about as horrendous a crime as you can find , ” Giuliani said .
During the interview , Giuliani said Ukrainian sources that have shared information with him were in fear that the normal channels of reporting about corruption were controlled by officials loyal to Clinton and that he had no choice but to freelance his own investigation .
“ Am I going to cover it up the way the Democrats and the media cover it up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many corruption cases to sit by and watch my country sold out by a vice president , ” he said .
Giuliani said that next week , through a podcast , he will start presenting witnesses he has on tape .
He has said he wants to see a full investigation and trial .
“ I would love to see a trial .
I ’ d love to be a witness — because I ’ m a potential witness in the trial — and explain to everyone the corruption that I found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve ever seen before , involving Joe Biden and a lot of other Democrats , ” he said Sunday , according to the New York Post .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is launching what he says is an effort to prove there was corruption in former Vice President Joe Biden’s dealings with Ukraine.
Giuliani, who is now an attorney for President Donald Trump, announced his plans Thursday.
“Everything I tried to tell the press last March is now coming out, and more,” he tweeted. “I will now start to reveal the evidence directly to you, the People.
“The Biden Family Enterprise made millions by selling public office. Then when Joe was Obama’s Point Man, they ALL made millions.”
Everything I tried to tell the press last March is now coming out, and more. I will now start to reveal the evidence directly to you, the People. The Biden Family Enterprise made millions by selling public office. Then when Joe was Obama’s Point Man, they ALL made millions. — Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) January 23, 2020
He followed up the tweet with an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
As vice president, Biden, currently the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary race, intervened in Ukraine to urge the dismissal of a prosecutor who was investigating an energy company that was paying a large sum to his son.
Trump has insisted that Biden acted to protect his son and that was evidence of corruption. Biden has said that he acted in partnership with U.S. allies to get rid of a prosecutor who himself was corrupt.
“I never went to look for dirt on Joe Biden,” Giuliani said on “Fox & Friends.” “It was handed to me. It was handed to me almost a year and a half ago. It involved Ukrainian corruption.”
Giuliani said his sources told him that within Ukraine, efforts were underway to help steer the 2016 election in favor of Democrat Hillary Clinton.
He said officials within the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine were in on the scheme.
“The embassy was involved in gathering dirt on Trump, on Trump Jr., and Manafort,” he said, referring to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, and Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, who had dealings with Ukraine long before he joined the Trump campaign and has been convicted of fraud in connection with those activities.
“I’m going to present, over the next two to three weeks, shocking crimes at the highest levels of both governments,” he said, denigrating allegations against Trump being made in his Senate impeachment trial as “phony stories.”
“I started investigating Biden two years ago,” when there was at best a vague expectation of a Biden 2020 candidacy, Giuliani said. “It looked to me like he couldn’t cross the street, much less run.”
During the interview, Giuliani said he can prove there was a “Biden bribe” and that the head of Burisma Holdings — the energy company that hired Hunter Biden — “was buying Joe Biden to protect his company.”
Do you believe Joe Biden crossed the line in dealing with Ukraine? 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% (4977 Votes) No: 1% (73 Votes)
Giuliani traced what he said was a timeline that showed the extent of Ukrainian efforts to investigate Burisma — efforts that he said were cut short when the prosecutor was dismissed.
During the segment, the show’s hosts asked Giuliani about his methods in uncovering the evidence Giuliani said he has amassed.
“They way I approached it has benefitted the American people,” he said.
“When the vice president of the United States corrupts the president of another country, that is about as horrendous a crime as you can find,” Giuliani said.
During the interview, Giuliani said Ukrainian sources that have shared information with him were in fear that the normal channels of reporting about corruption were controlled by officials loyal to Clinton and that he had no choice but to freelance his own investigation.
“Am I going to cover it up the way the Democrats and the media cover it up? Absolutely not. I prosecuted too many corruption cases to sit by and watch my country sold out by a vice president,” he said.
Giuliani said that next week, through a podcast, he will start presenting witnesses he has on tape.
He has said he wants to see a full investigation and trial.
“I would love to see a trial. I’d love to be a witness — because I’m a potential witness in the trial — and explain to everyone the corruption that I found in Ukraine, that far out-surpasses any that I’ve ever seen before, involving Joe Biden and a lot of other Democrats,” he said Sunday, according to the New York Post.
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--Trump Admin Announces New Restrictions on Pregnant Foreigners To Prevent ‘Birth Tourism’

The Trump administration has issued a new rule that would allow the State Department to reject visa applications from women who it believes want to travel to the U.S. strictly for the purpose of having a child born on American soil .
The rule to crack down on what is called “ birth tourism ” took effect Friday .
Last year , officials announced charged 20 people in connection with various schemes that coached Chinese women on how to come to America and have children who would then become citizens by virtue of being born in the U.S. Officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You Win USA , ” each mother was charged between $ 40,000 and $ 80,000 .
The scheme brought more than 500 pregnant women to the U.S. , according to a Justice Department news release .
TRENDING : Trump Rolls Back 'One of the Most Ridiculous Regulations of All ' from Obama Era “ America ’ s way of life is not for sale , ” Joseph Macias , special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles , said at the time .
“ This rule change is necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the integrity of our immigration system , ” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement Thursday .
“ The birth tourism industry threatens to overburden valuable hospital resources and is rife with criminal activity , as reflected in Federal prosecutions .
Closing this glaring immigration loophole will combat these endemic abuses and ultimately protect the United States from the national security risks created by this practice.
” “ Permitting short-term visitors with no demonstrable ties to the United States to obtain visas to travel to the United States primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates a potential long-term vulnerability for national security , ” the new State Department rule says .
“ Foreign governments or entities , including entities of concern to the United States , may seek to benefit from birth tourism for purposes that would threaten the security of the United States .
This rule would help close a potential vulnerability to national security that would be posed by any foreign government or entity that sought to exploit birth tourism to enhance access to the United States , ” the rule adds .
The rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States , nor does it ban pregnant women from getting visas .
However , it does require pregnant women seeking tourist visas to prove to officials that “ birth tourism ” is not their intent .
“ This rule establishes that travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States is an impermissible basis for the issuance of a B nonimmigrant visa , ” the rule says .
The policy was criticized by immigration activists : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials with Jail Time if They Do n't Comply with Subpoenas “ Trump continues to find new ways to try to divide and attack families , ” Adrian Reyna , the strategy director of the nonprofit immigration activist group United We Dream , said in a statement , according to CNBC .
“ Discriminating against pregnant individuals by blocking them from coming to visit the country does nothing but keep people from their loved ones , ” Reyna said .
“ This rule is based on Trump ’ s racist fixation on ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people into this country.
” The rule says there is “ a stark difference between aliens using a temporary visitor visa for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children and the extensive requirements applicants must meet to naturalize to become U.S citizens .
“ “ This regulatory change reflects changes to U.S. foreign policy , specifically in the context of U.S. visas , that significantly narrow the ability of foreign nationals residing abroad to easily obtain U.S. citizenship for their children without complying with any of the rigorous requirements for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department says in the rule .
“ By obtaining a child ’ s U.S. citizenship through birth tourism , foreign nationals are able to help that child avoid the scrutiny , standards , and procedures that he or she would normally undergo if he or she sought to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization , ” the rule says .
The State Department says a “ birth tourism ” industry has grown that seeks to profit by exploiting loopholes in the immigration system .
“ An entire ‘ birth tourism ’ industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries to come to the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States , and thereby entitle their children to the benefits of U.S. citizenship , ” the rule says .
“ Birth tourism companies advertise their businesses abroad by promoting the citizenship-related benefits of giving birth in the United States , ” it adds .
“ Companies tout a broad range of benefits for the U.S. citizen child and eventually its family , including , but not limited to , access to free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ability to compete for jobs in the U.S. government , and the ability for the whole family to eventually immigrate to the United States.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Trump administration has issued a new rule that would allow the State Department to reject visa applications from women who it believes want to travel to the U.S. strictly for the purpose of having a child born on American soil.
The rule to crack down on what is called “birth tourism” took effect Friday.
Last year, officials announced charged 20 people in connection with various schemes that coached Chinese women on how to come to America and have children who would then become citizens by virtue of being born in the U.S.
Officials said in one such scheme, known as “You Win USA,” each mother was charged between $40,000 and $80,000.
The scheme brought more than 500 pregnant women to the U.S., according to a Justice Department news release.
“America’s way of life is not for sale,” Joseph Macias, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles, said at the time.
“This rule change is necessary to enhance public safety, national security, and the integrity of our immigration system,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement Thursday. “The birth tourism industry threatens to overburden valuable hospital resources and is rife with criminal activity, as reflected in Federal prosecutions. Closing this glaring immigration loophole will combat these endemic abuses and ultimately protect the United States from the national security risks created by this practice.”
“Permitting short-term visitors with no demonstrable ties to the United States to obtain visas to travel to the United States primarily to obtain U.S. citizenship for a child creates a potential long-term vulnerability for national security,” the new State Department rule says.
“Foreign governments or entities, including entities of concern to the United States, may seek to benefit from birth tourism for purposes that would threaten the security of the United States. This rule would help close a potential vulnerability to national security that would be posed by any foreign government or entity that sought to exploit birth tourism to enhance access to the United States,” the rule adds.
Does this rule close a dangerous immigration loophole? 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: 96% (354 Votes) No: 4% (14 Votes)
The rule does not ban pregnant women from traveling to the United States, nor does it ban pregnant women from getting visas. However, it does require pregnant women seeking tourist visas to prove to officials that “birth tourism” is not their intent.
“This rule establishes that travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States is an impermissible basis for the issuance of a B nonimmigrant visa,” the rule says.
The policy was criticized by immigration activists:
Pregnant women. This administration is now targeting pregnant. women. When you single out the most vulnerable, the cruelty is the point. #AbolishICE #BreakUpCBP https://t.co/urb9WdOexV — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 23, 2020
“Trump continues to find new ways to try to divide and attack families,” Adrian Reyna, the strategy director of the nonprofit immigration activist group United We Dream, said in a statement, according to CNBC.
“Discriminating against pregnant individuals by blocking them from coming to visit the country does nothing but keep people from their loved ones,” Reyna said. “This rule is based on Trump’s racist fixation on ending birthright citizenship and essentially stopping the movement of people into this country.”
The rule says there is “a stark difference between aliens using a temporary visitor visa for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children and the extensive requirements applicants must meet to naturalize to become U.S citizens. “
“This regulatory change reflects changes to U.S. foreign policy, specifically in the context of U.S. visas, that significantly narrow the ability of foreign nationals residing abroad to easily obtain U.S. citizenship for their children without complying with any of the rigorous requirements for permanent residence or naturalization,” the State Department says in the rule.
“By obtaining a child’s U.S. citizenship through birth tourism, foreign nationals are able to help that child avoid the scrutiny, standards, and procedures that he or she would normally undergo if he or she sought to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization,” the rule says.
The State Department says a “birth tourism” industry has grown that seeks to profit by exploiting loopholes in the immigration system.
“An entire ‘birth tourism’ industry has evolved to assist pregnant women from other countries to come to the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States, and thereby entitle their children to the benefits of U.S. citizenship,” the rule says.
“Birth tourism companies advertise their businesses abroad by promoting the citizenship-related benefits of giving birth in the United States,” it adds. “Companies tout a broad range of benefits for the U.S. citizen child and eventually its family, including, but not limited to, access to free education, less pollution, retirement benefits, the ability to compete for jobs in the U.S. government, and the ability for the whole family to eventually immigrate to the United States.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--Antonio Brown Jailed on Multiple Felony Charges After Surrendering to Police

NFL free agent Antonio Brown turned himself in at a Florida jail on Thursday night following accusations that he and his trainer attacked the driver of a moving truck that carried some of his possessions from California .
The wide receiver , wearing a turquoise suit buttoned over a green athletic jacket , walked out of the jail a few minutes after arriving , but then returned after conferring with his lawyer , who indicated that he would spend the night behind bars .
“ He ’ s innocent of these charges .
Hopefully we ’ ll get bond tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all charges , ” attorney Eric Schwartzreich told WFOR-TV .
He is expected to appear before a judge in a bond court hearing on Friday .
TRENDING : Angry Father Confronts Stunned Elizabeth Warren over Student Loan Plan - 'Am I Going To Get My Money Back ? '
A Hollywood police statement said Brown ’ s arrest warrant included charges of burglary with battery , burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief .
Officials responded Tuesday afternoon to a disturbance call where the alleged victim said Brown and his trainer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hollywood home .
Holt was arrested and charged with one count of burglary with battery , but officials couldn ’ t make contact with Brown at the time .
The Miami Herald reported , citing an officer ’ s arrest report , that it began as an argument over Brown ’ s refusal to pay $ 4,000 to the driver to release his household goods .
The driver called police and reported a vandalism after he said Brown threw a rock as he drove away , causing a small dent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver later returned when the manager of his company told him that Brown would now pay the $ 4,000 , and an additional $ 860 for the damage and the driver ’ s time .
Brown then paid the $ 4,000 , but refused to pay the rest , so the driver returned to the van to call his company , and that ’ s when Brown “ started another verbal argument , ” police said .
“ Brown stepped up into the cabin of the vehicle and started to physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” while Holt “ entered the vehicle and grabbed the keys from the ignition , ” police said .
The driver tried to get the keys back and cut his hand in the process , according to the report .
Police say the driver suffered injuries including scratches on his neck , shoulder and arm , a cut on his finger and a scrape on his stomach .
Holt then used the keys to open the truck , while Brown “ and other unidentified friends ” began removing boxes .
The boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
When the driver told them so , Brown and the others “ started tossing the items back into the truck causing damage to some of the property , ” an officer wrote .
Hollywood police were called again , and when officers arrived , Brown “ retreated inside of his residence and shut the door.
” Brown , who is a free agent , played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers .
He was traded to the Oakland Raiders last year but released before ever playing a regular season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was then signed by the New England Patriots , who released Brown in September after a second woman in 10 days accused him of sexual misconduct .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

NFL free agent Antonio Brown turned himself in at a Florida jail on Thursday night following accusations that he and his trainer attacked the driver of a moving truck that carried some of his possessions from California.
Brown, 31, arrived at Broward County Jail around 10 p.m.
The wide receiver, wearing a turquoise suit buttoned over a green athletic jacket, walked out of the jail a few minutes after arriving, but then returned after conferring with his lawyer, who indicated that he would spend the night behind bars.
“He’s innocent of these charges. Hopefully we’ll get bond tomorrow and he’ll be acquitted of all charges,” attorney Eric Schwartzreich told WFOR-TV.
He is expected to appear before a judge in a bond court hearing on Friday.
A Hollywood police statement said Brown’s arrest warrant included charges of burglary with battery, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief.
Officials responded Tuesday afternoon to a disturbance call where the alleged victim said Brown and his trainer, Glenn Holt, hit him outside Brown’s Hollywood home.
Holt was arrested and charged with one count of burglary with battery, but officials couldn’t make contact with Brown at the time.
The Miami Herald reported, citing an officer’s arrest report, that it began as an argument over Brown’s refusal to pay $4,000 to the driver to release his household goods.
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The driver called police and reported a vandalism after he said Brown threw a rock as he drove away, causing a small dent and chipping the paint, an officer wrote.
The driver later returned when the manager of his company told him that Brown would now pay the $4,000, and an additional $860 for the damage and the driver’s time.
Brown then paid the $4,000, but refused to pay the rest, so the driver returned to the van to call his company, and that’s when Brown “started another verbal argument,” police said.
“Brown stepped up into the cabin of the vehicle and started to physically grab and pull [the driver],” while Holt “entered the vehicle and grabbed the keys from the ignition,” police said.
The driver tried to get the keys back and cut his hand in the process, according to the report.
Police say the driver suffered injuries including scratches on his neck, shoulder and arm, a cut on his finger and a scrape on his stomach.
Holt then used the keys to open the truck, while Brown “and other unidentified friends” began removing boxes.
The boxes, however, belonged to another client, police said. When the driver told them so, Brown and the others “started tossing the items back into the truck causing damage to some of the property,” an officer wrote.
Hollywood police were called again, and when officers arrived, Brown “retreated inside of his residence and shut the door.”
Brown, who is a free agent, played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He was traded to the Oakland Raiders last year but released before ever playing a regular season game following several off-the-field incidents.
He was then signed by the New England Patriots, who released Brown in September after a second woman in 10 days accused him of sexual misconduct.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--Serena Williams Suffers Shock Loss in First Grand Slam of the Year

Perhaps Serena Williams , now 38 , will win a 24th Grand Slam title someday .
And maybe Coco Gauff , still just 15 , never will earn her first major championship .
It sure felt , though , as if a generational shift was being signaled Friday at the Australian Open , with a pair of monumentally significant third-round results hours apart in the same stadium : a surprising first-week loss by Williams , then a historic victory by Gauff .
TRENDING : Angry Father Confronts Stunned Elizabeth Warren over Student Loan Plan - 'Am I Going To Get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams faltered down the stretch for her earliest exit at Melbourne Park in 14 years , a 6-4 , 6-7 ( 2 ) , 7-5 loss to 27th-seeded Wang Qiang of China .
It pushed Williams ’ gap between Slam trophies to three years .
“ I ’ m way too old to play like this at this stage of my career , ” Williams said .
“ Definitely going to be training tomorrow , that ’ s first and foremost — to make sure I don ’ t do this again.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Saturday , but hers was to prepare for a fourth-round match .
That ’ s because the 67th-ranked Gauff took the latest step in her quick progression , becoming the youngest player in the professional era to eliminate the defending women ’ s champion at the Australian Open , beating former No .
1 Naomi Osaka 6-3 , 6-4 .
Only once the last point had been played did the preternaturally poised Gauff turn into a rather typical teen , joking about wanting to take “ a selfie for Instagram ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after whom the tournament ’ s main stadium is named .
“ Honestly , like , what is my life ?
Like , oh , my gosh !
” Gauff told the crowd .
“ Two years ago , I lost first round in juniors and now I ’ m here .
This is crazy.
” It certainly is remarkable .
With a booming serve , a top-flight backhand and a winner ’ s mentality , Gauff reversed the result from the first time she was across the net from Osaka , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two major titles at the age of 22 .
When they played each other at the U.S. Open last September , Osaka won in two quick sets and then consoled Gauff , encouraging her to speak to the spectators who were pulling for her .
RELATED : Tennis Player Fined $ 10,000 for Briefly Making a Gun Gesture at the US Open One reminder of just how young Gauff is : Most of the entrants in this year ’ s junior Australian Open are older than she is .
Another : She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been given permission to turn in homework late , “ considering the circumstances.
” Yet another : She doesn ’ t have an official driver ’ s license quite yet , stuck practicing behind the wheel with a learner ’ s permit .
But put a tennis racket in her hands and move out of the way : Gauff is now 8-2 in her nascent Grand Slam career , with three of those wins coming against women who have multiple major titles .
Her next match is against No .
14 Sofia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhang Shuai of China 7-5 , 7-6 ( 7 ) .
Williams vs. Wang also was a rematch from Flushing Meadows last season — and the reverse result also happened for them .
At the U.S. Open , Williams won 6-0 , 6-1 in 44 minutes .
Wang credited that with prompting her to spend more time in the gym so she could add more oomph to her shots .
“ I always believed I could do this one day , ” Wang said with a laugh .
“ I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gauff was much better Friday than in New York .
Gauff ’ s improvement revealed itself in her serving — she put 15 of her initial 16 first serves in play — and her steadiness .
Gauff declared herself more calm for this matchup .
So did letting Osaka make the mistakes , 30 unforced errors in all , compared to 17 for Gauff .
With that , Gauff became the youngest player to beat a top-five opponent in a women ’ s tour-level match since Jennifer Capriati did it at 15 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to lose to a 15-year-old , you know ?
” Osaka said .
So , Naomi , could you have done something differently ?
“ Put the ball in the court , ” was her reply .
Williams had similar issues , and even though she went from a massive deficit to even as can be , she could not do what was required in the late going .
Down to what sure felt like her last chance , Williams came through with a cross-court forehand winner to close a 24-stroke point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that celebratory pose and looked over toward her guest box .
Finally , on her sixth try , after 1½ hours of action , she had managed to convert a break point against Wang .
Soon enough , they were headed to a third set and it appeared that the comeback was on .
It turned out that Williams only was delaying a surprising defeat .
So tough at the toughest moments for so many years , Williams was the one who came undone , often displaying what she later called “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since grabbing major championship No .
23 at the 2017 Australian Open , while she was pregnant , Williams hasn ’ t added to her total .
She appeared in four major finals over the past two seasons , losing each one .
Williams owns seven trophies from the Australian Open and hadn ’ t lost as early as the third round at either of the hard-court Grand Slam tournaments — in Melbourne or at the U.S. Open — since all the way back in 2006 .
This was the first Grand Slam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top 10 seeded women reaching the third round .
Who would have suspected Williams would be the first to lose , followed soon thereafter by No .
3 Osaka ?
Williams was only seeded No .
8 , on account of how infrequently she has competed since being away from the tour while having a baby in September 2017 .
She started 2020 well enough , winning a hard-court tuneup title in Auckland , New Zealand , this month for her first trophy of any sort in three years — and first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t able to carry that success to the Grand Slam level , where it matters the most to her .
She began her news conference by crediting Wang but eventually shifted to criticizing herself for not playing well enough to win .
“ I didn ’ t return like Serena , ” Williams said .
“ Honestly , if we were just honest with ourselves , I lost that match .
“ I can ’ t play like that .
I literally can ’ t do that again .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Perhaps Serena Williams, now 38, will win a 24th Grand Slam title someday.
And maybe Coco Gauff, still just 15, never will earn her first major championship.
It sure felt, though, as if a generational shift was being signaled Friday at the Australian Open, with a pair of monumentally significant third-round results hours apart in the same stadium: a surprising first-week loss by Williams, then a historic victory by Gauff.
First, Williams faltered down the stretch for her earliest exit at Melbourne Park in 14 years, a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 loss to 27th-seeded Wang Qiang of China. It pushed Williams’ gap between Slam trophies to three years.
“I’m way too old to play like this at this stage of my career,” Williams said. “Definitely going to be training tomorrow, that’s first and foremost — to make sure I don’t do this again.”
Gauff also was planning a practice session for Saturday, but hers was to prepare for a fourth-round match.
That’s because the 67th-ranked Gauff took the latest step in her quick progression, becoming the youngest player in the professional era to eliminate the defending women’s champion at the Australian Open, beating former No. 1 Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4.
Do you think Serena William will ever win a 24th Grand Slam title? Yes No
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Only once the last point had been played did the preternaturally poised Gauff turn into a rather typical teen, joking about wanting to take “a selfie for Instagram” with Rod Laver, the 11-time major champion after whom the tournament’s main stadium is named.
“Honestly, like, what is my life? Like, oh, my gosh!” Gauff told the crowd. “Two years ago, I lost first round in juniors and now I’m here. This is crazy.”
It certainly is remarkable.
With a booming serve, a top-flight backhand and a winner’s mentality, Gauff reversed the result from the first time she was across the net from Osaka, a former No. 1 who already owns two major titles at the age of 22.
When they played each other at the U.S. Open last September, Osaka won in two quick sets and then consoled Gauff, encouraging her to speak to the spectators who were pulling for her.
One reminder of just how young Gauff is: Most of the entrants in this year’s junior Australian Open are older than she is.
Another: She is taking online classes and said she’s been given permission to turn in homework late, “considering the circumstances.”
Yet another: She doesn’t have an official driver’s license quite yet, stuck practicing behind the wheel with a learner’s permit.
But put a tennis racket in her hands and move out of the way: Gauff is now 8-2 in her nascent Grand Slam career, with three of those wins coming against women who have multiple major titles.
Her next match is against No. 14 Sofia Kenin, a 21-year-old American who beat Zhang Shuai of China 7-5, 7-6 (7).
Williams vs. Wang also was a rematch from Flushing Meadows last season — and the reverse result also happened for them. At the U.S. Open, Williams won 6-0, 6-1 in 44 minutes.
Wang credited that with prompting her to spend more time in the gym so she could add more oomph to her shots.
“I always believed I could do this one day,” Wang said with a laugh. “I didn’t know which day.”
Like Wang, Gauff was much better Friday than in New York. Gauff’s improvement revealed itself in her serving — she put 15 of her initial 16 first serves in play — and her steadiness.
Gauff declared herself more calm for this matchup.
“That,” she decided, “made the difference.”
So did letting Osaka make the mistakes, 30 unforced errors in all, compared to 17 for Gauff.
With that, Gauff became the youngest player to beat a top-five opponent in a women’s tour-level match since Jennifer Capriati did it at 15 in 1991.
“You don’t want to lose to a 15-year-old, you know?” Osaka said.
So, Naomi, could you have done something differently?
“Put the ball in the court,” was her reply.
Williams had similar issues, and even though she went from a massive deficit to even as can be, she could not do what was required in the late going.
Down to what sure felt like her last chance, Williams came through with a cross-court forehand winner to close a 24-stroke point, then raised her arms, held that celebratory pose and looked over toward her guest box.
Finally, on her sixth try, after 1½ hours of action, she had managed to convert a break point against Wang.
Soon enough, they were headed to a third set and it appeared that the comeback was on.
It turned out that Williams only was delaying a surprising defeat.
So tough at the toughest moments for so many years, Williams was the one who came undone, often displaying what she later called “the signature ‘Serena frustration’ look.”
Since grabbing major championship No. 23 at the 2017 Australian Open, while she was pregnant, Williams hasn’t added to her total.
She appeared in four major finals over the past two seasons, losing each one.
Williams owns seven trophies from the Australian Open and hadn’t lost as early as the third round at either of the hard-court Grand Slam tournaments — in Melbourne or at the U.S. Open — since all the way back in 2006.
This was the first Grand Slam tournament in 11 years with each of the top 10 seeded women reaching the third round. Who would have suspected Williams would be the first to lose, followed soon thereafter by No. 3 Osaka?
Williams was only seeded No. 8, on account of how infrequently she has competed since being away from the tour while having a baby in September 2017.
She started 2020 well enough, winning a hard-court tuneup title in Auckland, New Zealand, this month for her first trophy of any sort in three years — and first as a mom.
But Williams wasn’t able to carry that success to the Grand Slam level, where it matters the most to her.
She began her news conference by crediting Wang but eventually shifted to criticizing herself for not playing well enough to win.
“I didn’t return like Serena,” Williams said. “Honestly, if we were just honest with ourselves, I lost that match.
“I can’t play like that. I literally can’t do that again. It’s unprofessional. It’s not cool.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-24--Three American Firefighters Die While Fighting Wildfires in Australia

The American tanker plane that crashed while fighting Australian wildfires had just dropped a load of retardant on a fire before it went down in New South Wales state , investigators said Friday .
The crash of the C-130 Hercules tanker Thursday killed Capt .
Ian H. McBeth , 44 , of Great Falls , Montana ; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson , 42 , of Buckeye , Arizona ; and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr. , 43 , of Navarre , Florida , their employer , Canada-based Coulson Aviation , said in a statement .
The crash occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left a large swath of destruction in Australia ’ s southeast .
Specialist investigators were sent to the crash site in the state ’ s Snowy Monaro region and a team was working to recover the victims ’ bodies , Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Greg Hood told reporters in the nearby town of Numeralla .
He described a difficult process of securing evidence of the crash and the victims ’ remains , since the wildfire is still burning and potential hazards such as aviation fuel are present .
TRENDING : Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulations of All ' from Obama Era Upward of 500 firefighting aircraft from several countries are fighting Australia ’ s wildfires , Hood said , adding : “ So , if there are lessons to be learned from this particular accident it ’ s really important that not only Australia learns these , but the world learns them.
” He and other Australian officials extended condolences on the deaths of the three Americans .
Coulson Aviation said McBeth “ was a highly qualified and respected C-130 pilot with many years fighting fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aviation.
” McBeth , who is survived by his wife and three children , also served with the Montana and Wyoming National Guard , the company said .
Hudson “ graduated from the Naval Academy in 1999 and spent the next twenty years serving in the United States Marine Corp in a number of positions including C-130 pilot , ” Coulson said .
He is survived by his wife .
DeMorgan served in the U.S. Air Force with 18 years as a flight engineer on the C-130 , the company said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flight engineer with nearly 2,000 hours in combat .
“ Rick ’ s passion was always flying and his children , ” Coulson said .
He is survived by two children , his parents and his sister .
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a memorial service would be held in Sydney on Feb. 23 for the American firefighters and three Australian volunteer firefighters who have died during this wildfire season .
RELATED : US Firefighters Sent To Battle Australia Fires Receive Heroes ' Welcome , Cheered Upon Arrival at Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brave firefighters who lost their own lives protecting the lives and properties of others , ” she said .
“ I know that many members of the public , the [ Rural Fire Service ] , and emergency services personnel will want to come together as families and communities work their way through this unbelievable loss.
” The three deaths brings Australia ’ s toll from the blazes to at least 31 since September .
The fires have also destroyed more than 2,600 homes and razed more than 10.4 million hectares ( 25.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the U.S. state of Indiana .
Coulson grounded other firefighting aircraft as a precaution pending investigation , reducing planes available to firefighters in New South Wales and neighboring Victoria state .
The four-propeller Hercules drops more than 15,000 liters ( 4,000 gallons ) of fire retardant in a single pass .
Berejiklian said more than 1,700 volunteers and personnel were in the field , and five fires were being described at an “ emergency warning ” level — the most dangerous on a three-tier scale — across the state and on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canberra .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The American tanker plane that crashed while fighting Australian wildfires had just dropped a load of retardant on a fire before it went down in New South Wales state, investigators said Friday.
The crash of the C-130 Hercules tanker Thursday killed Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, of Great Falls, Montana; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, 42, of Buckeye, Arizona; and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr., 43, of Navarre, Florida, their employer, Canada-based Coulson Aviation, said in a statement.
The crash occurred during an unprecedented wildfire season that has left a large swath of destruction in Australia’s southeast.
Specialist investigators were sent to the crash site in the state’s Snowy Monaro region and a team was working to recover the victims’ bodies, Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Greg Hood told reporters in the nearby town of Numeralla.
He described a difficult process of securing evidence of the crash and the victims’ remains, since the wildfire is still burning and potential hazards such as aviation fuel are present.
Upward of 500 firefighting aircraft from several countries are fighting Australia’s wildfires, Hood said, adding: “So, if there are lessons to be learned from this particular accident it’s really important that not only Australia learns these, but the world learns them.”
He and other Australian officials extended condolences on the deaths of the three Americans.
Coulson Aviation said McBeth “was a highly qualified and respected C-130 pilot with many years fighting fire, both in the military and with Coulson Aviation.”
McBeth, who is survived by his wife and three children, also served with the Montana and Wyoming National Guard, the company said.
Hudson “graduated from the Naval Academy in 1999 and spent the next twenty years serving in the United States Marine Corp in a number of positions including C-130 pilot,” Coulson said. He is survived by his wife.
DeMorgan served in the U.S. Air Force with 18 years as a flight engineer on the C-130, the company said.
He had had more than 4,000 hours as a flight engineer with nearly 2,000 hours in combat.
“Rick’s passion was always flying and his children,” Coulson said. He is survived by two children, his parents and his sister.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a memorial service would be held in Sydney on Feb. 23 for the American firefighters and three Australian volunteer firefighters who have died during this wildfire season.
“We will pay tribute to the brave firefighters who lost their own lives protecting the lives and properties of others,” she said.
“I know that many members of the public, the [Rural Fire Service], and emergency services personnel will want to come together as families and communities work their way through this unbelievable loss.”
The three deaths brings Australia’s toll from the blazes to at least 31 since September.
The fires have also destroyed more than 2,600 homes and razed more than 10.4 million hectares (25.7 million acres), an area bigger than the U.S. state of Indiana.
Coulson grounded other firefighting aircraft as a precaution pending investigation, reducing planes available to firefighters in New South Wales and neighboring Victoria state.
The four-propeller Hercules drops more than 15,000 liters (4,000 gallons) of fire retardant in a single pass.
Berejiklian said more than 1,700 volunteers and personnel were in the field, and five fires were being described at an “emergency warning” level — the most dangerous on a three-tier scale — across the state and on the fringes of the national capital city of Canberra.
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
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-01-25--Denver Post Columnist Says He Was Fired for Saying There Are Two Sexes

Quoth the great William F. Buckley : “ Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views , but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.
” I ’ ll say this much about the staff at The Denver Post : At least they were able to countenance John Caldara ’ s views until he started talking about gender .
Caldara , president of the Independence Institute , was a libertarian voice at a newspaper that doesn ’ t usually lean that way .
He ’ s no longer there — a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because he thinks there are only two sexes .
In a column posted to Facebook on Saturday , Caldara , who ’ s been writing for The Post since 2016 , said editorial editor Megan Schrader “ found my writing too insensitive.
” “ And yes , it is , ” Caldara said .
“ My column is not a soft voiced , sticky sweet NPR-styled piece which employs the language now mandated by the victim-centric , identity politics driven media.
” Caldara has been a champion of LGBT rights , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender pronouns different from a person ’ s biological sex .
“ What seemed to be the last straw for my column was my insistence that there are only two sexes and my frustration that to be inclusive of the transgendered ( even that word isn ’ t allowed ) we must lose our right to free speech , ” he wrote .
“ To be clear I am strongly pro-gay marriage , which has frustrated many of my socially conservative friends .
I have friends , family and employees from the LGBT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who uses whose bathroom , what you wear , or how you identify .
People from this community have rights which we must protect .
“ But to force us to use inaccurate pronouns , to force us to teach our kids that there are more than two sexes , to call what is plainly a man in a dress , well , not a man in a dress violates our right of speech.
” Caldara had written two recent stories in which he criticized what he deemed free speech restrictions on transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that The Associated Press ’ style guide , which is used by a multitude of publications , has become a “ propaganda guide ” on the issue because of a recent dictate regarding language that can be used to refer to transgender individuals .
“ The AP has updated its style to say that gender is no longer binary and thus declared a winner in this divisive debate .
They ruled that , ‘ Not all people fall under one of two categories for sex and gender , ' ” Caldara wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Slams Sanctuary City Movement -- At Least for Gun Owners “ There are only two sexes , identified by an XX or XY chromosome .
That is the very definition of binary .
The AP ruling it isn ’ t so doesn ’ t change science .
It ’ s a premeditative attempt to change culture and policy .
It ’ s activism.
” Two weeks later , Caldara used his column to discuss a 2019 Colorado law requiring elementary school students to be instructed in “ comprehensive human sexuality , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Some parents weren ’ t thrilled a couple of years back when during school their little ones in Boulder Valley School District were treated to videos staring a transgender teddy bear teaching the kids how to misuse pronouns or when Colorado ’ s ‘ Trans Community Choir ’ sang to kids about a transgender raven , ” Caldara wrote .
“ What are the protections for a parent who feels transgender singing groups and teddy bears with gender dysphoria might be ‘ stigmatizing ’ for their kid ?
How can a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that class if the material isn ’ t transparent and easily accessible ?
” The latter column was linked by Caldara in his Facebook post and identified as “ the column that got me fired from the Denver Post.
” Caldara ’ s editor , the aforementioned Schrader , didn ’ t shine any light on whether it was Caldara ’ s language on transgender individuals that got him fired , only that he was , in fact , terminated .
“ I am writing a job description as we speak to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email to The Washington Free Beacon .
“ I hope that conservative Colorado writers will apply knowing that we value conservative voices on our pages and don ’ t have a litmus test for their opinions , ” Schrader said .
Except she declined to say whether she fired him over a litmus test on his opinion on transgender individuals and the language used to refer to them .
There could be a different explanation for Caldara ’ s firing .
If there is , it seems unusual she wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this than the fact that Caldara believes ( rightly ) that gender and the English language are both less fluid than The Denver Post or the AP think .
I wonder what exactly the editors of The Post are looking for in a conservative columnist .
No doubt , they want one of the Good Ones™ , the kind of Republican who admits of all the tenets of modern liberaldom but protests slightly against some of them .
They may be against a carbon tax but think cap-and-trade is a good idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — along the lines of John Roberts , say .
Antonin Scalia was a bit far for them .
And more than anything , they talk about bringing civility back to politics — which almost always means giving the pained Bill Kristol smile whenever they ’ re savaged and then politely trying to explain in the nicest possible terms why they don ’ t quite see it that way .
That civility means they might grumble a bit about the AP ’ s new rules or Colorado ’ s “ comprehensive human sexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they ’ ll mostly go along with it and hope the issue goes away .
That ’ s the kind of conservative the media tolerates .
Conservatives , on the other hand , are less likely to countenance them .
In one of his final columns for The Post , Caldara spelled out why .
“ It is fascinating how the built-up frustration to the main-stream media carried Trump to victory , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s more fascinating that the media has shown absolutely no introspection into their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think most Americans see them as they see themselves — brave warriors of truth , not torchbearers for progressive ideology .
“ One only has to listen to NPR reporters and their pee-your-pants excitement at covering Trump ’ s impeachment to conclude they still have no idea so much of America considers them the enemy.
” The Denver Post can ’ t erase biological reality and look askance at anyone who points to it as a regressive relic .
If it ’ s true that Caldara was fired for saying there are only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another proof of William F. Buckley ’ s timeless axiom .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Quoth the great William F. Buckley: “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
I’ll say this much about the staff at The Denver Post: At least they were able to countenance John Caldara’s views until he started talking about gender.
Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, was a libertarian voice at a newspaper that doesn’t usually lean that way.
He’s no longer there — a decision that was made, according to him, because he thinks there are only two sexes.
In a column posted to Facebook on Saturday, Caldara, who’s been writing for The Post since 2016, said editorial editor Megan Schrader “found my writing too insensitive.”
“And yes, it is,” Caldara said. “My column is not a soft voiced, sticky sweet NPR-styled piece which employs the language now mandated by the victim-centric, identity politics driven media.”
Caldara has been a champion of LGBT rights, he said, but he objects to using gender pronouns different from a person’s biological sex.
“What seemed to be the last straw for my column was my insistence that there are only two sexes and my frustration that to be inclusive of the transgendered (even that word isn’t allowed) we must lose our right to free speech,” he wrote.
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“To be clear I am strongly pro-gay marriage, which has frustrated many of my socially conservative friends. I have friends, family and employees from the LGBT community. I don’t care who uses whose bathroom, what you wear, or how you identify. People from this community have rights which we must protect.
“But to force us to use inaccurate pronouns, to force us to teach our kids that there are more than two sexes, to call what is plainly a man in a dress, well, not a man in a dress violates our right of speech.”
Caldara had written two recent stories in which he criticized what he deemed free speech restrictions on transgender individuals.
On Jan. 3, he said that The Associated Press’ style guide, which is used by a multitude of publications, has become a “propaganda guide” on the issue because of a recent dictate regarding language that can be used to refer to transgender individuals.
“The AP has updated its style to say that gender is no longer binary and thus declared a winner in this divisive debate. They ruled that, ‘Not all people fall under one of two categories for sex and gender,'” Caldara wrote.
“There are only two sexes, identified by an XX or XY chromosome. That is the very definition of binary. The AP ruling it isn’t so doesn’t change science. It’s a premeditative attempt to change culture and policy. It’s activism.”
Two weeks later, Caldara used his column to discuss a 2019 Colorado law requiring elementary school students to be instructed in “comprehensive human sexuality,” instruction that also touches on transgender issues.
“Some parents weren’t thrilled a couple of years back when during school their little ones in Boulder Valley School District were treated to videos staring a transgender teddy bear teaching the kids how to misuse pronouns or when Colorado’s ‘Trans Community Choir’ sang to kids about a transgender raven,” Caldara wrote.
“What are the protections for a parent who feels transgender singing groups and teddy bears with gender dysphoria might be ‘stigmatizing’ for their kid? How can a parent decide if she wants her kid in that class if the material isn’t transparent and easily accessible?”
The latter column was linked by Caldara in his Facebook post and identified as “the column that got me fired from the Denver Post.”
Caldara’s editor, the aforementioned Schrader, didn’t shine any light on whether it was Caldara’s language on transgender individuals that got him fired, only that he was, in fact, terminated.
“I am writing a job description as we speak to fill his position,” she said in an email to The Washington Free Beacon.
“I hope that conservative Colorado writers will apply knowing that we value conservative voices on our pages and don’t have a litmus test for their opinions,” Schrader said.
Except she declined to say whether she fired him over a litmus test on his opinion on transgender individuals and the language used to refer to them.
There could be a different explanation for Caldara’s firing. If there is, it seems unusual she wouldn’t at least say there was more to this than the fact that Caldara believes (rightly) that gender and the English language are both less fluid than The Denver Post or the AP think.
I wonder what exactly the editors of The Post are looking for in a conservative columnist. No doubt, they want one of the Good Ones™, the kind of Republican who admits of all the tenets of modern liberaldom but protests slightly against some of them.
They may be against a carbon tax but think cap-and-trade is a good idea. They believe in strict constitutionalist judges — along the lines of John Roberts, say. Antonin Scalia was a bit far for them. And more than anything, they talk about bringing civility back to politics — which almost always means giving the pained Bill Kristol smile whenever they’re savaged and then politely trying to explain in the nicest possible terms why they don’t quite see it that way. That civility means they might grumble a bit about the AP’s new rules or Colorado’s “comprehensive human sexuality” education for elementary school students, but they’ll mostly go along with it and hope the issue goes away.
That’s the kind of conservative the media tolerates.
Conservatives, on the other hand, are less likely to countenance them.
In one of his final columns for The Post, Caldara spelled out why.
“It is fascinating how the built-up frustration to the main-stream media carried Trump to victory,” he wrote. “It’s more fascinating that the media has shown absolutely no introspection into their role in the phenomenon. They really think most Americans see them as they see themselves — brave warriors of truth, not torchbearers for progressive ideology.
“One only has to listen to NPR reporters and their pee-your-pants excitement at covering Trump’s impeachment to conclude they still have no idea so much of America considers them the enemy.”
The Denver Post can’t erase biological reality and look askance at anyone who points to it as a regressive relic.
If it’s true that Caldara was fired for saying there are only two sexes, it’s yet another proof of William F. Buckley’s timeless axiom.
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westernjournal--2020-01-25--Basketball Team Surprises Teammate With New Shoes in Heartwarming Video

A high school basketball team has been praised for rallying around a teammate who didn ’ t receive anything for Christmas .
Inside the gymnasium at Glenn High School in Leander , Texas , the team ’ s motto , “ Family , ” is displayed on signs and is the word the team shouts as it breaks from its daily huddle .
The motto is more than just a word to the players on the Grizzlies boys basketball team , who brought the meaning of family to one teammate who needed a bit of encouragement .
Brandon Albert told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was triggered by some sad news the team received after winter break .
As the players chatted excitedly with one another about what they had received for Christmas , team member David Kra said very little .
“ David said he got nothing , ” Albert told Spectrum .
The sad words pricked the teenagers ’ hearts and moved them to action .
“ We didn ’ t know why , and it wasn ’ t our place to ask , but we knew we wanted to get him something , ” Albert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group chat , asking one another if they would be willing to pitch in money to buy their friend some Christmas gifts .
The players gave generously , and the team was able to purchase a new pair of shoes and a sweater they thought Kra would like .
During practice , the team presented Kra with the wrapped presents , a gesture that Kra said he will never forget .
As he unwrapped the gifts , Kra , described as relatively stoic regarding his emotions , burst into an enormous grin as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enjoy the moment .
RELATED : Vietnam Veteran Wanted Only 2 Things Before He Died : To Be Baptized and Catch 1 Last Fish “ It ’ s something I ’ ll remember for the rest of my life , something that ’ s in my mind forever.
” Jacob Stacks watched with joy as his teammate opened the gifts , celebrating a belated Christmas as family .
“ To us , family is more than just a word , we ’ re all brothers here , ” Stacks said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was a good feeling.
” The video of Kra opening his gifts has gone viral , with millions of views across social media platforms , but Kra does not seem to mind .
“ Shows that we all have each other ’ s back , ” Kra said .
“ If anybody needs anything we ’ re all there to support them.
”  We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A high school basketball team has been praised for rallying around a teammate who didn’t receive anything for Christmas.
Inside the gymnasium at Glenn High School in Leander, Texas, the team’s motto, “Family,” is displayed on signs and is the word the team shouts as it breaks from its daily huddle.
The motto is more than just a word to the players on the Grizzlies boys basketball team, who brought the meaning of family to one teammate who needed a bit of encouragement.
Brandon Albert told Spectrum News that the act of kindness was triggered by some sad news the team received after winter break.
As the players chatted excitedly with one another about what they had received for Christmas, team member David Kra said very little.
“David said he got nothing,” Albert told Spectrum.
The sad words pricked the teenagers’ hearts and moved them to action.
“We didn’t know why, and it wasn’t our place to ask, but we knew we wanted to get him something,” Albert said.
The players immediately began a group chat, asking one another if they would be willing to pitch in money to buy their friend some Christmas gifts.
The players gave generously, and the team was able to purchase a new pair of shoes and a sweater they thought Kra would like.
During practice, the team presented Kra with the wrapped presents, a gesture that Kra said he will never forget.
As he unwrapped the gifts, Kra, described as relatively stoic regarding his emotions, burst into an enormous grin as he plopped happily down onto a bench to enjoy the moment.
“Definitely very surprising. I wasn’t expecting it, obviously,” Kra told Spectrum.
“It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life, something that’s in my mind forever.”
Jacob Stacks watched with joy as his teammate opened the gifts, celebrating a belated Christmas as family.
“To us, family is more than just a word, we’re all brothers here,” Stacks said. “Seeing him smile and show some emotion, it was a good feeling.”
We appreciate the story on our team! We are working hard to build a family based positive culture! @TomGlennHS @LISD_AD https://t.co/UAaO5m8oja — Grizz Mens’ Hoops (@GHS_Mens_Hoops) January 14, 2020
The video of Kra opening his gifts has gone viral, with millions of views across social media platforms, but Kra does not seem to mind.
“Shows that we all have each other’s back,” Kra said. “If anybody needs anything we’re all there to support them.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-25--Here Are the Epic Nicknames McConnell Has Earned from Opponents Over Time

If you ’ re salty about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and how he ’ s conducting the impeachment trial in the upper chamber , one of the least productive ways to take it out on him is to give him nicknames that are actually pretty awesome .
I can understand : The name “ Mitch ” kind of lends itself to monikers that sound like they ’ re sick burns when they come out of your mouth .
We were reminded of that again during the impeachment proceedings , when # MidnightMitch began to trend .
“ Midnight Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first day of the impeachment trial proper began this week .
The idea was that McConnell and other Republicans were going to pass the proposed rules for President Donald Trump ’ s trial in the middle of the night to avoid judgment by the American people .
This is an interesting take inasmuch as the only people who seem to be concerned about process are political junkies , the kind of people who would have been outraged no matter what the GOP did .
If America was really paying attention to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of rules , they would have been livid at the made-for-TV streamlined vulgarization of process that was the House impeachment inquiry spearheaded by Messrs. Jerrold Nadler and Adam Schiff .
The Senate GOP seems to be taking this every bit as seriously as the House Democrats did , and good for them .
In short , I gather “ Midnight Mitch ” cared not whether the rules were passed at noon or midnight .
The name was coined by Carl Bernstein — the more hysterical , desiccated half of the duo that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post nigh on a half-century ago .
Bernstein espies a new Watergate virtually every time a Republican is in the White House , which means he ’ s enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment .
He was on CNN with Anderson Cooper on Monday to talk about the proposed trial guidelines : “ Now we ’ re looking at ‘ Midnight Mitch ’ and the so-called world ’ s greatest deliberative body really embracing a cover-up that is there for all to see , ” Bernstein said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s about preventing information from becoming known and seen by the American public.
” RELATED : Even Dem Senator Who Vowed To Convict Trump Says House Dems Did n't Do Their Job The name seems to have trended , in part due to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ’ s decision to gunk up the gears of the proceedings until the wee hours of the morning with motion after motion which had zero percent chance of succeeding .
Naturally , blame fell upon McConnell for this : As it turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Take The Daily Wire ’ s Emily Zanotti : This is indeed true .
If someone wants to call me “ Midnight C. Douglas , ” I ’ m down .
It ’ s also not the first time that an unassailably cool nickname has been bequeathed upon the Senate majority leader .
Easily the coolest has been “ Cocaine Mitch , ” which actually came from a nominal Republican .
Don Blankenship is a curious specimen of wannabe politician , a former coal executive and convicted white-collar criminal who called himself “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for West Virginia Senate in 2018 .
His sole qualification was his ability to say funny/stupid stuff , which didn ’ t endear him to Republicans — least of all the president , who called on primary voters to reject Blankenship lest the GOP punt away a chance to take out Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in a state Trump won by 42 points in 2016 .
( The eventual nominee lost , alas , albeit not with the kind of sure dumpster-fire gusto that Blankenship would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of his money in a quixotic effort , however , Blankenship coined one of the coolest nicknames ever for McConnell : “ Cocaine Mitch.
” Mind you , the coal executive wasn ’ t running against McConnell .
I ’ m not entirely sure he knew this , but I guess we ’ ll never know .
The point was that he saw the Senate majority leader as some kind of existential threat to the GOP for being too moderate , or something — with an emphasis on the “ or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the coolness trap again by giving McConnell the “ Cocaine Mitch ” moniker , because apparently , 90 pounds of cocaine were allegedly once found on a container vessel owned McConnell ’ s father-in-law ’ s shipping company , although neither the company nor his father-in-law were implicated .
Good work .
McConnell was so deeply wounded by Blankenship ’ s allegation that his campaign responded thusly : The back of the shirt reads “ Cartel Member.
” The details of this one are a bit more ugly .
The Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he blocked efforts to pass election security bills ” in 2019 .
To use The Post ’ s own scale , this should probably get either two or three Pinocchios .
What McConnell refused to allow was a vote on a Democratic bill that passed the House which would federalize a certain amount of electoral control , including the use of paper ballots .
The House refused to ban so-called “ ballot harvesting , ” where designated volunteers or other individuals collect absentee ballots .
This is arguably the greatest current threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats also benefited from it immensely during the 2018 election , particularly in California , so ballot harvesting stays .
For blocking the “ Safe Act , ” Joe Scarborough decided that McConnell was in league with Russian President Vladimir Putin , and coined the nickname “ Moscow Mitch “ : This was perhaps the only nickname McConnell did not embrace , and for obvious reasons : “ Over the last several days , I was called unpatriotic , un-American and essentially treasonous by a couple of left-wing pundits on the basis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I was accused of aiding and abetting the very man I ’ ve singled out as an adversary and opposed for nearly 20 years : Vladimir Putin.
” It ’ s pretty low , although it ’ s telling ( and still a little bit awesome ) that the Democrats loathe McConnell to the extent that they ’ re willing to trot out the bow-legged ol ’ Russian stooge stand-bye .
And then there ’ s the nickname McConnell has embraced for himself — the “ Grim Reaper , ” considering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to die .
“ Think of me as the Grim Reaper , ” McConnell said back in April .
“ None of that stuff is going to pass.
” Most of these are nicknames all of us would kind of like .
Only one of them has been suggested by McConnell for himself — and even then , it ’ s caught on .
The point is that when it comes to Mitch McConnell , be careful what you call him .
Your so-called sick burn could end up on the front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

If you’re salty about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and how he’s conducting the impeachment trial in the upper chamber, one of the least productive ways to take it out on him is to give him nicknames that are actually pretty awesome.
I can understand: The name “Mitch” kind of lends itself to monikers that sound like they’re sick burns when they come out of your mouth. We were reminded of that again during the impeachment proceedings, when #MidnightMitch began to trend.
“Midnight Mitch” was a name coined even before the first day of the impeachment trial proper began this week.
The idea was that McConnell and other Republicans were going to pass the proposed rules for President Donald Trump’s trial in the middle of the night to avoid judgment by the American people.
This is an interesting take inasmuch as the only people who seem to be concerned about process are political junkies, the kind of people who would have been outraged no matter what the GOP did.
If America was really paying attention to how the impeachment trial was playing out in terms of rules, they would have been livid at the made-for-TV streamlined vulgarization of process that was the House impeachment inquiry spearheaded by Messrs. Jerrold Nadler and Adam Schiff.
The Senate GOP seems to be taking this every bit as seriously as the House Democrats did, and good for them.
In short, I gather “Midnight Mitch” cared not whether the rules were passed at noon or midnight.
The name was coined by Carl Bernstein — the more hysterical, desiccated half of the duo that broke open the Watergate investigation for The Washington Post nigh on a half-century ago.
Bernstein espies a new Watergate virtually every time a Republican is in the White House, which means he’s enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment.
He was on CNN with Anderson Cooper on Monday to talk about the proposed trial guidelines:
“We’re looking at ‘Midnight Mitch’ and the so-called world’s greatest deliberative body, really embracing a cover-up that is there for all to see. That’s what this is about.” – Journalist Carl Bernstein reacts to Mitch McConnell’s proposed trial rules.https://t.co/SWVLjicpE7 pic.twitter.com/GknxCGL1I8 — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 21, 2020
“Now we’re looking at ‘Midnight Mitch’ and the so-called world’s greatest deliberative body really embracing a cover-up that is there for all to see,” Bernstein said.
“That’s what this is about. It’s about preventing information from becoming known and seen by the American public.”
Do you support the job Mitch McConnell is doing during the Trump impeachment proceedings? Yes No
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The name seems to have trended, in part due to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to gunk up the gears of the proceedings until the wee hours of the morning with motion after motion which had zero percent chance of succeeding.
Naturally, blame fell upon McConnell for this:
#MidnightMitch has already admitted he’s working hand-in-hand with Trump on the #impeachment trial & violating his oath to be impartial—but his proposed rules for the trial (holding the trial at 1am??) are yet more evidence that he’s helping the White House perpetrate a cover-up. https://t.co/L2TzAeUuuB — Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) January 21, 2020
If #MidnightMitch & Trump think that all of us are going to be asleep during the trial, they have another thought coming because I and others will stay up all night long to hear the democratic team lay out the charges against this criminal enterprise in the White House! — Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) January 21, 2020
71% of Republicans believe #MidnightMitch McConnell should call witnesses. https://t.co/Did5gKx7MM — Amy Siskind ?? (@Amy_Siskind) January 21, 2020
No wonder #MidnightMitch banned cameras inside the room. I’d bet the American people would love to see all the Republicans dozing right now. — Amy Siskind ?? (@Amy_Siskind) January 22, 2020
Amy Siskind really likes that hashtag.
As it turns out, so do some conservatives. Take The Daily Wire’s Emily Zanotti:
“Midnight Mitch” is a badass name https://t.co/icZLyyByyM — Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) January 21, 2020
This is indeed true. If someone wants to call me “Midnight C. Douglas,” I’m down.
It’s also not the first time that an unassailably cool nickname has been bequeathed upon the Senate majority leader.
Easily the coolest has been “Cocaine Mitch,” which actually came from a nominal Republican. Don Blankenship is a curious specimen of wannabe politician, a former coal executive and convicted white-collar criminal who called himself “Trumpier than Trump” and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for West Virginia Senate in 2018.
His sole qualification was his ability to say funny/stupid stuff, which didn’t endear him to Republicans — least of all the president, who called on primary voters to reject Blankenship lest the GOP punt away a chance to take out Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in a state Trump won by 42 points in 2016. (The eventual nominee lost, alas, albeit not with the kind of sure dumpster-fire gusto that Blankenship would have.)
On the way to blowing a bunch of his money in a quixotic effort, however, Blankenship coined one of the coolest nicknames ever for McConnell: “Cocaine Mitch.”
Mind you, the coal executive wasn’t running against McConnell.
I’m not entirely sure he knew this, but I guess we’ll never know.
The point was that he saw the Senate majority leader as some kind of existential threat to the GOP for being too moderate, or something — with an emphasis on the “or something.”
So he decided to fall into the coolness trap again by giving McConnell the “Cocaine Mitch” moniker, because apparently, 90 pounds of cocaine were allegedly once found on a container vessel owned McConnell’s father-in-law’s shipping company, although neither the company nor his father-in-law were implicated. Good work.
McConnell was so deeply wounded by Blankenship’s allegation that his campaign responded thusly:
A year ago, a legend was born. Own your piece of history. #CocaineMitch — Team Mitch (@Team_Mitch) May 8, 2019
The back of the shirt reads “Cartel Member.”
Then there’s “Moscow Mitch.”
The details of this one are a bit more ugly.
The Washington Post reported this nickname came from Democrats “after he blocked efforts to pass election security bills” in 2019.
To use The Post’s own scale, this should probably get either two or three Pinocchios.
What McConnell refused to allow was a vote on a Democratic bill that passed the House which would federalize a certain amount of electoral control, including the use of paper ballots.
The House refused to ban so-called “ballot harvesting,” where designated volunteers or other individuals collect absentee ballots.
This is arguably the greatest current threat to voting security there is, but Democrats also benefited from it immensely during the 2018 election, particularly in California, so ballot harvesting stays.
For blocking the “Safe Act,” Joe Scarborough decided that McConnell was in league with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and coined the nickname “Moscow Mitch“:
This was perhaps the only nickname McConnell did not embrace, and for obvious reasons: “Over the last several days, I was called unpatriotic, un-American and essentially treasonous by a couple of left-wing pundits on the basis of boldfaced lies,” McConnell said.
“I was accused of aiding and abetting the very man I’ve singled out as an adversary and opposed for nearly 20 years: Vladimir Putin.”
It’s pretty low, although it’s telling (and still a little bit awesome) that the Democrats loathe McConnell to the extent that they’re willing to trot out the bow-legged ol’ Russian stooge stand-bye.
And then there’s the nickname McConnell has embraced for himself — the “Grim Reaper,” considering the Senate is where bad Democratic legislation goes to die.
“Think of me as the Grim Reaper,” McConnell said back in April. “None of that stuff is going to pass.”
Most of these are nicknames all of us would kind of like.
Only one of them has been suggested by McConnell for himself — and even then, it’s caught on.
The point is that when it comes to Mitch McConnell, be careful what you call him. Your so-called sick burn could end up on the front of an epic campaign T-shirt.
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