westernjournal--2020-05-07--LeBron James Says Black People Are ‘Literally Hunted Every Day,’ Numbers Tell a Different Story

On Twitter , NBA superstar LeBron James has 45.9 million followers .
On Instagram , he has 63.9 million .
He ’ s arguably the most famous athlete in America — the face of the NBA , who ’ s widely seen as bigger than the game of basketball itself .
So to say that James has a massive platform to express his views on important news and race relations would be an understatement .
That ’ s why it ’ s so frustrating when James spreads misinformation about serious topics .
According to James , black people are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the comfort of our homes.
” James ’ implication is that “ we ” ( i.e .
black people ) are being “ hunted ” by another group ( presumably white people ) .
Except that ’ s not true — not even close — and it has the potential to needlessly inflame racial tensions .
To understand the sentiments expressed by the Los Angeles Lakers star Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram , it ’ s first necessary to have a bit of background on the February killing of Ahmaud Arbery , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot and killed following a pursuit by two white men .
There ’ s still a lot we don ’ t know about Arbery ’ s killing .
We do know that Gregory McMichael , a former investigator in the Brunswick District Attorney ’ s Office , told police that he saw Arbery running through the neighborhood , believed him to be a suspect in a series of robberies , and — after he and his son Travis armed themselves — got in a truck and started chasing Arbery .
Arbery ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a jogger , not a criminal , according to The New York Times , and disturbing cellphone video footage released this week appears to show parts of the incident .
As The Associated Press reported , in summing up the footage , “ The cellphone video , initially posted by a Brunswick radio station , shows a black man running at a jogging pace on the left side of a road .
A truck is parked in the road ahead of him .
One man is inside the pickup ’ s bed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s side door .
“ The runner crosses the road to pass the pickup on the passenger side , then crosses back in front of the truck .
A gunshot sounds , and the video shows the runner grappling with a man in the street over what appears to be a shotgun or rifle .
A second shot can be heard , and the runner can be seen punching the man .
A third shot is fired at point-blank range .
The runner staggers a few feet and falls face down.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ very disturbing — the sort of thing that merits a full investigation .
It ’ s certainly possible that Ahmaud was murdered and that his killing was racially motivated .
If that truly is what happened , the black community has every right to be outraged .
The case is set to go to a grand jury , who will decide whether criminal charges against the McMichaels are appropriate , according to CNN .
Due to current health concerns , courts can not impanel grand juries , though hopefully a decision on charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — if appropriate — will be made .
But it ’ s simply wrong to use this tragedy to imply , as James did , that black people are being hunted down “ literally ” every time they leave their homes , presumably by white people .
According to FBI data , 2,925 “ black or African-American ” people died in homicides in 2018 .
The vast majority of the offenders — 2,600 — were also “ black or African-American , ” while 234 of these killings were perpetrated by white individuals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the norm rather than the outlier .
In 2017 , 2,970 black or African-American people died in homicides , the overwhelming majority of which — 2,627 — were perpetrated by people of their own race .
Two hundred sixty-four of these homicides , meanwhile , were carried out by white people .
In 2016 , more of the same : 2,870 homicides of black or African-American individuals , 2,570 of whom were killed by a member of their own race and 243 of whom were killed by a white person .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hunted ” down by white people with any sort of regularity .
To add a bit of context , there were roughly 48 million black Americans living in the country in 2018 .
That same year , 243 black people ( roughly .0005 percent of the entire black population ) were killed by white individuals .
Ahmaud ’ s death is no doubt tragic .
But even if he was “ hunted ” down by his killers , this case is not evidence of something that happens regularly in America .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ claims , it ’ s not clear if his followers care .
As of Thursday , his tweet had more than 300,000 likes and 100,000 retweets , while his Instagram post had been liked more than 2 million times .
It was misinformation , plain and simple , coming from one of the most famous celebrities in the country .
But hundreds of thousands , if not millions , of people bought it anyway .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards @

On Twitter, NBA superstar LeBron James has 45.9 million followers. On Instagram, he has 63.9 million.
He’s arguably the most famous athlete in America — the face of the NBA, who’s widely seen as bigger than the game of basketball itself. So to say that James has a massive platform to express his views on important news and race relations would be an understatement.
That’s why it’s so frustrating when James spreads misinformation about serious topics.
According to James, black people are “literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes.”
We’re literally hunted EVERYDAY/EVERYTIME we step foot outside the comfort of our homes! Can’t even go for a damn jog man! Like WTF man are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?!? No man fr ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!! I’m sorry Ahmaud(Rest In Paradise) and my prayers and blessings sent to the….. pic.twitter.com/r1PNxs8Vgn — LeBron James (@KingJames) May 6, 2020
James’ implication is that “we” (i.e. black people) are being “hunted” by another group (presumably white people). Except that’s not true — not even close — and it has the potential to needlessly inflame racial tensions.
To understand the sentiments expressed by the Los Angeles Lakers star Wednesday on Twitter and Instagram, it’s first necessary to have a bit of background on the February killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old unarmed, black Georgia man who was shot and killed following a pursuit by two white men.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about Arbery’s killing. We do know that Gregory McMichael, a former investigator in the Brunswick District Attorney’s Office, told police that he saw Arbery running through the neighborhood, believed him to be a suspect in a series of robberies, and — after he and his son Travis armed themselves — got in a truck and started chasing Arbery.
Do you think black people are being "literally hunted" every day? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 3% (28 Votes) No: 97% (992 Votes)
Arbery’s family has said he was simply a jogger, not a criminal, according to The New York Times, and disturbing cellphone video footage released this week appears to show parts of the incident.
As The Associated Press reported, in summing up the footage, “The cellphone video, initially posted by a Brunswick radio station, shows a black man running at a jogging pace on the left side of a road. A truck is parked in the road ahead of him. One man is inside the pickup’s bed, and another is standing beside the open driver’s side door.
“The runner crosses the road to pass the pickup on the passenger side, then crosses back in front of the truck. A gunshot sounds, and the video shows the runner grappling with a man in the street over what appears to be a shotgun or rifle. A second shot can be heard, and the runner can be seen punching the man. A third shot is fired at point-blank range. The runner staggers a few feet and falls face down.”
Once again, the footage is very disturbing — the sort of thing that merits a full investigation.
It’s certainly possible that Ahmaud was murdered and that his killing was racially motivated. If that truly is what happened, the black community has every right to be outraged.
The case is set to go to a grand jury, who will decide whether criminal charges against the McMichaels are appropriate, according to CNN. Due to current health concerns, courts cannot impanel grand juries, though hopefully a decision on charges will be made soon, and arrests — if appropriate — will be made.
But it’s simply wrong to use this tragedy to imply, as James did, that black people are being hunted down “literally” every time they leave their homes, presumably by white people.
According to FBI data, 2,925 “black or African-American” people died in homicides in 2018.
The vast majority of the offenders — 2,600 — were also “black or African-American,” while 234 of these killings were perpetrated by white individuals.
Data from 2017 and 2016 suggest this is the norm rather than the outlier.
In 2017, 2,970 black or African-American people died in homicides, the overwhelming majority of which — 2,627 — were perpetrated by people of their own race. Two hundred sixty-four of these homicides, meanwhile, were carried out by white people.
In 2016, more of the same: 2,870 homicides of black or African-American individuals, 2,570 of whom were killed by a member of their own race and 243 of whom were killed by a white person.
So no, black Americans are not being “hunted” down by white people with any sort of regularity.
To add a bit of context, there were roughly 48 million black Americans living in the country in 2018. That same year, 243 black people (roughly .0005 percent of the entire black population) were killed by white individuals.
Ahmaud’s death is no doubt tragic. But even if he was “hunted” down by his killers, this case is not evidence of something that happens regularly in America.
Yet while the numbers clearly disprove LeBron James’ claims, it’s not clear if his followers care. As of Thursday, his tweet had more than 300,000 likes and 100,000 retweets, while his Instagram post had been liked more than 2 million times.
It was misinformation, plain and simple, coming from one of the most famous celebrities in the country. But hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people bought it anyway.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Breaking: DOJ Drops Case Against Flynn After New Documents Surface

The Justice Department on Thursday said it is dropping the criminal case against President Donald Trump ’ s first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for Trump and his supporters in attacking the FBI ’ s Russia investigation .
The move is a stunning reversal for one of the signature cases brought by special counsel Robert Mueller .
It comes even though prosecutors for the last three years had maintained that Flynn had lied to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in a January 2017 interview .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a key cooperator for Mueller as he investigated ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign .
In court documents being filed Thursday , the Justice Department said it is dropping the case “ after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case , including newly discovered and disclosed information.
” The documents were obtained by The Associated Press .
The Justice Department said it had concluded that Flynn ’ s interview by the FBI was “ untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI ’ s counterintelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview on Jan. 24 , 2017 , was “ conducted without any legitimate investigative basis.
” The U.S. attorney reviewing the Flynn case , Jeff Jensen , recommended the move to Attorney General William Barr last week and formalized the recommendation in a document this week .
“ Through the course of my review of General Flynn ’ s case , I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case , ” Jensen said in a statement .
“ I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings , advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed.
” The decision is certain to be embraced by Trump , who has relentlessly tweeted about the case and last week pronounced Flynn “ exonerated , ” and energize supporters who have taken up the retired Army lieutenant general ’ s cause .
The Justice Department ’ s action comes amid an internal review into the handling of the case and an aggressive effort by Flynn ’ s lawyers to challenge the basis for the prosecution .
The lawyers cited newly disclosed FBI emails and notes last week to allege that Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at the White House days after Trump ’ s inauguration .
The decision is the latest dramatic turn in a years-old case full of twists and turns .
In recent months , his attorneys have leveled a series of allegations about the FBI ’ s actions and asked to withdraw his guilty plea .
A judge has rejected most of the claims and not ruled on others , including the bid to revoke the plea .
The decision comes as Barr has increasingly challenged the Russia investigation , saying in a television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ without any basis.
” In February , he overruled a decision by prosecutors in the Roger Stone case in favor of a more lenient recommended sentence for the longtime Trump friend .
Earlier this year , he appointed Jensen , of St. Louis , to investigate the handling of Flynn ’ s case .
As part of that process , the Justice Department produced to Flynn ’ s attorneys a series of emails and notes , including one handwritten note from a senior FBI official that mapped out internal deliberations about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s our goal ?
Truth/admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” the official wrote .
Other documents show that the FBI had been prepared weeks before its interview of Flynn to drop its investigation into whether he was acting at the direction of Russia .
Later that month , though , as the White House insisted that Flynn had never discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak , FBI officials grew alarmed by Flynn ’ s conversations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
The investigation remained open , and agents went to visit him in the White House on Jan. 24 , 2017 .
Justice Department officials visited the White House two days later to warn officials that they feared that Flynn was compromised and vulnerable to blackmail by Russia because of his account of what was said on the call .
White House officials waited several weeks to oust him from the job , saying they ’ d concluded that Flynn had lied to them .
Flynn pleaded guilty that December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s aides to admit guilt in Mueller ’ s investigation .
He acknowledged that he lied about his conversations with Kislyak , in which he encouraged Russia not to retaliate against the U.S. for sanctions imposed by the Obama administration over election interference .
He provided such extensive cooperation that prosecutors said he was entitled to a sentence of probation instead of prison .
As it turned out , that sentencing hearing was abruptly cut short after Flynn , facing a stern rebuke from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan , asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn credit toward a more lenient sentence .
Flynn ’ s misgivings about the case were already on display when his then-attorneys pointedly noted in their sentencing memo that the FBI had not warned him that it was against the law to lie when they interviewed him at the White House in January 2017 .
Since then , though , he has hired new attorneys — including Sidney Powell , an outspoken critic of Mueller ’ s investigation — who have taken a far more aggressive stance to the government .
The lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence they said was favorable to the case and repeatedly noted that one of the two agents who interviewed Flynn was fired from the FBI for having sent derogatory text messages about Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Justice Department on Thursday said it is dropping the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for Trump and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Russia investigation.
The move is a stunning reversal for one of the signature cases brought by special counsel Robert Mueller.
It comes even though prosecutors for the last three years had maintained that Flynn had lied to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador in a January 2017 interview. Flynn himself admitted as much, and became a key cooperator for Mueller as he investigated ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.
In court documents being filed Thursday, the Justice Department said it is dropping the case “after a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information.” The documents were obtained by The Associated Press.
The Justice Department said it had concluded that Flynn’s interview by the FBI was “untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn” and that the interview on Jan. 24, 2017, was “conducted without any legitimate investigative basis.”
The U.S. attorney reviewing the Flynn case, Jeff Jensen, recommended the move to Attorney General William Barr last week and formalized the recommendation in a document this week.
“Through the course of my review of General Flynn’s case, I concluded the proper and just course was to dismiss the case,” Jensen said in a statement. “I briefed Attorney General Barr on my findings, advised him on these conclusions, and he agreed.”
The decision is certain to be embraced by Trump, who has relentlessly tweeted about the case and last week pronounced Flynn “exonerated,” and energize supporters who have taken up the retired Army lieutenant general’s cause.
The Justice Department’s action comes amid an internal review into the handling of the case and an aggressive effort by Flynn’s lawyers to challenge the basis for the prosecution. The lawyers cited newly disclosed FBI emails and notes last week to allege that Flynn was entrapped into lying when agents interviewed him at the White House days after Trump’s inauguration.
The Russia Hoax is the biggest political scandal in American history. Treason!!! Lets see how it ends???? https://t.co/VRsVdiQrsf — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2020
The decision is the latest dramatic turn in a years-old case full of twists and turns.
In recent months, his attorneys have leveled a series of allegations about the FBI’s actions and asked to withdraw his guilty plea. A judge has rejected most of the claims and not ruled on others, including the bid to revoke the plea.
The decision comes as Barr has increasingly challenged the Russia investigation, saying in a television interview last month that it was started “without any basis.” In February, he overruled a decision by prosecutors in the Roger Stone case in favor of a more lenient recommended sentence for the longtime Trump friend.
Earlier this year, he appointed Jensen, of St. Louis, to investigate the handling of Flynn’s case. As part of that process, the Justice Department produced to Flynn’s attorneys a series of emails and notes, including one handwritten note from a senior FBI official that mapped out internal deliberations about the purpose of the Flynn interview.
“What’s our goal? Truth/admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” the official wrote.
Other documents show that the FBI had been prepared weeks before its interview of Flynn to drop its investigation into whether he was acting at the direction of Russia.
Later that month, though, as the White House insisted that Flynn had never discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, FBI officials grew alarmed by Flynn’s conversations with the diplomat and what he had communicated to the White House. The investigation remained open, and agents went to visit him in the White House on Jan. 24, 2017.
Justice Department officials visited the White House two days later to warn officials that they feared that Flynn was compromised and vulnerable to blackmail by Russia because of his account of what was said on the call. White House officials waited several weeks to oust him from the job, saying they’d concluded that Flynn had lied to them.
Do you agree with the DOJ's decision to drop the Flynn case? Yes No
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Flynn pleaded guilty that December, becoming among the first of the president’s aides to admit guilt in Mueller’s investigation. He acknowledged that he lied about his conversations with Kislyak, in which he encouraged Russia not to retaliate against the U.S. for sanctions imposed by the Obama administration over election interference.
He provided such extensive cooperation that prosecutors said he was entitled to a sentence of probation instead of prison.
As it turned out, that sentencing hearing was abruptly cut short after Flynn, facing a stern rebuke from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, asked to be able to continue cooperating and earn credit toward a more lenient sentence.
Flynn’s misgivings about the case were already on display when his then-attorneys pointedly noted in their sentencing memo that the FBI had not warned him that it was against the law to lie when they interviewed him at the White House in January 2017.
Since then, though, he has hired new attorneys — including Sidney Powell, an outspoken critic of Mueller’s investigation — who have taken a far more aggressive stance to the government.
The lawyers have accused prosecutors of withholding documents and evidence they said was favorable to the case and repeatedly noted that one of the two agents who interviewed Flynn was fired from the FBI for having sent derogatory text messages about Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.
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--2020-05-07--NFL Superstar Earl Thomas ‘Lucky to Be Alive’ After Wife Allegedly Holds Him at Gunpoint

Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas is “ lucky to be alive ” after his wife allegedly held a gun to his head after discovering he had been unfaithful to her last month , TMZ reported Thursday after obtaining court documents relating to a domestic violence dispute .
The outlet reported police in Austin , Texas , were called to a home in the early morning hours of April 13 , where they discovered the NFL player ’ s wife , Nina , was chasing him around with a knife in her hand while Thomas was holding a handgun .
Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his wife after an altercation in which she pointed it at him after finding evidence on social media that he was with another woman or women .
Thomas , a former University of Texas standout and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks , had been in an argument with his wife and had left his home with his brother , per TMZ .
TMZ further reported Nina Thomas used his Snapchat account to track him to a residence , where she and two friends discovered her husband and his brother in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in documents that Nina Thomas told them she grabbed her husband ’ s 9mm Beretta pistol on her way to confront and scare him , removing the magazine but failing to realize there was a round in the chamber , the TMZ report said .
The outlet reported police said cellphone video of the altercation showed video Nina Thomas with a gun pointed at her husband “ from less than a foot away and it can clearly be seen that Nina ’ s finger was on the trigger and the safety is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with burglary of a residence with intent to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon-family violence , and was released on bond , per TMZ .
Two women who accompanied her to the residence were also arrested , according to the report .
Earl Thomas , who has spent the majority of his career as a part of the Seahawks ’ vaunted “ Legion of Boom ” defense , was not arrested .
Nina Thomas denied the report through her attorney , a man named Jonathan Goins , who told TMZ : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my client unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and we look forward to our day in court where we can clear her good name.
” Earl Thomas , meanwhile , took to social media late Wednesday to get out ahead of the story and to tell his side of it when he learned TMZ had been planning to report it , he said .
The player appeared to confirm the report on the video .
“ I mean , it ’ s really not anybody ’ s business , ” Thomas said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s p—ing me off that it got out , but that ’ s the world we live in today.
” “ But , instead of talking about us , just keep us in y ’ all ’ s prayers , ” he said .
“ Stuff like this happens , bro .
You know , we try to live the best lives we possibly can , but sometimes it doesn ’ t go as planned .
Just pray for us as we go through this stuff .
We ’ re back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids , ” Thomas said .
Thomas also asked for prayers for him and his family .
The couple were married in 2016 in Houston .
The NFL star was photographed wearing a crown and a cape at the ceremony .
Thomas played for Seattle from 2010 to 2018 and was instrumental in his team shutting down the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 .
The Seahawks won 43-8 and dominated Denver in every facet of the game .
Thomas signed with Baltimore for the 2019 season , in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Ravens finished a league-best 14-2 .
He has recorded 713 tackles and 30 interceptions during his NFL career and is a seven-time Pro Bowler .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas is “lucky to be alive” after his wife allegedly held a gun to his head after discovering he had been unfaithful to her last month, TMZ reported Thursday after obtaining court documents relating to a domestic violence dispute.
The outlet reported police in Austin, Texas, were called to a home in the early morning hours of April 13, where they discovered the NFL player’s wife, Nina, was chasing him around with a knife in her hand while Thomas was holding a handgun.
Thomas reportedly had wrestled the loaded gun away from his wife after an altercation in which she pointed it at him after finding evidence on social media that he was with another woman or women.
Thomas, a former University of Texas standout and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, had been in an argument with his wife and had left his home with his brother, per TMZ.
TMZ further reported Nina Thomas used his Snapchat account to track him to a residence, where she and two friends discovered her husband and his brother in bed with the other women.
Police wrote in documents that Nina Thomas told them she grabbed her husband’s 9mm Beretta pistol on her way to confront and scare him, removing the magazine but failing to realize there was a round in the chamber, the TMZ report said.
The outlet reported police said cellphone video of the altercation showed video Nina Thomas with a gun pointed at her husband “from less than a foot away and it can clearly be seen that Nina’s finger was on the trigger and the safety is disengaged.”
Nina Thomas was arrested and charged with burglary of a residence with intent to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon-family violence, and was released on bond, per TMZ.
Two women who accompanied her to the residence were also arrested, according to the report.
Earl Thomas, who has spent the majority of his career as a part of the Seahawks’ vaunted “Legion of Boom” defense, was not arrested.
Nina Thomas denied the report through her attorney, a man named Jonathan Goins, who told TMZ: “I am here to declare that my client unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and we look forward to our day in court where we can clear her good name.”
Earl Thomas, meanwhile, took to social media late Wednesday to get out ahead of the story and to tell his side of it when he learned TMZ had been planning to report it, he said.
The player appeared to confirm the report on the video.
“I mean, it’s really not anybody’s business,” Thomas said in a 48-second video posted online. “It’s p—ing me off that it got out, but that’s the world we live in today.”
“But, instead of talking about us, just keep us in y’all’s prayers,” he said.
“Stuff like this happens, bro. You know, we try to live the best lives we possibly can, but sometimes it doesn’t go as planned. Just pray for us as we go through this stuff. We’re back talking. I’m seeing my kids,” Thomas said.
Ravens safety Earl Thomas says in an Instagram post tonight that TMZ will have a report on an “altercation” between him and his wife, Nina, on Thursday. “Stuff like this happens, bro. We’re trying to live the best life we possibly can, but sometimes it doesn’t go as planned.” pic.twitter.com/PLavo2nmk3 — Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) May 7, 2020
Thomas also asked for prayers for him and his family.
The couple were married in 2016 in Houston.
The NFL star was photographed wearing a crown and a cape at the ceremony.
Seattle’s Earl Thomas wore a crown and a cape to his wedding, because wouldn’t you if you could get away with it? https://t.co/3iCwWcYLnB — SB Nation (@SBNation) April 18, 2016
Thomas played for Seattle from 2010 to 2018 and was instrumental in his team shutting down the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
The Seahawks won 43-8 and dominated Denver in every facet of the game.
Thomas signed with Baltimore for the 2019 season, in which he recorded two interceptions and started 15 games as the Ravens finished a league-best 14-2.
He has recorded 713 tackles and 30 interceptions during his NFL career and is a seven-time Pro Bowler.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Poll: Reade’s Biden Allegations Get Massive Traction Among Independent Voters

A new Monmouth University Poll would ordinarily have Joe Biden feeling pretty good .
But what it also says regarding what independent voters think about Tara Reade ’ s allegations are going to have his people doing anything but celebrating .
The poll , released Wednesday , showed Biden with a 9-point lead nationally over President Donald Trump among registered voters .
Biden garnered 50 percent support , compared to Trump with 41 percent .
Meanwhile , 3 percent said they would go for an independent and 5 percent were undecided .
In that matchup , Biden gets 47 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the libertarian-leaning dissident Republican who left the party last year and announced his intention to run for the Libertarian Party ’ s nomination for president late last month — gets 5 percent .
The caveat : “ During the last presidential cycle , Gary Johnson started his presidential bid as a Libertarian with 11 % support in a March 2016 Monmouth poll .
His poll standing dropped to 5 % by October and he ended up earning just 3 % of the national vote , ” Monmouth pollsters announced in a news release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build even as overall opinion of him remains soft .
It ’ s possible that recent headlines about a sexual assault claim may have had an impact on his favorability rating , but most voters still see this election mainly as a referendum on Trump , ” Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling institute , said .
The question is how long that remains the case , particularly if the numbers on Reade ’ s accusation among independent voters continue along their current lines .
“ Most voters ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegation that Biden may have sexually assaulted a woman who worked in his U.S. Senate office in the 1990s , ” the news release said .
“ The electorate is divided on the validity of this allegation — 37 % say it is probably true , 32 % say it is probably not true , and 31 % have no opinion .
Opinion on this question breaks sharply along partisan lines .
More Republicans say the allegation is probably true ( 50 % ) than not true ( 17 % ) while more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true ( 55 % ) than true ( 20 % ) .
” But then , it ’ s the independents who will likely decide the election — and they aren ’ t entirely Reade-agnostic .
“ Independents are more likely to feel that the allegation is true ( 43 % ) rather than not true ( 22 % ) , while 35 % have no opinion either way , ” the pollsters found .
“ Overall , men ( 39 % true and 29 % not true ) are slightly more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 % not true ) to believe the charge against Biden.
” RELATED : Biden Demands Benefit of the Doubt for Himself , Vows To Get Rid of It for Students Accused of Sex Assault “ We don ’ t know what impact this allegation will have in the long run , ” Murray said .
“ For some voters who believe the charge , it is still not enough to override their desire to oust Trump .
The outlook is murkier for those who don ’ t have an opinion on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic-leaning independents who could potentially be swayed if this story grows in importance.
” In terms of methodology , the news release noted : “ The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone from April 30 to May 4 , 2020 with 808 adults in the United States .
The results in this release are based on 739 registered voters and have a +/- 3.6 percentage point sampling margin of error.
” What should be compelling is if these numbers from independents break along current lines .
As it stands right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward believing Tara Reade than are leaning toward not doing so .
That ’ s a huge margin and for a group that decided the election during the last cycle , and will likely do so again .
Biden can ’ t afford to lose independents in 2020 the same way Hillary Clinton lost them in 2016 .
If these numbers hold until November — and if we find out more about the Tara Reade allegations or if more women accuse Biden of sexual misconduct — his overall lead isn ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A new Monmouth University Poll would ordinarily have Joe Biden feeling pretty good.
But what it also says regarding what independent voters think about Tara Reade’s allegations are going to have his people doing anything but celebrating.
The poll, released Wednesday, showed Biden with a 9-point lead nationally over President Donald Trump among registered voters.
Biden garnered 50 percent support, compared to Trump with 41 percent. Meanwhile, 3 percent said they would go for an independent and 5 percent were undecided.
Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash changes things a bit, with a caveat.
In that matchup, Biden gets 47 percent, Trump 40 percent and Amash — the libertarian-leaning dissident Republican who left the party last year and announced his intention to run for the Libertarian Party’s nomination for president late last month — gets 5 percent.
The caveat: “During the last presidential cycle, Gary Johnson started his presidential bid as a Libertarian with 11% support in a March 2016 Monmouth poll. His poll standing dropped to 5% by October and he ended up earning just 3% of the national vote,” Monmouth pollsters announced in a news release.
“Biden’s lead continues to build even as overall opinion of him remains soft. It’s possible that recent headlines about a sexual assault claim may have had an impact on his favorability rating, but most voters still see this election mainly as a referendum on Trump,” Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling institute, said.
The question is how long that remains the case, particularly if the numbers on Reade’s accusation among independent voters continue along their current lines.
Will the Tara Reade allegations affect Biden come November? Yes No
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“Most voters (86%) have heard about an allegation that Biden may have sexually assaulted a woman who worked in his U.S. Senate office in the 1990s,” the news release said.
“The electorate is divided on the validity of this allegation — 37% say it is probably true, 32% say it is probably not true, and 31% have no opinion. Opinion on this question breaks sharply along partisan lines. More Republicans say the allegation is probably true (50%) than not true (17%) while more Democrats say is it is probably not true (55%) than true (20%).”
But then, it’s the independents who will likely decide the election — and they aren’t entirely Reade-agnostic.
“Independents are more likely to feel that the allegation is true (43%) rather than not true (22%), while 35% have no opinion either way,” the pollsters found.
“Overall, men (39% true and 29% not true) are slightly more likely than women (35% true and 34% not true) to believe the charge against Biden.”
“We don’t know what impact this allegation will have in the long run,” Murray said.
“For some voters who believe the charge, it is still not enough to override their desire to oust Trump. The outlook is murkier for those who don’t have an opinion on it. This group includes a number of Democratic-leaning independents who could potentially be swayed if this story grows in importance.”
In terms of methodology, the news release noted: “The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone from April 30 to May 4, 2020 with 808 adults in the United States. The results in this release are based on 739 registered voters and have a +/- 3.6 percentage point sampling margin of error.”
What should be compelling is if these numbers from independents break along current lines.
As it stands right now, nearly twice as many independents are leaning toward believing Tara Reade than are leaning toward not doing so. That’s a huge margin and for a group that decided the election during the last cycle, and will likely do so again.
Biden can’t afford to lose independents in 2020 the same way Hillary Clinton lost them in 2016.
If these numbers hold until November — and if we find out more about the Tara Reade allegations or if more women accuse Biden of sexual misconduct — his overall lead isn’t going to hold.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Nasdaq Surges To Wipe Out All 2020 Losses in Stunning Turnaround

The Nasdaq Composite Index surged more than 1 percent on Thursday as the stock market bet on the U.S. economy reopening soon .
The index was trading over 1.6 percent higher Thursday , aided by tech companies like Apple , whose shares gained over 1 percent Thursday as well , according to CNBC .
Amazon , Alphabet Inc. , Zoom Communications , Tesla , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Netflix also rose on Thursday , Market Watch reported .
Facebook , Amazon , Apple , Netflix and Alphabet are all up at least 15 percent this quarter .
“ While we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products and services provided by the [ Facebook Amazon Apple Netflix Google Microsoft ] s during the Great Virus Crisis , they might have become more immune to government regulation , ” Ed Yardeni , president and chief investment strategist at Yardini Research , told CNBC .
“ They have great balance sheets and generate lots of cash flow.
” Thursday ’ s jump would help the technology-heavy index eliminate losses it has racked up as the novel coronavirus took its toll on the stock market .
Thursday marked Nasdaq ’ s fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had swelled past 20 percent in March , Bloomberg reported .
“ What does the new economy start to look like ?
To me , this makes the case for tech , ” Jack Janasiewicz , a portfolio strategist at Natixis Investment Managers , said .
“ Everything we think about has to revolve around technology because it has made all this stuff available for us .
This just highlights the idea that we need tech and it needs to be one of the core positions in your portfolio.
” Big tech ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and running as employees are forced to adapt to a work from home environment .
Although big tech makes up most of the Nasdaq Composite , the index is also home to 700 health care and biotechnology companies .
“ Three of the top five performers in 2020 are biotech firms , and all of them are up more than 400 % , including Genprex Inc. and Vaxart Inc. , ” according to Bloomberg .
Nasdaq ’ s rise Thursday marked the first time one of the major averages was up year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CNBC reported .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S & P 500 were both trading higher by 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent , respectively , but are still down over 10 percent for 2020 .
“ I don ’ t think any full sector is bullet-proof to this , ” Dunkin Allison , director of portfolio management at Delegate Advisors , told Bloomberg .
“ Technology is in a position , given the nature of their business models , to be more defensive , experience less pain and also come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were , say , six or 12 months ago.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The Nasdaq Composite Index surged more than 1 percent on Thursday as the stock market bet on the U.S. economy reopening soon.
The index was trading over 1.6 percent higher Thursday, aided by tech companies like Apple, whose shares gained over 1 percent Thursday as well, according to CNBC.
Amazon, Alphabet Inc., Zoom Communications, Tesla, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Netflix also rose on Thursday, Market Watch reported.
Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Alphabet are all up at least 15 percent this quarter.
“While we have all become even more dependent on the products and services provided by the [Facebook Amazon Apple Netflix Google Microsoft]s during the Great Virus Crisis, they might have become more immune to government regulation,” Ed Yardeni, president and chief investment strategist at Yardini Research, told CNBC.
“They have great balance sheets and generate lots of cash flow.”
Thursday’s jump would help the technology-heavy index eliminate losses it has racked up as the novel coronavirus took its toll on the stock market.
Thursday marked Nasdaq’s fourth straight advance and erased year-to-date losses that had swelled past 20 percent in March, Bloomberg reported.
“What does the new economy start to look like? To me, this makes the case for tech,” Jack Janasiewicz, a portfolio strategist at Natixis Investment Managers, said.
Do you think the economy will soon rebound to its previous heights? Yes No
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“Everything we think about has to revolve around technology because it has made all this stuff available for us. This just highlights the idea that we need tech and it needs to be one of the core positions in your portfolio.”
Big tech’s online focus has kept many companies up and running as employees are forced to adapt to a work from home environment.
Although big tech makes up most of the Nasdaq Composite, the index is also home to 700 health care and biotechnology companies.
“Three of the top five performers in 2020 are biotech firms, and all of them are up more than 400%, including Genprex Inc. and Vaxart Inc.,” according to Bloomberg.
Nasdaq’s rise Thursday marked the first time one of the major averages was up year to date since the coronavirus pandemic hit, CNBC reported.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were both trading higher by 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively, but are still down over 10 percent for 2020.
“I don’t think any full sector is bullet-proof to this,” Dunkin Allison, director of portfolio management at Delegate Advisors, told Bloomberg.
“Technology is in a position, given the nature of their business models, to be more defensive, experience less pain and also come out of this a fair amount stronger than they were, say, six or 12 months ago.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Ocasio-Cortez Claims Biden Allegation Creates a ‘Messy Moment’ That Is ‘Not Clear Cut’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that the sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden creates a “ messy moment ” that is “ not clear cut.
” Former Senate staffer Tara Reade has accused the former vice president of sexually assaulting her in 1993 .
“ There have been investigative journalists that have corroborated certain aspects of her account — that is undeniable — [ and ] have raised questions about other aspects of her account , ” Ocasio-Cortez told NPR ‘ s “ Morning Edition.
” “ It certainly seems as though something has happened .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Frankly , this is a messy moment , and I think we need to acknowledge that — that it is not clear cut.
” The New York Democrat cautioned her colleagues against picking sides too soon instead of allowing for proper due process .
“ I think there is an impact here for survivors and I think it is very important to speak about what this moment means for survivors across the country , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ I think a lot are watching how our leadership and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I don ’ t think the response overall has been sufficient.
” However , the New York representative said people have been too quick to judge because it is in a “ hyper-politicized zone.
” “ Instead of focusing on her account , instead of focusing on her story as a survivor , people are fast-forwarding to the political implications , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
Ocasio-Cortez said Reade has not explicitly stated that she wants any kind of political justice even though that is what many people are assuming .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to be heard , ” she said .
Reade , who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993 , has said Biden kissed , groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance .
RELATED : Ilhan Omar Claims US Needs 'Universal ' Housing , Basic Income 'as a Start' Biden addressed the allegations on May 1 , saying that it never happened in a post on Medium and during an appearance on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
“ “ No , it is not true , ” Biden told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allegations .
“ I am saying unequivocally .
It never , never happened .
And it didn ’ t .
It never happened.
” Many Democrats have come out in support of Biden , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was “ satisfied with how he has responded.
” Biden ’ s campaign also reportedly issued talking points for Democrats to use if they are asked about Reade ’ s allegations .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that the sexual assault allegation against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden creates a “messy moment” that is “not clear cut.”
Former Senate staffer Tara Reade has accused the former vice president of sexually assaulting her in 1993.
“There have been investigative journalists that have corroborated certain aspects of her account — that is undeniable — [and] have raised questions about other aspects of her account,” Ocasio-Cortez told NPR‘s “Morning Edition.”
“It certainly seems as though something has happened. I’m not sure,” she said. “Frankly, this is a messy moment, and I think we need to acknowledge that — that it is not clear cut.”
The New York Democrat cautioned her colleagues against picking sides too soon instead of allowing for proper due process.
“I think there is an impact here for survivors and I think it is very important to speak about what this moment means for survivors across the country,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“I think a lot are watching how our leadership and our culture and our media respond to this and I don’t think the response overall has been sufficient.”
However, the New York representative said people have been too quick to judge because it is in a “hyper-politicized zone.”
Are you surprised by how Democrats have responded to these allegations? Yes No
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“Instead of focusing on her account, instead of focusing on her story as a survivor, people are fast-forwarding to the political implications,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“That denies justice in this situation.”
Ocasio-Cortez said Reade has not explicitly stated that she wants any kind of political justice even though that is what many people are assuming.
“If anything, it sounds like she simply wants to be heard,” she said.
Reade, who worked for Biden from 1992 to 1993, has said Biden kissed, groped and digitally penetrated her during an unwanted sexual advance.
Biden addressed the allegations on May 1, saying that it never happened in a post on Medium and during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.“
“No, it is not true,” Biden told host Mika Brzezinski when asked about Reade’s allegations. “I am saying unequivocally. It never, never happened. And it didn’t. It never happened.”
Many Democrats have come out in support of Biden, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was “satisfied with how he has responded.”
Biden’s campaign also reportedly issued talking points for Democrats to use if they are asked about Reade’s allegations.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Biden Demands Benefit of the Doubt for Himself, Vows To Get Rid of It for Students Accused of Sex As

Biden Demands Benefit of the Doubt for Himself, Vows To Get Rid of It for Students Accused of Sex Assault

Joe Biden ’ s latest hypocrisy is so blatant even Democrats should be able to see it .
The man on the cusp of winning the Democratic nomination for the presidency is banking on the benefit of the doubt to convince Americans that a sexual assault allegation against him is not true .
But the same candidate is vowing to remove due-process protections for college students who are accused of the same thing .
On Wednesday , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made good on her longstanding efforts to reverse kangaroo court policies on the nation ’ s campuses when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She released new federal guidelines on how colleges that receive federal funding should process the accusations .
As NBC News reported , the guidelines start with the presumption of innocence .
That essential hallmark of the American idea of due process might sound like common sense to sane people , but to liberal Democrats – and the man who ’ s likely to lead their party into November ’ s election – it ’ s unacceptable .
“ It ’ s wrong , ” Biden said in a statement Wednesday , after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be put to a quick end in January 2021 , because as President , I ’ ll be right where I always have been throughout my career — on the side of survivors , who deserve to have their voices heard , their claims taken seriously and investigated , and their rights upheld.
” Maybe someone should break it to Biden in his basement bunker , but he hasn ’ t exactly been on the side of the “ survivors ” lately – since that ’ s what liberals call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether he remembers it or not , Biden is personally very much considered to be on the side of the accused , given that a former staffer has publicly said that Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 in the nation ’ s Capitol , penetrating her with his fingers .
Biden has denied the charge – though he waited more than a month after former aide Tara Reade ’ s story became public to go to the friendly confines of MSNBC to deliver that denial .
To be clear , Biden does deserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumption of innocence is a bedrock part of the American legal system , and no one should be judged – in a court of law or the court of public opinion – simply on the word of another .
While it ’ s true that Reade has considerably more apparently corroborating evidence than California psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford presented when she accused then-Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh of a high school sexual assault during Kavanaugh ’ s 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearings , the Reade-Biden case is still her word against his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corroboration than Blasey Ford is a pretty low bar to set , considering Blasey Ford couldn ’ t remember where or when the alleged assault took place , presented no credible witnesses and was later shown to have a clear political agenda in attacking the conservative Kavanaugh .
Because of its very nature , usually involving two people without others around , a campus sexual assault allegation often comes down to the accuser ’ s word against the accused .
The guidelines DeVos announced Wednesday make it clear that an accusation is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always a young man – guilty .
That reverses previous federal guidelines , adopted during the Obama-Biden years – with considerable backing from Biden himself .
In April of 2011 , then-Vice President Biden and then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan published a news release outlining the new standards for judging campus sexual assault cases that amounted to overturning the presumption of innocence standard .
“ The accused were to be judged under the lowest standards of evidence , ” Atlantic magazine contributing editor Emily Yoffe wrote in Politico , “ the definitions of misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trigger an investigation even if the alleged victim did not think there had been a violation , and more.
” That piece was published on April 3 , 2019 , and dealt with the previous litany of accusations that Biden had touched women inappropriately , sniffed their hair or even kissed them .
More than a year later , with the much more serious accusation by Reade now in the public debate , the Politico headline has an ominous irony : “ Joe Biden Created the Culture He Is a Target Of ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden created a culture he wants everyone else to be a target of .
Demanding the presumption of innocence in his own case , he ’ s denouncing a Trump cabinet member who simply wants to restore the presumption of innocence to American campuses where Biden himself helped destroy it .
No one with any sense would buy what Biden was selling – and many on social media had no problem picking up the hypocrisy .
It ’ s hard to believe that this is the man who ’ s truly on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency .
He ’ s the man who , if the likes of Nancy Pelosi have their way , will actually be the next president of the United States .
Biden might not be guilty of assaulting Tara Reade in 1993 , but his record of deplorable behavior with other women over the years is well established .
That alone makes feminist support for Biden hypocritical .
But Biden ’ s attack on the DeVos standards on campus that he himself is relying on for his political career is beyond that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats should see it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Joe Biden’s latest hypocrisy is so blatant even Democrats should be able to see it.
The man on the cusp of winning the Democratic nomination for the presidency is banking on the benefit of the doubt to convince Americans that a sexual assault allegation against him is not true.
But the same candidate is vowing to remove due-process protections for college students who are accused of the same thing.
On Wednesday, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made good on her longstanding efforts to reverse kangaroo court policies on the nation’s campuses when it comes to charges of sexual assault. She released new federal guidelines on how colleges that receive federal funding should process the accusations.
As NBC News reported, the guidelines start with the presumption of innocence.
That essential hallmark of the American idea of due process might sound like common sense to sane people, but to liberal Democrats – and the man who’s likely to lead their party into November’s election – it’s unacceptable.
“It’s wrong,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday, after the new guidelines were announced. “And, it will be put to a quick end in January 2021, because as President, I’ll be right where I always have been throughout my career — on the side of survivors, who deserve to have their voices heard, their claims taken seriously and investigated, and their rights upheld.”
Maybe someone should break it to Biden in his basement bunker, but he hasn’t exactly been on the side of the “survivors” lately – since that’s what liberals call the accusers in sexual assault cases.
Whether he remembers it or not, Biden is personally very much considered to be on the side of the accused, given that a former staffer has publicly said that Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 in the nation’s Capitol, penetrating her with his fingers.
Do you think Joe Biden's hypocrisy is catching up with him? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 97% (2198 Votes) No: 3% (68 Votes)
Biden has denied the charge – though he waited more than a month after former aide Tara Reade’s story became public to go to the friendly confines of MSNBC to deliver that denial.
To be clear, Biden does deserve the benefit of the doubt. The presumption of innocence is a bedrock part of the American legal system, and no one should be judged – in a court of law or the court of public opinion – simply on the word of another.
While it’s true that Reade has considerably more apparently corroborating evidence than California psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford presented when she accused then-Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh of a high school sexual assault during Kavanaugh’s 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, the Reade-Biden case is still her word against his.
(Of course, having more corroboration than Blasey Ford is a pretty low bar to set, considering Blasey Ford couldn’t remember where or when the alleged assault took place, presented no credible witnesses and was later shown to have a clear political agenda in attacking the conservative Kavanaugh.
(Creative parents, in other words, can come up with more corroborating “evidence” for the Tooth Fairy than Blasey Ford or Kavanaugh’s other accusers ever brought to the American public.)
Because of its very nature, usually involving two people without others around, a campus sexual assault allegation often comes down to the accuser’s word against the accused. The guidelines DeVos announced Wednesday make it clear that an accusation is not enough to find the student-defendant – almost always a young man – guilty.
That reverses previous federal guidelines, adopted during the Obama-Biden years – with considerable backing from Biden himself.
In April of 2011, then-Vice President Biden and then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan published a news release outlining the new standards for judging campus sexual assault cases that amounted to overturning the presumption of innocence standard.
“The accused were to be judged under the lowest standards of evidence,” Atlantic magazine contributing editor Emily Yoffe wrote in Politico, “the definitions of misconduct were widely broadened, third-party reports could trigger an investigation even if the alleged victim did not think there had been a violation, and more.”
That piece was published on April 3, 2019, and dealt with the previous litany of accusations that Biden had touched women inappropriately, sniffed their hair or even kissed them. More than a year later, with the much more serious accusation by Reade now in the public debate, the Politico headline has an ominous irony:
“Joe Biden Created the Culture He Is a Target Of”
Actually, the reality is that Joe Biden created a culture he wants everyone else to be a target of. Demanding the presumption of innocence in his own case, he’s denouncing a Trump cabinet member who simply wants to restore the presumption of innocence to American campuses where Biden himself helped destroy it.
No one with any sense would buy what Biden was selling – and many on social media had no problem picking up the hypocrisy.
“Innocent for me, guilty for thee.” — Pravin A. Singh (@PravinASingh4) May 7, 2020
College guys just have to self identify as Delaware senators, then they’ll be good. — Rosa (@rebellions) May 7, 2020
He thinks his own rules shouldn’t apply to him — Jen Monroe ?? ? (@jenniferm_q) May 7, 2020
I’d think this were an onion headline if it were just read to me. Hypocrisy at its finest. — M0ser (@TM0s41) May 7, 2020
It’s hard to believe that this is the man who’s truly on the verge of winning the Democratic nomination for the presidency.
He’s the man who, if the likes of Nancy Pelosi have their way, will actually be the next president of the United States.
Biden might not be guilty of assaulting Tara Reade in 1993, but his record of deplorable behavior with other women over the years is well established. That alone makes feminist support for Biden hypocritical.
But Biden’s attack on the DeVos standards on campus that he himself is relying on for his political career is beyond that.
It’s hypocrisy so blatant even Democrats should see it.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Ex-NYT Reporter Reveals What Dems Are Thinking: Biden May Be Guilty of Sex Assault, But I’ll Vote fo

Ex-NYT Reporter Reveals What Dems Are Thinking: Biden May Be Guilty of Sex Assault, But I’ll Vote for Him Anyway

It isn ’ t particularly unusual that a New York Times reader , in response to the paper ’ s rather lenient editorial request to have the Democratic National Committee investigate Tara Reade ’ s allegation of sexual assault against presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden , might write a letter to the editor which includes the line , “ I don ’ t want an investigation .
I want a coronation of Joe Biden.
” It ’ s a bit more unusual when that reader ’ s letter is printed .
The New York Times still has standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — standards which would have the paper operate under the utterly misguided assumption that the DNC could effectively investigate its own nominee and vouchsafe to us there was nothing to the charges .
They ’ re still standards , though , and they ’ re the kind of standards that wouldn ’ t usually let a letter to the editor get published which essentially said the Democratic Party might be nominating a sexual predator , but it ’ s a sexual predator we can all get behind .
It ’ s incredibly unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times reader is a former New York Times reporter .
Martin Tolchin apparently isn ’ t very happy something might spoil Biden ’ s path to the White House , including a former aide ’ s allegation she sexually assaulted him .
“ I totally disagree with this editorial .
I don ’ t want an investigation .
I want a coronation of Joe Biden , ” Tolchin wrote in a letter published Monday .
“ Would he make a great president ?
Unlikely .
Would he make a good president ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better president than the present occupant ?
Absolutely , ” it continued .
Yes , but the accusation here is that , in 1993 , Biden pushed Reade up against a wall and digitally penetrated her against her will .
One would think that an investigation would be the slightest bit of justice we could do the allegation .
That ’ s not terribly a concern for Tolchin , though .
“ I don ’ t want justice , whatever that may be .
I want a win , the removal of Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is our best chance , ” the letter continued .
This isn ’ t , by the way , because of the fact he doesn ’ t think there ’ s any possibility Reade ’ s allegation is true .
In fact , he ’ s afraid it is : “ Suppose an investigation reveals damaging information concerning his relationship with Tara Reade or something else , and Mr. Biden loses the nomination to Senator Bernie Sanders or someone else with a minimal chance of defeating Mr. Trump .
Should we really risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a sad state of affairs when Mr. Tolchin ’ s letter finds its way into the august pages of The New York Times .
As it turns out , he ’ s a bit of an insider on the Hill — so much so that he literally helped found the news outlet The Hill after he left The Times .
Here was the disclosure note after Tolchin ’ s letter : “ The writer is a former reporter for The New York Times , a founder and editor in chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser during the pre-launch phase of Politico .
His views are his own.
” Yes , one would hope so .
By publishing it , The Times has made me more than a bit uncertain .
Is The New York Times exposing an ugly strand of thinking by publishing a thoroughly ugly letter ?
I somewhat doubt it , particularly in a paper not known for leaving a whole lot to morality in the Trump era .
Is its editorial board thoroughly unaware of its profound ugliness ?
By at least presenting this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their editorial , one more than suspects that .
To be fair , The Times would have done Tolchin an enormous kindness by keeping this out of their pages in more ways than one : Tolchin is 91 , which is perhaps past the age when he should have his letters to the editor automatically published no matter what the contents might be .
If they ’ re assuming he ’ s still in compos mentis , then , what are we also assuming about what Tolchin — and indeed , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely rational enough to pass along to their readers , even if they found it ugly — had to say ?
For over four years , from the moment the man who would become our president came down the escalator at Trump Tower , the right was told it must disown President Trump because of his personal failings .
This , mind you , was before the “ Access Hollywood ” video and accusations of sexual misconduct came along .
If you were conservative — and especially Christian and conservative — you had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the nominee simply because of the man who Trump was .
For that period , the left has patted itself on the back for its moral rectitude .
The right had no place to talk anymore , even if they personally disapproved of Trump ’ s lifestyle choices or disbelieved the accusations against him .
Now it ’ s not even a matter of disbelieving Reade ’ s accusations .
Tolchin is afraid we might find something that could make him believe them — or , perhaps more importantly , make other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t make a bit of difference whether or not Reade is telling the truth .
In other words , the left is using the same logic they think Christian conservatives use to unethically stomach Trump to actually unethically stomach Biden , all because he would “ make a better president than the present occupant.
” And they ’ ll pat themselves on the back for doing so .
“ Believe all women , ” indeed .
The left doesn ’ t care about women .
All it does is care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It isn’t particularly unusual that a New York Times reader, in response to the paper’s rather lenient editorial request to have the Democratic National Committee investigate Tara Reade’s allegation of sexual assault against presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden, might write a letter to the editor which includes the line, “I don’t want an investigation. I want a coronation of Joe Biden.”
It’s a bit more unusual when that reader’s letter is printed.
The New York Times still has standards. They’re entirely backward standards — standards which would have the paper operate under the utterly misguided assumption that the DNC could effectively investigate its own nominee and vouchsafe to us there was nothing to the charges.
They’re still standards, though, and they’re the kind of standards that wouldn’t usually let a letter to the editor get published which essentially said the Democratic Party might be nominating a sexual predator, but it’s a sexual predator we can all get behind.
It’s incredibly unusual — and telling — when that New York Times reader is a former New York Times reporter.
Martin Tolchin apparently isn’t very happy something might spoil Biden’s path to the White House, including a former aide’s allegation that Biden sexually assaulted her.
“I totally disagree with this editorial. I don’t want an investigation. I want a coronation of Joe Biden,” Tolchin wrote in a letter published Monday.
“Would he make a great president? Unlikely. Would he make a good president? Good enough. Would he make a better president than the present occupant? Absolutely,” it continued.
Yes, but the accusation here is that, in 1993, Biden pushed Reade up against a wall and digitally penetrated her against her will. One would think that an investigation would be the slightest bit of justice we could do the allegation.
Should the DNC appoint a task force to examine claims against Joe Biden? Yes No
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That’s not terribly a concern for Tolchin, though.
“I don’t want justice, whatever that may be. I want a win, the removal of Donald Trump from office, and Mr. Biden is our best chance,” the letter continued.
This isn’t, by the way, because of the fact he doesn’t think there’s any possibility Reade’s allegation is true. In fact, he’s afraid it is: “Suppose an investigation reveals damaging information concerning his relationship with Tara Reade or something else, and Mr. Biden loses the nomination to Senator Bernie Sanders or someone else with a minimal chance of defeating Mr. Trump. Should we really risk the possibility?”
So yes, it’s a sad state of affairs when Mr. Tolchin’s letter finds its way into the august pages of The New York Times. As it turns out, he’s a bit of an insider on the Hill — so much so that he literally helped found the news outlet The Hill after he left The Times.
Here was the disclosure note after Tolchin’s letter: “The writer is a former reporter for The New York Times, a founder and editor in chief of The Hill, and was an adviser during the pre-launch phase of Politico. His views are his own.”
Yes, one would hope so. By publishing it, The Times has made me more than a bit uncertain.
Is The New York Times exposing an ugly strand of thinking by publishing a thoroughly ugly letter? I somewhat doubt it, particularly in a paper not known for leaving a whole lot to morality in the Trump era.
Is its editorial board thoroughly unaware of its profound ugliness? By at least presenting this letter to us as a viable reaction to their editorial, one more than suspects that.
To be fair, The Times would have done Tolchin an enormous kindness by keeping this out of their pages in more ways than one: Tolchin is 91, which is perhaps past the age when he should have his letters to the editor automatically published no matter what the contents might be.
If they’re assuming he’s still in compos mentis, then, what are we also assuming about what Tolchin — and indeed, the slice of the left that found this entirely rational enough to pass along to their readers, even if they found it ugly — had to say?
For over four years, from the moment the man who would become our president came down the escalator at Trump Tower, the right was told it must disown President Trump because of his personal failings.
This, mind you, was before the “Access Hollywood” video and accusations of sexual misconduct came along. If you were conservative — and especially Christian and conservative — you had to vote against your interests if Trump became the nominee simply because of the man who Trump was.
For that period, the left has patted itself on the back for its moral rectitude. The right had no place to talk anymore, even if they personally disapproved of Trump’s lifestyle choices or disbelieved the accusations against him.
Now it’s not even a matter of disbelieving Reade’s accusations. Tolchin is afraid we might find something that could make him believe them — or, perhaps more importantly, make other people believe them. To Tolchin, it doesn’t make a bit of difference whether or not Reade is telling the truth.
In other words, the left is using the same logic they think Christian conservatives use to unethically stomach Trump to actually unethically stomach Biden, all because he would “make a better president than the present occupant.” And they’ll pat themselves on the back for doing so.
“Believe all women,” indeed. The left doesn’t care about women. All it does is care about politics.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Watch Canadian Police Swarm, Handcuff Woman Over Toy ‘Star Wars’ Gun

Canada ’ s hysteria about guns was on full display as shocking footage showed police officers swarm and handcuff a 19-year-old woman who was holding a plastic gun as part of a “ Star Wars ” Stormtrooper character costume .
The costumed teen was outside the Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina in Lethbridge , Alberta , as part of the themed eatery ’ s promotion on Monday , May 4 , a day of celebration among “ Star Wars ” fans because it ’ s a play on words with one of the franchise ’ s catchphrases , “ May the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s owner , Bradley Whalen , told Lethbridge News Now that he asked his employee to wear the costume , which video showed included a helmet , full body suit and toy gun , while walking outside to drum up business .
He said they “ had people stopping by and getting pictures with the Stormtrooper ” and that they “ put a couple of promotions on in the restaurant to entice people to come.
” Things turned sour , however , when police officers suddenly descended upon the woman .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at my employee , ” Whalen said .
“ They were yelling at her to put the gun down so she threw the plastic gun on the ground.
” “ At that point in time when I came out , she was on her knees kneeling down on the ground , ” he said .
“ The police had already checked and seen that the gun was plastic so they already knew that there wasn ’ t an issue or a risk there.
” Whalen said she had trouble complying with their orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept yelling at them that she couldn ’ t kneel down because , in that Stormtrooper costume , you can ’ t even sit down in it , like it ’ s impossible to sit down.
” Officers instead pushed her to the ground , causing her to have a bloody nose and leaving a crimson stain on the concrete as proof .
YouTube user Deiby Corleoni posted the incident caught on camera , apparently taken from a vehicle beginning just before the incident .
The clip initially showed the woman milling around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant , even doing a “ march ” for the videographer .
The video then cut to a more sinister scene from the other side of the street , possibly on a return trip , this time with the teen dressed as a Stormtrooper putting her empty hands up in surrender as officers pointed their weapons at her .
Officers yelled at the teen to get on the ground until she eventually got onto her knees , but still an officer shouted , “ Get down on the ground !
Get on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whalen , who emerged from the restaurant and shouted , “ It ’ s a plastic gun !
” RELATED : Federal Judge Slaps Down Governor 's Gun Store Closure Order : 'There 's No Justification' When the camera focused back on the Stormtrooper , she was on her belly crying out in pain , surrounded by three police officers and being handcuffed .
Whalen again protested , “ It ’ s a prop !
” An officer approached the person filming and told him to stay back .
“ This is Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We don ’ t have guns in Canada .
That ’ s a plastic gun .
I could buy it at the dollar store.
” The full footage of the incident can be seen below .
WARNING : The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive .
The Lethbridge Police Service responded to outrage over police conduct with an official statement Tuesday and announced an investigation into the matter .
“ Upon reviewing the file and additional information , including video circulating on social media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation under the Alberta Police Act that will look into whether the officers acted appropriately within the scope of their training and LPS policies and procedures , ” the department said .
Jason Walper , inspector for the Lethbridge Police Service , told Lethbridge News Now that officers were responding to “ multiple ” 911 calls about the fake firearm .
“ Any time our officers are responding to something that ’ s very spontaneous where there ’ s a weapon involved , our first responsibility is to ensure we can create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public , and the individual itself , ” Walper said .
“ So certainly , their first response is to deal with that weapon and remove the weapon from the person , take the person into custody , and then allow us to follow up with that investigation to determine exactly what occurred.
” Walper admitted that officers “ pushed the individual down to the ground ” after she was already disarmed and on her knees , causing the woman ’ s bloody nose .
Although she was taken into custody , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
Canada has been hostile toward gun ownership , and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently upped the ante as he banned an additional 1,500 types of firearms .
Despite the country ’ s restrictive laws , however , a gunman opened fire in Nova Scotia last month , killing 22 people , which may have accounted for some of the officers ’ hysteria .
Still , this incident could have been avoided with a little common sense once officers confirmed they were dealing with a prop that was part of a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this young woman was left bloodied and terrified by their overreaction .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Canada’s hysteria about guns was on full display as shocking footage showed police officers swarm and handcuff a 19-year-old woman who was holding a plastic gun as part of a “Star Wars” Stormtrooper character costume.
The costumed teen was outside the Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina in Lethbridge, Alberta, as part of the themed eatery’s promotion on Monday, May 4, a day of celebration among “Star Wars” fans because it’s a play on words with one of the franchise’s catchphrases, “May the force be with you.”
The restaurant’s owner, Bradley Whalen, told Lethbridge News Now that he asked his employee to wear the costume, which video showed included a helmet, full body suit and toy gun, while walking outside to drum up business.
He said they “had people stopping by and getting pictures with the Stormtrooper” and that they “put a couple of promotions on in the restaurant to entice people to come.”
Things turned sour, however, when police officers suddenly descended upon the woman.
“Police officers had guns drawn, pointed at my employee,” Whalen said. “They were yelling at her to put the gun down so she threw the plastic gun on the ground.”
“At that point in time when I came out, she was on her knees kneeling down on the ground,” he said. “The police had already checked and seen that the gun was plastic so they already knew that there wasn’t an issue or a risk there.”
Whalen said she had trouble complying with their orders because of the costume. “She kept yelling at them that she couldn’t kneel down because, in that Stormtrooper costume, you can’t even sit down in it, like it’s impossible to sit down.”
Officers instead pushed her to the ground, causing her to have a bloody nose and leaving a crimson stain on the concrete as proof.
Do you think the police officers overreacted? Yes No
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YouTube user Deiby Corleoni posted the incident caught on camera, apparently taken from a vehicle beginning just before the incident.
The clip initially showed the woman milling around a concrete area in front of the restaurant, even doing a “march” for the videographer.
The video then cut to a more sinister scene from the other side of the street, possibly on a return trip, this time with the teen dressed as a Stormtrooper putting her empty hands up in surrender as officers pointed their weapons at her.
Officers yelled at the teen to get on the ground until she eventually got onto her knees, but still an officer shouted, “Get down on the ground! Get on your belly!”
The clip panned to Whalen, who emerged from the restaurant and shouted, “It’s a plastic gun!”
When the camera focused back on the Stormtrooper, she was on her belly crying out in pain, surrounded by three police officers and being handcuffed. Whalen again protested, “It’s a prop!”
An officer approached the person filming and told him to stay back.
“This is Canada,” the person with the camera said. “We don’t have guns in Canada. That’s a plastic gun. I could buy it at the dollar store.”
The full footage of the incident can be seen below.
WARNING: The following video contains graphic language that some viewers will find offensive.
The Lethbridge Police Service responded to outrage over police conduct with an official statement Tuesday and announced an investigation into the matter.
“Upon reviewing the file and additional information, including video circulating on social media, Chief Scott Woods has directed a service investigation under the Alberta Police Act that will look into whether the officers acted appropriately within the scope of their training and LPS policies and procedures,” the department said.
Jason Walper, inspector for the Lethbridge Police Service, told Lethbridge News Now that officers were responding to “multiple” 911 calls about the fake firearm.
“Any time our officers are responding to something that’s very spontaneous where there’s a weapon involved, our first responsibility is to ensure we can create a safe environment for the officers, for the public, and the individual itself,” Walper said.
“So certainly, their first response is to deal with that weapon and remove the weapon from the person, take the person into custody, and then allow us to follow up with that investigation to determine exactly what occurred.”
Walper admitted that officers “pushed the individual down to the ground” after she was already disarmed and on her knees, causing the woman’s bloody nose.
Although she was taken into custody, the 19-year-old was not charged with any crime.
Canada has been hostile toward gun ownership, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently upped the ante as he banned an additional 1,500 types of firearms.
Despite the country’s restrictive laws, however, a gunman opened fire in Nova Scotia last month, killing 22 people, which may have accounted for some of the officers’ hysteria.
Still, this incident could have been avoided with a little common sense once officers confirmed they were dealing with a prop that was part of a “Star Wars” costume.
Instead, this young woman was left bloodied and terrified by their overreaction.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Witnesses: CBS Staged Long Line at COVID Testing Center To Smear GOP Legislature

A new Project Veritas video alleges CBS News footage taken at a coronavirus testing center that was used in a politically tinged report was faked in order to make the line of cars waiting for testing look longer .
And , according to one individual , CBS News “ 100 percent ” and “ absolutely ” knew about it .
The report came from a witness at the Cherry Medical Center in Grand Rapids who told Project Veritas impresario James O ’ Keefe that employees were pulled away from their job and made to put their vehicles into the drive-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting the testing line to look a bit busier .
O ’ Keefe said in the video , released Wednesday regarding a segment aired during “ CBS This Morning ” last Friday , that he was told the employees “ were taken away from treating patients and making the line longer for actual patients wait for the COVID-19 test.
” “ It ’ s just annoying because we could have done other stuff , ” a registered nurse told the insider in the undercover video .
“ We knew they were coming .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to have to , like , do fake patients , ” the person added .
Another registered nurse , when apparently confronted about the fact the employees weren ’ t swabbed by the insider , said this : “ We pretended .
There were a couple of real patients , which made it worse.
” “ Apparently the news crew wanted more people in the line because they knew it was scheduled , ” a corporate cleaning supervisor said .
Cherry Health President and CEO Tasha Blackmon — who was interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segment — denied there was any fakery involved .
“ We and CBS News had nothing to do with that line , ” she said .
In the interview , Blackmon said they needed more N95 respirator masks and gowns — something that could have potentially been undermined if there was a lack of cars .
However , CBS News has admitted there was fakery in the footage — but claims it was not involved .
The network said it was informed of the employees being forced to get into line at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veritas regarding the allegations .
CBS News said it , in turn , contacted Cherry Health , which admitted the line of cars wasn ’ t quite what it seemed .
“ CBS News did not stage anything at the Cherry Health facility .
Any suggestion to the contrary is 100 % false .
These allegations are alarming , ” CBS News President Susan Zirinsky said in a statement .
RELATED : CBS Attacks Red State for Reopening , Conveniently Ignores Blue State Doing Something Similar “ We reached out to Cherry Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us for the first time that one of their chief officers told at least one staffer to get in the testing line along with real patients .
No one from CBS News had any knowledge of this before tonight .
They also said that their actions did not prevent any actual patients from being tested .
We take the accuracy of our reporting very seriously and we are removing the Cherry Health portion from the piece.
” If the witness is accurate , however , this might not be entirely factual , either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line sat there for a while so they could organize the shot.
” If true , it would indicate CBS News was aware the footage it was getting wasn ’ t entirely genuine — even if only that the line was being delayed .
This is just some B-roll video — footage that , at least in this context , plays over a story being read so you feel more grounded in what ’ s being said and don ’ t have to look at anchors reading off a teleprompter .
Faking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who would have to be involved in faking it , would seem an odd risk-reward choice for a news organization .
Then again , CBS News already was caught using B-roll footage of a hospital from Italy ’ s hardest-hit city by the coronavirus in a story about New York City .
In that case , there was a perceived political aspect for New York appearing to have an overwhelmed health care system — namely , making President Donald Trump look bad .
In this case , there was a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , which wasn ’ t altogether dissimilar .
“ Michigan ’ s Republican-led legislature has voted to sue the state ’ s Democratic governor to stop her extending the coronavirus state of emergency there .
Hundreds of protesters , some of them with guns , gathered at the state Capitol yesterday demanding an end to emergency restrictions , ” co-host Anthony Mason said during the report .
“ Only six states have reported more cases than Michigan , but fewer than two percent of its people have been tested for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the issues the GOP legislature and protesters have , however , is that cases outside of a few urban hotspots aren ’ t particularly widespread .
Thus , extending the lockdown in a very large state is problematic .
Is this reason to make testing lines look longer in order to create the impression of a testing bottleneck ?
Again , if Project Veritas ’ witness is accurate — and that ’ s indeed a matter of some question , although what he exposed has already been proved to be true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit more to answer for .
This , after all , is how fake narratives spread .
Whether they choose to answer it or not is another question entirely .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A new Project Veritas video alleges CBS News footage taken at a coronavirus testing center that was used in a politically tinged report was faked in order to make the line of cars waiting for testing look longer.
And, according to one individual, CBS News “100 percent” and “absolutely” knew about it.
The report came from a witness at the Cherry Medical Center in Grand Rapids who told Project Veritas impresario James O’Keefe that employees were pulled away from their job and made to put their vehicles into the drive-up testing line because CBS News producers were expecting the testing line to look a bit busier.
O’Keefe said in the video, released Wednesday regarding a segment aired during “CBS This Morning” last Friday, that he was told the employees “were taken away from treating patients and making the line longer for actual patients wait for the COVID-19 test.”
“It’s just annoying because we could have done other stuff,” a registered nurse told the insider in the undercover video.
“We knew they were coming. We had no clue that we’re going to have to, like, do fake patients,” the person added.
Another registered nurse, when apparently confronted about the fact the employees weren’t swabbed by the insider, said this: “We pretended. There were a couple of real patients, which made it worse.”
“Apparently the news crew wanted more people in the line because they knew it was scheduled,” a corporate cleaning supervisor said.
Cherry Health President and CEO Tasha Blackmon — who was interviewed by CBS News as part of the segment — denied there was any fakery involved.
“We and CBS News had nothing to do with that line,” she said.
In the interview, Blackmon said they needed more N95 respirator masks and gowns — something that could have potentially been undermined if there was a lack of cars.
However, CBS News has admitted there was fakery in the footage — but claims it was not involved.
The network said it was informed of the employees being forced to get into line at the facility after it was contacted by Project Veritas regarding the allegations. CBS News said it, in turn, contacted Cherry Health, which admitted the line of cars wasn’t quite what it seemed.
“CBS News did not stage anything at the Cherry Health facility. Any suggestion to the contrary is 100% false. These allegations are alarming,” CBS News President Susan Zirinsky said in a statement.
“We reached out to Cherry Health to address them immediately. They informed us for the first time that one of their chief officers told at least one staffer to get in the testing line along with real patients. No one from CBS News had any knowledge of this before tonight. They also said that their actions did not prevent any actual patients from being tested. We take the accuracy of our reporting very seriously and we are removing the Cherry Health portion from the piece.”
Here’s the original piece, via Newsbusters:
If the witness is accurate, however, this might not be entirely factual, either. According to the nurse, “the line sat there for a while so they could organize the shot.” If true, it would indicate CBS News was aware the footage it was getting wasn’t entirely genuine — even if only that the line was being delayed.
This is just some B-roll video — footage that, at least in this context, plays over a story being read so you feel more grounded in what’s being said and don’t have to look at anchors reading off a teleprompter. Faking B-roll footage, particularly with the number of people who would have to be involved in faking it, would seem an odd risk-reward choice for a news organization.
Then again, CBS News already was caught using B-roll footage of a hospital from Italy’s hardest-hit city by the coronavirus in a story about New York City.
In that case, there was a perceived political aspect for New York appearing to have an overwhelmed health care system — namely, making President Donald Trump look bad.
Do you believe CBS News was involved with faking this scene? 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% (519 Votes) No: 1% (3 Votes)
In this case, there was a political aspect to appearing to have a long line, which wasn’t altogether dissimilar.
“Michigan’s Republican-led legislature has voted to sue the state’s Democratic governor to stop her extending the coronavirus state of emergency there. Hundreds of protesters, some of them with guns, gathered at the state Capitol yesterday demanding an end to emergency restrictions,” co-host Anthony Mason said during the report.
“Only six states have reported more cases than Michigan, but fewer than two percent of its people have been tested for the virus,” co-host Gayle King said.
One of the issues the GOP legislature and protesters have, however, is that cases outside of a few urban hotspots aren’t particularly widespread. Thus, extending the lockdown in a very large state is problematic.
Is this reason to make testing lines look longer in order to create the impression of a testing bottleneck?
Again, if Project Veritas’ witness is accurate — and that’s indeed a matter of some question, although what he exposed has already been proved to be true in some measure — CBS News has a bit more to answer for. This, after all, is how fake narratives spread.
Whether they choose to answer it or not is another question entirely.
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