westernjournal--2020-02-15--Buttigieg Tries Pandering to Hispanic Audience, Ends with Them Laughing at His Spanish

For the sake of catharsis , I think it ’ s time we talked about that one friend or family member .
You know the one I ’ m talking about .
The one who uses each and every trip to an authentic ethnic restaurant as an opportunity to brush up on their next-to-nonexistent foreign language skills .
From the greeting to the ordering of food to the final goodbye , they stumble their way through a series of stock phrases gathered in two to four years of public school Spanish , French , Italian or Mandarin lessons , never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait staff — deeply uncomfortable .
Well this week , 2020 Democratic presidential primary voters learned former Pete Buttigieg is undoubtedly that friend .
Seemingly seeking to score a few points for multiculturalism on the campaign trail Thursday , Buttigieg instead dug himself a hole as he took the stage at the League of United Latin American Citizens Presidential Town Hall in North Las Vegas , Nevada , unable to complete a short , prepared greeting in Spanish .
“ Thank you !
Thank you so much for the chance to join you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ por inventarnos para hablar — uh — this evening.
” The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor had apparently been attempting to thank the largely Hispanic event hosts and audience members for inviting him to speak .
However , replacing the Spanish word invitarnos — meaning “ inviting ” — with what sounded more like the word inventarnos — which means “ inventing ” — and further failing to recall the translation for “ tonight , ” Buttigieg was met only with murmurs and uncomfortable laughter from the crowd .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the embarrassing display later on , answering a number of questions in Spanish during the question-and-answer portion of the event .
And Buttigieg ’ s ability to eventually get himself back on track is hardly surprising .
He is , after all , a masterful rebounder .
But Thursday night ’ s gaffe underscores a long-running problem for Team Buttigieg : the candidate ’ s utter lack of authenticity .
The man is a quick talker and a chameleon , plain and simple .
RELATED : After NH Bloodbath , Biden & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennet Quit He plays to the room , no matter how bad the lack of consistency and defined identity may look on video .
On the Democratic debate stage , where economic liberals and free market capitalists are cast out as social pariahs , Buttigieg admonishes the wealthy , proudly proclaiming he is the least rich person in the race — despite a willingness to take exorbitant donations from millions at “ wine cave ” fundraising events .
At small-town campaign stops , Buttigieg is a man of humble beginnings , flaunting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values — despite having attended Harvard and Oxford University and possessing a radical disregard for Christian doctrine regarding gay marriage and abortion .
Meanwhile , at events with minority voters , who Buttigieg has fundamentally struggled to connect with on the trail , he is a civil rights aficionado , leaning on his woes as a gay man in 21st century America to make him more relatable .
Of course , that semblance of flawed relatability comes crumbling down when you accidentally refer to “ dark money ” campaign contributions as “ black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while discussing campaign finance reform in front of a largely black audience .
And that ’ s the problem of any chameleon candidate .
Eventually your audience is going to catch you changing colors — a problem that would only be exacerbated for Mayor Pete in a general election , where he ’ d be contending with a candidate who is entirely and unapologetically himself in President Donald Trump .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

For the sake of catharsis, I think it’s time we talked about that one friend or family member.
You know the one I’m talking about. The one who uses each and every trip to an authentic ethnic restaurant as an opportunity to brush up on their next-to-nonexistent foreign language skills.
From the greeting to the ordering of food to the final goodbye, they stumble their way through a series of stock phrases gathered in two to four years of public school Spanish, French, Italian or Mandarin lessons, never failing to make everyone — including the wait staff — deeply uncomfortable.
Well this week, 2020 Democratic presidential primary voters learned former Pete Buttigieg is undoubtedly that friend.
Seemingly seeking to score a few points for multiculturalism on the campaign trail Thursday, Buttigieg instead dug himself a hole as he took the stage at the League of United Latin American Citizens Presidential Town Hall in North Las Vegas, Nevada, unable to complete a short, prepared greeting in Spanish.
“Thank you! Thank you so much for the chance to join you,” Buttigieg opened. “Gracias por inventarnos para hablar — uh — this evening.”
The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor had apparently been attempting to thank the largely Hispanic event hosts and audience members for inviting him to speak.
However, replacing the Spanish word invitarnos — meaning “inviting” — with what sounded more like the word inventarnos — which means “inventing” — and further failing to recall the translation for “tonight,” Buttigieg was met only with murmurs and uncomfortable laughter from the crowd.
According to Breitbart, Buttigieg did eventually make up for the embarrassing display later on, answering a number of questions in Spanish during the question-and-answer portion of the event.
And Buttigieg’s ability to eventually get himself back on track is hardly surprising. He is, after all, a masterful rebounder.
But Thursday night’s gaffe underscores a long-running problem for Team Buttigieg: the candidate’s utter lack of authenticity.
The awkward moment when Pete Buttigieg calls dark money “black money” on accident in front of black audience. ?pic.twitter.com/mzGVDS7Aze — The First (@TheFirstonTV) February 11, 2020
The man is a quick talker and a chameleon, plain and simple.
He plays to the room, no matter how bad the lack of consistency and defined identity may look on video.
On the Democratic debate stage, where economic liberals and free market capitalists are cast out as social pariahs, Buttigieg admonishes the wealthy, proudly proclaiming he is the least rich person in the race — despite a willingness to take exorbitant donations from millions at “wine cave” fundraising events.
At small-town campaign stops, Buttigieg is a man of humble beginnings, flaunting his military service, Christian morals and heartland values — despite having attended Harvard and Oxford University and possessing a radical disregard for Christian doctrine regarding gay marriage and abortion.
Do you think Pete Buttigieg is inauthentic? Yes No
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Meanwhile, at events with minority voters, who Buttigieg has fundamentally struggled to connect with on the trail, he is a civil rights aficionado, leaning on his woes as a gay man in 21st century America to make him more relatable.
Of course, that semblance of flawed relatability comes crumbling down when you accidentally refer to “dark money” campaign contributions as “black” and “African American” money while discussing campaign finance reform in front of a largely black audience.
And that’s the problem of any chameleon candidate.
Eventually your audience is going to catch you changing colors — a problem that would only be exacerbated for Mayor Pete in a general election, where he’d be contending with a candidate who is entirely and unapologetically himself in President Donald Trump.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Ex-‘Love Island’ Host Caroline Flack Found Dead in London

Caroline Flack , a British television presenter who hosted the controversial reality TV show “ Love Island , ” has died at age 40 , her family said Saturday .
“ We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today , the 15th of February , ” the family said in a statement .
A family lawyer said Flack had killed herself and was found in her London apartment .
Flack hosted “ Love Island ” from its launch in 2015 , but stepped down last year after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend , Lewis Burton .
She denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial starting next month .
British commercial network ITV , which broadcasts the show , said in a statement that “ everybody at ‘ Love Island ’ and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.
” “ Caroline was a much loved member of the ‘ Love Island ’ team , and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends , ” the network statement said .
The sixth season of the show is currently airing .
The next new episode is due to be broadcast Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was scheduled to air later Saturday .
“ Love Island ” deposits young and attractive contestants in a tropical paradise , where they must pair up or risk being exiled .
Critics claim the program puts vulnerable young people under intense scrutiny and pressure , increased by blanket tabloid newspaper coverage of the show .
Two former “ Love Island ” contestants , Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis , died by suicide in 2018 and 2019 .
Their deaths renewed a debate about the ethics of reality TV that has raged in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sensationalist American programs like “ The Jerry Springer Show ” two decades ago , putting ordinary people under a microscope on reality shows such as “ Big Brother.
” Flack ’ s career , though , blossomed after she won the BBC show “ Strictly Come Dancing ” in 2014 , the British version of “ Dancing With The Stars.
” RELATED : Trump Is Reportedly Planning To Run 'the Beast ' Through a Lap at Daytona Talk show most Piers Morgan tweeted that Flack “ was a fun , bright & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both professionally & personally .
She told me it had been the worst time of her life , and was clearly struggling to cope with losing everything she held dear .
This is such sad , awful news.
” Another well-known host , Eamonn Holmes , tweeted : “ Caroline Flack … .
Dear God .
Shocked beyond belief .
May she have found peace .
# Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely ?
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read our editorial standards .

Caroline Flack, a British television presenter who hosted the controversial reality TV show “Love Island,” has died at age 40, her family said Saturday.
“We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today, the 15th of February,” the family said in a statement.
A family lawyer said Flack had killed herself and was found in her London apartment.
Flack hosted “Love Island” from its launch in 2015, but stepped down last year after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
She denied the charge and was scheduled to stand trial starting next month.
British commercial network ITV, which broadcasts the show, said in a statement that “everybody at ‘Love Island’ and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.”
“Caroline was a much loved member of the ‘Love Island’ team, and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends,” the network statement said.
The sixth season of the show is currently airing. The next new episode is due to be broadcast Sunday, although an episode of unseen footage was scheduled to air later Saturday.
“Love Island” deposits young and attractive contestants in a tropical paradise, where they must pair up or risk being exiled.
Critics claim the program puts vulnerable young people under intense scrutiny and pressure, increased by blanket tabloid newspaper coverage of the show.
Two former “Love Island” contestants, Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, died by suicide in 2018 and 2019.
Their deaths renewed a debate about the ethics of reality TV that has raged in the U.K. since producers started making British equivalents of sensationalist American programs like “The Jerry Springer Show” two decades ago, putting ordinary people under a microscope on reality shows such as “Big Brother.”
Flack’s career, though, blossomed after she won the BBC show “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2014, the British version of “Dancing With The Stars.”
Fellow TV presenters expressed shock over her death Saturday.
Talk show most Piers Morgan tweeted that Flack “was a fun, bright & sparky person whose whole world collapsed recently, both professionally & personally. She told me it had been the worst time of her life, and was clearly struggling to cope with losing everything she held dear. This is such sad, awful news.”
Caroline was a fun, bright & sparky person whose whole world collapsed recently, both professionally & personally. She told me it had been the worst time of her life, and was clearly struggling to cope with losing everything she held dear.
This is such sad, awful news. pic.twitter.com/UAzKOlmZFA — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 15, 2020
Another well-known host, Eamonn Holmes, tweeted: “Caroline Flack …. Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace . #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?”
Caroline Flack …. Dear God.
Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace . #Rip
Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely ? — Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) February 15, 2020
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--2020-02-15--Woman in Viral Airplane Seat Reclining Controversy Now Looking To Sue American Airlines: Report

One woman ’ s video of the airline passenger behind her punching the back of her reclined seat went viral last week .
Now she is reportedly looking to sue American Airlines .
The controversy began when Wendi Williams posted a video on Twitter of the passenger behind her shaking her headrest with repeated punches on her Jan. 31 American Eagle flight from New Orleans to Charlotte , North Carolina .
The man behind her was in the last row and reportedly asked the woman to sit upright so he could eat .
She did , but then later reclined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shown in the video that was recorded , according to Fox Business .
Williams originally tweeted , “ I will be calling the FBI to press charges against the ‘ man ’ who mistook me for a punching bag .
Anyone who doesn ’ t like it , I don ’ t care !
” According to Williams ’ account of the situation , a flight attendant came over but instead of stopping the man , she offered him a complimentary cocktail .
She has since spoken out against American Airlines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misrepresenting her in its statement about the situation to TMZ .
According to TMZ , an airline representative said the incident started after the woman knocked over the other passenger ’ s drink when she reclined her seat .
The representative also said the situation would not have escalated in the way that it had if both passengers were respectful of each other .
But Williams denied the allegations , saying that it was “ yet another misrepresentation ” of her .
RELATED : Trump 's Sports Tour Set To Continue with Visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TMZ she had met with an attorney to discuss her legal options , and is threatening a defamation lawsuit against the airline .
She said that the statement from the representative , accusations that she was being disruptive and the actions of the flight attendant were all defamatory .
According to Williams , the flight attendant told her to delete the video and gave her a passenger disturbance notice when she refused .
She tweeted that American Airlines had contacted her and apologized “ but really didn ’ t accept any responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams also wants the airline to pay for her medical bills because the repeated whiplash may have caused damage due to her medical history .
She told TMZ she wants to get an MRI but it ’ s too expensive .
“ We are aware of a customer dispute that transpired , ” American Airlines said in a statement .
“ The safety and comfort of our customers and team members is our top priority , and our team is looking into the issue.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

One woman’s video of the airline passenger behind her punching the back of her reclined seat went viral last week.
Now she is reportedly looking to sue American Airlines.
The controversy began when Wendi Williams posted a video on Twitter of the passenger behind her shaking her headrest with repeated punches on her Jan. 31 American Eagle flight from New Orleans to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The man behind her was in the last row and reportedly asked the woman to sit upright so he could eat.
She did, but then later reclined again, and the situation escalated as was shown in the video that was recorded, according to Fox Business.
Williams originally tweeted, “I will be calling the FBI to press charges against the ‘man’ who mistook me for a punching bag. Anyone who doesn’t like it, I don’t care!”
According to Williams’ account of the situation, a flight attendant came over but instead of stopping the man, she offered him a complimentary cocktail.
@BravoAndy Here’s a great jackhole! He was angry that I reclined my seat and punched it about 9 times – HARD, at which point I began videoing him, and he resigned to this behavior. The other jackhole is the @AmericanAir flight attendant who reprimanded me and offered him rum! pic.twitter.com/dHeUysrKTu — wendi (@steelersfanOG) February 9, 2020
Do you think the woman is in the right in this situation? Yes No
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She has since spoken out against American Airlines, which runs American Eagle, for allegedly misrepresenting her in its statement about the situation to TMZ.
According to TMZ, an airline representative said the incident started after the woman knocked over the other passenger’s drink when she reclined her seat.
The representative also said the situation would not have escalated in the way that it had if both passengers were respectful of each other.
But Williams denied the allegations, saying that it was “yet another misrepresentation” of her.
4 @AmericanAir Again, who said I spilled a drink on him? Was it the “man”? The guy who punched me in my back repeatedly? The other passenger who should have been respectful? Was I disrespectful by reclining my seat @AmericanAir? Yes or no? Simple question a it’s your airline – https://t.co/mX0MMm0TvX — wendi (@steelersfanOG) February 14, 2020
Williams told TMZ she had met with an attorney to discuss her legal options, and is threatening a defamation lawsuit against the airline.
She said that the statement from the representative, accusations that she was being disruptive and the actions of the flight attendant were all defamatory.
According to Williams, the flight attendant told her to delete the video and gave her a passenger disturbance notice when she refused.
She tweeted that American Airlines had contacted her and apologized “but really didn’t accept any responsibility for the flight attendant’s actions.”
Williams also wants the airline to pay for her medical bills because the repeated whiplash may have caused damage due to her medical history.
She told TMZ she wants to get an MRI but it’s too expensive.
“We are aware of a customer dispute that transpired,” American Airlines said in a statement.
“The safety and comfort of our customers and team members is our top priority, and our team is looking into the issue.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Bloomberg Said Leftist Disaster California ‘Can Serve as a Great Example’ for US

I wonder if there ’ s a different version of California for liberals — an alternate universe version where everything is working smoothly .
Maybe they don ’ t see the troubled part .
After all , most of what out-of-state politicians see is swanky affairs at homes in the Hollywood Hills or in the better neighborhoods of Silicon Valley — the kind of shindigs like the scene at the beginning of “ Bullitt ” where the supercilious senator played by Robert Vaughn first meets Steve McQueen ’ s character .
Michael Bloomberg is the second major politician I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golden State recently .
Granted , the most recent was its Democratic governor , Gavin Newsom , who went on “ The View ” and basically told us all how his state was some sort of template of how a post-Donald Trump America should look .
The problem is that Newsom isn ’ t alone .
In January , we had the specter of Bloomberg telling us how California “ can serve as a great example ” to the rest of America .
Bloomberg is a guy who normally wouldn ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s the former mayor of New York City , a metropolis where the residents look down on California as a land for those with an unserious mindset , a people who have managed to somehow combine slacking and striving into the same general ethos .
There are two reasons why Bloomberg is suddenly putting forth a failing state as the kind of place that can set an example for all of us .
First , as per his Super Tuesday blitz strategy , he desperately needs to win and win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t , I hope he kept his receipts for his presidential run .
Second , some of the failed policies that California is fond of ?
Bloomberg ’ s actually pretty fond of them , too .
“ I think that California can serve as a great example for the rest of this country , ” Bloomberg said at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Los Angeles last month , according to the California Globe , adding that it ’ s “ something the rest of the country looks up to.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole housing crisis thing and the fact the state ’ s homelessness is out of control , “ as well as other issues California is currently trying to solve , ” the Globe said .
( If he listed those other issues , the speech would be ongoing . )
But then there ’ s the reason why he thinks California is doing quite well for itself : “ Bloomberg noted that California ’ s efforts on climate change , gun control , and criminal justice reform were second to none , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow their lead , ” the Globe reported .
Ah yes , there we go .
California , a state that has a prohibitively high cost of living and wants to get to 60 percent clean energy usage by 2030 and 100 percent clean usage by 2045 , according to Quartz , something I ’ m sure won ’ t have a negative effect on the the state ’ s electricity costs .
As for gun control , yes , the state constantly tests the limits of its least favorite amendment repeatedly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , mind you , by Bloomberg-astroturfed groups like Everytown for Gun Safety .
As for criminal justice reform , let me point out that this is a state where a Democrat is currently proposing a bill under which offenders under the age of 20 could be charged as juveniles .
This ’ ll all play very well in California , mind you .
“ Bloomberg was a late entry into the Democratic race , so he didn ’ t get a foothold in states like Iowa and New Hampshire , ” former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ California is his line in the sand and he ’ s going all in on it , similar to how Rudy Giuliani always started with Florida in previous Republican primaries .
“ He ’ s saying this simply as a way to get California voters on his side .
Notice how he specifically praised California ’ s gun control and their stance on global warming .
He may personally believe it , but he mentioned the issues the resonate the strongest among California democrats who live in major cities .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
It ’ s a New York City strategy to target urban areas and miss the rest .
“ He ’ s also going after the bases of the other candidates , all of whom aren ’ t here .
They ’ re in Iowa mostly .
He wants to get a lot now to make it a surprise when they get back here and make it an early shock with to carry momentum .
So it ’ s also a play from George McGovern ’ s ’ 72 playbook.
” For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political junkies and/or Hunter Thompson fans who ’ ve read “ Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’ 72 , ” here ’ s a TL ; DR : Back during the 1972 election , long-shot far-left candidate George McGovern campaigned out in Iowa before the Iowa caucuses mattered that much while everyone else was in New Hampshire , which led to him posting a better-than-expected finish in the Hawkeye state that put him among the top tier of candidates .
Combine that with an establishment favorite who stumbled badly ( Edmund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and a Democrat electorate ready for an insurgent , and McGovern managed to win the nomination .
He then lost the general election to Richard Nixon like the worst XFL team last weekend would lose to the Kansas City Chiefs .
There ’ s your political lesson for the day , millennials .
You ’ re welcome .
Beyond questions of whether this works ( kissing up to the left in California as a gamble doesn ’ t seem like such a hot idea in hindsight when the only candidate who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Soviet Union ) , that ’ s kind of not the point — this is who Mike Bloomberg is .
Bloomberg may put himself forth as a moderate , but he ’ s also an inveterate nanny-stater — and those two things work at cross-purposes .
If he believes the government can achieve something , he won ’ t try to get there by halves .
This is something the people of New York City found out .
He didn ’ t like sugary sodas , so he tried to ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( The courts , thankfully , had a little word with him . )
On smoking , Bloomberg hated the habit , so he did everything in his power to eradicate it .
This is what he did in a city .
He now wants to do it for ( or to , if you prefer ) an entire nation .
In 2009 , the late polemicist Christopher Hitchens wrote a piece on New York City ’ s petty regulations , spurred on by how they ’ d mushroomed under then-Mayor Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these days is very clear .
It states that New York City is now the domain of the mediocre bureaucrat , of the inspector with too much time on his hands , of the anal-retentive cop with his nose in a rule book , of the snitch willing to drop a dime on a harmless fellow citizen , and of a mayor who is that most pathetic and annoying figure — the micro-megalomaniac , ” Hitchens wrote .
And now that micro-megalomaniac wants to remake America in that image , and he thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” California , with its unaffordable over-regulated housing market , rampant homelessness , streets strewn with fecal matter , Second Amendment-baiting gun laws and elected officials who are either gleefully proud of these things or oblivious to the extent of the problems .
In California , ordinary people can leave — and they do , in droves .
As ordinary Americans who love this country , our options are much more limited .
We can be thankful , however , that our government is too , as are Michael Bloomberg ’ s chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chalk him up as yet another Democrat who can ’ t help but see an alternate reality version of California that simply doesn ’ t exist .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

I wonder if there’s a different version of California for liberals — an alternate universe version where everything is working smoothly.
Maybe they don’t see the troubled part.
After all, most of what out-of-state politicians see is swanky affairs at homes in the Hollywood Hills or in the better neighborhoods of Silicon Valley — the kind of shindigs like the scene at the beginning of “Bullitt” where the supercilious senator played by Robert Vaughn first meets Steve McQueen’s character.
Michael Bloomberg is the second major politician I’ve seen talk about how wonderful the Golden State is recently.
Granted, the most recent was its Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, who went on “The View” and basically told us all how his state was some sort of template of how a post-Donald Trump America should look.
The problem is that Newsom isn’t alone.
In January, we had the specter of Bloomberg telling us how California “can serve as a great example” to the rest of America.
Bloomberg is a guy who normally wouldn’t need to be talking up the Golden State.
He’s the former mayor of New York City, a metropolis where the residents look down on California as a land for those with an unserious mindset, a people who have managed to somehow combine slacking and striving into the same general ethos.
Do you think Michael Bloomberg will win the Democratic nomination? 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: 17% (492 Votes) No: 83% (2393 Votes)
There are two reasons why Bloomberg is suddenly putting forth a failing state as the kind of place that can set an example for all of us.
First, as per his Super Tuesday blitz strategy, he desperately needs to win and win big in California. If he doesn’t, I hope he kept his receipts for his presidential run.
Second, some of the failed policies that California is fond of? Bloomberg’s actually pretty fond of them, too.
“I think that California can serve as a great example for the rest of this country,” Bloomberg said at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Los Angeles last month, according to the California Globe, adding that it’s “something the rest of the country looks up to.”
We do?
Well, Bloomberg did mention the whole housing crisis thing and the fact the state’s homelessness is out of control, “as well as other issues California is currently trying to solve,” the Globe said. (If he listed those other issues, the speech would be ongoing.)
But then there’s the reason why he thinks California is doing quite well for itself: “Bloomberg noted that California’s efforts on climate change, gun control, and criminal justice reform were second to none, and that the rest of the nation should follow their lead,” the Globe reported.
Ah yes, there we go. California, a state that has a prohibitively high cost of living and wants to get to 60 percent clean energy usage by 2030 and 100 percent clean usage by 2045, according to Quartz, something I’m sure won’t have a negative effect on the the state’s electricity costs.
As for gun control, yes, the state constantly tests the limits of its least favorite amendment repeatedly. Much of this change has been goaded on, mind you, by Bloomberg-astroturfed groups like Everytown for Gun Safety.
As for criminal justice reform, let me point out that this is a state where a Democrat is currently proposing a bill under which offenders under the age of 20 could be charged as juveniles.
This’ll all play very well in California, mind you.
“Bloomberg was a late entry into the Democratic race, so he didn’t get a foothold in states like Iowa and New Hampshire,” former political strategist Casey Larkin told the Globe.
“California is his line in the sand and he’s going all in on it, similar to how Rudy Giuliani always started with Florida in previous Republican primaries.
“He’s saying this simply as a way to get California voters on his side. Notice how he specifically praised California’s gun control and their stance on global warming. He may personally believe it, but he mentioned the issues the resonate the strongest among California democrats who live in major cities. That’s who he’s going for. It’s a New York City strategy to target urban areas and miss the rest.
“He’s also going after the bases of the other candidates, all of whom aren’t here. They’re in Iowa mostly. He wants to get a lot now to make it a surprise when they get back here and make it an early shock with to carry momentum. So it’s also a play from George McGovern’s ’72 playbook.”
Technically it’s a reverse play.
For those of you who aren’t political junkies and/or Hunter Thompson fans who’ve read “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72,” here’s a TL;DR: Back during the 1972 election, long-shot far-left candidate George McGovern campaigned out in Iowa before the Iowa caucuses mattered that much while everyone else was in New Hampshire, which led to him posting a better-than-expected finish in the Hawkeye state that put him among the top tier of candidates.
Combine that with an establishment favorite who stumbled badly (Edmund Muskie, a jowl-tastic senator from Maine) and a Democrat electorate ready for an insurgent, and McGovern managed to win the nomination.
He then lost the general election to Richard Nixon like the worst XFL team last weekend would lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
There’s your political lesson for the day, millennials. You’re welcome.
Beyond questions of whether this works (kissing up to the left in California as a gamble doesn’t seem like such a hot idea in hindsight when the only candidate who’s built up momentum thus far honeymooned in the Soviet Union), that’s kind of not the point — this is who Mike Bloomberg is.
Bloomberg may put himself forth as a moderate, but he’s also an inveterate nanny-stater — and those two things work at cross-purposes. If he believes the government can achieve something, he won’t try to get there by halves.
This is something the people of New York City found out.
He didn’t like sugary sodas, so he tried to ban sodas from being sold in large sizes. (The courts, thankfully, had a little word with him.)
On smoking, Bloomberg hated the habit, so he did everything in his power to eradicate it.
New York’s gun laws were practically draconian.
This is what he did in a city.
He now wants to do it for (or to, if you prefer) an entire nation.
In 2009, the late polemicist Christopher Hitchens wrote a piece on New York City’s petty regulations, spurred on by how they’d mushroomed under then-Mayor Bloomberg.
“In fact, the law these days is very clear. It states that New York City is now the domain of the mediocre bureaucrat, of the inspector with too much time on his hands, of the anal-retentive cop with his nose in a rule book, of the snitch willing to drop a dime on a harmless fellow citizen, and of a mayor who is that most pathetic and annoying figure — the micro-megalomaniac,” Hitchens wrote.
And now that micro-megalomaniac wants to remake America in that image, and he thinks California would be a “good example.”
California, with its unaffordable over-regulated housing market, rampant homelessness, streets strewn with fecal matter, Second Amendment-baiting gun laws and elected officials who are either gleefully proud of these things or oblivious to the extent of the problems.
Some moderate.
In California, ordinary people can leave — and they do, in droves.
As ordinary Americans who love this country, our options are much more limited. We can be thankful, however, that our government is too, as are Michael Bloomberg’s chances of becoming the Democratic nominee.
However, chalk him up as yet another Democrat who can’t help but see an alternate reality version of California that simply doesn’t exist.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--US Cities Begin Testing Patients with Flu-Like Symptoms for Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced it will be testing patients with flu-like symptoms for novel coronavirus in five different cities .
Director of the CDC ’ s Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Nancy Messonnier made the announcement in a Friday media briefing .
As of the briefing , labs in Los Angeles , San Francisco , Seattle , Chicago and New York City will be participating in the surveillance , but “ this is just the starting point , ” according to Messonnier .
“ We plan to expand to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have national surveillance , ” she said .
The surveillance is said to be a helpful detection tool for “ if and when ” coronavirus spreads into the community .
“ All of our efforts now are to prevent the sustained spread of the virus in our community .
But we need to be prepared for the possibility that it will spread , ” Messonnier said .
“ Results from this surveillance would be an early warning signal to trigger a change in our response strategy.
” To conduct this surveillance , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for the flu and viral respiratory disease to be able to detect COVID-19 as well .
The coronavirus tests will only be given to patients who test negative for influenza , NBC News reported .
Coronavirus symptoms can be similar to flu-like symptoms including fever , cough and shortness of breath , according to the CDC .
However , unless someone has a direct link to Wuhan , China , or a patient infected with the virus , it is more likely that they have the flu .
The flu currently is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with at least 26 million cases this season .
About 14,000 have died from the illness , including 92 children .
“ We have the vaccines and the drugs to fight flu illness , ” Messonnier reminded reporters .
“ We don ’ t have the tools yet for this novel virus but there are things everyone can do to contain the spread of the illness : stay informed.
” As of Friday , there have been 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States , and all of them can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks , including among other people recently returned from Wuhan , ” the CDC said in a statement .
The Trump administration has implemented travel restrictions on foreign nationals by denying entry to those who visited China in the 14 days before they arrived in the United States , according to CNN .
U.S. citizens are also subjected to mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival .
RELATED : First Coronavirus Death Rocks Europe as CDC Director Warns of US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN that the agency is preparing for a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States .
“ Right now we ’ re in an aggressive containment mode , ” Dr. Robert Redfield said in a Thursday interview .
“ We don ’ t know a lot about this virus , ” he added .
“ This virus is probably with us beyond this season , beyond this year , and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission.
” We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced it will be testing patients with flu-like symptoms for novel coronavirus in five different cities.
Director of the CDC’s Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Nancy Messonnier made the announcement in a Friday media briefing.
As of the briefing, labs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York City will be participating in the surveillance, but “this is just the starting point,” according to Messonnier.
“We plan to expand to more sites in the coming weeks until we have national surveillance,” she said.
The surveillance is said to be a helpful detection tool for “if and when” coronavirus spreads into the community.
“All of our efforts now are to prevent the sustained spread of the virus in our community. But we need to be prepared for the possibility that it will spread,” Messonnier said. “Results from this surveillance would be an early warning signal to trigger a change in our response strategy.”
To conduct this surveillance, the CDC will be modifying existing surveillance systems used for the flu and viral respiratory disease to be able to detect COVID-19 as well.
The coronavirus tests will only be given to patients who test negative for influenza, NBC News reported.
Is the U.S. doing enough about the threat of the coronavirus? Yes No
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Coronavirus symptoms can be similar to flu-like symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. However, unless someone has a direct link to Wuhan, China, or a patient infected with the virus, it is more likely that they have the flu.
The flu currently is a much larger threat to American communities, with at least 26 million cases this season. About 14,000 have died from the illness, including 92 children.
“We have the vaccines and the drugs to fight flu illness,” Messonnier reminded reporters. “We don’t have the tools yet for this novel virus but there are things everyone can do to contain the spread of the illness: stay informed.”
As of Friday, there have been 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, and all of them can be traced to travel in Wuhan.
“There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan,” the CDC said in a statement.
The Trump administration has implemented travel restrictions on foreign nationals by denying entry to those who visited China in the 14 days before they arrived in the United States, according to CNN. U.S. citizens are also subjected to mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival.
The CDC’s director told CNN that the agency is preparing for a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States.
“Right now we’re in an aggressive containment mode,” Dr. Robert Redfield said in a Thursday interview.
“We don’t know a lot about this virus,” he added. “This virus is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year, and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission.”
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--‘Knife Fight’ Breaks Out on Crowded NYC Subway, Mere Feet from Baby

A routine subway ride in Brooklyn turned into a duel between a man and woman who waved knives around not far from where a child sat in a stroller .
The incident took place Wednesday in Crown Heights , according to WCBS .
Video of the incident shows a man and a woman having an argument .
As the argument escalates , each appear to be holding knives .
For much of the video , they poke and posture at each other without doing any damage .
As they argue and fight , a child can be seen in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby out of the way .
“ Knife fight tonight on NYC Subway System , ” the Sergeant ’ s Benevolent Association , a union representing New York City Police Department officers , tweeted .
“ Watch the right hands of the 2 people arguing.
” WARNING : The following video contains violent images and vulgar language that some viewers may find disturbing .
Viewer discretion is advised .
A bystander at one point tried to cool off the argument , but the man and woman continued to threaten each other until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman left the car .
Not everyone sought to intervene .
“ When I see people with knives , I run .
I ’ m not going to sit there and get stabbed , ” one woman told WCBS .
The incident is not the only recent instance of knife attacks on the New York City subway .
Also Wednesday , Ramia Begum , 19 , was attacked in the Bronx , suffering wounds to her head and one hand , according to the New York Daily News .
She said a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subway in Harlem .
“ He was a very scary man , ” she said .
“ I hold my face and [ he ] attacked my hand , ” Begum explained , adding that after she fell down , “ He kicked my head.
” The attacks are part of a broad trend of increasing crimes on the transit system .
The system has logged 354 crimes through January and the first part of February , a 35 percent increase from the 263 crimes recorded during the same period last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted New York ’ s Metropolitan Transit Authority to increase police presence on the trains .
That , in turn , led to protests earlier this month by demonstrators who objected to the increase in police activity .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A routine subway ride in Brooklyn turned into a duel between a man and woman who waved knives around not far from where a child sat in a stroller.
The incident took place Wednesday in Crown Heights, according to WCBS.
Video of the incident shows a man and a woman having an argument.
As the argument escalates, each appear to be holding knives.
For much of the video, they poke and posture at each other without doing any damage.
As they argue and fight, a child can be seen in a stroller until someone tries to move the baby out of the way.
“Knife fight tonight on NYC Subway System,” the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association, a union representing New York City Police Department officers, tweeted.
“Watch the right hands of the 2 people arguing.”
WARNING: The following video contains violent images and vulgar language that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Knife fight tonight on NYC Subway System & you wonder why the Governor is adding 500 more cops. (Watch the right hands of the 2 people arguing) pic.twitter.com/MpmyRlIO0O — SBA (@SBANYPD) February 13, 2020
A bystander at one point tried to cool off the argument, but the man and woman continued to threaten each other until the train came to a stop and the woman left the car.
Not everyone sought to intervene.
“When I see people with knives, I run. I’m not going to sit there and get stabbed,” one woman told WCBS.
The incident is not the only recent instance of knife attacks on the New York City subway.
Is Mayor de Blasio to blame for the recent spate of knife-related incidents? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 96% (327 Votes) No: 4% (14 Votes)
Also Wednesday, Ramia Begum, 19, was attacked in the Bronx, suffering wounds to her head and one hand, according to the New York Daily News.
She said a man followed her when she got on the subway in Harlem.
“He was a very scary man,” she said.
“He attacked my head,” she added
“I hold my face and [he] attacked my hand,” Begum explained, adding that after she fell down, “He kicked my head.”
The attacks are part of a broad trend of increasing crimes on the transit system.
The system has logged 354 crimes through January and the first part of February, a 35 percent increase from the 263 crimes recorded during the same period last year.
@AOC @SenSchumer @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo These Democrats do not want extra police on subway look at the chaos the Democrats are ruining NYC — DropMadLoads (@SKOLGANG1) February 13, 2020
Remember that leftist protestors recently demanded that there be NO police presence on the NYC subway. Just another example of idealism being inconsistent with reality. https://t.co/cdJ1E22jwn — Dan (@DHuevo1) February 13, 2020
Overall increases in crime on the subways prompted New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority to increase police presence on the trains.
That, in turn, led to protests earlier this month by demonstrators who objected to the increase in police activity.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Omar’s Husband Caught Her ‘in a State That No Muslim Woman’ Should Be – in PJs With Married Lover

Whenever someone uses the analogy of The Beatles for “ the squad , ” Rep. Ilhan Omar always ends up as John Lennon .
It ’ s not just because she ’ s the more revolutionary of the two major figures of the group , full of the same empty platitudes Lennon was fond of .
It ’ s also that she ’ s one of those people whose Facebook relationship status should almost constantly read “ It ’ s Complicated.
” Lennon , you might remember , left his first wife to marry Yoko Ono , whom he met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not only that , but he had a long-term relationship with assistant May Pang during his so-called “ lost weekend ” in Los Angeles away from Ono , and , well , who knows who the heck else ?
It was the late ’ 60s and early ’ 70s , and John Lennon was apparently going live that period to its fullest .
In the age of polyamory and the thrupple , Omar is a worthy heir to the mantle of Lennon .
I ’ m not even bringing up her last ex-husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her split from her most recent ex-husband ( and technically kind of her first husband — again , it ’ s complicated ) , Ahmed Hirsi .
We ’ ve well suspected for quite some time that her split from Hirsi was precipitated by her infidelity with one of D.C. ’ s innumerable fundraiser/consultant/whatever types named Tim Mynett , who apparently left his wife to be with the first-term Minnesota Democrat .
This was of considerable interest if not because of Omar ’ s infidelity — this is the party of Jack Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her campaign paid Mynett ’ s firm a rather substantial amount of money for for a rather amorphous set of services despite no real competition in her district , which is something the Federal Election Commission might indeed want to take a peek at .
However , there ’ s always a bit of pleasure in rubbernecking at a good ol ’ gossip car-wreck — and it appears Omar now has one on her hands courtesy of a Friday exclusive in the U.K. Daily Mail .
( Valentine ’ s Day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ilhan Omar ’ s husband discovered the truth about her torrid affair with her chief fundraiser when he went to her Washington D.C. apartment last spring and found the lovers lounging around in pajamas , DailyMail.com has learned exclusively , ” the piece began .
“ Ahmed Hirsi had long suspected that Omar , 39 , was cheating on him with married Tim Mynett but the proof came when he caught the hijab-wearing congresswoman in a state that no Muslim woman would expect to be with a man who is not her husband.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but she kept telling him he was paranoid , ” a source told the Daily Mail , who said he felt “ angry and humiliated ” by the encounter .
“ He told her he wanted to move down to D.C. to be with her but she insisted he should stay in Minneapolis with the children .
Eventually he surprised her down there and his worst fears were confirmed .
“ It wasn ’ t that he actually caught them in bed but they were clearly in a romantic situation.
” So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in flagrante delicto , being caught in flannel delicto — among other things — was apparently enough to get Omar to shell out up to $ 250,000 over six years to her ex-husband in their divorce settlement so long as he doesn ’ t talk about the details of the marriage ’ s collapse .
“ Soon after the agreement was reached last year Hirsi , 40 , traded in his old Nissan Maxima for a BMW 528i , which sells for $ 54,000 new , ” the Daily Mail reports .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar , the mother of his three children , so you can ’ t say that he didn ’ t land on his feet .
RELATED : Veterans Set Ilhan Omar Straight After She Pushes for Major GI Bill Change Hirsi and Omar ’ s relationship is … well , as the Facebook status would say , it ’ s complicated .
The two “ married ” in 2002 in what was termed a “ faith ceremony , ” which apparently wasn ’ t legally binding .
In 2009 , she married British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of going down a few zillion rabbit holes regarding her marriage to Elmi , I ’ ll jump over them and say that — at least according to her account — they supposedly had a faith divorce in 2011 and a legal divorce in 2017 .
In 2018 , she and Hirsi were legally married , even though they allegedly got back together in 2011 and she filed taxes jointly with him in 2014 and 2015 while she was still married to Elmi .
You will be responsible for all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hirsi now has a BMW and Rep. Omar now has another name on her relationship history and one which should inspire some interesting questions for the essay portion of the exam .
Questions like : “ Can you think of any defensible reason why you would pay your married lover ’ s firm six-figure sums for things like ‘ fundraising consulting ’ and ‘ digital communications ? '
” Or perhaps : “ If you were caught by your husband and the father of your three children in pajamas with your new lover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set or a novelty pair of Spongebob PJs ?
” It ’ s widely assumed that Omar will keep her seat in Congress no matter what , being in a D+26 district .
However , they point out that she ’ s lost considerable support in the Somali Muslim community , both for her affair with Mynett and stunts like hosting a “ Happy Hours with Ilhan ” event at a Minnesota distillery recently .
( At least it wasn ’ t a wine cave . )
“ I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy hour event , ” a community leader said .
“ It ’ s almost as if she is deliberately trying to turn her Somali supporters against her .
She is as a figurehead for us , the most famous Somali in America and she had embarrassed us .
She is the face of the Somali community.
” And that ’ s the thing — Omar has always passed herself off as a devout Muslim .
It ’ s worth noting that ’ s been mostly passed over by the media here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Larry Craig have been skewered .
Not that they shouldn ’ t have been , mind you — for a devout Christian or Muslim , either one of these would be unacceptable .
While the media hasn ’ t noticed , however , some of those in her district have .
She has several primary challengers going into this year ’ s election , including a Somali Bernie-ite who nevertheless still says she ’ s “ to the right of Ilhan.
” While three challengers could end up splitting the anti-Omar vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the weakest end up dropping out , leaving the strongest to knock off Ilhan .
Just think of the horrors .
Tim Mynett will be like the Yoko Ono of “ the squad , ” the significant other who broke the band up .
Then it could be time for Omar to spend that lost weekend in Los Angeles .
All I have to say is this : Let ’ s hope she doesn ’ t end up heckling the Smothers Brothers with Katie Hill like Lennon did with Harry Nilsson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Whenever someone uses the analogy of The Beatles for “the squad,” Rep. Ilhan Omar always ends up as John Lennon.
It’s not just because she’s the more revolutionary of the two major figures of the group, full of the same empty platitudes Lennon was fond of. It’s also that she’s one of those people whose Facebook relationship status should almost constantly read “It’s Complicated.”
Lennon, you might remember, left his first wife to marry Yoko Ono, whom he met while he was still very married. Not only that, but he had a long-term relationship with assistant May Pang during his so-called “lost weekend” in Los Angeles away from Ono, and, well, who knows who the heck else?
It was the late ’60s and early ’70s, and John Lennon was apparently going live that period to its fullest.
In the age of polyamory and the thrupple, Omar is a worthy heir to the mantle of Lennon. I’m not even bringing up her last ex-husband and the theories behind that, but her split from her most recent ex-husband (and technically kind of her first husband — again, it’s complicated), Ahmed Hirsi.
We’ve well suspected for quite some time that her split from Hirsi was precipitated by her infidelity with one of D.C.’s innumerable fundraiser/consultant/whatever types named Tim Mynett, who apparently left his wife to be with the first-term Minnesota Democrat.
This was of considerable interest if not because of Omar’s infidelity — this is the party of Jack Kennedy, after all — but the fact that her campaign paid Mynett’s firm a rather substantial amount of money for for a rather amorphous set of services despite no real competition in her district, which is something the Federal Election Commission might indeed want to take a peek at.
However, there’s always a bit of pleasure in rubbernecking at a good ol’ gossip car-wreck — and it appears Omar now has one on her hands courtesy of a Friday exclusive in the U.K. Daily Mail. (Valentine’s Day, it felicitously so happens.)
“Ilhan Omar’s husband discovered the truth about her torrid affair with her chief fundraiser when he went to her Washington D.C. apartment last spring and found the lovers lounging around in pajamas, DailyMail.com has learned exclusively,” the piece began.
Do you think Ilhan Omar will be voted out of office? Yes No
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“Ahmed Hirsi had long suspected that Omar, 39, was cheating on him with married Tim Mynett but the proof came when he caught the hijab-wearing congresswoman in a state that no Muslim woman would expect to be with a man who is not her husband.”
“He suspected she was cheating but she kept telling him he was paranoid,” a source told the Daily Mail, who said he felt “angry and humiliated” by the encounter. “He told her he wanted to move down to D.C. to be with her but she insisted he should stay in Minneapolis with the children. Eventually he surprised her down there and his worst fears were confirmed.
“It wasn’t that he actually caught them in bed but they were clearly in a romantic situation.”
So, while they might not have been caught in flagrante delicto, being caught in flannel delicto — among other things — was apparently enough to get Omar to shell out up to $250,000 over six years to her ex-husband in their divorce settlement so long as he doesn’t talk about the details of the marriage’s collapse.
“Soon after the agreement was reached last year Hirsi, 40, traded in his old Nissan Maxima for a BMW 528i, which sells for $54,000 new,” the Daily Mail reports. He also remarried just 37 days after divorcing Omar, the mother of his three children, so you can’t say that he didn’t land on his feet.
Hirsi and Omar’s relationship is … well, as the Facebook status would say, it’s complicated.
The two “married” in 2002 in what was termed a “faith ceremony,” which apparently wasn’t legally binding. In 2009, she married British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. At the risk of going down a few zillion rabbit holes regarding her marriage to Elmi, I’ll jump over them and say that — at least according to her account — they supposedly had a faith divorce in 2011 and a legal divorce in 2017.
In 2018, she and Hirsi were legally married, even though they allegedly got back together in 2011 and she filed taxes jointly with him in 2014 and 2015 while she was still married to Elmi.
You will be responsible for all of this on the test.
Anyhow, Hirsi now has a BMW and Rep. Omar now has another name on her relationship history and one which should inspire some interesting questions for the essay portion of the exam.
Questions like: “Can you think of any defensible reason why you would pay your married lover’s firm six-figure sums for things like ‘fundraising consulting’ and ‘digital communications?'” Or perhaps: “If you were caught by your husband and the father of your three children in pajamas with your new lover, would you go with a silk set or a novelty pair of Spongebob PJs?”
It’s widely assumed that Omar will keep her seat in Congress no matter what, being in a D+26 district.
However, they point out that she’s lost considerable support in the Somali Muslim community, both for her affair with Mynett and stunts like hosting a “Happy Hours with Ilhan” event at a Minnesota distillery recently. (At least it wasn’t a wine cave.)
“I don’t know what she is thinking, holding a happy hour event,” a community leader said. “It’s almost as if she is deliberately trying to turn her Somali supporters against her. She is as a figurehead for us, the most famous Somali in America and she had embarrassed us. She is the face of the Somali community.”
And that’s the thing — Omar has always passed herself off as a devout Muslim. It’s worth noting that’s been mostly passed over by the media here, even as conservative Christians like John Ensign and Larry Craig have been skewered. Not that they shouldn’t have been, mind you — for a devout Christian or Muslim, either one of these would be unacceptable.
While the media hasn’t noticed, however, some of those in her district have.
She has several primary challengers going into this year’s election, including a Somali Bernie-ite who nevertheless still says she’s “to the right of Ilhan.” While three challengers could end up splitting the anti-Omar vote, there’s also the chance that the weakest end up dropping out, leaving the strongest to knock off Ilhan.
Just think of the horrors.
Tim Mynett will be like the Yoko Ono of “the squad,” the significant other who broke the band up. Then it could be time for Omar to spend that lost weekend in Los Angeles.
All I have to say is this: Let’s hope she doesn’t end up heckling the Smothers Brothers with Katie Hill like Lennon did with Harry Nilsson. That would just be sad.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Game-Changing Report: Bloomberg Considering Hillary Clinton for VP

A new report claims that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is considering picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate if he wins the Democratic presidential nomination .
“ Bloomberg himself would go as far as to change his official residence from NY to homes he owns in CO or FL , since electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS to be from same state , ” he added .
“ Sources close to Bloomberg campaign tell DRUDGE REPORT that candidate is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate , after their polling found the Bloomberg-Clinton combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on his website .
Bloomberg , who was a late entrant in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field , now stands third in the RealClearPolitics average of polls at 14.2 percent support , trailing current front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , who is at 23.6 percent support , and former Vice President Joe Biden , who is at 19.2 percent .
Bloomberg was at 8 percent support as recently as Jan. 31 , but has risen after Biden stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Clinton , who was the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres about being number two on the ticket of an eventual Democratic nominee , according to the Washington Examiner .
“ Well , that ’ s not going to happen , ” Clinton said .
“ But no , probably no.
” Clinton then used her recurring line that she never rules out any possibility .
“ I never say never because I do believe in serving my country , but it ’ s not going to happen , ” she said .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , said Bloomberg and Clinton have made plans together before .
Trump said Bloomberg “ used to be a friend of mine until I ran for politics , and then — he went a little off .
You should see some of the nice things he said about me before I ran .
They ’ re like the nicest.
” “ But he had a deal with Hillary Clinton that he was going to become secretary of state .
It was very simple .
People know that , ” Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the 2016 Democratic National Convention .
“ I know Hillary Clinton is not flawless ; no candidate is , ” he said at the time .
“ But she is the right choice — and the responsible choice — in this election .
No matter what you may think about her politics or her record , Hillary Clinton understands that this is not reality television ; this is reality.
” “ She understands the job of president .
It involves finding solutions , not pointing fingers , and offering hope , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Vox .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A new report claims that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is considering picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate if he wins the Democratic presidential nomination.
“EXCLUSIVE: BLOOMBERG CONSIDERS HILLARY RUNNING MATE,” journalist Matt Drudge tweeted Saturday.
EXCLUSIVE: BLOOMBERG CONSIDERS HILLARY RUNNING MATE DRUDGE: Bloomberg himself would go as far as to change his official residence from NY to homes he owns in CO or FL, since electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS to be from same state. https://t.co/XH3TJA9nas pic.twitter.com/NuOy9w6HM8 — MATT DRUDGE (@DRUDGE) February 15, 2020
“Bloomberg himself would go as far as to change his official residence from NY to homes he owns in CO or FL, since electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS to be from same state,” he added.
“Sources close to Bloomberg campaign tell DRUDGE REPORT that candidate is considering Hillary Clinton as running mate, after their polling found the Bloomberg-Clinton combination would be formidable force,” Drudge said on his website.
Talk of a Bloomberg-Clinton alliance made Twitter buzz:
Radio news is reporting that just-turned 78-year-old unlikable Mike Bloomberg is considering fellow New Yorker, even MORE unlikable Hillary Clinton, who will be 73 at election time, as his running mate.
Democrats are DESPERATE for the anti-social nursing home vote! — GretchenInOK (@GretchenInOK) February 15, 2020
I voted for Hillary Clinton against Trump in 2016 and it was an easy decision. I genuinely don’t know if I could bring myself to vote for Mike Bloomberg against Trump in 2020. — Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) February 13, 2020
No way would Clinton accept #2 roll. Unless of course she knew #1 had suicidal tendencies — Jeff Quail (@QuailJeff) February 15, 2020
Bloomberg, who was a late entrant in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field, now stands third in the RealClearPolitics average of polls at 14.2 percent support, trailing current front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is at 23.6 percent support, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is at 19.2 percent.
Bloomberg was at 8 percent support as recently as Jan. 31, but has risen after Biden stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Would you vote against Mike Bloomberg if Hillary Clinton was his running mate? 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: 91% (1895 Votes) No: 9% (186 Votes)
Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, was asked earlier this month by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres about being number two on the ticket of an eventual Democratic nominee, according to the Washington Examiner.
“Well, that’s not going to happen,” Clinton said. “But no, probably no.”
Clinton then used her recurring line that she never rules out any possibility.
“I never say never because I do believe in serving my country, but it’s not going to happen,” she said.
President Donald Trump, during an interview with CNBC last month, said Bloomberg and Clinton have made plans together before.
Trump said Bloomberg “used to be a friend of mine until I ran for politics, and then — he went a little off. You should see some of the nice things he said about me before I ran. They’re like the nicest.”
“But he had a deal with Hillary Clinton that he was going to become secretary of state. It was very simple. People know that,” Trump said.
Bloomberg spoke on behalf of Clinton at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
“I know Hillary Clinton is not flawless; no candidate is,” he said at the time. “But she is the right choice — and the responsible choice — in this election. No matter what you may think about her politics or her record, Hillary Clinton understands that this is not reality television; this is reality.”
“She understands the job of president. It involves finding solutions, not pointing fingers, and offering hope, not stoking fear,” he added, according to Vox.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--First Coronavirus Death Rocks Europe as CDC Director Warns of US Outbreak

The first European death from the coronavirus has been confirmed .
The 80-year-old Chinese tourist from the province of Hubei arrived in France on Jan. 16 and was later isolated and hospitalized on Jan. 25 , Fox News reported .
Officials say the man ’ s condition quickly deteriorated and he died on Friday .
His daughter was hospitalized as well but she is expected to recover .
“ I was informed last night of the death of an 80-year-old patient who had been hospitalized , ” Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said Saturday .
There are currently at least 46 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the most reported cases , with 16 people infected .
Worldwide , there were 67,192 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,527 fatalities , as of Saturday morning .
The vast majority of the fatalities have taken place in China .
On Thursday , officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the 15th case of coronavirus inside the United States .
The patient is among American evacuees out of Wuhan , and is under quarantine at a military base in Texas , CNBC reported .
“ There will likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , including among other people recently returned from Wuhan , ” the CDC said in a statement .
The CDC ’ s director told CNN that the agency is preparing for a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States .
“ Right now we ’ re in an aggressive containment mode , ” Dr. Robert Redfield said in a Thursday interview .
“ We don ’ t know a lot about this virus , ” he added .
“ This virus is probably with us beyond this season , beyond this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission.
” The containment period gives researchers time to try to understand the virus and develop and test possible vaccines and antiviral drugs .
There is currently no cure .
RELATED : US Cities Begin Testing Patients with Flu-Like Symptoms for Coronavirus This containment strategy also bolsters efforts to prevent the spread of the virus by keeping confirmed cases isolated from the rest of the community and enforcing travel restrictions .
The Trump administration has implemented travel restrictions on foreign nationals by denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 14 days before they arrived in the United States , according to CNN .
U.S. citizens are also subjected to mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The first European death from the coronavirus has been confirmed.
The 80-year-old Chinese tourist from the province of Hubei arrived in France on Jan. 16 and was later isolated and hospitalized on Jan. 25, Fox News reported.
Officials say the man’s condition quickly deteriorated and he died on Friday. His daughter was hospitalized as well but she is expected to recover.
“I was informed last night of the death of an 80-year-old patient who had been hospitalized,” Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said Saturday.
There are currently at least 46 cases of coronavirus in Europe. Germany has the most reported cases, with 16 people infected.
Worldwide, there were 67,192 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,527 fatalities, as of Saturday morning.
The vast majority of the fatalities have taken place in China.
On Thursday, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the 15th case of coronavirus inside the United States.
The patient is among American evacuees out of Wuhan, and is under quarantine at a military base in Texas, CNBC reported.
Are you worried about an outbreak of coronavirus? Yes No
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“There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan,” the CDC said in a statement.
The CDC’s director told CNN that the agency is preparing for a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States.
“Right now we’re in an aggressive containment mode,” Dr. Robert Redfield said in a Thursday interview.
“We don’t know a lot about this virus,” he added. “This virus is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year, and I think eventually the virus will find a foothold and we will get community-based transmission.”
The containment period gives researchers time to try to understand the virus and develop and test possible vaccines and antiviral drugs. There is currently no cure.
This containment strategy also bolsters efforts to prevent the spread of the virus by keeping confirmed cases isolated from the rest of the community and enforcing travel restrictions.
The Trump administration has implemented travel restrictions on foreign nationals by denying entry to those who visited China in the 14 days before they arrived in the United States, according to CNN.
U.S. citizens are also subjected to mandatory quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Could Your Grandchild Be the Next Gerber Baby?

The beginning of a new year means it is time for famed baby food company Gerber to select its 2020 Gerber “ Spokesbaby ” from entries around the U.S .
The Gerber Photo Search 2020 began on Feb. 5 and will close on Feb. 21 .
It is open to residents of the U.S. and Puerto Rico .
Eligible candidates must be between one day and 48 months old , and the grand prize winner will receive $ 25,000 , in addition to being the face of Gerber for one year .
“ Launched a decade ago , Photo Search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents who see their little one in Gerber ’ s iconic baby logo , ” the Gerber website reads .
“ With Photo Search , we celebrate babies from all backgrounds and the promise to do ‘ Anything for Baby . '
” According to the contest rules , Gerber will choose the winner based on the following criteria : One , the “ visual appeal of the child ( ren ) in the photo , ” two , the “ expressiveness of child ( ren ) in photo , ” and finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heritage and its ‘ Anything For Baby ’ mission.
” Gerber aims to serve babies starting from their mother ’ s pregnancies and on through the preschool years , and is dedicated to “ helping babies grow up healthy and happy , ” according to its website .
The 2019 Gerber Spokesbaby was Kairi Yang , who enjoyed a full year of Gerber fame and is now preparing to pass the honor on to the next baby .
Over the year , little Kairi participated in varying events , including an appearance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and was featured in a Gerber clothing photo shoot and a Gerber Growers field tour .
If you think your favorite little one could be the next Gerber Spokesbaby , visit photosearch.gerber.com to complete the submission form .
Entries must include a bit of information about the submitting parent and the baby , along with a story or special memory that makes this baby stand out from the competition .
RELATED : Store Cashier Offers Free Food to Customers in Need If They Can Solve Simple Math Problems Of course , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , which must be taken within 30 days of the entry date .
“ Remember , we ’ re not looking for picture-perfect , so just capture your kiddo doing what they do best : being themselves !
” Gerber wrote on Instagram .
Best of luck to your little one !
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The beginning of a new year means it is time for famed baby food company Gerber to select its 2020 Gerber “Spokesbaby” from entries around the U.S.
The Gerber Photo Search 2020 began on Feb. 5 and will close on Feb. 21. It is open to residents of the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Eligible candidates must be between one day and 48 months old, and the grand prize winner will receive $25,000, in addition to being the face of Gerber for one year.
“Launched a decade ago, Photo Search was inspired by countless photos sent by parents who see their little one in Gerber’s iconic baby logo,” the Gerber website reads.
“With Photo Search, we celebrate babies from all backgrounds and the promise to do ‘Anything for Baby.'”
According to the contest rules, Gerber will choose the winner based on the following criteria:
One, the “visual appeal of the child(ren) in the photo,” two, the “expressiveness of child(ren) in photo,” and finally, “consistency with Gerber’s heritage and its ‘Anything For Baby’ mission.”
Gerber aims to serve babies starting from their mother’s pregnancies and on through the preschool years, and is dedicated to “helping babies grow up healthy and happy,” according to its website.
The 2019 Gerber Spokesbaby was Kairi Yang, who enjoyed a full year of Gerber fame and is now preparing to pass the honor on to the next baby.
Over the year, little Kairi participated in varying events, including an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, and was featured in a Gerber clothing photo shoot and a Gerber Growers field tour.
If you think your favorite little one could be the next Gerber Spokesbaby, visit photosearch.gerber.com to complete the submission form.
Entries must include a bit of information about the submitting parent and the baby, along with a story or special memory that makes this baby stand out from the competition.
Of course, have your favorite baby photo ready to upload as well, which must be taken within 30 days of the entry date.
“Remember, we’re not looking for picture-perfect, so just capture your kiddo doing what they do best: being themselves!” Gerber wrote on Instagram.
Best of luck to your little one!
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Carrie Underwood Got a Good Laugh From Her Son’s ‘All About My Mom’ Worksheet for School

Carrie Underwood shared a photo of the humorous words her 4-year-old son Isaiah used to describe his mom , leaving the internet in stitches .
Underwood is raising two sons , 4-year-old Isaiah , and Jacob , who just turned 1 last month , with her husband , former hockey player Mike Fisher .
The entertainment star typically posts very little about her boys on social media , but a recent “ All About My Mom ” worksheet from her son was too hilarious not to show off .
The 36-year-old star posted a photo revealing what Isaiah thinks about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color and favorite phrases .
Isaiah was correct on a few of the descriptors , like his mother ’ s first name and her hair and eye color , but was hilariously off-base when it came to her age and career .
“ Soooo…apparently I ’ m 70 and I ’ m really good at doing the laundry , ” the star wrote on Instagram .
Isaiah adorably guessed that his mom was 70 years old and that her job was to “ wash the laundry.
” When asked to name something his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied , “ folding laundry.
” Fans were delighted with the boy ’ s genuine answers , commenting that no matter how famous Underwood may be , to Isaiah , she is simply his mom .
“ So sweet , ” one fan commented .
“ To the rest of the world , you ’ re global country superstar Carrie Underwood .
To Isaiah , you ’ re the bedtime storyteller and the one who keeps him in clean clothes .
This is precious because he sees you for you.
” Country Living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to age so gracefully , writing , “ Tomorrow ’ s headline : ‘ How Carrie Underwood Makes 70 Look 30 . '
” Underwood ’ s boys are familiar with their mom ’ s career as a vocal star , traveling with her during the “ Cry Pretty ” tour of 2019 .
RELATED : Carrie Underwood Steps Down as CMA Host After 12 Years : 'It 's Time' Underwood made it clear that while touring was important to her , keeping her family together was a higher priority , especially since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Underwood has been open about her struggle with miscarriages , revealing that she had Jacob after a heartbreaking three miscarriages .
“ I had always been afraid to be angry , ” Underwood said of her repeat miscarriages .
“ Because we are so blessed .
And my son , Isaiah , is the sweetest thing .
And he ’ s the best thing in the world .
And I ’ m like , ‘ If we can never have any other kids , that ’ s okay , because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have this amazing life .
Like , really , what can I complain about ?
I can ’ t .
I have an incredible husband , incredible friends , an incredible job , an incredible kid .
Can I be mad ?
No.
” Her vulnerability is an encouragement to other women , reminding them that they are not alone .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Carrie Underwood shared a photo of the humorous words her 4-year-old son Isaiah used to describe his mom, leaving the internet in stitches.
Underwood is raising two sons, 4-year-old Isaiah, and Jacob, who just turned 1 last month, with her husband, former hockey player Mike Fisher.
The entertainment star typically posts very little about her boys on social media, but a recent “All About My Mom” worksheet from her son was too hilarious not to show off.
The 36-year-old star posted a photo revealing what Isaiah thinks about her age, favorite food, eye color and favorite phrases.
Isaiah was correct on a few of the descriptors, like his mother’s first name and her hair and eye color, but was hilariously off-base when it came to her age and career.
“Soooo…apparently I’m 70 and I’m really good at doing the laundry,” the star wrote on Instagram.
Isaiah adorably guessed that his mom was 70 years old and that her job was to “wash the laundry.”
When asked to name something his mother was good at, the boy replied, “folding laundry.”
Fans were delighted with the boy’s genuine answers, commenting that no matter how famous Underwood may be, to Isaiah, she is simply his mom.
“So sweet,” one fan commented. “To the rest of the world, you’re global country superstar Carrie Underwood. To Isaiah, you’re the bedtime storyteller and the one who keeps him in clean clothes. This is precious because he sees you for you.”
Country Living Magazine joked about Underwood’s ability to age so gracefully, writing, “Tomorrow’s headline: ‘How Carrie Underwood Makes 70 Look 30.'”
Underwood’s boys are familiar with their mom’s career as a vocal star, traveling with her during the “Cry Pretty” tour of 2019.
Underwood made it clear that while touring was important to her, keeping her family together was a higher priority, especially since baby Jacob was born earlier that same year.
Underwood has been open about her struggle with miscarriages, revealing that she had Jacob after a heartbreaking three miscarriages.
“I had always been afraid to be angry,” Underwood said of her repeat miscarriages.
“Because we are so blessed. And my son, Isaiah, is the sweetest thing. And he’s the best thing in the world. And I’m like, ‘If we can never have any other kids, that’s okay, because he’s amazing.’”
“And I have this amazing life. Like, really, what can I complain about? I can’t. I have an incredible husband, incredible friends, an incredible job, an incredible kid. Can I be mad? No.”
“And I got mad,” the star continued.
Her vulnerability is an encouragement to other women, reminding them that they are not alone.
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westernjournal--2020-02-15--Alabama Cops Take Initiative, Offer Active Shooter Training for Local Churches

In response to high-profile incidents of violence targeting places of worship , one Alabama community is doing all it can to protect churches .
In Citronelle , about 30 miles from Mobile , Police Chief Tyler Norris recently announced that the department would begin special training for churches to address the threats of active shooters .
Norris ’ s actions come after last month ’ s attack in a Texas church in which two people were killed and one a year ago in Texas that resulted in the deaths of 26 people .
The department announced its intent in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page .
“ Attention Churches in Citronelle and surrounding areas : Chief Norris has a law enforcement colleague who is volunteering his time and effort to train all of our churches in safety and security measures .
He will teach everyone what to look for , security assessments , security measures , security personnel , and armed security .
The curriculum will be based on and written for the church environment , ” the post read .
“ Each instructor is law enforcement certified with in depth training and experience in this field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each training session .
He will answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have .
Churches can host the training separately or may join together and learn collectively .
There is no cost for this training , ” the post read .
The department said that training “ is directed to church staff and security team members , or potential security team members .
it [ sic ] is not open to the general public .
This is to safeguard the special tactics and operations of the training from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackwell has already signed up , according to WPMI .
“ For me as a pastor , I want to make sure we do all things necessary to help people feel safe , ” he said .
Blackwell said it was “ sad that we live in those dire times in our nation and society that we even have to think about it.
” Norris said he has taken protection a step further .
“ One thing we did do about two weeks ago , I sent out a memo for all my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Norris said .
He said he expects his officers to be prepared at church .
RELATED : 'Knife Fight ' Breaks Out on Crowded NYC Subway , Mere Feet from Baby “ They have to be dressed appropriately , they have all three duty weapons , side arm , shotgun and patrol rifle in that vehicle , ” he said .
“ They ’ re trained to take care of a bad guy , so if it ’ s parked at their house while they ’ re at church , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Norris said .
Many communities are conducting training to protect churches , including Gainesville , Georgia , where police say that the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was targeted for attack by a teen-ager who was charged before any crime took place .
“ It ’ s a shame that we live in a world today where we have to protect our institutions of worship , our schools , but evil knows where we are most vulnerable , ” Chief Jay Parrish said , according to The New York Times .
Parrish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , that could include throwing Bibles , hot coffee , chairs or fire extinguishers if confronted by a shooter .
“ Unfortunately , this is what it has come to .
We have to be ready to fight back , ” said Rev .
Michelle Rizer-Pool , the pastor of Bethel and a retired Army major .
“ We are having to get our arms around this idea of praying and praising our God in what is supposed to be a place of peace , but having to be watchful and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In response to high-profile incidents of violence targeting places of worship, one Alabama community is doing all it can to protect churches.
In Citronelle, about 30 miles from Mobile, Police Chief Tyler Norris recently announced that the department would begin special training for churches to address the threats of active shooters.
Norris’s actions come after last month’s attack in a Texas church in which two people were killed and one a year ago in Texas that resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
The department announced its intent in a post on the department’s Facebook page.
“Attention Churches in Citronelle and surrounding areas: Chief Norris has a law enforcement colleague who is volunteering his time and effort to train all of our churches in safety and security measures. He will teach everyone what to look for, security assessments, security measures, security personnel, and armed security. The curriculum will be based on and written for the church environment,” the post read.
“Each instructor is law enforcement certified with in depth training and experience in this field. Chief Norris will be present at each training session. He will answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have. Churches can host the training separately or may join together and learn collectively. There is no cost for this training,” the post read.
The department said that training “is directed to church staff and security team members, or potential security team members. it [sic] is not open to the general public. This is to safeguard the special tactics and operations of the training from potential offenders.”
Do you think this training is a good idea? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (21 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
Restoration Church pastor John Blackwell has already signed up, according to WPMI.
“For me as a pastor, I want to make sure we do all things necessary to help people feel safe,” he said.
Blackwell said it was “sad that we live in those dire times in our nation and society that we even have to think about it.”
Norris said he has taken protection a step further.
“One thing we did do about two weeks ago, I sent out a memo for all my officers to drive their vehicles to church,” Norris said.
He said he expects his officers to be prepared at church.
“They have to be dressed appropriately, they have all three duty weapons, side arm, shotgun and patrol rifle in that vehicle,” he said.
“They’re trained to take care of a bad guy, so if it’s parked at their house while they’re at church, it’s done nobody no good,” Norris said.
Many communities are conducting training to protect churches, including Gainesville, Georgia, where police say that the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was targeted for attack by a teen-ager who was charged before any crime took place.
“It’s a shame that we live in a world today where we have to protect our institutions of worship, our schools, but evil knows where we are most vulnerable,” Chief Jay Parrish said, according to The New York Times.
Parrish teaches church members to use a low-tech response, that could include throwing Bibles, hot coffee, chairs or fire extinguishers if confronted by a shooter.
“Unfortunately, this is what it has come to. We have to be ready to fight back,” said Rev. Michelle Rizer-Pool, the pastor of Bethel and a retired Army major.
“We are having to get our arms around this idea of praying and praising our God in what is supposed to be a place of peace, but having to be watchful and on the lookout,” she said.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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