westernjournal--2020-01-15--Marine Corps Bans Popular Faith-Based Dog Tags That Have Been in Use for Decades

A battle is brewing now that two branches of America ’ s armed forces are responding to an anti-religion group ’ s complaint by trying to stop a company from selling replica dog tags that bear a scripture verse as well as a military insignia .
The Marine Corps has denied a trademark license to Shields of Strength , the company that makes the replicas , according to Fox News .
In December , the Army told Shields of Strength it had to end its roughly 20 years of selling items with the Army insignia and a Bible verse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the service acted after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation wrote the Army , Navy , Marine Corps and Air Force over the summer demanding that the services separate themselves from Shields of Strength .
“ These Christian proselytizing dog tags are blatantly religious and wholly sectarian in representing solely the Christian faith , ” Mikey Weinstein , the foundation ’ s founder , wrote .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths According to Weinstein , the partnership between Shields of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of church and state .
“ These dog tags are not the ones given out by the military , ” he said in a news release .
“ These are souvenir ones they can buy from Shields of Strength , a for-profit company.
” Shields of Strength founder Kenny Vaughan said he was surprised when the decisions by the Army and Marines came down .
“ It ’ s frustrating that those who are fighting for our freedom can ’ t have a Shield simply because the military is afraid of an outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ I hope the Marine Corps reverses course and restores the ability of our brave military members to own a Shield of Strength.
” First Liberty Institute , a nonprofit legal firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty , sent the Marine Corps a letter Tuesday calling its efforts unconstitutional and a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act .
In the letter , Mike Berry , chief of staff to the director of military affairs at the firm , noted the tragic case of one soldier who wore a Shields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on April 3 , 2003 , while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom , Army Captain Russell Rippetoe was killed in action while wearing a SoS Joshua 1:9 dog tag .
CPT Rippetoe was the first combat casualty from Operation Iraqi Freedom buried at Arlington National Cemetery , ” Berry wrote .
RELATED : Video Shows Apache Attack Helicopter Light Up Sky Over US Embassy in Iraq “ The following month , during the 2003 Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery , President George W. Bush spoke of CPT Rippetoe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shield of Strength CPT Rippetoe wore as a source of great encouragement , ” he added .
“ This tag is faith .
This is believing that you ’ re going to live — and that even if you die , you ’ ll be holding hands with God for eternity .
That ’ s what it means to me … and every veteran I know feels the same way , ” Kenneth Davis , a U.S. Air Force and Marine veteran , said on the First Liberty website .
Vaughan indicated he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the replica dog tags were created more than 20 years ago .
“ I always loved the military , ” he said .
“ My father was in the military .
But it was only after meeting and getting to know the soldiers that I fully realized how much they sacrifice .
I just pray that Shields of Strength would encourage them , keep them in their purpose , and keep them in the fight.
” Berry , a Marine Corps veteran , said America ’ s troops deserve to have the inspiration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strength tag .
“ Events of the past several weeks make clear that our military personnel are constantly exposed to danger .
And yet the MRFF seeks to deny them the freedom to wear Shields of Strength , ” Berry said .
“ Denying our troops a source of inspiration , hope , and encouragement simply because it contains a religious message is an outrage.
” “ The Marine Corps should tell the MRFF to support our troops , not punish them , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read our editorial standards .

A battle is brewing now that two branches of America’s armed forces are responding to an anti-religion group’s complaint by trying to stop a company from selling replica dog tags that bear a scripture verse as well as a military insignia.
The Marine Corps has denied a trademark license to Shields of Strength, the company that makes the replicas, according to Fox News.
In December, the Army told Shields of Strength it had to end its roughly 20 years of selling items with the Army insignia and a Bible verse, The Washington Times reported.
Both branches of the service acted after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation wrote the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force over the summer demanding that the services separate themselves from Shields of Strength.
“These Christian proselytizing dog tags are blatantly religious and wholly sectarian in representing solely the Christian faith,” Mikey Weinstein, the foundation’s founder, wrote.
According to Weinstein, the partnership between Shields of Strength and the military violates the separation of church and state.
“These dog tags are not the ones given out by the military,” he said in a news release.
“These are souvenir ones they can buy from Shields of Strength, a for-profit company.”
Shields of Strength founder Kenny Vaughan said he was surprised when the decisions by the Army and Marines came down.
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“It’s frustrating that those who are fighting for our freedom can’t have a Shield simply because the military is afraid of an outside activist group,” Vaughan said in a statement.
“I hope the Marine Corps reverses course and restores the ability of our brave military members to own a Shield of Strength.”
First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit legal firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty, sent the Marine Corps a letter Tuesday calling its efforts unconstitutional and a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
In the letter, Mike Berry, chief of staff to the director of military affairs at the firm, noted the tragic case of one soldier who wore a Shields of Strength dog tag.
“Tragically, on April 3, 2003, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army Captain Russell Rippetoe was killed in action while wearing a SoS Joshua 1:9 dog tag. CPT Rippetoe was the first combat casualty from Operation Iraqi Freedom buried at Arlington National Cemetery,” Berry wrote.
“The following month, during the 2003 Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, President George W. Bush spoke of CPT Rippetoe’s faith, and mentioned the Shield of Strength CPT Rippetoe wore as a source of great encouragement,” he added.
“This tag is faith. This is believing that you’re going to live — and that even if you die, you’ll be holding hands with God for eternity. That’s what it means to me … and every veteran I know feels the same way,” Kenneth Davis, a U.S. Air Force and Marine veteran, said on the First Liberty website.
Vaughan indicated he understands that feeling, which is why the replica dog tags were created more than 20 years ago.
“I always loved the military,” he said. “My father was in the military. But it was only after meeting and getting to know the soldiers that I fully realized how much they sacrifice. I just pray that Shields of Strength would encourage them, keep them in their purpose, and keep them in the fight.”
Berry, a Marine Corps veteran, said America’s troops deserve to have the inspiration they get from carrying a Shields of Strength tag.
“Events of the past several weeks make clear that our military personnel are constantly exposed to danger. And yet the MRFF seeks to deny them the freedom to wear Shields of Strength,” Berry said. “Denying our troops a source of inspiration, hope, and encouragement simply because it contains a religious message is an outrage.”
“The Marine Corps should tell the MRFF to support our troops, not punish them,” he said.
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Know Your Enemy

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

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


westernjournal--2020-01-15--Ex-Con Who Helped Bernie Sanders with Prison Reform Now Facing 2 Felony Charges

A former inmate who helped the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont develop its positions on prison issues has been arrested after he was accused of stealing cellblock keys to a Tennessee prison that is under construction .
Alex Friedmann , 50 , was arrested Saturday at the Downtown Detention Center in Nashville , according to a statement from the Davidson County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Friedmann , who is managing editor of Prison Legal News , was charged with attempted burglary , evidence tampering and possession of burglary tools .
The role of Friedmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an annual report of the Human Rights Defense Center .
“ Beginning in August 2015 , staff at U.S .
Senator Bernie Sanders ’ office consulted with several criminal justice organizations , including HRDC , for a bill he planned to introduce related to the private prison industry , ” the report said .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths “ Alex Friedmann participated in multiple conference calls with the Senator ’ s staff and suggested the name that was eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice is Not for Sale Act ’ ( S.2054/H.R.3543 ) , which was introduced on September 17 , 2015 , ” it said .
“ Among other provisions , the bill would ban all private prisons.
” At the time , Friedman was listed as associate director of the HRDC .
Friedmann was arrested in 1987 for armed robbery and assault with attempt to commit murder and again in 1991 , when he was charged with attempted aggravated robbery .
Overall , he has served 10 years behind bars , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest arrest came after the discovery of missing keys at the 762-bed Downtown Detention Center , which is scheduled to open in February .
According to the sheriff ’ s office ’ s statement , its personnel were in the prison control room on Dec. 30 “ and noticed a set of keys with a ring that looked different from the others .
After an audit , it was confirmed two facility keys were missing.
” Video evidence showed that “ an individual dressed like a construction worker wearing a yellow vest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friedmann , was seen spray painting around the key control room door.
” “ He entered the room and placed a key ring in his pocket , left the DDC through the front lobby , returned two hours later , and replaced the keys , again with two missing .
It was also discovered he previously entered the building under false pretenses on at least three other occasions , ” the statement said .
Friedmann was detained Saturday when deputies saw him enter the facility .
RELATED : Bernie Sanders ' Wife Weighs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'People Sometimes Misremember Things' “ An igloo cooler Friedmann carried into the facility contained bolt cutters , a key chit ( used in corrections as a security measure to identify keys ) , and a document identified as schematics of the DDC .
Friedman was also seen on video trying to destroy this document by ‘ ripping it and chewing it up , ’ ” the statement said .
“ The seriousness of Mr. Friedmann ’ s charges can not be ignored , ” Sheriff Daron Hall said .
“ His actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our entire community in peril , not to mention DCSO staff and inmates .
“ There are many items of value in a $ 200 million facility that can be stolen if your motivation is profit .
There is only one reason for these sinister acts and that is to compromise our ability to maintain a secure facility and that is unconscionable and dangerous for everyone.
” Officials said the incident could delay the opening of the facility .
“ Mr .
Friedmann is a smart man .
He knew exactly what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t some accident , ” Hall said , according to WSMV-TV in Nashville .
When WSMV contacted Friedmann , who is free on bond , he said he had no comment on the incident .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A former inmate who helped the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont develop its positions on prison issues has been arrested after he was accused of stealing cellblock keys to a Tennessee prison that is under construction.
Alex Friedmann, 50, was arrested Saturday at the Downtown Detention Center in Nashville, according to a statement from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
Friedmann, who is managing editor of Prison Legal News, was charged with attempted burglary, evidence tampering and possession of burglary tools.
The role of Friedmann in the Sanders campaign was highlighted in an annual report of the Human Rights Defense Center.
“Beginning in August 2015, staff at U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ office consulted with several criminal justice organizations, including HRDC, for a bill he planned to introduce related to the private prison industry,” the report said.
“Alex Friedmann participated in multiple conference calls with the Senator’s staff and suggested the name that was eventually used for the bill, the ‘Justice is Not for Sale Act’ (S.2054/H.R.3543), which was introduced on September 17, 2015,” it said. “Among other provisions, the bill would ban all private prisons.”
At the time, Friedman was listed as associate director of the HRDC.
Friedmann was arrested in 1987 for armed robbery and assault with attempt to commit murder and again in 1991, when he was charged with attempted aggravated robbery.
Overall, he has served 10 years behind bars, according to The Washington Free Beacon.
Do you agree with Bernie Sanders' views on criminal justice? Yes No
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Friedmann’s latest arrest came after the discovery of missing keys at the 762-bed Downtown Detention Center, which is scheduled to open in February.
According to the sheriff’s office’s statement, its personnel were in the prison control room on Dec. 30 “and noticed a set of keys with a ring that looked different from the others. After an audit, it was confirmed two facility keys were missing.”
Video evidence showed that “an individual dressed like a construction worker wearing a yellow vest and dust mask and matching the description of Friedmann, was seen spray painting around the key control room door.”
“He entered the room and placed a key ring in his pocket, left the DDC through the front lobby, returned two hours later, and replaced the keys, again with two missing. It was also discovered he previously entered the building under false pretenses on at least three other occasions,” the statement said.
Friedmann was detained Saturday when deputies saw him enter the facility.
“An igloo cooler Friedmann carried into the facility contained bolt cutters, a key chit (used in corrections as a security measure to identify keys), and a document identified as schematics of the DDC. Friedman was also seen on video trying to destroy this document by ‘ripping it and chewing it up,’” the statement said.
Sheriff @DaronHall7 announced Alex Friedmann, 50, a longtime criminal justice advocate and managing editor of Prison Legal News is free on bond after being charged with attempted burglary, evidence tampering, and possession of burglary tools at the Downtown Detention Center. pic.twitter.com/9TH36HS2OW — Nashville Sheriff (@NashSheriff) January 5, 2020
“The seriousness of Mr. Friedmann’s charges cannot be ignored,” Sheriff Daron Hall said. “His actions have placed the safety and security of our entire community in peril, not to mention DCSO staff and inmates.
“There are many items of value in a $200 million facility that can be stolen if your motivation is profit. There is only one reason for these sinister acts and that is to compromise our ability to maintain a secure facility and that is unconscionable and dangerous for everyone.”
Officials said the incident could delay the opening of the facility.
“Mr. Friedmann is a smart man. He knew exactly what he was doing with the keys. This isn’t some accident,” Hall said, according to WSMV-TV in Nashville.
When WSMV contacted Friedmann, who is free on bond, he said he had no comment on the incident.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--Did Trudeau Just Say He Expects the US To Pay Families Who Lost Loved Ones to Iran’s Plane Attack?

It ’ s difficult to imagine the death of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the subsequent shoot-down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 ever being blamed on the president of the United States if the president of the United States wasn ’ t Donald Trump .
Picture the situation in isolation , without any particulars : The United States makes a decision to take out an Iranian general who ’ s also a commander in the part of Iran ’ s military structure designated as a terrorist organization .
Said general is responsible for arming and funding plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are responsible for over 600 American deaths .
The president of the United States threatens counter-retaliation .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths Iran eventually retaliates by sending a volley of 22 missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
At the same time , they don ’ t shut down their airspace to commercial aviation and mistake a 737 taking off for an American plane .
They shoot it down , killing 176 people — including 57 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blames American “ escalation ” for the shoot-down .
Again , this adumbration of events sounds ludicrous until you pencil in the American president as being Donald Trump and the Canadian prime minister as being ( sigh ) Justin Trudeau .
Trudeau , ever eager to convince us all he really is the caricature of left-wing Canadians that American conservatives believe him to be , gave an interview to Canada ’ s Global News in which he placed the balance of the blame on the United States .
“ I think if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no escalation recently in the region , those Canadians would be right now home with their families , ” Trudeau said during the Monday sit-down .
“ This is something that happens when you have conflict and war .
Innocents bear the brunt of it and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation , moving forward to reduce tensions and find a pathway that doesn ’ t involve further conflict and killing , ” he continued .
These are wonderful thoughts if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and considerably less charming if you ’ re the world leader in a major drama involving the death of a terrorist that a nation-state just happened to squeeze into a uniform .
RELATED : Trump Adds 266K Jobs as World Leaders Mock Him ; Their Economies Take Sharp Dive Trudeau , mind you , isn ’ t some bit player here .
In part due to the number of Canadian casualties on board Flight 752 — going through Kiev was often the cheapest option to return for members of the Iranian diaspora there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the International Coordination and Response Group in London beginning Thursday .
That meeting , according to Global News , is “ set to lay out [ members ’ ] next steps for pushing for credible answers and access to black box data.
” I totally understand Canada ’ s prerogative behind hosting the meeting .
Does Trudeau ?
“ I think full admission , acknowledgment of responsibility and some form of compensation is going to have to come , ” Trudeau said of the meeting .
All right .
But from whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument to its logical conclusion , then the U.S. should compensate the families , since he seems to believe America is responsible for the “ escalation ” that led to the tragedy .
In other parts of the interview , Trudeau seemed to tacitly acknowledge the plane crash was Iran ’ s fault .
He talked about how it would be “ weeks , perhaps even months ” before the bodies of victims were repatriated .
“ The grief they ’ re going through is not to be consoled right now .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger and outrage and also immeasurable pain , ” Trudeau said of the victims ’ families .
“ I am hurt like all Canadians .
I am angry like all Canadians .
But unlike many people I have a job to do that will be able to help these families directly .
Getting answers for them is my entire focus right now.
” The answers Global News was most interested in , however , seemed to involve the Trump administration .
For instance , had he spoken to Trump ?
“ I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the need to de-escalate tensions , ” Trudeau said .
“ I ’ ve talked about the tremendous grief and loss that Canadians are feeling , and the need for clear answers on how this happened and how we ’ re going to make sure it never happens again.
” I have an ayatollah you can talk to if you want to complain about this .
It ’ s not as if there are any shortage of people willing to blame President Trump for taking out a terrorist .
However , Trudeau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally of the United States .
It ’ s difficult to see anything but a man willing to shift the blame onto the United States because of political expediency .
There isn ’ t any blame for the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 disaster that doesn ’ t begin or end with Iran .
If one of our allies can not agree with this , that ’ s a cause for grave concern .
If it ’ s just because of who the president is , that ’ s a graver concern .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s difficult to imagine the death of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the subsequent shoot-down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 ever being blamed on the president of the United States if the president of the United States wasn’t Donald Trump.
Picture the situation in isolation, without any particulars: The United States makes a decision to take out an Iranian general who’s also a commander in the part of Iran’s military structure designated as a terrorist organization.
Said general is responsible for arming and funding plenty of Iranian proxies, including militias in Iraq that are responsible for over 600 American deaths.
Iran threatens retaliation.
The president of the United States threatens counter-retaliation.
Iran eventually retaliates by sending a volley of 22 missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq.
At the same time, they don’t shut down their airspace to commercial aviation and mistake a 737 taking off for an American plane.
They shoot it down, killing 176 people — including 57 Canadians. Canada’s prime minister blames American “escalation” for the shoot-down.
Again, this adumbration of events sounds ludicrous until you pencil in the American president as being Donald Trump and the Canadian prime minister as being (sigh) Justin Trudeau.
Do you think Iran is solely responsible for the crash of the Ukrainian airliner they shot down? Yes No
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Trudeau, ever eager to convince us all he really is the caricature of left-wing Canadians that American conservatives believe him to be, gave an interview to Canada’s Global News in which he placed the balance of the blame on the United States.
“I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families,” Trudeau said during the Monday sit-down.
“This is something that happens when you have conflict and war. Innocents bear the brunt of it and it is a reminder why all of us need to work so hard on de-escalation, moving forward to reduce tensions and find a pathway that doesn’t involve further conflict and killing,” he continued.
These are wonderful thoughts if you’re a 20-something “Democracy Now” viewer and considerably less charming if you’re the world leader in a major drama involving the death of a terrorist that a nation-state just happened to squeeze into a uniform.
Trudeau, mind you, isn’t some bit player here.
In part due to the number of Canadian casualties on board Flight 752 — going through Kiev was often the cheapest option to return for members of the Iranian diaspora there — Canada will be chairing a meeting of the International Coordination and Response Group in London beginning Thursday.
That meeting, according to Global News, is “set to lay out [members’] next steps for pushing for credible answers and access to black box data.”
I totally understand Canada’s prerogative behind hosting the meeting. Does Trudeau?
“I think full admission, acknowledgment of responsibility and some form of compensation is going to have to come,” Trudeau said of the meeting.
All right. But from whom? If you follow Trudeau’s argument to its logical conclusion, then the U.S. should compensate the families, since he seems to believe America is responsible for the “escalation” that led to the tragedy.
In other parts of the interview, Trudeau seemed to tacitly acknowledge the plane crash was Iran’s fault. He talked about how it would be “weeks, perhaps even months” before the bodies of victims were repatriated.
“The grief they’re going through is not to be consoled right now. They want answers, they’ve expressed anger and outrage and also immeasurable pain,” Trudeau said of the victims’ families.
“I am hurt like all Canadians. I am angry like all Canadians. But unlike many people I have a job to do that will be able to help these families directly. Getting answers for them is my entire focus right now.”
The answers Global News was most interested in, however, seemed to involve the Trump administration.
For instance, had he spoken to Trump?
“I have spoken to him and I have talked about the need to de-escalate tensions,” Trudeau said.
“I’ve talked about the tremendous grief and loss that Canadians are feeling, and the need for clear answers on how this happened and how we’re going to make sure it never happens again.”
I have an ayatollah you can talk to if you want to complain about this.
It’s not as if there are any shortage of people willing to blame President Trump for taking out a terrorist.
However, Trudeau is also the leader of a putative ally of the United States.
It’s difficult to see anything but a man willing to shift the blame onto the United States because of political expediency.
There isn’t any blame for the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 disaster that doesn’t begin or end with Iran. If one of our allies cannot agree with this, that’s a cause for grave concern.
If it’s just because of who the president is, that’s a graver concern.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--Dem Commissioner’s Daughter Arrested While Protesting Trump Speech

The daughter of an Ohio Democratic county commissioner who last year was accused of using vulgar language toward Trump supporters was arrested last week during President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Toledo .
Laura Gerken is the daughter of Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken , who , prior to Trump ’ s arrival , had chided the president to behave properly .
“ I ’ d like you to do us a favor when you come to our building , ” Pete Gerken said , according to Cleveland.com .
“ When you get on this stage , don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism … don ’ t preach a message of hate .
That is not who we are.
” Laura Gerken , who was protesting at the rally Jan. 9 , was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct , according to WTVG-TV in Toledo .
She was in a physical fight with another individual , police said .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths The police report said Gerken , 36 , was “ in a highly emotional state and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was engaged in the confrontation with , officers , and passersby , ” according to The Toledo Blade .
Her father issued a statement about his daughter ’ s arrest .
“ All Americans have the right to free speech and to exercise their right to express their opinions , ” he told The Blade .
“ The Toledo police department and all law enforcement professionals did a great job yesterday protecting everyone ’ s safety in the downtown area .
“ Like so many other Americans , we feel strongly about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with this issue as a family.
” Pete Gerken has been a county commissioner since 2005 .
His daughter ’ s arrest at the Trump rally comes several months after he was accused of yelling obscenities at Trump supporters .
Last July , Ron Johns , coordinator of Toledoans for Trump , said Gerken called him and other group members “ motherf—ers ” at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
RELATED : Nancy Pelosi Appoints Team of Seven Impeachment Managers , Including Schiff and Nadler “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And ] I never met this guy .
He was just yelling at us , ” Johns said then , according to The Blade .
“ Pete was visibly angry as he left the Warren speech .
It seems as though he waited to approach us as about 2 minutes prior … Pete Gerken stormed by us in a blue shirt and black pants and yelled ‘ some are sicker than others , mother—-ers.
’ After that he just kept walking , visibly irritated , ” a statement from Johns said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would talk to us that way , especially an elected official , ” Johns said .
Gerken recalled some of the incident .
“ I walked by and I said , ‘ Some are sicker than others.
’ It was in the middle of a raging storm .
I don ’ t remember saying the M-word .
I [ also ] don ’ t remember what they said in response , though there were angry words said to me .
But I just kept on moving , ” he said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarify , ” Gerken said .
“ Regardless of the words that were exchanged , I do think that President Trump is a sick leader who is sickening our nation .
Any comments were directed at Trump and not at the individuals at the rally .
And I respect their right to free speech , and I hope they respect mine.
” Johns said the incident came as a shock .
“ We were just surprised that a county commissioner would say this to us just because he disagrees with us .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syndrome .
We were just sitting there , holding American flags and Trump flags , supporting our president , who was duly elected , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The daughter of an Ohio Democratic county commissioner who last year was accused of using vulgar language toward Trump supporters was arrested last week during President Donald Trump’s rally in Toledo.
Laura Gerken is the daughter of Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken, who, prior to Trump’s arrival, had chided the president to behave properly.
“I’d like you to do us a favor when you come to our building,” Pete Gerken said, according to Cleveland.com. “When you get on this stage, don’t talk in a way that promotes racism … don’t preach a message of hate. That is not who we are.”
Laura Gerken, who was protesting at the rally Jan. 9, was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to WTVG-TV in Toledo.
She was in a physical fight with another individual, police said.
The police report said Gerken, 36, was “in a highly emotional state and was yelling obscenities both at the person she was engaged in the confrontation with, officers, and passersby,” according to The Toledo Blade.
Laura Gerken, daughter of Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken, was arrested outside of Trump rally. https://t.co/rVRiWcPUvh pic.twitter.com/vpbMoLY9Hj — The Blade (@toledonews) January 10, 2020
Her father issued a statement about his daughter’s arrest.
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“All Americans have the right to free speech and to exercise their right to express their opinions,” he told The Blade. “The Toledo police department and all law enforcement professionals did a great job yesterday protecting everyone’s safety in the downtown area.
“Like so many other Americans, we feel strongly about the views of President Trump. We will deal with this issue as a family.”
Pete Gerken has been a county commissioner since 2005.
His daughter’s arrest at the Trump rally comes several months after he was accused of yelling obscenities at Trump supporters.
Last July, Ron Johns, coordinator of Toledoans for Trump, said Gerken called him and other group members “motherf—ers” at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
“This was directed toward me. [And] I never met this guy. He was just yelling at us,” Johns said then, according to The Blade.
“Pete was visibly angry as he left the Warren speech. It seems as though he waited to approach us as about 2 minutes prior … Pete Gerken stormed by us in a blue shirt and black pants and yelled ‘some are sicker than others, mother—-ers.’ After that he just kept walking, visibly irritated,” a statement from Johns said.
“Most of us were extremely shocked anyone would talk to us that way, especially an elected official,” Johns said.
Gerken recalled some of the incident.
“I walked by and I said, ‘Some are sicker than others.’ It was in the middle of a raging storm. I don’t remember saying the M-word. I [also] don’t remember what they said in response, though there were angry words said to me. But I just kept on moving,” he said.
“But there is one thing I want to clarify,” Gerken said. “Regardless of the words that were exchanged, I do think that President Trump is a sick leader who is sickening our nation. Any comments were directed at Trump and not at the individuals at the rally. And I respect their right to free speech, and I hope they respect mine.”
Johns said the incident came as a shock.
“We were just surprised that a county commissioner would say this to us just because he disagrees with us. It was an extreme case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. We were just sitting there, holding American flags and Trump flags, supporting our president, who was duly elected,” he said.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--Struggling Elizabeth Warren Plays Sexism Card Against Bernie Sanders, CNN Shredded for Taking Her Si

Struggling Elizabeth Warren Plays Sexism Card Against Bernie Sanders, CNN Shredded for Taking Her Side

This isn ’ t the fallout Democrats wanted from the debate .
While the party ’ s presidential contenders and leading lights no doubt wanted the country buzzing on Wednesday with the idea that a Democrat is finally emerging who could take on President Donald Trump in the fall , the discussion instead was all about an escalating feud between New England Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders .
A hashtag trending on Twitter on Wednesday — # NeverWarren — showed just how disgusted many Sanders supporters are with the Massachusetts senator , while another — # CNNIsTrash – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network botched its handling of the issue .
And when Warren declined to shake the Vermont senator ’ s hand before an apparent confrontation after the debate was over , it was a moment that summarized just how badly the liberal obsession with identity politics and grievance-mongering is fracturing the Democratic Party .
For Trump ’ s supporters , Wednesday was a morning to enjoy the show .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths The issue arose , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of someone in Warren ’ s campaign — with the candidate ’ s numbers dropping in the polls — to play the sexism card against Sanders on the eve of the debate in Des Moines , Iowa , by floating a story about a 2018 conversation between the two senators where Sanders allegedly said he didn ’ t believe a woman could win the presidency .
Sanders has denied the story to the media , but when CNN ’ s Abby Phillip posed the question to him Tuesday night , she treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , CNN reported yesterday , and Senator Warren confirmed in a statement , that in 2018 , you told her that you did not believe that a woman could win the election , ” she said .
“ Why did you say that ?
” “ Well , as a matter of fact , I didn ’ t say it , ” he answered .
Even worse , Phillip took the question to Warren with wording that essentially called Sanders a liar .
First , she repeated the question to Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be clear here , you ’ re saying that you never told Senator Warren that a woman could not win the election ?
” “ That is correct , ” he said .
“ Senator Warren , ” Phillip then said , “ what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election ?
” Warren ’ s answer was obviously rehearsed — and obviously intended to drive the sexism theme home .
RELATED : Warren Says She 's Willing To Ban Construction of New Homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and adding some tripe about Sanders being her “ friend , ” Warren struck .
“ Can a woman beat Donald Trump ?
Look at the men on this stage , ” she said , according to Fox News .
“ Collectively , they have lost 10 elections .
The only people on stage who have won every single election they ’ ve been in are the women .
[ Sen. ] Amy [ Klobuchar of Minnesota ] and me .
And the only person on this stage who has beaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years is me .
And here ’ s what I know — the real danger that we face as Democrats is picking a candidate who can ’ t pull our party together.
” Well , if Warren thought she was going to pull her party together , the fallout proved she was badly , badly mistaken .
CNN was getting shredded , too .
And some Twitter users nailed both .
On the whole , it was not the kind of afterglow from a debate Democrats were looking to enjoy on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out , the rupture could have real ramifications for Democrats down the road .
“ There are real consequences to all of these raw feelings .
Sanders and Warren are the two most prominent liberals in the race , and for either one of them to beat former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination this year , they will need the near-united support of the left , ” Cillizza wrote Wednesday .
“ After Tuesday night , however , the idea of the Sanders people rallying around Warren if , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she looks like the most viable liberal candidate , now seems fanciful .
And , vice versa for the Warren people being cool with the idea of Sanders as the liberal choice for 2020.
” “ Fanciful ” might be putting it too lightly .
There ’ s no doubt there are millions of American liberals who would be willing to vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination — the Twitter conversation Wednesday made that clear .
And there might well be Warren supporters who would support Sanders — after all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything derogatory about the possibility of a woman president , no matter what CNN ’ s Abby Phillip wants to pretend .
But after Sanders was basically sidelined by the Democratic Party establishment in 2016 in favor of the “ inevitable ” Hillary Clinton , it ’ s not likely his supporters would be flocking in large numbers to support a Warren candidacy in the off chance it ever materializes .
After Tuesday , it might even be an open question whether they ’ ll support any other candidate besides the socialist from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , Wednesday was not the day Democrats wanted out of Tuesday ’ s debate , but for Trump supporters , it was entertainment all the way .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

This isn’t the fallout Democrats wanted from the debate.
While the party’s presidential contenders and leading lights no doubt wanted the country buzzing on Wednesday with the idea that a Democrat is finally emerging who could take on President Donald Trump in the fall, the discussion instead was all about an escalating feud between New England Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
A hashtag trending on Twitter on Wednesday — #NeverWarren — showed just how disgusted many Sanders supporters are with the Massachusetts senator, while another — #CNNIsTrash – showed just how badly the rabidly anti-Trump network botched its handling of the issue.
And when Warren declined to shake the Vermont senator’s hand before an apparent confrontation after the debate was over, it was a moment that summarized just how badly the liberal obsession with identity politics and grievance-mongering is fracturing the Democratic Party.
For Trump’s supporters, Wednesday was a morning to enjoy the show.
The issue arose, of course, because of an apparent decision on the part of someone in Warren’s campaign — with the candidate’s numbers dropping in the polls — to play the sexism card against Sanders on the eve of the debate in Des Moines, Iowa, by floating a story about a 2018 conversation between the two senators where Sanders allegedly said he didn’t believe a woman could win the presidency.
Sanders has denied the story to the media, but when CNN’s Abby Phillip posed the question to him Tuesday night, she treated the allegation as fact.
“Senator Sanders, CNN reported yesterday, and Senator Warren confirmed in a statement, that in 2018, you told her that you did not believe that a woman could win the election,” she said. “Why did you say that?”
“Well, as a matter of fact, I didn’t say it,” he answered.
Even worse, Phillip took the question to Warren with wording that essentially called Sanders a liar.
First, she repeated the question to Sanders, saying, “I do want to be clear here, you’re saying that you never told Senator Warren that a woman could not win the election?”
“That is correct,” he said.
“Senator Warren,” Phillip then said, “what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?”
Warren’s answer was obviously rehearsed — and obviously intended to drive the sexism theme home.
After saying, “I disagreed,” and adding some tripe about Sanders being her “friend,” Warren struck.
“Can a woman beat Donald Trump? Look at the men on this stage,” she said, according to Fox News.
“Collectively, they have lost 10 elections. The only people on stage who have won every single election they’ve been in are the women. [Sen.] Amy [Klobuchar of Minnesota] and me. And the only person on this stage who has beaten an incumbent Republican anytime in the past 30 years is me. And here’s what I know — the real danger that we face as Democrats is picking a candidate who can’t pull our party together.”
Well, if Warren thought she was going to pull her party together, the fallout proved she was badly, badly mistaken.
Sanders’ supporters were furious.
Elizabeth Warren will never get my vote. I don’t care if she’s the nominee. Warren is weaponizing her identity just like Hillary did and it’s disgusting. #WarrenIsASnake #NeverWarren — Katie? (@KatieArtigli) January 15, 2020
I want to apologize to everyone who I told that Warren was the “other progressive” or an “ally” etc. I was so wrong. The great beneficiary of her vicious attack has been the corporate establishment and their puppet Joe Biden. #NeverWarren — ????????? ?????? (@SocialistBoomer) January 15, 2020
Seeing #NeverWarren trending is giving me faith in humanity again.
Marketing herself as a discount Sanders wearing Clinton’s skin – I wasn’t sure if people could see that she was just another establishment lackey. pic.twitter.com/qIpQ9oOA77 — Skepticᵀᴹ (@ArmouredSkeptic) January 15, 2020
CNN was getting shredded, too.
1. Bernie is surging & leading in new Iowa Poll
2. CNN breaks a fake story of secret meeting between Warren & Bernie
3. CNN hosts last debate in Iowa
4. CNN attacks Bernie in almost every question
5. CNN sets up a Bernie and Warrren Exchange on gender at debate #CNNisTrash https://t.co/k2pRbk3wdK — Daniel Peeden (@DanielPeeden) January 15, 2020
And some Twitter users nailed both.
On the whole, it was not the kind of afterglow from a debate Democrats were looking to enjoy on Wednesday.
And as CNN commentator Chris Cillizza pointed out, the rupture could have real ramifications for Democrats down the road.
Do you think Sanders' supporters will desert the Democratic Party if he doesn't win the 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: 86% (205 Votes) No: 14% (33 Votes)
“There are real consequences to all of these raw feelings. Sanders and Warren are the two most prominent liberals in the race, and for either one of them to beat former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination this year, they will need the near-united support of the left,” Cillizza wrote Wednesday.
“After Tuesday night, however, the idea of the Sanders people rallying around Warren if, after the first few primaries and caucuses, she looks like the most viable liberal candidate, now seems fanciful. And, vice versa for the Warren people being cool with the idea of Sanders as the liberal choice for 2020.”
“Fanciful” might be putting it too lightly.
There’s no doubt there are millions of American liberals who would be willing to vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination — the Twitter conversation Wednesday made that clear.
And there might well be Warren supporters who would support Sanders — after all, there’s no proof he said anything derogatory about the possibility of a woman president, no matter what CNN’s Abby Phillip wants to pretend.
But after Sanders was basically sidelined by the Democratic Party establishment in 2016 in favor of the “inevitable” Hillary Clinton, it’s not likely his supporters would be flocking in large numbers to support a Warren candidacy in the off chance it ever materializes. After Tuesday, it might even be an open question whether they’ll support any other candidate besides the socialist from the Green Mountain State.
All in all, Wednesday was not the day Democrats wanted out of Tuesday’s debate, but for Trump supporters, it was entertainment all the way.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--‘Captain America’ Actress Charged in Mother’s Death Claims Self-Defense

An actress charged with fatally stabbing her mother last month in suburban Kansas City told 911 operators and police that her mom was trying to kill her when she took away the knife , according to court records .
However , medical examiners found no signs to support her self-defense claim .
The records were released Tuesday , the same day that a judge ordered that Mollie Fitzgerald , 38 , undergo a mental competency evaluation before the second-degree murder case against her progresses any further .
Fitzgerald , who had a small role in the movie “ Captain America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been staying with her mother since June when she called 911 just before noon on Dec. 20 to report the stabbing .
Responding officers found her mother , 68-year-old Patricia Fitzgerald , in the entryway of the family ’ s Olathe , Kansas , home with a knife in her back , according to the affidavit .
Fitzgerald ’ s father , whose name is blacked out from court documents , said their daughter had been displaying “ aggressive behaviors ” that had been “ escalating.
” TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 22 Customers ' Deaths Mollie Fitzgerald told police that her mother was coming at her with a knife so she took the weapon away and stabbed her .
She said she then bit her mother and stabbed her again .
She said she also used a vacuum attachment to hit her .
She told police “ her mother just would not stop trying to take the knife to kill her , so she had to kill her mom , ” the affidavit said .
An autopsy found that Patricia Fitzgerald had four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive injuries ” to her hands , bruising consistent with attempted choking , and a mark on her neck that was a possible bite .
The medical examiner found no injuries “ consistent with Patricia having delivered any strikes or having been in control of the involved knife.
” Mollie Fitzgerald was treated at a hospital for minor cuts and a bite mark on her arm , the records say .
She is jailed on a $ 500,000 bond and is seeking to represent herself .
RELATED : Celine Dion 's Heartfelt Tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Death Her father told authorities that he did not believe his wife would ever attempt to physically restrain their daughter because of the size and age difference between the women .
According to IMDb.com , Mollie Fitzgerald is a movie director and producer as well as actress .
She worked mostly on low-budget films , including “ The Lawful Truth ” in 2014 and “ The Creeps ” in 2017 .
In “ Captain America , ” she played Stark Girl and worked as an assistant to the director .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

An actress charged with fatally stabbing her mother last month in suburban Kansas City told 911 operators and police that her mom was trying to kill her when she took away the knife, according to court records.
However, medical examiners found no signs to support her self-defense claim.
The records were released Tuesday, the same day that a judge ordered that Mollie Fitzgerald, 38, undergo a mental competency evaluation before the second-degree murder case against her progresses any further.
Fitzgerald, who had a small role in the movie “Captain America: The First Avenger,” had been staying with her mother since June when she called 911 just before noon on Dec. 20 to report the stabbing.
Responding officers found her mother, 68-year-old Patricia Fitzgerald, in the entryway of the family’s Olathe, Kansas, home with a knife in her back, according to the affidavit.
Fitzgerald’s father, whose name is blacked out from court documents, said their daughter had been displaying “aggressive behaviors” that had been “escalating.”
Mollie Fitzgerald told police that her mother was coming at her with a knife so she took the weapon away and stabbed her. She said she then bit her mother and stabbed her again. She said she also used a vacuum attachment to hit her.
She told police “her mother just would not stop trying to take the knife to kill her, so she had to kill her mom,” the affidavit said.
An autopsy found that Patricia Fitzgerald had four stab wounds in her back, “defensive injuries” to her hands, bruising consistent with attempted choking, and a mark on her neck that was a possible bite.
The medical examiner found no injuries “consistent with Patricia having delivered any strikes or having been in control of the involved knife.”
Mollie Fitzgerald was treated at a hospital for minor cuts and a bite mark on her arm, the records say. She is jailed on a $500,000 bond and is seeking to represent herself.
Her father told authorities that he did not believe his wife would ever attempt to physically restrain their daughter because of the size and age difference between the women.
According to IMDb.com, Mollie Fitzgerald is a movie director and producer as well as actress.
She worked mostly on low-budget films, including “The Lawful Truth” in 2014 and “The Creeps” in 2017.
In “Captain America,” she played Stark Girl and worked as an assistant to the director.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--Large Caravan of Immigrants Forms in Central America with Goal of Reaching US

Hundreds of mainly Honduran migrants started walking and hitching rides Wednesday from the city of San Pedro Sula , in a bid to form the kind of migrant caravan that reached the U.S. border in 2018 .
Some migrants waved Honduran flags and shouted slogans against President Juan Orlando Hernández as they set out for the Guatemalan border .
Most attempts at forming caravans in 2019 were broken up by police and the national guard in Mexico , which has come under increased U.S. pressure to prevent migrants from arriving at the U.S. border .
Some migrants said they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said they would try anyway .
“ We aren ’ t living here , we ’ re just surviving , ” said Elmer Garcia , 26 , a migrant from the town of Comayagua .
“ So it doesn ’ t make much difference if you die there , or die here.
” TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths Gerson Noe Monterroso , 34 , has been unemployed for the last 5 years .
He left his hometown of Choloma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in hopes of finding a job and sending money back to his family .
Monterroso set out with his toddler son in his arms , but left his other children with their grandparents in Choloma .
“ Here in Honduras , opportunities are scarce and crime is unbearable , ” Monterroso said .
“ We are not even safe in our own homes.
” This , by his own account , was his third attempt to reach the United States .
He was turned back the other two times .
The prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in 2018 — which involved thousands of people — appear remote .
Many of the migrants from the 2018 caravan applied for asylum , something that is now difficult or impossible .
The U.S. has used a carrot-and-stick approach in bilateral agreements struck since July with Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador to deny people an opportunity to apply for asylum in the U.S. RELATED : Texas Governor Shuts His State Down to Refugees They are instead to be sent to Central America with an opportunity to ask for protection there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be impossible for them to reach the United States , ” Itsmania Platero , a freelance journalist and self-described “ human right [ s ] defender , ” said .
“ The Mexican police have a large contingent and they are going to catch all the migrants without documents and they will be detained and returned to their home countries.
” Israel Connor , a Nicaraguan who has been living in Honduras since fleeing political and social unrest in his home country , was undeterred .
He set out Wednesday with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their three children , aged 3 to 5 .
“ We are going to struggle , but if God is with us , nobody can stop us , ” Connor said .
“ We know we are going to get through Guatemala , and God will soften the hearts of the Mexican authorities.
” That was similar to rhetoric heard from migrants in the first caravans , but things have changed since then .
Immigration analyst Sally Valladares told local media : “ The risks have become much higher because of Mexico ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , when they are not able to cross [ Mexico ] as part of a caravan , they are going to search out routes as individuals , and they could fall into the clutches of criminal gangs that prey on migrants.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Hundreds of mainly Honduran migrants started walking and hitching rides Wednesday from the city of San Pedro Sula, in a bid to form the kind of migrant caravan that reached the U.S. border in 2018.
Some migrants waved Honduran flags and shouted slogans against President Juan Orlando Hernández as they set out for the Guatemalan border.
Most attempts at forming caravans in 2019 were broken up by police and the national guard in Mexico, which has come under increased U.S. pressure to prevent migrants from arriving at the U.S. border.
Some migrants said they were aware the voyage would be tough, but said they would try anyway.
“We aren’t living here, we’re just surviving,” said Elmer Garcia, 26, a migrant from the town of Comayagua. “So it doesn’t make much difference if you die there, or die here.”
Gerson Noe Monterroso, 34, has been unemployed for the last 5 years.
He left his hometown of Choloma, just north of San Pedro Sula, in hopes of finding a job and sending money back to his family.
Monterroso set out with his toddler son in his arms, but left his other children with their grandparents in Choloma.
“Here in Honduras, opportunities are scarce and crime is unbearable,” Monterroso said. “We are not even safe in our own homes.”
Should the U.S. act pre-emptively to ensure this caravan doesnt reach the border? 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% (77 Votes) No: 1% (1 Votes)
This, by his own account, was his third attempt to reach the United States.
He was turned back the other two times.
The prospects for any kind of caravan like the one in 2018 — which involved thousands of people — appear remote.
Many of the migrants from the 2018 caravan applied for asylum, something that is now difficult or impossible.
The U.S. has used a carrot-and-stick approach in bilateral agreements struck since July with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to deny people an opportunity to apply for asylum in the U.S.
They are instead to be sent to Central America with an opportunity to ask for protection there.
“The truth is, it is going to be impossible for them to reach the United States,” Itsmania Platero, a freelance journalist and self-described “human right[s] defender,” said. “The Mexican police have a large contingent and they are going to catch all the migrants without documents and they will be detained and returned to their home countries.”
Israel Connor, a Nicaraguan who has been living in Honduras since fleeing political and social unrest in his home country, was undeterred.
He set out Wednesday with his wife, Darlen Suazo, and their three children, aged 3 to 5.
“We are going to struggle, but if God is with us, nobody can stop us,” Connor said. “We know we are going to get through Guatemala, and God will soften the hearts of the Mexican authorities.”
That was similar to rhetoric heard from migrants in the first caravans, but things have changed since then.
Immigration analyst Sally Valladares told local media: “The risks have become much higher because of Mexico’s threats of deportations, but also because, when they are not able to cross [Mexico] as part of a caravan, they are going to search out routes as individuals, and they could fall into the clutches of criminal gangs that prey on migrants.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--Federal Judge Sides with Trump Administration Over ACLU in Family Separation Case

A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration ’ s separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border complies with the 2018 ruling that banned separations “ absent a determination that the parent is unfit or presents a danger to the child.
” The ruling Monday contradicts claims by the American Civil Liberties Union that Border Patrol agents have continued to “ systematically ” remove children from their parents at the border without regard to last year ’ s ruling .
Last summer , the ACLU challenged the Trump administration ’ s “ zero tolerance ” policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed against anyone who crossed the border illegally .
One of the byproducts of the bold policy was the separation of almost 2,800 immigrant children from their families , which led to an outcry from many on the left , according to CBS News .
U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw of San Diego , overseeing the ACLU ’ s case , ordered that the administration reunite families and called for stricter limits on reasons officials can separate families at the border .
TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 20 , 2018 , saying the federal government will not “ detain an alien family together when there is a concern that detention of an alien child with the child ’ s alien parent would pose a risk to the child ’ s welfare.
” The order said it is “ the policy of this Administration to maintain family unity , including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.
” Since then , another 1,100 children reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompting the ACLU to file a motion saying the administration had ignored Sabraw ’ s ruling .
The group claimed Border Patrol agents were taking children from individuals with minor traffic violations or other minor infractions , according to Reuters .
However , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have maintained that children are separated from their families only if their parents have a criminal record or infectious disease or if the relationship between the child and the guardian is questionable .
They also say these procedures are no different from those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trump administration on Monday , confirming that , based on the evidence presented in court , officials had not “ returned to systematically separating families at the border.
” He said they were “ generally exercising their discretion to separate families at the border ” in compliance with migrants ’ “ rights to family integrity and the Court ’ s orders.
” Not only did Sabraw notice the administration ’ s compliance with the 2018 ruling , but he also said it has “ gone beyond the scope of the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to family separations , such as the Tear Sheet.
” RELATED : Large Caravan of Immigrants Forms in Central America with Goal of Reaching US The judge also asserted the ACLU ’ s call to limit the administration ’ s ability to separate families at the border “ invades an area that is particularly within the province of the Executive Branch to secure the Nation ’ s border.
” Sabaw did , however , advise the administration to use DNA to back up guardianship concerns .
“ The court strongly reaffirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it attempts to separate families based on an accusation that the adult is not the child ’ s parent , ” ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt later said in a statement , according to Reuters .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration’s separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border complies with the 2018 ruling that banned separations “absent a determination that the parent is unfit or presents a danger to the child.”
The ruling Monday contradicts claims by the American Civil Liberties Union that Border Patrol agents have continued to “systematically” remove children from their parents at the border without regard to last year’s ruling.
Last summer, the ACLU challenged the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy that called for criminal charges to be pressed against anyone who crossed the border illegally.
One of the byproducts of the bold policy was the separation of almost 2,800 immigrant children from their families, which led to an outcry from many on the left, according to CBS News.
U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw of San Diego, overseeing the ACLU’s case, ordered that the administration reunite families and called for stricter limits on reasons officials can separate families at the border.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 20, 2018, saying the federal government will not “detain an alien family together when there is a concern that detention of an alien child with the child’s alien parent would pose a risk to the child’s welfare.”
The order said it is “the policy of this Administration to maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.”
Since then, another 1,100 children reportedly have been separated from their families, prompting the ACLU to file a motion saying the administration had ignored Sabraw’s ruling.
The group claimed Border Patrol agents were taking children from individuals with minor traffic violations or other minor infractions, according to Reuters.
Do you think President Trump is doing everything he can to protect our country's border? 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% (2924 Votes) No: 1% (43 Votes)
However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have maintained that children are separated from their families only if their parents have a criminal record or infectious disease or if the relationship between the child and the guardian is questionable.
They also say these procedures are no different from those of previous administrations.
Sabraw ruled in favor of the Trump administration on Monday, confirming that, based on the evidence presented in court, officials had not “returned to systematically separating families at the border.”
He said they were “generally exercising their discretion to separate families at the border” in compliance with migrants’ “rights to family integrity and the Court’s orders.”
Not only did Sabraw notice the administration’s compliance with the 2018 ruling, but he also said it has “gone beyond the scope of the Court’s injunction and implemented additional practices related to family separations, such as the Tear Sheet.”
The judge also asserted the ACLU’s call to limit the administration’s ability to separate families at the border “invades an area that is particularly within the province of the Executive Branch to secure the Nation’s border.”
Sabaw did, however, advise the administration to use DNA to back up guardianship concerns.
“The court strongly reaffirmed that the Trump administration bears the burden if it attempts to separate families based on an accusation that the adult is not the child’s parent,” ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt later said in a statement, according to Reuters.
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westernjournal--2020-01-15--MSNBC’s O’Donnell Brags About Not Hosting Liars Right After Claiming 1/3 of CNN Is Pro-Trump

There ’ s something darkly entertaining about Lawrence O ’ Donnell talking about not hosting liars on his MSNBC show .
No , I ’ m not talking about his decision last year to publicize a poxed story about Donald Trump ’ s loans being allegedly underwritten by Russian oligarchs — with only one anonymous “ source ” to back it up .
That was inarguably O ’ Donnell ’ s worst moment , but only because it was so public and the stakes were so high .
Every weeknight , O ’ Donnell brings his low-key disregard for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s put it this way : If “ The Last Word with Lawrence O ’ Donnell ” really is your last word in terms of American politics , a ) you ’ re probably not reading this and b ) you ’ re probably not reading much that doesn ’ t align with your worldview .
Lawrence O ’ Donnell is all right with this , mind you .
In fact , he thinks it ’ s kind of awful that CNN is too fair to President Trump — an interesting take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Donnell made this curious proclamation about the home of Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo on a podcast hosted by former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken .
I hadn ’ t listened , given that I don ’ t want to hear a podcast by a guy who no doubt cries into his pajama shirt during every Democratic debate , ruminating on how he ’ d be up there in the final six had he not taken that little picture where he pantomimed fondling a sleeping woman ’ s breasts .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths Anyhow , you never know when this kind of thing will yield inadvertent comedy gold — as it did this week , when Franken interviewed O ’ Donnell and , according to Fox News , said that CNN was “ playing it down the middle ” with its coverage , save for the punditry .
This was funny , but O ’ Donnell ’ s response was even more risible : “ No , they don ’ t .
One-third of the people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC host said .
“ So you ’ re guaranteed on any hour of CNN to , minimum one-third of the programming will be supportive of Trump .
Someone on their payroll saying , ‘ Here ’ s why Trump ’ s right.
’ ” Just so we ’ re clear on where everyone stands at this point : Franken says CNN plays it down the middle , to which O ’ Donnell responds that it doesn ’ t because it spends one-third of its time being “ supportive of Trump.
” This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coverage isn ’ t supportive of Trump , more the 50-50 split that “ playing it down the middle ” would imply .
And yet , O ’ Donnell is arguing with Franken because playing it down the middle shouldn ’ t involve one-third of CNN ’ s payroll supporting Trump .
Got all that ?
Franken then brought up the salient fact that CNN ’ s hosts don ’ t really side with Trump — with which O ’ Donnell agreed , saying that it was the conservative pundits CNN brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument that were the problem .
He added that the president “ kind of wants you to watch CNN instead of MSNBC ” because of this .
“ Because he knows on MSNBC there will be no one defending him .
Because we don ’ t bring on liars .
I don ’ t bring on a liar .
I won ’ t do that.
” That ’ s why Trump wants you watching CNN , despite the fact I think you could get the president and CNN head Jeff Zucker to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far uttered by O ’ Donnell .
Franken then wondered if lying was necessary to be on Trump ’ s side .
“ Yes , ” O ’ Donnell responded .
“ Absolutely , how else do you defend a liar ?
A pathological liar who lies about everything ?
You have to lie.
” “ CNN has people on the payroll who they pay to tell their lies to the CNN audience , in the middle of a CNN hour for some number of minutes , so Trump knows if you watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear someone lying in [ his ] favor , ” he continued .
“ That ’ s one of the reasons why he attacks CNN.
” Interesting you should say that , Mr. O ’ Donnell , because this all came after a provable lie .
First , the numbers .
In 2017 , after Trump ’ s first 100 days in office , a report from the Harvard Kennedy School ’ s Shorenstein Center on Media , Politics and Public Policy analyzed the tone of his news coverage .
The report found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump on CNN was negative , tying NBC for the most lopsided .
( MSNBC , to be fair , wasn ’ t included , but you can ’ t quite go over 100 percent no matter how bad liberals may be at math . )
In fact , the only network the survey found came close to “ playing it down the middle ” was Fox News , which was 52 percent negative and 48 percent positive .
Keep in mind this is from the Kennedy School , certainly not a covert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The numbers may have shifted a bit since then , but not to the point where 33 percent of CNN ’ s coverage is pro-Trump .
Then , the experience of conservatives who work as contributors at the network .
In 2018 , after Trump staffer Jason Miller was fired from CNN — becoming one of a group of Trump backers axed from the network since the election — an anonymous CNN insider talked to The Wrap about what it was like working there .
“ People who support Trump , [ CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” they said .
“ There is an extraordinary target on anyone who is pro-Trump back at CNN.
” That ’ s one person ’ s view .
Then again , so is O ’ Donnell ’ s , and having watched CNN sometime in the past few years I can tell you which one I believe .
Taken as a whole , Lawrence O ’ Donnell ’ s opinion of CNN isn ’ t a matter of subjectivity .
This isn ’ t a Rashomon-like situation where you can look at CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too fair to Trump and the other can see it as being slanted to the left .
This is a lie predicated on the idea that any fairness is necessarily unfairness — that the only way to be fair to the GOP and to the president is to treat them with the derision they deserve .
And then , to top it off , our friend over at MSNBC not only claims CNN is doing a lousy job of this , but that CNN is doing it by deliberately allowing “ liars ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hosting a liar every night in the personage of himself , plus two people who may or may not be To claim as O ’ Donnell does , that “ splitting it down the middle ” involves extending Orwell ’ s “ two-minutes hate ” out to 24 hours , with the target being Donald Trump , involves a warped sense of media responsibility that beggars belief .
Let ’ s be fair to O ’ Donnell , though : If this is the change he wants to see in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his darnedest to be it .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

There’s something darkly entertaining about Lawrence O’Donnell talking about not hosting liars on his MSNBC show.
No, I’m not talking about his decision last year to publicize a poxed story about Donald Trump’s loans being allegedly underwritten by Russian oligarchs — with only one anonymous “source” to back it up. That was inarguably O’Donnell’s worst moment, but only because it was so public and the stakes were so high.
Every weeknight, O’Donnell brings his low-key disregard for the facts to viewers nationwide. Let’s put it this way: If “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” really is your last word in terms of American politics, a) you’re probably not reading this and b) you’re probably not reading much that doesn’t align with your worldview.
Lawrence O’Donnell is all right with this, mind you. In fact, he thinks it’s kind of awful that CNN is too fair to President Trump — an interesting take on things if there ever was one.
O’Donnell made this curious proclamation about the home of Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo on a podcast hosted by former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken. I hadn’t listened, given that I don’t want to hear a podcast by a guy who no doubt cries into his pajama shirt during every Democratic debate, ruminating on how he’d be up there in the final six had he not taken that little picture where he pantomimed fondling a sleeping woman’s breasts.
Anyhow, you never know when this kind of thing will yield inadvertent comedy gold — as it did this week, when Franken interviewed O’Donnell and, according to Fox News, said that CNN was “playing it down the middle” with its coverage, save for the punditry.
This was funny, but O’Donnell’s response was even more risible: “No, they don’t. One-third of the people on their payroll love Trump,” the MSNBC host said.
“So you’re guaranteed on any hour of CNN to, minimum one-third of the programming will be supportive of Trump. Someone on their payroll saying, ‘Here’s why Trump’s right.’”
Just so we’re clear on where everyone stands at this point: Franken says CNN plays it down the middle, to which O’Donnell responds that it doesn’t because it spends one-third of its time being “supportive of Trump.”
Do you think that CNN is too "fair" to President Trump? 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: 1% (2 Votes) No: 99% (342 Votes)
This means that 66.67 percent of CNN’s coverage isn’t supportive of Trump, more the 50-50 split that “playing it down the middle” would imply. And yet, O’Donnell is arguing with Franken because playing it down the middle shouldn’t involve one-third of CNN’s payroll supporting Trump.
Got all that?
Franken then brought up the salient fact that CNN’s hosts don’t really side with Trump — with which O’Donnell agreed, saying that it was the conservative pundits CNN brought on to provide their side of the argument that were the problem.
He added that the president “kind of wants you to watch CNN instead of MSNBC” because of this.
“Because he knows on MSNBC there will be no one defending him. Because we don’t bring on liars. I don’t bring on a liar. I won’t do that.”
That’s why Trump wants you watching CNN, despite the fact I think you could get the president and CNN head Jeff Zucker to take polygraph tests definitively refuting every statement thus far uttered by O’Donnell.
Franken then wondered if lying was necessary to be on Trump’s side.
“Yes,” O’Donnell responded. “Absolutely, how else do you defend a liar? A pathological liar who lies about everything? You have to lie.”
“CNN has people on the payroll who they pay to tell their lies to the CNN audience, in the middle of a CNN hour for some number of minutes, so Trump knows if you watch CNN, at least you’ll hear someone lying in [his] favor,” he continued. “That’s one of the reasons why he attacks CNN.”
Interesting you should say that, Mr. O’Donnell, because this all came after a provable lie.
First, the numbers. In 2017, after Trump’s first 100 days in office, a report from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy analyzed the tone of his news coverage. The report found that 93 percent of the coverage of Trump on CNN was negative, tying NBC for the most lopsided. (MSNBC, to be fair, wasn’t included, but you can’t quite go over 100 percent no matter how bad liberals may be at math.)
In fact, the only network the survey found came close to “playing it down the middle” was Fox News, which was 52 percent negative and 48 percent positive. Keep in mind this is from the Kennedy School, certainly not a covert part of the vast right-wing conspiracy. The numbers may have shifted a bit since then, but not to the point where 33 percent of CNN’s coverage is pro-Trump.
Then, the experience of conservatives who work as contributors at the network. In 2018, after Trump staffer Jason Miller was fired from CNN — becoming one of a group of Trump backers axed from the network since the election — an anonymous CNN insider talked to The Wrap about what it was like working there.
“People who support Trump, [CNN] treats them like second-class citizens,” they said. “There is an extraordinary target on anyone who is pro-Trump back at CNN.”
That’s one person’s view. Then again, so is O’Donnell’s, and having watched CNN sometime in the past few years I can tell you which one I believe.
Taken as a whole, Lawrence O’Donnell’s opinion of CNN isn’t a matter of subjectivity. This isn’t a Rashomon-like situation where you can look at CNN and one person can view it as too fair to Trump and the other can see it as being slanted to the left.
This is a lie predicated on the idea that any fairness is necessarily unfairness — that the only way to be fair to the GOP and to the president is to treat them with the derision they deserve.
And then, to top it off, our friend over at MSNBC not only claims CNN is doing a lousy job of this, but that CNN is doing it by deliberately allowing “liars” on air. Mind you, he’s hosting a liar every night in the personage of himself, plus two people who may or may not be
To claim as O’Donnell does, that “splitting it down the middle” involves extending Orwell’s “two-minutes hate” out to 24 hours, with the target being Donald Trump, involves a warped sense of media responsibility that beggars belief.
Let’s be fair to O’Donnell, though: If this is the change he wants to see in the world, he’s certainly doing his darnedest to be it.
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westernjournal--2020-01-16--Charlie Kirk Identifies Two Questions on Gov’t That Turn Millennials Against Socialism

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has two questions he asks millennials and young Americans from Generation Z that he has found effectively dissuades them from supporting socialism .
Multiple polls released last year showed that a large percentage of millennials , ages 23 to 38 , and Generation Z , ages 16 to 22 , say they support socialism .
A YouGov/Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation poll conducted in September found that 70 percent of millennials say they are either “ extremely likely ” or “ somewhat likely ” to vote for a socialist candidate .
Similarly , Axios reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 51 percent of millennials and 61 percent of Generation Z have a “ positive reaction ” to the word socialism .
In fact , socialism ranks higher than the free enterprise system among Gen Z in the survey , with just 58 percent saying they have a positive reaction to the word capitalism .
Another surprising finding in the YouGov poll is that only 57 percent of millennials “ said they believe the Declaration of Independence better guarantees freedom and inequality over the Communist Manifesto , compared to an overwhelming 94 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 92 ] of Americans , ” The Hill reported .
Millennials and Gen Z and are projected to make up 37 percent of the electorate in 2020 , according to Axios .
Kirk , the founder and president of the conservative student group Turning Point USA , told The Western Journal he has been raising the red flag for years about young Americans being indoctrinated on college campuses to hate their country and embrace socialism .
“ They don ’ t actually understand what it is they think they ’ re advocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who say they support socialism .
“ Some students believe that socialism means helping people in need or looking out for the vulnerable , which of course it ’ s the exact opposite of that , ” he added .
Kirk explained that when he dialogues with students and describes how socialist governments use their power to limit human freedom , not expand it , peoples ’ views tend to change .
The activist has found two questions to be effective in these conversations about socialism .
“ You ask the question to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government ?
’ Traditionally , their answer will be , ‘ No , I don ’ t trust the government .
The government ’ s horrible , ’ ” Kirk recounted .
“ You ask the next question , ‘ Then why do you want to make government bigger ?
‘ Wel , I don ’ t want to make government bigger , ’ ” is the normal response , he said .
“ Then you ’ re not a socialist , ” Kirk informs the person .
It takes him about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall , he has observed that millennials and Gen Zers do not tend to trust politicians .
“ Students think they ’ re advocating for freedom when they advocate for socialism , ” Kirk said .
“ I know that might sound bizarre , but that ’ s the messaging campaign that the Marxists have undertaken.
” TRENDING : CEO Blaming Trump for Iran Shooting Down Plane Runs Company Responsible for 22 Customers ' Deaths The 26-year-old believes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York — perhaps the nation ’ s most high profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and a true by-product of philosophies being espoused on college campuses .
“ She ’ s a real danger to our country , ” Kirk said .
“ Her ideas are , and she represents those ideas ; therefore she is.
” “ I ’ ve told people she ’ s going to multiply in Congress , ” the conservative activist added .
“ There are hyper-entitled , clueless millennials that are ready to undo every piece of true progress that our country has made over the last 200 years , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them something different.
” Asked if he felt President Donald Trump is having a positive impact on younger Americans ’ view of conservatism , including the free enterprise system , Kirk said he is .
“ Very positive , ” he said .
“ For once we actually have a fighter and we have someone who represents these ideas , and someone who is able to actually point to them as successful policy implementations , unlike the traditional failed Republican class in previous years where they say one thing and do another.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best economy in U.S. history and in the process revitalizing the American dream and the nation ’ s spirit .
He cited Turning Point USA ’ s “ Student Action Summit ” in West Palm Beach , Florida , right before Christmas as evidence of the president ’ s ability to promote the ideals of liberty and capitalism to America ’ s youth .
Trump was warmly received by the nearly 5,000 millennials and Gen Zers in attendance from all over the country .
Kirk told The Western Journal that Turning Point USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school campuses around the country .
Trump spent a significant portion of his remarks at the summit talking about the economy — saying his administration ’ s new tax , trade and regulatory policies are the reason for the current boom , which has led to the lowest unemployment rates for African-Americans , Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans ever recorded .
“ Poverty levels are the best numbers they ’ ve ever been for African-American , for Hispanic-American .
For young African-Americans , our numbers on employment are the best they ’ ve ever been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve done great , ” the president said .
His message to America ’ s youth clearly is capitalism , not socialism , is what helps people the most by creating opportunity for them .
“ While [ the Democrats ] want to punish America , we will fight to preserve America , ” Trump said .
“ And that ’ s what we ’ re doing .
And you ’ re doing it incredibly well .
Together we ’ ll stand up to socialists .
We will defend our nation — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of this world.
” Kirk believes Trump is living up to his campaign slogan to “ Make America Great Again.
” “ Look , turning a country away from inevitable decline is one of the most insurmountable challenges a leader can face , ” the activist said .
“ It ’ s only be done a couple times in world history.
” Kirk warned not to underestimate the appeal of socialism heading into the 2020 elections — even with the current manifest success of capitalism .
“ Unfortunately human beings — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re greedy and self-interested by nature , and it ’ s very easy to be generous with other people ’ s money , ” he said .
“ Socialism is the greediest , most self-righteous , envy-driven political philosophy in the history of the world , ” Kirk continued .
“ That really incentivizes people to want others ’ stuff , others ’ liberty and others ’ labor without actually wanting to work for it themselves.
” If socialism is adopted in America , “ it will destroy our country , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit of our country and aspirational , successful , entrepreneurial people will flee , ” Kirk said .
“ They ’ ll go somewhere else.
” The conservative leader sees the 2020 election as “ the most important referendum of ideas in the history of our country.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has two questions he asks millennials and young Americans from Generation Z that he has found effectively dissuades them from supporting socialism.
Multiple polls released last year showed that a large percentage of millennials, ages 23 to 38, and Generation Z, ages 16 to 22, say they support socialism.
A YouGov/Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation poll conducted in September found that 70 percent of millennials say they are either “extremely likely” or “somewhat likely” to vote for a socialist candidate.
A recent poll found 70% of Millennials are likely to vote for a socialist candidate. My takeaway here isn’t that younger Americans love socialism but rather that they feel today’s capitalism is failing them. pic.twitter.com/KptVmRLMlO — Steve Westly (@SteveWestly) October 29, 2019
Similarly, Axios reported that a Harris Poll conducted last year found that 51 percent of millennials and 61 percent of Generation Z have a “positive reaction” to the word socialism.
In fact, socialism ranks higher than the free enterprise system among Gen Z in the survey, with just 58 percent saying they have a positive reaction to the word capitalism.
Another surprising finding in the YouGov poll is that only 57 percent of millennials “said they believe the Declaration of Independence better guarantees freedom and inequality over the Communist Manifesto, compared to an overwhelming 94 percent of the silent generation [ages 75 to 92] of Americans,” The Hill reported.
Millennials and Gen Z and are projected to make up 37 percent of the electorate in 2020, according to Axios.
Kirk, the founder and president of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, told The Western Journal he has been raising the red flag for years about young Americans being indoctrinated on college campuses to hate their country and embrace socialism.
Do you believe Americans will reject socialism in November's presidential election? 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% (1096 Votes) No: 4% (45 Votes)
“They don’t actually understand what it is they think they’re advocating for,” Kirk said of students who say they support socialism.
“Some students believe that socialism means helping people in need or looking out for the vulnerable, which of course it’s the exact opposite of that,” he added.
Kirk explained that when he dialogues with students and describes how socialist governments use their power to limit human freedom, not expand it, peoples’ views tend to change.
The activist has found two questions to be effective in these conversations about socialism.
“You ask the question to a student, ‘Do you trust the government?’ Traditionally, their answer will be, ‘No, I don’t trust the government. The government’s horrible,’” Kirk recounted.
“You ask the next question, ‘Then why do you want to make government bigger? ‘Well, I don’t want to make government bigger,’” is the normal response, he said.
“Then you’re not a socialist,” Kirk informs the person. It takes him about 15 seconds for the entire back-and-forth.
Overall, he has observed that millennials and Gen Zers do not tend to trust politicians.
“Students think they’re advocating for freedom when they advocate for socialism,” Kirk said. “I know that might sound bizarre, but that’s the messaging campaign that the Marxists have undertaken.”
The 26-year-old believes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York — perhaps the nation’s most high profile millennial socialist — is a “danger” and a true by-product of philosophies being espoused on college campuses.
“She’s a real danger to our country,” Kirk said. “Her ideas are, and she represents those ideas; therefore she is.”
“I’ve told people she’s going to multiply in Congress,” the conservative activist added. “There are hyper-entitled, clueless millennials that are ready to undo every piece of true progress that our country has made over the last 200 years, just because they think a professor has told them something different.”
Asked if he felt President Donald Trump is having a positive impact on younger Americans’ view of conservatism, including the free enterprise system, Kirk said he is.
“Very positive,” he said. “For once we actually have a fighter and we have someone who represents these ideas, and someone who is able to actually point to them as successful policy implementations, unlike the traditional failed Republican class in previous years where they say one thing and do another.”
Kirk contended that Trump is overseeing the best economy in U.S. history and in the process revitalizing the American dream and the nation’s spirit.
He cited Turning Point USA’s “Student Action Summit” in West Palm Beach, Florida, right before Christmas as evidence of the president’s ability to promote the ideals of liberty and capitalism to America’s youth.
Trump was warmly received by the nearly 5,000 millennials and Gen Zers in attendance from all over the country.
Kirk told The Western Journal that Turning Point USA has chapters on 1,500 college and high school campuses around the country.
HISTORIC: The largest ever gathering of young conservative activists—nearly 5,000 American patriots turned out for @realDonaldTrump Absolutely filled to MAX capacity! The media says young Trump Supporters don’t exist RT to prove them wrong! pic.twitter.com/hR1YaPeSvp — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 22, 2019
Trump spent a significant portion of his remarks at the summit talking about the economy — saying his administration’s new tax, trade and regulatory policies are the reason for the current boom, which has led to the lowest unemployment rates for African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans ever recorded.
“Poverty levels are the best numbers they’ve ever been for African-American, for Hispanic-American. For young African-Americans, our numbers on employment are the best they’ve ever been. So, I mean, we’ve done great,” the president said.
His message to America’s youth clearly is capitalism, not socialism, is what helps people the most by creating opportunity for them.
“While [the Democrats] want to punish America, we will fight to preserve America,” Trump said. “And that’s what we’re doing. And you’re doing it incredibly well. Together we’ll stand up to socialists. We will defend our nation — the greatest and most glorious republic in the history of this world.”
THANK YOU, President @realDonaldTrump! Turning Point USA Activists Fight Hard Every Day To Preserve This Great Nation & American Values! ?? #iHeartAmerica pic.twitter.com/w1pdlQ5eOP — Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) January 5, 2020
Kirk believes Trump is living up to his campaign slogan to “Make America Great Again.”
“Look, turning a country away from inevitable decline is one of the most insurmountable challenges a leader can face,” the activist said. “It’s only be done a couple times in world history.”
Kirk warned not to underestimate the appeal of socialism heading into the 2020 elections — even with the current manifest success of capitalism.
“Unfortunately human beings — believing in original sin — we’re greedy and self-interested by nature, and it’s very easy to be generous with other people’s money,” he said.
“Socialism is the greediest, most self-righteous, envy-driven political philosophy in the history of the world,” Kirk continued. “That really incentivizes people to want others’ stuff, others’ liberty and others’ labor without actually wanting to work for it themselves.”
If socialism is adopted in America, “it will destroy our country,” he argued.
“It will break the spirit of our country and aspirational, successful, entrepreneurial people will flee,” Kirk said. “They’ll go somewhere else.”
The conservative leader sees the 2020 election as “the most important referendum of ideas in the history of our country.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.