westernjournal--2020-01-25--Trump Attorney Blasts Dems for Using ‘Completely Out of Place’ Quote from Founding Father Against Tr

Trump Attorney Blasts Dems for Using ‘Completely Out of Place’ Quote from Founding Father Against Trump

Democrats who use comments from Founding Father Alexander Hamilton to buttress their attacks on President Donald Trump are taking Hamilton ’ s words out of context , according to one of Trump ’ s attorneys .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff of California and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York have each used Hamilton ’ s words during Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial .
Hamilton , then the treasury secretary , was writing to then-President George Washington in 1792 on a variety of issues , including the possibility that America could become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently being cited by the Democrats .
“ When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune , bold in his temper , possessed of considerable talents , having the advantage of military habits — despotic in his ordinary demeanor — known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty — when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity — to join in the cry of danger to liberty — to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the nonsense of the zealots of the day — It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may ‘ ride the storm and direct the whirlwind , ' ” Hamilton wrote .
Using the quote was “ inapplicable and completely out of place , ” Sekulow told reporters Thursday , according to The Washington Post .
Democrats “ used this famous quote from Alexander Hamilton about impeachment , ” Sekulow said , as Fox News reported .
“ It wasn ’ t about impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes between Hamilton and Washington 5 years after the Constitution was adopted.
” “ So they ’ re not only taking the wrong law , they ’ re taking the wrong quotes from the Founding Fathers , ” he said .
“ It would be really appropriate if they cited the right provisions and what the Founding Fathers were actually talking about , ” Sekulow added .
Hamilton has been quoted by Republicans as well : RELATED : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff 's 'Very Serious Strategic Error ' During Day 2 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Fox News , Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote , “ In Federalist 66 , Alexander Hamilton argued that dividing the power of impeachment and removal between the House and Representatives and the Senate would ‘ guard against the danger of persecution , from the prevalency of a factious spirit ’ in either chamber.
” “ Considering how deeply divided our nation is , there can be little doubt that a ‘ factious spirit ’ is driving this impeachment , ” Lee wrote .
“ It was both prescient and providential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard against this by placing the final say on conviction and removal not in the hands of the House of Representatives , a court , some specialized tribunal , or even a jury , but in the Senate.
” Elsewhere in his Op-Ed , Lee noted that impeachment was inextricably linked to politics .
“ [ T ] he authors of the Constitution knew impeachment — for good or ill — was an inherently political act , ” he wrote .
“ James Wilson , one of the nation ’ s first Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ architects of the Constitution , described impeachment as “ confined to political characters , to political crimes and misdemeanors , and to political punishments.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democrats who use comments from Founding Father Alexander Hamilton to buttress their attacks on President Donald Trump are taking Hamilton’s words out of context, according to one of Trump’s attorneys.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff of California and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York have each used Hamilton’s words during Trump’s Senate impeachment trial.
“They did not intend for the power of impeachment to be used frequently or as a matter of policy… but they put it in the constitution for a reason” House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, opening the Trump #ImpeachmentTrial, quotes Alexander Hamiltonhttps://t.co/WgILTa4g5B pic.twitter.com/n2T1I2IUmO — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 22, 2020
During Jerry Nadler’s opening remarks at the impeachment trial, he referenced Alexander Hamilton’s 1792 letter to George Washington but the graphic he used said it was written in 1972 pic.twitter.com/peGDLX7nlK — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 23, 2020
Hamilton, then the treasury secretary, was writing to then-President George Washington in 1792 on a variety of issues, including the possibility that America could become a monarchy, when he wrote the words currently being cited by the Democrats.
“When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the advantage of military habits — despotic in his ordinary demeanor — known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty — when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity — to join in the cry of danger to liberty — to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion — to flatter and fall in with all the nonsense of the zealots of the day — It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may ‘ride the storm and direct the whirlwind,'” Hamilton wrote.
Using the quote was “inapplicable and completely out of place,” Sekulow told reporters Thursday, according to The Washington Post.
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Democrats “used this famous quote from Alexander Hamilton about impeachment,” Sekulow said, as Fox News reported.
“It wasn’t about impeachment. It was a letter regarding policy disputes between Hamilton and Washington 5 years after the Constitution was adopted.”
“So they’re not only taking the wrong law, they’re taking the wrong quotes from the Founding Fathers,” he said.
“It would be really appropriate if they cited the right provisions and what the Founding Fathers were actually talking about,” Sekulow added.
Hamilton has been quoted by Republicans as well:
So Adam Schift admits his actions are meant to void the votes of millions of American voters because he doesn’t like their choice. Alexander Hamilton warned about political parties weaponizing Impeachment and here we have it! https://t.co/iFtbcvRbLV — Greg Murphy (@RepGregMurphy) January 23, 2020
Democrats have weaponized (and trampled on) the Constitution! Our Founding Fathers would be appalled: HAMILTON: called impeachment “the greatest danger” when decided “by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt” — Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) January 22, 2020
We’re in the middle of what Alexander Hamilton called “the greatest danger”—the danger a partisan impeachment poses for our country. This #ShamImpeachment is the real abuse of power. — House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) January 23, 2020
In a Jan. 7 Op-Ed for Fox News, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah wrote, “In Federalist 66, Alexander Hamilton argued that dividing the power of impeachment and removal between the House and Representatives and the Senate would ‘guard against the danger of persecution, from the prevalency of a factious spirit’ in either chamber.”
“Considering how deeply divided our nation is, there can be little doubt that a ‘factious spirit’ is driving this impeachment,” Lee wrote.
“It was both prescient and providential that our founding fathers saw fit to guard against this by placing the final say on conviction and removal not in the hands of the House of Representatives, a court, some specialized tribunal, or even a jury, but in the Senate.”
Elsewhere in his Op-Ed, Lee noted that impeachment was inextricably linked to politics.
“[T]he authors of the Constitution knew impeachment — for good or ill — was an inherently political act,” he wrote.
“James Wilson, one of the nation’s first Supreme Court justices and one of the principal architects of the Constitution, described impeachment as “confined to political characters, to political crimes and misdemeanors, and to political punishments.”
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westernjournal--2020-01-25--Treasury Secretary Says Another 2020 Trade Deal On the Way: ‘It’s Important to Both of Us’

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested Saturday that Britain and America would be able to conclude a trade deal this year , despite lingering disagreements on a digital services tax and whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to build aspects of a new high-speed mobile network .
Britain leaves the European Union in less than a week , ending decades of reduced-friction trade with a market of 650 million .
Replacing those trade ties with other post-Brexit pacts is obviously considered critical for the nation ’ s economy and future .
“ I think the timing is important , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chatham House think tank .
“ You know , we ’ re focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it ’ s important to both of us.
” Mnuchin stopped in the U.K. following the four-day World Economic Forum summit in Davos , Switzerland .
He held talks with U.K. Treasury chief Sajid Javid in both Davos and again in London on Saturday .
However , he declined to offer any details on what he described as the “ ongoing ” discussions with the British government on Huawei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other allies to ban Huawei from making parts of its 5G network , claiming it would be a security risk — something Huawei vehemently denies .
Huawei is the world ’ s biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies .
But it has faced rising scrutiny over U.S. allegations that it could be forced by the Chinese government to provide access to consumer data on its networks .
“ We want to make sure our infrastructures are protected , ” Mnuchin said .
“ And I think on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are connected to the network and to the grid , these national security issues go beyond the traditional aspects and go into various different aspects.
” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed cooperation to ensure the security of telecommunications networks during a call on Friday .
RELATED : US Treasury Chief Mnuchin Shrugs Off Greta Thunberg - 'Who is She ? '
Britain ’ s National Security Council is widely expected to make its decision on Huawei next week .
On another big tech issue , Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionate amount of interest ” in a tax on big tech players .
Britain has said it will go ahead with the tax later this year .
“ The U.S. feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate and has violations to our tax treaties and other issues , ” he said .
The tax is meant to prevent tax avoidance measures by multinationals .
Britain wants an international agreement on the way global taxes work and has said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once such a plan is in place .
The Americans say the tax unfairly singles out companies like Amazon and Google .
Britain ’ s position stands in contrast to that of France , which earlier this week delayed its tax on big tech in exchange for the United States ’ promise to hold off on retaliatory tariffs .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested Saturday that Britain and America would be able to conclude a trade deal this year, despite lingering disagreements on a digital services tax and whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to build aspects of a new high-speed mobile network.
Britain leaves the European Union in less than a week, ending decades of reduced-friction trade with a market of 650 million.
Replacing those trade ties with other post-Brexit pacts is obviously considered critical for the nation’s economy and future.
“I think the timing is important,” Mnuchin told an audience at the Chatham House think tank. “You know, we’re focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it’s important to both of us.”
Mnuchin stopped in the U.K. following the four-day World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland.
He held talks with U.K. Treasury chief Sajid Javid in both Davos and again in London on Saturday.
However, he declined to offer any details on what he described as the “ongoing” discussions with the British government on Huawei.
Do you think completing this trade agreement will help Donald Trump in November? Yes No
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The United States is pushing Britain and other allies to ban Huawei from making parts of its 5G network, claiming it would be a security risk — something Huawei vehemently denies.
Huawei is the world’s biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies.
But it has faced rising scrutiny over U.S. allegations that it could be forced by the Chinese government to provide access to consumer data on its networks.
“We want to make sure our infrastructures are protected,” Mnuchin said. “And I think on a broader basis … as more and more things are connected to the network and to the grid, these national security issues go beyond the traditional aspects and go into various different aspects.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed cooperation to ensure the security of telecommunications networks during a call on Friday.
Britain’s National Security Council is widely expected to make its decision on Huawei next week.
On another big tech issue, Mnuchin decried what he saw as a “disproportionate amount of interest” in a tax on big tech players.
Britain has said it will go ahead with the tax later this year.
“The U.S. feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate and has violations to our tax treaties and other issues,” he said.
The tax is meant to prevent tax avoidance measures by multinationals.
Britain wants an international agreement on the way global taxes work and has said it will back off on the digital tax once such a plan is in place.
The Americans say the tax unfairly singles out companies like Amazon and Google.
Britain’s position stands in contrast to that of France, which earlier this week delayed its tax on big tech in exchange for the United States’ promise to hold off on retaliatory tariffs.
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--2020-01-25--Week 1 of Harvey Weinstein Trial: Needles, X-Rated Gifts, Movie Stars and Sirens

Harvey Weinstein trundled into court this week for the start of a New York City rape trial , facing the prospect of a conviction that could put him in prison for the rest of his life .
Within the first three days of the # MeToo-era trial , the once-heralded Hollywood titan whom prosecutors described as a “ predatory monster ” came face-to-face with an accuser who testified in vivid detail about an alleged rape more than two decades ago .
The trial , underway 839 days after the first of his scores of accusers went public , is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already featured several notable moments — and a few odd twists .
Actress Annabella Sciorra , the key prosecution witness so far , fought back tears Thursday as she told jurors that Weinstein bulldozed his way into her Manhattan apartment , shoved her onto her bed and raped her in 1993 or 1994 .
Sciorra , now 59 , said she tried in vain to get the burly film producer off her by kicking and punching him .
“ I was trying to fight , but I could not fight anymore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , on one occasion , Weinstein gifted her X-rated candies — penis-shaped chocolates — and on another , showed up at her hotel door at the Cannes Film Festival in his underwear with a bottle of oil in one hand and a videotape in the other .
Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno closed Sciorra ’ s cross-examination with a clip of the actress on David Letterman ’ s talk show in which she playfully told the host that she often made up stories to enliven movie press junkets .
It seemed like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but in the 1997 clip , she went on to explain that those fibs involved inane things like claiming her father raised iguanas for circuses .
After it played , she assured jurors she would never lie about something as serious as sexual assault .
RELATED : Alleged Victim Wants Trans Activist 'Taken Off the Streets ' After Assault : 'He Is Such a Risk' Smoking gun or not , how Weinstein ’ s lawyers got hold of the clip is a fascinating tale in and of itself .
It came not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS , but from a superfan who says he has taped and digitized every episode from Letterman ’ s 33-year career in late-night television .
In a blog post , Don Giller said he turned over the video after a private investigator working for the defense showed up at his door with a subpoena Wednesday night .
Giller wrote that , after a bit of confusion , he realized , “ It was the Harvey Weinstein case , and for some bizarre reason I was somehow involved in it.
” Giller said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defense , but felt he had no choice but to give up the recording .
“ Still , what I was legally compelled to do will haunt me for a long time , ” he wrote .
“ I hope Sciorra ’ s testimony prevails.
” Actress Rosie Perez made a brief appearance in court Friday to corroborate her friend Sciorra ’ s testimony that they had talked about the alleged rape shortly after it happened .
Prosecutors called Perez to the witness stand to show that , while Sciorra kept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she did share it with a few people close to her at the time .
Perez told jurors that , during one conversation , Sciorra started whispering that something bad had happened to her .
Perez said Sciorra started crying and told her , “ I think it was rape.
” Weinstein ’ s lawyers have suggested Sciorra waited so long to go public with the allegation because she was making it up .
First in a Parade of Accusers Sciorra is one of six accusers expected to testify against Weinstein .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of women who have come forward in recent years to accuse him of sexual assault or harassment .
The others who will take the witness stand are the two women whose allegations led to the criminal charges at the heart of the case and three other women whose testimony , like Sciorra ’ s , is meant to show that Weinstein has repeatedly engaged in similar behavior .
The charges against Weinstein pertain to allegations he forcibly performed oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in his New York apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspiring actress in a hotel room in 2013 .
In her opening statement , prosecutor Meghan Hast told jurors that the rape accuser found a needle after the alleged assault and realized Weinstein had injected himself to get an erection .
Weinstein has insisted any sexual encounters were consensual .
Weinstein ’ s lawyers are pointing to warm emails and other evidence they say show some of the women continued to interact with Weinstein after the alleged attacks .
Another part of the defense strategy has been to spin blame back on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on cross-examination why she didn ’ t flee or call 911 when Weinstein arrived .
On Friday , prosecutors called to the witness stand a forensic psychiatrist who testified at the 2018 retrial that led to Bill Cosby ’ s sexual assault conviction in Pennsylvania , aiming to dispel myths about how victims behave in the aftermath of assaults .
Dr. Barbara Ziv said most sexual assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers , who often threaten retaliation if the victims tell anyone what happened .
Victims are “ hoping this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also end up blaming themselves , Ziv testified .
Ziv describes herself as an expert on “ sexual assault victim behavior ” and has studied the issue extensively , but she hasn ’ t evaluated Weinstein ’ s accusers .
Drama in and out , but no Protests So far , Weinstein ’ s trial has attracted a swarm of media attention , but none of the protesters who crowded outside during jury selection , chanting things like “ The rapist is you !
” Dozens of cameras were there Wednesday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of the courthouse for opening statements and the start of testimony , as reporters from as far away as Australia narrated the scene .
Inside , a group of about two dozen teens on a school trip from Cambridge , England , tried getting in on the spectacle but were turned away because the courtroom was at capacity .
Meanwhile , a different sort of drama was unfolding down the street from the courthouse that chilly morning as a crew shot scenes for the CBS series “ FBI.
” Even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the windows in the massive , New Deal-era courthouse are being kept open so the packed courtroom doesn ’ t overheat .
That means exchanges between lawyers and witnesses are sometimes drowned out by the wail of sirens from passing police cars , firetrucks and ambulances .
“ Sorry , it ’ s very hard to hear , ” Sciorra said Thursday as a noisy emergency vehicle rolled by , 15 stories below .
By the end of the day , it was Weinstein himself who was taking heat for making noise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chattering away as she addressed the judge after the jury of seven men and five women had gone home for the day .
“ It is hard to hear with defendant talking so loud , ” she said .
“ It is hard to concentrate on what I ’ m doing , if he can stop talking for 30 seconds.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Harvey Weinstein trundled into court this week for the start of a New York City rape trial, facing the prospect of a conviction that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.
Within the first three days of the #MeToo-era trial, the once-heralded Hollywood titan whom prosecutors described as a “predatory monster” came face-to-face with an accuser who testified in vivid detail about an alleged rape more than two decades ago.
Weinstein, 67, denies the allegations.
The trial, underway 839 days after the first of his scores of accusers went public, is expected to last about a month.
It has already featured several notable moments — and a few odd twists.
Star Witness: ‘I could not fight anymore’
Actress Annabella Sciorra, the key prosecution witness so far, fought back tears Thursday as she told jurors that Weinstein bulldozed his way into her Manhattan apartment, shoved her onto her bed and raped her in 1993 or 1994.
Sciorra, now 59, said she tried in vain to get the burly film producer off her by kicking and punching him.
“I was trying to fight, but I could not fight anymore,” she said.
Do you think Weinstein will face any jail time when this trial is over? 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: 85% (34 Votes) No: 15% (6 Votes)
Sciorra also testified that, on one occasion, Weinstein gifted her X-rated candies — penis-shaped chocolates — and on another, showed up at her hotel door at the Cannes Film Festival in his underwear with a bottle of oil in one hand and a videotape in the other.
Letterman Fan’s 15 Seconds
Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno closed Sciorra’s cross-examination with a clip of the actress on David Letterman’s talk show in which she playfully told the host that she often made up stories to enliven movie press junkets.
It seemed like a ploy to tarnish Sciorra’s credibility, but in the 1997 clip, she went on to explain that those fibs involved inane things like claiming her father raised iguanas for circuses.
After it played, she assured jurors she would never lie about something as serious as sexual assault.
Smoking gun or not, how Weinstein’s lawyers got hold of the clip is a fascinating tale in and of itself.
It came not from Letterman’s production company or CBS, but from a superfan who says he has taped and digitized every episode from Letterman’s 33-year career in late-night television.
In a blog post, Don Giller said he turned over the video after a private investigator working for the defense showed up at his door with a subpoena Wednesday night.
Giller wrote that, after a bit of confusion, he realized, “It was the Harvey Weinstein case, and for some bizarre reason I was somehow involved in it.”
Giller said he felt “awful” assisting Weinstein’s defense, but felt he had no choice but to give up the recording.
“Still, what I was legally compelled to do will haunt me for a long time,” he wrote. “I hope Sciorra’s testimony prevails.”
Another Star Takes the Stand
Actress Rosie Perez made a brief appearance in court Friday to corroborate her friend Sciorra’s testimony that they had talked about the alleged rape shortly after it happened.
Prosecutors called Perez to the witness stand to show that, while Sciorra kept the matter mostly to herself for many years, she did share it with a few people close to her at the time.
Perez told jurors that, during one conversation, Sciorra started whispering that something bad had happened to her.
Perez said Sciorra started crying and told her, “I think it was rape.”
Weinstein’s lawyers have suggested Sciorra waited so long to go public with the allegation because she was making it up.
First in a Parade of Accusers
Sciorra is one of six accusers expected to testify against Weinstein. That’s just a fraction of the number of women who have come forward in recent years to accuse him of sexual assault or harassment.
The others who will take the witness stand are the two women whose allegations led to the criminal charges at the heart of the case and three other women whose testimony, like Sciorra’s, is meant to show that Weinstein has repeatedly engaged in similar behavior.
The charges against Weinstein pertain to allegations he forcibly performed oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in his New York apartment in 2006 and that he raped an aspiring actress in a hotel room in 2013.
In her opening statement, prosecutor Meghan Hast told jurors that the rape accuser found a needle after the alleged assault and realized Weinstein had injected himself to get an erection.
Weinstein has insisted any sexual encounters were consensual.
Defense Focus: Women’s Behavior
Weinstein’s lawyers are pointing to warm emails and other evidence they say show some of the women continued to interact with Weinstein after the alleged attacks.
Another part of the defense strategy has been to spin blame back on his accusers: for instance, asking Sciorra on cross-examination why she didn’t flee or call 911 when Weinstein arrived.
On Friday, prosecutors called to the witness stand a forensic psychiatrist who testified at the 2018 retrial that led to Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction in Pennsylvania, aiming to dispel myths about how victims behave in the aftermath of assaults.
Dr. Barbara Ziv said most sexual assault victims continue to have contact with their attackers, who often threaten retaliation if the victims tell anyone what happened. Victims are “hoping this is just an aberration” and they can also end up blaming themselves, Ziv testified.
Ziv describes herself as an expert on “sexual assault victim behavior” and has studied the issue extensively, but she hasn’t evaluated Weinstein’s accusers.
Drama in and out, but no Protests
So far, Weinstein’s trial has attracted a swarm of media attention, but none of the protesters who crowded outside during jury selection, chanting things like “The rapist is you!”
Dozens of cameras were there Wednesday to track Weinstein’s walker-aided movements in and out of the courthouse for opening statements and the start of testimony, as reporters from as far away as Australia narrated the scene. Inside, a group of about two dozen teens on a school trip from Cambridge, England, tried getting in on the spectacle but were turned away because the courtroom was at capacity.
Meanwhile, a different sort of drama was unfolding down the street from the courthouse that chilly morning as a crew shot scenes for the CBS series “FBI.”
In Court, Sirens and Squawking
Even in the dead of winter, some of the windows in the massive, New Deal-era courthouse are being kept open so the packed courtroom doesn’t overheat.
That means exchanges between lawyers and witnesses are sometimes drowned out by the wail of sirens from passing police cars, firetrucks and ambulances.
“Sorry, it’s very hard to hear,” Sciorra said Thursday as a noisy emergency vehicle rolled by, 15 stories below.
By the end of the day, it was Weinstein himself who was taking heat for making noise.
Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon admonished the defendant for chattering away as she addressed the judge after the jury of seven men and five women had gone home for the day.
“It is hard to hear with defendant talking so loud,” she said. “It is hard to concentrate on what I’m doing, if he can stop talking for 30 seconds.”
Weinstein hushed up.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-01-25--Jeff Sessions Sides with Trump in Alabama Senate Race

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions , giving a recent campaign speech to a suburban Republican club , recalled his 2016 decision to endorse then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a time when many party members were uncertain about the bellicose outsider .
“ ’ Jeff , are you sure ? '
” he said , recalling questions he got at the time .
“ But let me ask you : Was I right ?
” Sessions asked the Mid Alabama Republican Club , which responded with loud applause and cheers .
Sessions is emphasizing his loyalty to Trump ’ s agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to reclaim the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years before being tapped as the president ’ s first attorney general , a position he was forced to resign when his recusal from the Russia inquiry prompted blistering public criticism from Trump .
The former four-term U.S. senator — and the first to endorse Trump in 2016 — faces a competitive primary that will test how much Trump ’ s censure has damaged his support in deeply red Alabama .
Sessions is part of a crowded field competing in the March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Jones .
Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville , U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne , former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore , state Rep. Arnold Mooney , businessman Stanley Adair and Ruth Page Nelson are also seeking the Republican nomination .
Sessions entered as the front-runner , but many observers expect the race could head to a two-person runoff , with Tuberville and Byrne frequently predicted to claim a runoff spot with Sessions .
After Sessions ’ speech , Sarah Moseley , 71 , waited in a line of folks seeking selfies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the recusal decision .
She said she has friends who remain upset with Sessions , but she supports him .
“ I believe he was doing what he felt like was the right thing , ” Moseley said .
She said she “ absolutely ” plans to vote for Sessions : “ I think his service to this country has been exemplary.
” But John Lyda , 45 , said he plans to vote for Byrne in the primary , citing the congressman ’ s work as a former chancellor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had questions about Sessions ’ time as attorney general and “ like many Republicans , wish he would have done some things differently.
” In his campaign stops , Sessions praises the president ’ s policies on trade , energy , immigration and foreign policies , and derides Democrats ’ impeachment investigation .
“ We are in a big battle for the heart and soul of this country , ” Sessions said .
“ Like President Trump , I believe they want us to defend America ’ s trading interests .
I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the border .
… I believe they want us to be more cautious about deploying our soldiers abroad for long term interventions , ” Sessions said of Americans .
Trump , who last year called appointing Sessions the “ biggest mistake ” of his presidency , has said little about the Alabama primary .
“ I saw he said very nice things about me last night , but we ’ ll have to see .
I haven ’ t made a determination , ” Trump said of Sessions in November , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
Trump on Thursday tweeted , “ I LOVE ALABAMA !
” along with a poll from early December of the Republican front-runners that showed Sessions narrowly leading the field over Tuberville .
The Sessions campaign has contended their lead is significantly larger .
Byrne was among the Alabama congressional delegation who were Trump ’ s guests when he attended a University of Alabama football game .
Sessions said he doesn ’ t get asked that much about the recusal on the campaign of trail .
At a lunch speech to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the national debt and education instead of Trump .
Bill Armistead , a former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party , said Sessions has a long history with Alabama voters before Trump ’ s criticism , noting Sessions didn ’ t even draw a challenger in his last election in 2014 .
“ He ’ s got good name recognition .
He ’ s served as a great United States senator for us , but then you have the Trump factor , ” Armistead said .
Wearing a Trump-Pence ’ 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired electrical lineman Winston Sides described himself as a “ true Trumpster ” after listening to other Senate candidates at a forum in Wetumpka .
Sides said he has no problem with Sessions ’ decision to recuse himself but remains undecided if he ’ ll vote for him this time .
“ Jeff Sessions , really , did he do anything wrong ?
No .
… But is it going to hurt Jeff ?
Yes , ” Sides said .
Sides said he voted for Sessions in the past but wants to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before deciding this time .
He said he might vote for Sessions again , or “ it may be time for new blood.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, giving a recent campaign speech to a suburban Republican club, recalled his 2016 decision to endorse then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a time when many party members were uncertain about the bellicose outsider.
“’Jeff, are you sure?'” he said, recalling questions he got at the time. “But let me ask you: Was I right?” Sessions asked the Mid Alabama Republican Club, which responded with loud applause and cheers.
Sessions is emphasizing his loyalty to Trump’s agenda and his record in office as he seeks to reclaim the Alabama Senate seat he held for 20 years before being tapped as the president’s first attorney general, a position he was forced to resign when his recusal from the Russia inquiry prompted blistering public criticism from Trump.
The former four-term U.S. senator — and the first to endorse Trump in 2016 — faces a competitive primary that will test how much Trump’s censure has damaged his support in deeply red Alabama.
Sessions is part of a crowded field competing in the March 3 GOP primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Doug Jones.
Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, state Rep. Arnold Mooney, businessman Stanley Adair and Ruth Page Nelson are also seeking the Republican nomination.
Sessions entered as the front-runner, but many observers expect the race could head to a two-person runoff, with Tuberville and Byrne frequently predicted to claim a runoff spot with Sessions.
After Sessions’ speech, Sarah Moseley, 71, waited in a line of folks seeking selfies and handshakes with Sessions to ask him about the recusal decision. She said she has friends who remain upset with Sessions, but she supports him.
“I believe he was doing what he felt like was the right thing,” Moseley said.
Do you think Jess Sessions can win back his former Senate seat? Yes No
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She said she “absolutely” plans to vote for Sessions: “I think his service to this country has been exemplary.”
But John Lyda, 45, said he plans to vote for Byrne in the primary, citing the congressman’s work as a former chancellor of the two-year college system. Lyda said he had questions about Sessions’ time as attorney general and “like many Republicans, wish he would have done some things differently.”
In his campaign stops, Sessions praises the president’s policies on trade, energy, immigration and foreign policies, and derides Democrats’ impeachment investigation.
“We are in a big battle for the heart and soul of this country,” Sessions said.
“Like President Trump, I believe they want us to defend America’s trading interests. I believe they want us to end the lawlessness at the border. … I believe they want us to be more cautious about deploying our soldiers abroad for long term interventions,” Sessions said of Americans.
Trump, who last year called appointing Sessions the “biggest mistake” of his presidency, has said little about the Alabama primary.
“I saw he said very nice things about me last night, but we’ll have to see. I haven’t made a determination,” Trump said of Sessions in November, when asked if he would intervene in the race.
Trump on Thursday tweeted, “I LOVE ALABAMA!” along with a poll from early December of the Republican front-runners that showed Sessions narrowly leading the field over Tuberville. The Sessions campaign has contended their lead is significantly larger.
Byrne was among the Alabama congressional delegation who were Trump’s guests when he attended a University of Alabama football game.
Sessions said he doesn’t get asked that much about the recusal on the campaign of trail. At a lunch speech to the Opelika Rotary Club, audience members lobbed questions about the national debt and education instead of Trump.
Bill Armistead, a former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said Sessions has a long history with Alabama voters before Trump’s criticism, noting Sessions didn’t even draw a challenger in his last election in 2014.
“He’s got good name recognition. He’s served as a great United States senator for us, but then you have the Trump factor,” Armistead said.
Wearing a Trump-Pence ’20 hat and a Vietnam veteran jacket, retired electrical lineman Winston Sides described himself as a “true Trumpster” after listening to other Senate candidates at a forum in Wetumpka. Sides said he has no problem with Sessions’ decision to recuse himself but remains undecided if he’ll vote for him this time.
“Jeff Sessions, really, did he do anything wrong? No. … But is it going to hurt Jeff? Yes,” Sides said.
Sides said he voted for Sessions in the past but wants to look at other candidates, including Tuberville, before deciding this time.
He said he might vote for Sessions again, or “it may be time for new blood.”
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--2020-01-25--Arizona Bill Would Ban Transgender Girls, Women from Female Sports Teams

Transgender girls and women would be barred from participating in sports on the team that aligns with their “ gender identity ” under a proposed Arizona law .
The proposal announced by GOP Rep. Nancy Barto on Friday was co-sponsored by 22 other Republican House members and is the latest on a growing list of more than a dozen states with bills that focus on transgender young people .
The Arizona legislation would permit only biological women or girls to play on female teams , and require a doctor ’ s note to prove a person is female if their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would allow lawsuits by students who believe they ’ ve missed opportunities because a transgender person is on a school team .
The measure is intended to prevent female athletes from being forced to compete against biological males , Barto said in a statement .
It would apply to K-12 schools , community colleges and state universities , but only to female teams .
She said most people view the issue as one of basic fairness .
“ When this is allowed , it discourages female participation in athletics and , worse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being denied crucial educational and financial opportunities , ” Barto ’ s statement said .
Republicans make up the majority in the Arizona state House and Senate .
Similar legislation has been proposed in Alabama , Georgia , Indiana , Missouri , New Hampshire , Tennessee and Washington , according to the American Civil Liberties Union .
The measures are part of a national campaign backed by the Scottsdale-based Alliance Defending Freedom , a conservative religious freedom group .
Barto said she is working with the ADF and the Center for Arizona Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol that lobbies for religious freedom and anti-abortion legislation , to push the proposal .
Several national women ’ s rights and sports organizations are pushing back , saying in a letter distributed by the American Civil Liberties Union that barring transgender people from sports teams aligning with their gender identity can mean they are “ excluded from participating altogether.
” The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal discrimination complaint on behalf of Connecticut girls who competed in track-and-field .
The girls say the state ’ s inclusive policy on transgender athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college scholarships .
“ Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn ’ t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities , ” attorney Matt Sharp , the ADF ’ s state government relations director , told The Associated Press in an interview for a recent news report .
RELATED : Alleged Victim Wants Trans Activist 'Taken Off the Streets ' After Assault : 'He Is Such a Risk' “ Likewise , every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will become.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would bar doctors from providing them certain gender-related medical treatment — but not , of course , without opposition from the left .
The proposed laws , if enacted , “ would bring devastating harms to the transgender community , ” claimed Chase Strangio , a transgender-rights lawyer with the ACLU .
“ It is hard to imagine why state legislators have decided to prioritize barring transgender young people from sharing in the benefit of secondary school athletics or disrupting medical treatment consistent with prevailing standards of care , ” Strangio said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the session , a time to fight.
” The measure doesn ’ t apply to males , Barto pointed out , because they are “ biologically different from females in terms of bone density , lung capacity , strength , and other respects , are not disadvantaged by females in boys ’ sports.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Transgender girls and women would be barred from participating in sports on the team that aligns with their “gender identity” under a proposed Arizona law.
The proposal announced by GOP Rep. Nancy Barto on Friday was co-sponsored by 22 other Republican House members and is the latest on a growing list of more than a dozen states with bills that focus on transgender young people.
The Arizona legislation would permit only biological women or girls to play on female teams, and require a doctor’s note to prove a person is female if their birth sex is disputed. It also would allow lawsuits by students who believe they’ve missed opportunities because a transgender person is on a school team.
The measure is intended to prevent female athletes from being forced to compete against biological males, Barto said in a statement. It would apply to K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities, but only to female teams.
She said most people view the issue as one of basic fairness.
“When this is allowed, it discourages female participation in athletics and, worse, it can result in women and girls being denied crucial educational and financial opportunities,” Barto’s statement said.
Republicans make up the majority in the Arizona state House and Senate.
Similar legislation has been proposed in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Washington, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The measures are part of a national campaign backed by the Scottsdale-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative religious freedom group.
Do you agree that transgender 'women' should be banned for women's sports? Yes No
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Barto said she is working with the ADF and the Center for Arizona Policy, a powerful group at the state Capitol that lobbies for religious freedom and anti-abortion legislation, to push the proposal.
Several national women’s rights and sports organizations are pushing back, saying in a letter distributed by the American Civil Liberties Union that barring transgender people from sports teams aligning with their gender identity can mean they are “excluded from participating altogether.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal discrimination complaint on behalf of Connecticut girls who competed in track-and-field.
The girls say the state’s inclusive policy on transgender athletes has cost them top finishes and possibly college scholarships.
“Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn’t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities,” attorney Matt Sharp, the ADF’s state government relations director, told The Associated Press in an interview for a recent news report.
“Likewise, every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will become.”
Conservative groups are also pushing bills that would bar doctors from providing them certain gender-related medical treatment — but not, of course, without opposition from the left.
The proposed laws, if enacted, “would bring devastating harms to the transgender community,” claimed Chase Strangio, a transgender-rights lawyer with the ACLU.
“It is hard to imagine why state legislators have decided to prioritize barring transgender young people from sharing in the benefit of secondary school athletics or disrupting medical treatment consistent with prevailing standards of care,” Strangio said. “But here we are, the start of the session, a time to fight.”
The measure doesn’t apply to males, Barto pointed out, because they are “biologically different from females in terms of bone density, lung capacity, strength, and other respects, are not disadvantaged by females in boys’ sports.”
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--2020-01-26--China Kicks Christian Persecution Into Overdrive, Attacks on Faithful Skyrocket: Report

It ’ s no secret that Christians in China face a government that is less than hospitable to their faith .
Recently , however , things have taken a turn for the worse for believers living under the communist regime .
Thanks to data compiled by Open Doors USA , a nonprofit organization that supports persecuted Christians around the world , we finally have a glimpse of the shocking rise of anti-Christian violence in China .
Attacks on churches have skyrocketed , with Open Doors estimating in its 2020 report there were at least 5,576 within the past year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Open Doors noted in a news release that since many attacks go unreported , there were likely many more government-sanctioned attacks on Christian churches than just the ones documented in its report .
While arrests of Christians themselves remained steady , attacks on believers also rose to shocking levels .
Over 1,000 were reported from November 2018 to October 2019 , magnitudes greater than the previous year ’ s total of 58 .
Because of the shocking disregard that the government has for the plight of Chinese Christians , the communist nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open Doors World Watch List — the organization ’ s ranking of countries based on their hostility toward and persecution of believers .
China landed 23rd in the rankings , a jump of four spots from 2019 .
According to Open Doors , Chinese Christians are worse off than Christians who suffer Islamic oppression in places like Morocco ( number 26 on the list ) , Qatar ( No .
27 ) , Turkey ( No .
36 ) and Malaysia ( No .
40 ) .
There seems to be a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigor .
Christianity , which teaches disregard for the passing mortal world , exists in direct contradiction to the supreme communist state — an organization which relies solely on the physical world to derive its power .
China has also come under criticism for oppressing ethnic Muslims in one border region .
In the Xinjiang Province , Muslims who not willing to convert to a Chinese way of life by embracing cultural and religious norms are often sent to reeducation camps , cruel and inhumane places operated by authority of the ruling communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evicted Over Christmas Decorations in Gov't Subsidized Housing : Report While it may or may not be divine retribution , China ’ s increased persecution of Christians was followed by seemingly unrelated disasters for the massive Asian country .
First , pig herds were decimated as a disease spread through the nation ’ s pork supply .
This drove hog prices sky-high , making it tough for the Chinese to keep buying the popular meat .
Desperate for cheaper meat , some are even turning to dog and other alternatives .
Next , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , and now threatens to reach all corners of China as major cultural festivals approach .
All of this had a negative effect on China ’ s economy , undoing much of the work the central government had meticulously planned and crafted .
While it ’ s difficult to prove that the country ’ s disasters are a result of its treatment of Christians , China is doing itself no favors in the eyes of the world by persecuting believers of any faith .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

It’s no secret that Christians in China face a government that is less than hospitable to their faith.
Recently, however, things have taken a turn for the worse for believers living under the communist regime.
Thanks to data compiled by Open Doors USA, a nonprofit organization that supports persecuted Christians around the world, we finally have a glimpse of the shocking rise of anti-Christian violence in China.
Attacks on churches have skyrocketed, with Open Doors estimating in its 2020 report there were at least 5,576 within the past year, up from 1,847 reported the prior year.
Open Doors noted in a news release that since many attacks go unreported, there were likely many more government-sanctioned attacks on Christian churches than just the ones documented in its report.
While arrests of Christians themselves remained steady, attacks on believers also rose to shocking levels.
Over 1,000 were reported from November 2018 to October 2019, magnitudes greater than the previous year’s total of 58.
Because of the shocking disregard that the government has for the plight of Chinese Christians, the communist nation was given a fitting place on the Open Doors World Watch List — the organization’s ranking of countries based on their hostility toward and persecution of believers.
China landed 23rd in the rankings, a jump of four spots from 2019.
Should China answer for its treatment of Christians? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (635 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
According to Open Doors, Chinese Christians are worse off than Christians who suffer Islamic oppression in places like Morocco (number 26 on the list), Qatar (No. 27), Turkey (No. 36) and Malaysia (No. 40).
There seems to be a clear reason why China targets Christians with such vigor.
Christianity, which teaches disregard for the passing mortal world, exists in direct contradiction to the supreme communist state — an organization which relies solely on the physical world to derive its power.
China has also come under criticism for oppressing ethnic Muslims in one border region.
In the Xinjiang Province, Muslims who not willing to convert to a Chinese way of life by embracing cultural and religious norms are often sent to reeducation camps, cruel and inhumane places operated by authority of the ruling communist party.
While it may or may not be divine retribution, China’s increased persecution of Christians was followed by seemingly unrelated disasters for the massive Asian country.
First, pig herds were decimated as a disease spread through the nation’s pork supply.
This drove hog prices sky-high, making it tough for the Chinese to keep buying the popular meat.
Desperate for cheaper meat, some are even turning to dog and other alternatives.
Next, a mystery coronavirus began spreading in December 2019, and now threatens to reach all corners of China as major cultural festivals approach.
All of this had a negative effect on China’s economy, undoing much of the work the central government had meticulously planned and crafted.
While it’s difficult to prove that the country’s disasters are a result of its treatment of Christians, China is doing itself no favors in the eyes of the world by persecuting believers of any faith.
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westernjournal--2020-01-26--Sex Offender Defends His Child Porn Collection by Claiming To Identify as Girl, 8

A 45-year-old convicted sex offender in Michigan attempted to get a break on child-pornography-related charges by claiming he identifies as an 8-year-old girl .
Joseph Gobrick was arrested in 2018 after police found a missing 17-year-old girl from Ohio in his Grand Rapids home .
During their investigation following the arrest , authorities also found a collection of child pornography on his computer depicting eight children , some 5 years old and younger , being sexually assaulted , according to WZZM-TV .
At his sentencing , Gobrick told the court that he has always identified as a young girl .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8-year-old girl , ’ ’ he said in court .
“ And even my drawings and fantasies , I am always an 8-year-old girl.
’ ’ Even while he was awaiting trial , he talked about raping babies and drew pictures of abuse , Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Helmer said .
Based on his actions in jail , Helmer called Gobrick “ a danger to the public.
” Gobrick , however , told the court he would never act on his desire to have sexual relations with children .
“ I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than you would with a rattlesnake , ’ ’ he said .
“ It ’ s just not safe.
’ ’ He was found guilty on three charges of child sexually abusive commercial activity and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison , according to WZZM .
“ Based on everything he ’ s said and done , including bragging about what he was drawing in his cell , he obviously doesn ’ t think child sexually abusive material is wrong , ’ ’ Judge Paul Denenfeld said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is also real people being harmed , ” the judge said .
During his trial in Kent County Circuit Court , Gobrick claimed the images were created using an image manipulating program and also protected under the First Amendment .
He even went as far to compare the criminalization of child pornography and his sentencing to the legality of concentration camps in Nazi Germany .
RELATED : Dems Trying To Block Bill That Would Ban Sex-Change Operations for Children “ Under the law , Auschwitz was legal , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong , just as Auschwitz was.
” This isn ’ t the first time Gobrick has faced charges of sexually explicit conduct .
In 2001 , he was convicted of sexual abuse in New York .
Gobrick ’ s case highlights a darker side to the left ’ s willingness to blindly accept an individual ’ s self-proclaimed “ truth ” over biological reality .
While it might seem easy for someone to assume Gobrick — who has clearly displayed perverted patterns of sexual attraction to minors — was grasping at straws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be inconsistent with what the left has so proudly preached .
The mantra “ live your truth ” might come from innocent intentions , but it also creates a slippery slope that can lead to more instances like Gobrick ’ s .
Thankfully , the judge saw through the baseless excuses and protected more children from being exploited by this man .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A 45-year-old convicted sex offender in Michigan attempted to get a break on child-pornography-related charges by claiming he identifies as an 8-year-old girl.
Joseph Gobrick was arrested in 2018 after police found a missing 17-year-old girl from Ohio in his Grand Rapids home.
During their investigation following the arrest, authorities also found a collection of child pornography on his computer depicting eight children, some 5 years old and younger, being sexually assaulted, according to WZZM-TV.
At his sentencing, Gobrick told the court that he has always identified as a young girl.
“I’ve always been an 8-year-old girl,’’ he said in court. “And even my drawings and fantasies, I am always an 8-year-old girl.’’
Even while he was awaiting trial, he talked about raping babies and drew pictures of abuse, Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Helmer said.
Based on his actions in jail, Helmer called Gobrick “a danger to the public.”
Gobrick, however, told the court he would never act on his desire to have sexual relations with children.
“I would no sooner have sex with a child than you would with a rattlesnake,’’ he said. “It’s just not safe.’’
He was found guilty on three charges of child sexually abusive commercial activity and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, according to WZZM.
“Based on everything he’s said and done, including bragging about what he was drawing in his cell, he obviously doesn’t think child sexually abusive material is wrong,’’ Judge Paul Denenfeld said.
“This isn’t just virtual stuff; this is also real people being harmed,” the judge said.
During his trial in Kent County Circuit Court, Gobrick claimed the images were created using an image manipulating program and also protected under the First Amendment.
He even went as far to compare the criminalization of child pornography and his sentencing to the legality of concentration camps in Nazi Germany.
“Under the law, Auschwitz was legal,” he said. “What you’re doing here is wrong, just as Auschwitz was.”
This isn’t the first time Gobrick has faced charges of sexually explicit conduct. In 2001, he was convicted of sexual abuse in New York.
Do you think claims to be a different gender are more authentic than claims to be a different age? Yes No
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Gobrick’s case highlights a darker side to the left’s willingness to blindly accept an individual’s self-proclaimed “truth” over biological reality.
While it might seem easy for someone to assume Gobrick — who has clearly displayed perverted patterns of sexual attraction to minors — was grasping at straws to prove his innocence, proclaiming so would be inconsistent with what the left has so proudly preached.
The mantra “live your truth” might come from innocent intentions, but it also creates a slippery slope that can lead to more instances like Gobrick’s.
Thankfully, the judge saw through the baseless excuses and protected more children from being exploited by this man.
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westernjournal--2020-01-26--CNN Legal Analyst Admits ‘The President Is Winning’ Impeachment Trial

You know the Democrats are getting crushed in their impeachment scam when even CNN says they are losing .
Jeffrey Toobin , a legal analyst for CNN and one of President Donald Trump ’ s greatest detractors , shared his opinion after three days of the House impeachment managers making their case , and one day of Trump ’ s defense doing the same .
“ Again , I just think the Republicans are winning here .
The president is winning here .
And as long as they don ’ t completely fall on their faces , which they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not going to do that , I think that ’ s fine for them , ” Toobin said Saturday .
TRENDING : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff ’ s ‘ Very Serious Strategic Error ’ During Day 2 of Impeachment Arguments In particular , he noted that Trump ’ s defense had made a point of discussing the president ’ s contention that European countries weren ’ t sharing enough of the burden of helping defend Ukraine against Russa .
As Yahoo News reported , the transcript of Trump ’ s July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky , released by the White House , showed that Trump had specifically cited Germany in that regard during the conversation .
“ They did make one good point about [ the transcript ] , I thought , which was the president did about burden-sharing in that phone call , and the House managers didn ’ t focus on that or even mention it .
And fair is fair , ” Toobin said .
“ [ Trump ] has talked about it before , and that was , I thought , a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ This is what good lawyers do , you point to evidence that favors your case , ” Toobin said .
“ Whether it is the dispositive piece of evidence is , of course , a different question , but good for them.
” The attorneys for the president pounded the fact that House managers did not talk about the transcript of the call with Zelensky .
The call was what led to the whistleblower complaint , but the White House released a rough transcript of the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any crimes .
“ They didn ’ t talk a lot about the transcript of the call , ” Pat Cipollone , White House counsel , told senators on Saturday .
“ Which I would submit is the best evidence of what happened on the call.
” Toobin argued that the president ’ s defense team has made it more plausible that Republicans who are on the fence could vote against the Senate calling witnesses .
RELATED : Here Are the Epic Nicknames McConnell Has Earned from Opponents Over Time He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today that would allow Republicans to vote against witnesses and to vote for an acquittal .
I mean that ’ s what defense lawyers do.
” Even Preet Bharara , a former United States attorney for the Southern District of New York , who was fired by Trump , said the president was winning and that his attorneys taking less time than they were allotted to make their case was wise .
“ If you ’ re winning , shut up , ” Toobin agreed .
“ That ’ s , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re doing.
” When two CN analysts , who have not shown much love for the president , are telling you the president ’ s team is ahead , the ball game is almost over .
The Democrats had a tough fight on their hands to begin with , and Reps. Adam Schiff , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , and Jerry Nadler , chairman of the House Judiciary Committee , did not do themselves any favors with the way they presented their case .
Now the president ’ s team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case — and even CNN analysts are admitting it ’ s looking good for Team Trump .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

You know the Democrats are getting crushed in their impeachment scam when even CNN says they are losing.
Jeffrey Toobin, a legal analyst for CNN and one of President Donald Trump’s greatest detractors, shared his opinion after three days of the House impeachment managers making their case, and one day of Trump’s defense doing the same.
“Again, I just think the Republicans are winning here. The president is winning here. And as long as they don’t completely fall on their faces, which they’re all competent lawyers, they’re not going to do that, I think that’s fine for them,” Toobin said Saturday.
CNN’s Toobin after White House defense: “the president is winning here”https://t.co/TJl7uYM7XE pic.twitter.com/L8NzhGEtT9 — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 25, 2020
In particular, he noted that Trump’s defense had made a point of discussing the president’s contention that European countries weren’t sharing enough of the burden of helping defend Ukraine against Russa.
As Yahoo News reported, the transcript of Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, released by the White House, showed that Trump had specifically cited Germany in that regard during the conversation.
“They did make one good point about [the transcript], I thought, which was the president did about burden-sharing in that phone call, and the House managers didn’t focus on that or even mention it. And fair is fair,” Toobin said.
“[Trump] has talked about it before, and that was, I thought, a very legitimate good point made by the defense,” he said.
Is Trump winning impeachment? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (655 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
“This is what good lawyers do, you point to evidence that favors your case,” Toobin said. “Whether it is the dispositive piece of evidence is, of course, a different question, but good for them.”
The attorneys for the president pounded the fact that House managers did not talk about the transcript of the call with Zelensky.
The call was what led to the whistleblower complaint, but the White House released a rough transcript of the call that showed that he did not commit any crimes.
“They didn’t talk a lot about the transcript of the call,” Pat Cipollone, White House counsel, told senators on Saturday. “Which I would submit is the best evidence of what happened on the call.”
Toobin argued that the president’s defense team has made it more plausible that Republicans who are on the fence could vote against the Senate calling witnesses.
He said that “certainly there was information put forth today that would allow Republicans to vote against witnesses and to vote for an acquittal. I mean that’s what defense lawyers do.”
Even Preet Bharara, a former United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, who was fired by Trump, said the president was winning and that his attorneys taking less time than they were allotted to make their case was wise.
“If you’re winning, shut up,” Toobin agreed. “That’s, I think, a guiding principle of what they’re doing.”
When two CN analysts, who have not shown much love for the president, are telling you the president’s team is ahead, the ball game is almost over.
The Democrats had a tough fight on their hands to begin with, and Reps. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, did not do themselves any favors with the way they presented their case.
Now the president’s team has two more days to make its case — and even CNN analysts are admitting it’s looking good for Team Trump.
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westernjournal--2020-01-26--GOP Sen. Ready To Call Schiff, Whistleblower, Bidens To Testify in Case Senate Allows Witnesses

As the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump moves forward toward its next major vote , one Republican senator said Democrats who want witnesses added to the trial may get more than they bargained for .
In a Twitter post Saturday , Sen. John Hawley of Missouri wrote that if the Senate votes to hear witnesses in the case , which Democrats want , he will insist that key players in the House impeachment process as well as the Bidens also testify .
“ I have drafted motions to subpoena Adam Schiff , the ‘ whistleblower , ’ Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the Senate calls witnesses , I will ask for votes on all these next week , ” Hawley wrote .
TRENDING : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff 's 'Very Serious Strategic Error ' During Day 2 of Impeachment Arguments In addition to Schiff , the House Intelligence Committee chairman and lead impeachment manager , and the Bidens , Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson is among the potential GOP witnesses , according to Politico .
Schiff was front and center in a pair of Trump tweets Sunday as the president vented his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the dynamics of a vote for witnesses are that Democrats are demanding the Senate call witnesses to add to the testimony presented by House Democrats last week .
Democrats have been opposed to calling the Bidens , but they would be in a bad position politically fighting the appearance of GOP witnesses after demanding their own .
However , it might not come to that .
Republicans are generally in favor of moving on after Trump ’ s defense team wraps up its presentation on Tuesday .
After the opening arguments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period where representatives from each side must respond to inquiries from senators .
RELATED : CNN Discovers Democratic Voters 'Not Really That Interested ' in Impeachment Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , a Republican , has said he is leaning toward being in favor of calling witnesses , but has not made a final decision , according to CNN .
Republican Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said at the start of the Senate trial that they could be open to calling witnesses if — after the opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses were needed .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week indicated he is opposed to calling witnesses .
“ It could dramatically change the separation of powers between the House and the Senate if the Senate agrees we will conduct both the investigation and the trial of an impeachment , ” McConnell said , according to CNN .
“ What ’ s more , some of the proposed new witnesses include executive branch officials whose communications with the president and with other executive branch officials lie at the very core of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell added .
“ Such litigation could potentially have permanent repercussions for the separation of powers and the institution of the presidency that senators would need to consider very , very carefully.
” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has said that he favors clearing impeachment away before examining whether there was corruption in Ukraine that was connected to the former vice president or his son .
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As the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump moves forward toward its next major vote, one Republican senator said Democrats who want witnesses added to the trial may get more than they bargained for.
In a Twitter post Saturday, Sen. John Hawley of Missouri wrote that if the Senate votes to hear witnesses in the case, which Democrats want, he will insist that key players in the House impeachment process as well as the Bidens also testify.
“I have drafted motions to subpoena Adam Schiff, the ‘whistleblower,’ Hunter Biden, and Joe Biden to testify. If the Senate calls witnesses, I will ask for votes on all these next week,” Hawley wrote.
I have drafted motions to subpoena Adam Schiff, the “whistleblower,” Hunter Biden, and Joe Biden to testify. If the Senate calls witnesses, I will ask for votes on all these next week https://t.co/NW1fuyYVF4 — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 25, 2020
In addition to Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee chairman and lead impeachment manager, and the Bidens, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson is among the potential GOP witnesses, according to Politico.
Schiff was front and center in a pair of Trump tweets Sunday as the president vented his anger over the impeachment process.
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
The Impeachment Hoax is a massive election interference the likes of which has never been seen before. In just two hours the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats have seen their phony case absolutely shredded. Shifty is now exposed for illegally making up my phone call, & more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Currently, the dynamics of a vote for witnesses are that Democrats are demanding the Senate call witnesses to add to the testimony presented by House Democrats last week.
Democrats have been opposed to calling the Bidens, but they would be in a bad position politically fighting the appearance of GOP witnesses after demanding their own.
However, it might not come to that. Republicans are generally in favor of moving on after Trump’s defense team wraps up its presentation on Tuesday.
After the opening arguments, the Senate process will feature a question period where representatives from each side must respond to inquiries from senators.
Do you want Joe Biden to testify at the president's impeachment trial? Yes No
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Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a Republican, has said he is leaning toward being in favor of calling witnesses, but has not made a final decision, according to CNN.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said at the start of the Senate trial that they could be open to calling witnesses if — after the opening arguments were concluded – it appeared that witnesses were needed.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week indicated he is opposed to calling witnesses.
“It could dramatically change the separation of powers between the House and the Senate if the Senate agrees we will conduct both the investigation and the trial of an impeachment,” McConnell said, according to CNN.
“What’s more, some of the proposed new witnesses include executive branch officials whose communications with the president and with other executive branch officials lie at the very core of the President’s constitutional privilege,” McConnell added.
“Such litigation could potentially have permanent repercussions for the separation of powers and the institution of the presidency that senators would need to consider very, very carefully.”
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has said that he favors clearing impeachment away before examining whether there was corruption in Ukraine that was connected to the former vice president or his son.
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westernjournal--2020-01-26--Breaking: NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Dead in Helicopter Crash

NBA legend Kobe Bryan was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in a Southern California helicopter crash , the celebrity web site TMZ reported .
The basketball great was traveling with at least three people aboard a private chopper when it crashed near Calabasas , California , TMZ reported .
Five people were confirmed dead the crash , according to TMZ .
The career-long player for the Los Angeles Lakers was famous for riding in his personal helicopter , commuting to Lakers games at the Staples Center in a Sikorsky -76 helicopter , TMZ reported .
The death was reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including ABC .
While the circumstances surrounding the crash were still murky Sunday afternoon , social media was overflowing with tributes to the basketball great .
TRENDING : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff ’ s ‘ Very Serious Strategic Error ’ During Day 2 of Impeachment Arguments RELATED : LeBron 's Shot Gets Blocked in Game 's Final Seconds To Seal Lakers ' Loss It ’ s impossible to overstate the impact of a player like Kobe Bryant a team like the Lakers , where he was such a big part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league Most Valuable Player in 2008 and the MVP for two of the five NBA championships he was part of , as TMZ reported .
The Lakers even retired both of his jersey numbers – 8 and 24 – in an honor no other Lakers player has ever earned .
He was 41 years old .
TMZ reported that Bryant ’ s wife , Vanessa , was not on board the helicopter , but the other passengers were not identified .
However , TMZ reported in a follow-up to the original bulletin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 , was also killed in the crash .
The couple have three other daughters .
UPDATE , Jan. 26 2020 : This post was updated to reflect a report that Bryant ’ s daughter , Gianna , 13 , was also killed in the crash .
The identity of the other passengers on board the helicopter was unknown .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

NBA legend Kobe Bryant was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in a Southern California helicopter crash, the celebrity web site TMZ reported.
The basketball great was traveling with at least three people aboard a private chopper when it crashed near Calabasas, California, TMZ reported.
Five people were confirmed dead the crash, according to TMZ.
The career-long player for the Los Angeles Lakers was famous for riding in his personal helicopter, commuting to Lakers games at the Staples Center in a Sikorsky -76 helicopter, TMZ reported.
The death was reported by other news outlets Sunday as well, including ABC. While the circumstances surrounding the crash were still murky Sunday afternoon, social media was overflowing with tributes to the basketball great.
Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
#KobeBryant It is really difficult to accept death of people who really wrote their name with gold in our hearts,,, RIP Hero? pic.twitter.com/gvYPkNuZxO — Ahmed Othman (@pharmacist_nat) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe Bryant and all those involved in the tragic helicopter crash. Gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/JXELeUiq3j — BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) January 26, 2020
Wow: Rest In Peace, Kobe Bryant One of the best to ever play the game has reportedly died in a helicopter crash in California Praying for his family and his four daughters — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 26, 2020
It’s impossible to overstate the impact of a player like Kobe Bryant a team like the Lakers, where he was such a big part of creating a basketball dynasty.
He was the league Most Valuable Player in 2008 and the MVP for two of the five NBA championships he was part of, as TMZ reported.
The Lakers even retired both of his jersey numbers – 8 and 24 – in an honor no other Lakers player has ever earned.
He was 41 years old.
TMZ reported that Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, was not on board the helicopter, but the other passengers were not identified. However, TMZ reported in a follow-up to the original bulletin that Bryant’s daugthter Gianna, 13, was also killed in the crash.
The couple have three other daughters.
UPDATE, Jan. 26 2020: This post was updated to reflect a report that Bryant’s daughter, Gianna, 13, was also killed in the crash. The identity of the other passengers on board the helicopter was unknown.
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westernjournal--2020-01-26--Biden Campaign Is Willing To Risk Staffers’ Lives To Get Him Elected

A disturbing piece published Friday in The Nation claimed the Biden campaign ignored its own protocols for traveling in winter weather in order to boost its chances in Iowa , according to text messages .
The messages reported by The Nation paint a disturbing picture of a campaign willing to do anything in order to improve its candidate ’ s showing in first-vote-in-the-nation Iowa , where Biden has long been considered a long shot to win the most votes in the Feb. 3 caucuses .
However , Iowa caucuses are brutal , with strange rules that favor a hyper-targeted ground-game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towns could spell doom .
This is an election where you can go from worst to first and back to worst in the blink of an eye , which means that campaigns can ’ t take a moment off .
It ’ s probably wise to cool it down a bit , though , when a winter storm blankets the state .
Alas , that ’ s where the Biden operation was apparently looking for an edge .
While other candidacies aren ’ t going to send their volunteers and low-paid employees and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s campaign was going to have its people literally being threatened by campaign grandees who demand staffers hit the road no matter what may be covering said road .
TRENDING : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff 's 'Very Serious Strategic Error ' During Day 2 of Impeachment Arguments The campaign originally had a policy of allowing staffers “ to avoid driving during potentially hazardous weather conditions , ” The Nation reported , but as the caucuses grew closer , that was apparently too much of a luxury .
“ Hey guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire state because we have five weeks left until the election , ” Biden regional organizing director Kay Glad wrote in a text on Dec. 30 , as the state was covered in snow .
“ If it feels like unsafe driving conditions , then talk to me separately but quite frankly I don ’ t want to hear any complaints because you know how important this is and how much time we have left.
” ” “ By showing an ability to be adaptable , flexible , and willing to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired to do , then that is the most basic threshold of demonstrating your ability of leading others .
Every single day is an audition for post-Iowa , ” Glad wrote in another text .
According to The Nation , the text messages were provided anonymously by a staffer on Biden ’ s campaign who also said that five Biden staffers had gotten into car accidents in Iowa during the period between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 .
There was also an additional fear among staffers due to the fact that a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , in a crash reported by the Des Moines Register .
I ’ d just as soon as not mention this , but I feel that I have to : Biden also lost his first wife and a daughter in an automobile accident in the immediate wake of his first Senate election back in 1972 .
The accident has informed much of his campaign rhetoric over the years and has also given rise to controversy due to the fact that , among other things , he has accused ( without evidence ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accident of driving drunk when no evidence exists of that fact .
RELATED : Ted Cruz Rips Adam Schiff 's 'Very Serious Strategic Error ' During Day 2 of Impeachment Arguments As for the current issue , Biden ’ s campaign tried to pass it off as a rogue director .
“ Responding to a request for comment , a Biden campaign official confirmed that Glad had suspended the weather policy , but said she had acted unilaterally and was subsequently reprimanded and her team was given proper guidance , ” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most important asset is the staff working tirelessly around the country to help Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump and restore the soul of our nation , ” Julie Kriger , Biden ’ s Iowa communications director , told The Nation .
“ That ’ s why we always prioritize their safety and well-being and have put in place policies both in Iowa and nationally to ensure that they remain safe in hazardous weather conditions.
” One other candidate issued a similar statement : “ Extreme weather conditions have previously resulted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a representative for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar told The Nation .
“ When inclement weather causes hazardous conditions , we make it a point for members of the campaign to consider personal safety first when evaluating their ability to report to work.
” The report comes as Biden continues to trail in Iowa .
Biden was a distant fourth as of December .
He is now in a distant third , though his promotion had less to do with the fact that he was making a move up the rail so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning its slow implosion .
He is trailing Vermont Sen./oatmeal spokesman Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
It ’ s not clear how much the Biden campaign can expect to see improved polls from its staff ’ s willingness to engage in dangerous driving practices .
It ’ s also not clear how much good will it could lose because of a report that claims its bosses expect staffers to risk their lives to get him elected .
If you want a guess , a ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that kind of encouragement could ever be worth .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A disturbing piece published Friday in The Nation claimed the Biden campaign ignored its own protocols for traveling in winter weather in order to boost its chances in Iowa, according to text messages.
The messages reported by The Nation paint a disturbing picture of a campaign willing to do anything in order to improve its candidate’s showing in first-vote-in-the-nation Iowa, where Biden has long been considered a long shot to win the most votes in the Feb. 3 caucuses.
However, Iowa caucuses are brutal, with strange rules that favor a hyper-targeted ground-game operation where ignoring a few key 5,000-population towns could spell doom.
This is an election where you can go from worst to first and back to worst in the blink of an eye, which means that campaigns can’t take a moment off. It’s probably wise to cool it down a bit, though, when a winter storm blankets the state.
Alas, that’s where the Biden operation was apparently looking for an edge. While other candidacies aren’t going to send their volunteers and low-paid employees and volunteers out in the white stuff, Biden’s campaign was going to have its people literally being threatened by campaign grandees who demand staffers hit the road no matter what may be covering said road.
The campaign originally had a policy of allowing staffers “to avoid driving during potentially hazardous weather conditions,” The Nation reported, but as the caucuses grew closer, that was apparently too much of a luxury.
“Hey guys, all weather policy is dissolved throughout the entire state because we have five weeks left until the election,” Biden regional organizing director Kay Glad wrote in a text on Dec. 30, as the state was covered in snow.
“If it feels like unsafe driving conditions, then talk to me separately but quite frankly I don’t want to hear any complaints because you know how important this is and how much time we have left.””
And remember, risking your life shows leadership!
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“By showing an ability to be adaptable, flexible, and willing to what [sic] you’ve been hired to do, then that is the most basic threshold of demonstrating your ability of leading others. Every single day is an audition for post-Iowa,” Glad wrote in another text.
I mean, provided you’re alive post-Iowa, sure.
According to The Nation, the text messages were provided anonymously by a staffer on Biden’s campaign who also said that five Biden staffers had gotten into car accidents in Iowa during the period between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
There was also an additional fear among staffers due to the fact that a campaign worker for Elizabeth Warren had died in September, in a crash reported by the Des Moines Register.
I’d just as soon as not mention this, but I feel that I have to: Biden also lost his first wife and a daughter in an automobile accident in the immediate wake of his first Senate election back in 1972. The accident has informed much of his campaign rhetoric over the years and has also given rise to controversy due to the fact that, among other things, he has accused (without evidence) the semi-truck operator who was involved in the accident of driving drunk when no evidence exists of that fact.
As for the current issue, Biden’s campaign tried to pass it off as a rogue director.
“Responding to a request for comment, a Biden campaign official confirmed that Glad had suspended the weather policy, but said she had acted unilaterally and was subsequently reprimanded and her team was given proper guidance,” The Nation reported.
“Our campaign’s most important asset is the staff working tirelessly around the country to help Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump and restore the soul of our nation,” Julie Kriger, Biden’s Iowa communications director, told The Nation. “That’s why we always prioritize their safety and well-being and have put in place policies both in Iowa and nationally to ensure that they remain safe in hazardous weather conditions.”
One other candidate issued a similar statement: “Extreme weather conditions have previously resulted in the campaign having staffers work from home,” a representative for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar told The Nation.
“When inclement weather causes hazardous conditions, we make it a point for members of the campaign to consider personal safety first when evaluating their ability to report to work.”
The report comes as Biden continues to trail in Iowa.
Biden was a distant fourth as of December. He is now in a distant third, though his promotion had less to do with the fact that he was making a move up the rail so much as Elizabeth Warren’s campaign was beginning its slow implosion.
He is trailing Vermont Sen./oatmeal spokesman Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
It’s not clear how much the Biden campaign can expect to see improved polls from its staff’s willingness to engage in dangerous driving practices. It’s also not clear how much good will it could lose because of a report that claims its bosses expect staffers to risk their lives to get him elected.
If you want a guess, a) not much and b) far more than that kind of encouragement could ever be worth.
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