westernjournal--2020-05-25--Republican National Committee Hits California Governor with Legal Action

Earlier this month , Newsom issued an executive order to embrace voting by mail for the fall elections .
The order indicated that in-person voting would still be allowed but said that “ every Californian who is eligible to vote in the November 3 , 2020 General Election shall receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
” The Republican National Committee , National Republican Congressional Committee and California Republican Party filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California .
The suit targets Newsom and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla , whose office oversees elections .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s authority , Governor Newsom issued an executive order purporting to rewrite the entire election code for the November 2020 election , ” the lawsuit said .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better “ This brazen power grab was not authorized by state law and violates both the Elections Clause and Electors Clause of the U.S. Constitution .
The Governor ’ s Order is invalid and must be enjoined , ” it said .
The lawsuit said Newsom “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens ’ right to vote.
” “ By ordering that vote-by-mail ballots be automatically sent to every registered voter — including inactive voters , voters with invalid registrations , voters who have moved , voters who have died , and voters who don ’ t want a ballot — he has created a recipe for disaster , ” the suit said .
Although every state allows for mail-in absentee ballots , the scale of California ’ s effort is unique , according to the lawsuit .
“ No State that regularly conducts statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters because it invites fraud , coercion , theft , and otherwise illegitimate voting .
Fraudulent and invalid votes dilute the votes of honest citizens and deprive them of their right to vote in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment , ” the suit said .
The suit also said voters will be deprived of their rights because the governor “ reserved for himself the sole discretion to choose if and where voting will occur .
Such unbridled discretion , which leads to arbitrary and disparate of individual voters , violates the Equal Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit said California ’ s plan fails to acknowledge that voter registration rolls are often inaccurate due to “ bureaucratic failures , intentional fraud , and inadvertent mistakes.
” “ Because of these widespread inaccuracies , a state that sends ballots to all registered voters will necessarily send ballots to persons with fake registrations , invalid registrations , or outdated registrations .
Placing hundreds of thousands of ballots ‘ outside of both election officials ’ control and the hands of voters who are supposed to be casting them raises a serious threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electoral system , ” the lawsuit said .
Newsom Sued by The Western Journal on Scribd “ These risks are compounded by the practice of ballot harvesting — that is , coordinated efforts to have third parties collect absentee ballots from voters and drop them off at polling places or elections centers , ” it said .
The lawsuit noted that voting by mail has become a prime goal of the Democratic Party .
“ The Democratic National Committee , state Democratic parties , and several affiliated groups have filed lawsuits across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to no-excuse mail-in voting , eliminate voter-identification requirements , and remove other existing safeguards .
Democrats pushed these changes long before COVID-19 because they believe that the resulting free-for-all will help their electoral prospects .
Unable to persuade legislatures to adopt these changes , Democrats have turned to the courts , arguing that COVID-19 means that their preferred changes are now mandated by the Constitution , ” the suit said .
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel elaborated upon the partisan nature of voting by mail in a statement .
“ Democrats continue to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their partisan election agenda , and Governor Newsom ’ s executive order is the latest direct assault on the integrity of our elections , ” she said .
“ Newsom ’ s illegal power grab is a recipe for disaster that would destroy the confidence Californians deserve to have in the security of their vote.
” Padilla responded to the lawsuit on Twitter , saying , “ Expanding vote-by-mail during a pandemic is not a partisan issue — it ’ s a moral imperative to protect voting rights and public safety .
Vote-by-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red , blue , and purple states for years.
” The Democrat called the lawsuit part of President Donald Trump ’ s “ political smear campaign against voting by mail .
We will not let this virus be exploited for voter suppression.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Republicans on Sunday fired back against California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed voting-by-mail plan.
Earlier this month, Newsom issued an executive order to embrace voting by mail for the fall elections. The order indicated that in-person voting would still be allowed but said that “every Californian who is eligible to vote in the November 3, 2020 General Election shall receive a vote-by-mail ballot.”
The Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and California Republican Party filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
The suit targets Newsom and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, whose office oversees elections.
“In a direct usurpation of the legislature’s authority, Governor Newsom issued an executive order purporting to rewrite the entire election code for the November 2020 election,” the lawsuit said.
“This brazen power grab was not authorized by state law and violates both the Elections Clause and Electors Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Governor’s Order is invalid and must be enjoined,” it said.
The lawsuit said Newsom “created a system that will violate eligible citizens’ right to vote.”
“By ordering that vote-by-mail ballots be automatically sent to every registered voter — including inactive voters, voters with invalid registrations, voters who have moved, voters who have died, and voters who don’t want a ballot — he has created a recipe for disaster,” the suit said.
Although every state allows for mail-in absentee ballots, the scale of California’s effort is unique, according to the lawsuit.
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“No State that regularly conducts statewide all-mail elections automatically mails ballots to inactive voters because it invites fraud, coercion, theft, and otherwise illegitimate voting. Fraudulent and invalid votes dilute the votes of honest citizens and deprive them of their right to vote in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment,” the suit said.
The suit also said voters will be deprived of their rights because the governor “reserved for himself the sole discretion to choose if and where voting will occur. Such unbridled discretion, which leads to arbitrary and disparate of individual voters, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”
The suit said California’s plan fails to acknowledge that voter registration rolls are often inaccurate due to “bureaucratic failures, intentional fraud, and inadvertent mistakes.”
“Because of these widespread inaccuracies, a state that sends ballots to all registered voters will necessarily send ballots to persons with fake registrations, invalid registrations, or outdated registrations. Placing hundreds of thousands of ballots ‘outside of both election officials’ control and the hands of voters who are supposed to be casting them raises a serious threat to both the actual and perceived integrity of the electoral system,” the lawsuit said.
Newsom Sued by The Western Journal on Scribd
“These risks are compounded by the practice of ballot harvesting — that is, coordinated efforts to have third parties collect absentee ballots from voters and drop them off at polling places or elections centers,” it said.
The lawsuit noted that voting by mail has become a prime goal of the Democratic Party.
“The Democratic National Committee, state Democratic parties, and several affiliated groups have filed lawsuits across the country to force a hurried transition to no-excuse mail-in voting, eliminate voter-identification requirements, and remove other existing safeguards. Democrats pushed these changes long before COVID-19 because they believe that the resulting free-for-all will help their electoral prospects. Unable to persuade legislatures to adopt these changes, Democrats have turned to the courts, arguing that COVID-19 means that their preferred changes are now mandated by the Constitution,” the suit said.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel elaborated upon the partisan nature of voting by mail in a statement.
Make no mistake, Democrats are trying to use this pandemic to redesign our entire election system for political gain, and we will not let their brazen attempts go unchallenged. Go to https://t.co/ImFKSGulau and help us fight back! — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) May 24, 2020
“Democrats continue to use this pandemic as a ploy to implement their partisan election agenda, and Governor Newsom’s executive order is the latest direct assault on the integrity of our elections,” she said. “Newsom’s illegal power grab is a recipe for disaster that would destroy the confidence Californians deserve to have in the security of their vote.”
Padilla responded to the lawsuit on Twitter, saying, “Expanding vote-by-mail during a pandemic is not a partisan issue — it’s a moral imperative to protect voting rights and public safety. Vote-by-mail has been used safely and effectively in red, blue, and purple states for years.”
This lawsuit is just another part of Trump’s political smear campaign against voting by mail. We will not let this virus be exploited for voter suppression. (2/2) https://t.co/dGyp5sMbQ2 — Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) May 25, 2020
The Democrat called the lawsuit part of President Donald Trump’s “political smear campaign against voting by mail. We will not let this virus be exploited for voter suppression.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-25--Over 500 Doctors Sign Letter Telling POTUS: ‘Shutdown Was a Mass Casualty Event’

Remember the scorn and derision heaped on anyone who said that the deaths caused by the shutdown might be just as problematic as the deaths caused by COVID-19 ?
We ’ re not laughing anymore — not with real unemployment likely at roughly 20 percent and estimates of deaths of despair creeping higher with each number we see .
And , if you ’ re one of those people who wants to listen to the experts , listen to these 500-plus doctors who signed a letter to President Donald Trump calling the shutdown what it is : “ a mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Dr. Simone Gold , an emergency medicine specialist in Los Angeles .
“ We are frustrated , ” Gold said in an interview with Fox News Thursday , telling “ America ’ s Newsroom ” that “ there are thousands and thousands of stories of patient harm ” from the lockdown .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better In the letter , Gold compared the situation to triage .
“ During a mass casualty incident , victims are immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or green .
The first group , triage level black , includes those who require too many resources to save during a mass crisis , ” she wrote in the Tuesday letter .
“ The red group has severe injuries that are survivable with treatment , the yellow group has serious injuries that are not immediately life threatening , and the green group has minor injuries.
” The red group , she wrote , is the one that gets the most attention .
“ Millions of Americans are already at triage level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month who would have had a new cancer detected through routine screening that hasn ’ t happened , millions who have missed routine dental care to fix problems strongly linked to heart disease/death , and preventable cases of stroke , heart attack , and child abuse .
Suicide hotline phone calls have increased 600 % , ” she wrote .
“ Tens of millions are at triage level yellow .
Liquor sales have increased 300-600 % , cigarette sales have increased , rent has gone unpaid , family relationships have become frayed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed .
“ Hundreds of millions are at triage level green .
These are people who currently are solvent , but at risk should economic conditions worsen .
Poverty and financial uncertainty is closely linked to poor health.
” This isn ’ t just abstract theorizing , Gold wrote .
Instead , she provided examples that she or her colleagues have seen .
“ Patient E.S .
is a mother with two children whose office job was reduced to part-time and whose husband was furloughed .
The father is drinking more , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes well , and the children are barely doing any schoolwork , ” she wrote .
“ Patient A.F .
has chronic but previously stable health conditions .
Her elective hip replacement was delayed , which caused her to become nearly sedentary , resulting in a pulmonary embolism in April.
” Another nursing home patient had a stroke and has been receiving no rehabilitative care , causing him to lose weight and deteriorate instead of improving .
Another college freshman is unable to return to normal life , which puts him at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ future financial uncertainty.
” “ We are alarmed at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients .
The downstream health effects of deteriorating a level are being massively under-estimated and under-reported .
This is an order of magnitude error .
It is impossible to overstate the short , medium , and long-term harm to people ’ s health with a continued shutdown.
” “ Losing a job is one of life ’ s most stressful events , and the effect on a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it also has happened to 30 million other people .
Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children , teenagers , and young adults for decades to come .
The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight , but they will be called alcoholism , homelessness , suicide , heart attack , stroke , or kidney failure .
In youths it will be called financial instability , unemployment , despair , drug addiction , unplanned pregnancies , poverty , and abuse , ” Gold wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gold said the evidence of the crisis is undeniable .
“ I could read you heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story sent to me by physicians of patients that have died or suffered severe harm because they were afraid to go to the hospital and their own doctor ’ s offices were shut , ” she said Social media users have made the same point .
One used a picture of Los Angeles County beaches , which were closed by the pandemic but reopened for the Memorial Day weekend , to illustrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio that delays of regular care could mean a “ massive wave ” of cancer patients coming down the highway .
“ The last couple months have been historically low as far as volume , as far as screening , as far as cancer surgeries , basically because patients are concerned and very anxious to be going to a clinic environment , a hospital environment , because of their concerns regarding COVID-19 … Many patients are concerned about coming to visit us , to be screened for cancer , to be surveilled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , ” said Dr. Costanzo DiPerna , a thoracic surgeon in Carmichael , California , just outside Sacramento .
“ What I ’ m concerned about right now , not just for lung cancer but for all cancers , is are there patients out there that don ’ t want to come in because they ’ re afraid of getting COVID-19 ?
And , so , they avoid mammograms , they avoid cat scans , they avoid colonoscopies … Then in two years we ’ re hit with this massive wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of essentially incurable cancers.
” Yes , the number of people who have died of the coronavirus is massive .
However , the number of those who will end up dying from a complete shutdown is , as of yet , unknown — and it could end up being just as problematic .
When stroke evaluations drop 40 percent during the COVID-19 epidemic , there ’ s a real problem .
It ’ s not that we were suffering from too many stroke evaluations before the virus struck .
Instead , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary medical care , either because of fears of the disease or because that care simply isn ’ t available .
Make no mistake : This is a crisis .
It ’ s already too late to stop the deaths of despair and neglect of health that this will cause .
The question now is how deep it goes .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Remember the scorn and derision heaped on anyone who said that the deaths caused by the shutdown might be just as problematic as the deaths caused by COVID-19?
We’re not laughing anymore — not with real unemployment likely at roughly 20 percent and estimates of deaths of despair creeping higher with each number we see.
And, if you’re one of those people who wants to listen to the experts, listen to these 500-plus doctors who signed a letter to President Donald Trump calling the shutdown what it is: “a mass casualty incident.”
The letter was written by Dr. Simone Gold, an emergency medicine specialist in Los Angeles.
“We are frustrated,” Gold said in an interview with Fox News Thursday, telling “America’s Newsroom” that “there are thousands and thousands of stories of patient harm” from the lockdown.
In the letter, Gold compared the situation to triage.
“During a mass casualty incident, victims are immediately triaged to black, red, yellow, or green. The first group, triage level black, includes those who require too many resources to save during a mass crisis,” she wrote in the Tuesday letter.
“The red group has severe injuries that are survivable with treatment, the yellow group has serious injuries that are not immediately life threatening, and the green group has minor injuries.”
The red group, she wrote, is the one that gets the most attention.
Do you think the coronavirus lockdowns will end up costing more lives than they save? Yes No
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“Millions of Americans are already at triage level red. These include 150,000 Americans per month who would have had a new cancer detected through routine
screening that hasn’t happened, millions who have missed routine dental care to fix problems strongly linked to heart disease/death, and preventable cases of stroke, heart attack, and child abuse. Suicide hotline phone calls have increased 600%,” she wrote.
“Tens of millions are at triage level yellow. Liquor sales have increased 300-600%, cigarette sales have increased, rent has gone unpaid, family relationships have become frayed, and millions of well-child check-ups have been missed.
“Hundreds of millions are at triage level green. These are people who currently are solvent, but at risk should economic conditions worsen. Poverty and financial uncertainty is closely linked to poor health.”
This isn’t just abstract theorizing, Gold wrote. Instead, she provided examples that she or her colleagues have seen.
“Patient E.S. is a mother with two children whose office job was reduced to part-time and whose husband was furloughed. The father is drinking more, the mother is depressed and not managing her diabetes well, and the children are barely doing any schoolwork,” she wrote.
“Patient A.F. has chronic but previously stable health conditions. Her elective hip replacement was delayed, which caused her to become nearly sedentary, resulting in a pulmonary embolism in April.”
Another nursing home patient had a stroke and has been receiving no rehabilitative care, causing him to lose weight and deteriorate instead of improving. Another college freshman is unable to return to normal life, which puts him at risk of alcohol and drug abuse, depression and “future financial uncertainty.”
“We are alarmed at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients. The downstream health effects of deteriorating a level are being massively under-estimated and under-reported. This is an order of magnitude error. It is impossible to overstate the short, medium, and long-term harm to people’s health with a continued shutdown.”
“Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful events, and the effect on a person’s health is not lessened because it also has happened to 30 million other people. Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children, teenagers, and young adults for decades to come. The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight, but they will be called alcoholism, homelessness, suicide, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. In youths it will be called financial instability, unemployment, despair, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, and abuse,” Gold wrote.
In her interview with Fox News, Gold said the evidence of the crisis is undeniable.
“I could read you heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story sent to me by physicians of patients that have died or suffered severe harm because they were afraid to go to the hospital and their own doctor’s offices were shut,” she said
Social media users have made the same point. One used a picture of Los Angeles County beaches, which were closed by the pandemic but reopened for the Memorial Day weekend, to illustrate the problem.
originally, this (the shelter-in-place order) was put in place to flatten the curve and to make sure hospitals have the resources to take care of COVID patients.We have the current resources to do that, and our other community health is suffering.” https://t.co/7LePYrSpJx — VindiciaeContraTyrannos (@raphaellaN) May 25, 2020
Another physician told California Public Radio that delays of regular care could mean a “massive wave” of cancer patients coming down the highway.
“The last couple months have been historically low as far as volume, as far as screening, as far as cancer surgeries, basically because patients are concerned and very anxious to be going to a clinic environment, a hospital environment, because of their concerns regarding COVID-19 … Many patients are concerned about coming to visit us, to be screened for cancer, to be surveilled for their previous cancers we’ve taken out,” said Dr. Costanzo DiPerna, a thoracic surgeon in Carmichael, California, just outside Sacramento.
“What I’m concerned about right now, not just for lung cancer but for all cancers, is are there patients out there that don’t want to come in because they’re afraid of getting COVID-19? And, so, they avoid mammograms, they avoid cat scans, they avoid colonoscopies … Then in two years we’re hit with this massive wave of patients that are all at a later stage of essentially incurable cancers.”
DiPerna wasn’t a signatory of Gold’s letter.
Yes, the number of people who have died of the coronavirus is massive. However, the number of those who will end up dying from a complete shutdown is, as of yet, unknown — and it could end up being just as problematic.
When stroke evaluations drop 40 percent during the COVID-19 epidemic, there’s a real problem. It’s not that we were suffering from too many stroke evaluations before the virus struck. Instead, it’s caused people to put off necessary medical care, either because of fears of the disease or because that care simply isn’t available.
Make no mistake: This is a crisis. It’s already too late to stop the deaths of despair and neglect of health that this will cause. The question now is how deep it goes.
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westernjournal--2020-05-25--Reminder To Lock Your Car Doors: Vehicle Thefts Are On the Rise

The coronavirus hasn ’ t been kind to car owners .
With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19 , their sedans , pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets , making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves .
Despite silent streets and nearly nonexistent traffic , vehicle larcenies shot up 63 percent in New York and nearly 17 percent in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May compared with the same period last year .
And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime has dropped dramatically nationwide in the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s a low-risk crime with a potentially high reward , police say , especially when many drivers leave their doors unlocked or their keys inside .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better “ You might as well put a sticker on the window that says , ‘ Come take my stuff , ' ” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said .
In Austin , Texas , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby .
The total number of auto thefts in April spiked about 50 percent , and burglaries to vehicles were up 2 percent from April 2019 .
The virus has created a “ perfect storm , ” said Austin Police Sgt .
Chris Vetrano , a supervisor in the 11-detective auto theft unit that investigates stolen vehicle cases .
The elements for that storm : Drivers are at home and not using or checking their cars regularly , and school ’ s out so teenagers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work and have more time on their hands or need fast money to support a drug habit .
“ You can get on the internet nowadays and learn how to break into vehicles just searching YouTube , ” Vetrano said .
Salt Lake City Police Det .
Greg Wilking said a 22 percent spike in vehicle burglaries there could be from a few criminals working quickly on “ car prowls.
” “ It ’ s really 10 seconds , ” he said .
“ They ’ re not spending a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a smash-and-grab-and-go , ” sometimes in broad daylight .
Wilking worries the numbers will keep rising because “ people get more desperate as time goes on.
” In Baltimore , though , a push to reduce the city ’ s historically high numbers of vehicle thefts and burglaries appears to have paid off .
Thefts from autos plunged 24 percent and stolen vehicles dropped 19 percent from January to May compared with the same period last year .
Col. Richard Worley , the chief of patrol , in part credited aggressive efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , take their keys home and park in well-lit areas .
In this case , however , the pandemic also helped police .
Residents are home , driving less and keeping an eye on the neighborhood , and officers now have time for proactive patrols because calls for service and violent crime have decreased .
A thief was recently arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters during a motor vehicle stop .
Sometimes , however , it ’ s just a matter of luck — as in the case of Lindsey Eldridge , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who left her keys in her car ’ s cupholder .
She realized her mistake just before falling asleep .
Eldridge said she “ could have been a statistic.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The coronavirus hasn’t been kind to car owners.
With more people than ever staying home to lessen the spread of COVID-19, their sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs are parked unattended on the streets, making them easy targets for opportunistic thieves.
Despite silent streets and nearly nonexistent traffic, vehicle larcenies shot up 63 percent in New York and nearly 17 percent in Los Angeles from Jan. 1 through mid-May compared with the same period last year.
And many other law enforcement agencies around the U.S. are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries, even as violent crime has dropped dramatically nationwide in the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s a low-risk crime with a potentially high reward, police say, especially when many drivers leave their doors unlocked or their keys inside.
“You might as well put a sticker on the window that says, ‘Come take my stuff,'” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.
In Austin, Texas, last month, a whopping 72 percent of the 322 stolen vehicles had their keys nearby. The total number of auto thefts in April spiked about 50 percent, and burglaries to vehicles were up 2 percent from April 2019.
The virus has created a “perfect storm,” said Austin Police Sgt. Chris Vetrano, a supervisor in the 11-detective auto theft unit that investigates stolen vehicle cases.
The elements for that storm: Drivers are at home and not using or checking their cars regularly, and school’s out so teenagers are trying their luck.
Criminals are out of work and have more time on their hands or need fast money to support a drug habit.
“You can get on the internet nowadays and learn how to break into vehicles just searching YouTube,” Vetrano said.
(He should know: Someone broke into his locked Ford F-150 pickup truck, one of the most commonly stolen vehicles, about a year ago.)
Salt Lake City Police Det. Greg Wilking said a 22 percent spike in vehicle burglaries there could be from a few criminals working quickly on “car prowls.”
“It’s really 10 seconds,” he said. “They’re not spending a lot of time in your car. It’s a smash-and-grab-and-go,” sometimes in broad daylight.
Wilking worries the numbers will keep rising because “people get more desperate as time goes on.”
In Baltimore, though, a push to reduce the city’s historically high numbers of vehicle thefts and burglaries appears to have paid off. Thefts from autos plunged 24 percent and stolen vehicles dropped 19 percent from January to May compared with the same period last year.
Col. Richard Worley, the chief of patrol, in part credited aggressive efforts to remind residents to lock their cars, take their keys home and park in well-lit areas. In this case, however, the pandemic also helped police.
Residents are home, driving less and keeping an eye on the neighborhood, and officers now have time for proactive patrols because calls for service and violent crime have decreased. A thief was recently arrested with 13 stolen catalytic converters during a motor vehicle stop.
Sometimes, however, it’s just a matter of luck — as in the case of Lindsey Eldridge, the police department’s community outreach coordinator, who left her keys in her car’s cupholder. She realized her mistake just before falling asleep.
Eldridge said she “could have been a statistic.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-25--Groundbreaking Work To Keep Rare Rhino Subspecies Alive Has Stalled: ‘Time Is Working Against Us’

Groundbreaking work to keep alive the nearly extinct northern white rhino subspecies — population , two — by in-vitro fertilization has been stalled by travel restrictions .
And time is running out .
The two northern white rhinos are female .
The goal is to create viable embryos in a lab by inseminating their eggs with frozen sperm from dead males , then transfer them into a surrogate mother , a more common southern white rhino .
As of January , three embryos had been created and stored in liquid nitrogen .
But further key steps now have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , like everything else , ” said Richard Vigne , managing director of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya , home of the two remaining rhinos .
“ That is , the process of collecting more eggs from the females as well as the process of developing the technique to introduce the northern white rhino embryo into the southern white rhino females , ” he said .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better It ’ s an international effort that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic , Germany and Italy — many affected by closed borders or restricted travel .
For those involved in the effort , acutely aware of time , the delay can be painful .
The procedure to create viable embryos has proven to be safe , they say , and can be performed regularly before the animals become too old .
In January , the transfer of the embryos to surrogates had been planned for the coming months .
In March , the plan had been to collect another round of eggs from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are limited , scientists are working with embryos from southern white rhinos until they can establish a successful pregnancy .
Seven or eight transfers so far have failed to take hold .
A receptive female is needed , along with the knowledge of exactly when she ovulates .
“ We know time is working against us , ” said Cesare Galli , an in-vitro fertilization expert based in Italy .
“ The females will age , and we don ’ t have many to choose from.
” He hopes restrictions on international travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key steps can resume in August .
“ The problem is quite serious , ” he said .
“ Certainly as soon as international travel is resumed , it will be the first priority to go ” to Kenya and collect more eggs from the two females .
Even when travel can resume , another problem looms .
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy also is home to primates that are susceptible to the coronavirus , Galli said .
RELATED : Pack of Dogs Suspected To Be Responsible for Death of Georgia Doctor “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s an additional risk , ” he said .
“ You threaten one species to save another.
” So for now , the two northern white rhinos wait .
Fatu and her mother , Najin , roam and graze within sight of rangers in the company of one intended surrogate mother , a southern white rhino named Tewa .
One of the rhinos ’ keepers , Zachariah Mutai , was sympathetic .
“ They won ’ t have a chance anymore to have babies in a natural way , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scientific way , ” he said .
The ultimate goal is to create a herd of at least five animals that could be returned to their natural habitat in Africa .
That could take decades .
Decades of poaching have taken a heavy toll on rhino species .
The animals are killed for their horns , which have long been used as carving material and prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed healing properties .
The last male northern white rhino was a 45-year-old named Sudan , who gained fame in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World ” on the Tinder dating app as part of a fundraising effort .
He was euthanized in 2018 because of age-related ills .
This effort to keep the northern white rhino subspecies alive has been a good way to draw the world ’ s attention to the issue of extinction , Vigne said .
“ The rate of extinction of species on this planet is now the fastest that has ever been recorded , much faster than the rate dinosaurs went extinct , and that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ So there comes a time where we have to draw a line … and say no more.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Groundbreaking work to keep alive the nearly extinct northern white rhino subspecies — population, two — by in-vitro fertilization has been stalled by travel restrictions. And time is running out.
The two northern white rhinos are female. The goal is to create viable embryos in a lab by inseminating their eggs with frozen sperm from dead males, then transfer them into a surrogate mother, a more common southern white rhino.
As of January, three embryos had been created and stored in liquid nitrogen. But further key steps now have to wait.
“It has been disrupted by COVID-19, like everything else,” said Richard Vigne, managing director of Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, home of the two remaining rhinos.
“That is, the process of collecting more eggs from the females as well as the process of developing the technique to introduce the northern white rhino embryo into the southern white rhino females,” he said.
It’s an international effort that includes conservationists from Kenya, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy — many affected by closed borders or restricted travel.
For those involved in the effort, acutely aware of time, the delay can be painful.
The procedure to create viable embryos has proven to be safe, they say, and can be performed regularly before the animals become too old.
In January, the transfer of the embryos to surrogates had been planned for the coming months. In March, the plan had been to collect another round of eggs from the two remaining females.
Because those eggs are limited, scientists are working with embryos from southern white rhinos until they can establish a successful pregnancy. Seven or eight transfers so far have failed to take hold. A receptive female is needed, along with the knowledge of exactly when she ovulates.
“We know time is working against us,” said Cesare Galli, an in-vitro fertilization expert based in Italy. “The females will age, and we don’t have many to choose from.”
He hopes restrictions on international travel will loosen in the coming weeks so key steps can resume in August.
“The problem is quite serious,” he said. “Certainly as soon as international travel is resumed, it will be the first priority to go” to Kenya and collect more eggs from the two females.
Even when travel can resume, another problem looms. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy also is home to primates that are susceptible to the coronavirus, Galli said.
“If you bring in the virus accidentally, it’s an additional risk,” he said. “You threaten one species to save another.”
So for now, the two northern white rhinos wait. Fatu and her mother, Najin, roam and graze within sight of rangers in the company of one intended surrogate mother, a southern white rhino named Tewa.
One of the rhinos’ keepers, Zachariah Mutai, was sympathetic.
“They won’t have a chance anymore to have babies in a natural way, but the only hope is to save them with the scientific way,” he said.
The ultimate goal is to create a herd of at least five animals that could be returned to their natural habitat in Africa. That could take decades.
Decades of poaching have taken a heavy toll on rhino species. The animals are killed for their horns, which have long been used as carving material and prized in traditional Chinese medicine for their supposed healing properties.
The last male northern white rhino was a 45-year-old named Sudan, who gained fame in 2017 when he was listed as “The Most Eligible Bachelor in the World” on the Tinder dating app as part of a fundraising effort. He was euthanized in 2018 because of age-related ills.
Sudan, a northern white rhino and the last male of his subspecies, has died. Photographer @Amivee chronicled the final moments of his life and says there is still hope for the future of his kind. https://t.co/K3jWDdA6mp via @CNNPhotos pic.twitter.com/64TgyBLwjA — CNN (@CNN) March 24, 2018
This effort to keep the northern white rhino subspecies alive has been a good way to draw the world’s attention to the issue of extinction, Vigne said.
“The rate of extinction of species on this planet is now the fastest that has ever been recorded, much faster than the rate dinosaurs went extinct, and that is as a result of human activity,” he said. “So there comes a time where we have to draw a line … and say no more.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-25--Woods and Manning Beat Mickelson and Brady in Thrilling Match That Had It All

Tom Brady delivered the shot of the match that made it easy to forget the rest of his swings .
Tiger Woods didn ’ t miss a fairway and earned a small measure of revenge against Phil Mickelson .
The PGA Tour is set to return in just over two weeks , and it has a tough act to follow .
In the second and final charity match that brought live golf to TV , the exhibition Sunday was as entertaining as the real thing .
Woods lagged a long birdie putt close enough that his partner , Peyton Manning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That secured a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Brady in “ The Match : Champions for Charity.
” The goal was to raise $ 10 million or more for COVID-19 relief funds , and online donations sent money climbing toward roughly twice that much .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better This made-for-TV exhibition would have been worth pay-per-view , the model Woods and Mickelson used for a $ 9 million winner-take-all match in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff under lights .
It felt forced , lacked banter and faced technical issues .
Throw in two NFL greats in Brady and Manning , and this allowed viewers to ride along for 18 holes at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound , Florida , among four of the biggest stars in sports .
Justin Thomas pitched in as an on-course reporter , bringing a mixture of humor and insight with the right amount of words .
Woods and Manning took the lead on the third hole and never trailed , building a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine , with Manning making two birdies ( one was a net par ) .
Brady , whose six Super Bowl titles are more than any NFL quarterback in history , took a beating on social media and in the broadcast booth from Charles Barkley , who twice offered $ 50,000 of his own money toward charity if Brady just hit the green on a par 3 .
He missed so far right it would be comparable to a pass that landed three rows into the stands .
RELATED : World 's Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't Golf with Him Again New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton weighed in on Twitter , noting Brady signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay by saying he liked the “ Florida ” Brady much better .
Brooks Koepka offered $ 100,000 if Brady could just make a par .
On top of that , Brady was ridiculed after splitting his pants .
One shot shut everyone up .
Never mind that Brady had to take a penalty drop before getting back to the fairway on the par-5 seventh .
With his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relentlessly , Brady ’ s shot landed beyond the pin and spun back into the cup .
“ Shut your mouth , Chuck , ” said Brady , whose microphone piece dangled off the back of his pants .
Woods still thought he won the hole with a 25-foot eagle putt that instead spun hard off the back of the lip .
All that , and they ended up halving the hole .
Donations for COVID-19 relief funds kept piling up , and the entertainment didn ’ t stop even as the rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start , and as Woods said on the practice range , “ I don ’ t normally play in conditions like this.
” Mickelson brought out his “ Tiger Slayer ” putter that he used to shoot 64 at Pebble Beach in 2012 , the last time they were in the final group on the PGA Tour .
Woods shot 75 that day .
It didn ’ t help Lefty with a few critical birdie putts to square the match , though he rolled in a 15-foot par putt to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The back nine was modified alternate shot — all players hit tee shots , and it was alternate shot from there .
It was key for the quarterbacks to find the fairway for the pros to hit shots into the green , and Brady came through until the 18th .
Woods was playing for the first time since Feb. 16 when he finished last at Riviera in Los Angeles .
He chose not to play the next four weeks with his back not feeling just right , and then the pandemic shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp for the most part , with his game and his words .
Mickelson on the fifth hole asked Woods to mark his ball from some 80 yards away .
“ You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal ?
” said Woods , a three-time champion of the only major Mickelson hasn ’ t won .
“ Do you have one ?
I have some silver ones , ” Mickelson said , referring to his record six runner-up finishes .
Mickelson boasted about taking Woods down on his home course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matches are tied at 1 , even with each getting a little help .
Mickelson said he was a little nervous on the front nine until he found his groove , driving the green on the par-4 11th with Brady making a 20-footer for eagle that began their rally .
“ Phil said he was nervous .
I know Tom and I were comparing notes , ” Manning said .
“ To be behind the ropes in these guys ’ worlds , to be in the arena with them , it was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable the entire time .
Knowing $ 20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times , it was an honor to be invited .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Tom Brady delivered the shot of the match that made it easy to forget the rest of his swings. Tiger Woods didn’t miss a fairway and earned a small measure of revenge against Phil Mickelson.
The PGA Tour is set to return in just over two weeks, and it has a tough act to follow.
In the second and final charity match that brought live golf to TV, the exhibition Sunday was as entertaining as the real thing.
Woods lagged a long birdie putt close enough that his partner, Peyton Manning, didn’t have to putt. That secured a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity.”
The goal was to raise $10 million or more for COVID-19 relief funds, and online donations sent money climbing toward roughly twice that much.
This made-for-TV exhibition would have been worth pay-per-view, the model Woods and Mickelson used for a $9 million winner-take-all match in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend in 2018 that Mickelson won in a playoff under lights. It felt forced, lacked banter and faced technical issues.
Throw in two NFL greats in Brady and Manning, and this allowed viewers to ride along for 18 holes at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, among four of the biggest stars in sports.
Justin Thomas pitched in as an on-course reporter, bringing a mixture of humor and insight with the right amount of words.
Woods and Manning took the lead on the third hole and never trailed, building a 3-up lead in fourballs on the front nine, with Manning making two birdies (one was a net par).
Peyton Manning came to play today. That’s a birdie for the 2-time Super Bowl champ.#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/8G2DVPFM6E — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 24, 2020
Brady, whose six Super Bowl titles are more than any NFL quarterback in history, took a beating on social media and in the broadcast booth from Charles Barkley, who twice offered $50,000 of his own money toward charity if Brady just hit the green on a par 3.
He missed so far right it would be comparable to a pass that landed three rows into the stands.
Chuck said he’d throw in $50K if Brady could hit the green… Wasn’t even close ? (➡@Progressive) pic.twitter.com/9bVGnaYNBx — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2020
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton weighed in on Twitter, noting Brady signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay by saying he liked the “Florida” Brady much better.
Brooks Koepka offered $100,000 if Brady could just make a par.
On top of that, Brady was ridiculed after splitting his pants.
Next time I’ll make sure to be wearing my @UAGolf pants ?♂ #LessonLearned https://t.co/GauGM9ZLdl — Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 25, 2020
One shot shut everyone up.
Never mind that Brady had to take a penalty drop before getting back to the fairway on the par-5 seventh. With his fourth shot, with Barkley needling him relentlessly, Brady’s shot landed beyond the pin and spun back into the cup.
“Shut your mouth, Chuck,” said Brady, whose microphone piece dangled off the back of his pants.
Never doubt @TomBrady. Charles Barkley learned the hard way … pic.twitter.com/muZ0xkt5xJ — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 24, 2020
Woods still thought he won the hole with a 25-foot eagle putt that instead spun hard off the back of the lip. All that, and they ended up halving the hole.
Donations for COVID-19 relief funds kept piling up, and the entertainment didn’t stop even as the rain returned. It caused a 45-minute delay at the start, and as Woods said on the practice range, “I don’t normally play in conditions like this.”
Mickelson brought out his “Tiger Slayer” putter that he used to shoot 64 at Pebble Beach in 2012, the last time they were in the final group on the PGA Tour. Woods shot 75 that day. It didn’t help Lefty with a few critical birdie putts to square the match, though he rolled in a 15-foot par putt to stay 1 down with two to play.
The back nine was modified alternate shot — all players hit tee shots, and it was alternate shot from there. It was key for the quarterbacks to find the fairway for the pros to hit shots into the green, and Brady came through until the 18th.
Woods was playing for the first time since Feb. 16 when he finished last at Riviera in Los Angeles. He chose not to play the next four weeks with his back not feeling just right, and then the pandemic shut down golf and sports worldwide.
Would you like to see more events like this? Yes No
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Woods looked sharp for the most part, with his game and his words. Mickelson on the fifth hole asked Woods to mark his ball from some 80 yards away.
“You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal?” said Woods, a three-time champion of the only major Mickelson hasn’t won.
“Do you have one? I have some silver ones,” Mickelson said, referring to his record six runner-up finishes.
Mickelson boasted about taking Woods down on his home course at Medalist, and now their TV matches are tied at 1, even with each getting a little help. Mickelson said he was a little nervous on the front nine until he found his groove, driving the green on the par-4 11th with Brady making a 20-footer for eagle that began their rally.
All in a day’s work. $20 million raised for COVID-19 relief efforts. ? pic.twitter.com/0u7IrhagwA — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 25, 2020
“Phil said he was nervous. I know Tom and I were comparing notes,” Manning said. “To be behind the ropes in these guys’ worlds, to be in the arena with them, it was really a special experience. I was not comfortable the entire time. Knowing $20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times, it was an honor to be invited.
“It’s something I’ll always remember.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-05-26--Wife Snaps Photos of Husband’s Attempts To Make the Bed for First Time in 45 Years

When you focus your attention on becoming an expert at something , there are plenty of other things that fall by the wayside .
For former hardwood flooring store boss Jim Sterling , those neglected skills involved some pretty mundane chores .
Jim and Joanne Sterling live in Manson , Washington , and once Jim retired from his job , Joanne warned him he ’ d be expected to earn his keep on the homefront .
“ Once he ’ d retired , I told him he had to start pulling his own weight and start helping out around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Mail .
It started with the bed .
Few tasks bring as instant a sense of order to a chaotic room as making a bed , though there are a few particulars and variables that can throw the novice bed-maker — like how to arrange an impractical number of decorative pillows .
Jim may not count as a novice , but according to Joanne it ’ s been 45 years since he last tucked in any sheets or smoothed out any comforters , and she has posted photos to prove it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge of making the bed every morning , ” she shared on May 9 .
“ I don ’ t think he knows what to do with the extra pillows.
” “ When he did the first one , he didn ’ t say anything about it , ” she said .
“ He just let me find it on my own.
” “ I just don ’ t think he had any idea what to do with the extra pillows , so put them anywhere.
” “ His designs are funny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so happy he is making the bed every morning.
” The arrangements are creative and clever if not exactly standard .
But that ’ s part of the fun ; based on the photos Joanne has been posting , it seems Jim almost enjoys the process .
RELATED : Husband Dresses in Costumes To Embarrass His Wife During Her Zoom Meetings “ He still doesn ’ t tell me about what he ’ s done , he just leaves it as a surprise for me when I walk into the bedroom , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this way until we go to bed , and I giggle every time I pass by it.
” At first Jim just arranged the multitude of pillows in entertaining and unorthodox ways .
Eventually , he started adding props .
For Joanne , though , it ’ s the first one that she ’ ll always remember .
“ My favorite was the very first one because it made me laugh so hard .
It keeps us both in a good mood.
” It was a shock to them both when they started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their domestic antics .
“ I couldn ’ t believe the interest his little creations have had , ” Joanne said .
“ I guess other couples can just relate to a husband not knowing what he ’ s doing around the house.
” “ Now he thinks he ’ s famous , I think it ’ s starting to egg him on .
He has even started incorporating props like teddies and even an inflatable flamingo.
” There has been at least one day of “ strike ” in which the bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it , but perhaps a little quiet , lighthearted humor like his is something we could all use right now .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When you focus your attention on becoming an expert at something, there are plenty of other things that fall by the wayside. For former hardwood flooring store boss Jim Sterling, those neglected skills involved some pretty mundane chores.
Jim and Joanne Sterling live in Manson, Washington, and once Jim retired from his job, Joanne warned him he’d be expected to earn his keep on the homefront.
“Once he’d retired, I told him he had to start pulling his own weight and start helping out around the house,” she told the U.K. Daily Mail.
It started with the bed.
Few tasks bring as instant a sense of order to a chaotic room as making a bed, though there are a few particulars and variables that can throw the novice bed-maker — like how to arrange an impractical number of decorative pillows.
Jim may not count as a novice, but according to Joanne it’s been 45 years since he last tucked in any sheets or smoothed out any comforters, and she has posted photos to prove it.
“After 45 years Jim is in charge of making the bed every morning,” she shared on May 9. “I don’t think he knows what to do with the extra pillows.”
“When he did the first one, he didn’t say anything about it,” she said. “He just let me find it on my own.”
“I just don’t think he had any idea what to do with the extra pillows, so put them anywhere.”
“His designs are funny, but honestly, I’m just so happy he is making the bed every morning.”
The arrangements are creative and clever if not exactly standard. But that’s part of the fun; based on the photos Joanne has been posting, it seems Jim almost enjoys the process.
“He still doesn’t tell me about what he’s done, he just leaves it as a surprise for me when I walk into the bedroom,” she explained. “The bed stays this way until we go to bed, and I giggle every time I pass by it.”
At first Jim just arranged the multitude of pillows in entertaining and unorthodox ways. Eventually, he started adding props. For Joanne, though, it’s the first one that she’ll always remember.
“My favorite was the very first one because it made me laugh so hard. It keeps us both in a good mood.”
It was a shock to them both when they started getting a lot of notice online for their domestic antics.
“I couldn’t believe the interest his little creations have had,” Joanne said. “I guess other couples can just relate to a husband not knowing what he’s doing around the house.”
“Now he thinks he’s famous, I think it’s starting to egg him on. He has even started incorporating props like teddies and even an inflatable flamingo.”
There has been at least one day of “strike” in which the bed remained a mess because Jim refused to make it, but perhaps a little quiet, lighthearted humor like his is something we could all use right now.
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westernjournal--2020-05-26--Rush Limbaugh Gives Update on Grueling Cancer Treatment: ‘Just Waking Up Is a Blessing’

Nationally syndicated conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh acknowledged on his show Tuesday that his cancer battle is taking a toll .
Limbaugh first announced in early February that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer .
A day later , he was brought to tears during the State of the Union address when President Donald Trump announced he was being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation ’ s highest civilian honor .
On Tuesday , Limbaugh revealed that he is in the third wave of treatment , and that it is “ kicking my a–.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this is the third wave , and this current wave , I have to tell you , is kicking my a– , ” he said , according to a transcript on RushLimbaugh.com .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better “ For the last seven days , I have been virtually worthless , virtually useless .
I haven ’ t left the house .
I haven ’ t done much of anything except just try to rest and relax .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it was gon na be a factor.
” The fact that the battle is taking a toll isn ’ t surprising , Limbaugh said , but it ’ s difficult nonetheless .
“ I mean , nothing is happening that was not told me to me , ” he said .
“ Nothing I haven ’ t been warned about .
And this is what I mean by those of you who have gone through this , you know what it is.
” “ It ’ s the cost .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you make the decision to go ahead and do treatment to try to prolong your life .
I ’ m doing extremely well , all things considered , the fact that I ’ m even here today.
” Every day , Limbaugh said he wakes up and thanks God that he alive .
He knows others are praying for him as well , and said he believes those prayers are working .
“ Just waking up is a blessing , ” Limbaugh said .
“ I know many of you are praying daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they work .
I believe that they are sustaining me , and I pray for the energy to be able to do this.
” Even doing his daily radio show saps him of energy , Limbaugh said .
“ I do not have the energy that I used to have , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t realize until I got sick … I honestly didn ’ t .
You ’ re gon na think this is strange .
I didn ’ t realize how much physical and mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way I do them , with no guests — and , you know , I don ’ t do anything to give myself a break during the three hours to take , not even that many phone calls on a normal basis.
” Limbaugh said he is currently in the second week of the third phase of treatment .
“ There has been one particular kind of treatment that works in 97 percent of patients and did not work in me , and it ’ s because of a 1 percent mutation I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place , ” he said .
“ That 1 percent mutation is theorized to nullify the second phase of treatment that we tried.
” “ Even in the first phase where I was in the midst of a clinical trial — stage two of a clinical trial , not even stage three , and these are relatively brand-new drugs .
These are the drugs that kept me out of here for two weeks and I didn ’ t even know where I was .
They did a number on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related effects .
But it would have killed me if I ’ d have stayed on it.
” Amid this difficult time , Limbaugh said he is thankful for the constant support of his wife , Kathryn .
“ I have never experienced anybody so selfless .
I marvel at her selflessness .
I don ’ t know how she does it .
This is as devastating for her as it is me , ” he said .
“ But she doesn ’ t allow herself to get down — or , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it .
She has this ability to immerse herself in other people ’ s sadness and disappointment and make them feel better .
And not with pep talks .
Not with things like that .
“ Just by virtue of her countenance and her being .
She is able to appear optimistic , happy .
I mean , bouncy on occasion , ” Limbaugh added .
“ No complaining .
Which is such a blessing , ’ cause I don ’ t know how to deal with people that complain , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the things that she is doing to ease me through this and to make it as less arduous for me that it can be , I ’ m blessed.
” The conservative radio show host has previously expressed confidence that his fans ’ prayers are working .
“ I ’ m thinking there are more prayers for me in this country than can be counted , than can be tabulated , ” he said in mid-February .
“ And I just am confident as heck that they matter , that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an ongoing and neverending thank you to everybody.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Nationally syndicated conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh acknowledged on his show Tuesday that his cancer battle is taking a toll.
Limbaugh first announced in early February that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer.
A day later, he was brought to tears during the State of the Union address when President Donald Trump announced he was being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
On Tuesday, Limbaugh revealed that he is in the third wave of treatment, and that it is “kicking my a–.”
“There have been many cycles, but this is the third wave, and this current wave, I have to tell you, is kicking my a–,” he said, according to a transcript on RushLimbaugh.com.
“For the last seven days, I have been virtually worthless, virtually useless. I haven’t left the house. I haven’t done much of anything except just try to rest and relax. All of this was told to me; it was gonna be a factor.”
The fact that the battle is taking a toll isn’t surprising, Limbaugh said, but it’s difficult nonetheless.
“I mean, nothing is happening that was not told me to me,” he said. “Nothing I haven’t been warned about. And this is what I mean by those of you who have gone through this, you know what it is.”
“It’s the cost. It’s the price that you pay if you make the decision to go ahead and do treatment to try to prolong your life. I’m doing extremely well, all things considered, the fact that I’m even here today.”
Are you a regular listener to Rush Limbaugh's radio show? Yes No
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Every day, Limbaugh said he wakes up and thanks God that he alive. He knows others are praying for him as well, and said he believes those prayers are working.
“Just waking up is a blessing,” Limbaugh said. “I know many of you are praying daily and nightly. I happen to believe that they work. I believe that they are sustaining me, and I pray for the energy to be able to do this.”
Even doing his daily radio show saps him of energy, Limbaugh said.
“I do not have the energy that I used to have,” he said.
“I didn’t realize until I got sick … I honestly didn’t. You’re gonna think this is strange. I didn’t realize how much physical and mental energy doing these three hours — the way I do them, with no guests — and, you know, I don’t do anything to give myself a break during the three hours to take, not even that many phone calls on a normal basis.”
Limbaugh said he is currently in the second week of the third phase of treatment.
“There has been one particular kind of treatment that works in 97 percent of patients and did not work in me, and it’s because of a 1 percent mutation I have that led to my lung cancer in the first place,” he said. “That 1 percent mutation is theorized to nullify the second phase of treatment that we tried.”
“Even in the first phase where I was in the midst of a clinical trial — stage two of a clinical trial, not even stage three, and these are relatively brand-new drugs. These are the drugs that kept me out of here for two weeks and I didn’t even know where I was. They did a number on the tumor. They shrunk the tumor and related effects. But it would have killed me if I’d have stayed on it.”
Amid this difficult time, Limbaugh said he is thankful for the constant support of his wife, Kathryn.
“I have never experienced anybody so selfless. I marvel at her selflessness. I don’t know how she does it. This is as devastating for her as it is me,” he said.
“But she doesn’t allow herself to get down — or, if she does, I don’t see it. She has this ability to immerse herself in other people’s sadness and disappointment and make them feel better. And not with pep talks. Not with things like that.
“Just by virtue of her countenance and her being. She is able to appear optimistic, happy. I mean, bouncy on occasion,” Limbaugh added.
“No complaining. Which is such a blessing, ’cause I don’t know how to deal with people that complain, since I don’t complain much. But the things that she is doing to ease me through this and to make it as less arduous for me that it can be, I’m blessed.”
The conservative radio show host has previously expressed confidence that his fans’ prayers are working.
“I’m thinking there are more prayers for me in this country than can be counted, than can be tabulated,” he said in mid-February.
“And I just am confident as heck that they matter, that they’re effective. So please accept this as an ongoing and neverending thank you to everybody.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-26--‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Star Trek’ Actor Richard Herd Has Passed Away

Richard Herd , known best for his role as Mr. Wilhelm on “ Seinfeld ” and his appearances in three “ Star Trek ” shows , has passed away at age 87 .
According to The Wrap , a source confirmed that the actor and artist died from “ cancer-related causes ” in his Los Angeles home .
His family was with him at the time .
Born in Boston , Massachusetts , on Sept. 26 , 1932 , Herd almost didn ’ t live to have his spot on the screen .
“ I had osteomyelitis , a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t survive , ” Herd told The Patriot Ledger in 2015 .
“ I became ill in second grade and went to the Cotting School , as it ’ s now known , in Lexington , for young people with various ailments.
” TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better “ I was in and out of Boston Children ’ s Hospital .
Lying there , month after month , you become very stoic .
It really stimulated my imagination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an actor.
” As he grew up , he adopted a normal routine , picking up a job to help pay for his interest in sports .
“ I had a paper route for The Brockton Enterprise , ” he added .
“ I delivered to over a hundred houses , through rain , shine or snow .
On your bike on a snowy winter ’ s day , it could be pretty freaky , but I loved it because it helped pay for my first baseball mitt.
” By 6th grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and at 19 he began studying art and acting .
He began to get parts in film and television , which eventually led to his involvement with both “ Star Trek ” and “ Seinfeld.
” “ ‘ Seinfeld ’ was one of the best jobs I ever had , ” he said .
“ It got me a tremendous amount of recognition and still does because it plays all the time.
” He ended up playing George Costanza ’ s New York Yankees supervisor , Mr. Wilhelm .
But according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have gotten the job based on something he said on his way out of the audition .
“ It was easy .
It was fun .
It was very inviting , ” he said .
“ And as I left , I turned around and said , ‘ Look , I have to tell you this .
I hope it doesn ’ t make a difference , but I ’ m a Red Sox fan.
’ And they all threw their scripts at me .
The next day they said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
” “ He was always doing things that never got done and always going over to Mr. Steinbrenner and apologizing to him , ” Herd said of his character in a 2016 interview , according to The Hollywood Reporter .
“ Some days , he had clear days , other days he didn ’ t .
He was very vulnerable .
He had an odd sense of humor … He was way out there on occasion .
I ’ ve taken a few trips out there , so I know all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t recognize Herd ’ s name , they would recognize him .
“ I stopped at towns along the way for directions to the local junkyards , ” Herd said in 2015 .
“ People would stare at me and ask , ‘ Aren ’ t you an actor ?
Weren ’ t you on ‘ Seinfeld ’ ? '
” Artistically inclined , Herd was also known for his paintings , jewelry designs and musical talent .
According to the Chicago Tribune , he is survived by his wife , Patricia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alicia and Rick .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Richard Herd, known best for his role as Mr. Wilhelm on “Seinfeld” and his appearances in three “Star Trek” shows, has passed away at age 87.
According to The Wrap, a source confirmed that the actor and artist died from “cancer-related causes” in his Los Angeles home. His family was with him at the time.
Richard Herd, ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Star Trek’ actor, dies at age 87 https://t.co/uY3TMvNTM7 pic.twitter.com/6VNh6UZt2P — New York Post (@nypost) May 26, 2020
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 26, 1932, Herd almost didn’t live to have his spot on the screen.
“I had osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection, and almost didn’t survive,” Herd told The Patriot Ledger in 2015. “I became ill in second grade and went to the Cotting School, as it’s now known, in Lexington, for young people with various ailments.”
“I was in and out of Boston Children’s Hospital. Lying there, month after month, you become very stoic. It really stimulated my imagination, and I think actually helped me later as an actor.”
As he grew up, he adopted a normal routine, picking up a job to help pay for his interest in sports.
“I had a paper route for The Brockton Enterprise,” he added. “I delivered to over a hundred houses, through rain, shine or snow. On your bike on a snowy winter’s day, it could be pretty freaky, but I loved it because it helped pay for my first baseball mitt.”
By 6th grade, Herd was in a school play, and at 19 he began studying art and acting. He began to get parts in film and television, which eventually led to his involvement with both “Star Trek” and “Seinfeld.”
“‘Seinfeld’ was one of the best jobs I ever had,” he said. “It got me a tremendous amount of recognition and still does because it plays all the time.”
He ended up playing George Costanza’s New York Yankees supervisor, Mr. Wilhelm.
But according to Herd, he was worried he might not have gotten the job based on something he said on his way out of the audition.
“It was easy. It was fun. It was very inviting,” he said. “And as I left, I turned around and said, ‘Look, I have to tell you this. I hope it doesn’t make a difference, but I’m a Red Sox fan.’ And they all threw their scripts at me. The next day they said, ‘Come on out and play with us.'”
“He was always doing things that never got done and always going over to Mr. Steinbrenner and apologizing to him,” Herd said of his character in a 2016 interview, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Some days, he had clear days, other days he didn’t. He was very vulnerable. He had an odd sense of humor … He was way out there on occasion. I’ve taken a few trips out there, so I know all about it.”
Even when people wouldn’t recognize Herd’s name, they would recognize him.
“I stopped at towns along the way for directions to the local junkyards,” Herd said in 2015. “People would stare at me and ask, ‘Aren’t you an actor? Weren’t you on ‘Seinfeld’?'”
Artistically inclined, Herd was also known for his paintings, jewelry designs and musical talent. According to the Chicago Tribune, he is survived by his wife, Patricia Crowder Herd, and his children Erica, Alicia and Rick.
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westernjournal--2020-05-26--Joy Behar Claims Trump Supporters Are ‘Pawns’ and ‘Do Not Realize’ It

Joy Behar asserted on Tuesday that supporters of President Donald Trump are not intelligent enough to realize that they are “ pawns ” being used by Trump so he can win the November election .
The co-host of ABC ’ s “ The View ” was speaking about how some people are hesitant to wear masks amid the coronavirus pandemic when she linked that reluctance to the politics of those who support the president .
Behar also linked not wearing a mask to driving while drunk and smoking in public spaces .
“ There ’ s certain rules that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t drive if you ’ re drunk .
You have to wear a seat belt .
You ’ re not allowed to smoke in public , things like that , that you sign away your freedom in a way to be restricted in your car , ” she said .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better Behar told her ABC audience that endangering public health in other ways results in some form of punishment , before going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rules are being distorted by Trump and his enablers in the Congress , in particular , the leaders in Congress who are enabling him , he ’ s playing a political game with people ’ s lives , ” Behar said .
“ And these people do not realize that they are pawns in his game .
He only wants to be re-elected .
He doesn ’ t really care if you live or die , ” she added .
The liberal pundit then criticized the president for playing a round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also insulted his faith .
“ I mean , witness the fact that he went golfing on [ Memorial Day weekend ] when the names are being printed in The New York Times about how many people have died .
He couldn ’ t care less , ” Behar said .
“ He wants to turn people against each other so that he gets re-elected .
Let ’ s take the example of the church .
Does anybody really believe that he ’ s so religious and cares so much about people going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t .
He only wants to turn you against each other , religion against other religion , ” she added .
Also on Tuesday ’ s program , co-host Meghan McCain criticized Americans who were photographed outdoors enjoying the holiday weekend .
The daughter of late the Arizona Sen. John McCain compared Americans enjoying recreational outdoors activities to the nude and intoxicated participants on the segments produced by the now-defunct adult video company “ Girls Gone Wild.
” RELATED : 'Make Talk Shows Great Again ' : Trump Campaign Launches Competitor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m just confused as to why I ’ ve been advocating for a slow-roll open of the economy if we aren ’ t going to have some kind of in-between between completely isolating , quarantining forever , and ‘ Girls Gone Wild , ’ ” she said .
“ I ’ m very confused , because for me when you see that gripping New York Times cover with all the names of the people who have died , which by the way , people who are close to me have lost family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I think I ’ m just confused at the insensitivity .
And if some of these states , like in the Ozarks , have decided that they are going to do herd immunity and haven ’ t told the rest of the country , then I would like to know , ” she also added .
McCain concluded that images of Americans celebrating the holiday weekend left her feeling “ very disheartened.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards @

Joy Behar asserted on Tuesday that supporters of President Donald Trump are not intelligent enough to realize that they are “pawns” being used by Trump so he can win the November election.
The co-host of ABC’s “The View” was speaking about how some people are hesitant to wear masks amid the coronavirus pandemic when she linked that reluctance to the politics of those who support the president.
Behar also linked not wearing a mask to driving while drunk and smoking in public spaces.
“There’s certain rules that you have to follow, you know, you can’t drive if you’re drunk. You have to wear a seat belt. You’re not allowed to smoke in public, things like that, that you sign away your freedom in a way to be restricted in your car,” she said.
Joy Behar compares the right to leave your home with a “right” to drive drunk. Oy. pic.twitter.com/QnvKO4Ocai — (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 26, 2020
Behar told her ABC audience that endangering public health in other ways results in some form of punishment, before going after supporters of the president.
“The rules are being distorted by Trump and his enablers in the Congress, in particular, the leaders in Congress who are enabling him, he’s playing a political game with people’s lives,” Behar said.
“And these people do not realize that they are pawns in his game. He only wants to be re-elected. He doesn’t really care if you live or die,” she added.
Are you surprised to see the women of "The View" now attacking Trump supporters directly? Yes No
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The liberal pundit then criticized the president for playing a round of golf over Memorial Day weekend, and also insulted his faith.
“I mean, witness the fact that he went golfing on [Memorial Day weekend] when the names are being printed in The New York Times about how many people have died. He couldn’t care less,” Behar said.
“He wants to turn people against each other so that he gets re-elected. Let’s take the example of the church. Does anybody really believe that he’s so religious and cares so much about people going to church? No, he doesn’t. He only wants to turn you against each other, religion against other religion,” she added.
Also on Tuesday’s program, co-host Meghan McCain criticized Americans who were photographed outdoors enjoying the holiday weekend.
The daughter of late the Arizona Sen. John McCain compared Americans enjoying recreational outdoors activities to the nude and intoxicated participants on the segments produced by the now-defunct adult video company “Girls Gone Wild.”
“I think I’m just confused as to why I’ve been advocating for a slow-roll open of the economy if we aren’t going to have some kind of in-between between completely isolating, quarantining forever, and ‘Girls Gone Wild,’” she said.
“I’m very confused, because for me when you see that gripping New York Times cover with all the names of the people who have died, which by the way, people who are close to me have lost family members from the COVID crisis,” McCain said.
.@MeghanMcCain on images of thousands not social distancing: “To see people sort of like rubbing their nose at all the sacrifices of our first responders and there’s still so much unknown about this virus, look, I’ve been very, very disheartened.” https://t.co/f8u2wbJuik pic.twitter.com/jnOBIIcRqA — The View (@TheView) May 26, 2020
“I think I’m just confused at the insensitivity. And if some of these states, like in the Ozarks, have decided that they are going to do herd immunity and haven’t told the rest of the country, then I would like to know,” she also added.
McCain concluded that images of Americans celebrating the holiday weekend left her feeling “very disheartened.”
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westernjournal--2020-05-26--James Woods Nails CNN’s Take on Mail-In Vote Fraud

When James Woods makes a point , he makes it stick .
The conservative actor has make a reputation in recent years as a master of the Twitter medium , attacking big-name Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and skewering the cultural heathens of the entertainment world .
But when he took on a CNN analysis of President Donald Trump ’ s opposition to the Democratic push for voting by mail , he used a delicate push of pure reason to make his meaning go even deeper .
Woods ’ target this time was CNN ’ s Chris Cillizza , who published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pretended to take a look at the potential for fraud in mail-in votes , but really came off like an attack on Trump ’ s honesty , maturity and possibly the president ’ s sanity .
Cillizza ’ s thesis , such as it was , was that Trump is using accusations of fraud in mail-in votes now to set the stage for excuses should he lose the November presidential election .
TRENDING : COVID Survivor Was Banned from Flying Trump Flag To Thank POTUS , New Tribute Is Much Better “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insist that it was not the result of voters choosing Biden over him but rather a function of those cheating Democrats and their ‘ rigged ’ mail-in ballot scheme — because Donald Trump doesn ’ t lose .
And the only way he could lose is if he was cheated in some way , ” Cillizza wrote .
Considering Cillizza ’ s employer is the rabidly anti-Trump CNN , the idea no doubt played well at work .
It ’ s likely a hit in liberal social circles , too .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to back up the thesis — including a bald statement from Fox News ’ Chris Wallace that ’ s basically taken on faith , and a statistic from a Washington Post article in 2016 that , if it weren ’ t for some intellectually dishonest wordplay , would be ludicrous on its face .
“ In the 2016 election , in which more than 135 million votes were cast , there were a total of four documented cases of voter fraud , according to The Washington Post ’ s Philip Bump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is using the word “ documented.
” The only reason for the word there is an an official sounding fudge — a shield to muddy up the fact that no one really knows what fraud is taking place if it ’ s undiscovered .
The intellectually dishonest part is that the word is being used to buttress the implication that in the 2016 election there were only four cases of voter fraud total out of 135 million case — a percentage so small as to be non-existent .
Only someone with an inflated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utter fool — would believe something like that .
And James Woods is clearly neither : RELATED : Politico Report Puts Spotlight on How Democrats Really Look at an Economic Turnaround Needless to say , Woods wasn ’ t one of the believers .
And he had plenty of Twitter followers who agreed : Basically , it ’ s inconceivable that there could be 135 million human actions for anything without there being more than four — four — who tried to do something underhanded .
Considering that it ’ s politics we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that probably about half of those 135 million votes involved Democrats , it ’ s fair to say it ’ s impossible .
Almost as bad as citing facile statistics that don ’ t stand up to a half-second ’ s worth of critical thinking was Cillizza ’ s decision to take a statement from Wallace as though it came down from Mount Sinai etched in tablets .
Wallace claimed on Friday ’ s airing of “ America ’ s Newsroom ” that “ I ’ ve done some deep dive into it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive fraud or even serious fraud from mail-in voting.
” Well , with all due respect to Wallace , a veteran newsman who really should know better , it didn ’ t take long for social media users to turn up evidence to the contrary .
In fact , one brought up a link to a 2012 New York Times article outlining the potential perils of mail-in voting to a clean election .
Of course , at that time Republicans were more likely to use mail-in votes in Florida , where The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lady had a reason to call their integrity into question .
The gist of The Times piece boils down to this : “ There is a bipartisan consensus that voting by mail , whatever its impact , is more easily abused than other forms .
In a 2005 report signed by President Jimmy Carter and James A. Baker III , who served as secretary of state under the first President George Bush , the Commission on Federal Election Reform concluded , ‘ Absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the “ bipartisan consensus , ” until Democrats decided that having voters show up at the polls in person to vote was too much to ask of proud residents of the world ’ s greatest country .
The point here is that logic and common sense combine to bring the conclusion that mail-in voting is inherently less trustworthy than voting in person at the polling booth — and should not be expanded beyond traditional absentee voting laws ( which should probably be tightened to preclude voters using the mail for ballots simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot is cast in a voting booth , the voter is alone — except in cases where disability makes assistance necessary .
When a vote is cast by mail , there is literally no way of knowing whether the vote was cast by the individual voter , whether that individual was alone or in a group , pressured or possibly coerced into marking a given candidate .
The potential for fraud abounds in vote by mail , and intellectual honesty and any understanding of human nature should require even CNN journalists to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t , James Woods is around to point it out .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

When James Woods makes a point, he makes it stick.
The conservative actor has make a reputation in recent years as a master of the Twitter medium, attacking big-name Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and skewering the cultural heathens of the entertainment world.
But when he took on a CNN analysis of President Donald Trump’s opposition to the Democratic push for voting by mail, he used a delicate push of pure reason to make his meaning go even deeper.
Woods’ target this time was CNN’s Chris Cillizza, who published a piece of mostly psychobabble on Tuesday that pretended to take a look at the potential for fraud in mail-in votes, but really came off like an attack on Trump’s honesty, maturity and possibly the president’s sanity.
Cillizza’s thesis, such as it was, was that Trump is using accusations of fraud in mail-in votes now to set the stage for excuses should he lose the November presidential election.
“If Trump does lose, he will insist that it was not the result of voters choosing Biden over him but rather a function of those cheating Democrats and their ‘rigged’ mail-in ballot scheme — because Donald Trump doesn’t lose. And the only way he could lose is if he was cheated in some way,” Cillizza wrote.
Considering Cillizza’s employer is the rabidly anti-Trump CNN, the idea no doubt played well at work. It’s likely a hit in liberal social circles, too.
The problem is in some of the arguments Cillizza used to back up the thesis — including a bald statement from Fox News’ Chris Wallace that’s basically taken on faith, and a statistic from a Washington Post article in 2016 that, if it weren’t for some intellectually dishonest wordplay, would be ludicrous on its face.
“In the 2016 election, in which more than 135 million votes were cast, there were a total of four documented cases of voter fraud, according to The Washington Post’s Philip Bump,” Cillizza wrote.
Do you think Democrats will succeed in making mail-in voting the national norm? Yes No
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The wordplay here is using the word “documented.” The only reason for the word there is an an official sounding fudge — a shield to muddy up the fact that no one really knows what fraud is taking place if it’s undiscovered.
The intellectually dishonest part is that the word is being used to buttress the implication that in the 2016 election there were only four cases of voter fraud total out of 135 million case — a percentage so small as to be non-existent.
Only someone with an inflated opinion of human nature — or an utter fool — would believe something like that.
And James Woods is clearly neither:
If you had to bet your life, literally at the point of a bayonet, would you say this figure is a lie or accurate: “In the 2016 election, in which more than 135 million votes were cast, there were a total of four documented cases of voter fraud.” ??? https://t.co/SK8BSSaYQ6 — James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 26, 2020
Needless to say, Woods wasn’t one of the believers. And he had plenty of Twitter followers who agreed:
I knew I wouldn’t believe it as soon as I saw “CNN”. — M3thods (@M2Madness) May 26, 2020
four per second? — Craig Daliessio (@Craig_Daliessio) May 26, 2020
I’d need clarification of the question because my answer is yes & no. Do I trust that there were only 4 DOCUMENTED cases of voter fraud? Yes. Do I think those are the only true cases of voter fraud? No. — The Joan Zone (@joangvs) May 26, 2020
It’s a Clintonesque lie that pivots on the word “documented.” Documented by whom? — Dan Goorevitch (@DanGoorevitch) May 26, 2020
Basically, it’s inconceivable that there could be 135 million human actions for anything without there being more than four — four — who tried to do something underhanded.
Considering that it’s politics we’re talking about, and considering that probably about half of those 135 million votes involved Democrats, it’s fair to say it’s impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Almost as bad as citing facile statistics that don’t stand up to a half-second’s worth of critical thinking was Cillizza’s decision to take a statement from Wallace as though it came down from Mount Sinai etched in tablets.
Wallace claimed on Friday’s airing of “America’s Newsroom” that “I’ve done some deep dive into it, there really is no record of massive fraud or even serious fraud from mail-in voting.”
Fox’s Chris Wallace: “I’ve done some deep dive into it, there really is no record of massive fraud or even serious fraud from mail-in voting.” “It’s being carried out in Republican states, it’s being carried out in Democratic states.”https://t.co/V9kqtJx21x — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 25, 2020
Well, with all due respect to Wallace, a veteran newsman who really should know better, it didn’t take long for social media users to turn up evidence to the contrary.
In fact, one brought up a link to a 2012 New York Times article outlining the potential perils of mail-in voting to a clean election. Of course, at that time Republicans were more likely to use mail-in votes in Florida, where The Times story was written, so the Gray Lady had a reason to call their integrity into question.
Narrator: Chris dove into the kiddie pool “Votes cast by mail are less likely to be counted, more likely to be compromised and more likely to be contested than those cast in a voting booth”https://t.co/awdNQURuZr — mallen2010 (@mallen2010) May 25, 2020
The gist of The Times piece boils down to this:
“There is a bipartisan consensus that voting by mail, whatever its impact, is more easily abused than other forms. In a 2005 report signed by President Jimmy Carter and James A. Baker III, who served as secretary of state under the first President George Bush, the Commission on Federal Election Reform concluded, ‘Absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud.'”
Well, that used to be the “bipartisan consensus,” until Democrats decided that having voters show up at the polls in person to vote was too much to ask of proud residents of the world’s greatest country.
(It might also have been before Democrats fully realized how easy it was to use “ballot harvesting” to steal elections, too.)
The point here is that logic and common sense combine to bring the conclusion that mail-in voting is inherently less trustworthy than voting in person at the polling booth — and should not be expanded beyond traditional absentee voting laws (which should probably be tightened to preclude voters using the mail for ballots simply out of convenience).
When a ballot is cast in a voting booth, the voter is alone — except in cases where disability makes assistance necessary.
When a vote is cast by mail, there is literally no way of knowing whether the vote was cast by the individual voter, whether that individual was alone or in a group, pressured or possibly coerced into marking a given candidate.
The potential for fraud abounds in vote by mail, and intellectual honesty and any understanding of human nature should require even CNN journalists to acknowledge it.
But when they don’t, James Woods is around to point it out.
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