theblaze--2020-05-23--Bill Maher says he now regrets Trump's impeachment: 'Turned out to be a horrible thing'

Bill Maher says he now regrets Trump 's impeachment : 'Turned out to be a horrible thing' Leftist filmmaker Michael @ @ @ @ @ for Trump to be reelected is if he cheats , mocks armed protestors in Michigan

Bill Maher said that he regrets the impeachment led by Democrats against President Donald Trump, and added that it "turned out to be a horrible thing."
"The impeachment, I mean, if I could do it over again, I wouldn't," Maher said on Friday's episode of "Real Time." "Because it just emboldened him."
"Now, he can conduct this war on accountability, and nobody even — it barely made the papers," Maher continued. "I bet you most people are watching this and going, wow, I hadn't heard that. Because the news is all COVID."
Maher also said that special counsel Robert Mueller "f***ed it up." The show's guest, Michael Moore, alleged that Trump "bullied Mueller, he threatened him, and Mueller got scared and wouldn't even bring him in to be interrogated."
Last month, Maher said Trump deserved to be impeached for "favoring" states that "are nice to him" during the coronavirus pandemic.
"I find one of the most galling parts about this is that the president is favoring certain states over the others. Governors who are 'nice' to him, as he calls it, get a lot of attention and all of the equipment they want," Maher told Sen. Bernie Sanders. "To me, this is even more of an impeachable offense than what he did with Ukraine or Russia."
In January 2019, Maher voiced his support for impeaching Trump. "I don't know how we get out of this except by getting him out of office," Maher said. "I wasn't necessarily for impeachment until recently, but I think you have to go ahead and do it."
Also during the latest episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher," leftist filmmaker Michael Moore said the only way Trump will win reelection is if he cheats.
Moore proclaimed that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden would win the popular vote by five million votes, but added that Trump could still win the Electoral College.
"The only way they are going to pull it off is if he's able to cancel the election or postpone it," Moore said. "That is what we're going to have to fight against because I'm certain that is what is going on in his head right now."
"The only way Republicans can win, and this has been true for a few elections, is to cheat," Moore claimed. "Is to somehow game it, rig it, do whatever they need to do."
Moore also mocked the armed protestors who demonstrated at the Michigan Capitol building last month against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's lockdown extension.
"This time he's already got his gun guys. The guys with the guns. You saw this in Michigan," Moore said. "Showing up at the capitol for the last couple of weeks with their long arms and threatening everybody to the point where the governor, last Tuesday, just shut the legislature down. She was so afraid."
"I want to appeal to people to not be afraid of these guys with the guns," Moore said. "I went to high school with them. I know. They want to kill Bambi. That's their idea of a real fight. Them and a deer. If the deer were ever armed — if it was a fair fight, these guys would never be in the woods."
"He's just trying to scare liberals because liberals get scared easy," he added.


theblaze--2020-05-23--Kayleigh McEnany turns the tables on reporters, whips out slideshow with specifics on 'Obamagate'

Kayleigh McEnany turns the tables on reporters , whips out slideshow with specifics on 'Obamagate '

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany whipped out a slideshow for the press corps on Friday that contained numerous questions regarding "Obamagate" that journalists have failed to ask.
During last Friday's press briefing, McEnany explained the misconduct allegedly committed by the Obama administration, including the criminal leak of Michael Flynn's name to the media after it was unmasked in captured surveillance data. At the end of the briefing, McEnany urged reporters to begin asking questions about the Obama administration's involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation.
But the mainstream media has failed to ask those questions. So, on Friday, McEnany laid out the specific questions she said reporters should start asking.
"I laid out a series of questions that any good journalist would want to answer about why people were unmasked and all sorts of questions, and I just wanted to follow up with you guys on that," McEnany began "Did anyone take it upon themselves to pose any questions about Michael Flynn and unmasking to President Obama's spokesperson?
"Oh, not a single journalist has posed that question?" McEnany continued. "OK, so I would like lay out a series of questions and perhaps if I write them out in a slide format, maybe we're visual learners, and you guys will follow up with journalistic curiosity."
The specific questions that McEnany laid out were:
"Why did the Obama administration use opposition research funded by a political organization and filled with foreign dirt to surveil members of the Trump campaign?"
"Why was Lieutenant General Michael Flynn unmasked, not by the Intel community entirely, but by Obama's chief of staff? By the former Vice President Joe Biden? By Susan Rice? By the Treasury Secretary?"
"Why was Flynn's identity leaked in a criminal act? It is a criminal act to leak the identity of Michael Flynn to the press, but it happened."
Why did the DOJ's Sally Yates learn about the unmasking from President Obama? So much for going 'by the book' as Susan Rice said three times, thou doth protest too much, Susan Rice."
"Why did James Clapper, John Brennan, Samantha Power, and Susan Rice privately admit under oath they had no evidence of collusion while saying the opposite publicly?"
McEnany also pointed out what she believes is hypocrisy. She said that if the Trump administration would have done what the Obama administration allegedly did, then the press corps would be hammering her with questions.
"I mean, this is extraordinary and, you know, if it were political appointees in the Trump administration, I can guarantee you, I'd have questions in my inbox right now, but apparently Obama's spokesperson does not," McEnany said. "Where are the questions to Obama's spokesperson? Because my team would be running around this building should this have happened under the Trump administration."
McEnany concluded the briefing by once again urging reporters to seek answers to the questions she presented.
"It's a long weekend, you guys have three days to follow up on those questions, and I certainly hope the next time I ask some hands go up because Obama's spokesperson should be asked those questions because President Trump's spokespeople certainly would be," McEnany said.


theblaze--2020-05-23--BET founder hammers Joe Biden for 'arrogant' comment, says he should apologize to 'every black perso

BET founder hammers Joe Biden for 'arrogant' comment, says he should apologize to 'every black person'

BET founder hammers Joe Biden for 'arrogant ' comment , says he should apologize to 'every black person' Hip-hop mogul @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden for his insensitive comment

Black Entertainment Television co-founder Robert L. Johnson lambasted Joe Biden for his insult against black voters. The BET founder said the former vice president should "spend the rest of his campaign apologizing to every black person he meets."
The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate made an offensive statement on "The Breakfast Club" radio show. "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black," Biden told the show's host Charlamagne tha God on Friday.
The comment, deemed racist by many, was condemned by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Fox News host Harris Faulkner, and the Trump campaign.
The co-founder of BET released a scathing statement blasting Biden for his insensitive comment.
"Vice President Biden's statement today represents the arrogant and out-of-touch attitude of a paternalistic white candidate who has the audacity to tell Black people, the descendants of slaves, that they are not Black unless they vote for him," Johnson told Fox News. "This proves unequivocally that the Democratic nominee believes that Black people owe him their vote without question; even though, we as Black people know it is exactly the opposite. He should spend the rest of his campaign apologizing to every Black person he meets."
Biden apologized for his remarks on Friday.
"I should not have been so cavalier," Biden said. "I've never, never, ever taken the African American community for granted."
"I shouldn't have been such a wise guy," he continued. "I shouldn't have been so cavalier. ... No one should have to vote for any party based on their race, their religion, their background."
Hip-hop mogul Diddy also responded to the former vice president's "you ain't black" gaffe. On Twitter, Diddy told Biden that the "black vote ain't free."
Diddy also called for black voters to use their "black leverage."
Chalamagne tha God commented on his interview with Biden on Friday night.
"My overall takeaway from the conversation is that I heard him talk about things he did for black people back in the day but what have you done for me lately is my motto," the radio host said. "I see Black communities catching hell no matter who is in the White House."


theblaze--2020-05-23--Candace Owens destroys Biden for racist comments, calls out Dem Party for its treatment of African A

Candace Owens destroys Biden for racist comments, calls out Dem Party for its treatment of African Americans

Candace Owens destroys Biden for racist comments , calls out Dem Party for its treatment of African Americans 'Disgusting !
@ @ @ @ @ as trained chimpanzees who should not ask questions '

Candace Owens sternly rebuked Joe Biden for saying on Friday that black people "ain't black" if they do not vote for him in 2020.
Owens, who routinely uses her platform to expose how poorly the Democratic Party has treated black people, said that Biden's comments were yet another example of how Democrats view "black people as trained chimpanzees."
"WOW!! @JoeBiden tells @cthagod that if blacks have to think about whether they are for Trump or for Biden then, 'YOU AIN'T BLACK'. Disgusting! @TheDemocrats view black people as trained chimpanzees who should not ask questions, but perform the same circus act every 4 years," Owens wrote.
"REMINDER BLACK PEOPLE: If you don't do the bidding for wealthy white Democrats 'YOU AIN'T BLACK'. Just IMAGINE the media reaction if @realDonaldTrump said this to a black person that asked questions about his policies? Or if Trump said 'ain't' when speaking to black people?" Owens added.
After sparking widespread backlash, Biden apologized for his comments.
"I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier," Biden told black leaders on a call Friday afternoon. "No one should have to vote for any party based on their race, their religion, their background."
Still, Biden's moment of racism has provided the Republican Party another opportunity to maximize outreach to the black community.
The Trump campaign plans to capitalize on the moment by highlighting Biden's racist comments in a seven-figure ad buy.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Matthew McConaughey drives around rural Texas delivering 110,000 face masks to hospitals in need

If you are in Texas and you see a large pickup truck hauling boxes of face masks with a driver that resembles Matthew McConaughey, it might actually be Matthew McConaughey. That is because the Hollywood actor is trucking around Texas and delivering personal protective equipment to hospitals in need.
"Thanks to Lincoln for donating 110 thousand masks – me and Camila Alves hitting the road to get em to rural hospitals in need across Texas," McConaughey said in a Facebook post. The post has a photo of McConaughey wearing a face mask in the driver's seat of his King Ranch Ford pickup truck. His wife, Camila Alves, is outside of the huge truck, and the bed is packed with boxes of PPE.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shared McConaughey's Twitter post and used the Oscar-winning actor's most famous movie quote, "Alright, alright, alright," from the 1993 film "Dazed And Confused."
McConaughey, who is a corporate spokesperson for Lincoln, also provided some coronavirus charity by hosting a virtual bingo game with the residents of the Enclave at Round Rock Senior & Assisted Living Retirement Home in his home state of Texas last month.
Matthew McConaughey Surprises Seniors At Virtual Bingo Game www.youtube.com
McConaughey also gave a live commencement speech for the graduation Class of 2020 on "Good Morning America."
"Best advice I got in high school was probably from a friend of mine named Ranese Sherman. I remember one morning before school, she came up and complimented me on what I was wearing … 'you are a good looking guy Matthew' … I kinda was like, 'Ohhh,' and she reached out and grabbed my arm and said, 'Hey, just say thank you," McConaughey said. "'When someone pays you a compliment, you don't need to be falsely modest just, look them in the eye and say thanks. You'll never forget that.' Thank you."
Matthew McConaughey gives inspiring commencement speech to class of 2020 l GMA www.youtube.com
The Just Keep Livin Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Camila and Matthew McConaughey that empowers "high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active and healthy lives." The Just Keep Livin Foundation posted a video urging Americans to not engage in petty politics during the coronavirus pandemic, and to support one another in a united front.


theblaze--2020-05-25--White House bans travel to the US from coronavirus hotspot Brazil

The White House announced a ban on travel to the U.S. from the coronavirus hotspot of Brazil. The Trump administration now bars entry of non-citizens traveling from Brazil. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the decision was made "to protect our country."
The ban applies to foreign nationals who have been in Brazil in the 14 days before they tried to travel to the United States. Officials said the move would not affect commerce between the two countries.
President Donald Trump released a statement: "I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Federative Republic of Brazil during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that the Federative Republic of Brazil is "experiencing widespread, ongoing person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2."
Brazil has experienced a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks. Brazil is currently the country with the second-most confirmed novel coronavirus cases, with over 360,000, trailing the U.S. that has 1.6 million. Brazil has added over 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in the last week and had 21,472 confirmed COVID-19 cases on last Wednesday alone.
Brazil is far and away Latin America's hardest-hit country when it comes to coronavirus. Peru is the next closest in confirmed cases with over 119,000.
Brazil is far behind the U.S in coronavirus testing, administering over 735,000 compared to the U.S. with 14.6 million tests, so the numbers don't reflect the people who are symptomatic and haven't been tested. Brazil has recorded more than 22,000 deaths, the sixth-most in the world.
Trump had already banned travel from China in late January, and most of Europe in March.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Sen. Rick Scott: Bill of Rights allows Americans to worship at church service, no matter what gov't

Sen. Rick Scott: Bill of Rights allows Americans to worship at church service, no matter what gov't leaders say

Sen. Rick Scott : Bill of Rights allows Americans to worship at church service , no matter what gov't leaders @

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) believes that Americans have the right to worship at a church service, no matter what any government leaders say. Scott appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, and said he "trusts the American public to make good decisions" during the coronavirus pandemic.
"It doesn't matter what a governor says or president or local leaders," Scott told host Dana Bash. "We have the Bill of Rights. We have a right to worship. We have a right to get together, and respect — and we need to respect people's religions."
"Do I believe that government should be telling us what to do? Do I believe government can tell us we don't have a right to worship? I don't believe they can," Scott continued. "I have the Bill of Rights, I have the right to worship at a church service if I want to do it. I don't believe they have a right to stop me."
"All Floridians, all Americans, have a Bill of Rights, and we have a right to worship if they want to," Scott added. "I believe people are going to do it safely."
"This is America, we have rights in the country," Scott said. "We have the Bill of Rights. Follow it."
On Friday, President Donald Trump declared religious services to be essential and demanded states to allow people to worship.
"The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now," Trump said. "For this weekend. If they don't do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less."
Bash asked the Florida senator on his position about people wearing face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
"Do I believe people ought to wear masks? Yep, I do believe people ought to wear masks. Do I believe people ought to social distance? Yep, I believe people ought to social distance," Scott responded. "Do we need the president, the governors, and all the local officials to tell us how to lead our lives every day? No. We'll figure this out. We want to keep our families safe. We want to keep our friends safe. And we're going to do this in a safe manner."
"I trust the American public," Scott said. "I think they're gonna make good decisions."


theblaze--2020-05-24--Nobel Prize-winning scientist explains why COVID lockdowns may have cost more lives than they saved

Stanford School of Medicine Professor Michael Levitt, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, says the strict lockdown measures imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic may have cost more lives than they saved.
"I think lockdown saved no lives," Levitt said on Saturday, The Telegraph reported.
"I think it may have cost lives. It will have saved a few road accident lives, things like that, but social damage — domestic abuse, divorces, alcoholism — has been extreme. And then you have those who were not treated for other conditions," he explained.
Levitt correctly predicted the scale of the pandemic, which most models, such as the widely publicized model from Imperial College, grossly overestimated. Those overestimations resulted in unnecessary "panic," Levitt said.
"I think that the real virus was the panic virus," Levitt said. "For reasons that were not clear to me, I think the leaders panicked and the people panicked and I think there was a huge lack of discussion."
Instead of mass lockdowns, which have been ongoing for several months across most of the globe, Levitt has advocated for developing "herd immunity."
In a separate interview earlier this month, Levitt explained:
I think the policy of herd immunity is the right policy. I think Britain was on exactly the right track before they were fed wrong numbers. And they made a huge mistake. I see the standout winners as Germany and Sweden. They didn't practise too much lockdown and they got enough people sick to get some herd immunity.
I see the standout losers as countries like Austria, Australia and Israel that had very strict lockdown but didn't have many cases.They have damaged their economies, caused massive social damage, damaged the educational year of their children, but not obtained any herd immunity.
There is no doubt in my mind, that when we come to look back on this, the damage done by lockdown will exceed any saving of lives by a huge factor.
Unfortunately, Levitt's observations are already proving true.
As TheBlaze reported last week, California doctors said they've seen more deaths from suicide than coronavirus during the mandatory lockdowns. It's a harsh reminder of what happens when the government compels people to remain at home.


theblaze--2020-05-24--WATCH: US Navy warship successfully destroys aircraft mid-flight with high-energy laser weapon

Video shows a U.S. Navy warship successfully shot down an aircraft out of the sky using a high-energy laser weapon .
The USS Portland , a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship of the United States Navy based out of San Diego , used a high-energy class solid-state laser to destroy a drone mid-flight .
`` Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland ( LPD 27 ) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) with a Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator ( LWSD ) MK 2 MOD 0 on May 16 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on Friday .
The Navy said that the test was the `` first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser . ''
The 150-kilowatt weapon system has three lasers that were developed by Northrup Grumman .
`` By conducting advanced at sea tests against UAVs and small crafts , we will gain valuable information on the capabilities of the Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator against potential threats , '' Capt .
Karrey Sanders , commanding officer of Portland , said .
The Navy did not specify where the test took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos of the demonstration of the new laser weapon where you can see the drone burn up while flying .
The U.S. Navy has been developing directed-energy weapons since the 1960s .
The U.S. military sees lasers as a more cost-effective alternative to missiles , while offering more precision , causing less collateral damage , and 50,000 times the speed of an intercontinental ballistic missile .
In 2017 , the 30-kilowatt Laser Weapons System was equipped on the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship , making it the world 's first active laser weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars '' tech to obliterate drones and boats .
`` It is more precise than a bullet , '' Capt .
Christopher Wells told CNN .
`` It 's not a niche weapon system like some other weapons that we have throughout the military where it 's only good against air contacts , or it 's only good against surface targets , or it 's only good against , you know , ground-based targets — in this case this is a very versatile weapon , it can be used against a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum so you do n't see the beam , it does n't make any sound , it 's completely silent and it 's incredibly effective at what it does , '' Lt. Cale Hughes , laser weapons system officer , said .
`` It is throwing massive amounts of photons at an incoming object , '' Hughes continued .
`` We do n't worry about wind , we do n't worry about range , we do n't worry about anything else .
We 're able to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
While one Tomahawk cruise costs $ 1.4 million , the laser system has an initial cost of $ 40 million , and then only costs the energy to use it .
`` It 's about a dollar a shot , '' Hughes said .
This is a good start , but when do we get a Death Star ?
Watch the US Navy 's laser weapon in action

Video shows a U.S. Navy warship successfully shot down an aircraft out of the sky using a high-energy laser weapon. The USS Portland, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship of the United States Navy based out of San Diego, used a high-energy class solid-state laser to destroy a drone mid-flight.
"Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) MK 2 MOD 0 on May 16," the Navy's Pacific Fleet said in a statement on Friday.
The Navy said that the test was the "first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser." The 150-kilowatt weapon system has three lasers that were developed by Northrup Grumman.
"By conducting advanced at sea tests against UAVs and small crafts, we will gain valuable information on the capabilities of the Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator against potential threats," Capt. Karrey Sanders, commanding officer of Portland, said.
The Navy did not specify where the test took place. The U.S. Navy did release videos of the demonstration of the new laser weapon where you can see the drone burn up while flying.
USS Portland (LPD 27) tests LWSD laser system youtu.be
USS Portland (LPD 27) tests LWSD laser system against a drone youtu.be
The U.S. Navy has been developing directed-energy weapons since the 1960s. The U.S. military sees lasers as a more cost-effective alternative to missiles, while offering more precision, causing less collateral damage, and 50,000 times the speed of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
In 2017, the 30-kilowatt Laser Weapons System was equipped on the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship, making it the world's first active laser weapon. The ship utilized the "Star Wars" tech to obliterate drones and boats.
"It is more precise than a bullet," Capt. Christopher Wells told CNN. "It's not a niche weapon system like some other weapons that we have throughout the military where it's only good against air contacts, or it's only good against surface targets, or it's only good against, you know, ground-based targets — in this case this is a very versatile weapon, it can be used against a variety of targets."
"It operates in an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum so you don't see the beam, it doesn't make any sound, it's completely silent and it's incredibly effective at what it does," Lt. Cale Hughes, laser weapons system officer, said.
"It is throwing massive amounts of photons at an incoming object," Hughes continued. "We don't worry about wind, we don't worry about range, we don't worry about anything else. We're able to engage the targets at the speed of light."
While one Tomahawk cruise costs $1.4 million, the laser system has an initial cost of $40 million, and then only costs the energy to use it. "It's about a dollar a shot," Hughes said. This is a good start, but when do we get a Death Star?
Watch the US Navy's laser weapon in action youtu.be


theblaze--2020-05-24--NY Times publishes list of COVID victims on front page, caught including suspected homicide victim

The New York Times was forced to issue a correction Sunday after including a suspected homicide victim in a list of Americans who died from coronavirus .
The Times , America 's so-called `` paper of record , '' published a list of coronavirus victims on its front page on Sunday .
A preview of the unique newspaper cover attracted significant attention over the weekend because it did not contain any stories or pictures — just the names of virus victims .
`` U.S .
Deaths Near 100,000 , An Incalculable Loss , '' the headline read .
What followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans who have died from COVID-19 .
Included with each person was their age , location , and a short , but whimsical phrase describing who they were : • Regina Cullen , 81 , `` Small in stature , but strong in spirit '' • Fred Gray , 75 , `` liked his bacon and hash browns crispy '' • Harley E. Acker , 79 , `` discovered his true calling when he started driving a school bus '' • William D. Greeke , 55 , `` thought it was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Philip Kahn , 100 , `` World War II veteran whose twin died in the Spanish Flu epidemic a century ago '' The Times also included 27-year-old Jordan Driver Haynes , a native of Cedar Rapids , Iowa .
The Times described him as calling a “ generous young man with a delightful grin . ''
However , Haynes did not die from COVID-19 .
In fact , a coroner has ruled his death a homicide , KWWL-TV reported .
Overnight on Sunday , the Times updated its cover and deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a COVID-19 victim .
`` Correction : Earlier editions of Sunday 's front page included at least one name in error .
Our original tweet containing an image of that front page has been deleted and replaced with an image of the late edition , '' the Times wrote on Twitter .

The New York Times was forced to issue a correction Sunday after including a suspected homicide victim in a list of Americans who died from coronavirus.
The Times, America's so-called "paper of record," published a list of coronavirus victims on its front page on Sunday. A preview of the unique newspaper cover attracted significant attention over the weekend because it did not contain any stories or pictures — just the names of virus victims.
"U.S. Deaths Near 100,000, An Incalculable Loss," the headline read.
What followed was a list of nearly 1,000 names of Americans who have died from COVID-19. Included with each person was their age, location, and a short, but whimsical phrase describing who they were:
Regina Cullen, 81, "Small in stature, but strong in spirit"
Romi Cohn, 91, "saved 56 Jewish families from the Gestapo"
Fred Gray, 75, "liked his bacon and hash browns crispy"
Harley E. Acker, 79, "discovered his true calling when he started driving a school bus"
William D. Greeke, 55, "thought it was important to know a person's life story"
Philip Kahn, 100, "World War II veteran whose twin died in the Spanish Flu epidemic a century ago"
The Times also included 27-year-old Jordan Driver Haynes, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Times described him as calling a “generous young man with a delightful grin."
However, Haynes did not die from COVID-19. In fact, a coroner has ruled his death a homicide, KWWL-TV reported.
More from KHAK-FM:
The Cedar Rapids Police Department says a man found in a vehicle along I-380 last week was murdered.
According to a media release, an autopsy on 27-year-old Jordan Haynes ruled his death was a homicide. No other information has been released as there is an active investigation in the case.
Overnight on Sunday, the Times updated its cover and deleted social media postings that incorrectly included Haynes as a COVID-19 victim.
"Correction: Earlier editions of Sunday's front page included at least one name in error. Our original tweet containing an image of that front page has been deleted and replaced with an image of the late edition," the Times wrote on Twitter.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Infamous Wuhan lab admits having three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site

Infamous Wuhan lab admits having three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site The director of the Wuhan Institute for Virology @ @ @ @ @ say that COVID-19 did n't originate from facility

The Wuhan Institute for Virology has admitted to having three live strains of bat coronavirus on-site. However, China claimed that COVID-19 did not originate from the country's first biosafety level 4 laboratory.
Wang Yanyi, the director of the Wuhan Institute for Virology, gave an interview on Saturday about the possibility of the novel coronavirus originating from the Chinese lab.
"Now we have three strains of live viruses… But their highest similarity to SARS-CoV-2 only reaches 79.8%," Wang told state broadcaster CGTN. "It's an obvious difference."
Wang said the Wuhan lab "isolated and obtained some coronaviruses from bats" since 2004, Agence France-Presse reported.
Wang said that the idea the Wuhan lab is the origin of COVID-19 is "pure fabrication."
Professor Shi Zhengli is a virologist who is often called China's "bat woman" by her colleagues because of her "virus-hunting expeditions in bat caves over the past 16 years," according to Scientific American. Shi, who has been researching bat coronaviruses since 2004 and is the director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said the genetic sequence of COVID-19 didn't match any of the lab samples she had previously studied in Wuhan.
President Donald Trump has said that he has a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the origin of the coronavirus.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. government has "enormous evidence" proving COVID-19 originated in a laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
A Fox News report claimed COVID-19 spread as a result of China's efforts to challenge the United States in the ability to identify and combat viruses.
Another Fox News report stated that there is "agreement" among the 17 U.S. intelligence agencies "that COVID-19 originated in the Wuhan lab."
One report alleges that the Wuhan lab was the source of the novel coronavirus because the facility posted a job opening in November seeking scientists to come "research the relationship between the coronavirus and bats."
There is also reports that the wet market, which China claims is the origin of the novel coronavirus, did not sell horseshoe bats, which is believed to be the animal that infected humans.
There are currently nearly 5.5 million confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the world, and over 345,000 COVID-19 deaths worldwide.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Gov. Cuomo issued order forcing nursing homes to take COVID patients. He continues to blame Trump.

Gov .
Cuomo issued order forcing nursing homes to take COVID patients .
He continues to blame Trump .
'So @ @ @ @ @ for following the president 's policy '

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not interested in accountability.
The Democratic governor issued an executive order on March 25 that required nursing homes in The Empire State to accept coronavirus-positive patients. The directive turned out to be a death warrant for thousands of elderly New Yorkers — more than 5,000, in fact, in fact — who have since died from COVID-19.
Despite this scandal, Cuomo continued to blame President Donald Trump over the weekend.
In fact, not only did Cuomo blame the president and Republicans, but he claimed that he has been attempting to de-politicize a situation that he said others have politicized.
"New York followed the president's agencies' guidance," Cuomo said, Fox News reported. "What New York did was follow what the Republican Administration said to do. That's not my attempt to politicize it. It's my attempt to depoliticize it. So don't criticize the state for following the president's policy."
Cuomo first attempted to blame the president last Wednesday.
"Anyone who wants to ask why did the state do that with COVID patients and nursing homes, it's because the state followed President Trump's CDC guidance," Cuomo said. "So they should ask President Trump."
An Associated Press report revealed last week that at least 4,300 COVID-positive patients were sent to New York nursing homes in compliance with the order that Cuomo authorized.
But at every step of the way, the Democratic leader has rebuked accountability. In fact, when a reporter confronted him last Sunday, Cuomo said there would be no consequences because many of the medically vulnerable people who are most susceptible to the virus would have died anyway.
"Older people, vulnerable people are going to die from this virus. That is going to happen despite whatever you do," Cuomo said.
Top officials in the Trump administration have hit back at Cuomo.
"Leadership is about good and sound judgment. Gov. Cuomo exercised misguided leadership. He's responsible for this nursing home problem, and the deaths are on his hands," Michael Caputo, assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services, told the New York Post.
Meanwhile, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson told Fox News, "Obviously, you want to accept people if you have provisions and have taken the appropriate safeguards, but you just don't say, 'Okay, let's bring somebody with tuberculosis in here because we are not supposed to discriminate against them' without having prepared for that."
"That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to a Republican, a Democrat or anybody with a brain," he added.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Second stimulus check coming 'sooner rather than later,' Trump's economic advisor says

Second stimulus check coming 'sooner rather than later , ' Trump 's economic advisor says The White House economic advisor @ @ @ @ @ could be higher than 20 % in June before the recovery begins

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said it is "pretty likely" that the federal government would issue a second stimulus check to Americans. "I think it's coming sooner rather than later," Hassett told CNN on Friday.
Hassett warned that another stimulus package will likely be necessary as the U.S. economy attempts to stay afloat during Great Depression-like unemployment rates. The U.S. unemployment rate rose by 10.3 percentage points in April to 14.7% — 11.1 points higher than in April 2019. More than 38 million people have filed jobless claims since the COVID-19 shutdown. Three states have unemployment rates over 20%: Hawaii, Michigan, and Nevada, which is at 28.2%.
Hassett is concerned that national unemployment could balloon to over 20% in May and June. Hassett said that unemployment might increase to 22% to 23% by the end of May and could edge up a bit in June before dropping off.
"June will be higher," he said on Friday. "That will be the turning point."
"Of course you could still not be back to full employment by September or October," Hassett added. "If there were a vaccine in July, then I'd be way more optimistic about it." Hassett cautioned that there was a possibility of double-digit unemployment in November.
"We are getting back to normal, but there for sure — if you saw the initial claims, there's still a lot of pain out there," Hassett told CNN. "You're looking at about 40 million unemployed folks, so, yeah, I think that there's definitely cause for doing something else."
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also believes that American people and businesses will need another injection of financial support as the coronavirus lockdown winds down.
"I think there is a strong likelihood we will need another bill," Mnunchin said on Thursday. "We're going to step back for a few weeks and think very carefully if we need to spend more money and how we're going to do that,"
President Donald Trump agreed with Mnunchin on the need for a second stimulus package.
"I think we will. I think we're going to be helping people out," Trump said on Thursday. "We're going to be getting some money for them during the artificial — because it really is, it's an artificial closure. And now we're going to be able to open it up."


theblaze--2020-05-24--President Trump may launch commission to investigate social media companies for anti-conservative bi

President Trump may launch commission to investigate social media companies for anti-conservative bias 'Left-wing bias in the tech world is @ @ @ @ @ to be addressed from our vantage point , '' a White House official said .

President Donald Trump is considering forming a panel to investigate social media companies for bias, especially any unfairness toward accounts with conservative viewpoints.
Trump is contemplating establishing a White House commission to check social media platforms for anti-conservative bias, according to the Wall Street Journal. The panel will reportedly investigate complaints of censorship and suppression of conservative voices on social media, including allegations of throttling and shadow-banning.
"Left-wing bias in the tech world is a concern that definitely needs to be addressed from our vantage point," a White House official told the WSJ. "And at least exposed [so] that Americans have clear eyes about what we're dealing with."
On May 16, Trump tweeted: "The Radical Left is in total command & control of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google. The Administration is working to remedy this illegal situation."
Trump has accused social media companies of bias against conservatives for years.
"Social Media is totally discriminating against Republican/Conservative voices. Speaking loudly and clearly for the Trump Administration, we won't let that happen. They are closing down the opinions of many people on the RIGHT, while at the same time doing nothing to others," Trump tweeted in August 2018. "Social Media Giants are silencing millions of people."
"I am continuing to monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms," Trump wrote on Twitter last May. "This is the United States of America — and we have what's known as FREEDOM OF SPEECH! We are monitoring and watching, closely!"
Right before the White House Social Media Summit that was held last July, Trump accused social media companies of practicing "tremendous dishonesty, bias, discrimination and suppression." He added, "We will not let them get away with it much longer."
Last May, Trump said his administration was "looking into" bias against conservatives. "It's getting worse and worse for Conservatives on social media," the president said. "Big attacks on Republicans and Conservatives by Social Media. Not good," he continued.
Trump has yet to take any action against social media companies. However, a White House commission could have government clout if there is evidence that social media companies are censoring conservative accounts. The panel would work in conjunction with agencies like the Federal Elections Commission and Federal Communications Commission.
Twitter responded to the report with a statement that read: "We enforce the Twitter Rules impartially for all users, regardless of their background or political affiliation. We are constantly working to improve our systems and will continue to be transparent and in regular communication with elected officials in regard to our efforts."
Facebook Inc., which also owns Instagram, reacted by saying: "People on both sides of the aisle disagree with some of the positions we've taken, but we remain committed to seeking outside perspectives and communicating clearly about why we make the decisions we do."
Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. declined to comment.
Last April during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, Republican senators alleged that Google, Facebook, and Twitter discriminate conservative viewpoints and suppress free speech.
"If we have tech companies using the powers of monopoly to censor political speech, I think that raises real antitrust issues," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said during the hearing.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Amazon blisters Joe Biden in scathing response after he tells company to 'pay its fair share'

Amazon blisters Joe Biden in scathing response after he tells company to 'pay its fair share' 'Assume your complaint is @ @ @ @ @ not Amazon '

Amazon fired back at Joe Biden on Friday after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee told the company it needs "to pay its fair share" in taxes.
The former vice president not only declared that Amazon must "pay its fair share," but he claimed the company pays less in taxes than firefighters and teachers.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: No company pulling in billions of dollars in profits should pay a lower tax rate than firefighters and teachers. It's time for Amazon to pay its fair share," Biden said.
However, Biden's claims are not congruent with the truth.
Amazon — which has become a proverbial punching bag for the Democratic Party while arguing for increased taxes — published its 2019 tax profile in January amid increased scrutiny from Democrats.
The data showed that Amazon collected and paid more than $10 billion in taxes last year, which included:
More than $1 billion in federal income tax expense
More than $2.4 billion in other federal taxes, like payroll tax and customs duties (tariffs)
More than $1.6 billion in state and local taxes
Amazon also collected and remitted nearly $9 billion in sales and use taxes
Amazon fired back those facts in response to Biden's criticism.
".@JoeBiden We pay every cent owed. You spent 3 decades in the Senate & know that Congress wrote these tax laws to encourage companies to invest in the US economy. We have. 500k jobs w/ a min wage of $15/hr across 40 states," the company wrote on Twitter.
"Assume your complaint is w/ the tax code, not Amazon," the company added.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Federal appeals court upholds Gov. Gavin Newsom's ban on in-person church services in California

'For the millions of faithful in California , religion is needed in these times more than ever , ' the @ @ @ @

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld Gov. Gavin Newsom's ban on in-person church services. The decision was in response to a lawsuit brought forth by a California church that argued that the governor's lockdown orders violated First Amendment rights.
The South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista, California, filed a lawsuit on May 8 in San Diego federal court. The lawsuit claimed state and local elected officials have "intentionally denigrated California churches and pastors and people of faith by relegating them to third-class citizenship."
The church sued Newsom and other California leaders after places of worship were not allowed to open in Phase 2 of California's re-opening plan.
The plaintiffs' attorney, Paul Jonna, noted that the South Bay United Pentecostal Church was not asking to return to normal religious services. The church was willing to adhere to social distancing guidelines and would wear face masks.
"For the millions of faithful in California, religion is needed in these times more than ever," Jonna said. "It might be hard for governing officials to understand, especially if they're hostile to religion or don't see its relevance, or if they think it's `low reward.' But to Bishop Hodges and millions of Californians, free exercise of religion is eternally important. To them, it's the most essential of activities."
U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant denied the church's request for an injunction. She said the state's order placed churches under Stage 3 because "the services involve people sitting together in a closed environment for long periods of time," and was not stopping people from practicing their religion.
"Individuals can practice religion in whatever way they wish, as long as they're not sitting with each other in large groups inside," Bashant said.
The South Bay United Pentecostal Church appealed the decision, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Newsom's ban on in-person church services late Friday. In a 2-1 decision, the federal appeals court upheld the state's ban, saying that the shelter-in-place orders do not violate the First Amendment, adding that churches are a "higher risk workplace."
"Where state action does not 'infringe upon or restrict practices because of their religious motivation' and does not 'in a selective manner impose burdens only on conduct motivated by religious belief,' it does not violate the First Amendment," the ruling said.
The dissenting vote came from Judge Daniel Collins, who was appointed to the bench by President Donald Trump.
"By explicitly and categorically assigning all in-person 'religious services' to a future Phase 3 — without any express regard to the number of attendees, the size of the space, or the safety protocols followed in such services — the State's Reopening Plan undeniably discriminate[s] on its face against religious conduct," Collins wrote.
Last week, more than 1,200 California pastors proclaimed that they will defy Newsom's shelter-in-place executive order and will resume in-person church services.
Attorney Robert Tyler wrote a letter to Newsom on behalf of the churches. He accused the Democratic governor of overlooking the "essential and critical nature of the services provided by clergy and religious assemblies throughout California."
"The clergy is convinced that 'we the people' are ultimately responsible to protect the individual liberties that may be lost unnecessarily during times of crisis regardless of whether public officials' actions are well intentioned," the letter read. "Without the checks and balances of the courts and legislature, the clergy now stand as a counterbalance to unchecked regulatory action."


theblaze--2020-05-24--Allen West injured in serious motorcycle crash, airlifted to central Texas hospital

Allen West injured in serious motorcycle crash , airlifted to central Texas hospital

Allen West, the former Republican congressman, was injured in a serious motorcycle crash on Saturday in Texas.
"Please pray for Allen West. He is in Emergency and his motorcycle has been hit outside of WACO. On my way to hospital now," West's wife, Angela Graham West, posted on Facebook.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, West was involved in a crash near Waco after speaking at the Texas Freedom Rally in Austin. The incident happened around 5 p.m.
West was transported via helicopter to a hospital in Waco, KWTX-TV reported. He reportedly has non-life threatening injuries.
According to an update posted by West's team Sunday morning, West and another motorcyclist were hit when another vehicle on the highway made an unsafe lane change.
West remains in the hospital "with a concussion, several fractured bones, and multiple lacerations," his team said.
"I am alive by the grace of God," West reportedly told his family.
West served one term in the U.S. House as a representative from Florida. He is currently running to become the next chairman of the Texas Republican Party.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include the Sunday morning update from West's team.


theblaze--2020-05-24--Hollywood producer arrested for stealing $1.7M in COVID-19 relief funds, embezzling $25M for Beverly

Hollywood producer arrested for stealing $1.7M in COVID-19 relief funds, embezzling $25M for Beverly Hills mansion

Hollywood producer arrested for stealing $ 1.7M in COVID-19 relief funds , embezzling $ 25M for Beverly Hills mansion The @ @ @ @ @ from the Paycheck Protection Program , that gives support to small businesses struggling during the @ @

The U.S. Department of Justice, the Security and Exchange Committee, and the U.S Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced fraud charges against former Hollywood executive producer William Sadleir on Friday. Sadlier allegedly stole $1.7 million in funds meant for coronavirus relief and swindled $25 million from an investor.
Sadleir, the founder and former chairman of Los Angeles-based film production company Aviron Pictures, reportedly lied on applications to get $1.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds from the federal government, according to the Department of Justice.
Sadleir obtained PPP loans in April through three Aviron entities; each said to have 33 employees. However, the entities had been removed from Aviron months earlier, and all but a handful of employees had been let go in January.
The PPP funds were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to provide small businesses with loans to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadleir used the coronavirus money to pay his and his wife's American Express bills, and to make a $40,000 car payment.
"This film producer allegedly made a series of misrepresentations to a bank and the Small Business Administration to illegally secure taxpayer money that he then used to fund his nearly empty personal bank account," U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said. "The Paycheck Protection Program was implemented to help small businesses stay afloat during the financial crisis, and we will act swiftly against those who abuse the program for their own personal gain."
"This defendant allegedly used Paycheck Protection Program loans to pay off his personal credit card debts and other personal expenses, rather than using the funds for legitimate business needs," Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said. "As the department has made clear, those who defraud the PPP to line their own pockets at the expense of the American people will be brought to justice."
Sadleir, 66, also reportedly embezzled $25 million from a publicly traded investment fund. The SEC alleges that Sadleir created a fake company to mislead investment management company BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust. Sadleir also reportedly created a fake person named "Amanda Stevens" to defraud the company.
According to the SEC complaint, BlackRock invested $75 million in the fake company. Sadleir reportedly transferred more than $25 million from the company under the guise of using the money for prepaid media credits. But in reality, he used the money for personal expenses, including buying a $14 million mansion in Beverly Hills.
The SEC alleges that in addition to buying the home in Beverly Hills, Sadlier used $3 million of the misappropriated funds to remodel Aviron's offices. Another $350,000 went to pay himself and his wife, and $254,000 was used to settle a legal dispute, according to the SEC. Sadleir also bought a Tesla for $127,000 and used $109,000 to pay for home furnishings and remodeling, according to the SEC.
Sadleir was charged with criminal wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, making false statements to the SBA, and aggravated identity theft. All of the charges carry a possible penalty of up to 82 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.
Sadleir was arrested on May 22 at his Beverly Hills home and taken into custody without incident.


theblaze--2020-05-24--The internet hilariously ridiculed Alyssa Milano for her crocheted face mask

The internet hilariously ridiculed Alyssa Milano for her crocheted face mask The actress was mocked mercilessly for her virtue-signaling face @ @

Actress and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano attempted to show just how safe she was being by wearing a face mask to protect her from coronavirus. So she wore a crocheted mask that has giant holes.
Milano attempted to virtue-signal about how she was being safe and wearing a face mask. The internet was more than willing to point out the major flaw in the resistance crusader's knitted face mask.
"Show me your masks! Masks keep people safe and healthy. Show me yours! Ready? Go! #WearAMask," Milano tweeted on Saturday. She included a photo of her family and her mask.
Milano claims that there is a white-colored carbon filter underneath the crocheted mask. There is debate as to whether or not carbon filters are effective against COVID-19.
Never-the-less, the internet mercilessly mocked the actress for her knitted face mask.
Hate to see it.


theblaze--2020-05-26--MSNBC: It is 'mystifying and disheartening' that working class men admire Trump

MSNBC : It is 'mystifying and disheartening ' that working class men admire Trump

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough and anti-Trump critic Tom Nichols said they found it "mystifying" that working class men in America found President Donald Trump admirable.
They were discussing an article by Nichols in The Atlantic entitled, "Donald Trump, the Most Unmanly President" on "Morning Joe" on Monday.
"This popular plutocrat has become so popular with certain blue collar workers," said Scarborough.
"He uses populist rhetoric, but he's got plutocratic policies, I remember the tax cuts, him going to his billionaire friends at Mar-a-Lago, and saying, 'I just made you guys richer today,' um, income inequality, obviously. Expands, he helps multi-national corporations, he promises to gut, he makes a promise to gut the healthcare assurances that a lot of working class Americans got over the past four or five years," he continued. "It remains a mystery why a guy whose policies are so detrimental to working class Americans, still has an in to some of them."
"Yeah and I think it's especially strange that he has such an appeal to working class men," responded Nichols.
"Um, because he really is everything they don't believe in. He doesn't treat people fairly, he's not an honorable man, he's not an honest man, he's vain, he's self-centered, he is not what you know, people who grew up like you or me or Mike Barnicle, you know, the old expression, he's not a standup guy," he continued.
"And yet there are working class men who think he's terrific, and that's really mystifying, because Donald Trump does not act like a man taking responsibility, leading his team, taking care of the workers of America," he added.
"He's our national, irascible little boy!" Nichols claimed.
"And I mean it is some way absolutely mystifying that the people who are most vulnerable, and that Trump is most harming, support him the most strongly. And I think it boils down to the reality that, you know, he hates the same people they hate. It's a good show, they enjoy the circus," he added.
"But it really is a remarkable betrayal of everything they believe in, and as I wrote this morning, especially the men!" he concluded. "It's especially a betrayal on the part of the men who admire him, I think it's really mystifying and disheartening."
Here's the video of the anti-Trump conversation on MSNBC:


theblaze--2020-05-25--Allen West released from hospital days after being injured in motorcycle accident

Allen West released from hospital days after being injured in motorcycle accident ' I am alive by the grace of @ @

Former congressman Allen West was released from a Texas hospital a few days after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident on Saturday.
The news was reported via West's page on Facebook on Monday.
West had been returning from the Texas Freedom Rally in Austin on Saturday when he was injured in the accident near Waco.
Early reports indicated that West had been cut off by a car which forced him to swerve into another motorcycle driver. He was airlifted to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Waco.
He suffered "a concussion, several fractured bones, and multiple lacerations," according to a social media post from his team.
His official social media account also released photographs of West leaving the hospital with his arm in a cast.
His account also posted a video of West thanking his supporters for all their prayers:
West gained popularity as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Florida's 22nd district. He moved to Texas after leaving Congress in 2013, and is currently running for the chair of the Republican Party of Texas.
"I am alive by the grace of God," West said after the crash.
Here's an interview with West after he was released:
[Ed. Note: This article has been updated with additional information.]


theblaze--2020-05-25--CNN faces the dreaded ratio over tweet forcing sexist narrative on coronavirus pandemic

CNN faces the dreaded ratio over tweet forcing sexist narrative on coronavirus pandemic More men are dying from coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ against women

CNN was the recipient of the dreaded "ratio" on social media over their attempt to force a sexist narrative on the deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.
The bizarre tweet admitted that deaths from the virus were disproportionately male, but added that women were still facing other negative consequences.
"The novel coronavirus seems to be more deadly for men. But in many other ways, women are bearing the brunt of this pandemic," the tweet from CNN read. "For instance, the majority of health workers are women, yet they get paid 28% less on average than men, according to the WHO."
The article sought out evidence for their thesis from Kristina Lunz, co-founder of The Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy.
"Crises like this exacerbate already existing structural inequalities in society," said Lunz, "when it comes to women's rights, women's health, and women's economic status, this is exactly what we are seeing now."
The response
Many on Twitter found the framing of the issue in a sexist narrative off-putting and tone deaf.
"Already thought COVID-19 was bad, but now that I know it's a misogynist, I absolutely refuse to get it. #SexistVirus," tweeted Jon Gabriel.
"Can't put a price tag on life....except when it comes to the gender pay gap," replied Chuck Ross of the Daily Caller.
"Even as the country reopens, the pandemic of stupidity persists," responded Ellen Carmichael.
"How do you type something like this without feeling like a total idiot?" said another popular Twitter user.
The tweet received a massive "ratio" which is shorthand for when a tweet gets more mocking responses than it gets in supportive retweets. The sexist reading obtained only 365 retweets, but more than 900 comments.
Here's the latest coronavirus news:


theblaze--2020-05-25--Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar blasts COVID-19 lockdown, says he refuses to comply: Takes ‘th

Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar blasts COVID-19 lockdown, says he refuses to comply: Takes ‘the love out of families’

Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar blasts COVID-19 lockdown , says he refuses to comply : Takes ‘ the love @ @ @ @ @ 's not letting anything stop him from living his life

Sammy Hagar, legendary frontman of Van Halen, said he refuses to keep locking down during the COVID-19 pandemic and that he has a life to live — and no virus is going to stop him from doing so.
What are the details?
During a Friday interview with KSHE-FM, the former Van Halen frontman said that he is "not locking down anymore."
Hagar, 72, said that he was concerned over coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic.
"I got a little nervous," he admitted. "I thought, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa.' And then I thought about it, and after three weeks of lockdown, I was really getting bored, but I also started kind of liking it."
Hagar said that despite enjoying the downtime, he began to find himself missing friends, family, and activity.
"My whole life I worked every day of my life," he said. "Sunday, it may be the Lord's day off, but it's not Sammy Hagar's day off. I worked every freakin' day of my life in some fashion on one of my projects. Either I'm recording, or I'm writing, or whatever. So all of a sudden, I went, 'Man, I don't have anything to do.'"
Hagar said he'd spend his mornings the same way: wake up, swim, relax.
It was after several weeks of routine that he had a moment of clarity.
"[Y]ou know what I thought of?" he said. "I thought, 'You know what? I've had the best life of any human being on this planet. If the damn thing wants to come and get me and kill me, let it be. Life isn't gonna be any better from this day on for the rest of my life than it has been."
He added, "I swear to you: I came to grips with it, and I was not afraid. I didn't want to get anyone else contagious if I had it, but I don't have it — I'm healthy as a freakin' tick."
Hagar said that his revelation led him to consider others and their plights amid the pandemic.
"[T]hen I got jumped up about it," he said. "I said, 'This is bullcrap, people being afraid and staying away from their own children and their own parents.' It just took the love out of families. I hate it. I don't say the word 'hate' very much, but I hate this freakin' coronavirus crap. And I'm not afraid of it, and I'm not locking down anymore."
Hagar said that he refuses to live in fear over the virus and is ready to go about living his life.
"I'm not afraid of it anymore," he insisted. "That's all I'm saying. Everybody, be their own self. I'm not trying to sway anyone any direction. But Sammy Hagar, I'm not afraid of it. There you go."


theblaze--2020-05-25--Trump delivers moving Memorial Day remarks: ‘Together we will vanquish the virus and America will ri

Trump delivers moving Memorial Day remarks: ‘Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise’

Trump delivers moving Memorial Day remarks : ‘ Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise ’

President Donald Trump commemorated Memorial Day with appearances at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.
What are the details?
The president on Monday appeared at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring America's military war heroes.
Trump appeared with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, where the two solemnly stood in unity honoring the country's war dead at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
He later appeared at Fort McHenry, where he promised his administration would eradicate the coronavirus pandemic and keep Americans safe while urging Americans to remember the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price to keep America free.
"I stand before you at this noble fortress of American liberty to pay tribute to the immortal souls who fought and died to keep us free," Trump told the crowd. "We pledge in their cherished memories that this majestic flag will proudly fly forever."
Fort McHenry defended Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812 and served as the inspiration for the poem that was later adapted to be "The Star-Spangled Banner."
He continued, "In recent months our nation and the world have been engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy. Once more the men and women of the United States military have answered the call to duty and raced into danger. Tens of thousands of service members and National Guardsmen are on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus, caring for patients, delivering critical supplies, and working night and day to safeguard our citizens."
"[T]his majestic flag will proudly fly forever," he later added, pointing out that the "dignity, daring, and devotion of the American military" has been "unrivaled anywhere in history and any place in the world."
He continued, "As one nation we mourn alongside every single family that has lost loved ones, including the families of our great veterans."
"Together," he added, "we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights. ... No obstacle, no challenge, and no threat is a match for the sheer determination of the American people."


theblaze--2020-05-25--New Hampshire Democrat edits Pledge of Allegiance: '...with liberty and justice for some'

New Hampshire Democrat edits Pledge of Allegiance : ' ... with liberty and justice for some' 'This pandemic has shone @ @ @ @ @ about the inequities in our country '

"...with liberty and justice for all."
Those are the famed concluding words of the Pledge of Allegiance that every American has recited from their grade-school days. But one New Hampshire Democrat decided to alter the words last week — suggesting that justice does not actually exist in America.
During a New Hampshire executive council meeting last Wednesday, Democrat Debora Pignatelli, executive councilwoman for District 5, said at the end of the pledge, "… with liberty and justice for some," WMUR-TV reported.
Her reason? She claims the coronavirus pandemic has revealed glaring injustices in America.
"I don't say it all the time, but it has been clear to me since this coronavirus has started that we need to make some more progress if we're going to call ourselves a country with liberty and justice for all," she told WMUR.
"The coronavirus has pointed out and made it clear that we are not a country where everyone is considered equal, and we have a lot more work to do to make this country a place where liberty and justice can live up to its promise," she explained. "This pandemic has shone a bright light for me about the inequities in our country. That's what this is about. Nothing more."
Gov. Chris Sununu (R) and the other four council members — two Republicans and two Democrats — recited the pledge correctly.
Not surprisingly, Pignatelli's edit did not sit well with Republicans.
New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Steve Stepanek condemned Pignatelli as "disgraceful" and told her she needs to apologize.
In response, Pignatelli said she did not mean disrespect by changing the words, and reiterated her belief that the "COVID-19 pandemic has shown a bright light on the inequities in our society."
"We have always known about the unfairness in the way some people are treated but now it is crystal clear. We surely have much work to do to make it a more fair society, don't you agree?" she wrote in an email.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Just 1 week after Trump announces he takes hydroxychloroquine, WHO halts drug trials citing safety c

Just 1 week after Trump announces he takes hydroxychloroquine, WHO halts drug trials citing safety concerns

Just 1 week after Trump announces he takes hydroxychloroquine , WHO halts drug trials citing safety concerns

The World Health Organization announced on Monday that it would temporarily stop hydroxychloroquine trials due to reported safety concerns.
Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug that has shown promise in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the details?
According to a Monday NBC News report, the embattled organization — which lost its U.S. funding over its mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis — announced that the drug may cause potential dangers in patients and is choosing to "err on the side of caution" by temporarily ceasing trials.
The WHO has been under fire for several months after reportedly parroting China's continued misinformations about COVID-19 and its origins.
WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus said that evidence exists that hydroxychloroquine has reportedly shown dangerous side effects such as heart problems and more.
In a statement, Tedros said, "The executive group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity trial while the safety data is reviewed by the data safety monitoring board. The other arms of the trial are continuing."
WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan added that Tedros' announcement jives with the organization's investigations about the drug.
"So the steering committee met over the weekend and decided that in the light of this uncertainty that we should be proactive, err on the side of caution, and suspend enrollment, temporarily, into the hydroxychloroquine arm," he said.
What else?
Last week, president Donald Trump announced that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure against COVID-19.
"You'd be surprised at how many people are taking it — and especially the frontline workers, before you catch it — the frontline workers, many, many are taking it," he said during a press conference. "I happen to be taking it."
"I think it's good, I've heard a lot of good stories. And if it's not good, I'll tell you right," he continued. " I'm not going to get hurt by it. It's been around for 40 years for malaria, for lupus, for other things."


theblaze--2020-05-25--WATCH: Remember how the media handled Kavanaugh and Ford?

WATCH : Remember how the media handled Kavanaugh and Ford ?

Look. Reasonable people agree that sexual predators should be crucified. But, a presumed predator still has a right to a fair and speedy trial. And that trial is to be held before a judge and a jury of accused's peers. And thank God for that.
I take issue with a person who seeks justice after the statute of limitations of sexual assault expired by speaking to a reporter instead of the police. When an accuser speaks to a reporter rather than the police, they have essentially opened a jury trial only there is not a judge presiding to keep order.
Let's take a look back at how the media handled Kavanaugh and Ford during Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice in this Crowder Classic. Take it away, Steven...
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theblaze--2020-05-25--Police reveal identity of man charged with savagely beating nursing home resident in viral video

Detroit police have revealed the identity of the man who they say is responsible for beating an elderly nursing home resident.
Law enforcement announced the arrest of a 20-year-old male last week in the savage beating of a 75-year-old man inside a Detroit nursing home. Authorities only learned about the incident after video of the disturbing attack went viral on social media.
On Sunday, police announced they had charged Jaden T. Hayden with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, larceny in a building, and two counts of financial transaction device steal/retaining without consent, the Detroit Free-Press reported.
Hayden and his victim reportedly shared a room at the Westwood Rehabilitation Nursing Center in central Detroit.
Police say that Hayden recorded the savage beating on May 15 and then uploaded the footage to social media. It is not clear what provoked Hayden, though authorities have said the attack appears to be "racially motivated," the Daily Caller reported. Hayden is black and his victim is white.
To make matters worse, police allege that Hayden stole his victim's credit card after the attack, which left the elderly man hospitalized with head injuries.
"The alleged actions of this defendant are truly and uniquely disturbing. We must be able to trust our loved ones in specialty care facilities. I truly hope that the facts of this case are one of a kind," Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
Hayden is being held on $300,000 bond.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Man interrupts North Carolina church service apparently bent on knifing congregants. Pastor credits

Man interrupts North Carolina church service apparently bent on knifing congregants. Pastor credits 'divine intervention' that had cops on the scene quickly.

Man interrupts North Carolina church service apparently bent on knifing congregants .
Pastor credits 'divine intervention ' that had cops @ @ @ @ @ Could have been a tragedy

A man burst in on a North Carolina church's outdoor service on Sunday with the reported aim of attacking congregants with a knife, the New York Post said on Monday.
A quick-thinking sheriff's deputy was almost immediately on the scene, however, and was able to take down the suspect.
What are the details?
The suspect — who reportedly lives across the street from the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Waxhaw, North Carolina — purportedly became irate Sunday morning, charging the service while armed with a knife.
Authorities reveal that the suspect is 54-year-old Christopher Ross.
According to WSOC-TV, deputies arrived on the scene after reports of Ross interrupting the service and threatening congregants.
The outlet reported that at least one churchgoer attempted to diffuse Ross's anger, but was unsuccessful.
"I couldn't really hear what the words were, but the gentleman had come to the edge of his driveway. Was yelling and very belligerent," pastor Rich Myers said.
A sheriff's deputy arrived on the scene and ended up struggling with the suspect before deploying tasers. The tasers apparently did not work, and the deputy ended up with no choice but to fire his weapon at the suspect, striking him.
A statement from the department said, "The armed male continued fighting and a deputy eventually fired rounds from his service weapon, striking the male."
Authorities then arrested the suspect and took him to a nearby hospital where he received medical treatment.
Deputy Tony Underwood, a spokesperson for the Union County Sheriff's Office, said its department was investigating the unnamed man's motives and said that the man might have been upset from the noise from the outdoor service.
"We don't know exactly what the gentleman was upset about," Underwood said. "We think it's the noise, but we're not exactly sure."
The suspect's injuries are not life-threatening, according to the outlet.
Myers later added, "We bear him no ill will. We don't wish any hardship on him at all. It could've been a lot worse, but there was divine intervention. There's a big comfort in that."
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the incident as it involves a law enforcement officer. The suspect faces charges of disorderly conduct for interfering with a church service, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon against law enforcement officers, and resist, delay, and obstructing an officer according to WSOC.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Tara Reade finds unlikely Democratic ally who believes sexual assault claims against Joe Biden

Tara Reade finds unlikely Democratic ally who believes sexual assault claims against Joe Biden 'Justice can be delayed , but @ @ @ @ @

Tara Reade has found an unlikely Democratic ally: U.S. Rep. llhan Omar.
The Minnesota Democrat revealed in an interview with the Times of London over the weekend that she believes Reade's accusations against Joe Biden. Reade claims Biden sexually assaulted her in the early 1990s when she worked as an aide in his U.S. Senate office.
"I do believe Reade," Omar told the British newspaper. "Justice can be delayed, but should never be denied."
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
During the interview, Omar also expressed her opposition to Biden's presidential candidacy, which is not a surprise given that she is one of the most far-left lawmakers in Congress. Omar endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) last year during the Democratic presidential primary.
Omar's stance on the Reade accusation stands in stark contrast to the perspective of her Democratic colleagues.
Despite loudly declaring "believe all women" during Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation, nearly every prominent Democrat has publicly backed Biden in the face of Reade's allegations.
Even Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said earlier this month that she would still vote for Biden, despite admitting she believes "something happened" between Reade and Biden.
Biden has vehemently denied Reade's accusations.


theblaze--2020-05-25--VIDEO: Would-be intruder prepares to break into family's home, but a brave 10-year-old girl scares h

VIDEO: Would-be intruder prepares to break into family's home, but a brave 10-year-old girl scares him off

VIDEO : Would-be intruder prepares to break into family 's home , but a brave 10-year-old girl scares him off

Cops in Bakersfield, California, are on the hunt for a man they say planned to burglarize a home — until he was cared off by a 10-year-old girl.
What happened?
KFSN-TV reported Saturday that a man believed to be a would-be intruder was caught on a Ring camera walking up to a house, preparing to enter the home.
What he didn't know was in the car parked next to him in the driveway was 10-year-old Lola Letournuea.
Lola was in the car after turning it on and starting the air conditioning as her family prepared to head out, KERO-TV said.
As she sat there, the suspect, whom authorities said could be seen driving around the neighborhood multiple times, approached the house and walked up the driveway to enter the garage.
The Ring video shows Lola rushing from the car screaming, "Hey! Get out of here!"
The surprised suspect turned tail and sprinted off, quickly getting out of range of the camera.
What was Lola thinking? She told KERO, "I just knew I needed to tell him to leave. So I just thought of a bunch of words to like tell him to go away."
Lola's family is, of course, very proud of their girl. Her mom, Jordan Pendley, told KFSN, "She is very brave. I am so surprised. She was pretty shook up, I felt pretty bad for her. She was really scared, but that was such a bold move of her."
And her stepdad, Dylan Pendley, said Lola did what she had been trained to do.
"I said, if you get in that situation just yell, i mean, especially with the pandemic going on, there's a lot of people home, just scream and someone is going to come outside," he said, according to KERO. "Fortunately, my neighbor he came out."


theblaze--2020-05-25--Following Biden's contentious remarks, Charlamagne tha God issues dire warning about voting for the

Following Biden's contentious remarks, Charlamagne tha God issues dire warning about voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee

Following Biden 's contentious remarks , Charlamagne tha God issues dire warning about voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee

Radio host Charlamagne tha God says that former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden could bring "voter depression" for the black community.
Last week, the radio host spoke with the presumptive Democratic nominee, who said that if the black community didn't vote for Biden, they might not be as black as they think.
"If you have a problem figuring out whether you're voting for me or Trump, then you ain't black," Biden said during the contentious and often awkward interview.
What are the details?
In a Sunday interview with MSNBC's Joy Reid, Charlamagne said that if Biden chooses a running mate such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), it could very well spur on a "voter depression" for the black community.
“On top of possible Russian interference and voter suppression, Dems have to worry about voter depression," he said. "That's people staying home on election day because they just aren't enthused by the candidate."
He pointed out that Biden seems to take the black vote for granted, and assumes that it will vote for him simply because he is the Democratic candidate.
"You can't act like this is the most important election ever, but run a campaign from your basement and, you know, not make some real policy commitments to the black community," he said. "Not listening to some of the demands that the black community are making."
Biden issued an apology following the interview with the radio host.
He said, "I should not have been so cavalier. I've never, never, ever taken the African American community for granted. I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier. ... No one should have to vote for any party based on their race, their religion, their background."
During the exchange with Reid, Charlamagne also added that Biden's apology on its own simply wasn't enough.
"Do you think there's a risk that not just Joe Biden, but the Democratic Party in general just takes for granted that 'Black people are with us,' so we don't have to really give them anything else?" Reid asked the radio host. "'They're going to vote for us regardless.'"
"I know that's the attitude," he answered. "That's why I don't even care about the words and the lip service. The apology is cool, but the best apology is actually a black agenda."


theblaze--2020-05-25--Furious mob descends on woman who didn't wear a mask in a grocery store: ‘Get the f*** out of here!’

Furious mob descends on woman who did n't wear a mask in a grocery store : ‘ Get the f*** @ @ @ @ @

A viral video shows the moment an angry mob of New York grocery shoppers descended on an unmasked woman and drove her out of the store.
What are the details?
In the 20-second video, a crowd is shown shouting profanities as it targeted a female shopper who was not wearing a face mask inside a Staten Island grocery store.
A crowd began to form as the unnamed woman, who was seen pushing a grocery cart, attempted to navigate the store and leave the clearly angry, shouting group behind.
Many of the customers began screaming demands such as "Get the f*** out of here!" while wildly gesticulating toward the store's exit, insisting the woman leave. Other people can be heard screaming "Get out!" and referring to the unmasked woman as a "Dirty ass pig!"
The woman, who didn't seem to say much to the onlookers, appeared to initially attempt to circumvent the crowd, but then reportedly relented and left the store following the crowd's demands.
On April 17, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered residents to cover their faces while in public.
A social media user shared the video on Twitter, captioning it, "Staten Islanders with masks drive out non-mask wearing person in grocery store. #Coronavirus."
At the time of this writing, the video — which was posted Sunday night — had been viewed more than 500,000 times.
(Content warning: Rough language):


theblaze--2020-05-25--Irish PM criticized for appearing to violate his own social distancing guidelines during Sunday picn

Irish PM criticized for appearing to violate his own social distancing guidelines during Sunday picnic

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was harshly criticized by many in Ireland for appearing to violate his government's social distancing guidelines during a Sunday picnic in Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Varadkar's apparent indiscretion was first publicized by a Twitter user who first tweeted about Varadkar, who was alleged to be partying with a group of four who were not at least 2 meters apart, at a location more than 5 kilometers from Varadkar's residence. In order to prove his point, the Twitter user then included video.
The tweets no longer appear available on a live account, but screenshots of the tweets were carried by multiple media outlets and Varadkar's office has confirmed that the photographs were genuine and that he was, in fact, at Phoenix Park on the day in question.
At issue is the fact that Ireland remains under very strict social distancing rules, including rules that forbid any travel of more than 5 kilometers away from a person's residence, and rules forbidding anyone in Ireland from coming within 2 meters of any other person in public. Phoenix Park is approximately 8 kilometers away from Varadkar's residence.
In defense of his actions, Varadkar's office stated that during the course of the pandemic, Varadkar is staying in the semi-official residence that is available to the Irish PM, which is less than 5 km away from Phoenix Park. A statement from Varadkar's office claims that Varadkar was "complying fully" with his office's guidelines, notwithstanding the photographs that appeared to show the four men being clearly less than two meters apart.
As one Irish website, which ripped him for "yucking it up in the Phoenix Park yesterday while thousands have died in nursing homes and their families banned from attending the funerals," noted: "This man is the leader of our country and the architect of the social distancing regulations that have separated families (some of us haven't seen our mothers since Christmas) and caused the public to endure immense personal and economic hardship. And yet there he is, out in the park, without a care in the world and being cavalier at best about the regulations he expects the rest of us to follow."
Varadkar is already on the way out as prime minister after his party finished third in the Feb. 8 general election. Varadkar is serving, effectively, as a caretaker prime minister until a successor can be appointed, which is complicated by the fact that the leading popular vote getter in the elections was the controversial party Sinn Fein, whereas both other major parties have publicly pledged to refuse to form a coalition government with Sinn Fein.


theblaze--2020-05-25--A lesson in the midst of the pandemic: The lockdown may stop parades and parties, but it can't stop

A lesson in the midst of the pandemic: The lockdown may stop parades and parties, but it can't stop the importance of Memorial Day

A lesson in the midst of the pandemic : The lockdown may stop parades and parties , but it ca @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Day

"Happy Memorial Day!"
It's a line we've all likely said.
After all, there are parades to attend and bar-b-cued ribs to eat and picnics to put out and furniture sales to discover and blowouts at car dealerships to explore and summer travel plans to start enjoying.
Well, there were anyway.
The pandemic changed that for us.
Maybe that's a good thing — not economically, not as good public policy, of course, but maybe because ... well ... we're getting a chance to focus on what today really means.
"Happy Memorial Day" isn't an offensive line, but it is a bit strange in light of what today is.
We, as a people, have decided to set aside a day to remember a special strain of our citizenry — heroes who sacrificed everything for the country they served, the people they loved, and the principles they held dear.
They were willing to give their last full measure of devotion. What are we willing to give or give up?
Today, we get to offer our respect without as many things getting in the way.
Today, we can more clearly remember — if we're willing — that we have a duty, too.
It's our job to defend freedom and liberty, to love our country, to cherish our loved ones, to stand by our principles.
We've not been asked to die for those things ... yet. And most of us haven't volunteered to.
Today, we thank God for those men and women who have.
And today — on a Memorial Day like no other, during a time like no other — we've got a chance to do it well.
This year, the lockdown is giving us an opportunity with fewer distractions to truly consider what this day means and how it should impact our own behavior as Americans.
It would be a shame if we wasted this chance to be better because we were busy complaining about not getting the last bratwurst or missing a really good deal at the mall.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Protesters hang Kentucky governor in effigy during Second Amendment protest at state Capitol

A large crowd of Second Amendment protesters descended on Kentucky's state Capitol over Memorial Day weekend, demonstrating and hanging Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky) in effigy.
What are the details?
According to the Louisville Courier Journal, at least 100 demonstrators visited Frankfurt on Sunday for a "Patriot's Day" protest.
The protest, organized by Facebook group Take Back Kentucky, was initially intended to defend the Second Amendment, but later turned into a protest to condemn Beshear's statewide coronavirus restrictions.
Protesters chanting "Resign, Andy!" and "Come out, Andy!" visited the Capitol building, but later made their way to the governor's mansion armed with signs that read "My rights don't end where your fear begins" and "Abort Beshear from office."
The protest took a turn for the dramatic when several of the protesters hung an effigy of the Democratic governor from a tree while blasting Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." over a public address system.
The effigy bore a sign that read "sic semper tyrannis," which roughly translates to "thus always to tyrants." The Latin phrase was popularized by John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated former President Abraham Lincoln.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media, prompting many people on both sides of the aisle to cry out in disgust.
'Reprehensible' | Kentucky governor hung from tree in effigy www.youtube.com
What was the response?
On Twitter, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blasted the protest.
He wrote, "As a strong defender of the First Amendment, I believe Americans have the right to peacefully protest. However, today's action toward Governor Beshear is unacceptable. There is no place for hate in Kentucky."
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) issued similar remarks.
"I condemn it wholeheartedly," he tweeted. "The words of John Wilkes Booth have no place in the Party of Lincoln."
Kentucky House Democratic Leader Joni Jenkins, House Democratic Caucus Chair Derrick Graham, and House Democratic Whip Angie Hatton issued a joint statement about the incident.
"Hanging Governor Beshear in effigy is beyond reprehensible, and yet it is also the logical conclusion of the hateful rhetoric we saw touted on the Capitol grounds earlier this month that was implicitly condoned by elected representatives from the legislature's majority party," the statement read.
"Doing this in front of our Capitol, just a short walk from where the Governor, First Lady, and their two young children live, is an act that reeks of hate and intimidation and does nothing but undermine our leading work to battle this deadly disease and restore our economy safely," the statement concluded. "We call on all elected officials to condemn these actions and pledge to work to eliminate dangerous hateful speech."
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Has Beshear's office responded?
A spokesperson for Beshear condemned the protest in a statement.
"The act that was displayed on Capitol grounds today, near where the Governor and his young children live, was wrong and offensive," the spokesperson said. "This type of behavior must be condemned. As Kentuckians, we should be able to voice our opinions without turning to hate and threats of violence. Put simply — we are and should be better than this."


theblaze--2020-05-25--Gov. Ralph Northam breaks his own policy requiring face masks by not wearing face mask on crowded be

Gov. Ralph Northam breaks his own policy requiring face masks by not wearing face mask on crowded beach

Gov .
Ralph Northam breaks his own policy requiring face masks by not wearing face mask on crowded beach

Do as I say, not as I do. That was Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam's attitude over the weekend.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Northam announced last week that he would issue a statewide policy on Tuesday requiring Virginians to wear face masks while in public. He told the public their "homework" for the weekend was to buy face coverings for themselves and their families.
But Northam ironically failed his own assignment on Saturday.
While meeting with constituents on Virginia Beach, which had just reopened in time for Memorial Day, the Democratic governor was not wearing a face mask, and was often within six feet of others.
Gov. Northam without a face mask. Image source: WVEC-TV screenshot
Northam's office excused his mask-less face by claiming the governor did not expect to be within six feet of others while visiting the crowded beach.
"The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible. He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone," a spokesperson said, WWBT-TV reported.
In another statement, Northam spokesman Alena Yarmosky reduced the situation to a learning moment.
"This is an important reminder to always have face coverings in case situations change — we are all learning how to operate in this new normal, and it's important to be prepared," Yarmosky told the Associated Press.


theblaze--2020-05-25--Trump says the GOP convention will be moved out of North Carolina unless Gov. Cooper can 'immediatel

Trump says the GOP convention will be moved out of North Carolina unless Gov. Cooper can 'immediately' guarantee the arena can be 'fully occupied'

Trump says the GOP convention will be moved out of North Carolina unless Gov .
Cooper can 'immediately ' guarantee @ @ @ @ @ occupied '

In a series of tweets Monday morning, President Donald Trump threatened to move the Republican National Convention out of the state of North Carolina unless Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper can "immediately" guarantee that Republicans will be allowed to fill the site to capacity.
Currently, the RNC is scheduled to be held Aug. 24-27 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, which is the home arena of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.
In his tweets, Trump took aim at Cooper, criticizing him for being in "Shutdown mood" and for being "unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space."
"Plans are being made by many thousands of enthusiastic Republicans, and others, to head to beautiful North Carolina in August, the president continued. "They must be immediately given an answer by the Governor as to whether or not the space will be allowed to be fully occupied. If not, we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina!"
Vice President Mike Pence underlined Trump's message in a Fox News appearance on Monday, insisting that the GOP was looking at states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia or another state "that is farther along on reopening and can say with confidence that we can gather there."
In response, Gov. Cooper told CNN, "This is not political. This is not emotional. This is based on health experts, data and science and that's it for everybody to see. No one is being favored or disfavored over the other." He further stated that the convention would be treated like any other major gathering event and that it was still unclear to him whether things like concerts or NFL games could return in the fall. Under current North Carolina regulations, any gatherings of over 10 people remain prohibited.