theblaze--2020-07-20--Trader Joe's to change its 'racist' branding ASAP following online petitioners' demands

Trader Joe 's to change its 'racist ' branding ASAP following online petitioners ' demands

Grocery retailer Trader Joe's says it will remove all of its "racist packaging" as soon as possible as prompted by a Change.org petition.
What are the details?
The store — which has more than 500 stores across the U.S. — said that some of its branding was determined to be offensive.
The company says that it will no longer use terms like "Arabian Joe," "Trader Jose's," "Trader Ming's," "Arabian Joe," and more.
According to the Washington Post, the grocer "years ago" decided to adopt the traditional Trader Joe's branding on all of its products in lieu of using "ethnic-sounding variations such as Trader Jose's on Mexican food products and Trader Ming's on Chinese fare."
The petition — which has about 3,000 signatures so far — reportedly helped "fast-track" the process, the outlet reported.
The petition's author, Briones Bedell, wrote, "The grocery chain labels some of its ethnic foods with modifications of 'Joe' that belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The Trader Joe's branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures — it presents 'Joe' as the default 'normal' and the other characters falling outside of it."
A spokesperson for the company told CNN, "While this approach to product naming may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness, we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect — one that is contrary to the welcoming, rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day. Packaging for a number of the products has already been changed, but there's a small number of products in which the packaging is still going through the process."
What else?
Bedell told the Post that it's important that companies with large platforms such as that of Trader Joe's responsibly use its voice.
"When anyone chooses to represent a culture, especially one that's not their own, it is necessary to take measures to ensure that they are not furthering prejudice, discrimination, or misunderstanding, regardless of the intention," she said.


theblaze--2020-07-20--CANCELED: Crosswalk signals are now considered racist and oppressive?

CANCELED : Crosswalk signals are now considered racist and oppressive ?

On Monday's episode of "Pat Gray Unleashed," Pat and Keith discussed an article from Level, a Medium publication, titled "The Unintentional Racism Found in Traffic Signals: Just because something doesn't use an offensive mascot doesn't mean it can't reinforce a broken system."
In the article, writer David Kaufman described the moment he realized he had to "wait for a little white man to appear before he could cross the street." Kaufman went on to say the little white man at crosswalks is another example of "power and privilege."
I realize that White people like to exert control over nearly everything everyone does, I thought, but since when did this literally include trying to cross the street? — David Kaufman
Pat went on the read the full story, and he expressed how he felt about the matter. Watch the video to catch Pat's reaction.
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theblaze--2020-07-20--Jemele Hill says all Trump voters are racists, and there's 'no wiggle room.' Her mother voted for Tr

Jemele Hill says all Trump voters are racists, and there's 'no wiggle room.' Her mother voted for Trump.

Jemele Hill says all Trump voters are racists , and there 's 'no wiggle room . '
Her mother voted @ @ @

Writer and podcast host Jemele Hill said everyone who votes for President Donald Trump is a racist, leading many people to remind her that her own mother voted for Trump in 2016.
What's the story? On Sunday morning, Hill tweeted a perfectly clear message that, regardless or race or reason, if you vote for Trump, you're a racist.
"If you vote for Donald Trump, you are a racist. You have no wiggle room," Hill wrote.
Her tweet appeared to have come after Hill watched Fox News' Chris Wallace interview the president, as she wrote just a few minutes earlier, "Fox News truly doesn't deserve Chris Wallace."
A retweet after her original tweet about Trump voters provides some clarity about how Hill defines racism.
"I love [Boston University professor and Atlantic writer Ibram X. Kendi's] definition of racist," former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith wrote. "RACIST: One who is supporting a racist policy through their actions or inaction or expressing a racist idea. It's very clear."
What about her mother? In 2017, Hill tweeted that her mother was her total opposite when it came to politics.
"I love my mother but we could not be more differently politically," Hill said, while discussing with another user how a parent's politics might influence their children's views. "Polar opposites."
"Yes, my mother voted for Trump," Hill said. "She's been voting Republican since post-Bill Clinton."
Hill's history with Trump: Hill's feelings about President Donald Trump and his supporters have been clear for years. While Hill was still working for ESPN, she was publicly chastised by the network for calling the president a white supremacist.
The post violated the network's social media policy, leading her to be suspended for two weeks when she committed a second violation by encouraging fans who didn't like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' stance against national anthem kneeling to boycott the Cowboys' advertisers.
President Donald Trump attacked ESPN for Hill's comment, and demanded an apology. Hill, however, has never backed down from her assertion that Trump is a white supremacist.
Hill has since left ESPN, which has tried to avoid divisive politics in recent years, and now writes for The Atlantic, a publication at which her political views are welcomed and unrestrained. She also hosts a podcast, "Jemele Hill is Unbothered" on Spotify.
Hill recently signed on to work on an ESPN project, however. She will be a producer on an upcoming documentary series about former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Journalists savage former CNN staffer Soledad O'Brien after she mocks Fox's Janice Dean over COVID-1

Journalists savage former CNN staffer Soledad O'Brien after she mocks Fox's Janice Dean over COVID-19 stance

Journalists savage former CNN staffer Soledad O'Brien after she mocks Fox 's Janice Dean over COVID-19 stance

A bevy of journalists defended Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean after former CNN reporter Soledad O'Brien ribbed her for her stance on how to fight against COVID-19.
What are the details?
On Saturday, "Fox & Friends" meteorologist Dean tweeted a recent interview in which Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested that Americans should embrace high levels of social distancing measures in order to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak.
Fauci made the suggestion while praising the directives of New York's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
In the tweet, Dean referred to Fauci's praise of Cuomo's methods of fighting the virus as "garbage."
She added, "Sorry Dr. Fauci. 32,000 deaths. 6,000 seniors? Nope."
O'Brien, who apparently took issue with Dean's assessment of Fauci's interview, sarcastically fired back, "Meteorologist weighs in."
Dean — who lost two family members to the coronavirus — responded to O'Brien's remark in kind, writing, "30 thousand deaths in New York. Over 6 thousand Covid patients shoved into nursing homes killing over 6,000 elderly. I'd say New York didn't do the greatest job. Thanks for getting my title right, though."
Famed journalist Megyn Kelly chimed in, writing, "That 'meteorologist's' name is @JaniceDean. She's a working mom w/MS who is married to a hero 9/11 fireman. She lost both in-laws in NY nursing homes thx to Cuomo's disastrous orders & so yeah, she gets an opinion. She also epitomizes class & kindness. Remember those?"
O'Brien decided to take a jab at Kelly, and responded, "What did I do to deserve the Blackface lady tweeting at me while I'm still in bed? This doesn't bode well for my day, [to be honest]."
Kelly fired back, "Oh let me help you! You attacked a woman grieving her dead relatives for challenging the narrative that NY handled corona just great, dismissing her as too small to have an opinion because she's just a meteorologist."
Jack Posobiec added, "So cruel and unfeeling."
"The View" co-host Meghan McCain simply wrote, "Love you Janice."
Mark Levin added, "Whatever happened to moron Soledad O'Brien? Well, apparently, she's still a moron."
Other journalists, as highlighted by Newsweek, such as Amber Athey, Guy Benson, Jessica O'Donnell, and Emily Miller, also vocalized their support for Dean.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Horowitz: Chris Wallace flubs America’s virus death rate while playing gotcha with Trump

In the minds of the media figures who shape public opinion about the virus in America , up is down and down is up .
They believe that America is doing horribly in dealing with COVID-19 , except of course in New York and New Jersey , where more people died per capita than anywhere on Earth , yet the media , along with their saint , Anthony Fauci , believe those governors saved the country .
During a pretaped interview with the president on Sunday , Fox News anchor Chris Wallace played the classic gotcha game , trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost any other country .
After Trump explained that the high number of cases is a results of more testing per capita than any other country , Wallace brought up the mortality rate .
Wallace asserted that the U.S. has `` the seventh highest mortality rate in the world … higher than Brazil , it 's higher than Russia , and the European Union has us on a travel ban . ''
The president was confused about the source of Wallace 's numbers and requested a pause in the interview so they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed a piece of paper with information , after which the president exclaimed , `` Number one low mortality rate . ''
America is not exactly number one in terms of the lowest number of deaths per capita , but it is near the bottom compared to most major countries .
Later on , Wallace admitted he was using a chart from Johns Hopkins that showed the U.S. in eighth place for the highest mortality rate in the world .
But this chart is random and includes cherry-picked countries with only a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take into account the insane amount of testing we have , which means we have discovered many more cases and therefore actually have a much lower case fatality rate .
This is dishonest beyond belief .
The White House was using a much more appropriate chart from Our World in Data , which compared the U.S. to primarily other Western countries with much better data reporting .
As you can see , America 's case fatality ratio is even lower than Japan , which has gotten a lot of accolades for the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the broader issue .
To the extent that America is recording a lot of COVID-19 deaths , it 's mainly driven by the Democrat-run states the media is placing on a pedestal as the paradigm for a successful coronavirus result .
By listening to the media , one would think Texas and Florida are like Italy , while New York and New Jersey are like Taiwan .
In reality , our fatality rate is being driven almost entirely by the six states that placed COVID-positive patients back into nursing homes .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deaths of various states : Here is the comparison by hospitalization rate : Here is a chart comparing different states to various countries : As you can see , the four northeastern states were worse than the worst European country ( Belgium ) .
New York and New Jersey have twice the fatality rate of Europe 's worst country .
Florida is right in line with Canada and Switzerland , while Texas is much lower .
Thus , much of what is driving America 's higher mortality rate per million people is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
Also , as Trump rightly noted , mass testing is a huge factor .
On the one hand , America does have a high death rate , but on the other hand , America has one of the lowest death rates per case count .
What that demonstrates is that , because we are counting and often miscounting so many cases , many deaths are erroneously being blamed on COVID-19 .
In countries where they have very little testing , they are either missing some legitimate COVID-19 deaths , or they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 where the virus had little to do with the fatality .
This is also why England has so many deaths and even Sweden has recorded a relatively high share of deaths compared to some other similar Nordic countries .
Both England and Sweden have an extremely broad definition of a COVID-19 death .
Indeed , if Trump is guilty of one thing it 's not firing Fauci .
During a weekend interview , Fauci had the shocking audacity to suggest that New York is the model to follow and how the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ca n't have it both ways – complaining that America has a high mortality rate and treating New York like the road to paradise .
Not only is politics trumping science , it is trumping simple arithmetic .

In the minds of the media figures who shape public opinion about the virus in America, up is down and down is up. They believe that America is doing horribly in dealing with COVID-19, except of course in New York and New Jersey, where more people died per capita than anywhere on Earth, yet the media, along with their saint, Anthony Fauci, believe those governors saved the country.
During a pretaped interview with the president on Sunday, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace played the classic gotcha game, trying to show how America is worse off than almost any other country. After Trump explained that the high number of cases is a results of more testing per capita than any other country, Wallace brought up the mortality rate.
Wallace asserted that the U.S. has "the seventh highest mortality rate in the world … higher than Brazil, it's higher than Russia, and the European Union has us on a travel ban."
The president was confused about the source of Wallace's numbers and requested a pause in the interview so they could clarify the data. Trump was then handed a piece of paper with information, after which the president exclaimed, "Number one low mortality rate."
America is not exactly number one in terms of the lowest number of deaths per capita, but it is near the bottom compared to most major countries.
Later on, Wallace admitted he was using a chart from Johns Hopkins that showed the U.S. in eighth place for the highest mortality rate in the world.
But this chart is random and includes cherry-picked countries with only a few European nations. It also doesn't take into account the insane amount of testing we have, which means we have discovered many more cases and therefore actually have a much lower case fatality rate.
This is dishonest beyond belief. The White House was using a much more appropriate chart from Our World in Data, which compared the U.S. to primarily other Western countries with much better data reporting.
As you can see, America's case fatality ratio is even lower than Japan, which has gotten a lot of accolades for the way it handled the virus.
But here's the broader issue. To the extent that America is recording a lot of COVID-19 deaths, it's mainly driven by the Democrat-run states the media is placing on a pedestal as the paradigm for a successful coronavirus result. By listening to the media, one would think Texas and Florida are like Italy, while New York and New Jersey are like Taiwan. In reality, our fatality rate is being driven almost entirely by the six states that placed COVID-positive patients back into nursing homes.
Here is a presentation from Yinon Weiss comparing the deaths of various states:
Here is the comparison by hospitalization rate:
Here is a chart comparing different states to various countries:
As you can see, the four northeastern states were worse than the worst European country (Belgium). New York and New Jersey have twice the fatality rate of Europe's worst country. Florida is right in line with Canada and Switzerland, while Texas is much lower.
Thus, much of what is driving America's higher mortality rate per million people is the nursing home slaughter from those six states.
Also, as Trump rightly noted, mass testing is a huge factor. On the one hand, America does have a high death rate, but on the other hand, America has one of the lowest death rates per case count. What that demonstrates is that, because we are counting and often miscounting so many cases, many deaths are erroneously being blamed on COVID-19. In countries where they have very little testing, they are either missing some legitimate COVID-19 deaths, or they are not counting those who died with COVID-19 where the virus had little to do with the fatality.
This is also why England has so many deaths and even Sweden has recorded a relatively high share of deaths compared to some other similar Nordic countries. Both England and Sweden have an extremely broad definition of a COVID-19 death.
Indeed, if Trump is guilty of one thing it's not firing Fauci. During a weekend interview, Fauci had the shocking audacity to suggest that New York is the model to follow and how the state "did it correctly."
Well, you can't have it both ways – complaining that America has a high mortality rate and treating New York like the road to paradise.
Not only is politics trumping science, it is trumping simple arithmetic.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Former Ohio GOP Gov. John Kasich to speak at the Democratic National Convention in support of Joe Bi

Former Ohio GOP Gov. John Kasich to speak at the Democratic National Convention in support of Joe Biden

Former Ohio GOP Gov .
John Kasich to speak at the Democratic National Convention in support of Joe Biden Kasich @ @ @ @ @ party

Former Ohio Republican Gov. John Kasich is slated to speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in support of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the Associated Press reported Monday.
Kasich was reportedly approached by the campaign and has agreed to speak in support of his former rival party when they gather for the nearly all-virtual event Aug. 17-20 in Milwaukee.
Cleveland.com, in its coverage of the news, wrote: "It's a move that would be unthinkable just a few years ago, when, as governor, Kasich clashed with Democrats on a range of issues, from abortion to collective bargaining for public employees."
The former governor is said to be one of a number of high-profile Republicans who plan to work against President Trump's re-election this fall, according to the AP report.
Kasich ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2016 as a moderate candidate but was outlasted by Trump. The former Ohio governor managed to win only his home state during the primary contest.
After withdrawing from the race, Kasich opted not to endorse any candidate and instead wrote in John McCain during the general election.
Cleveland.com noted that Kasich's 2016 campaign manager John Weaver and former Ohio GOP Chair Matt Borges have also taken action to oppose Trump's re-election. Weaver co-founded the Lincoln Project, a group currently airing anti-Trump TV ads, and Borges has formed a pro-Biden super PAC.
The Biden campaign has been working in recent months to rally support for his candidacy from those who may be politically Republican but who oppose Trump's handling of the job as president.
The New York Times reported in early June that several big-name Republicans — including former President George W. Bush, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jeb Bush, and Cindy McCain, the wife of the late Sen. John McCain — were considering not supporting Trump's re-election. Though, Freddy Ford, a spokesman for George W. Bush, refuted the Times' reporting, calling it "completely made up."


theblaze--2020-07-20--Atlanta Braves' 'Chop On' sculpture reportedly removed — but team insists it's not changing name

Atlanta Braves ' 'Chop On ' sculpture reportedly removed — but team insists it 's not changing name 'We will @ @ @ @ @ '

Amid renewed pressure on professional sports franchises to change nicknames potentially offensive to Native Americans — the most prominent example being the demise of the Redskins moniker formerly used by Washington, D.C.'s NFL team — the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball said they have no plans to follow suit, ESPN reported.
But that sentiment apparently wasn't true for the team's "Chop On" sculpture.
Jeff Schultz of the Athletic tweeted that the wood sculpture outside the Braves' stadium "has been removed. I asked the Braves about it, but they have chosen not to respond to requests for comment."
What's the background?
The team's fans have long employed the "Tomahawk Chop," a forearm-forward motion, accompanied by a wordless stereotypical Native American chant, during games:
Photo by Logan Riely/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
Photo by Pouya Dianat/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
The Braves also use "Chop" and tomahawk imagery:
Photo by Pouya Dianat/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
What about the Braves' nickname?
The Braves said in an email to season ticket-holders Sunday that while the team will be considering the future of the Tomahawk Chop, its nickname won't be changed, ESPN said.
The team said in its letter to fans that it has commenced a relationship with Native American leaders and that "through our conversations, changing the name of the Braves is not under consideration or deemed necessary. We have great respect and reverence for our name and the Native American communities that have held meaningful relationships with us do as well. We will always be the Atlanta Braves."
But 'the Chop' could get cut down
The Braves added in the letter that they're working through issues surrounding "the chop," which was "popularized by our fans when Deion Sanders joined our team, and it continues to inspire our players on the field. With that in mind, we are continuing to listen to the Native American community, as well as our fans, players, and alumni to ensure we are making an informed decision on this part of our fan experience."
Tomahawk Chop - Atlanta Braves vs L.A. Dodgers - NLDS - Game 3 youtu.be
Anything else?
As for other teams in the Braves' shoes, ESPN reported that the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks said they also will continue using their moniker since it honors a Native American leader who has been an inspiration to generations.
"The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois' Sac & Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans and the public," the NHL team said in a statement Tuesday, the outlet noted.
Other teams that use the "Tomahawk Chop" motion include the NCAA's Florida State Seminoles and the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN said.
MLB's Cleveland Indians also are considering changing their name and logo over racist depictions of Native Americans, the outlet added.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Anti-mask customer drops her pants and pees on Verizon store floor in protest

The debates and fights over face masks have made lots of headlines over the last few months. In July alone we've seen McDonald's workers assaulted for asking people to wear masks; a mass protest by mask-less parents opposed to a mask mandate for students; Georgia's governor prohibiting local mask requirements; people spat on, punched, stabbed, held at gunpoint, and killed over mask disputes; the creation of snitch lines to report mask scofflaws; anti-mask vandalism and public fits; and even a pro-mask campaign employing a famous movie slasher.
But a new incident out of Roseville, California, might have them all beat — at least on the craziness scale.
KOVR-TV reported Friday that a woman who didn't care for Verizon's company policy requiring that masks be worn in all its stores decided to drop her pants and relieve herself on the floor of her local Verizon store.
What's that now?
In a 911 dispatch call aired by KOVR, a dispatch officer can be heard telling cops that three customers at the Roseville Verizon store were told to put on masks or leave, but they would do neither. And apparently one woman in particular was a real problem.
In the call, the dispatcher said the people would not mask up or leave the property and that the woman gathering the most attention was "refusing to leave, not wearing a mask."
"They've asked several times, and she refuses," the dispatcher added.
Image source: KOVR-TV screenshot
Then things got weird.
The store called 911 again when the unidentified woman reportedly decided to pull down her pants and urinate on the floor.
According to KOVR, just about three minutes after the initial call, the dispatcher contacted police in the area again, this time with much less pleasant news.
"They're calling back and advising that that female is pulling down her pants and is now urinating inside the business," the dispatcher said.
Image source: KOVR-TV screenshot
Members of the Roseville Police arrived on scene and later confirmed the whole incident to KOVR, the station reported. Authorities arrested the woman and said they also found several stolen items from a local Dick's Sporting Goods in her car.
Several customers offered their take on the woman's performance.
"Are you kidding me? That's terrible," a woman said. "That's like an animal. That's what my dog would do."
"That's kind of ridiculous," one man said, "I mean, there's bathrooms all over the place."
"That's totally inappropriate, we're not animals," another customer stated. "I'm very disappointed that we, as a society, choose to have disunity and let this coronavirus divide us."
KOVR noted at the end of the report that a Verizon spokeswoman told the outlet that the incident was not just about the mask policy but declined to add what else was involved.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Suspect in shooting of federal judge's family identified, found dead, reports say

Suspect in shooting of federal judge 's family identified , found dead , reports say

A suspect in the shooting of U.S. District Court of New Jersey Judge Esther Salas' family has been found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot, severalreports say.
A gunman, dressed as a FedEx employee, showed up at Salas' North Brunswick, New Jersey, home on Sunday and fatally shot Salas' son, 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, and wounded Salas' husband, defense attorney Mark Anderl.
What are the details?
Two law enforcement officials reportedly told ABC News that the suspect — an attorney — was discovered near Liberty, New York.
"The deceased suspect was an attorney who had a case before Judge Salas in 2015, sources said," the outlet reported. "The suspect was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound near Campsite Road and Berry Brook Road in Sullivan County, the sources said. A municipal employee discovered the body in a car."
According to the outlet, authorities discovered a FedEx package addressed to Salas in the suspect's vehicle.
WNBC-TV on Monday reported that the as-yet unnamed attorney had previously filed "various sorts of civil lawsuits over the years."
Law enforcement is also investigating whether a gun discovered at the scene matches the one that killed Salas' son and injured her husband.
What else?
Salas' husband remains hospitalized in critical condition following emergency surgery. The outlet also reports that Salas' son was shot directly through the heart.
Daniel, a student at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., was described as a "rising junior."
"Daniel was a rising junior, enrolled for classes beginning in the next few weeks," Catholic University President John Garvey said in a statement about the young man's death. "He turned 20 last week. We all mourn and grieve this loss to our University community."
Jack Timko, director of external relations at the university, said that Daniel was both "well-respected" and "well-liked" by those in the school.
"He exemplified what we call a St. Joseph's man," Timko added. "Well prepared, well educated, respectful, professional."
In a Sunday statement, the FBI Newark office said, "The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Esther Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey, earlier this evening, July 19. We are looking for one subject and ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information please call FBI Newark at 973-792-3001. We are working closely with our state and local partners and will provide additional updates when available."


theblaze--2020-07-20--Maxine Waters spots black motorist being questioned by officers, stops her SUV, and reportedly begin

Maxine Waters spots black motorist being questioned by officers, stops her SUV, and reportedly begins 'yelling at deputies'

Maxine Waters spots black motorist being questioned by officers , stops her SUV , and reportedly begins 'yelling at deputies' @ @ @ @ @ so I stopped to see what they were doing '

Far-left U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) managed to generate more headlines after spotting Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies questioning a black motorist last week, the Daily Mail reported.
What happened?
The driver had been pulled over as part of a burglary investigation about 8.30 a.m. Friday, a sheriff's office spokesperson told the outlet.
Waters pulled up her SUV at the traffic stop and began "yelling at the deputies," the sheriff's office added to the Daily Mail. She was then told she was obstructing traffic and to pull over, the outlet said.
Waters was soon released with a warning after refusing to sign a citation, the spokesperson told the Daily Mail. The driver who was pulled over was found in possession of a metal pipe but also was released, the outlet said.
A Waters spokesperson wasn't immediately available for comment, the Daily Mail added.
'They stopped a brother, so I stopped to see what they were doing'
The outlet said Facebook user Marva Brown captured cellphone video of part of the incident. The clip shows Waters on the side of the road and then walking toward those recording the video.
"They stopped a brother, so I stopped to see what they were doing," Waters was heard saying.
She added in reference to the deputies: "They say I'm in the wrong place. They say they're going to give me a ticket. That's OK, as long as I watch them."
The individual behind the camera shouts out, "Gotta do what they gotta do! Make sure!"
"I will," Waters replies as she walks toward the deputies.
"Bye, Maxine!" another person shouts out.
Anything else?
Days after George Floyd's death that sparked nationwide protests and rioting, Waters said the Minneapolis police officer whose knee pressed into Floyd's neck "enjoyed doing what he was doing" and was out to kill that day.
"I believe sometimes some of these officers leave home thinking, 'I'm gonna get me one today.' And I think this is his one," the California congresswoman told TMZ.
Waters added that Floyd's death reminded her of similar violent incidents involving police and "white supremacists" — and that "if in fact you have subdued a suspect ... and you're not in any danger at all because the handcuffs are on him, there's no reason for the police to do what these police did."
She also placed blame on President Donald Trump, saying that "in a way he's dog whistling" and that his conduct emboldens some to believe "they can get away with this kind of treatment."
Waters apparently needs no dog whistles, as she openly encouraged her supporters to harass and maybe even attack members of Trump's administration during a June 2018 speech.
"Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up and if you see anybody from that cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere," Waters said.
Indeed harassment followed, and attacks on conservatives got physical, too. Amid all that, prominent Democrats followed Waters' playbook, with Hillary Clinton saying "you cannot be civil" with Republicans, former Attorney General Eric Holder saying "when they go low, we kick them!" and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker urging activists in Washington, D.C., to "go to the Hill" and "get up in the face of some congresspeople."


theblaze--2020-07-20--Protesters injure 12 Seattle police officers, set fire in a precinct, damage businesses in anti-cop

Protesters injure 12 Seattle police officers, set fire in a precinct, damage businesses in anti-cop demonstrations

Protesters carry a banner through Pike Place Market during a march and rally to call for Starbucks to divest from @ @ @ @ @ July 16 , 2020 , in Seattle .
The march began at the original Starbucks @ @ @ @ @ , stopping at several locations in the city before finishing at the upscale Starbucks Reserve @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood .
( Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images )

A dozen Seattle Police Department officers were injured and multiple businesses and police facilities were vandalized during weekend anti-police protests, My Northwest reported.
What started as a peaceful protest Sunday morning became rowdy and violent when some protesters showed up a few hours into the demonstration with baseball bats, paint, and fireworks.
Rioters marched through the streets smashing windows, tagging buildings with graffiti, and looting some businesses.
The group attacked police officers standing outside the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct with bottles and rocks. Some officers were injured by fireworks thrown at them by the rioters.
The destructive march continued through the city to the Capitol Hill area, which was the site of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, also known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest, which occupied 6-9 blocks of the city surrounding the SPD East Precinct for about two weeks.
When the group arrived at Capitol Hill, they damaged more businesses, looted, and even set a fire inside one business that was broken into.
They got to the East Precinct, which has only recently been recovered by SPD after they abandoned it to CHAZ protesters, and broke out windows at the front of the building and set a small fire inside with fireworks.
Seattle Police called the riots a "very concerted effort at property damage of certain businesses and government facilities." The department shared pictures of some of the damage on Twitter. They reportedly targeted specific businesses:
Police said the group targeted several businesses, including an Amazon store and Starbucks coffee shop. The Macy's downtown also had windows broken.
There's no word yet on how much the damage will cost or if there will be more arrests.
Arson/bomb detectives along with members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are conducting the follow-up investigations related to the arson and the fireworks.
"Demonstrators went from Westlake Park to the Municipal Courthouse and then headed back north to the West Precinct...leaving behind a trail of property destruction. These are criminal acts, not peaceful protests," the post read.
A majority of the Seattle City Council supports severely cutting Seattle Police Department funding in 2020, although Mayor Jenny Durkan is trying to push such measures back by at least one year. From the Seattle Times:
Last week, seven of nine council members said they would support a high-level proposal — laid out by the coalitions Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now — to cut police spending by 50% and redirect the money to alternative 911 responders, community services and affordable housing.


theblaze--2020-07-20--NBC's Jeremy Roenick sues network, saying he was terminated because he is heterosexual and supports

NBC's Jeremy Roenick sues network, saying he was terminated because he is heterosexual and supports Trump

NBC 's Jeremy Roenick sues network , saying he was terminated because he is heterosexual and supports Trump

Former NBC Sports analyst Jeremy Roenick is suing his former employer for wrongful termination, insisting that there is a gross double standard at work within the network.
Roenick filed the lawsuit Friday in New York Supreme Court.
What's the backstory here?
NBC Sports fired Roenick, a former NHL star, in February after determining he made vulgar, crass remarks about his wife and one of his female co-workers.
According to the Wrap, Roenick insists that a gay colleague made similar remarks, but was not reprimanded for the comments, let alone fired from the network.
Roenick's suit insists that the network fired him "because of his sex and sexual orientation."
In December, Roenick appeared on an episode of Barstool Sports' "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast, where he jokingly said he'd like to have a sexual threesome with his wife and Kathryn Tappen, an NBC Sports co-worker.
Roenick, who recalled a vacation he and his wife took along with Tappen, a family friend, said that a woman approached him and asked if he was with both his wife and Tappen. Roenick said he jokingly told the woman, "Yes, they are," and proceeded to banter and joke with the woman about having "blonde bombshells" on either arm while on vacation.
He joked, "I play it off like we're going to bed together every night [while on vacation], the three of us. If it really came to fruition, that would be really good, but it's never going to happen."
Roenick apologized after outcry over the remarks, and the network initially suspended him for the comments. By February, the network fired him.
What's the double standard here?
Roenick's suit insists that during coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics, NBC Sports analyst Johnny Weir made "colorful commentary" in regard to the "body parts of ice skaters."
Roenick said that he brought the remarks up to NBC Sports executive Sam Flood at the time, but said that Flood dismissed his concerns and responded by saying that Weir is "gay," which means he can "say whatever."
Roenick's suit, according to the outlet, "also points to a story from earlier this month about a video where Weir and Tara Lipinski (another NBC commentator)" reportedly used a "vulgar term for a women's groin and joked about a sexual affair" while discussing Olympic bronze medalist and figure skater Bradie Tennell.
"To date, there has not been any remedial action taken against Lipinski or Weir," the suit says.
Anything else?
Elsewhere in the suit, Roenick alleges that his open support for President Donald Trump has also factored into the network's decision to fire him in February.
Roenick's suit alleges that he asked Flood in 2016 if he could speak at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Flood reportedly responded, "I'm not saying what you can do. You know who you work for. You work for NBC. That would not look good on your NBC record."
In a statement to the New York Post, Roenick's lawyer, Scott William Clark, said, "Mr. Roenick is the victim of double standards wrongfully asserted against him. A person's career should not be thrown away by a company as Mr. Roenick's career was with NBC. We are confident that the evidence that will be brought to light from this lawsuit will reveal the rampant disregard of Mr. Roenick's rights."
The Post also reports that Roenick's suit says NBC could have used other means to discipline him rather than exercising a termination.
Reprimanding Roenick, according to the suit, "would have allowed NBC to send the message to the community at large that his comments were inappropriate and could not be tolerated while not ruining Roenick's post-playing career."


theblaze--2020-07-20--Australian doctors push renaming Adam’s apple, Achilles tendon, and other 'misogynistic' terms

Doctors in Australia are pushing for the renaming of body parts that have been named after `` men , kings , and gods '' such as the Adam 's apple and the Achilles tendon , the Daily Mail Australia reported .
`` I think we have a personal choice to decolonize our language and these historical terms will fade out , '' Queensland specialist obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Kristin Small told the news outlet .
Small is also an anatomy lecturer and has been reportedly teaching her students to `` phase out irrelevant and misogynistic medical language . ''
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eponyms — the person , place , or thing after which something is named — for exam purposes , she looks for alternatives to the `` dead man 's name '' in practical exercises .
There are thought to be several hundred eponyms in human anatomy , though a comparatively small number — just nine , according to an online dictionary — are named after females .
Below is an image provided by the Daily Mail that shows several of the more well-known eponyms found in human anatomy .
The image includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the biblical Adam , and the Achilles tendon , named after the mythical Greek warrior .
It also shows several parts of the female reproductive system , such as the Fallopian tubes , the Pouch of Douglas , and Bartholin 's glands , all named after male anatomists .
Dr. Nisha Khot , a council member for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists , is also teaching young doctors to start using alternative terminology , the news outlet reported .
Khot said she thinks many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The young trainee doctors are mostly keen to learn the more relevant language and are often shocked when they hear the origins of some medical terms , '' she said .
`` The push for change may have started in the area of women 's health but the conversation is now in the wider health community .
It just makes sense for the medics but also for the patients to use more understandable terms . ''
The push to change supposedly sexist medical terms comes alongside a somewhat similar push in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought to be racist .
Critics of the rebranding and renaming movement argue such attempts are nothing more than byproducts of the current `` cancel culture , '' which targets and publicly shame anyone or anything deemed offensive .

Doctors in Australia are pushing for the renaming of body parts that have been named after "men, kings, and gods" such as the Adam's apple and the Achilles tendon, the Daily Mail Australia reported.
"I think we have a personal choice to decolonize our language and these historical terms will fade out," Queensland specialist obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Kristin Small told the news outlet.
Small is also an anatomy lecturer and has been reportedly teaching her students to "phase out irrelevant and misogynistic medical language."
Though she still requires students to know the eponyms — the person, place, or thing after which something is named — for exam purposes, she looks for alternatives to the "dead man's name" in practical exercises.
There are thought to be several hundred eponyms in human anatomy, though a comparatively small number — just nine, according to an online dictionary — are named after females.
Below is an image provided by the Daily Mail that shows several of the more well-known eponyms found in human anatomy. The image includes the Adam's apple, which was named after the biblical Adam, and the Achilles tendon, named after the mythical Greek warrior.
It also shows several parts of the female reproductive system, such as the Fallopian tubes, the Pouch of Douglas, and Bartholin's glands, all named after male anatomists.
Dr. Nisha Khot, a council member for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, is also teaching young doctors to start using alternative terminology, the news outlet reported.
Khot said she thinks many of the older terms will eventually become obsolete.
"The young trainee doctors are mostly keen to learn the more relevant language and are often shocked when they hear the origins of some medical terms," she said. "The push for change may have started in the area of women's health but the conversation is now in the wider health community. It just makes sense for the medics but also for the patients to use more understandable terms."
The push to change supposedly sexist medical terms comes alongside a somewhat similar push in the U.S. to rebrand products and rename organizations thought to be racist.
Critics of the rebranding and renaming movement argue such attempts are nothing more than byproducts of the current "cancel culture," which targets and publicly shame anyone or anything deemed offensive.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Kanye West sobs, 'I almost killed my daughter' with abortion, says God stopped him. His family is 's

Kanye West sobs, 'I almost killed my daughter' with abortion, says God stopped him. His family is 'seriously concerned' for his mental health now.

Kanye West sobs , ' I almost killed my daughter ' with abortion , says God stopped him .
His @ @ @ @ @ for his mental health now .

The family of rapper and supposed presidential candidate Kanye West, according to TMZ, is "seriously concerned" over West's Sunday appearance at a South Carolina rally and reportedly says that the Christian entertainer is in the middle of a very serious bipolar episode.
West broke down in tears during his first campaign rally for the 2020 presidential election and claimed that he almost aborted his daughter.
West announced his presidential bid on July 5, but having missed the deadline to qualify for the ballot in several states, he qualified to appear on Oklahoma's presidential ballot.
What did he say that's reportedly got them so upset?
At the Sunday night rally in Charleston, South Carolina, West sobbed, saying that he had pressured his wife, Kim Kardashian, to abort their child North West in the months following the news of Kardashian's pregnancy.
"I almost killed my daughter!" he shrieked. "I almost killed my daughter!"
"I was having the rapper's lifestyle," he recalled. "I was sitting up in Paris, and I had my leather pants on. ... I had my laptop up, and I got all of my creative ideas. ... And then the screen went black and white and God said, 'If you f*** with my vision, I'm going to f*** with yours."
West, openly crying at this point, said that the moment prompted him to phone Kardashian and tell her that he didn't want her to have an abortion.
"I called my wife and she said, 'We're gonna have this baby.' I said 'We're gonna have this child.' ... Even if my wife were to divorce me after this speech, she brought North into the world when I didn't want to," he said. "[Kardashian] stood up and she protected that child."
According to TMZ, people around West believe he is in "desperate need of professional help," but he reportedly refuses to listen to anyone.
The outlet adds that West's remarks could hurt some of his businesses, "if not all of them."
"His family and friends know comments like these are the things that trigger boycotts," TMZ reports.
The Kardashian family is also unhappy that West discussed Kardashian's first pregnancy with their daughter, North, and how the couple reportedly discussed abortion.
Finally, the outlet reports, "His family and friends are also upset because they feel Kanye is a distraction to what is a very important election."
Elsewhere during his Sunday speech, West said that the media coverage of the rally would likely be negative.
"They're going to run this," he said. "They're going to tell you that I'm crazy. [Well], the world's crazy!"
Sobbing Kanye West admits he & Kim Kardashian nearly aborted North at his first presidential rally www.youtube.com
Anything else?
Also during the rally, West said that new parents should be given $1 million to discourage abortion.
"Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars," West said, according to reports from the Associated Press. West reportedly referred to the move as "Plan A," which is in stark comparison to emergency contraceptive pill "Plan B."
He explained, "If you had the opportunity to be given a million dollars, just for being pregnant, would you have considered it? And then everybody would start having children, the greatest gift of life."
West also said that famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman did not actually free slaves.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Giant swarm of flying ants shows up on weather radar

Giant swarm of flying ants shows up on weather radar Is Earth trying to kill us ?

Adding to the surreal feeling that 2020 has consisted of a series of Exodus-style plagues, a huge swarm of flying ants swept across the United Kingdom on Saturday, and the swarm was so huge and so dense that weather radar mistakenly identified it as rain.
Brits were understandably confused when the U.K.'s Meteorological Office (known as the Met Office) displayed a weather map Sunday showing that it was raining in several places where absolutely no precipitation was falling.
The Met Office's Twitter account quickly attempted to clear things up and sheepishly admitted that a giant cloud of flying ants was to blame for the mishap.
Some initial reports erroneously stated that the cloud of ants was so huge that it was visible from space, but the Met Office quickly cleared up any confusion on that.
Twitter twitter.com
The radar error was due to a phenomenon known as Flying Ant Day, which occurs once a year in the U.K. Flying ants across the country leave their nests in a frenzied search for mates. As a result, billions of ants take to the skies at essentially the same time.
It should be noted, there is at least some amount of scientific disagreement as to whether Flying Ant Day is a misconception and that some scientists have suggested that the existence of a single Flying Ant Day is really a myth that is fed by the phenomenon of people remarking about it repeatedly on social media.
Either way, this particular cloud of flying ants was clearly unusual. BBC meteorologist Bryan King said that this was the largest cloud of insects he'd ever seen in the U.K.: "For it to actually to appear on the radar imagery, that's something certainly incredible, and I just feel sorry for all the people who have to experience those flying ants."
Perhaps equally pestilential were the massive flocks of seagulls that were reported to have congregated upon the cloud in order to enjoy a flying ant feast.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Leftist thug caught on video allegedly trying to cut brake lines on NYPD vehicle. He doesn't get far

Leftist thug caught on video allegedly trying to cut brake lines on NYPD vehicle. He doesn't get far.

Leftist thug caught on video allegedly trying to cut brake lines on NYPD vehicle .
He does n't get far @ @ @ @ @ was hit with numerous charges , he was released without bail the day after his @

A frequent participant in Occupy City Hall protests in New York City was caught on surveillance video Friday afternoon allegedly trying to cut the brake lines of a police van in Brooklyn, authorities told the New York Daily News.
An NYPD detective told the paper he spotted Jeremy Trapp moving under a marked NYPD van parked on Fourth Avenue near 43rd Street in Sunset Park about 4 p.m. and recovered a pair of scissors from him.
Image source: WNBC-TV video screenshot
As it happens, the wrong wire was cut, authorities told the Daily News. The 24-year-old suspect allegedly cut the line that measures wheel speed, the paper said, citing court documents.
Numerous charges were leveled against Trapp, including reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal tampering, auto stripping, and obstructing governmental administration, the Daily News said.
But as with many other arrestees in the Big Apple this year, Trap was released without bail the day after his arrest, the paper said, adding that he's due back in court in December.
Trapp is an Occupy City Hall protester, police sources told the Daily News. WNBC-TV reported that he's been seen coming and going from the protests in recent weeks, officials said. The group has been camped in City Hall Park around the clock for weeks demanding the defunding of the NYPD, the paper said.
Anything else?
The incident is the latest in what's becoming a troubling anti-police environment, officials told the station, adding that police vehicles have been firebombed, lug nuts have been loosened on their vehicles, and officers have been assaulted.
In fact, officers were physically attacked on the Brooklyn Bridge last week by Occupy City Hall protesters.
Quran Campbell, 25, allegedly punched Lt. Richard Mack in the face during the dust-up, the Daily News said. Mack suffered multiple fractures of his orbital bones and cuts needing 12 stitches, the paper said, citing prosecutors' statements at Campbell's Thursday arraignment.
And after NYPD Chief of Department Terrance Monahan intervened, court documents said the department's highest-ranking uniformed officer was punched in the face, too, the Daily News reported.
Image source: NYPD News
While Campbell was charged with felony assault, he was freed without bail under supervised release, the paper said.
Chanice Reyes also was charged with felony assault for allegedly walloping an NYPD sergeant and lieutenant with a cane, the Daily News said.
Image source: NYPD News video screenshot
Image source: NYPD News
Reyes made $7,500 bail and was freed Friday, the paper said.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Kanye West says Harriet Tubman didn't free slaves, all parents should get $1M, and marijuana should

Kanye West says Harriet Tubman didn't free slaves, all parents should get $1M, and marijuana should be free

Kanye West says Harriet Tubman did n't free slaves , all parents should get $ 1M , and marijuana should @ @

Kanye West held a campaign rally Sunday, and his remarks included some inflammatory claims about abolitionist Harriet Tubman and a bizarre proposal to help families so fewer people choose abortion, according to the Associated Press.
West is supposedly running for president, although he has qualified for the ballot in only one state, Oklahoma, so far. Sunday's campaign rally was in South Carolina, where he's seeking the 10,000 required signatures needed to get on the ballot in the state. He has until noon on July 20.
The rapper is attempting to run as an independent, although his alliance with President Donald Trump and his views on religion and abortion make him somewhat of a conservative-leaning candidate. For example, West has been aggressively critical of Planned Parenthood, although he believes abortion should be legal.
At the same time, West advocated for an outlandish policy to help families support children — a policy that would not be mistaken as conservative in nature.
"Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars," West said, according to AP. This plan was reportedly referred to as "Plan A," a play off Plan B, the emergency contraceptive pill.
During his discussion about abortion, he tearfully said his mother considered aborting him, and that he even considered abortion for his own daughter at one point. From the New York Post:
The Chicago rapper wore a bulletproof vest and had the numbers "2020" shaved into his head as he addressed the crowd, revealing that he and wife Kim Kardashian West considered terminating their first pregnancy — but didn't after he had a "vision from God," according to a livestream of the event.
He then began to cry hysterically as he said: "My mom saved my life. My dad wanted to abort me."
"I almost killed my daughter," West, 43, continued in tears, referring to the couple's eldest, North West.
"No more Plan B, Plan A," he added.
"The only thing that can free us is by obeying the rules that were given to us for a promised land," West said, according to Reuters. "Abortion should be legal because guess what? The law is not by God anyway, so what is legality?"
West stirred up controversy and lost some of the audience with his comments about Harriet Tubman.
"Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves," West said while discussing economic inequality, prompting audible protest from the crowd. "She just had the slaves work for other white people."
West also said marijuana should not only be legal, but it should be free.
The rally was, at times, contentious. West got into brief verbal altercations with attendees; one who asked him to name the "fellow billionaire" West referenced during an answer about gun reform, and another with the woman who asked that gun reform question. She posted a video about her experience online.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Pro-life protester paints 'Baby Lives Matter' mural outside of Planned Parenthood clinic. It has alr

Pro-life protester paints 'Baby Lives Matter' mural outside of Planned Parenthood clinic. It has already been removed.

Pro-life protester paints 'Baby Lives Matter ' mural outside of Planned Parenthood clinic .
It has already been removed .
@ @ @ @ @ rights crises that nobody wants to talk about '

A pro-life demonstrator painted a "Baby Lives Matter" mural outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, in order to protest against the hundreds of thousands of babies killed each year in abortion procedures by the organization.
The mural was modeled after similar "Black Lives Matter" murals that have been painted on streets in major cities across the nation in recent weeks — including one in front of Trump Tower in New York City and one near the White House in Washington, D.C.
Taylor Hansen, who painted the mural shortly after midnight Friday, said he did it to raise awareness about "one of the most egregious human rights violations that has not been properly addressed." That is, abortion.
"In 2019, abortion was the leading cause of death worldwide," Hansen said in a video posted to Twitter. "Almost 43 million children were denied the most basic right of all — life."
Hansen told KUTV-TV that he deliberately used paint that would easily wash off so as to avoid getting into trouble. The paint would at most last for 10 days, he said. But by later on Saturday morning, it was already gone.
In an interview with the local news station, Hansen said: "With recent events unfolding, everybody knows about the Black Lives Matter murals unfolding around the nation. I thought I would bring awareness to one of the biggest human rights crises that nobody wants to talk about."
According to the organization's latest annual report, Planned Parenthood performed 345,672 abortions between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018. That total marks the highest number of abortions ever reported by the organization in a single year, the Heritage Foundation reported.
While Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider, it is not the only abortion provider. The total number of abortion procedures conducted each year in the United States closer to 1 million.
The Guttmacher Institute, which regularly tracks the number of U.S. abortions, reported that approximately 862,320 abortions were performed in 2017, down from 1,291,000 in 2001, and the yearly high of 1,608,600 in 1990.
Using Guttmacher's numbers, it is estimated that, as of 2019, the total number of abortions performed in the U.S. since the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973 is more than 61 million.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Commentary: Black Lives Matter's influence is a result of repeated conservative failures on racial i

Commentary: Black Lives Matter's influence is a result of repeated conservative failures on racial issues

Commentary : Black Lives Matter 's influence is a result of repeated conservative failures on racial issues There was a @ @ @ @ @

Conservatives have spent much time and effort discrediting Black Lives Matter, but not enough time reflecting on the failings that created a space for the organization to become so influential.
Black Lives Matter openly advocates for causes and beliefs that are in direct opposition to values that Christians and conservatives hold as sacred or foundational. They seek, for example, to dismantle biblical views of sexuality, gender, and family, and to overturn traditional American economic and governmental systems.
There's nothing wrong with pointing these things out, but if you only point out what you think is wrong with them without addressing the question of why they are so powerful, you're not going to win the battle for America's future that is currently raging — and escalating.
Some people who participate in BLM marches and protests are unaware of the details of the organization. To many, black lives matter is a statement of support for efforts to fight injustice against black people.
Others know what BLM is all about. Many of them may even disagree with some of it. But they march and protest anyway, because their primary concern isn't unanimous agreement with every single organizational value; their primary concern is preventing the next George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin...the list goes on.
Black Lives Matter won the influence it has in our society because there was a big issue — violence against black people, especially by law enforcement officers — and BLM showed up to address it. And because so many people in this country had been waiting and searching for a movement to address this issue, they were eager to get on board.
There were plenty of opportunities for others to fill that void. Republicans could've made it a priority, but too few of them were willing to risk upsetting voters by being critical of policing in this country. Evangelicals could've addressed it, but too few of the most influential leaders in that movement were willing to speak on racism on Sunday morning or to utilize their significant resources to attack the problem.
Look how Sen. Tim Scott, the only black Republican senator, was treated when he tried to push police reform. Look how Sen. Mitt Romney, a recent Republican presidential nominee, was treated when he simply marched in a protest. Attempts by establishment Republicans to acknowledge or solve race-based problems is met with mockery or hatred from other conservatives.
Black Lives Matter didn't just pop up out of nowhere in May 2020. An entire community of people in this country has been desperate for someone to take seriously their grievances about police brutality and racism for years. If you choose to leave that need unmet, you can't complain when you don't like the people who decide to meet it.
While we were hurting and angry over the death of Ahmaud Arbery, prominent conservatives were using their energy to make sure we knew he might have committed a minor, nonviolent crime before he was chased down and murdered in the street.
While we were outraged that Breonna Taylor was dead, the conservative media machine reminded us that she may have been passively involved in some drug deals before police officers broke down her door and sprayed bullets into her home in the middle of the night.
When we were mourning the loss of George Floyd, conservatives with huge platforms prioritized the investigation of his past to tell us that he was no angel in the years before a police officer choked the life out of him in broad daylight.
Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter was on the ground in these cities, mobilizing people who were desperate to take any sort of action to change their situation.
When it comes to black issues, conservatives are always prioritizing the wrong battles. Too busy fighting the latest media narrative to actually solve problems. So you think BLM is hijacking racial issues to promote Marxist or anti-Christian ideals? Maybe if you worked to fix those racial issues, they wouldn't be so ripe for exploitation. When people get desperate enough for solutions, they'll accept them in whatever form they take.
If conservatives want to continue viewing racism and police brutality as someone else's problems, or insist that they're not problems at all, they can do that. But closing your eyes doesn't make an issue disappear, and when you finally open them again, you might not like what you see.


theblaze--2020-07-20--Gunman dressed as FedEx delivery driver opens fire at federal judge's home, killing her son and grav

Gunman dressed as FedEx delivery driver opens fire at federal judge's home, killing her son and gravely injuring her husband

Gunman dressed as FedEx delivery driver opens fire at federal judge 's home , killing her son and gravely injuring @ @ @ @ @ of Investigation is investigating the shooting

A gunman dressed as a FedEx deliveryman showed up at the house of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas on Sunday, fatally shooting her son and critically injuring her husband.
What are the details?
The FBI is investigating after 20-year-old son of U.S. District Judge Judge Esther Salas was fatally shot on Sunday when a gunman dressed in a FedEx uniform opened fire on her home in New Jersey and also injured her husband.
It is not known at the time of publication of this story whether the shooter is a FedEx employee, or if the suspect was simply posing as a parcel deliveryman.
Authorities believe that the unidentified suspect arrived at Salas' home, shooting 20-year-old Daniel Anderl and Salas' husband, defense lawyer Mark Anderl, when the two opened the door.
Salas, who was not injured in the incident, was reportedly in the home's basement when the fatal shooting took place.
The incident took place around 5 p.m. local time.
Salas' husband is recovering in the hospital following surgery, and authorities are seeking the suspect, who remains at large at the time of this reporting.
On Sunday, the FBI tweeted, "The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Ester [sic] Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey earlier this evening, July 19. We're looking for one subject and & ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information call us at 1-973-792-3001."
FedEx is cooperating with the investigation, the company told CNN in a statement.
"We are aware of the media reports and are fully cooperating with investigating authorities," Jonathan Lyons, a spokesperson for the company, told the news organization in a statement.
Interestingly enough, Salas is presiding over a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank. The suit alleges that the bank did not monitor high-risk clients — such as late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a former client.
The suit also alleges that Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing made false claims about the bank's policies against money laundering.


theblaze--2020-07-21--Tucker Carlson says NYT plans to reveal location of his home in order to injure his family and shut

Tucker Carlson says NYT plans to reveal location of his home in order to injure his family and shut him up

Tucker Carlson says NYT plans to reveal location of his home in order to injure his family and shut him @ @ @ @ @ lot of nerve

Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson went on the offensive Monday night following reports that the New York Times would soon be running a story on the location of his and his family's home.
What are the details?
Carlson, who just returned to "Tucker Carlson Tonight" following a planned vacation, concluded his nightly program addressing the reports that the Times would be revealing the location of Carlson's private home.
"One more thing before we go tonight," he said prior to closing out the hit show. "Since this show began almost four years ago, I've really tried not to talk about myself on the air or even use the first-person pronoun. The last thing this country needs is more narcissism. It's not very interesting anyway."
He continued, "People who use the word 'I' a lot tend to bore everyone but themselves, but tonight, we're going to make an exception to that rule. We don't have much choice. Last week the New York Times began working on a story about where my family and I live."
"As a matter of journalism, there is no conceivable justification for a story like that," he revealed. "The paper is not alleging we've done anything wrong, and we haven't. We pay our taxes. We like our neighbors. We've never had a dispute with anyone. So why is the New York Times doing a story on the location of my family's house?"
Carlson, who minced no words, insisted that the publication had a very real reason to target him through publishing his address.
"Well, you know why," he said. "To hurt us, to injure my wife and kids so that I will shut up and stop disagreeing with them."
Carlson said that the outlet reportedly planned to run the information in a report this week.
"Editors there know exactly what will happen to my family when it does run," he insisted. "I called them today and I told them. But they didn't care. They hate my politics. They want this show off the air. If one of my children gets hurt because of a story they wrote, they won't consider it collateral damage. They know it's the whole point of the exercise: to inflict pain on our family, to terrorize us, to control what we say."
Anything else?
A spokesperson for the Times issued a statement on Carlson's allegations.
"While we do not confirm what may or may not publish in future editions, The Times has not and does not plan to expose any residence of Tucker Carlson's, which Carlson was aware of before tonight's broadcast," the statement insisted.
Carlson and his family had to move in 2018 following an attack on their home and death threats from alleged members of Antifa. Antifa reportedly showed up at Carlson's home following the actions of a left-wing journalist reportedly bent on targeting Carlson and his family.
What was the response?
"The View's" Meghan McCain was just one of many social media users who addressed the allegations Monday night on Twitter following Carlson's remarks.
"This is extremely dangerous and a weird new norm," she wrote. "Even printing his neighborhood or building or home area is really dangerous. Why people feel comfortable doing this to people with whom their politics they hate is sick. It is the most violating thing in the entire world."
Donald Trump Jr. added, "WOW, this is what the New York Times does to their political enemies these days. Disgusting, even by their ever diminishing 'standards.'"
Conservative author and radio host Eric Metaxas added, "I understand the @NYTimes has gone to hell, which is why I canceled my subscription. But that they would use their 'news' organization to publicize the location of @TuckerCarlson's family residence is what polite people would call evil and despicable. Shame on them."
Investigative reporter Jordan Schachtel wrote, "By printing Tucker Carlson's address, The New York Times is deliberately encouraging violence against him."


theblaze--2020-07-21--Missouri AG accuses Kim Gardner of 'political prosecution' of McCloskeys, files for dismissal of cha

Missouri AG accuses Kim Gardner of 'political prosecution' of McCloskeys, files for dismissal of charges

Missouri AG accuses Kim Gardner of 'political prosecution ' of McCloskeys , files for dismissal of charges 'The right to @ @ @ @ @ family , home and property has deep roots in Missouri law . '

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said that he filed to dismiss the charges against a St. Louis couple who used their firearms in order to ward off Black Lives Matter protesters from their property.
Schmitt posted a lengthy response to the charges from his Twitter account on Monday, where he accused St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner of having a political motivation for the prosecution.
"St. Louis prosecutor Kim Gardner is engaged in a political prosecution. I entered the case seeking a dismissal," tweeted Schmitt.
"As AG I have a duty to protect the fundamental rights of all Missourians including the right to keep [and] bear arms in self-defense of one's person [and] home," he added.
Gardner announced earlier Monday that Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who are both personal injury attorneys, were charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon.
"It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner," Gardner said in a statement, "that is unlawful in the city of St. Louis."
The McCloskeys became a national story when Black Lives Matter protesters damaged a gate on June 28 and entered onto a private street on their way to the home of the St. Louis mayor. The couple stood outside their home with a handgun and an AR-15 rifle warning the protesters to stay away. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media.
Schmitt opined in his Twitter thread that the McCloskeys were justified in their brandishing of firearms to protect themselves and their property.
"The right to defend one's person, family, home and property has deep roots in Missouri law. Self-defense is the central component of the right to keep & bear arms, which receives the highest protection from the MO Constitution," he added in a second tweet.
Schmitt went on to claim that the prosecution of the McCloskeys would undermine the right to self-defense.
"The prosecution sends a powerful message to all Missourians that they exercise their fundamental right to self-defense at their peril. Missourians should not fear exposure to criminal prosecution, even prison time, when they use firearms to defend themselves and their homes," Schmitt said.
If the charges are not dismissed and the McCloskeys are found guilty, they could face up to four years in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
Here's more about the charges against the McCloskeys:


theblaze--2020-07-22--Yale professor says hydroxychloroquine could save 100,000 lives — but it's being stifled by a 'propa

Yale professor says hydroxychloroquine could save 100,000 lives — but it's being stifled by a 'propaganda war'

Yale professor says hydroxychloroquine could save 100,000 lives — but it 's being stifled by a 'propaganda war '

Yale epidemiology professor Dr. Harvey Risch said Tuesday that he believes the President Trump-touted drug, hydroxychloroquine, could save up to 100,000 lives if used properly to treat the coronavirus.
Speaking with Fox News' Laura Ingraham Monday night, Risch insisted that the controversial drug is proven to be effective against the disease and safe for people to use, but lamented that it has become the victim of a "propaganda war."
"It's a political drug now, not a medical drug," Risch said. "I think we are basically fighting a propaganda war against the medical facts, and that colors not just population people, how they think about it, but doctors, as well.
"There are many doctors that I've gotten hostile remarks [from] saying that all the evidence is bad for it and, in fact, that is not true at all," he said. "All the evidence is actually good for it when it's used in outpatient uses.
"Nevertheless, the only people who actually see that are a whole pile of doctors who are actually on the front lines treating those patients across the country — and they are the ones who are at risk of being forced not to do it."
All in all, Risch asserted that "75,000 to 100,000 lives would be saved" if the drug was used widely and perhaps as a prophylactic, meaning in a preventative manner.
Doctors Threatened Over Hydroxychloroquine Use - The Ingraham Angle - Fox News - July 20, 2020 youtu.be
Risch, who is a researcher at the Yale School of Public Health, published a study into the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in early June and concluded that the drug should be made "widely available."
At the time, he said that the drug, in combination with "azithromycin or doxycycline and probably with zinc," could serve as a "game changer" in the fight against the pandemic.
Hydroxychloroquine was touted by President Trump early on in the pandemic despite warnings from some public health officials that the drug's effectiveness against COVID-19 was anecdotal. Ever since, it has become a hot-button political issue.
After fast-tracking approval in March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pulled its emergency use authorization in June after studies showed it was ineffective and potentially dangerous.
One of the major studies causing concern, however, was retracted after the data it was based on was found to be inaccurate.
Since then, a new study conducted by the Henry Ford Health System found that "treatment with hydroxychloroquine cut the death rate significantly in sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19."


theblaze--2020-07-22--Twitter bans thousands of QAnon accounts and shuts down topics related to the conspiracy theory

Twitter bans thousands of QAnon accounts and shuts down topics related to the conspiracy theory 'We will permanently suspend accounts @ @ @ @ @

Twitter announced on Tuesday that the social media company had banned thousands of accounts espousing the QAnon conspiracy theory and took steps to limit the spread of topics related to QAnon on its platform.
The company announced the action in a statement on Twitter.
"We've been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behavior that has the potential to lead to offline harm. In line with this approach, this week we are taking further action on so-called 'QAnon' activity across the service," the statement said.
The QAnon conspiracy includes a multitude of beliefs and claims, but it focuses on the existence of a shadowy figured named "Q" who claims to be in the Trump administration and posts cryptic messages about the president's hidden strategy to take down the "deep state."
"We will permanently suspend accounts Tweeting about these topics that we know are engaged in violations of our multi-account policy, coordinating abuse around individual victims, or are attempting to evade a previous suspension — something we've seen more of in recent weeks," Twitter claimed.
The company went on to say that it would be shutting out content from QAnon accounts in the trending topics and recommendations, work to prevent highlighting the content, and block QAnon content from being shared.
A Twitter spokesperson said that the company banned 7,000 accounts, and the trending restrictions will affect about another 150,000 accounts, according to NBC News.
In August, CNN's Chris Cillizza suggested that President Donald Trump was sending coded messages to QAnon supporters based on his use of the number 17 and the group's belief that the number has a special meaning. That the president and other members of the administration often send coded messages of support for QAnon is a pillar of faith for believers of the conspiracy.
Some on social media wondered if the demands from liberal celebrity Chrissy Teigen that Twitter do something about QAnon accounts criticizing her led to the action by the company.
"It's extremely disheartening. I don't know how to stop this. I don't think anyone quite gets it," said Teigen, of the conspiracy trolling.
Here's more about QAnon trolling Teigen:


theblaze--2020-07-22--California close to passing New York as state with highest number of coronavirus cases

California close to passing New York as state with highest number of coronavirus cases The state is ordering lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @

California will soon overtake New York as the state with the highest number of the coronavirus cases if current growth rates of infections continue.
On Tuesday, coronavirus cases in California reached 400,000 according to a Reuters tabulation of pandemic cases, making it the second state after New York to reach the unfortunate milestone.
While New York has reached 412,800 cases, the state has managed to bring down the rate of growth of new cases to 700 a day. California is experiencing a surge and marks more than 8,300 a day on average. In a few days, the number of cases in California should exceed those of New York.
California surges
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has reinstituted strict social distancing guidelines for the state after a surge of new coronavirus cases.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Gil Garcetti conceded that the populous city reopened too quickly and added that new lockdown orders for nonessential businesses are likely to follow.
"I do agree those things happened too quickly," Garcetti said, blaming county and state officials.
Garcetti indicated that despite a surge in cases, hospitals were below capacity and the city had enough ventilators. Coronavirus deaths in California are nearing 8,000.
New York recovers
While the coronavirus is spiking in California, New York continues to recover after being the epicenter of the pandemic for months and reporting devastating coronavirus statistics.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo celebrated the drop in new cases in the state by publicizing a poster last week to commemorate his own leadership in the response to the pandemic.
"What we did was historic because we did tame the beast," Cuomo declared July 13 at a coronavirus briefing. "And they will be talking about what we did for decades to come."
However, some like CNN's Jake Tapper have scolded Cuomo for taking a triumphant "victory tour" while ignoring the massive personal and economic cost of the failures of his administration early in the pandemic.
"NY state has lost more than 32,000 lives to COVID-19. So while it's great that the numbers have gone down, it's perplexing to see crowing, Cuomo going on Fallon, etc. No other state has lost as many lives, not even close," Tapper tweeted.
Others noted that experts believed the epidemic in New York was so bad that the state helped spread the virus to the rest of the United States.
Here's more about the surge of coronavirus in California:


theblaze--2020-07-22--George Stephanopoulos’ wife says parents should watch porn with their kids because ‘you can’t stop t

George Stephanopoulos’ wife says parents should watch porn with their kids because ‘you can’t stop them’ anyways

George Stephanopoulos ’ wife says parents should watch porn with their kids because ‘ you can ’ t stop them @ @ @ @ @ explain to them that it 's a performance and not realistic

Actress Ali Wentworth, wife of ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, recently raised eyebrows after suggesting that parents should watch porn with their kids since "you can't stop them" anyways.
The "Nightcap" star made the remarks during an interview on "The Dissenters," a society and culture podcast hosted by actress Debra Messing and Mandana Dayani.
During the interview, Wentworth argued that since "you certainly can't stop" kids from watching porn, parents should consider watching it with them to explain what is actually happening. She said that she would watch porn with her teenage daughters, Elliott, 17, and Harper, 15, at least "one time" in order to explain to them that it's a performance and not realistic.
"In porn, the women have been conditioned to look [and act] a certain way," Wentworth said, adding that it's dangerous because then boys see that as something women want.
When asked how to stop kids from watching porn 24/7, she said: "You can't stop them ... so I would watch it with them. I would look at the porn with them that one time, [and explain], 'They're performing.'"
Wentworth added that she doesn't recommend blocking porn on children's devices because that only "peaks their curiosity."
At other times during the interview, Wentworth described how she would discuss people posting sexualized images on social media with her daughters.
"I say, 'Do you see this girl? There is a hole she is trying to fill,'" she said. "I [also] use humor to try to converse with them and say things like, 'Did you drop out of school today. Did you get married today?'"
While Wentworth's advice as it pertains to honesty and forthrightness about the porn industry or about what people are ultimately seeking when they post sexualized images on social media, is admirable, many on social media argued that she took things way too far.
One Twitter user wrote: "I pity any child who has her for a mother. Children are to be protected not exposed to filth."
Another wrote: "She wants to watch porn with her kids. I'm sure you find that normal being a Hollywood type."


theblaze--2020-07-21--Liz Warren demands Ivanka Trump be investigated and possibly disciplined over Goya tweet

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) demanded that Ivanka Trump, President Trump's daughter, be investigated and possibly disciplined over a tweet she posted about Hispanic-owned food-maker Goya.
Warren joined Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) in calling for an investigation by Office of Government Ethics into whether Ivanka Trump violated federal ethics rules with the July 14 tweet. Politico first reported the request.
The tweet came during a controversy when the company CEO, Robert Unanue, joined a roundtable on July 9 at the White House for Hispanic businesses and leaders. Liberals and other critics of the president quickly demanded a boycott of the company after Unanue praised the president's leadership at the event.
Supporters of the president responded to the liberal boycott by buying Goya products and posting tweets of grocery store shelves emptied of their Goya stock.
The president's daughter weighed into the debate by showing support for the company on her official Twitter account.
"If it's Goya, it has to be good," she tweeted, the slogan of the business.
"Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno," she added in a Spanish translation of the company's slogan.
Unanue told Fox News that he refused to apologize for his comments about Trump despite the boycott.
Critics attack the tweet
Critics of the president and his family attacked the social media missive as an improper abuse of government power.
"There used to be a time where law was respected, of all places, in the White House," groused former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Miss.) on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
"The Trump family is so used to promoting their own brand illegally, that they don't see the line there about promoting a different brand," she added.
Ruling sought on disciplinary actions
The letter from Warren and Carper pointed out that Ivanka Trump called herself an "advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment, workforce development & entrepreneurship" on her Twitter profile when she tweeted about Goya foods.
They requested the ethics office investigate and answer whether her tweet violated the "rule against misuse of position, which relates to the proper use of official time and authority."
They also requested a ruling on whether they or the White House should take disciplinary actions against the president's aide and daughter. The Democratic senators requested an answer to their questions by Aug. 10.
Here's MSNBC's condemnation of Ivanka Trump's tweet:


theblaze--2020-07-21--Glenn Beck: The NYT is an 'enforcement arm of the mob, and they're after Tucker Carlson'

Glenn Beck : The NYT is an 'enforcement arm of the mob , and they 're after Tucker Carlson' ' @ @ @ @ @ pray for divine protection for his family '

Fox News host Tucker Carlson ended his show Monday night by calling out the New York Times, claiming the paper planned to run a story intended to hurt him and his family so that he would stop opposing the left.
"Last week, the New York Times began working on a story about where my family and I live. As a matter of journalism, there is no conceivable justification for a story like that. The paper is not alleging that we have done anything wrong, because we haven't. We pay our taxes. We like our neighbors. We have never had a dispute with anyone," Tucker said.
"So why is the New York Times doing a story on the location of my family's house? Well you know why: To hurt us. To injure my wife and kid so that I will shut up and stop disagreeing with them," he added.
Shortly after the show ended, #IStandWithTucker became a top trend on Twitter, with fans showing support for Tucker and fellow Fox News host Sean Hannity who were among several people named in a sexual harassment lawsuit made public earlier Monday.
On the radio program Tuesday, Glenn Beck voiced his support for Tucker and all broadcasters who refuse to be silenced.
"They believe in force, we've learned that," Glenn said of the leftist mob. "They have doxxed other people before. They have also doxxed Tucker before. A mob was at his house when he arrived home. It is absolutely unconscionable that the New York Times would involve themselves in this. The New York Times is no better than The Village Voice. They have become the newspaper, not of record, but of the mob. They are an enforcement arm of the mob, and they are after Tucker Carlson. It is absolutely inexcusable ... and I would ask that you would pray for divine protection of his family."
Watch the video below for more:
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-07-21--Wikipedia discovers undisclosed paid editing scheme, bans the firm and mass-deletes articles

WikiProfessionals and associated individuals have been banned from the site

Wikipedia has banned a firm called WikiProfessionals Inc. and mass-deleted articles after it was revealed that the firm was involved in an undisclosed paid editing scheme on the online encyclopedia, Breitbart reported Tuesday.
What are the details?
Wikipedia reportedly first learned about the scheme after an editor, "The creeper2007," divulged that a WikiProfessionals representative had admitted to paying editors to write articles without disclosure during a live chat. Wikipedia subsequently launched an investigation and discovered some troubling connections between the firm and editors who created promotional content on the site.
One such account, "HappyKatsu," was linked to the firm after it created an article on video game developer, Neil Young, who is listed on a WikiProfessionals portfolio page on the firm's website.
According to Breitbart, "'HappyKatsu' has created a dozen articles about various video game executives, such as a former CEO of THQ and variousexecutivesfrom Zynga, known for being behind various popular Facebook games. Alleged Wikipedia articles from the paid editing included ones on the creators of such ubiquitous titles as Words with Friends and Farmville."
Other names from the portfolio appeared to have been created by Wikipedia burner accounts and showed signs of promotional editing, though not all did.
A slogan displayed on WikiProfessionals' website reads: "You cannot afford to leave your Wikipedia page to strangers."
In consequence of the investigation, Wikipedia editors initiated a discussion about banning the firm and any editors involved and potentially banning all pages suspected of being created by the firm. In the end, there was determined to be a consensus around site-banning the firm and any individuals involved with it, as well as deleting all pages suspected of being created by the firm or associates.
The final decision did note, however, that "if any editor in good standing believes that a given article is appropriate and can be salvaged, it should be restored to draft for them."
What else?
Blaze Media's Wikipedia article was listed as an article suspected of being created by the firm, despite no signs of promotional editing.
Here's more from the Breitbart report:
One article listed in the discussion and proposed for deletion is an article on conservative media outlet Blaze Media, founded by Glenn Beck. Despite the listing, evidence suggests the editor who created the page was not engaged in promotional paid editing. Editing since 2006, the editor who created Blaze Media's page had a long history of smearing conservatives including Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
These edits included numerousones attacking or mocking Beck's 2010 Restoring Honor Rally, such as noting the crowd was mostly white. The rally came several days before Beck announced creation of the Blaze and the page on the outlet was created by the editor that day following news coverage. Such history is suggestive of the editor creating the page as part of an anti-conservative agenda rather than paid editing. Having retired from editing in 2011, the editor has not commented on the paid editing discussion.
As of early Tuesday evening, the article was live on the site.
Anything else?
While "disclosed" paid editing is allowed under Wikipedia's rules, "undisclosed" paid editing such as the kind WikiProfessionals was allegedly involved in is not. It violates the company's Terms of Use and often more obviously violates Wikipedia's "Conflict of Interest" policy.
Conflict of interest editing can contain biases and that is why any "paid editors are expected to disclose it whenever they seek to change an affected article's content," according to the policy.


theblaze--2020-07-21--Declassified notes by Peter Strzok refute Russian collusion claim in 2017 New York Times report

Declassified notes by Peter Strzok refute Russian collusion claim in 2017 New York Times report NYT responds : 'We stand @ @ @ @

A 2017 New York Times report on the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence is receiving renewed scrutiny after notes from former FBI official Peter Strzok were declassified.
"The comments of Peter Strzok regarding the February 14 New York Times article are devastating in that they are an admission that there was no reliable evidence that anyone from the Trump Campaign was working with Russian Intelligence Agencies in any form," said Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement about the declassified documents on Friday.
The committee declassified the documents containing Strzok's comments about the New York Times article on Thursday. It's not clear when he first wrote the typewritten notes.
The New York Times article titled, "Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence," claimed that Trump campaign aides had numerous interactions with Russian intelligence.
Phone records and intercepted calls show that members of Donald J. Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election, according to four current and former American officials.
Strzok refuted that claim in his notes, saying that the FBI had no evidence to support the accusation.
"This statement is misleading and inaccurate as written," wrote Strzok in the newly declassified notes. "We have not seen evidence of any individuals affiliated with the Trump team in contact with [intelligence officers]."
Strzok went on to document the interactions between Trump campaign officials and Russian government officials, but not those of the intelligence services. One such interaction was that of Carter Page, who served briefly on the Trump campaign.
"FBI investigation has shown past contact between Page and the SVR [the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service], but not during his association with Trump campaign," wrote Strzok.
Graham has used the release of the documents to substantiate accusations that the FBI investigation into alleged Trump campaign collusion had little or no basis in reality, and was instead motivated by animus against President Donald Trump and his policies.
The New York Times persists
Despite the refutation from declassified notes by Strzok, who has expressed a lot of animosity against the president, a spokesperson for the New York Times said they stood by their report.
"We stand by our reporting," said spokeswoman Eileen Murphy.
Here's more about the declassified documents:
Lindsey Graham on 'explosive' new Russia documents www.youtube.com
[H/T: National Review.]


theblaze--2020-07-21--Judge denies release of teen locked up in missed homework case — and reveals important details about

Judge denies release of teen locked up in missed homework case — and reveals important details about the ruling The @ @ @ @ @ Michigan juvenile detention center since mid-May

A Michigan judge on Monday denied the release of a 15-year-old black girl who was reportedly taken into custody after she failed to do online schoolwork during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The teen, who was a sophomore at Groves High School in Birmingham Public Schools, however, had a track record of poor behavior and impulse control, and was actually taken into custody because she was a danger to her own mother.
What are the details?
Oakland County Judge Mary Ellen Brennan said the girl, who had been in custody since mid-May, greatly benefitted from her enrollment in a residential treatment program at a local juvenile detention center.
Brennan determined that the girl, identified by only her middle name Grace, is not ready to be reunited with her mother.
"Give yourself a chance to follow through and finish something," Brennan reportedly told the girl during a three-hour hearing on Monday. "The right thing is for you and your mom to be separated for right now."
The teen reportedly told Brennan that she wanted to go home.
"I miss my mom," she admitted. "I can control myself. I can be obedient."
Brennan also said that Grace was not removed from her home because she refused to do homework — she was detained because "she was a threat to her mother."
She revealed that police visited Grace's home on at least three separate occasions responding to incidents that had taken place between Grace and her mother.
Brennan scheduled another hearing on the case in September.
Local politicians and activists have been vocal against Grace's incarceration and have demanded her release. Some activists question if Grace was incarcerated simply of the grounds of being black.
"My role is to make decisions that are in this young lady's best interest, period," Brennan said. "I took an oath that I would not be swayed by public clamor or fear of criticism."
Brennan also reportedly told Grace, "There is not a question in my mind, if I were to grant the request to release you home today, I would be making a mistake, and I would be doing you a disservice."
What else?
A recent ProPublica article noted that Grace suffers from ADHD and is receiving special education services.
The article reports that authorities filed an assault charge against Grace after her mother said she became violent during a discussion. She was later charged with larceny after she was caught stealing a fellow student's cellphone.
Because of her alleged infractions, she was hauled before juvenile court in April, where a judge determined Grace should be subject to "intensive probation."
According to reports, the requirements of the probation included remaining home, maintaining regular contact with an assigned family services caseworker, no use of cellphones, and completing school work on time and in its entirety.
Grace reportedly failed to maintain the standards set forth by the judge, which saw her land in the juvenile detention center.
Court records say she was remanded to detention because she had been deemed a "threat to community as original charge was assault and theft."
You can read more on the case's background here.