theblaze--2020-07-30--Twitter defends censoring Trump's tweets while not blocking Khamenei's posts calling for genocide

Twitter defends censoring Trump 's tweets while not blocking Khamenei 's posts calling for genocide '' Social media needs to @ @ @ @ @ as they give terrorist leaders , '' said Nikki Haley .

During a Wednesday hearing on anti-Semitism, a Twitter representative defended the social media company's decision not to block tweets from Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for genocide, but at the same time flagging tweets from President Donald Trump.
A Twitter spokesperson attempted to justify censoring President Trump, but also putting no restrictions on the tweets written by Khamenei. Ylwa Pettersson, Twitter's head of Public Policy and Philanthropy for the Nordics and Israel, spoke about online anti-Semitism with Israel's Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs.
Arsen Ostrovsky, international human-rights lawyer and executive director of the Israeli-Jewish Congress, asked Pettersson why several of President Trump's tweets have been flagged, but there haven't been any consequences for the Iranian leader for his tweets promoting violence.
"We have an approach toward leaders that says that direct interactions with fellow public figures, comments on political issues of the day, or foreign policy saber-rattling on military-economic issues are generally not in violation of our rules," Pettersson responded.
Knesset member Michal Cotler-Wunsh then asked Pettersson, "So, calling for genocide is okay, but commenting on politics is not?"
Pettersson replied, "If a world leader violates our rules, but if there is a clear interest in keeping that on the service, we may place it behind a notice that provides some more context about the violation and allows people to click if they wish to see that type of content."
"That is what happened for the Trump tweet," Pettersson continued. "That tweet was violating our policies regarding the glorification of violence, based on the historical context of the last line of that tweet, and the risk that it could possibly inspire harm and similar actions."
"And, as it was in the interest of the public to keep that on the platform, we decided to keep it up, place it behind a notice … to limit the interaction with it, but because it is of importance to have it remain so that the citizens can see what their political figures are commenting and hold them accountable for what they're saying online," Pettersson concluded.
"I think that what's come up again and again through different examples is actually a sense of double standards, and I would implore Twitter and other online platforms to ensure … that there is no double standard in the application," Cotler-Wunsh retorted.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley reacted by saying: "What does this say when @Twitter censors @realDonaldTrump more than the Ayatollah? Social media needs to give conservatives the same rights as they give terrorist leaders."
Former Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell shared a video of the interaction on Twitter.
Khamenei has used his Twitter account to push holocaust denial theories, call for the "elimination" of Israel, and ask for support and assistance to "any nation or any group anywhere who opposes and fights the Zionist regime."
In May, Twitter flagged President Trump's tweet for "glorifying violence" for a tweet that read: "...These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let it happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"
U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai questioned Twitter about controversial tweets from the Supreme Leader of Iran in response to Trump's tweet being censored. Pai asked the social media company: "Do these tweets from Supreme Leader of Iran @khamenei_ir violate 'Twitter Rules about glorifying violence'?"
Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Orit Farkash-Hacohen wrote a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in May that called for the social media company to remove anti-Israel tweets written by Khamenei.
"Twitter's own Hateful Conduct Policy clearly stipulates that a user 'may not promote violence against, or directly attack, or threaten other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or religious affiliation… or calls for mass murder,'" Farkash-Hacohen wrote to Dorsey. "However, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is unremittingly abusing your platform by doing just that — without any enforcement or repercussions."
Twitter's Vice President of Public Policy Sinéad McSweeney responded by saying that Khamenei's tweets did not violate the platform's terms of service.
"World leaders use Twitter to engage in discourse with each other, as well as their constituents," McSweeney wrote in the June 15 letter, according to the New York Post. "Presently, our policies with regards to world leaders state that direct interactions with fellow public figures, comments on current affairs, or strident statements of foreign policy on economic or military issues are generally not in violation of the Twitter Rules."
"Our assessment is that tweets you have cited are not in violation of our policies at this time, and they fall into the category of foreign policy saber-rattling on economic or military issues of our approach to world leaders," McSweeney explained.
In June, Twitter blocked a Trump tweet that said: "There will never be an 'Autonomous Zone' in Washington, D.C., as long as I'm your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!"
"We've placed a public policy interest notice on this Tweet for violating our policy against abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group," Twitter stated.
Earlier this week, Twitter suspended Donald Trump Jr.'s account for sharing the viral video of frontline doctors claiming hydroxychloroquine could be used to treat COVID-19.
Twitter has also removed Trump tweets over copyright complaints. Earlier this month, the social media platform deleted a Trump campaign ad that used a Linkin Park song.
Last October, Twitter deleted a video posted by Trump poking fun at Joe Biden's son Hunter for his relationship with a Ukrainian gas executive. The video was removed because it used the music and video from Nickelback's song "Photograph."
On June 30, Twitter removed a meme that Trump posted because The New York Times filed a copyright complaint. The photo in the meme was taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Damon Winter for a 2015 feature on Trump.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Soros-backed St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner allegedly busted flying around the globe on a pr

Soros-backed St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner allegedly busted flying around the globe on a progressive organization's dime — without reporting it

Soros-backed St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner allegedly busted flying around the globe on a progressive organization 's dime — @ @ @ @ @ not disclose the paid-for trips

George Soros-backed St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has come under fire recently for allegedly traveling across the country and world on a criminal justice reform organization's dime without reporting it, in apparent violation of city and state law.
According to an investigation into the matter by local news station KMOV-TV, the progressive attorney embarked on numerous trips in 2018 and 2019 that were "paid for in full, or in part, by an organization called Fair and Just Prosecution, a group that professes to support progressive prosecutors," yet she did not disclose the trips on travel reports.
Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has also contributed to Fair and Just Prosecution, the report said.
Gardner, who has risen to the national spotlight in recent weeks after filing charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey for brandishing guns while defending their home from Black Lives Matter protesters, was also allegedly unresponsive on trips, causing work to be back-logged.
Sources reportedly told KMOV that Gardner's traveling was "prolific and problematic," and that she was often "unreachable."
News 4 Investigates: St. Louis Circuit Attorney hasn't disclosed trips required by law, documents www.youtube.com
Gardner had previously reported trips to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Philadelphia, and other places paid for by the organization in 2017. But when the news outlet submitted a public information request about any trips during the following two years, nothing turned up, despite pictures of Gardner posted on social media showing her on several trips.
"When something isn't reported, the public has a right to ask well, why wasn't it?" Patrick Ishmael, who works for the St. Louis-based Show-Me Institute, said. "Elected officials have an obligation to be transparent and that's especially true related to their duty because the public wants to know their officials are working for the interest and not someone else's."
KMOV noted that "St. Louis' laws require every elected official report their travel and whether it was paid for with public or private funds" and that "sometimes Missouri law also mandates information about who paid for travel and lodging."
In response to the allegations, Gardner's office said:
The suggestion that there is any quid pro quo involved here is patently absurd. By working with FJP, she has access to a network of prosecutors who are also implementing change in their communities across the country, prosecutors who are working to create a fairer, more equitable justice system and move beyond the failed policies of the past that created our mass incarceration crisis ...
Circuit Attorney Gardner refuses to apologize for seeking reasonably opportunities to further her knowledge and access prosecutors from throughout the nation for best practice. The suggestion that she would be persuaded to follow an alternative that is not focused on addressing the root causes of crime for a few plane tickets and hotel rooms is insulting.
The Circuit Attorney is confident that the public will see through this veiled attempt to disparage her and her efforts to continue to change our criminal justice system to be more just and fair.
In response to KMOV's inquiry, Fair and Justice Prosecution acknowledged that it is standard practice for the organization to pay for a prosecutor's food, lodging, and airfare for their events. They did not confirm the number of trips that Gardner has been on.
Earlier this year, Gardner faced criticism after a grand jury probe was launched into her failed prosecution against former Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Fisherman saves four children from submerged car after their mother was shot and killed

Fisherman saves four children from submerged car after their mother was shot and killed '' I 'm glad that I @ @ @ @ @ hate that I was there ''

A fisherman is being hailed as a hero after he prevented a horrific crime from turning into a far worse tragedy when he helped save four children from a car submerged in a river.
The stunning incident occurred on Monday evening in Sacramento, California.
Harrell Fischer recounted his actions in an interview with KOVR-TV.
Fischer said that he was working on his boat near the Sacramento River when he heard gunshots and saw the car veer off the road into the water. He and a friend made their way to the boat and were startled when they opened one of the doors.
"We opened that door, and I saw that little face looking at me, oh my God, I melted," he said emotionally.
"I said 'no,' and then I saw little hands poking out of the sides too. Man, I was devastated," he added.
Fischer and his friend then jumped into the water to help pluck the four children from the submerged car. The children ranged from 2 to 6 years old.
"I just went into survival mode, I just started yanking kids out, just trying to go after the kids, you know, make sure the kids were OK," he said.
"I grabbed my coat and told them to get in a little circle, get in as tight as they could, cause they were cold and I wanted their body heat to keep them warm too," Fischer continued. "I put my coat around them, they were all devastated, they were in shock."
Fischer told KOVR-TV that a man in the car allegedly got out and refused to help them. Police later arrested that man, Mandiko Kwadzo, who is the father of three of the four children. He has been charged with murder.
"Although the motive for the shooting is not yet known, detectives believe the male shot the female while she was driving, causing her to veer the vehicle into the river," the sheriff's office said in a statement released after the arrest of Kwadzo.
Investigators told KOVR that the mother had been shot in the head in front of her children.
"I'm glad that I was there, but I hate that I was there," Fischer said. "You know? I hate that I had to see that, but I'm glad that I got to protect those kids a little bit and get them out of harm's way."
Here's the interview with Fischer from KOVR-TV:


theblaze--2020-07-30--'What I discovered was absolutely shocking': Doctor reveals the REAL reason for anti-hydroxychloroqu

'What I discovered was absolutely shocking': Doctor reveals the REAL reason for anti-hydroxychloroquine hype

'What I discovered was absolutely shocking ' : Doctor reveals the REAL reason for anti-hydroxychloroquine hype If you knock out @ @ @ @ @ would benefit ?

Some older content has been removed to comply with updated editorial standards and other content relabeled to better clarify its purpose as promotional and opinion in nature.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Fox News reporter goes inside Portland riots, details horrific scenes during 12-hour stint with fede

Fox News reporter goes inside Portland riots, details horrific scenes during 12-hour stint with federal agents

Fox News reporter goes inside Portland riots , details horrific scenes during 12-hour stint with federal agents Does n't sound @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific Northwest

Fox News reporter William La Jeunesse visited Portland, Oregon, to cover the ongoing violent riots.
What he saw during his 12-hour visit, stationed with federal agents at Portland's federal courthouse, highly disturbed him.
What are the details?
La Jeunesse discussed the conditions during Thursday's "Fox News Rundown" podcast.
La Jeunesse told host Dave Anthony that the environment inside the courthouse is "pretty crazy." The protests begin about 9 p.m. and remain peaceful until about midnight.
"You're inside of a building that is pitch black," he recalled. "They keep the lights off so people aren't silhouetted, so they can't be targeted by the people outside."
He revealed that he was told to put on a gas mask in order to stave off the effects of tear gas.
"It literally coats the floor and the wall," he said. "And it just kind of sits there in the air."
Fellow reporter, Mike Balsamo of the Associated Press, issued similar disturbing remarks in a recent report.
Balsamo also recently visited the center of the Portland riots where he said tear gas from protests the night before "still hung in the air" and "coated the floor with a slime that had been hurriedly mopped up by custodians earlier that day."
'Don't look at the laser'
La Jeunesse pointed out that he was also outfitted with a flak jacket and a helmet to protect him from "debris and rocks and frozen bottles and things that were thrown at you when they finally open the doors."
Other projectiles, La Jeunesse said, included "bats, hockey sticks, a thing with nails in it where you'd hit somebody."
"What was very inventive was the lawn sprayer that you'd use for pesticides," he recalled. "[Agents] confiscated, like, 12 of those."
He also said that industrial lasers are a crowd favorite.
"These are not like a laser pointer that you'd use in class," the reporter added. "These are the lasers they use that can reach, you know, pilots in airplanes. They're really strong, and [as] soon as they open the doors, they'll train those lasers on you. And, of course, you're instructed 'Don't look at the laser.'"
He also recalled the moments when rioters launched fireworks at the fortified federal courthouse.
"It's really loud and very disconcerting when you're on the inside," he said. "And these things, when they burn up in front of you, they burn agents' legs and arms and neck, stuff like that. They've got to go in for treatment."


theblaze--2020-07-30--Obama compares Trump's use of federal agents against riots to George Wallace's segregation tactics

Obama compares Trump 's use of federal agents against riots to George Wallace 's segregation tactics

Former President Barack Obama made some pointedly political remarks during his eulogy for the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis on Thursday, taking aim at President Donald Trump's use of federal agents to quell riots across the country, according to Forbes.
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also spoke during the funeral, and former President Jimmy Carter sent a letter that was read. Trump had no role in the ceremony, but he was clearly on Obama's mind.
"Bull Connor might be gone, but today we witness with our own eyes, police officers kneeling on the necks of black Americans," Obama said. "George Wallace may be gone, but we can still witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators."
Under the governorship of George Wallace in Alabama, authorities responded violently to voting rights protests. Wallace was an enthusiastic supporter of racial segregation and discrimination for much of his political career.
Obama also took a thinly-veiled shot at President Trump on the topic of mail-in voting, accusing the president of attempting to suppress the vote by sabotaging the postal service.
"As we sit here, there are those in power who are doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting by closing polling locations and targeting minorities…even undermining the postal service in the run-up to an election that's going to be dependent on mail-in ballots so people don't get sick," Obama said.
President Trump caused a stir Thursday morning with a tweet in which he suggested that the election be delayed because universal mail-in voting would create unprecedented levels of election fraud.
"With universal mail-in voting (not absentee voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history," Trump wrote. "It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the election until people can properly, securely, and safely vote?"
Accusations against Trump of sabotaging the postal service come from recent USPS changes that could slow mail delivery as the election approaches.
"Overtime will be eliminated…If the plants run late they will keep the mail for the next day," an internal USPS memo reads, according to Fortune. "If we cannot deliver all the mail due to call offs or shortages of people and you have no other help, the mail will not go out."
The changes are reportedly for the purpose of saving money during difficult financial times.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Black Democratic lawmaker who backs President Trump rips MSNBC host for asking if he's being paid by

Black Democratic lawmaker who backs President Trump rips MSNBC host for asking if he's being paid by the campaign: 'I don't fit your narrative'

Black Democratic lawmaker who backs President Trump rips MSNBC host for asking if he 's being paid by the campaign @ @ @ @ @ fit your narrative' 'That 's representative of MSNBC and their narrative to keep blacks silent @ @ @ @ @ president '

Vernon Jones has made a bit of a name for himself since he endorsed President Donald Trump for re-election in April.
Jones is something of a rare bird: He's a black Democratic lawmaker from Georgia who praises the president's policies that help the black community.
His support for Trump has made him a pariah on the left, where black voters are considered a reliable voting bloc for the Democratic Party, and he has made no bones about how he feels about his critics.
Which is why when an MSNBC host asked him if he was being paid by the Trump campaign, Jones lit into the interviewer and called out his and his network's agenda regarding black Trump supporters.
What's the background?
In April, Rep. Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was backing Trump because of his "handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges and his criminal justice initiatives."
He not only voiced support for the president, he also took shots at presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, saying the former vice president has "betrayed black Americans throughout his career in Washington." He also blasted Democrats like Biden for showing support for the black community only when the party needs their votes.
"We cannot be tricked again," he wrote in a July 7 op-ed. "Democrats like Biden will conveniently appear in our neighborhoods and pander to us from now until November. Why? Because they only care about black people during election years."
Days after Jones announced his endorsement, he said he was resigning from the state Legislature, citing attacks from fellow Democrats. However, a day later he declared he wasn't going anywhere and said he was not going to allow "the Democrats to bully me into submission," adding, "I will not let them win. I will NOT resign."
What did the MSNBC host do?
During a heated interview Wednesday, MSNBC's Craig Melvin responded to Jones' litany of reasons for supporting Trump by asking the lawmaker if he was being paid to back the president — apparently rather than being able to form his own opinions.
After accusing Jones of saying things that were "patently false" about the president's record, Melvin asked, "Are you a paid campaign surrogate? Are you being compensated?"
But Jones was ready to fight back.
"Let me be clear," he began. "You get paid to shape a liberal narrative. You get paid to attack this president. I don't get a dime from this president. I don't get a dime from the campaign. Everything I've done has been me and based on my principles."
He wasn't done: "See, that's the problem. When an African American—"
But Melvin interrupted so say, "Sir, I did not raise your race," and added, "You're not going to imply that I asked that question because you're black."
Jones was not to be deterred. He let Melvin, MSNBC, and the left have it: "You only ask me that because I don't fit your narrative."
"No, this president hasn't offered me anything," he continued. "I don't want anything from this president.
"It's what I can do for my country, and you need to accept that many other African Americans and others support this president because of his policies," Jones said. "And to insult me to say, 'Am I getting paid?' — that is disgraceful, that is horrible, and that's representative of MSNBC and their narrative to keep blacks silent who happen to support this president.
"Why can't I be like white liberals or other whites? Nobody questions if they're getting paid," Jones wondered. "So I have to get paid? Do you ask Democrats do they get paid? Are you getting paid by Joe Biden?"
Melvin told Jones that he has asked liberals if they've been paid by the Biden campaign, but Jones quickly noted, "I haven't heard it."
Watch: Craig Melvin Fires Back At Georgia Democrat Who Supports Trump | Craig Melvin | MSNBC youtu.be
Not the first time for MSNBC
As The Hill noted, this isn't the first time MSNBC has been called out for asking a black Trump supporter if he's being compensated for supporting the president.
On July 25, MSNBC host Tiffany Cross asked Trump adviser and Republican activist Bruce LeVell is he has a financial incentive for backing Trump.
“When I see folks like you support this president — has Donald Trump ever promised you anything financially in exchange for your blind support of this administration or helping his campaign?" Cross asked. "On the record, can you tell us if he's ever promised you anything financially or otherwise?"
LeVell noted that he's known Trump since 2015 and that the president wanted to help "people like me."


theblaze--2020-07-30--Maryland woman sentenced after police found 27 dead dogs in her sewage, corpse-infested 'chamber of

Maryland woman sentenced after police found 27 dead dogs in her sewage, corpse-infested 'chamber of horrors'

Maryland woman sentenced after police found 27 dead dogs in her sewage , corpse-infested 'chamber of horrors '

A Maryland woman has been sentenced to seven years in prison for animal cruelty after police found 27 dead dogs inside her rental property last year.
A judge this week referred to the residence, which was covered in layers of sewage sludge and filled with decaying dog remains, as a "chamber of horrors."
What are the details?
According to the Carroll County Times, 56-year-old Laura Filler was sentenced to serve 33 years, with all but seven years and seven days suspended, for 11 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
"I'm very sorry all this happened," Filler said before Judge Fred S. Hecker issued the sentence.
Filler had reportedly pleaded guilty to 11 charges last October after being originally charged with 109 counts. Her husband, 50-year-old John Roberts, also pleaded guilty in the case. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison, suspending all but 11 years and 11 days.
The couple was arrested in April 2019 for operating an unlicensed dog breeding operation when animal control officers found 38 dogs, 11 of them dead, at their rental property on 4300 Black Rock Road in Hampstead. When they returned days later, they discovered an additional 15 dogs found dead locked in a shed and one other dead dog inside the residence.
According to officials at the Humane Society of Carroll County, 27 dogs — consisting of 20 Dalmatians, 5 Golden Retrievers, and 2 English Setters — were found alive and rescued from the residence.
Here's more from the local outlet:
Melissa Hockensmith, senior assistant state's attorney for Carroll County, showed in court Tuesday two videos of the house on April 8, 2019, after the living dogs had been removed by first responders. Hecker described the videos as depicting a "chamber of horrors." Sludge covered the ground and was smeared on the walls from floor to ceiling, grime clung to dog crates and moldy dog food was littered throughout the house. Decaying remains filled the bathtub, Hockensmith said, and the remains of some dogs were also found in a shed on the property, she said.
What else?
Shortly after the search and rescue, the Humane Society of Carroll County reported that the 27 rescued dogs "getting the care that they need and are doing well."
According to Patch.com, the 27 deceased dogs were memorialized in a funeral service last year and their ashes were laid to rest at the Baltimore Humane Society's pet cemetery.
In addition to the jail time, Filler was ordered to pay $10,900 in restitution to the Humane Society of Carroll County and $91,400 to the company that owned her rental property. It has since been demolished.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Children were physically abused in government-run NBA China training academies, former coaches claim

Children were physically abused in government-run NBA China training academies , former coaches claim

The NBA opened training academies in China, including in the Xinjiang province where more than a million Uighur Muslims are imprisoned, and young players in those academies were physically abused by coaches, ESPN reported.
American coaches who were employed in the NBA's Chinese academies told ESPN they witnessed numerous instances of coaches physically punishing players, including hitting them in the face with basketballs and kicking them.
"Imagine you have a kid who's 13, 14 years old, and you've got a grown coach who is 40 years old hitting your kid," one coach told ESPN. "We're part of that. The NBA is part of that."
The coaches spoke to ESPN on the condition of anonymity because they were concerned about future employment opportunities and because the NBA specifically asked them not to comment — and also asked them not to tell others that the league told them not to comment.
The NBA China training program utilized Chinese government-run facilities, with the idea that the league could take advantage of existing infrastructure and have access to the top talent. In reality, the arrangement meant the NBA had very little oversight and authority over how the program was run.
As a result, players were subject to abuse with no consequences for the abusers, and even though the program was supposed to have an educational component, there was evidence that players were rarely, if ever, going to school. Some of the American coaches could not tolerate these conditions, ESPN reported:
One requested and received a transfer after watching Chinese coaches strike teenage players, three sources told ESPN. Another American coach left before the end of his contract because he found the lack of education in the academies unconscionable: "I couldn't continue to show up every day, looking at these kids and knowing they would end up being taxi drivers," he said.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum told ESPN that the league had been made aware of some abusive incidents, but that they did what they could "given the limited oversight we had."
A former league employee called out the NBA's human rights hypocrisy.
"You can't have it both ways," the former employee told ESPN. "... You can't be over here in February promoting Black History Month and be over in China, where they're in reeducation camps and all the people that you're partnering with are hitting kids."
The NBA says it closed the Xinjiang academy in spring 2019, but two coaches disputed that claim to ESPN and claimed the league was seeking personnel for the academy well into the summer.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Florida couple arrested for breaking COVID-19 quarantine, face up to 60 days in jail

Florida couple arrested for breaking COVID-19 quarantine , face up to 60 days in jail A property manager presented police @ @ @ @ @ outside of their home

A Florida couple have been jailed for breaking quarantine after they tested positive for COVID-19.
Key West residents Jose Antonio Freire Interian, 24, and Yohana Gonzalez, 26, tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. On July 14, Interian announced on Facebook that he had "just tested positive for COVID-19," and warned that anyone who was in contact with him should get tested for the novel coronavirus.
Interian and Gonzalez were ordered by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County to quarantine at home and wear face masks around other people. They were ordered to stay at home for 14 days.
The property manager at the apartment where the couple were supposed to quarantine noticed they were not following the quarantine order. Surveillance video at the apartment building caught Interian walking his dog, washing his car, and going to a grocery store, according to the Miami Herald.
On Wednesday, the property manager informed the Key West Police that Gonzalez and Interian were not abiding by the quarantine order. The property manager provided the surveillance footage to authorities.
"There were complaints from the neighborhood of them continuing to be outside, going about normal life functions," Key West City Manager Greg Veliz said. "An officer took the video to the judge and the judge signed the warrant."
The couple were arrested on Wednesday. They were taken to the Stock Island Detention Center and released on Thursday after posting a $1,000 bond.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokesman Adam Linhardt said the couple were isolated from other inmates in "negative pressure" rooms where the air is not recirculated into other parts of the jail.
"The whole idea is to keep them apart from the general population," Linhardt said. "We've had people in those rooms before we've suspected of having it. If they show symptoms, that's where people are quarantined."
They were charged with violating isolation rules for a quarantine and violating emergency management disaster preparedness rules, according to jail records. Both charges are second-degree misdemeanors, which carry penalties of up to 60 days in jail.
"Because you have failed to voluntarily remain in your residence, this order is necessary to protect the public health," according to the department of health.
Earlier this month, a Kentucky family was placed under house arrest after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. Elizabeth Linscott tested positive for the coronavirus and refused to sign papers promising to self-quarantine. The Hardin County Health Department ordered the couple to wear ankle monitors and were forbidden to leave their home.
At least 182 people have been arrested for violating Hawaii's 14-day mandatory quarantine for all incoming travelers. A New York City man was arrested because he was caught violating the state's quarantine order after he posted beach photos on his Instagram account.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Oregon's chief federal law enforcement officer shreds media for not condemning riots as criminal — a

Oregon's chief federal law enforcement officer shreds media for not condemning riots as criminal — and it was all caught on camera

Oregon 's chief federal law enforcement officer shreds media for not condemning riots as criminal — and it was all @ @ @

U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams, chief federal law enforcement official in Oregon, said this week that the media should be held accountable for not calling the Portland riots out for what they are: criminal violence.
'Mindless violence'
In a recent interview with KGW-TV, Williams said that the ongoing riots in Portland, specifically targeting Portland's federal courthouse, said that the behavior is "pretty disgusting."
"This is just mindless violence and anyone who defends the violence is enabling this to continue, so that's unfortunate," he said.
Williams said that the community should be working together to formulate a plan of protection for the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse — the focus of the nightly riots.
"It's not a law enforcement solution, we're responding, dealing with it, protecting this property just like the city police are protecting city property, but any real solution to stop the mindless violence that goes on has to come from the community, and I include various community leaders, faith leaders, business leaders working with whoever wants to join in a coalition," he said in the TV interview.
Rioting is 'hijacking the moment' when a change is most needed
Williams said that change is certainly needed following the death of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis police custody in late May, but violence, rioting, and criminal behavior are not valid or justifiable solutions to effect change.
"[T]his activity is just, it's hijacking the moment in history, right?" he asked. "There are opportunities following the murder of George Floyd and the thousands and thousands of lawful protesters and groups calling for change, which everyone can agree there's a change needed, so this is one of those moments in history where it can occur — but it's being held back by this."
Elsewhere during the conversation, the TV reporter asked Williams, "Some say what politicized this ... is the federal agents being here."
"Yeah, the federal agents being here are protecting federal property — this is not accurate. Blaming federal agents for protecting federal property is an easy out for people who want to politicize this," Williams fired back.
"Portland is losing its soul right now and what's coming out of City Hall — calling cops liars, that they're the ones of starting the fires and then blaming the protesters. I mean, how ridiculous is that? That's not leadership," he insisted.
'It sounds like a party. It's criminal.'
The reporter later tried to grill Williams over what he said were "late night demonstrations" and "late night activity," but Williams was ready to hit back at the vague tack the reporter was apparently trying to take in the discussion.
"These aren't late night demonstrations," he insisted. "This is criminal activity. There's a difference. What you have failed and the media have failed to distinguish between, you seem unwilling to call people engaged in criminal conduct, as criminals, as opposed to lawful protesting."
Williams continued, saying there's a vast ocean of difference between "lawful, constitutionally protected protest" and "unlawful" behavior egged on by opportunists, antagonists, agitators, and anarchists.
"Call it out for what it is," he insisted. "You seem to refuse to call something — 'late night activity.' This is criminal."
The reporter responded, "I just said the late night activity that you say is criminal, right?"
Williams responded, "What I'm saying is, why can't you call it out as such?"
The reporter lamely responded, "Because I'm not, I don't have all police records."
"You're using 'late night activity,'" Williams responded. "It sounds like a party. It's criminal. Look at the debris. We haven't had a front door since July 3. That's criminal, OK?"
The reporter attempted to circumvent Williams' point, but Williams wasn't having it.
"But I'm just saying, I'm not a police officer, I don't get to distinguish that, that's not my job," the reporter added.
Williams concluded, "No, but you can call it out for what it is. You're choosing terms that sort of downplay the criminal activity and what I'm suggesting is if there is an honest accounting of what this is, that helps build the reality check for how this can stop. That's my point."


theblaze--2020-07-30--Portland's Wall of Moms group, which supports Black Lives Matter, accused of 'anti-blackness' by bla

Portland's Wall of Moms group, which supports Black Lives Matter, accused of 'anti-blackness' by black-led outfit

Portland 's Wall of Moms group , which supports Black Lives Matter , accused of 'anti-blackness ' by black-led outfit @ @ @ @ @ once again

Portland's Wall of Moms group — which gained national attention recently after lining up nightly on city streets in solidarity with violent leftists — has been accused of "anti-blackness" by leaders of a black-led community group, the Oregonian reported.
What are the details?
It's an ironic turn of events given that Wall of Moms members said they aimed to support Black Lives Matter, the paper said, adding that last week the group's white leadership relinquished their positions to let women of color be in charge.
'Standing next to our sisters': Why Portland moms are marching in protests youtu.be
The new leaders included Teressa Raiford, executive director of Don't Shoot Portland, as well as Demetria Hester and Danialle James, the Oregonian said.
But on Wednesday — just days after the regime-change announcement — Don't Shoot Portland issued an Instagram post urging folks to stop supporting Wall of Moms and saying it wasn't working with the group any longer, the paper said.
Don't Shoot Portland's post said Wall of Moms members left "vulnerable Black women downtown after marching" and also was guilty of "failing to support those on the ground that put trust in them." In addition, the post said Wall of Moms leaders "found time to make THREE registrations through Oregon's Secretary of State" without notifying the group's new black leaders.
"The lies are finally clear, and we are sad but ultimately not surprised that anti-Blackness showed it's ugly face with Wall of Moms," the post noted, adding that Wall of Moms "was not started for BLM, but to get the feds out of PDX" and that "we were used to further an agenda unrelated to BLM."
The post also said, "Please do not support this organization anymore. We need everyone to show up against racism, but it's even more crucial to prioritize transparency and accountability."
What did Wall of Moms have to say?
According to the Oregonian, Wall of Moms' official Twitter account retweeted Don't Shoot Portland's statement and answered a commenter's question by saying, "The founder went rogue. Many of us do not agree with her decisions. And she does not currently have access to this account."
The group also said it's trying to "regroup and do things the right way" but that "no official announcements" had been made:
Wall of Moms founder Bev Barnum appeared to post a comment Wednesday morning on her group's private Facebook page that addressed the controversy, the paper said.
"The announcement of the 501c3 really hurt some of you," she wrote, according to the Oregonian. "That was never my intention. In fact, it was just the opposite. WOM will be led by a BIPOC board and BIPOC advisor committee. WOM is a group that supports BLM, not a BLM group. If that is not good enough for you, please feel free to leave this group. And if you currently volunteer your time, please feel free to leave your positions."
Anything else?
The paper said a new Facebook group called Moms United for Black Lives has formed, and a post from Faith Lightsy — a member of the group — indicated that she and others are in contact with Raiford, Hester, and James to figure out next steps.
"This group is only a few hours old with 3k members already...please be patient with us," the post read, according to the Oregonian. "I am in direct contact with Teressa, and she has asked repeatedly this group be centered around Demetria and Danialle."


theblaze--2020-07-30--CDC Director Robert Redfield says threat of suicides, drugs, and more are a bigger problem for youth

CDC Director Robert Redfield says threat of suicides, drugs, and more are a bigger problem for youth than COVID-19

CDC Director Robert Redfield says threat of suicides , drugs , and more are a bigger problem for youth than @

CDC Director Robert Redfield says that youth are likelier to be negatively impacted by suicides, drugs, and influenza than if they were exposed to COVID-19.
What are the details?
Redfield made the remarks during a Buck Institute webinar livestream on July 14.
During the discussion, Redfield — a proponent of reopening U.S. schools amid the coronavirus pandemic — said that there is a very low coronavirus risk for children who do not have pre-existing conditions.
He also said that people should be more concerned about suicides and drug overdoses among youth, as their numbers are "far greater" when compared to COVID-19 deaths in youth.
"But there has been another cost that we've seen, particularly in high schools," he said. "We're seeing, sadly, far greater suicides now than we are deaths from COVID. We're seeing far greater deaths from drug overdose that are above excess that we had as background than we are seeing the deaths from COVID."
Youth deaths 1 in 1 million
Elsewhere during the webinar, Redfield said that it would be a bigger detriment to the children of the country to keep schools closed.
Pointing out that millions of children receive mental health as well as meal services from their schools, Redfield reasoned that the benefit of schools opening far outweigh any potential negatives.
"Obviously, the socialization is important," he added. "And obviously, for some kids — I think actually a majority of kids — their learning in a face-to-face school is the most effective method of teaching."
Redfield said that parents should be comfortable and confident in decisions to reopen schools and insisted that the annual influenza is more of a danger to children than COVID-19.
“I think it is important to try to be factual as we go through this," he explained. “When we look at, right now, the mortality of this particular COVID virus, in the first almost 218,000 people we looked at February to July, there was 52 individuals under the age of 18. And if I recollect, about 35 were actually school age. Some of them were younger than school age. We're looking critically at those individuals. And, you know, clearly, there's an increase in comorbidities related to significant medical conditions."
He also said that when you get right down to it, numbers show that literally one in 1 million children will die because of the coronavirus and that child deaths due to the seasonal flu are anywhere from five to 10 times greater.
“We're looking at about .1 per 100,000," he said of the mortality rate among youth. "So another way to say that, it's one in a million. Now, I'm not trying to belittle that, I'm just trying to make sure we look at it proportional. Because if you do the same thing for influenza deaths for school-age children over the last five years, they're anywhere from five to 10 times greater."
He continued, "I want people to understand the risk properly as they make that decision. And, obviously, influenza, we also benefit from having therapy and a vaccine. So I don't want people to overestimate the risk of serious illness to individuals that are school age."
Redfield admitted that there is still a very tangible risk to teachers who are older and have possible health complications.
"Let's all work together and find out how we can find common ground to get these schools open in a way that people are comfortable and they're safe," he later stated. "And if there is a need for investment and resources, just like there is a need for some of the underprivileged children that are probably better served if they have certain comorbidities to do homeschooling, they need the access to be able to have the computer and the internet to do that."
What's the solution?
He concluded:
The goal is to get all these kids back into education. I'd like to see the goal being face-to-face education, five days a week, as when we get there, then we've got there for those children that don't have an underlying significant comorbidity that would preclude it. And, hopefully, the states and the federal government will work together to see that the resources to get these schools fully operational come to bear.
CDC Director says There are More Suicides and Overdoses than COVID Deaths www.youtube.com
(H/T: The Daily Wire)


theblaze--2020-07-30--Ohio's medical board banned hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment — then the governor stepped i

Ohio's medical board banned hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment — then the governor stepped in

Ohio 's medical board banned hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment — then the governor stepped in

The Ohio Department of Health issued a ban on the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19, but reversed that decision after GOP Gov. Mike DeWine asked for that decision to be reversed, WHIO-TV reported.
The board reversed the ban after "feedback received by the medical and patient community and at the request of Governor DeWine," according to a statement.
"The Board of Pharmacy and the State Medical Board of Ohio should revisit the issue, listen to the best medical science, and open the process up for comment and testimony from experts," DeWine said in a statement.
The health department made the decision based on the stance that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID-19. The department cited the fact that the Food and Drug Administration revoked its emergency use authorization to use the anti-malarial drug against the novel coronavirus, and a July memo from the FDA highlighting some potential side effects of the drug.
The Columbus Dispatch reported:
"Basically, it's a patient safety issue," [Cameron] McNamee, [director of policy and communications at the Ohio Board of Pharmacy] said on Wednesday before DeWine's request. "We're looking at the best science to determine what's best for the patients of Ohio."
Pharmacists in Ohio found to be selling or dispensing the drug to treat COVID-19 now that it is prohibited could face disciplinary action ranging anywhere from a warning or fine to a temporary suspension of their license. But, McNamee said the action taken would depend on the situation.
"The long and short of it is, we want people to focus on what works, such as social distancing and mask use," McNamee said. "We ultimately want to make sure people are being safe and not exposing themselves to drugs that have shown not to be effective in treating COVID-19."
DeWine quickly issued a statement calling for the ban to be halted and reevaluated in light of the research that has shown the potential for HCQ to be effective against COVID-19.
"I agree with the statement from Dr. Steven Hahn, Commissioner of [the FDA], that the decision about prescribing hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 should be between a doctor and a patient," DeWine wrote on Twitter. "Therefore, I am asking the [Ohio Board of Pharmacy] to halt their new rule prohibiting the selling or dispensing of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19."
At the start of the pandemic, when anecdotal evidence indicated HCQ could be effective against COVID-19, the Ohio health department stockpiled the drug just in case it turned out to be a good treatment.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Tyler Perry weighs in on the debate over defunding the police: 'We need more police'

Tyler Perry weighs in on the debate over defunding the police : 'We need more police' 'You got ta understand @ @ @ @ @ for taking money from the police department '

Media mogul Tyler Perry delivered his opinion on the movement to defund the police that has garnered notoriety since the nationwide protests against police brutality began in late May. The actor said he does not support "taking money from the police department" and proclaimed that "we need more police."
Perry appeared on "Anderson Cooper 360"Wednesday night, where he weighed in on the contentious debate over defunding the police.
"You gotta understand this: I am not for taking money from the police department," Perry told CNN host Anderson Cooper. "I think we need more police."
"My studio is in a neighborhood where I think we need police," Perry said. "But we don't need police that are undertrained."
Perry's $250 million film production facility, one of the largest studios in the U.S., is in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood in southwest Atlanta. In 2015, Perry purchased 330 acres of property that was formerly U.S. Army base Fort McPherson, which was controlled by the Confederate government after Georgia's secession in 1861.
"I think we need the police. I know that I need the police," Perry continued. "I have several that work for me here at the studio. We need them. But we need them reformed. We need them trained well, we need the right structure."
"I became very, very optimistic when everybody galvanized together, because I know that's when change comes," Perry said of the nationwide anti-police brutality movement following the death of George Floyd. "When people galvanize and come together as one, that's when change happens. But lately, I've been very, very concerned that the message is being hijacked by some other groups, or political ads and parties that are trying to stop the message of what we're asking for here is police reform."
"When I first heard it, I was troubled by it," Perry said of the movement to defund the police. "I thought, 'OK, this is gonna be weaponized in this political year.' I completely thought that that was happening, that's exactly what's happened. It's been weaponized."
"Some of the things inside of defund the police, I really understand," the multimillionaire entertainment mogul said. "Like having officers who are clinically trained to deal with certain situations. I think all of those things are helpful, but taking money from the police department to make the police department smaller, that troubles me."
In June, Perry wrote an essay in People magazine discussing police brutality.
"The level of racism and brutality that George Floyd faced is something that we as black people know all too well," Perry wrote. "When I saw that video, I had so many raw, guttural emotions. I felt for him and his family, I felt for all of us as black people, I felt for my five-year-old son."
In July, Perry teamed up with officers from the Atlanta Police Department to personally hand out 1,000 gift cards for the Kroger grocery store chain to Atlanta residents.
"This is about the community that I love, that I live and work in. This is about good people who are in need of a hand up, not a handout," Perry told ET. "This is about the good police officers who do their job well every day, some of which are my personal friends."
"This is about trying to bridge unity in a city that adopted me and held me up high enough to reach my own branch on the tree of success," Perry said. "I love Atlanta and its people!"


theblaze--2020-07-30--White leftist accused of stabbing black conservative journalist during Portland rioting

' I 'm not going to let them intimidate me , ' victim Andrew Duncomb said after the incident

A black conservative journalist who was stabbed amid the Portland rioting early Saturday morning told the Oregonian he was targeted because of his politics and activism.
What are the details?
"I was stabbed for being a conservative journalist," Andrew Duncomb, 25, told the paper, which noted that he records video of demonstrations and other political events under the moniker, "Black Rebel."
Duncomb — a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump — added to the Oregonian that he traveled last Friday to Portland from his northern California home to document nightly unrest outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse and county Justice Center.
"My main goal was to show that it wasn't just the feds creating the problems," Duncomb explained to the paper.
More from the Oregonian:
Duncomb, who has more than 20,000 followers on Twitter and Facebook, said that people familiar with his work had alerted activists to his presence at the protests shortly after he arrived. Originally from Oklahoma, his notoriety online has stemmed, in part, from his fervent defense of the Confederate flag and monuments.
The trouble started just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday when a group began trailing him and a few of his friends for several blocks, according to Duncomb and court records.
Duncomb said he eventually handed his video camera to a friend and decided to confront one of the men from the group.
"Someone's stalking us," the friend is heard saying in the video as Duncomb approaches the man from behind.
Duncomb then forcefully puts his left arm around the man's shoulder and asks, "Hey buddy, why are you following us?"
Image source: YouTube screenshot
The man doesn't answer and appears to stab Duncomb, who screams and hurtles backward.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Duncomb told the Oregonian the knife entered his back between his rib cage and hip, just inches from his spinal cord.
"The adrenaline just soared through me," he recounted to the paper. "I had a can of bear mace and a knife on me, too. But I didn't want to endanger innocent bystanders."
Duncomb was taken to hospital and released Sunday, he told the Oregonian.
What happened to the suspect?
Police said they found one male suspect held down by several bystanders and one male victim with a stab wound. Police added that they tried to create a crime scene, but the crowd's aggressive behavior and lack of community cooperation prevented them from doing so.
Blake David Hampe was arrested at the scene, the paper said, citing court records. Hampe, 43, told police that Duncomb had "set up" on him and tried to choke him, the Oregonian added, citing a probable cause affidavit.
Records show Hampe faces charges of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, both felonies. He remained in jail Thursday on $255,000 bail.
'I'm not going to let them intimidate me'
Duncomb told the paper he's slowly recovering and hopes to return to his work soon.
"I wasn't meant to die. It wasn't my time to go," he added to the Oregonian. "I'm not going to let them intimidate me for going back out."


theblaze--2020-07-30--'Donald Trump killed Herman Cain': Liberals waste absolutely zero time politicizing Herman Cain’s de

'Donald Trump killed Herman Cain': Liberals waste absolutely zero time politicizing Herman Cain’s death  and blaming Trump

Liberals on Twitter wasted little time politicizing the tragic death of former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain as a result of COVID-19 , blaming right-wing ignorance about the virus promulgated by President Donald Trump for killing the 74-year-old conservative commentator .
`` Donald Trump killed Herman Cain , '' Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King wrote , arguing that it was the president 's fault for going ahead with a campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , amid the pandemic .
Cain attended the June 20 rally reportedly not wearing a mask and tested positive for the coronavirus nine days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
tweeted that Trump was guilty of manslaughter for allegedly having the `` social distancing ' stickers removed from the seats '' at the Tulsa rally .
Aaron McIntire , the producer of BlazeTV 's `` The Steve Deace Show , '' tweeted screenshots of tweets from Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe , NBC News correspondent Chris Jansing , Vermont Law School professor Jennifer Taub , and Democratic candidate for Congress Nate McMurray , calling them `` ghouls '' and saying `` it took mere seconds . ''
In her tweet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be alive had Trump canceled the Tulsa rally or insisted on mask-wearing .
And 150,000 more Americans also died because of [ Donald Trump 's ] incompetence , lies , and arrogance . ''
Another user pointed to a tweet that Cain 's account had posted less than a day before his death citing a CBS News poll to show that Americans are skeptical of a coronavirus vaccine .
In a post on Cain 's website , editor Dan Calabrese wrote : `` Herman Cain — our boss , our friend , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — has passed away .
He 's entering the presence of the Savior he 's served as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta for , and preparing for his reward . ''
In the post , Calabrese detailed the final weeks of Cain 's life , reporting that Cain was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus several weeks ago after he was having difficulty breathing .
The difficulties continued and Cain remained in the hospital for some time .
But just five days ago , doctors allegedly expressed hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ended up not being the case as Cain , a cancer survivor , passed away Thursday morning .

Liberals on Twitter wasted little time politicizing the tragic death of former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain as a result of COVID-19, blaming right-wing ignorance about the virus promulgated by President Donald Trump for killing the 74-year-old conservative commentator.
"Donald Trump killed Herman Cain," Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King wrote, arguing that it was the president's fault for going ahead with a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, amid the pandemic. Cain attended the June 20 rally reportedly not wearing a mask and tested positive for the coronavirus nine days later.
Another user, "BrooklynDad_Defiant!" tweeted that Trump was guilty of manslaughter for allegedly having the "social distancing' stickers removed from the seats" at the Tulsa rally.
Aaron McIntire, the producer of BlazeTV's "The Steve Deace Show," tweeted screenshots of tweets from Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe, NBC News correspondent Chris Jansing, Vermont Law School professor Jennifer Taub, and Democratic candidate for Congress Nate McMurray, calling them "ghouls" and saying "it took mere seconds."
In her tweet, Taub said: "Herman Cain would be alive had Trump canceled the Tulsa rally or insisted on mask-wearing. And 150,000 more Americans also died because of [Donald Trump's] incompetence, lies, and arrogance."
Another user pointed to a tweet that Cain's account had posted less than a day before his death citing a CBS News poll to show that Americans are skeptical of a coronavirus vaccine.
The user wrote, "deathbed defiance."
In a post on Cain's website, editor Dan Calabrese wrote: "Herman Cain — our boss, our friend, like a father to so many of us — has passed away. He's entering the presence of the Savior he's served as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta for, and preparing for his reward."
In the post, Calabrese detailed the final weeks of Cain's life, reporting that Cain was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus several weeks ago after he was having difficulty breathing.
The difficulties continued and Cain remained in the hospital for some time. But just five days ago, doctors allegedly expressed hope that he would eventually recover. Unfortunately, that ended up not being the case as Cain, a cancer survivor, passed away Thursday morning.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Norwegian flag removed by bed and breakfast owners after too many upset folks confuse it for Confede

Norwegian flag removed by bed and breakfast owners after too many upset folks confuse it for Confederate flag 'It bugs @ @ @ @ @ stupidity of people '

The owners of a Michigan bed and breakfast have removed a Norwegian flag that had been hanging outside their building for two years because they said too many upset folks have confused it for a Confederate flag, the Lansing State Journal reported.
What are the details?
Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker, owners of The Nordic Pineapple in St. Johns, told the paper it never occurred to them that people would mistake the Norwegian flag as anything else. But after receiving the latest in what Kjersten Offenbecker called "at least a dozen hateful emails" and twice as many comments last week, they took the flag down, the State Journal said.
They had been hanging Norway's flag as a nod to Kjersten Offenbecker's Scandinavian heritage, the paper said, adding that her grandfather was born in Norway and their bed and breakfast's moniker is partly inspired by her family's history.
And it wasn't long until the first volley of confusion regarding the flag hit them.
Kjersten Offenbecker told the paper the couple was still new to the area when they were visiting a downtown shop and its owner told them a customer mentioned their bed and breakfast.
"I was so happy at first," she recalled to the State Journal — until they were informed that the customer also thought they were flying a Confederate flag.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
"We were panicked initially because we were like, 'Oh my Gosh. This town thinks that we're hanging the Confederate flag,'" Kjersten Offenbecker recounted to the paper, adding that she doesn't see the Norwegian flag as anything like the Confederate flag.
While both flags have red backgrounds and two crossing blue bars outlined in white, that's where the similarities end. The Norwegian flag's crossing bars create right angles while the Confederate flag's crossing bars create an "X" — not to mention the its famous white stars within the blue bars.
Photo by: Marka/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
'It bugs me as far as the stupidity of people'
"It bugs me as far as the stupidity of people," Greg Offenbecker told the State Journal. "Even if the flag is blowing in the wind or laying limp, there are no stars on it. They look nothing alike."
When confronted about their Norwegian flag in other instances, the paper said Kjersten Offenbecker would usually reply, "Can you look again?"
She also would explain that they're the last people who'd fly a flag many equate with racism, as two of the Offenbecker's children, ages 12 and 15, are black, the paper said.
But the confrontations kept coming, with people asking the couple to remove the Norwegian flag and accusing them of promoting racism, the State Journal said, adding that the latest person to get in their faces about it said they should be "ashamed."
"How could we be so bigoted and close minded, this person wrote, and I was really hurt because I feel like we've done a lot to integrate into this small community and be part of St. Johns," Kjersten Offenbecker recounted to the paper.
The flag comes down
Fed up with the anger and ignorance, the couple took down the Norwegian flag — as well as the American flag that had been next to it — last week, the State Journal said.
"I was saying leave it up, and she was pretty dead set on taking it down," Greg Offenbecker noted to the paper. "I said, 'If you take down one, take down both.'"
In a July 20 post on The Nordic Pineapple's Facebook page, the couple wrote, "We love being members of the St Johns community and are heartbroken to have had to make this decision. Given the current cultural climate and the idea that people are judging us based on the misconception of the national Norwegian flag vs. the Confederate flag, this is what is best for our family and our Inn."
While several community members have urged them to rehang Norway's flag, the Offenbeckers told the State Journal they won't unless they can ensure it won't be confused with the Confederate flag.


theblaze--2020-07-30--POLL: If you were forced to listen to one of the following, which would it be?

POLL : If you were forced to listen to one of the following , which would it be ?
Cast @ @ @ @ @ forget to share !

POLL: If you were forced to listen to one of the following, which would it be?
Cast your vote and don't forget to share!


theblaze--2020-07-30--Herman Cain, 74, dead following battle with coronavirus

Former Republican presidential candidate , accomplished businessman , and conservative commentator Herman Cain is dead at the age of 74 following a hard-fought battle against a COVID-19 infection .
What are the details ?
On Monday , Herman 's Twitter account reported that Herman was hospitalized for the coronavirus and was receiving oxygen in treatment .
The tweet stated , `` We know it 's been few days since we last gave you an update on the boss .
But he is still in the hospital being treated with oxygen for his lungs .
In the meantime , the doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong . ''
Though his team said he was getting stronger , he passed on Thursday morning .
Herman was first hospitalized in early July for the infection .
`` You 're never ready for the kind of news we are grappling with this morning , '' the account shared .
`` But we have no choice but to seek and find God 's strength and comfort to deal . ''
The lengthy missive , posted on Cain 's website , announced , `` Herman Cain — our boss , our friend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us — has passed away .
He 's entering the presence of the Savior he 's served as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta for , and preparing for his reward . ''
The honorary obituary continued , `` Romans 2:6-7 says : 'God 'will repay each person according to what they have done . '
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory , honor and immortality , he will give eternal life . '
By that measure , we expect the boss is in for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us who knew him are well aware of how much good he did . ''
The post detailed the final few weeks of Cain 's life .
Following his infection several weeks ago , Cain was taken to a hospital by ambulance after struggling to breathe .
Just five days ago , doctors reportedly told Cain 's family that they believed he would eventually recover , despite needing oxygen treatment .
Herman , a cancer survivor , fought hard , but the family said it knew the time would come when God would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man so good , so solid , so full of love and faith' '' I want you to understand just what our world has lost today , '' the post continued .
`` There are n't many people like Herman Cain , and it behooves us to truly cherish the ones we 're given .
His wife Gloria – his children Melanie and Vincent – and his grandchildren ... they need our love , our support and our prayers . ''
The post concluded , `` I 'm sorry I had to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the good news is that we had a man so good , so solid , so full of love and faith ... that his death hits us this hard .
Thank God for a man like that . ''
Herman was a co-chair of Black Voices for Trump , and one of President Donald Trump 's surrogates at the president 's June 20 rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
At least eight Trump staffers who attended the rally later tested positive for the deadly virus .
Editor 's Note : An earlier edition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized in early June for COVID-19 .
It has since been corrected to reflect that Cain was hospitalized in early July for COVID-19 .

Former Republican presidential candidate, accomplished businessman, and conservative commentator Herman Cain is dead at the age of 74 following a hard-fought battle against a COVID-19 infection.
What are the details?
On Monday, Herman's Twitter account reported that Herman was hospitalized for the coronavirus and was receiving oxygen in treatment.
The tweet stated, "We know it's been few days since we last gave you an update on the boss. But he is still in the hospital being treated with oxygen for his lungs. In the meantime, the doctors say his other organs and systems are strong."
Though his team said he was getting stronger, he passed on Thursday morning.
Herman was first hospitalized in early July for the infection.
'Find God's strength'
Cain's official Twitter page shared the sad news Thursday morning.
"You're never ready for the kind of news we are grappling with this morning," the account shared. "But we have no choice but to seek and find God's strength and comfort to deal."
The lengthy missive, posted on Cain's website, announced, "Herman Cain — our boss, our friend, like a father to so many of us — has passed away. He's entering the presence of the Savior he's served as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta for, and preparing for his reward."
The honorary obituary continued, "Romans 2:6-7 says: 'God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.' By that measure, we expect the boss is in for some kind of welcome, because all of us who knew him are well aware of how much good he did."
The post detailed the final few weeks of Cain's life.
Following his infection several weeks ago, Cain was taken to a hospital by ambulance after struggling to breathe.
Just five days ago, doctors reportedly told Cain's family that they believed he would eventually recover, despite needing oxygen treatment.
Herman, a cancer survivor, fought hard, but the family said it knew the time would come when God would carry him home.
'We had a man so good, so solid, so full of love and faith'
"I want you to understand just what our world has lost today," the post continued. "There aren't many people like Herman Cain, and it behooves us to truly cherish the ones we're given. His wife Gloria – his children Melanie and Vincent – and his grandchildren ... they need our love, our support and our prayers."
The post concluded, "I'm sorry I had to bring you bad news this morning. But the good news is that we had a man so good, so solid, so full of love and faith ... that his death hits us this hard. Thank God for a man like that."
Herman was a co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, and one of President Donald Trump's surrogates at the president's June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
At least eight Trump staffers who attended the rally later tested positive for the deadly virus.
Editor's Note: An earlier edition of this article erroneously reported Cain was hospitalized in early June for COVID-19. It has since been corrected to reflect that Cain was hospitalized in early July for COVID-19.


theblaze--2020-07-30--GDP sees colossal second-quarter plunge due to pandemic slowdown

The U.S. economy recorded its largest ever plunge in activity during this year 's second quarter , according to data released Thursday by the Commerce Department 's Bureau of Economic Analysis .
What are the details ?
Gross Domestic Product , the combined tally of all goods and services produced , fell a colossal 9.5 % between April and June as many Americans were forced out of work and asked to stay home as the coronavirus pandemic raged .
That number , at an annualized rate — or what the decline would look like if it occurred for a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plunge , however , was not quite as bad as predicted .
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected a 34.7 % annualized decline in the second quarter .
Still , the drop is the worst ever , CNBC reported , with the second worst coming in mid-1921 .
In short , the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown orders happened .
According to CNBC , `` sharp contractions in personal consumption , exports , inventories , investment and spending by state and local governments all converged to bring down GDP . ''
MarketWatch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , which is the main engine of the economy , as the primary reason for the plunge .
That decline was especially noticed in service industries — such as travel and tourism , bars and restaurants , and medical services — which saw spending nosedive 43.5 % While a recovery appeared to begin in May when the country recorded the largest month-to-month jobs increase ever , the positive numbers were unable to offset the historic decline the U.S. economy experienced at the start of the pandemic .
Now , on the heels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are forecasting a long and arduous recovery .
`` [ The report ] just highlights how deep and dark the hole is that the economy cratered into in Q2 , '' Mark Zandi , the chief economist at Moody 's Analytics , told CNBC .
`` It 's a very deep and dark hole and we 're coming out of it , but it 's going to take a long time to get out . ''
Others , such as Peter Boockvar , chief investment officer at the Bleakley Advisory Group , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boockvar told CNBC that while the numbers are `` alarming , '' they are also `` all self inflicted with about half the quarter reflecting almost full shutdown and the other half the slow reopening . ''
Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had already predicted an 18 % comeback for the third quarter .
With the second quarter news , that number might be notched down slightly , but the outlet notes that the economy is still `` primed to expand . ''
Editor 's Note : A previous version of this article said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not 9.5 % , in the second quarter without clarifying that the former number is the annualized rate .
That clarification has now been added .

The U.S. economy recorded its largest ever plunge in activity during this year's second quarter, according to data released Thursday by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis.
What are the details?
Gross Domestic Product, the combined tally of all goods and services produced, fell a colossal 9.5% between April and June as many Americans were forced out of work and asked to stay home as the coronavirus pandemic raged. That number, at an annualized rate — or what the decline would look like if it occurred for a full year — equals 31.4%.
The plunge, however, was not quite as bad as predicted. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected a 34.7% annualized decline in the second quarter.
Still, the drop is the worst ever, CNBC reported, with the second worst coming in mid-1921.
What happened?
In short, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown orders happened.
According to CNBC, "sharp contractions in personal consumption, exports, inventories, investment and spending by state and local governments all converged to bring down GDP."
MarketWatch highlighted the 34.6% decline in consumer spending, which is the main engine of the economy, as the primary reason for the plunge.
That decline was especially noticed in service industries — such as travel and tourism, bars and restaurants, and medical services — which saw spending nosedive 43.5%
While a recovery appeared to begin in May when the country recorded the largest month-to-month jobs increase ever, the positive numbers were unable to offset the historic decline the U.S. economy experienced at the start of the pandemic.
What's next?
Now, on the heels of the second-quarter news, some economists are forecasting a long and arduous recovery.
"[The report] just highlights how deep and dark the hole is that the economy cratered into in Q2," Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNBC. "It's a very deep and dark hole and we're coming out of it, but it's going to take a long time to get out."
Others, such as Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at the Bleakley Advisory Group, are taking a bit more positive approach.
Boockvar told CNBC that while the numbers are "alarming," they are also "all self inflicted with about half the quarter reflecting almost full shutdown and the other half the slow reopening."
Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had already predicted an 18% comeback for the third quarter. With the second quarter news, that number might be notched down slightly, but the outlet notes that the economy is still "primed to expand."
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article said that the GDP had fallen at an annualized rate of 32.9% in the second quarter. That figure appears to have been adjusted by the Bureau of Economic Analysis to to 31.4%. The change has been reflected here.


theblaze--2020-07-30--Florida man opens fire in hotel lobby because a mother and son weren't social distancing, police say

Florida man opens fire in hotel lobby because a mother and son were n't social distancing , police say Thankfully @ @ @ @ @

A Florida man fired a gun inside a Miami Beach hotel after he became angry that a mother and son weren't social distancing, police said.
The shooting happened Monday night at the Crystal Beach Suites Hotel on Collins Avenue. Douglas Marks reportedly entered the lobby of the beachfront hotel and noticed a mother and son sitting on a couch.
"You all aren't social distancing," Marks told the mother and son, according to the police report. Marks then told them, "You all need to leave."
The mother, Veronica Pena, and her son ignored the man.
"Let me take care of them, I have two people not following directions," Marks said, according to Pena.
Marks then pulled out a firearm and fired several shots. An anonymous male witness said he shielded the mother and son during the shooting, and claimed there were "like six" shots fired.
Police say the shooter "continued to scream commands to social distance while holding the firearm and subsequently fired several shots."
"The guy came and started shooting," a witness said. "The son and the mom were, like, crying, and they were scared."
Elio Rodriguez was in a Crystal Beach Suites Hotel room with his wife and child when the shooting occurred and said he tried to protect his family when the gunshots rang out.
"'Bam! Bam!' Real loud, loud. I just grabbed everybody and put them on the floor," Rodriguez told WSVN. "I grabbed my daughter and everybody and put them on the floor."
No one was injured. There was a bullet hole only inches away from the hotel's front desk.
Marks was arrested by Miami Beach Police. He surrendered to police without incident.
Marks allegedly later admitted to the shooting. The police report stated that Marks asked the hotel front desk to call 911 before firing "four warning shots." He said that he did so because he was being followed by someone, the Miami Herald reported.
On Tuesday morning, Marks was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm in public. He was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $11,000 bond, according to jail records.
Man arrested for Miami Beach shooting that was allegedly over social distancing www.youtube.com
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, there have been numerous violent and alarming incidents involving COVID-19 precautions.
Earlier this month, a California Lyft rider reportedly attacked her driver and spat at him after the Lyft driver requested that she wear a face mask.
Two men allegedly attacked a security guard at a Target store in May after they refused to wear a face mask.
A viral video this week showed a woman enraged that small children were not wearing face masks. She told the children: "I hope you all die!"


theblaze--2020-07-30--Feds ID and nab shirtless Portland Justice Center arson suspect thanks to the giant tattoo on his ba

Feds ID and nab shirtless Portland Justice Center arson suspect thanks to the giant tattoo on his back ... of his last name

Feds ID and nab shirtless Portland Justice Center arson suspect thanks to the giant tattoo on his back ... of @ @ @ @ @ choices all around

If you're going to break into your city's police headquarters and commit arson while sporting a tattoo of your last name in giant letters on your back, a word of advice: Wear a shirt.
Suspected arsonist Edward Schinzing, 32, did not follow that advice when he allegedly attempted to set fire to the Portland Justice Center, which is near the center of the ongoing protests and riots in downtown Portland, Oregon.
And now he's facing federal arson charges.
What happened?
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that authorities had charged Schinzing with "using fire to maliciously damage or destroy the Justice Center in downtown Portland."
The charges stem from a late May incident at the Justice Center, which houses the Portland Police headquarters and the Multnomah County Detention Center.
According to the DOJ statement, Schinzing was among a group of protesters who broke into the Justice Center just before 11 p.m. on May 29. Protesters smashed several of the building's windows and entered secured offices.
At least three civilian county employees who were working in the Corrections Records Office at the time ran for safety when the windows were broken and suspects raided the building, the DOJ noted.
The department said about 30 rioters entered the Justice Center through the broken windows, spray-painted parts of the office, destroyed office equipment and computers, and started fires.
Schinzing, the Justice Department said, was ID'd by comparing his images on surveillance video with a previous jail booking photo and a "distinctive tattoo of his last name across his upper back."
The suspect allegedly spread a fire by lighting papers in the front of the office and moving them to a drawer in a second cubicle.
Thankfully for the workers — plus the 289 inmates housed in the detention center — the building's fire sprinkler system was able to extinguish the fires, according to the statement.
U.S. Department of Justice/U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon
According to the Oregonian, Schinzing is facing federal charges for his alleged crimes at a county building because the property belonging to the city of Portland and Multnomah County receives millions of dollars in federal assistance through the DOJ.
Schinzing, who was on probation for domestic violence assault, the newspaper said, is currently being held in the jail at the Justice Center that he is accused of trying to torch.
He also has seven prior misdemeanor and two felony convictions, the Oregonian reported.
Here's video of the "peaceful" Portland protesters busting the windows of the Justice Center on May 29.
Content warning: Rough language


theblaze--2020-07-30--George Floyd memorial site in Minneapolis overtaken by nightly violence: 'I can't call the police'

' ... and that scares the hell out of me' George Floyd memorial site in Minneapolis overtaken by nightly violence @ @ @ @ @ call the police' Two women look at flowers at a memorial site for George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ May 25 by officers of the Minneapolis Police Department .
( Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty @ @

The site where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis Police Department officers in May, which is now a memorial, has become a hot spot for violence at night, and police officers don't respond to calls in that area, according to the New York Times.
Floyd was killed in south Minneapolis outside a store called Cup Foods. Store employees called police after Floyd allegedly used a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for cigarettes. A large memorial to Floyd has stood in that area for the past two months, and it's peaceful during the day. At night, it's a different story.
"What people aren't recognizing is that people who live there are having a very, very challenging time from the unlawfulness that is occurring after the sun goes down," Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins said. "There are constant gunshots every night. Emergency vehicles can't get in. Disabled people are not able to access their medications, their appointments, their food deliveries, et cetera. It's a very challenging situation."
City officials and local police don't want to inflame tensions by clearing out the memorial, which is what happened in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 when police faced a similar situation after the police killing of Mike Brown. But the lack of police presence is causing a dangerous situation for the people who live nearby.
The Times spoke to a woman named Bianca Dawkins who lives in the area and says she fears for her family with the violence that occurs nightly:
But financial worries are only one thing on her mind. She has two children, including a 6-week-old baby. She says the daytime is fine, and she has met many people who have traveled to pay their respects to Mr. Floyd.
"But when the other crowd comes at night, I can't call the police, and that scares the hell out of me," she said. Ms. Dawkins pointed to a gunshot in the windshield of her car, a gold sedan.
"We have kids in this home, so I do want police to protect families," she said. "It's a hard balance. I'm happy this incident brought change, but I want to feel safe."
The Minneapolis City Council has been moving toward dismantling the city's police department and replacing it with a different, unspecified model for public safety, described as "a department of community safety and violence prevention, which will have responsibility for public safety services prioritizing a holistic, public health-oriented approach."
(H/T: Hot Air)


theblaze--2020-07-31--Protests erupted when police gunned down black man in North Carolina — then they released the dash c

Protests erupted when police gunned down black man in North Carolina — then they released the dash cam video

Protests erupted in Roxboro, North Carolina, after police shot and killed a black man on last Friday, but some of the criticism was quelled after police released the dash cam video of the incident.
Police said that they had responded to a report of a man walking with what looked like a shotgun when they encountered David Brooks Jr., 45, near a Dollar General store.
Six minutes later, the man was dead after being shot by police. Police recovered a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the scene. No police were injured in the altercation, and none of the responding officers had body cameras.
"We want justice"
A cousin of Brooks disputed the police account in a statement to WRAL-TV.
"He walked the road every day. He don't bother anybody. He don't start no trouble or nothing," he said. "He probably had one of those guns he had on his chest. It was visible. He wouldn't hurt nobody, though.
Tanillya Partridge, another cousin of Brooks, had a message for the police.
"You shoot my cousin in the street like a dog. We want justice," she said. "We are not going to stop until we get justice for David Brooks because he never hurt anybody."
Accusations of racism and other claims were leveled at the officers, often based on rumors.
"We want justice. We want honesty," Vee Monique, a protest organizer said. "We understand that the people that are in office, that are in the police department, are in cahoots, so we might have to take this over their heads, if possible."
Police later said that Brooks had only been shot once through the chest. They also said that Brooks had pointed the sawed off shotgun at them before they shot him.
Dash cam video released
On Wednesday, the police released the dash cam of the incident that protesters were demanding. That video can be seen here.
The video showed police attempting to talk to Brooks, who appeared to raise his gun and point at them. One shot can be seen striking Brooks before he falls to the ground.
Also on Wednesday, members of the Black Panthers marched to the spot where Brooks was killed by police. Brooks' brother told a WNCN reporter that he had been a "cadet" in the Black Panthers.


theblaze--2020-07-31--Ellen DeGeneres addresses staff regarding claims about her show's 'toxic work culture'

Ellen DeGeneres addresses staff regarding claims about her show 's 'toxic work culture '

Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres sent a letter to the staff of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Thursday, addressing accusations of a "toxic work culture" on the set that led to an ongoing investigation by WarnerMedia.
What are the details?
The Hollywood Reporter obtained the note, wherein DeGeneres began by saying that "on day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me know it's the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show."
The comedian praised her show's employees and credited them for her success, explaining that she and Warner Brothers were working together to correct the issues that were brought to light by the media. She also reiterated, "It's important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so."
"I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world," DeGeneres continued. "I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I'm so sorry to anyone who didn't have that experience."
In closing, she wrote, "If not for COVID, I'd have done this in person, and I can't wait to be back on our stage and see you all then."
Earlier this week, WarnerMedia announced it was launching an investigation into the workplace environment of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" following a Buzzfeed report featuring one current and 10 former anonymous employees of the show who provided accounts of what was described as a "toxic work culture."
After the Buzzfeed story, the show's executive producers, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner promised to address the concerns raised, and said in a joint statement, "We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience."
They added, "For the record, the day to day responsibility of the Ellen show is completely on us.
Warner Brothers issued a statement to Fox News Thursday with an update on their investigation, saying that "though not all of the allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show's day-to-day management. We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised, and are taking the first steps to implement them."
Fox reported, "While there were no specifics given as to the staffing changes, sources told [The Hollywood Reporter] that executive producer Ed Glavin will likely be axed."


theblaze--2020-07-31--NYC church forced to barricade front steps to keep homeless people from defecating and leaving syrin

NYC church forced to barricade front steps to keep homeless people from defecating and leaving syringes on them A resident @ @ @ @ @ 's the worst he 's ever seen

A church in New York City has resorted to barricading its front steps in order to stop homeless people from leaving feces and used needles.
"These people would come and crap all over the stairs!" said a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hell's Kitchen to the New York Post.
The superintendent in charge of the church said that the faithful had to resort to avoiding the front steps altogether and going through an alternative side entrance to go to their weekly services.
"I don't open it up anymore," said the super about the front entrance. "They were throwing syringes in there, smoking pot on the steps."
Another church member told the Post that the super stands outside the church to keep the homeless moving, sometimes for 10 hours a day.
"Every day I'm fighting these guys. I've had to put my foot in a few a**es!" said the church super. "Right now I'm like a security guard."
The Trinity Presbyterian Church says on its website that it serves about a hundred church members.
Zack Rakitnican works as a super at apartment buildings on the same block, and he says the homeless crisis has become the worst he's ever seen.
"It was never like this here all the years I work here," said Rakitnican. "Last 15 years, never this bad. It's going down fast."
Residents see increased crime, harassment
Community activist Holly-Anne Devlin praised the city for a program that would help homeless people find shelter in hotels, but also admitted that drug dealers were taking advantage of the situation.
"They seem to be either selling drugs within the shelters, outside the shelters, and it's causing a great deal of harassment, crime, you know, the neighborhood is feeling very unsafe for a lot of citizens," Devlin said to WCBS-TV.
The homelessness crisis in New York City has worsened under the strains imposed by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown response. In April, subway and bus conductors reported that the homeless were making their buses and trains into makeshift living spaces and leaving unsanitary conditions.
Here's more about the homeless crisis in New York City:


theblaze--2020-07-30--Dem Tennessee state senator charged with embezzling $600K in federal grant funds

Katrina Robinson allegedly used taxpayer money for her wedding , honeymoon , and later divorce

A Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker has been charged with embezzlement and wire fraud for allegedly using $600,000 in federal taxpayer dollars to fund personal expenses including her wedding, honeymoon, and subsequent divorce.
What are the details?
According to a criminal complaint from the FBI, Sen. Katrina Robinson pulled funds from the $2.2 million in grant money one of her businesses received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a period of four years from July of 2015 to June of 2019.
The complaint includes a spreadsheet of transactions Robinson allegedly made using the federal funds, including more than $169,000 in salary bonuses to herself "beyond what was approved," $54,000 to her personal retirement account, home improvements including a $5,500 wrought iron door, and "expenses related to Robinson's wedding and honeymoon, and later, legal fees for her divorce."
Robinson is also accused of using the money for her state Senate campaign, to pay off personal debts, to buy her daughter a car, and to make several thousand dollars of purchases to support her children's snow cone business.
The New York Times reported that "in addition to serving as a state senator, Mrs. Robinson...is director of the Healthcare Institute, a for-profit college that provides training programs for certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist and licensed practical nursing."
The grant money was intended to be used for training programs at the Healthcare Institute, which Robinson, a registered nurse by trade, founded in 2015 — the same year her business was awarded the federal funds.
The feds were tipped off months ago by an anonymous claim that Robinson had used the grant money to buy a luxury handbag valued at more than $500, leading to an FBI raid on her home and the Healthcare Institute in February. Witnesses told WMC-TV at the time that they saw agents rolling file cabinets out of the vocational school.
Anything else?
Sen. Robinson held a press conference Thursday insisting that she would be vindicated, and claimed she was being targeted by the authorities.
"It is believed that if I were not in the position that I'm in, if I did not champion the voices, the views and the faces that I represent that I would not be in this moment I'm in today," Robinson said.
She added, "I'm committed to continuing to serve with the same integrity, the same passion, that I have demonstrated since you elected me to this office."
Robinson was elected in 2018.


theblaze--2020-08-01--Rioters leave grisly threat for police outside Portland Justice Center: a burned, decapitated pig's

Rioters leave grisly threat for police outside Portland Justice Center: a burned, decapitated pig's head with a police hat

Rioters leave grisly threat for police outside Portland Justice Center : a burned , decapitated pig 's head with a @ @

Rioters left a bizarre message to police in Portland, Oregon, in the shape of a decapitated pig's head wearing a police hat, set on fire and placed on an American flag.
The fiery anti-cop threat was left Thursday evening at the Justice Center. Videos of the severed pig head were circulated on social media.
Journalist Andy Ngo noted that it was not the first time that a severed pig's head was used by rioters in Portland to try to intimidate the police.
"In the early weeks of the riots, a burnt pig's head was left at the base of the now-gone elk statue. This was long before federal agents showed up outside the courthouse," said Ngo, who tweeted a photograph of the previous pig's head.
Portland has been one of the centers of continued protests that regularly turn to rioting and looting. Early protests were in response to the death of George Floyd by police as he was taken into custody in Minneapolis.
Critics of the looting point out that many of the riots appear to have left-wing political aims far separated from the intent of the original protests.
Federal response
President Donald Trump warned local governments that if they did not do enough to quell the rioting and looting that he would order federal officers to stamp out the violence. He later sent troops to Portland, Chicago and other cities.
"The FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security will together be sending hundreds of skilled law enforcement officers to Chicago to help drive down violent crime," Trump said on July 22. "And murderers and violent criminals are breaking a wide range of federal laws, we have that, it's as wide as it can be. We will find them, arrest them and prosecute them, they will be in jail for many years to come."
Democrats responded by questioning the constitutionality of sending federal officers into cities where the leadership rejected the help. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) went so far as to refer to the federal officers as "stormtroopers," a term originating from the name for the military political police of Nazi Germany.
Others claimed that the president was floating a trial balloon so that he could gauge whether he could use a similar action to stay in power should he lose the presidential election in November.
Here's more about the protests in Portland: