theblaze--2020-08-28--Stephen Smith slaps down co-host after he calls Fox News 'extreme right wing propaganda' over Jacob

Stephen Smith slaps down co-host after he calls Fox News 'extreme right wing propaganda' over Jacob Blake shooting

Stephen Smith slaps down co-host after he calls Fox News 'extreme right wing propaganda ' over Jacob Blake shooting Smith @ @ @ @ @ opinion Kellerman was voicing

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith rebuked his co-host Max Kellerman after he gave a very one-sided account of the debate over the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The pair launched into a fiery debate on their show, "First Take," while talking about controversial comments from Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher about the police shooting that inspired rioting and looting in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Urlacher claimed in a social media post that Blake had been reaching for a knife when police shot him. While a knife was recovered in the car, it has not been established if Blake was reaching for it when he was shot.
"He's susceptible to low-quality information it seems to me," Kellerman said of Urlacher.
"If you exist in a Fox News silo or a Facebook silo of extreme right wing propaganda, what you will notice, and by the way this even makes its way into the mainstream. When a Black man is killed by law enforcement, the stories that come out about him, especially with those silos with low-quality information, paint him as a very bad person. And focus on, even if he was in commission of a crime at the moment he was shot, focus on the worst aspects of their lives, and dehumanize them," he explained.
"Whereas Kyle Rittenhouse, white militia, 17-year-old kid, drove to Kenosha and killed two people, in cold blood, two protesters," Kellerman added. "In cold blood, including the second person, who tried to stop him from killing more people, and drove all the way home and was arrested the next day. Finally, the cops were practically aiding him, they gave him water when they first saw him."
Kellerman claimed that some of the media was humanizing Rittenhouse, and added that they "do the same to white terrorists, who blow up government buildings and shoot up schools."
'What you don't want to do is hear the other point!'
Smith was displeased with Kellerman's framing of the issue and the debate quickly got heated.
"You know you've got to be careful about generalizing. When you talk about low-quality information, you've got to be specific about that," Smith said.
"Excuse me, just like you brought up Fox News," Smith continued as Kellerman tried to interrupt, "there are people that could look at CNN or MSNBC and they're going to have their opinions about those networks."
"No, this is not an issue of opinion, Stephen A.," responded Kellerman. "I'm talking about independent fact-checking organizations and the quality of the information…"
"Max, you're not right," interrupted Smith, "Hold on. No, no. We listened to you! We heard you, alright! But the point is do you know that Brian Urlacher got that information from Fox News? Do you know that? How do you know what television network he was watching? That's the point!"
"No, I didn't, and I didn't say he did," replied Kellerman.
"Don't even bring it up. Alright then! You said low-quality information, you mentioned Fox News. I watch them all, I watch them all!" Smith said.
"No, but I saw certain facts," continued Kellerman, "certain facts that he was incorrect about, including he reached for the knife, because that's where it's framed in low-quality information news silos."
Part of the debate was circulated on social media:
"Listen, I saw 'certain facts' everywhere," continued Smith. "There are a multitude of outlets, we heard you. See, that's your problem! Cause you like to talk and then what you don't want to do is hear the other point, because you want your point to be stuck with everybody."
Kellerman said that Smith was misrepresenting what he said, and continued decrying Fox News and Facebook.
"I don't want people doing that on 'First Take,' I don't want people doing that on 'First Take'! Period!" said Smith.
While ESPN posted more of the segment between Kellerman and Smith on its YouTube account, their video omitted the portion where Smith defended Fox News and other outlets. Similarly, the Twitter version of the exchange omitted Smith's later comments where he explicitly denounced the police shooting of Blake.
Kellerman made headlines on Thursday when he made similar comments about fans of SEC college football being "easy to propagandize and almost immune to facts," in regards to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's ESPN excerpted version:


theblaze--2020-08-28--Former 'coolest' Catholic school teacher charged with sexual assault after allegedly having sex with

Former 'coolest' Catholic school teacher charged with sexual assault after allegedly having sex with student 60 times

Former 'coolest ' Catholic school teacher charged with sexual assault after allegedly having sex with student 60 times The victim @ @ @ @ @ had sexual intercourse at teacher 's home , her mother 's home , and his @ @

A high school teacher was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage victim, according to authorities. Camden Catholic High School teacher Bridget Sipera, 36, reportedly had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student from New Jersey.
Sipera, of Cherry Hill, allegedly initiated the sexual relationship with the student in January 2019 when he was one of her students, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The victim reportedly told police the relationship lasted about 18 months, which included about 60 sexual encounters at various locations.
Court documents say Sipera admitted to the sexual relationship when contacted by police, according to WPVI-TV. The student, who was said to be a "recent graduate" of Camden Catholic, contacted Cherry Hill police about the alleged improper relationship on Aug. 6.
The victim reportedly told police that the two had sexual intercourse inside his car at several locations in Cherry Hill, including at a hotel parking lot and a park in Camden County. Sipera allegedly admitted that the sexual encounters "took place in multiple towns," according to the prosecutor's statement.
The victim also allegedly informed police that they had sexual relations at Sipera's home, her mother's home, and his own house. The minor was reportedly able to provide police with "specific details of the layout" of the homes.
The school said Sipera "was terminated immediately" in a statement that was released on Thursday.
"Camden Catholic High School will be cooperating fully with local law enforcement," the school said, according to the Courier Post.
Sipera taught literature at the school, where she was also the girls' lacrosse coach. She was previously named "Coach of the Year" by the Women's Lacrosse Club of South Jersey.
In the school's 2017-18 yearbook, Sipera was listed as an instructor in the McAuley Program, which assists students "with mild learning disabilities."
In June 2013, Sipera was voted as "Camden Catholic High School's coolest teacher" by the "Preston & Steve" radio show on Philadelphia rock music station WMMR.
Sipera was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Detectives said Sipera could face more charges.
Sipera was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility, where she is awaiting a preliminary hearing.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Black man reportedly shouts 'Black lives matter!' while stabbing white man in seemingly random attac

Black man reportedly shouts 'Black lives matter!' while stabbing white man in seemingly random attack — and now he faces hate crime charges

Black man reportedly shouts 'Black lives matter ! '
while stabbing white man in seemingly random attack — and now @ @ @ @ @

A black man in Aurora, Colorado, reportedly yelled "Black lives matter!" while stabbing a white man earlier this week.
Now he's facing hate crime and attempted murder charges.
What are the details?
The suspect, 30-year-old Steve Sinclair, reportedly stabbed 29-year-old Michael Conner in the torso Tuesday evening. During the crime, Sinclair allegedly shouted "Black lives matter!"
KUSA-TV reported that Sinclair was also raving before stabbing the victim.
"An arrest affidavit says Sinclair used a knife to stab 29-year-old Michael Conner who was transported to the hospital for his injuries and a collapsed lung," the outlet reported.
While at the hospital, Conner reportedly told authorities that Sinclair shouted the phrase before stabbing him. It is not clear at the time of this reporting what led to Sinclair to attack Conner.
KUSA reported that Sinclair reportedly told Conner that he was going to kill him and his dog.
"One witness said Conner tried to run away and defended himself with a stick," the outlet reported. "Sinclair continued saying, 'Black lives matter' to police when they arrived according to the first officer on scene. That officer wrote that Sinclair had his hands up and said, 'I stabbed him, I'm a psychopath,' refused to sit down, and 'insisted' that officers should shoot him. He was arrested without incident according to the report."
Authorities said when they arrived on the scene, they discovered Sinclair covered in blood who repeatedly told responding officers, "Black lives matter."
Eyewitnesses said they saw Sinclair attacking Conner, KCNC-TV reported.
"The victim in this case suffered serious injuries and his family says he cannot work for the next six weeks while he is recovering from his injuries," the station reported. "A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family as the victim is the main provider for the family."
The crowdfunding page has so far received more than $6,200 in donations.


theblaze--2020-08-28--CNN guest says COVID-19 isn't as big a concern for social justice protests because racism is a 'publ

CNN guest says COVID-19 isn't as big a concern for social justice protests because racism is a 'public health crisis'

People attend the `` Commitment March : Get Your Knee Off Our Necks '' protest against racism and police brutality @ @ @ @ @ DC .
The protest also marked the 57th anniversary of civil rights leader Martin Luther @ @ @ @ @ Have a Dream '' speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial .
( Photo by OLIVIER @ @ @ @ @

While discussing social distancing on CNN, Dr. Rob Davidson said that the lack of COVID-19 precautions at social justice protests aren't as concerning as the crowd at the White House for President Donald Trump's Republican National Convention speech, because racism is a public health issue.
Members of the media heavily criticized President Trump for allowing 1,500 people to sit in close quarters outside the White House for his Thursday night speech, citing the risk of COVID-19 spread since attendees weren't required to be tested for the virus, and very few people wore masks.
On Friday, however, thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C., in protest of police brutality against minorities. The protest was labeled as a "March on Washington" with the official title, "Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks," a reference to the Minneapolis Police Department killing of George Floyd.
Here's what Dr. Davidson had to say about the RNC gathering:
"I was very concerned about the White House event last night, 1,500 people packed shoulder-to-shoulder, the head of the White House coronavirus task force in attendance without a mask, with his family and his elderly mother without a mask, and it's concerning. We know people weren't tested, only people in direct contact with President Trump had tests done. So I think we are going to see cases come out of that, and it's just modeling bad behavior."
And here's what he had to say about the protest:
"Now when you juxtapose that with what's going on in Washington, D.C. right now, people mostly wearing masks. Now true there is social distancing issues, however this is a public health crisis they are marching against. Systemic racism has taken so many lives in this country throughout our history. ... I just think that when you're marching against a public health emergency, you do every risk mitigation procedure you can, but we understand that you have to do the risk-benefit analysis, and the folks there are doing something very important today."
Davidson draws the distinction that many protesters are wearing masks. However, one of the greatest concerns public health experts have consistently raised about mask use is that they fear people who wear masks will then neglect social distancing, leading to more spread of the virus.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Report: US to cut troops in Iraq by a third, or to about 3,500

Report : US to cut troops in Iraq by a third , or to about 3,500 President Trump had previously @ @ @ @ @ shortly '

The United States military is expected to reduce its troop presence in Iraq by one-third, or down to about 3,500, over the next two or three months, an official told Reuters Friday.
Currently, 5,200 troops are stationed in the Middle Eastern country as a part of an effort to fight the Islamic State's (ISIS) presence there, but the Trump administration is now confident that Iraqi forces are able handle the terrorist organization on their own.
The move was largely expected after President Trump recommitted to a reduction in the number of troops stationed in the Middle Eastern country during Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's visit to the White House last week.
At that meeting, Trump said: "[Iraq is] a separate country. They have a prime minister. They have people in office. They have to run their country. We've been in Iraq for a long time."
"Frankly, I didn't think [the Iraq War] was a good idea ... now we're getting out, we'll be leaving shortly," he added.
The president has made clear his intentions to withdraw troops from places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria ever since his 2016 campaign. He reiterated that stance during his speech at the 2020 Republican National Convention Thursday, vowing again to cease America's "endless wars."
The feelings are now mutual between Trump and Iraqi leadership.
Earlier this year, in the aftermath of the U.S. strike on Iranian terrorist military leader Qassem Soleimani, the Iraqi Parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from the country.
According to Reuters, the reduction of troops is likely just the beginning of a total withdrawal from the country. The outlet noted that during drawdown talks in June, the U.S. expressed "no plans" to "maintain permanent bases or a permanent military presence" in the country.
Most Americans will welcome the news that the U.S. is furthering the process of leaving, but with the U.S. military's drawdown comes the risk that ISIS or other terrorist organizations will seize back power in the region.
A report from intelligence officials late last year warned that after losing its land territory two years ago, ISIS had reorganized and was rapidly growing an underground presence in Iraq.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Armed leftist badly wounded in Kenosha shooting allegedly regrets 'not killing the kid' accused of f

Armed leftist badly wounded in Kenosha shooting allegedly regrets 'not killing the kid' accused of firing at him and 'emptying the entire mag'

Armed leftist badly wounded in Kenosha shooting allegedly regrets 'not killing the kid ' accused of firing at him and @ @ @ @ @ kid shot Gaige as he drew his weapon and Gaige retreated with his gun in @ @ @ @ @ of Gaige Grosskreutz allegedly commented on Facebook

An armed leftist who was part of a mob that chased down a rifle-toting male on a Kenosha street — and was badly wounded by close-range gunfire — allegedly told a friend he regrets "not killing the kid" accused of shooting him and "emptying the entire mag."
What are the details?
Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, was one of three people shot Tuesday night allegedly by 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois resident who arrived in Wisconsin armed with what police said was a Smith & Wesson AR-15 style .223 rifle. Rittenhouse said in video interviews prior to the incident that he was in Kenosha to help protect property, keep the peace, and administer medical aid.
Tensions were high as rioters squared off with others who, like Rittenhouse, gathered in the city with rifles.
According to a probable cause narrative in the criminal complaint against Rittenhouse, at one point 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum confronted Rittenhouse — and the teen apparently didn't want anything to do with him and tried getting away. But Rosenbaum chased the 17-year-old and appeared to try to take Rittenhouse's gun away — after which the teen fatally shot his pursuer.
It should be noted that video recorded earlier allegedly caught Rosenbaum antagonizing the gun-carrying group, glaring at them, and daring them to "shoot me!"
Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @Julio_Rosas11
He even uttered the N-word while black people stood feet away. (Content warning: Language, racial slurs):
After Rosenbaum was shot, a mob chased Rittenhouse down a street. One of the pursuers was Anthony Huber, who hit Rittenhouse with his skateboard and, police say, tried taking Rittenhouse's rifle away — at which point Rittenhouse fired a fatal shot at Huber's chest.
Also in the thick of the chase was Grosskreutz who was seen in video screenshots and photographs seeming to point a handgun at Rittenhouse:
Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @bgonthescene
According the criminal complaint: "When the defendant shot Huber, Grosskreutz freezes and ducks and takes a step back. Grosskreutz puts his hands in the air. Grosskreutz then moves towards the defendant who aims his gun at Grosskreutz and shoots him, firing 1 shot. Grosskreutz was shot in the right arm. Grosskreutz appears to be holding a handgun in his right hand when he was shot."
Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Here's video of second and third shootings. (Content warning: Language):
Grosskreutz even was holding his handgun after a bullet took out a large chunk of his right arm:
Image source: Twitter
What allegedly happened afterward?
Grosskreutz survived the shooting but reportedly will require multiple surgeries on his arm.
Journalist Andy Ngo then happened upon a Facebook comment allegedly from Jacob Marshall, a friend of Grosskreutz. According to Marshall's alleged comment, Grosskreutz told him he wished he'd killed his shooter.
Image source: Twitter
The screenshot of the comment reads, "I just talked to Gaige Grosskreutz too" and "his only regret is not killing the kid and hesitating to pull the gun before emptying the entire mag into him." The alleged comment also reads that "the kid shot Gaige as he drew his weapon and Gaige retreated with his gun in hand."
Neither Grosskreutz nor Marshall on Friday immediately responded to TheBlaze's request for comment on what Grosskreutz allegedly said to Marshall.
But an Internet archive screenshot from Wednesday shows a Facebook post from Marshall taking issue with conclusions being drawn about Grosskreutz: "There's a narrative saying Gaige was chasing this kid with a gun...no. Gaige did try pulling his gun right after this, because clearly his life was in danger and then the kid shot him...but after being shot wasn't able to release his gun because of the muscle damage. So all these pictures and post[s] of how the kid did it in 'self defense' is bulls**t. If you don't agree we can personally meet up and talk 'self defense' policies cuz I'm over this bulls**t narrative that's being passed around that Gaige was attacking the shooter."
Grosskreutz is a member of a social justice group, the People's Revolution Movement of Milwaukee, and a friend of his told the Chicago Sun-Times that his "whole reason for being out here was to provide medical services to protesters in Kenosha, and when Gaige tried to detain [the active shooter], he got shot in the arm."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos: 'A completely non-child-focused agenda' has taken root in Americ

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos: 'A completely non-child-focused agenda' has taken root in American schools

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos : ' A completely non-child-focused agenda ' has taken root in American schools Taxpayers should @ @ @ @ @ 'We want something better for our kids '

There's no longer any doubt that America's school systems are being targeted by the radical left. At least 800 leaked documents reveal the dangerous Marxist curriculum being taught to our kids in schools across the country.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos joined Glenn Beck on this week's TV special to speak to parents who are frustrated with school districts and unions that care more about pushing progressive agendas than educating America's children.
DeVos noted that the "very troubling" kind of cultivation happening in schools today has actually been going on for years, resulting in the civil unrest we're now seeing across the country. She emphasized that "now more than ever" we must empower parents to have a say in what their kids are learning.
"Parents today, all too many of them don't have the opportunity to really control their kids' education, and therefore what they're learning and what their whole environment is. So, now more than ever, today there's a demand, an increasing demand, to give parents options and give them control of resources that are being spent on their children," DeVos said.
"This pandemic has brought about, I believe, a real turning point for K-12 education, as parents realize what their kids have or haven't learned in the past, and what they're learning today," she added. "Parents are realizing today the deficiencies of some of their kids' educational settings and are demanding more ... and there's an increased receptivity, even among families who have moved to a good school district. They're finding and discovering their schools are not meeting their needs. It is a completely non-child-focused agenda that's taken root in all too many districts across the country."
DeVos encouraged parents to raise their voices with local school boards and legislators, and to demand that resources are being invested in their children.
"[Parents] are paying property taxes. Grandparents are paying property taxes. Businesses are paying property taxes. And they should be able to say, 'We want something different. We want something better for our kids.'"
Watch the video below to catch more of the conversation:
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theblaze--2020-08-28--Black man allegedly 'felt compelled' to stab a white man at random after watching videos of police s

Black man allegedly 'felt compelled' to stab a white man at random after watching videos of police shootings online

Black man allegedly 'felt compelled ' to stab a white man at random after watching videos of police shootings online @ @ @ @ @ a hospital in Georgia

Police in Columbus, Georgia, reported Wednesday that a black man told them he "felt compelled" to stab a white man at random after watching videos of police shootings online.
Jayvon Hatchett, 19, allegedly walked into an AutoZone on Tuesday morning and proceeded to stab a white employee in the neck and torso seven times, according to WLTZ-TV reporter Robbie Watson.
Hatchett was promptly arrested and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime.
The victim, whose name has not been released, had no apparent connection with the assailant, police said. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition, but is expected to recover.
Columbus Police Sgt. Ray Mills allegedly stated to a judge Wednesday that Hatchett greeted him with a smile and readily confessed to the assault when officers responded to his home — which is just a short distance away from the AutoZone — to arrest him.
"Mr. Hatchett told me that he had been watching Facebook videos of police shootings in other parts of the country and that he felt compelled to go stab a white male," Mills reportedly testified in court.
Witnesses at the AutoZone said that Hatchett fled the scene immediately after committing the assault.
Surveillance video from the store and parking lot captured the crime on video, however, and police were tipped off to Hatchett's identity shortly after the footage was distributed by local media.
According to court records obtained by WLTZ-TV, Hatchett was free on bond at the time of the attack. He had been charged just three days prior for criminal damage to property. Only six months before that, he was reportedly booked for two felonies, including aggravated assault.
The judge presiding over this most recent case ordered Hatchett to have a mental health evaluation and declined to issue bond.


theblaze--2020-08-28--CNN's Jim Acosta and panelists ignore DC riots, say President Trump's White House convention speech

CNN's Jim Acosta and panelists ignore DC riots, say President Trump's White House convention speech could be the real danger: 'Possible super-spreader event'

CNN 's Jim Acosta and panelists ignore DC riots , say President Trump 's White House convention speech could be @ @ @ @ @ super-spreader event '

As riots and protests raged outside the White House Thursday night during and after President Donald Trump's Republican National Convention speech, CNN reporter and longtime Trump foil Jim Acosta was worried — worried about the well-being of people who were at the event.
He lamented after the speech that many people's lives and health could be at risk.
But his focus was not on the chaos going on just feet from where he was reporting. He was not focused on the mayhem that saw lawmakers accosted and their lives threatened.
His concern was that people at the White House rally were not wearing masks or socially distancing and that the president's RNC speech could become a "super-spreader event."
On Friday morning, that appeared to be the main concern of CNN's "New Day" panel, where the guests focused not on the chaos in the streets but on the "alarming" scene of mask-less event attendees sitting close to each other outdoors.
What did they say?
Despite the fact that many (though certainly not all) rioters and protesters were mask-less and not socially distanced while screaming at and attacking people on the streets just outside the White House, Acosta was determined to explain to the country how dangerous the Trump speech was — both in rhetoric and in coronavirus terms.
"We not only heard a lot of gaslighting tonight, we possibly saw and witnessed some super spreading from this event," Acosta reported. "I talked to a senior White House official earlier this evening about all of these people — hundreds of people — sitting side by side in the audience not wearing masks."
Acosta then went on to claim that the official just figured everybody was going to get the virus one way or the other.
"The senior White House official brushed off these concerns about the lack of social distancing at the president's speech tonight," Acosta reported, "saying — and get this, this quote might blow you away — 'Everybody is going to catch this thing eventually.' Those are the words coming from a senior White House official about the concerns being raised about this being a possible super-spreader event tonight."
The next morning, his CNN colleagues on "New Day" also set the riots aside to share Acosta's worry that what was really dangerous Thursday night was the RNC event.
Asked what he was thinking about when he saw the crowd at the president's speech — though not asked what he thought when he saw crowd marching and rioting in the streets — and the lack of masks and social distancing, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, warned that the event may well cause the deaths of people who attended.
"The history books will be written about this chapter in our lives at some point, and it will show events like that say that in the middle of a pandemic — at a time when the country decided to shut down when there were 5,000, roughly, people who were infected — and at a time when there were more than 5 million infected, we started having events like that again," Gupta lamented. "It's really frustrating. It's mind-boggling.
"Chairs were six inches apart. People were not required to be masked. They did not have to be tested," he continued. "It was risky for them. It was a risk that they were posing to others."
Gupta predicted, "There will be people who became infected as a result of that event last night, and there'll be people who will spread it and possibly require hospitalization, may even die."
Fellow panelist New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said, "The number of mask-less people last night was alarming."
"This is obviously not an issue the president thinks that he can win on. It's not an issue that the president's advisors think that they can win on," she said, blasting the administration's treatment of COVID-19. "They know that if they are talking about the coronavirus, they are probably not on a winning side. And that is their cold, political calculation."


theblaze--2020-08-28--President Trump pardons Alice Marie Johnson, an inspiration and advocate for criminal justice reform

He commuted her sentence in 2018 President Trump pardons Alice Marie Johnson , an inspiration and advocate for criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ Alice Johnson 's full pardon in the Oval Office of the White House Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ via Getty Images )

President Donald Trump granted a full pardon Friday to Alice Marie Johnson, a woman who served over 21 years in prison for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense, NBC News reported.
Johnson, whose sentence President Trump commuted in 2018, spoke during the Republican National Convention on Thursday night about how the president's decision to give her a second chance at freedom changed her life.
"You have been fully pardoned," President Trump told Johnson on Friday at the White House, as Johnson wiped away tears of joy. "That's the ultimate thing that can happen. It means you can do whatever you want in life. Just keep doing the great job you're doing. We're very proud of Alice and the job you've done."
Johnson's story was one of the driving forces leading President Trump to advocate for passage of the First Step Act, the bipartisan criminal justice reform law that eased some of the harsh sentencing guidelines. Johnson's own harsh sentence was made possible by a 1986 drug law, which was co-authored by then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).
Johnson was convicted of attempted possession of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine, and money laundering for her role in a cocaine trafficking operation in Memphis. In 1997, she was given a life sentence without parole, and an additional 25 years.
During her prison sentence, she was a model citizen and grew into a mentor for other women. She was granted the opportunity to speak by video from prison to Ivy League students and corporate executives, bringing her story to the public eye.
Kim Kardashian West saw video of Johnson's story and began advocating for Johnson's release through her own lawyer and White House adviser Jared Kushner. Former President Barack Obama rejected Johnson's request for clemency three times.
Johnson has said that she got involved with drug dealing because she lost her job and needed to provide for her children, and regrets it as the "worst decision of her life."
"Free in body thanks to President Trump, but free in mind thanks to the Almighty God," Johnson said Thursday night. "I couldn't believe it. I always remembered that God knew my name even in my darkest hour, but I never thought a president would."
With the pardon, Johnson regains her right to vote ahead of the 2020 election.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Rand Paul calls for arrests of members of mob that attacked him and his wife, says they were dangero

Rand Paul calls for arrests of members of mob that attacked him and his wife, says they were dangerous, paid demonstrators from out of town

Rand Paul calls for arrests of members of mob that attacked him and his wife , says they were dangerous @ @ @ @ @ of town

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Friday that some members of the angry mob that converged on him and his wife on Thursday night following the 2020 Republican National Convention at the White House were paid demonstrators from out of town.
'I'm not sure we would have made it' without police
During a Friday discussion with "Fox & Friends" host Steve Doocy, Paul said that the attack on him and his wife could be a small cog in a large operation involving "interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines."
"They were yelling threats. They were trying to push the police over to get to me," Paul told Doocy. "They were grabbing at us, and it got worse and worse and worse, and then finally, we decided to make a move. I said, 'We've got to move.'"
Paul added that the group began shouting at them and threatening them with violence.
"If there's not reinforcements, we have to try to get to the hotel, which was another block and they were shouting threats to us, to kill us, to hurt us, but also threats, shouting 'Say her name, Breonna Taylor,' and it's like you couldn't reason with this mob — but I'm actually the author of the Breonna Taylor law to end no-knock raids," the Kentucky lawmaker explained.
Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by Louisville, Kentucky, police officers during a raid in March.
“[T]he irony is lost on these idiots that they are trying to kill the person whose actually trying to get rid of no-knock raids and they were shouting and screaming and just, really these people were unhinged, but I can't tell you how, I'm not sure we would have made it," Paul admitted.
Paul praises police protection from mob
He recalled that at least one police officer protecting him nearly fell down as a result of the pushing and shoving from the angry group of protesters.
“[A]s we're walking sort of surrounded by the police, they're attempting push the police over to get to me, so at one point they push a policeman backwards, he stumbles and he's trying to catch his balance and I catch the back of his flak jacket to stabilize him to make sure he's OK because he's our defense," Paul recalled. "If he's down, the mob is loose on us, and you've seen the pictures of what they do to you."
He insisted that if police hadn't been there to help him and his wife, the Republican couple surely would have been killed.
"[W]e are thankful we have police, and we've got to wake up," he said. "We can't have Joe Biden rule the country and have no police. I mean, we can't walk down the street in D.C. safely now. That's how bad it is."
Paul also said he fully believes that the dangerous demonstrators were hired and from out of town, specifically those people who were personally involved with the attack on him and his wife.
"My feeling is that there is interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines, but you won't know it unless you arrest them," he reasoned. "Otherwise you just think 'Oh, these are some normal hoodlums from a big city.' I promise you that at least some of the members and the people who attacked us were not from D.C. They flew here on a plane with fresh, new clothes and they were paid to be here. It is a crime to do that and it needs to be traced. The FBI needs to investigate, but the only way you can do it is you have to arrest people. And usually we say, 'Oh, well you didn't get hurt, so we're not going to arrest them.' They were inciting a riot and they would have killed us had the police not been there."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Black Lives Matter co-founder calls for Hollywood to go on strike over Jacob Blake shooting

On Wednesday, the entire Milwaukee Bucks team refused to participate in its NBA playoff game against the Orlando Magic as a form of protest to call for justice in the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Then, other sports leagues including the MLB, MLS, and WNBA, postponed some or all games on Wednesday as a way to take a stand against racial injustice. Following criticism, the NHL postponed its Stanley Cup playoff games on Thursday and Friday in an effort to show solidarity to the movement.
Now, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter is calling for Hollywood to show allegiance to their cause.
Patrisse Cullors, one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter organization, is calling for Hollywood to go on strike to protest the police shooting of Blake.
"I think it's time for talent, writers, executives, the guild and SAG to show up for Black lives as well," Cullors told the Hollywood Reporter. "Join this strike. Now is the time and our movement is really looking to unions to step in in a particular way and say 'We're going to hold back on allowing for the exploitation and the degradation of Black communities to continue under our watch.' I think Hollywood can really show up in this moment."
Cullors revealed that she and others in the Black Lives Matter movement have discussed possible protest ideas with Hollywood "talent."
"People are tired of having to say the same thing over and over again, and not seeing the change that we deserve from either party, frankly," Cullors said of Republicans and Democrats.
"I think the work that we're up against right now is to ensure that we can get [President Donald] Trump out of office, but also ensure that we can get the Democratic Party to truly create policies that will make sure that Black people are protected from vigilantes and from police torture," she stated.
In June, Cullors also said BLM's goal "is to get Trump out" out of the White House.
"Well, I'm hands down – Trump not only needs to not be in office in November but he should resign now," Cullors told CNN's Jake Tapper. "Trump needs to be out of office. He is not fit for office. And so what we are going to push for is a move to get Trump out."
"While we're also going to continue to push and pressure Vice President Joe Biden around his policies and relationship to policing and criminalization," Cullors said of the Democratic presidential nominee. "That's going to be important. But our goal is to get Trump out."
The Black Lives Matter organization was created by Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi in 2013 as a response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The group has a self-described mission of building "local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes."
Cullors was seen in a 2015 interview divulging that she and her fellow BLM creators are "trained Marxists."
"Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers. We are trained Marxists," Cullors said in the interview. "We are super-versed on, sort of, ideological theories."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Glenn Beck issues heartfelt apology to President Trump: 'He proved me wrong at almost every turn'

Glenn Beck issues heartfelt apology to President Trump : 'He proved me wrong at almost every turn '

TheBlaze founder and 2020 Radio Hall of Fame inductee Glenn Beck issued a public apology to President Donald Trump for doubting him in 2016.
Beck made the remarks amid the press surrounding the 2020 Republican National Convention.
What are the details?
In a series of tweets, the talk-show host wrote, "I am feeling so humbled this week. I feel truly horrible for the things I said and believed in 2016 about @realDonaldTrump. I believed the worst politically, which he proved me wrong at almost every turn. In the most dramatic cases (life/Israel/China/authoritarian)."
Beck pointed out that the president deserves to be praised for his handling of the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the virus has infected at least 5,889,652 Americans at the time of this writing, and has caused 181,186 deaths.
"I expected @realDonaldTrump to take control federally at the first opportunity. Here we are in a massive crisis. Bush 'violated the free market to save the free market.' Trump could have violated federalism to 'save federalism' yet he has stood firm through COVID."
He added that his erroneous belief that the president didn't care about Americans poisoned his temperament toward Trump and perhaps affected the president's children themselves.
"But let me cut to the chase," he continued. "I believed he actually didn't care about people. When @realDonaldTrump called me after my fathers [sic] death, I assigned the motive to politics — AND SAID SO. What haunts me this week is how my words must have hit his children."
Beck, who spoke with Donald Trump Jr. last week, said that he felt compelled to issue an apology to the president's son for his stance in 2016.
"How did I miss, the sharpness of my 'judgement' without consideration of family. Me? A guy who has lived it from his side. I wanted to end my interview with @realDonaldTrump son this week w/ a personal apology, who had spent 20 minutes with me as if we were old friends."
Anything else?
Beck explained that he while he wanted to extend an apology for his previous remarks, he found himself unable to do so at the time.
"I didn't want to embarrass myself in the end and failed to do the right thing again," he admitted. "I don't regret my doubts or expressing my concern in 16, but the fact that I missed his humanity and was blind to his family. I said at the time, 'I hope I am wrong and will ... be the first to admit it.'"
"I did," he concluded. "On air and personally to the president himself. But it was all about politics. I knew he loved his children and they him. What I failed to see, is the reason I think they love him. @realDonaldTrump is a loud New Yorker with a private heart."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Kenosha cops find 'suspicious vehicles' with out-of-state plates containing helmets, gas masks, prot

Kenosha cops find 'suspicious vehicles' with out-of-state plates containing helmets, gas masks, protective vests, illegal fireworks; 9 arrested

Now , who on earth could have been behind such an operation ?

Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, said they received a citizen tip early Wednesday evening about "several suspicious vehicles with out-of-state plates meeting in a remote lot late near State Highway 50 and Green Bay Road."
So officers checked it out, and sure enough they said they found a black school bus, a bread truck, and a tan minivan with out-of-state plates and commenced surveillance with United States Marshals.
What happened next?
With that, authorities followed the trio of vehicles to a gas station near Washington Road and 30th Avenue, where officers observed occupants exit the bus and the bread truck and attempt to fill multiple fuel cans.
Suspecting the individuals were preparing for criminal activity related to civil unrest in the city, police said officers — who were wearing appropriate identification — exited their vehicles, identified themselves, and detained the occupants of the bus and the bread truck.
The driver of the minivan tried to pull away, police said, but the vehicle was stopped and officers forced their way inside and arrested the occupants.
What did police find?
Police said the vehicles contained helmets, gas masks, protective vests, illegal fireworks, and suspected controlled substances.
The nine individuals were arrested for disorderly conduct and are pending charging decisions by the Kenosha County district attorney, police added.
Anything else?
Wednesday marked the fourth night of protests and rioting in Kenosha following Sunday's police-involved shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, who later was reported to be paralyzed from the waist down.
The riots, fires, and destruction got so bad that Wisconsin's governor called out the National Guard to help. Some of the lowlights have included:
On Tuesday night, leftist rioters squared off with gun-toting men who said they were in the city to protect property. One of the armed individuals, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, allegedly shot dead two people and seriously wounded a third.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Man reportedly throws hot coffee in cop's face during traffic stop, speeds off with children in car.

Man reportedly throws hot coffee in cop's face during traffic stop, speeds off with children in car. Police get their man after ramming the vehicle.

Man reportedly throws hot coffee in cop 's face during traffic stop , speeds off with children in car .
@ @ @ @ @ ramming the vehicle .

A suspect allegedly threw hot coffee in a Michigan police officer's face during a recent traffic stop.
The suspect then reportedly fled, crossing three counties with three children in his vehicle, and ended up engaging in a standoff with Michigan State Police.
What are the details?
The incident took place Thursday after an officer responded to a call about a pick-up truck reportedly swerving on an Emmet County road.
The officer reportedly spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the one in the call at a BP gas station near the highway.
The officer approached the vehicle to spot a man behind the wheel. Three children were passengers in the truck. Authorities say that the man was uncooperative in his conversation with the officer, and indicated that he would leave the scene before the officer permitted him to go.
In an attempt to stop the man from fleeing the scene, the officer said he reached into the truck to turn off the man's vehicle when the driver threw just-purchased coffee at the officer's face and drove off.
A short while later, a Michigan State Police trooper saw the truck and began following it, later engaging with the suspect in a standoff.
At the time of the standoff, the state police announced that the suspect had "several children in the vehicle with him and is not communicating with police."
The suspect was reportedly phoning media outlets.
According to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, officers clad in body armor converged on the suspect's truck as it sat in the parking lot of the Antrim Church of Christ and tossed a stun grenade.
Two armored vehicles then rammed the vehicle from both the front and back ends of the truck — only then were authorities able to wrestle the man out of the vehicle and pin him to the ground.
MLive reported that the children were safely removed from the vehicle and were not harmed as a result of the incident.
Authorities arrested the suspect and transported him to the Antrim County Jail.
The officer — later identified by the Record-Eagle as Officer Brock Kimball — was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for first-degree burns on his face. He was released shortly after treatment.
The Record-Eagle reported that police have yet to release the suspect's name or any details about pending charges.
(H/T: The Police Tribune)


theblaze--2020-08-28--Michelle Obama says white America views black women like her as 'invisible'

Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama meets with fans at a book signing on the first anniversary of the launch @ @ @ @ @ '' at the Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington , D.C. ( Photo by NICHOLAS @ @ @ @ @

Former first lady Michelle Obama said on her podcast Thursday that white America views black people as invisible — unless they're seeing those black people as a threat, according to the New York Post.
Obama recalled times when she was in public and treated with disrespect because when she wasn't surrounded by Secret Service, white people didn't pay her any attention.
"We were stopping to get ice cream, and I had told the Secret Service to stand back because we were trying to be normal, trying to go in," Obama said. "When I'm just a black woman, I notice that white people don't even see me. … I'm standing there with two little black girls, another black female adult, they're in soccer uniforms. And a white woman cuts right in front of us to order. Like, she didn't even see us.
"All she saw was a black person, or a group of black people, or maybe she didn't even see that," Obama concluded. "Because we were that invisible."
Obama also said that white people don't understand how black people feel being dismissed or viewed with hostility by the white people around them. From excerpts courtesy of the Post:
"When I've been completely incognito, during the eight years in the White House, walking the dogs on the canal, people will come up and pet my dogs, but will not look me in the eye. They don't know it's me," the former first lady said in "The Michelle Obama Podcast."
"What white folks don't understand, it's like that is so telling of how white America views people who are not like them. You know, we don't exist. And when we do exist, we exist as a threat. And that, that's exhausting," Obama continued.
"What the white community doesn't understand about being a person of color in this nation is that there are daily slights, in our workplaces where people talk over you, or people don't even see you," she said in the episode, which also featured pals Danielle Pemberton-Heard, Kelly Dibble and Dr. Sharon Malone.
The former first lady has become arguably more popular since leaving the White House than she was while Barack Obama was president. Her book, "Becoming," has sold more than 10 million copies, and she has the top-ranked podcast on Spotify.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Chicago Bears disavow Brian Urlacher after his controversial post on NBA protests, Jacob Blake shoot

Chicago Bears disavow Brian Urlacher after his controversial post on NBA protests, Jacob Blake shooting

Chicago Bears disavow Brian Urlacher after his controversial post on NBA protests , Jacob Blake shooting Chicago Bears not standing @ @ @

The Chicago Bears denounced former Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher for his stance against the recent NBA protests, which were spurred on by the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
A Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer shot Blake in the back seven times on Sunday following a call for a domestic disturbance.
What are the details?
Urlacher, who played 13 seasons with the Bears from 2000-12 and earned eight Pro Bowl selections, on Thursday wrote, "Brett Favre played the (Monday Night Football) game the day his dad died, threw 4 TDs in the first half, and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity. NBA players boycott the playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant, was shot by police."
In a statement to NBC Sports, the team said, "The social media posts in no way reflect the values or opinions of the Chicago Bears organization."
The team also canceled a Thursday practice in a statement, pointing to Blake's shooting.
"In the wake of what has taken place in our backyard of Kenosha over the last couple of days, we as a team have a lot on our mind today," the statement said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "We decided to pause our football activities to voice to each other, our coaches and our staff where we stand on the real issues around race and police brutality in our country.
"We had a productive discussion, but we all agreed that talks and discussions are simply not enough anymore and we need action," the lengthy statement concluded. "We are putting in plans to take action in our communities, and together we believe we can make a real difference. We need action not only today but in the days to come."
What else?
Matt Forte, one of Urlacher's former teammates, shared similar sentiments on Twitter, writing, "The comment [Urlacher] posted is void of empathy, compassion, wisdom and coherence. But full of pride and ignorance! I pray for those who have been blinded by their wealth, privilege and earthly fame that breeds arrogance in their hearts. And those who refuse to acknowledge racism and injustice, but instead choose to place their energy into justifying it by quickly judging the victims [sic] life as if they themselves are more valuable because their sins are different or weren't caught by man... but God sees all."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Trump admin announces $750 million deal with Abbott Labs for new $5, 15-minute rapid-results COVID t

Trump admin announces $750 million deal with Abbott Labs for new $5, 15-minute rapid-results COVID tests

Trump admin announces $ 750 million deal with Abbott Labs for new $ 5 , 15-minute rapid-results COVID tests

The Trump administration announced Thursday a $750 million deal with Abbott Laboratories to buy at least 150 million of the company's new rapid-results coronavirus testing kits.
The new tests, which costs just $5 per kit and can deliver results in as little as 15 minutes, are being hailed as a potential game-changer in the fight against COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization for the test, called BinaxNOW, making it the first rapid test that can be administered and deliver results without requiring any lab equipment, according to CBS News. The test is roughly the size of a credit card and is based on the same technology used to test for infections like the flu and strep throat, the outlet noted.
In a press release about the test, Abbott said, "in data submitted to the FDA from a clinical study conducted by Abbott with several leading U.S. research universities, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card demonstrated sensitivity of 97.1% (positive percent agreement) and specificity of 98.5% (negative percent agreement) in patients suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first seven days of symptom onset."
The Trump administration hopes that the new test will expedite the country's reopening process, allowing Americans to get back to work and children to get back to school.
Abbott added in the press release that it is planning to ship tens of millions of tests in September and is ramping up production in order to produce at least 50 million a month by October.
Along with the test, Abbott is also planning to launch a complementary mobile app called NAVICA that will allow people who test negative to display a temporary "digital health pass" showing that they do not have the virus.
"We intentionally designed the BinaxNOW test and NAVICA app so we could offer a comprehensive testing solution to help Americans feel more confident about their health and lives," president and CEO of the company Robert B. Ford said. "BinaxNOW and the NAVICA app give us an affordable, easy-to-use, scalable test, and a complementary digital health tool to help us have a bit more normalcy in our daily lives."
"While BinaxNOW is the hardware that makes knowing your COVID-19 status possible, the NAVICA app is the digital network that allows people to share that information with those who need to know," Ford added. "We're taking our know-how from our digitally-connected medical devices and applying it to our diagnostics at a time when people expect their health information to be digital and readily accessible."


theblaze--2020-08-28--Criminal complaint outlining homicide charges against Kyle Rittenhouse appears to read like he acted

Criminal complaint outlining homicide charges against Kyle Rittenhouse appears to read like he acted in self-defense 'When Rosenbaum advanced , @ @ @ @ @ juke '' move and started running ... the defendant was trying to evade these individuals @

The criminal complaint against 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse alleging he fatally shot two people and wounded a third on the heels of rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earlier this week appears to read as though he acted in self-defense.
What are the details?
Rittenhouse was charged with one count of first-degree reckless homicide for allegedly shooting dead Joseph Rosenbaum, which carries a 60-year maximum prison term; one count of first-degree intentional homicide for allegedly shooting dead Anthony Huber, which carries a life sentence; and one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for shooting and injuring Gaige Grosskreutz, which carries a 60-year maximum prison term.
He's also charged with two counts of recklessly endangering safety while using a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
The probable cause portion of the complaint outlines what investigators learned from viewing multiple videos of Tuesday night's events as well as from interviewing witness Richard McGinnis of the Daily Caller:
In the first video, a male who was later identified to be Kyle H. Rittenhouse … (hereinafter "the defendant"), is running southwest across the eastern portion of the Car Source parking lot. … The defendant can clearly be seen holding a long gun, which was later recovered by law enforcement and identified as a Smith & Wesson AR-15 style .223 rifle. The recovered magazine for this rifle holds 30 rounds of ammunition. Following the defendant is Rosenbaum and trailing behind the defendant and Rosenbaum is a male who was later identified as Richard McGinnis, a reporter.
The video shows that as they cross the parking lot, Rosenbaum appears to throw an object at the defendant. The object does not hit the defendant and a second video shows, based on where the object landed, that it was a plastic bag. Rosenbaum appears to be unarmed for the duration of this video. A review of the second video shows that the defendant and Rosenbaum continue to move across the parking lot and approach the front of a black car parked in the lot. A loud bang is heard on the video, then a male shouts, "F*** you!", then Rosenbaum appears to continue to approach the defendant and gets in near proximity to the defendant when 4 more loud bangs are heard. Rosenbaum then falls to the ground.
The New York Times released an analysis of videos capturing the Rosenbaum shooting and noted that an unidentified person behind Rittenhouse and Rosenbaum held up a handgun and fired it. The Times' analysis provides two angles, with one showing a gunshot flash and smoke.
(Content warning: Language:)
After the single round of gunfire from an unknown person and then the volley of four shots, presumably from Rittenhouse, another three shots are heard. Here's more from the criminal complaint:
The defendant then circles behind the black car and approaches Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum remains on the ground. McGinnis also approaches, removes his shirt, and attempts to render aid to Rosenbaum. The defendant appears to get on his cell phone and place a call. Another male approaches, and the defendant turns and begins to run away from the scene. As the defendant is running away, he can be heard saying on the phone, "I just killed somebody."
Detective Cepress interviewed McGinnis and indicates the following: Before the shooting, McGinnis was interviewing the defendant. The defendant told McGinnis that he was a trained medic. McGinnis stated that he (McGinnis) has handled many ARs and that the defendant was not handling the weapon very well. McGinnis said that as they were walking south another armed male who appeared to be in his 30s joined them and said he was there to protect the defendant. McGinnis stated that before the defendant reached the parking lot and ran across it, the defendant had moved from the middle of Sheridan Road to the sidewalk and that is when McGinnis saw a male (Rosenbaum) initially try to engage the defendant. McGinnis stated that as the defendant was walking Rosenbaum was trying to get closer to the defendant. When Rosenbaum advanced, the defendant did a "juke" move and started running. McGinnis stated that there were other people that were moving very quickly. McGinnis stated that they were moving towards the defendant. McGinnis said that according to what he saw the defendant was trying to evade these individuals.
McGinnis described the point where the defendant had reached the car. McGinnis described that the defendant had the gun in a low ready position. Meaning that he had the gun raised but pointed downward. The butt of the gun would have been at an angle downwards from the shoulder. McGinnis stated that the defendant brought the gun up. McGinnis stated that he stepped back and he thinks the defendant fired 3 rounds in rapid succession. McGinnis said when the first round went off, he thought it hit the pavement. McGinnis felt something on his leg and his first thought was wondering whether he had gotten shot. McGinnis was behind and slightly to the right of Rosenbaum, in the line of fire, when the defendant shot.
McGinnis stated that the first round went into the ground and when the second shot went off, the defendant actually had the gun aimed at Rosenbaum. McGinnis stated he did not hear the two exchange any words. McGinnis said that the unarmed guy (Rosenbaum) was trying to get the defendant's gun. McGinnis demonstrated by extending both of his hands in a quick grabbing motion and did that as a visual on how Rosenbaum tried to reach for the defendant's gun. Detective Cepress indicates that he asked McGinnis if Rosenbaum had his hands on the gun when the defendant shot. McGinnis said that he definitely made a motion that he was trying to grab the barrel of the gun. McGinnis stated that the defendant pulled it away and then raised it. McGinnis stated that right as they came together, the defendant fired. McGinnis said that when Rosenbaum was shot, he had leaned in (towards the defendant).
The complaint continues with an account of what occurred after Rittenhouse ran from the scene of first shooting and was pursued by numerous individuals down a street, after which he fell, was physically attacked, and fired more shots:
... A group of several people begin running northbound on Sheridan Road behind the defendant. A person can be heard yelling what sounds like, "Beat him up!" Another person can be heard yelling what sounds like, "Hey, he shot him!" Your complainant reviewed a fourth video that showed a different angle of the defendant running northbound. In this video a person can be heard yelling, "Get him! Get that dude!" Then a male in a light-colored top runs towards the defendant and appears to swing at the defendant with his right arm. This swing makes contact with the defendant, knocking his hat off. The defendant continues to run northbound. On the video a male can be heard saying something to the effect of, "What'd he do?" Another male can be heard responding something to the effect of, "Just shot someone." Then a male can be heard yelling, "Get his ass!" The defendant then trips and falls to the ground.
As the defendant is on the ground, an unidentified male wearing a dark-colored top and light-colored pants jumps at and over the defendant. Based on the sounds of gunshots on the video and the positioning of the defendant's gun, it appears that he fires two shots in quick succession at this person. It appears that that person was not hit as he then runs away from the defendant. A second person who was later identified as Anthony Huber approaches the defendant who is still on the ground, on his back. Huber has a skateboard in his right hand. When Huber reaches the defendant it appears that he is reaching for the defendant's gun with his left hand as the skateboard makes contact with the defendant's left shoulder. Huber appears to be trying to pull the gun away from the defendant. The defendant rolls towards his left side and as Huber appears to be trying to grab the gun the gun is pointed at Huber's body. The defendant then fires one round which can be heard on the video. Huber staggers away, taking several steps, then collapses to the ground. Huber subsequently died from this gunshot wound.
Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The criminal complaint adds that "after shooting Huber, the defendant moves to a seated position and points his gun at a third male, later identified as Gaige Grosskreutz, who had begun to approach the defendant. When the defendant shot Huber, Grosskreutz freezes and ducks and takes a step back. Grosskreutz puts his hands in the air. Grosskreutz then moves towards the defendant who aims his gun at Grosskreutz and shoots him, firing 1 shot. Grosskreutz was shot in the right arm. Grosskreutz appears to be holding a handgun in his right hand when he was shot."
Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @bgonthescene
Image source: Twitter
The criminal complaint adds that "Grosskreutz then runs southbound away from the defendant screaming for a medic and the defendant gets up and starts walking northbound. The defendant turns around facing southbound while walking backwards northbound with his firearm in a ready position, pointed towards the people in the roadway."
Rittenhouse was then seen on video walking down the street and approaching police vehicles with his hands raised. Police did not pick up Rittenhouse at this time.
Here's video of second and third shootings. (Content warning: Language):
Autopsy results
The criminal complaint also revealed autopsy results, noting that Rosenbaum had a gunshot wound to his back which perforated his liver and right lung, a gunshot wound to the right groin which fractured his pelvis, a gunshot wound to his left hand, a superficial gunshot wound to his lateral left thigh, and a graze gunshot wound to the right side of his forehead. The complaint added that Huber's autopsy revealed that he had a gunshot wound to this chest that perforated his heart, aorta, pulmonary artery, and right lung.
Anything else?
Here's an interview BlazeTV's Elijah Schaffer conducted with the alleged shooter before the incidents occurred:
(H/T: The Daily Wire)


theblaze--2020-08-28--US Marshals rescue 39 missing children, arrest suspects on human- and sex-trafficking charges

US Marshals rescue 39 missing children , arrest suspects on human- and sex-trafficking charges Children were as young as 3

U.S. Marshals tracked down 39 missing children during a two-week operation in Georgia and Florida.
The U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit, in conjunction with the agency's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, worked with state and local agencies in Georgia to locate endangered children. U.S. Marshals rescued 26 missing children and safely located 13 others during "Operation Not Forgotten."
Investigators said the children ranged in age from 3 to 17. The U.S. Marshals Service identified 15 of the children as being victims of sex trafficking, according to WAGA-TV.
"Additionally, investigators cleared 26 arrest warrants and filed additional charges for alleged crimes related to sex trafficking, parental kidnapping, registered sex offender violations, drugs and weapons possession, and custodial interference," the official U.S. Marshals news release read. "The 26 warrants cleared included 19 arrest warrants for a total of nine individuals arrested, some of whom had multiple warrants."
According to WTSP-TV, the nine suspects and charges include:
Moradeyo Amos Bandele – Arrested in Port St Lucy, Fla. – Warrant for rape from Conyers, GA
Trayon Moore – Arrested in Dekalb County, Ga. – Sex trafficking and probation violation warrants
James Garcia – Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Fla. – Warrants for aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and incest with a minor out of Whitfield County, Ga.
Faye Smith – Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Fla. – Warrant for probation violation
Sally Garcia – Arrested at a motel in Clearwater, Fla. – Interference with child custody
Zachary Bailey – Arrested in Columbus, Ga. – Human trafficking, enticing of a minor for indecent purposes, and enticement of a minor for solicitation
Stanson Causey – Arrested in Jasper, Ga. – Registered sex offender arrested for probation violation
Kirk Waters – Arrested in Newton County, Ga. – Felon in possession of a firearm
Trevonte Shareef – Arrested in Newton County, Ga. – Interference with custody and obstruction
"The U.S. Marshals Service is fully committed to assisting federal, state, and local agencies with locating and recovering endangered missing children, in addition to their primary fugitive apprehension mission," Director of the Marshals Service Donald Washington said in a statement. "The message to missing children and their families is that we will never stop looking for you.
"I have children. I'm sure many of you do as well. These are not my kids and these are not your kids, but actually they are our kids when it's all said and done," Washington said. "Here in Atlanta, approximately 300 young girls are lured into sex trafficking every month."
"We're really good and what we do. You know, they've called us manhunters. Well, we're not just man hunters anymore," Darby Kirby, chief inspector of the U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit, said. "We also help save and rescue children as well.
"When we track down fugitives, it's a good feeling to know that we're putting the bad guy behind bars," Kirby added. "But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child."
"To address [sex trafficking], it requires agents, foot soldiers and prosecutors that are willing to take the fight to the enemy," Georgia Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director John Melvin said.
"I always go back to the fact that if we can save one child from a life of abuse or sex trafficking, we've done our job," Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr said.
"The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals' authority to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved," the U.S. Marshals news release stated. "The Marshals established a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act."
According to the FBI's National Crime Information Center, there were 421,394 entries for missing children in 2019. The United States Marshals Service helped recover 295 missing children in 2019, and more than 1,800 since partnering with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2005.


theblaze--2020-08-28--Horowitz: Trump should embrace the 1994 anti-crime agenda, not repudiate it

Horowitz : Trump should embrace the 1994 anti-crime agenda , not repudiate it Fewer arrests equal more crime .
It @ @ @ @

One of the most bizarre aspects of an otherwise successful GOP convention was the constant reference to Joe Biden supporting the 1994 crime bill as if it were a bad thing. Given where Joe Biden's allegiance lies today, it would have been better for Trump to propose an updated 1994 crime bill that fits today's situation in order to take repeat offenders off the streets. It's not too late to make the second term about making America safe again, just like it was when people like Joe Biden believed in law and order in the 1990s.
The message being sent to criminals with all the continued emphasis on "criminal justice reform" is that violence is the answer and crime pays. A new infographic posted by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund shows the significant correlation between plummeting arrests and rising crime.
Fewer arrests equal more crime. It's that simple. This chart shows the immediate spike in crime over a one-year period following anti-law-enforcement policies in given hot spots. Whether it's anti-police rioting in Baltimore and New York or the court order in Chicago ordering more passive policing, the results have been more homicides and crime, overwhelmingly affecting black neighborhoods. It's no wonder that, according to a recent Gallup poll, 81% of black respondents and 83% of Hispanic respondents want more or the same level of the policing in their neighborhoods.
So why do Republicans and even this administration continue to send mixed messages? The president spoke powerfully last night against the anarchy, but many other speakers – from Ivanka Trump to White House senior policy adviser Ja'Ron Smith – kept touting "criminal justice reform," which is code language for the very jailbreak policies that have fueled this anarchy. They continuously talk about "second chances" for "low-level" criminals, but many of them have already been given numerous chances, and thanks to those chances, they go on to commit worse crimes.
One of the most powerful moments of the convention was when Ann Dorn, wife of retired St. Louis police officer David Dorn, described the murder of her husband during the rioting and looting following the death of George Floyd. It was one of many sadly incongruous moments of the GOP convention, because the alleged murderer benefited from one of the many "second chance" programs promoted by some of the other speakers.
As I noted in June, Stephan Cannon, 24, one of the suspects in the murder, was sentenced to seven years in prison for a robbery and assault in 2014, but he never served a day because he was granted suspended execution of sentence (SES). Even though he violated his parole, the judge did not reinstate the sentence. Had our system been working properly, had we continued the system in place under the 1994 crime bill, Dorn would be alive because Cannon would have been behind bars. But so many of the people within the orbit of Jared Kushner in the White House continue to push these policies and even criticize Joe Biden's former position on crime rather than using it to point out the radicalism of his current position.
At the convention, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) decried how the 1994 crime bill "put millions of black Americans behind bars." What he doesn't tell you is that black criminals are actually incarcerated at a lower rate relative to crime rates, or that incarceration policies saved thousands of potential black victims of homicide. The reversal of these policies in recent years, accelerating in recent months, has led to the loss of countless black lives. Those are the facts we needed to hear consistently at this week's convention, but instead, we were treated to equivocation and diffidence on the issue of crime, which only further blurs the distinction between the two parties.
According to research of NYPD crime data by the Daily Caller New Foundation, there were 194 reported shootings in America's largest city in June that involved members of the black community. That is a 177% increase over the same time period in June 2019. Since last year, the city has released many violent criminals because of coronavirus or because of "bail reform." Sure, those policies have ensured that more black arrestees, among other racial and ethnic groups, are out of jail. But those are black criminals. What about the effect on black victims of crime? The numbers speak for themselves.
One of the worst aspects of the "reform" agenda is the release of violent suspects without bail. Last week, Frank Main, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times, reported that more than 1,000 people charged with murder, robbery, or illegal possession of guns were released by judges in Cook County this year on electric monitoring devices. Those devices are worthless, and local police believe these releases are responsible for soaring murders in the city, which mainly target black victims.
Where is the united GOP agenda on this issue?
The president himself had the right message during his acceptance speech. "Last year, over 1,000 African-Americans were murdered as a result of violent crime in just four Democrat-run cities," said the president last night in a long and powerful speech in front of the White House. "The top 10 most dangerous cities in the country are run by Democrats and have been for decades. Thousands more African-Americans are victims of violent crime in these communities. Joe Biden and the Left ignore these American victims. I never will."
One way to make that happen is by passing a new crime bill and using the budget bills to funnel federal funds only to localities that lock up criminals. Trump must recognize that, contrary to the premise of his advisers, we have an under-incarceration problem, not an over-incarceration problem. Remember that this entire collapse of deterrent against violence began when these same advisers pressured Trump to stand down from calling in the military after the first riots began in May.
It's time for Trump to restore deterrent against crime in America. But such an effort begins with a revamping of critical White House personnel to actually match the long-standing views of the president on crime, not the views of Joe Biden – the 2020 version.


theblaze--2020-08-28--WATCH: CNN's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon FINALLY acknowledge the violent riots — but their reason is D

WATCH: CNN's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon FINALLY acknowledge the violent riots — but their reason is DISGUSTING

WATCH : CNN 's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon FINALLY acknowledge the violent riots — but their reason is DISGUSTING

CNN's Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon have finally decided it's time for the Democrats and Joe Biden to call out the violent riots in our streets — but not because of the death and destruction or even the economic toll on the communities.
"You may be asking yourself, 'Why now? Why is it that the same media constantly encouraging and perpetuating race wars in the streets of America are suddenly ready to call out these buffoons and thugs rioting in the streets for what they actually are?'" BlazeTV's Sara Gonzales, host of "News and Why it Matters," said.
Turns out, CNN's dynamic duo arrived at the conclusion that riots are a problem because they're hurting Democratsin the polls.
"OK so, all of the death and destruction — these yahoos are completely fine overlooking all of that, until it turns out that the average American in the focus group doesn't really think it's all that cool. And now it's reflecting in the polling, which is super duper inconvenient when your entire life revolves around demonizing a president instead of focusing on truth and facts," Sara said.
"That is why President Trump calls these guys 'the enemy of the people.' They are the most dishonest, disgusting people who walk the face of this Earth and I, for one, can't wait to watch their heads explode when we get four more years."
Watch the video below for more from Sara:
Want to see more from Sara Gonzales?
To enjoy more roundtable rundowns of the top stories of the day, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-08-28--State trooper fatally shoots DWI suspect who dragged him more than 2,000 feet down the highway

The Maryland State Police say a state trooper fatally shot a DWI suspect after the suspect dragged the officer more than 2,000 feet down a Maryland highway on Friday morning.
The incident took place on Interstate 95 in Howard County.
What are the details?
According to the Shore News Beacon, the unidentified state trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Hispanic male's vehicle just after 2 a.m. Friday after allegedly seeing the driver weaving across several lanes of highway.
The vehicle — a red Ford Escape — reportedly pulled over on the highway's right shoulder as the responding officer called for backup. When a backup trooper arrived on the scene, he approached the passenger side of the vehicle.
According to WJZ-TV, the suspect was identified on Friday as 36-year-old Julio Cesar Moran-Ruiz of Baltimore.
The two officers, flanking the vehicle, attempted to speak to the reportedly impaired driver, who allegedly refused to get out of the vehicle. One of the troopers then reportedly attempted to reach into the vehicle and remove the driver's keys. The suspect, however, punched the gas pedal and attempted to flee the scene, dragging the trooper more than 2,000 feet down the highway.
Reports say that the trooper demanded Moran-Ruiz stop the vehicle, but he reportedly refused. After several demands, the trooper then reportedly fired his service weapon at the driver and was thrown from the vehicle into the interstate's central median.
Emergency service personnel pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
Anything else?
Upon investigation, authorities discovered several alcohol containers inside Moran-Ruiz's vehicle, as well as a machete underneath the driver's seat.
The unnamed trooper was taken to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for his treatment of his injuries. Both troopers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is investigating the incident.


theblaze--2020-08-28--POLL: Who had the best speech at Night 4 of the RNC?

POLL : Who had the best speech at Night 4 of the RNC ?
Cast your vote and do n't @ @ @ @

POLL: Who had the best speech at Night 4 of the RNC?
Cast your vote and don't forget to share!


theblaze--2020-08-28--Employee at vandalized Kenosha business yells at rioters: ‘I got a family to support, I got f***ing

Employee at vandalized Kenosha business yells at rioters: ‘I got a family to support, I got f***ing kids to feed!’

Employee at vandalized Kenosha business yells at rioters : ‘ I got a family to support , I got f***ing @ @ @ @ @ 'Are they trying to get Trump re-elected ? '

A distressed employee at a Papa John's restaurant in Kenosha, Wisconsin, shouted through smashed windows at a group of protesters outside the shop Wednesday pleading for an end to the violence.
The restaurant had evidently been vandalized as a part of the nightly riots that have continued this week following the police shooting of 29-year-old black man, Jacob Blake on Sunday.
"Are they trying to get Trump re-elected?" the man shouted in frustration. "Seriously!
"I got a family to support. I got f***ing kids to feed," he added.
In response, a woman can be heard saying: "These people don't represent our movement."
The man responded, "Well, I'm sorry, but they're with you."
(Content warning: rough language)
The man's frustration is likely representative of the feeling that many Americans have toward Black Lives Matter demonstrations taking place across the country, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between peaceful protests and angry riots.
That frustration likely only increases when it is your place of business that becomes the target of violence stemming from protests.
As if it were needed, Portland, Oregon, has served as a test case for what nightly riots mean for local business productivity. After three months of rioting there, a multitude of businesses have been forced to flee potentially causing "irreparable damage" to the city.
In Kenosha, the violence has been similarly pervasive.
Over the last several days, rioters have burned entire car lots, razed several small businesses, and smashed windows of buildings throughout the city. One rioter even pointed a gun directly into the face of a BlazeTV reporter.
On Tuesday night, an armed 17-year-old shot and killed two people and wounded a third after being involved in a clash with rioters. The suspect, Kyle Rittenhouse, has been charged with first-degree murder, among many other charges. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.
Jacob Blake's mother condemned the violence on Tuesday, saying she has been "hurt" and "disgusted" by the community's response.
"Please don't burn up property and cause havoc and tear your own homes down in my son's name," she said, apparently to little effect.
(H/T: The Daily Wire)


theblaze--2020-08-28--Virginia Senate approves bill downgrading assault of a police officer to a misdemeanor

The Virginia Senate approved legislation that would allow assaulting a police officer to be charged as a misdemeanor instead of a felony if the law enforcement officer does not suffer any bodily injury .
The bill also removes the mandatory minimum six-month sentence for assaulting a police officer .
Senate Bill 5032 would eliminate `` the mandatory minimum term of confinement for an assault and battery committed against a judge ; magistrate ; law-enforcement officer ; correctional officer ; person directly involved in the care , treatment , or supervision of inmates ; firefighter ; or volunteer firefighter or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such crime can no longer be committed as a simple assault and must result in a bodily injury . ''
The legislation would allow judges to reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor if the law enforcement officer was unharmed or if the assailant suffers from diminished capacity or a developmental disorder .
If the charge is brought as a felony , it requires an investigation by a different police officer and must be approved by a Commonwealth 's Attorney , according to the Washington Post .
The Virginia Senate voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday during the Virginia General Assembly special session , WSLS-TV reported .
The legislation was approved after all 21 Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 15 Republicans voted against it .
The legislation will now move to the state House , where Democrats hold a 55-45 majority .
Democrats argue that the law would allow judges to distinguish between minor and serious assaults .
The bill 's sponsor , Democratic Sen. Scott A. Surovell , noted that the bill `` does not defund the police '' and `` does not grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` For too long in this commonwealth , there have been cases where the punishment is disproportionate to the crime , '' Democratic Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan said .
`` That is part of what people are marching in the street and demanding change for . ''
Republicans contend that the bill would subvert law enforcement , and many referenced the current nationwide protests that have escalated into riots where police officers have been attacked .
`` What in the world are we doing here ? ''
Republican state Sen. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
`` Have you watched television for the last couple of weeks ?
Have you seen what our police officers are going through ?
And here we are with a bill that 's going to actually make it easier for someone to actually assault a police officer . ''
`` That message to law enforcement is that we do n't care about you , '' Republican Sen. Ryan T. McDougle said .
`` And we 're sending a message to people that riot in our streets … that if you encounter a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be concerned because if you assault them it 's not as serious . ''
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
is vehemently against the legislation .
`` This is unhinged , '' Cotton wrote on Twitter .
`` The Democrat Virginia Senate has passed a bill that would dramatically reduce penalties for assaulting a police officer .
Liberal politicians are endangering police officers and fueling the riots in our streets . ''
`` And it 's not just the police , '' he added .
`` The bill reduces penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EMS personnel , and more !
Democrats want to declare open season on public servants . ''

The Virginia Senate approved legislation that would allow assaulting a police officer to be charged as a misdemeanor instead of a felony if the law enforcement officer does not suffer any bodily injury. The bill also removes the mandatory minimum six-month sentence for assaulting a police officer.
Senate Bill 5032 would eliminate "the mandatory minimum term of confinement for an assault and battery committed against a judge; magistrate; law-enforcement officer; correctional officer; person directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of inmates; firefighter; or volunteer firefighter or any emergency medical services personnel and provides that such crime can no longer be committed as a simple assault and must result in a bodily injury."
The legislation would allow judges to reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor if the law enforcement officer was unharmed or if the assailant suffers from diminished capacity or a developmental disorder. If the charge is brought as a felony, it requires an investigation by a different police officer and must be approved by a Commonwealth's Attorney, according to the Washington Post.
The Virginia Senate voted 21-15 to pass Senate Bill 5032 on Wednesday during the Virginia General Assembly special session, WSLS-TV reported. The legislation was approved after all 21 Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 15 Republicans voted against it. The legislation will now move to the state House, where Democrats hold a 55-45 majority.
Democrats argue that the law would allow judges to distinguish between minor and serious assaults. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Sen. Scott A. Surovell, noted that the bill "does not defund the police" and "does not grant anyone the right to assault first responders."
"For too long in this commonwealth, there have been cases where the punishment is disproportionate to the crime," Democratic Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan said. "That is part of what people are marching in the street and demanding change for."
Republicans contend that the bill would subvert law enforcement, and many referenced the current nationwide protests that have escalated into riots where police officers have been attacked.
"What in the world are we doing here?" Republican state Sen. John Cosgrove Jr. said, The Washington Post reported. "Have you watched television for the last couple of weeks? Have you seen what our police officers are going through? And here we are with a bill that's going to actually make it easier for someone to actually assault a police officer."
"That message to law enforcement is that we don't care about you," Republican Sen. Ryan T. McDougle said. "And we're sending a message to people that riot in our streets … that if you encounter a law enforcement officer you don't need to be concerned because if you assault them it's not as serious."
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is vehemently against the legislation.
"This is unhinged," Cotton wrote on Twitter. "The Democrat Virginia Senate has passed a bill that would dramatically reduce penalties for assaulting a police officer. Liberal politicians are endangering police officers and fueling the riots in our streets."
"And it's not just the police," he added. "The bill reduces penalties for assaults against judges, firefighters, EMS personnel, and more! Democrats want to declare open season on public servants."


theblaze--2020-08-29--Judge rules Sarah Palin's defamation suit against The New York Times can go to trial

Judge rules Sarah Palin 's defamation suit against The New York Times can go to trial

Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times is moving forward and headed to trial after a federal judge ruled Friday that a jury will decide whether the newspaper acted with "actual malice" when it published a false editorial pointing to Palin as the motivation behind the 2011 assassination attempt on former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.).
What are the details?
Palin sued The Times in 2017 over a piece that linked materials distributed by the former Alaskan governor's political action committee and the Tucson, Arizona, mass murder at a Giffords event that left six people dead and Giffords injured.
An excerpt from the editorial — which was later corrected — read:
Was this attack evidence of how vicious American politics has become? Probably. In 2011, Jared Lee Loughner opened fire in a supermarket parking lot, grievously wounding Representative Gabby Giffords and killing six people, including a 9-year-old girl. At the time, we and others were sharply critical of the heated political rhetoric on the right. Before the shooting, Sarah Palin's political action committee circulated a map that showed the targeted electoral districts of Ms. Giffords and 19 other Democrats under stylized cross hairs.
The lawsuit has been tied up in the courts ever since, and on Friday, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff denied The Times' request to bring the case to a close, which Law & Crime called "a major procedural win" for Palin.
"Gov. Palin brings this action to hold [former editor] James Bennett and The Times accountable for defaming her by falsely asserting what they knew to be false: that Gov. Palin was clearly and directly responsible for inciting a mass shooting at a political event in January 2011," the judge wrote.
"Specifically," he continued, "on June 14, 2017, The Times published an editorial authored in the name of its Editorial Board (which represents the 'voice' of The Times) that falsely stated as a matter of fact to millions of people that Gov. Palin incited Jared Loughner's January 8, 2011, mass shooting at a political event in Tucson, Arizona."
Rakoff added, "Taken in the light most favorable to (Palin), the evidence shows Bennet came up with an angle for the editorial, ignored the articles brought to his attention that were inconsistent with his angle, disregarded the…research he commissioned, and ultimately made the point he set out to make in reckless disregard of the truth."
In reaction to the judge's decision, a spokeswoman for The Times said in a statement, "We're disappointed in the ruling but are confident we will prevail at trial when a jury hears the facts," the New York Daily News reported.


theblaze--2020-08-29--Vandal burns Montana family's Trump flags on their lawn, with their 4 kids sleeping inside just feet

Vandal burns Montana family's Trump flags on their lawn, with their 4 kids sleeping inside just feet away

Vandal burns Montana family 's Trump flags on their lawn , with their 4 kids sleeping inside just feet away @ @ @ @ @ surveillance video

A family in Montana says that a man nearly set their home on fire with their four children sleeping inside when he burned their Trump 2020 flags.
Julia O'Rourke and Robert O'Rourke told MTN News that they had hung up the two large Trump 2020 flags on the same night they were vandalized.
"It's insane!" said Julia while surrounded by her four young children.
"It could burn our house down!" said one of her children.
The family says they awoke the next day to find ashes in a mound outside their home on the grass. When they checked their surveillance video, they saw the recording of a man ripping down their flags and lighting them on fire.
"It was only about 20 feet from our front porch," said Julia. "None of us knew! We woke up to a charred pile of flag in our yard, and had no idea."
The video showed a man staggering away after lighting the flags on fire.
"I felt violated," said Julia. "I felt that my kids' and my life and my husband's life were in danger. It could have easily burned my house down. There was a fire ban and as close as it was to the house, it was very eerie."
Police cited a man identified as Eric Herrera with misdemeanor criminal mischief over the incident.
"Our house was built in 1907, it's old. It's never been redone. It could have went up so fast, and we never would have known," Julia added.
The Montana Republican Party took notice of the story and posted it to their official social media account.
"This Montana family had their #Trump2020 flags burned in their yard as their children slept," the party tweeted.
"The liberal mob isn't just in cities across the country, it's right here in Montana and it's threatening the safety of freedom-loving Montanans," they concluded.


theblaze--2020-08-29--Tennessee Democrat rejected by his party delivers powerful speech condemning violent riots

'Any of us with any common sense—any common sense whatsoever—know that what we see is not peaceful . '

Longtime Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker Rep. John DeBerry Jr. says people refusing to acknowledge the violent riots going on in America right now are fooling themselves, and warned his colleagues in a powerful floor speech this month that such behavior must be condemned and stopped.
His message is unusual coming from a Democratic officeholder in 2020, but DeBerry has never been afraid to take positions countering the party's platform. In fact, after 26 years in office, the Democratic Party recently booted the preacher out over his support of some conservative views.
What are the details?
In his address, DeBerry recounted riding "on the back of the bus" and attending a segregated school during the Jim Crow era and noted that he was present for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speech in Memphis before the Civil Rights leader was assassinated.
He reminded the Tennessee House that Dr. King's method of protest was peaceful, and that after King was murdered and some people began rioting, angry and heartbroken civil rights protesters returned to peaceful demonstrations during a time that was much different than what protesters are living in today.
DeBerry recalled, "When the riots started and folks started burning stuff down, that's when my father took my arm and we left. We left because that was not what we were there for. That was not what Dr. King was there for. That was not what others who are famous in the civil rights days were there for."
Rep. DeBerry then pointed to Dr. King delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C, saying, "That man stood there and said that he wanted his children judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. And all we do in America right now is talk about color. Every issue. Every issue is about race, it's about color, instead of sitting down at the table like men and women of common sense."
"You tell me that somebody got the right to tear down property that Tennessee taxpayers paid for?" he asked. "That American taxpayers paid for? Somebody has the right to destroy it? Deface it? And tear it down? What kind of people have we become?
"Peaceful protest ends peacefully," he added. "Anarchy ends in chaos. And what we see happening right now—any of us with any common sense whatsoever—know that what we see is not peaceful."
He asked, "What has happened to us?" and warned, "If we don't get this right, right now, I've got grandchildren—I don't want to see the country 5,10, 15, 20 years from now. If we don't start acting like we got some guts...right now."
Rep. John DeBerry www.youtube.com
The Christian Chronicle reported earlier this month that the Tennessee Democratic Party voted in the spring to remove DeBerry from the party's primary ballot over his "conservative positions on issues such as abortion, gay rights and school choice." The decision was handed down after it was too late for the 13-time incumbent to run as a Republican or Independent.
But the Republican-led legislature voted to amend state elections rules so that DeBerry could run as an Independent in November. He is facing a Democrat, and no Republicans are in the race.


theblaze--2020-08-29--WRECKED: Donald Trump Jr. laid into Sleepy Joe Biden and it was glorious

WRECKED : Donald Trump Jr. laid into Sleepy Joe Biden and it was glorious

The world owes Steven Crowder fans a huge thank you! After being on the fence about whether or not he would livestream the 2020 RNC convention, Crowder tossed the decision to his fans who voted "YES"!
The outcome: the world was blessed with this fantastic interview with Donald Trump Jr., absolutely wrecking Joe Biden for not fixing ANYTHING during the first half-century of his career. Enjoy....
Use promo code LWC to save $10 on one year of BlazeTV.
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