theblaze--2020-03-26--Kathy Griffin tweets against Trump from coronavirus isolation room in hospital

Kathy Griffin tweets against Trump from coronavirus isolation room in hospital She says she has 'UNBEARABLY PAINFUL ' symptoms

Comedian Kathy Griffin revealed that she has been admitted to a coronavirus isolation room in a tweet meant to call out President Donald Trump about his administration's response to the pandemic.
Griffin posted photos of herself from the hospital with a tweet from the president about the testing that the United States has conducted for coronavirus.
"Just reported that the United States has done far more 'testing' than any other nation, by far!" tweeted Trump. "In fact, over an eight day span, the United States now does more testing than what South Korea (which has been a very successful tester) does over an eight week span. Great job!"
Griffin tweeted that she had not been tested because of administration restrictions.
"He's lying. I was sent to the #COVID19 isolation ward room in a major hospital ER from a separate urgent care facility after showing UNBEARABLY PAINFUL symptoms," she claimed.
"The hospital couldn't test me for #coronavirus because of CDC (Pence task force) restrictions," she added.
Many on social media noted that Griffin could have been denied a coronavirus test without that fact contradicting the fact that the United States has tested more people than other countries.
NPR reported that the United States has surpassed South Korea in coronavirus tests, but added that the latter surpassed the U.S. in per capita testing.
Griffin has been a vicious critic of Trump in the past and has even claimed that she lost work because of her comments and actions against him.
Here's more about the coronavirus pandemic:


theblaze--2020-03-26--MyPillow manufacturing masks for hospitals in fight against COVID-19

MyPillow manufacturing masks for hospitals in fight against COVID-19 The company announced it would be supplying facilities across the US

Pillow and linen manufacturer MyPillow announced this week that it is producing face masks to be shipped to hospitals across the U.S., as the country deals with shortages of personal protective equipment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What are the details?
The company posted an image on Twitter on Tuesday of founder Mike Lindell and MyPillow employees showing off the masks in a conference room with the message, "MyPillow is excited to announce that we are now manufacturing face masks for hospitals across the country!"
According to The Hill, the company noted that the masks "are not for sale to the general public."
Lindell is a devoted supporter of President Donald Trump, who has praised American firms for stepping up to produce medical supplies like masks and ventilators amid skyrocketing demand in the fight against the spreading virus.
MyPillow joins the ranks of other firms who have switched up their manufacturing to help, including car manufacturer General Motors and clothing manufacturer Hanes.
Anything else?
President Trump has faced criticism from many on the left for not using his authority under the Defense Production Act to force private companies to produce needed medical supplies.
The president has resisted using the DPA, and explained during a press conference over the weekend: "We have tremendous numbers of companies making equipment. We're a country not based on nationalizing their businesses. We have the threat of doing it, if we need it. But using it is actually a big deal," the Washington Times reported.


theblaze--2020-03-26--After banning plastic grocery bags for the environment, some states are liberating them over coronav

After banning plastic grocery bags for the environment, some states are liberating them over coronavirus concerns

After banning plastic grocery bags for the environment , some states are liberating them over coronavirus concerns Some studies show @ @ @ @ @ just not effective

Massachusetts joined New Hampshire in banning reusable bags and freeing one-use plastic and paper grocery bags over concerns that reusable bags were threatening public health during the coronavirus epidemic.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, banned reusable grocery bags and explicitly cited concerns that they could help spread the virus currently ravaging countries around the globe.
"Our grocery store workers are on the front lines of COVID-19, working around the clock to keep New Hampshire families fed," said Sununu in a statement. "With identified community transmission, it is important that shoppers keep their reusable bags at home given the potential risk to baggers, grocers and customers."
On Wednesday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker also liberated plastic bags from their dishonorable exile.
"From now on, reusable bags are prohibited and all regulations on plastic bag bans are lifted," said Baker.
The temporary order also banned stores from charging for plastic or paper bags.
While many local and state governments banned plastic bags out of environmental concerns, many studies have shown that these bans are ineffective, and some show that they result in even worse outcomes for the environment.
Here's more on how plastic grocery bags are being set free:


theblaze--2020-04-17--Dr. Oz says he misspoke when calling for schools re-open at the expense of some children dying

Dr. Oz says he misspoke when calling for schools re-open at the expense of some children dying He got hit @ @ @ @ @ outrage

Television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz had to walk back his recommendation that schools reopen at the expense of some children dying after receiving online blowback.
Dr. Oz made the original comments on Fox News with Sean Hannity. "Well, first, we need our mojo back," said Oz.
"Let's start with things that are really critical to the nation where we think we might be able to open without getting into a lot of trouble," he explained.
"Schools are a very appetizing opportunity. I just saw a nice piece in the Lancet arguing that the opening of schools may only cost us 2% to 3%, in terms of total mortality," Oz continued.
"Any, you know, any life is a life lost," he added, "but to get every child back into a school where they're safely being educated, being fed, and making the most out of their lives, with a theoretical risk on the backside, that might be a trade-off some folks would consider."
Critics were quick to pounce on his comments and criticize him for saying it would be reasonable trade-off to lose 2% or 3% of school children in order to reopen the economy.
He said that he misspoke in a Twitter video he posted on Thursday.
"I've realized my comments on risks around opening schools have confused and upset people, which was never my intention. I misspoke," said Oz in the video.
"As a heart surgeon, I spent my career fighting to save lives in the operating room by minimizing risks. At the same time, I'm being asked constantly, how will we be able to get people back to their normal lives. To do that, one of the important steps will be figuring out how do we get our children safely back to school," he explained.
"We know for many kids school is a place of security, nutrition and learning that is missing right now," he added. "These are issues we are all wrestling with, and I'll continue looking for solutions that beat this virus."
Also on Thursday, President Donald Trump revealed guidelines for the states to reopen the economy from the coronavirus lockdown in a safe manner.
Here's more about the comments from Dr. Oz:


theblaze--2020-04-17--Judge denies Roger Stone's motion for a new trial

The decision was made by the same judge who refused to recuse herself

Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, has been denied his motion for a new trial by the same judge who refused to recuse herself from the case and sentenced him to more than three years in prison.
What are the details?
Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote that Stone failed to "[supply] any reason to believe that there has been 'a serious miscarriage of justice," ABC News reported.
Stone was found guilty in November on seven counts stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and was sentenced by Berman Jackson in February to 40 months of incarceration.
But just ahead of his sentencing, Stone's attorneys requested a new trial after reports emerged that the lead juror in the trial, Tomeka Hart, was a longtime Democrat whose social media posts further threw her impartiality and honesty into question.
President Trump tweeted at the time, "There has rarely been a juror so tainted as the forewoman in the Roger Stone case. Look at her background. She never revealed her hatred of 'Trump' and Stone. She was totally biased, as is the judge. Roger wasn't even working on my campaign. Miscarriage of justice. Sad to watch!"
Stone's attorneys also requested that Judge Berman Jackson recuse herself from hearing his argument for a new trial, saying that the judge herself could hold some bias because she praised the jury for its integrity during sentencing. Berman Jackson refused to step down.
In her decision Thursday, Berman Jackson wrote, "The defendant has not shown that the juror lied; nor has he shown that the supposedly disqualifying evidence could not have been found through the exercise of due diligence at the time the jury was selected."
The judge wrote that Stone's "conviction is final."


theblaze--2020-04-17--Washington Post 'gleefully' reports death of pastor who said 'God is larger than' coronavirus

Washington Post 'gleefully ' reports death of pastor who said 'God is larger than ' coronavirus

In the latest episode of "Relatable," Allie Beth Stuckey ripped into the Washington Post, which seemed to delight in reporting the death of a pastor who tragically died from COVID-19.
When Bishop Gerald Glenn died on Sunday, the Washington Post was quick to tweet the story with the headline, "Prominent Virginia pastor who said 'God is larger than this dreaded virus' dies of covid-19."
"They seemingly gleefully tweeted that he died," said Allie. "Obviously, what they are trying to depict for you in that tweet is the irony of a person of faith, someone who puts their faith in God, dying. That's what they're trying to demonstrate ... but they're so secular and stupid that they don't understand that this pastor dying of the coronavirus doesn't actually undermine what he said."
Watch the video below to get Allie's take on this latest example of how the media is not on the side of Christians.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, BlazeTV is offering our BIGGEST discount ever! Get $30 off your subscription when you use promo code ALLIE!
Want more from Allie Stuckey?
To enjoy more of Allie's upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture and politics from a Christian, millennial perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Republican bill will allow American citizens to sue China for coronavirus coverup

Republican bill will allow American citizens to sue China for coronavirus coverup 'The Chinese government must be held accountable '

A Republican lawmaker announced on Thursday that she would be sponsoring a bill to allow Americans hurt by the coronavirus pandemic to sue China for its lies and cover-up leading to the spread of the pandemic.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) tweeted that she and Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) are introducing the bill.
"[Sen. McSally] & I are introducing the Stop COVID Act to make China liable for unleashing COVID-19 on our country," she tweeted.
"Americans victimized by Chinese Communist Party lies & deceit deserve the opportunity to take China to court in the U.S. & demand compensation," she explained.
Many have criticized the communist government of China for not warning the world quickly enough about the extent of the coronavirus threat that originated in Wuhan.
"The Chinese government must be held accountable for the pain [it's] inflicted across the U.S.," said McSally in a tweet. "Our legislation will allow Americans to file lawsuits against Beijing for its role in perpetuating the coronavirus."
Blackburn also derided the World Health Organization for pushing Chinese "propaganda" about the pandemic and for criticizing President Donald Trump for his response.
While many believe the "wet markets" in Wuhan were the source of the virus, some reports suggest that it sprang from a virology laboratory instead.
Other lawmakers have been clamoring for China to face some retributive punishment over its role in covering up the pandemic, while critics of the president have accused him of using these issues as way to deflect from his culpability.
Here's more about China and coronavirus:


theblaze--2020-04-16--'Call your own shots': President Trump rolls out guidance for governors on reopening states

'Call your own shots ' : President Trump rolls out guidance for governors on reopening states 'To preserve the health @ @ @ @ @ must also preserve the health and functioning of our economy '

The White House has released guidelines for reopening the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, unveiling a phased plan for states and counties that leaves ultimate decision-making to governors.
During a phone call with governors ahead of the plan's release, President Donald Trump told them, "You're going to call your own shots," The Washington Post reported.
What are the details?
The plan, titled "Opening Up America Again," recommends a number of criteria be met before proceeding to a three-phase gradual reopening of areas, suggesting a downward trajectory of either documented coronavirus cases or positive tests with a 14-day time period.
The guidance also recommends that hospitals are able to "treat all patients without crisis care" and have in a place a "robust testing program" for health care workers.
The Hill offered a breakdown of the three phases, reporting:
The first phase largely urges existing measures to remain in place while allowing certain businesses, such as gyms, to reopen if social distancing is possible.
The second phase makes recommendations for states and regions with no evidence of a rebound of COVID-19 that have twice satisfied the initial criteria on cases, hospitals and testing. It urges all vulnerable individuals to shelter in place and encourages others to exercise social distancing in public. In this phase, officials also say that non-essential travel can resume, schools can reopen, and large venues, gyms and bars can operate with social distancing steps in place.
The third phase, which is recommended only for states that have shown no signs of spike in cases after restrictions are lifted and have satisfied the initial criteria a third time, allows public interactions and visits to nursing homes to resume and lets bars and restaurants expand their capacity. The third phase still encourages individuals to socially distance when possible and limit their time in large gatherings.
President Trump discussed the plan during his daily coronavirus press briefing on Thursday, saying during its introduction, "To preserve the health of our citizens, we must also preserve the health and functioning of our economy."


theblaze--2020-04-16--Cuomo, liberal Northeast governors hatching 'Trump-proof' plan to reopen economies without the presi

Cuomo, liberal Northeast governors hatching 'Trump-proof' plan to reopen economies without the president's influence: report

Cuomo , liberal Northeast governors hatching 'Trump-proof ' plan to reopen economies without the president 's influence : report Can @ @ @ @ @ without him ?

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and several other northeastern governors are reportedly developing a plan they hope will thwart attempts by President Donald Trump to influence how and when they reopen their states' economies.
What are the details?
According to Reuters, Cuomo has hired high-powered consultants from McKinsey & Company to produce models on "testing, infections, and other key data points that will underpin decisions on how and when to reopen the region's economy." Cuomo has also recalled former top aides as part of the effort.
The goal is to "Trump-proof" the plan, an adviser to New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy told Reuters.
A Cuomo adviser added, "We think Trump ultimately will blink on this, but if not, we need to push back, and we are reaching out to top experts and other professionals to come up with a bullet-proof plan" to open the economy on the states' terms.
A McKinsey adviser confirmed to the news agency that consultants are providing analysis on testing demand and availability, supply chain for important supplies, virus projections, and hospital capacity.
What's the background?
Cuomo, Murphy, and governors from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Massachusetts formed a coalition Monday to work on a coordinated plan to reopen their economies as the coronavirus pandemic dies down. Of the seven states, only one has a Republican governor — Massachusetts.
Three governors from the West Coast states, California, Oregon, and Washington, also formed a coalition Monday. On Thursday, seven Midwestern states followed suit.
The New York Times noted that the northeastern coalition announcement "appeared to be an implicit rebuke to President Trump."
Trump, who had previously desired to reopen the economy by Easter but later decided to extend social distancing guidelines until April 30, has been sensitive to the consequences of a long-term economic shutdown since the start of the outbreak. He had been growing increasingly frustrated with Democratic governors who appeared more comfortable with the idea of continuing economic shutdowns in their states.
During a White House press briefing on Monday, Trump argued that he possesses "total authority" in regard to reopening the economy after a crisis. It wasn't immediately clear what the president meant by this statement, but nonetheless, the clash with governors over who has the power to reopen the economy had evidently reached a boiling point.


theblaze--2020-04-16--How Facebook is carrying water for the Chinese government and suppressing any examination of whether

How Facebook is carrying water for the Chinese government and suppressing any examination of whether COVID-19 actually escaped from a Wuhan laboratory

How Facebook is carrying water for the Chinese government and suppressing any examination of whether COVID-19 actually escaped from a @ @

On Monday, a Facebook "fact-checker" who was hired by the media rated a video that was shared on Glenn Beck's facebook page as "false," and penalized his page. Although the rating was eventually removed, here's why the story still matters.
No entity in the history of the world — whether government or private entity — has ever been as influential in controlling the spread of information as Facebook currently is. Facebook currently boasts about 2.5 billion users, meaning that over 25% of the world's total population is on Facebook. With more and more people turning off their televisions, more people than ever before have their news filtered through a single source: What shows up in their Facebook feed.
In response to widespread criticism from liberals about their alleged failure to stop Russian disinformation during the 2016 presidential election, Facebook decided to hire allegedly unbiased fact-checkers to rate certain articles as "true" or "false" for the purpose of flagging them for people who read them. These fact-checkers tend overwhelmingly to be legacy media "journalists" — the same people who have so covered themselves in glory that they are now among the least trusted institutions in the world.
Facebook's current system is fatally flawed in a number of ways, but the two most important are these: First, if one of their so-called fact-checkers is wrong, Facebook does not accept appeals from the fact-checker's decision.
The second major error in the process is that once one of these so-called fact-checkers dings an article that's been shared on your page, your entire page gets penalized for weeks — which has tremendous negative financial and business consequences for any company that distributes news. It is a remarkably effective stick, and it is often wielded unfairly.
And so we come to the ongoing search for the origins of the coronavirus. On Monday, this video was shared on Glenn Beck's Facebook page. I want to encourage you all to watch the whole thing and listen carefully. In the first place, everything Glenn says in it is a fact, and he has the receipts. Second, listen to whether Glenn states or implies that the coronavirus was engineered in a virology lab in Wuhan.
CORONAVIRUS NOT FROM A BAT: Scientists in China Release Study Blaming WUHAN LAB for Pandemic www.youtube.com
In case you don't have the time to watch the video, I will quote directly from the introduction to the video. In it, Glenn explicitly says, "Experts have already said that this virus was not engineered. But I didn't say it was. What if the coronavirus was collected from a bat and then taken to this lab for study? Is there any evidence at all that researchers from Wuhan have been collecting bats — specifically the horseshoe bat — because it might be worth looking into?"
Get it? The video explicitly states (and goes on at some length to examine) the possibility — which is rapidly becoming a probability — that Chinese scientists collected the virus from bats in nature and studied it in this lab, whereupon it infected one of their workers due to shoddy controls and thus spread to the general public and the world.
You can probably guess what happened next. Facebook rated the post where we shared Glenn's video as false based on this asinine fact-check from USA Today reporter Molly Stellino. According to her own online resume, Stellino has absolutely no education or experience in virology, immunology, or any other scientific field that would allow her to claim any expertise over any other person who is trying to research the origins of the coronavirus.
Moreover, her fact-check does not refer to Glenn's video at all, or quote from it, or explain what about it is allegedly wrong or false. It instead cites other people (including Rush Limbaugh) who have supposedly claimed or implied that the virus was engineered by the Chinese government as a biological weapon. However, Glenn's video — which made no such claim — has also been dinged by this fact-check and rated "false," which has negatively impacted our Facebook reach and thus our ability to get news out to people who want to get news from Glenn and the rest of the crew at BlazeTV.
As an aside, even if Glenn had made such a claim or an implication , neither Stellino nor anyone else would be in any position at this point to call such a claim false. Her fact-check claims that there is "overwhelming scientific evidence" that the virus originated in nature. This is a questionable claim in and of itself, but even if it were true beyond the shadow of a doubt, it does not rule out the rather obvious possibility that Chinese scientists found the virus in nature and were studying it with an eye toward the possibility of one day weaponizing it. Neither Stellino nor anyone else knows what was going on in that lab or what, specifically, they were attempting to do with COVID-19 as they studied it.
It is even more obvious that there is absolutely no basis to rate as false the claim that the virus was found in nature and brought back to the lab in question to be studied for research purposes, which is not only what Glenn claimed, but what the United States government is increasingly certain actually happened.
In any event, the effect of Facebook's so-called "fact-check" is evident, and it is to shut down the sharing of articles questioning the official Chinese narrative that the coronavirus originated from a wet market in Wuhan — a wet market that we now know did not sell bats. In fact, when news broke Wednesday in the noted right-wing conspiracy newspaper the Washington Post that State Department cables from 2018 warned about security and lax procedures at the very laboratory in question, it sparked internal discussion about whether our coverage of the cable could even be shared on Facebook because it might cause our page to get penalized and thus reduce the reach of the rest of our articles.
For days, we had to decide if reporting on the increasing trail of facts tracing this virus back to the Wuhan lab was worth being penalized by Facebook for reporting the truth.
By all admission, as of the date of this article (and the date of Glenn's video, in particular), the facts concerning the origin of COVID-19 are completely unknown. Literally everyone — including the people cited by the USA Today fact-check — admits that there are no conclusive facts, only theories. So, in the absence of facts, how can there be a "fact-check"? The simple, honest answer is that there can't, there can only be competing theories (and it looks, right now, that the "escaped from a virology lab" theory is kicking the "bat soup from a wet market" theory square in the buttocks in the "weight of the evidence" category).
But in the American media, there are no shortage of people who will carry water for any entity, no matter how loathsome, as long as the only people questioning them are the icky conservatives.
And now, Facebook has contracted with a huge chunk of those people.
Which is how they find themselves carrying water for the mighty Chinese propaganda machine.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Oklahoma will resume elective surgeries next week; governor confident in state's hospital capacity

Oklahoma will resume elective surgeries next week ; governor confident in state 's hospital capacity

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) announced Tuesday that the state would allow hospitals to resume elective surgeries next week after temporarily suspending them to save resources for treatment of COVID-19.
The temporary ban on elective procedures was financially damaging to hospitals and medical practices, mainly because Oklahoma has not experienced the kind of coronavirus outbreak seen in places like New York and Washington state. At least one Oklahoma City hospital temporarily closed recently, and health care workers have been laid off.
"Elective surgeries will be able to resume starting on April 24th. We suspended them to protect hospital beds in case of a surge & to protect PPE for our healthcare workers treating #COVID19 patients. Based on our data, we now feel confident about our hospital numbers & PPE," Stitt wrote on Twitter. "Additionally, my team is working with @HealthyOklahoma on a plan to safely & responsibly re-open businesses across our state while continuing to prioritize the health & safety of all Oklahomans."
The rate of increase of new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths has been relatively flat in Oklahoma in recent weeks. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state has been far less than projected, which is why Stitt feels hospitals can resume normal operations while still remaining prepared to treat the coronavirus.
Still, the governor plans to continue social distancing and stay-at-home policies until at least May 6.
"OUR CURVE IS FLATTENING & we are making great progress in Oklahoma, but now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. What we do over the next two weeks will significantly impact what we can do after April 30," Stitt tweeted. "I extended my Safer at Home order until May 6 to continue to protect our vulnerable populations. While overall data trends look positive, we know this virus can be deadly. We need to keep practicing #SocialDistancing, washing hands frequently & limiting trips outside of our home."
Pressure for states to allow businesses to reopen is increasing as the rate of the coronavirus spread gradually slows, and the rate of unemployment in the U.S. continues to skyrocket. Approximately 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment over the past four weeks.


theblaze--2020-04-16--BIG BROTHER ALERT: Government is tracking your movements 'to better understand' the spread of COVID-

BIG BROTHER ALERT: Government is tracking your movements 'to better understand' the spread of COVID-19

BIG BROTHER ALERT : Government is tracking your movements 'to better understand ' the spread of COVID-19 Using this crisis @ @ @ @ @

On BlazeTV's Wednesday night special, Glenn Beck broke down just a few of the ways the coronavirus pandemic is being used to accelerate America toward big-government socialism. In fact, some changes have already taken place that look a little too much like communist China.
For example, Google recently announced the launch of its "COVID-19 Community Mobility Trends Reports," a program in which the tech giant is providing the government with data on where people are traveling during the pandemic.
Though Google insists the reports will not allow the government to track people individually, some government leaders are already using a GPS platform called Unacast to track our locations through cellphones — and it's not legally required to notify smartphone users that they're being tracked.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the federal government, through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local governments, have started reviewing such data "in a bid to better understand the movements of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic and how they may be affecting the spread of the disease."
"During times of crisis, too often government tends to loot our liberties, rushing into the store after the windows are smashed, seeing what they can grab off the shelf for themselves — and then they never answer any questions," Glenn said. "And, guess which other government has been using cellphone data to track its people? Yeah, the communists in China."
Watch the video below for more details:
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, BlazeTV is offering our BIGGEST discount ever! Get $30 off your subscription when you use promo code GLENN. Claim your special offer at https://get.blazetv.com/glenn/.
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn's masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Crooks bust into apartment in broad daylight but quickly turn tail and run — one jumping a second-fl

Crooks bust into apartment in broad daylight but quickly turn tail and run — one jumping a second-floor balcony — when resident opens fire

Crooks bust into apartment in broad daylight but quickly turn tail and run — one jumping a second-floor balcony — @ @ @ @ @ realizes he has the right to protect himself '

A surveillance video showed a trio of men busting into a Florida apartment just before 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
But seconds later they were high-tailing back through the door, one of them so freaked out he hopped over a second-floor balcony to make his escape.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
What changed their minds so quickly?
Well, the break-in victim at the Park Place Apartments in Neptune Beach had a gun — and used it, WJXT-TV reported.
What are the details?
The station said the suspects were in the apartment for about eight seconds before the resident opened fire with five gunshots.
Here's raw video:
Neptune Beach police confirmed one was shot in the chest and is at a hospital while the other two suspects are still on the run, WJXT said, adding that the shot man hasn't been identified.
Surveillance images from a nearby parking lot show the suspects leaving in two getaway cars, a red Kia and a silver Pontiac, the station said.
Ken Jefferson — WJXT's crime and safety expert and a former Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detective — told the station it was a "very scary situation" but "this homeowner realizes he has the right to protect himself, and he pulls out his gun, and he begins to fire. He's well within justification to do that."
WJXT said the apartment resident who fired the shots isn't facing any charges.


theblaze--2020-04-16--‘The View’ complains about ‘racist’ Michigan protest, blames Fox News: Willing to ‘sign away their r

‘The View’ complains about ‘racist’ Michigan protest, blames Fox News: Willing to ‘sign away their right to treatment’ too?

‘ The View ’ complains about ‘ racist ’ Michigan protest , blames Fox News : Willing to ‘ sign @ @ @ @ @ ’ too ?
Why are they the way they are ?

Women on "The View" blasted Michigan's "racist" protests, and blamed Fox News and its hosts for the demonstrations.
Thousands of Michiganders took to the streets Wednesday to protest against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's extension of social distancing measures, which includes a ban on visiting other homes within the state.
The protest was dubbed Operation Gridlock, and you can read more about it here.
What are the details?
Co-host Sunny Hostin said that while she agreed Whitmer may be encroaching on government overreach territory, it didn't mean people had to turn it into a "racist protest."
"I was trying to figure out why there were Confederate flags flying around during the ... alleged protest. Just because I couldn't figure out what that had to do with the coronavirus," she said.
"If you are indeed upset about the stay-at-home order, I can understand that, because it is probably, I think, the most restrictive in the country, and people are very concerned about it," Hostin added. "But I guess I just didn't understand the manner in which it was done. ... I thought rather than it becoming a stay-at-home order protest, it seemed to become some sort of racist protest."
Co-host Meghan McCain said she couldn't stop thinking about how restrictive the measure actually was, pointing out that the order bans leaving your home for home improvement supplies including garden tools and seeds.
"Gov. Whitmer needs to lean back on some of these restrictions because people are doing the best they can to entertain themselves at home, and if you want to repaint your house, that's certainly one of the safest things that I think you can be doing right now," McCain said.
Not to be outdone, co-host Joy Behar added, "I would like to ask [the protesters] if they're willing to sign away their right to treatment if and when they get infected. Are you going to say, 'I don't need a ventilator because I thought I should go out and defy the governor's order'?"
She added, "And I would like to know if people in states who are following the guidelines like us in New York, can be sure those people don't come here. They blocked an ambulance the other day. Can't they be charged and arrested for that? I understand the fact that, you know, they can't get their veggies, but hello. We're talking about this disease being way more infecting and worse than they even thought, you know?"
Behar concluded by taking a shot at Fox News and its conservative hosts.
"By the way, they're watching Fox a little too much. They're watching Laura Ingraham, who tweeted 'Time to get your freedom back.' And then the brilliant Jeanine Pirro. In early March, she was parroting Trump that the infection rate would drop as the weather warms. I mean, this is who they're listening to! So, again, do you say 'I won't get the treatment if I get the virus'? That's my question."
(H/T: The Daily Caller)


theblaze--2020-04-16--Ted Cruz lambastes Nancy Pelosi and Democrats for not funding small business rescue loans: 'Fund the

Ted Cruz lambastes Nancy Pelosi and Democrats for not funding small business rescue loans: 'Fund the damn program ... and stop playing games'

Ted Cruz lambastes Nancy Pelosi and Democrats for not funding small business rescue loans : 'Fund the damn program ... @ @ @ @ @

The Small Business Administration's rescue loan program has already been depleted, only two weeks after it was rolled out. Republicans have warned that the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program will run out of money if it is not replenished.
On Thursday, the PPP's $349 billion loan program had officially been exhausted, and applications were no longer being accepted. Republicans, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and President Donald Trump, castigated Democrats for not funding the small business loan program.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been in discussions with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) this week on providing more economic relief for small businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) attempted to pass $250 billion in small business funding last week, but it was blocked by Democrats.
The Democrats want to tack on an additional $150 billion for state and local governments, $100 billion for hospitals, and more money for food assistance programs.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said there would be negotiations on funding PPP on Thursday. Pelosi said she "hopes Mnuchin comes back with good offer," according to Bloomberg News reporter Erik Wasson.
Sen. Cruz saw Pelosi's response and was enraged by her comment.
"'A good offer'?!? How about you fund the damn program Nancy and stop playing games with people's livelihood," Cruz wrote on Twitter.
Ted Cruz wasn't the only Republican incensed by the lapse in funding for American small businesses. President Donald Trump also attacked Democrats for allowing the PPP to be drained.
"Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program," President Trump tweeted. "They are killing American small businesses. Stop playing politics Dems! Support Refilling PPP NOW – it is out of funds!"
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) slammed Pelosi for allowing the funds to go empty with a tweet referring to her expensive freezers and ice cream that went viral this week.
House GOP Whip Steve Scalise (La.) said the PPP "ran dry because Pelosi and Schumer are holding funds hostage to their unrelated far-left agenda."
Senate Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) called the lapse of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program "disgusting" on Twitter.
Even Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) joined Republicans in the outrage over the absence of small business loans.
"The PPP program is going to run out of funding soon — the Senate should approve add'l funding by unanimous consent ASAP," Sinema tweeted. "Small businesses need our help to survive during this emergency."


theblaze--2020-04-16--New York went from demanding Trump send 40,000 ventilators to now giving them away as need decreases

New York is giving ventilators away to other states that need them, reflecting how much the state's coronavirus outbreak has evolved over the past few weeks, and how dramatically data models overestimated the severity of the outbreak.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said this week that the state is giving 100 ventilators to Michigan and 50 to Maryland.
"We've stabilized our health care situation. New York had one of the earlier curves. There are other places in this country that are now seeing increases in the death rate," Cuomo said Wednesday during his daily press briefing.
Trump vs. Cuomo: In late March, Cuomo sounded the alarm that the state would need 30,000 to 40,000 ventilators from the federal government in order to meet the demand of seriously or critically ill COVID-19 patients.
"What am I going to do with 400 ventilators? When I need 30,000," Cuomo said March 24, after the federal government sent 400 ventilators to New York. "You pick the 26,000 people who are going to die because you only sent 400 ventilators."
President Donald Trump disagreed with Cuomo's estimate.
"I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they're going to need," Trump said on Fox News on March 26. "I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, you go to major hospitals, sometimes they have two ventilators. Now all of a sudden they're saying can we order 30,000 ventilators."
Cuomo came back the next day with an even larger request.
"All the predictions say you could have an apex needing 140,000 beds and about 40,000 ventilators," Cuomo said on March 27. "I don't have a crystal ball. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but I don't operate here on opinion. I operate on facts and on data and on numbers and on projections."
Ever-changing projections: The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation model from the University of Washington showed the peak ventilator need in New York as April 8, when fewer than 6,000 ventilators were estimated to be needed. Since then, the need has decreased.


theblaze--2020-04-16--China may have conducted secret nuclear tests; Chinese government refutes US State Department report

China may have conducted secret nuclear tests ; Chinese government refutes US State Department report

China may have conducted secret nuclear tests that potentially violated an international agreement, according to a U.S. State Department report. The Chinese government has refuted the accusations made by the U.S.
China may have secretly conducted underground low-yield nuclear tests in the northwest region of the country, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. "Some compliance concerns are raised and some findings of violations are made," the State Department claimed.
"China's possible preparation to operate its Lop Nur test site year-round, its use of explosive containment chambers, extensive excavation activities at Lop Nur, and a lack of transparency on its nuclear testing activities ... raise concerns regarding its adherence to the zero yield standard," the report stated.
Nuclear test explosions are banned under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The CTBT allows countries to carry out testing and other activities to ensure the safety of nuclear weapons, but nuclear explosive reactions are prohibited.
China, which is estimated to have about 300 nuclear weapons, and the U.S. are two of the eight countries who have signed the 1996 accord. However, neither country has ratified it, so they aren't bound to the treaty and aren't obliged to allow inspections. The U.S. and China say they obey the terms of the nuclear agreement despite not ratifying it. Russia, France, and the United Kingdom have signed and ratified the CTBT.
The U.S. is suspicious that the Chinese government is testing nuclear weapons because, in recent years, there have been interruptions of data transmissions from monitoring stations in China that detect radioactive emissions and seismic activity.
A spokeswoman for the CTBT organization informed the Wall Street Journal that there had been no interruptions in data transmissions from China's five sensor stations since the end of August 2019, following an interruption that started in 2018.
The Chinese Communist Party denied the American allegations and called the accusations "a complete distortion of the facts."
"The U.S. neglects all the facts and makes wanton accusations against China. This is irresponsible and ill-intentioned," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday. "The U.S. criticism of China is entirely groundless, without foundation, and not worth refuting."
This charge against China follows a Fox News report that was released on Wednesday, alleging that the coronavirus originated from a virology lab in Wuhan, China.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Three teen males allegedly attack man on bus after midnight. But victim has license to carry gun — a

Three teen males allegedly attack man on bus after midnight. But victim has license to carry gun — and brings the pain.

Three teen males allegedly attack man on bus after midnight .
But victim has license to carry gun — and @ @ @ @ @ kids were up way past their bedtimes , apparently

A 24-year-old man told Philadelphia police that three teen males attacked him aboard a bus around 1 a.m. Thursday, after which the victim pulled out a gun and opened fire on the trio, WCAU-TV reported.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bus pulled over at Bustleton Avenue and St. Vincent Street after the males — ages 17, 16, and 15 — were shot in their legs, police told the station.
The teens were rushed to hospitals for treatment and listed in stable condition, WCAU reported.
Three other people on the bus and the driver were not hurt, the station said.
'At least three shots'
The man remained at the scene and told officers he pulled the trigger in self-defense after being attacked, WCAU said.
"Preliminary information is that 24-year-old male who was being physically attacked did pull a handgun and fire at least three shots," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told KYW-TV.
Police added to KYW that the man has a license to carry and was cooperating with investigators.
In addition, he was taken in for questioning and wasn't charged as of Thursday morning, KYW said, adding that his gun was recovered.
Bus surveillance cameras could help detectives in the investigation, KYW added.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Man buys $10,000 in sanitizer, toilet paper. He tries to get a refund — but the store owner gives hi

Man buys $10,000 in sanitizer, toilet paper. He tries to get a refund — but the store owner gives him the middle finger instead.

Man buys $ 10,000 in sanitizer , toilet paper .
He tries to get a refund — but the store @ @ @ @ @ finger instead .

An Australian man, apparently wanting to capitalize on the panic-buying of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, reportedly purchased at least $10,000 in necessary merchandise.
When he realized that he wouldn't be able to sell his toilet paper and sanitizer online for a profit, he tried to get his money back — but the store owner, who sold him the merchandise, wasn't having it at all.
What are the details?
John-Paul Drake, director of Drakes Supermarkets in Australia, recently shared a social media video about the incident, according to Newsweek.
In the video, Drake said, "I had my first customer yesterday who said he wanted to get a refund on 150 packets of 32-pack toilet paper and 150 units of one-liter sanitizer."
According to Drake, the customer spent about $10,000 on the merchandise.
"I told him that," he said, as he flipped up his middle finger for the camera.
He also appeared on ABC Radio Adelaide, where he recounted the incident.
"In the conversation, [the shopper said], 'My eBay site has been shut down, so we couldn't profiteer off that,'" Drake recalled.
He pointed out that the unnamed shopper was crafty about getting around quantity limits, too.
"The person had a team of people that bought the products, because you're only allowed to buy one of each at a time," he explained. "So, you do your sums at 150 separate purchases to buy these."
Drake called the move to profit off this pandemic "absolutely disgraceful," adding that he's had enough of people hoarding and panic-buying — especially at this level.
"The rest of my team [is] over this sort of behavior and having to police people taking more than they need — that's a tough thing to deal with," Drake said.
At the time of this writing, Johns Hopkins University researchers report that at least 6,462 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Australia, and 63 peopled have died.


theblaze--2020-04-16--$349 billion small business rescue loan program runs out of money

The Small Business Administration 's rescue loan program has exhausted all of its initial $ 349 billion pool of funds .
Congress will now be tasked with replenishing the Paycheck Protection Program to provide much-needed capital to small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic .
The historic $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , otherwise known as the CARES Act , included a loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program .
The $ 349 billion fund would provide small businesses with forgivable loans so that they could retain employees during the COVID-19 shutdown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was announced on March 31 and implemented that week , was intended for small businesses to access through June 30 , 2020 .
However , the entire $ 349 billion fund ran out on Thursday , and the Small Business Administration is currently not accepting any applications .
`` By law , the SBA will not be able to issue new loan approvals once the programs experience a lapse in appropriations , '' the U.S. Small Business Administration said .
The SBA also revealed that the $ 10 billion made available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely drained .
The SBA said that it had `` processed more than 14 years ' worth of loans in less than 14 days . ''
`` We urge Congress to appropriate additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program — a critical and overwhelmingly bipartisan program — at which point we will once again be able to process loan applications , issue loan numbers , and protect millions more paychecks , '' Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said in a joint statement on Wednesday night .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for hardworking Americans to have access to relief as soon as possible , '' the statement read .
`` We want every eligible small business to participate and get the resources they need . ''
Republicans and Democrats will need to come together to refill the economic relief program , but both parties have been engaged in a battle of wills .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) tried to pass $ 250 billion in more funding last week , but it was blocked by Democrats , who want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 billion for hospitals , $ 150 billion for state and local governments , and increased food assistance programs .
McConnell blocked the Democratic package .
`` It has been stunning to watch our Democratic colleagues treat emergency funding for Americans ' paychecks like a Republican priority which they need to be goaded into supporting , '' McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) wrote in a statement released Wednesday evening .
`` Funding a bipartisan program should not be a partisan issue , '' the statement read .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people is not appealing enough to Democrats without other additions sends a strange message about their priorities . ''
`` Millions more Americans are losing their jobs every week .
Absolutely crushing , '' McConnell wrote on Twitter .
`` Republicans have spent a week trying to fund the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program so more Americans can keep their jobs .
Democrats are blocking the money and making the program run dry . ''
On Monday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer told Republicans to `` stop posturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' coronavirus relief bill .
`` We have real problems facing this country , and it 's time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either chamber and get serious and work with us towards a solution , '' Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement .
`` State and local governments are desperate for resources .
Hospitals , desperate for resources .
That 's what we 're saying we need , '' Pelosi said on CNN Wednesday afternoon .
`` Small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that is what the Senate [ Democrats ] put on the floor last week .
We 're very proud of them for doing that .
And that is something that needs to be done . ''
Congress extended its recess until May 4 due to the dangers of coronavirus .
The Senate is scheduled for a 3 p.m. pro forma session on Thursday .
The House is expected to be in on Friday .
There is some optimism that Mnuchin and Schumer could reach a deal soon .
Sen. Doug Jones ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Tuesday , `` I understand that a fair amount of progress has been made , '' referencing negotiations between Mnuchin and Schumer , which happened Wednesday and will continue into Thursday .

The Small Business Administration's rescue loan program has exhausted all of its initial $349 billion pool of funds. Congress will now be tasked with replenishing the Paycheck Protection Program to provide much-needed capital to small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The historic $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, otherwise known as the CARES Act, included a loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program. The $349 billion fund would provide small businesses with forgivable loans so that they could retain employees during the COVID-19 shutdown that has stifled the economy.
The PPP, which was announced on March 31 and implemented that week, was intended for small businesses to access through June 30, 2020. However, the entire $349 billion fund ran out on Thursday, and the Small Business Administration is currently not accepting any applications.
"By law, the SBA will not be able to issue new loan approvals once the programs experience a lapse in appropriations," the U.S. Small Business Administration said.
The SBA also revealed that the $10 billion made available for Economic Injury Disaster Loans had been entirely drained.
The SBA said that it had "processed more than 14 years' worth of loans in less than 14 days."
"We urge Congress to appropriate additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program — a critical and overwhelmingly bipartisan program — at which point we will once again be able to process loan applications, issue loan numbers, and protect millions more paychecks," Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said in a joint statement on Wednesday night.
"The high demand we have seen underscores the need for hardworking Americans to have access to relief as soon as possible," the statement read. "We want every eligible small business to participate and get the resources they need."
Republicans and Democrats will need to come together to refill the economic relief program, but both parties have been engaged in a battle of wills.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) tried to pass $250 billion in more funding last week, but it was blocked by Democrats, who want a package that also includes an additional $100 billion for hospitals, $150 billion for state and local governments, and increased food assistance programs. McConnell blocked the Democratic package.
"It has been stunning to watch our Democratic colleagues treat emergency funding for Americans' paychecks like a Republican priority which they need to be goaded into supporting," McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) wrote in a statement released Wednesday evening.
"Funding a bipartisan program should not be a partisan issue," the statement read. "The notion that crucial help for working people is not appealing enough to Democrats without other additions sends a strange message about their priorities."
"Millions more Americans are losing their jobs every week. Absolutely crushing," McConnell wrote on Twitter. "Republicans have spent a week trying to fund the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program so more Americans can keep their jobs. Democrats are blocking the money and making the program run dry."
On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer told Republicans to "stop posturing" and negotiate on an "interim" coronavirus relief bill.
"We have real problems facing this country, and it's time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either chamber and get serious and work with us towards a solution," Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement.
"State and local governments are desperate for resources. Hospitals, desperate for resources. That's what we're saying we need," Pelosi said on CNN Wednesday afternoon. "Small businesses, state and local governments and hospitals, that is what the Senate [Democrats] put on the floor last week. We're very proud of them for doing that. And that is something that needs to be done."
Congress extended its recess until May 4 due to the dangers of coronavirus. The Senate is scheduled for a 3 p.m. pro forma session on Thursday. The House is expected to be in on Friday.
There is some optimism that Mnuchin and Schumer could reach a deal soon.
Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) told reporters on a conference call Tuesday, "I understand that a fair amount of progress has been made," referencing negotiations between Mnuchin and Schumer, which happened Wednesday and will continue into Thursday.


theblaze--2020-04-16--'Ex-lefty' lesbian YouTuber rebukes trans athletes who ruthlessly mock their female competitors as '

'Ex-lefty' lesbian YouTuber rebukes trans athletes who ruthlessly mock their female competitors as 'losers'

'Ex-lefty ' lesbian YouTuber rebukes trans athletes who ruthlessly mock their female competitors as 'losers '

Arielle Scarcella — the lesbian YouTuber who recently "left the 'progressive' left" — is now taking aim at the issue of transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
"When trans women power lifters are breaking female records, and young women are suing high school boards, we need to talk," she wrote in a description of the new video.
According to Scarcella, what made her really want to speak out on this topic "isn't just [that] trans women are competing against women is sports, it's the way that they're going about it."
As an example, Scarcella pointed to a tweet from Rachel McKinnon — the trans woman cyclist who set a women's world record during the 2019 World Championships — that called women who prefer that biological males don't compete against them "losers." (McKinnon's account is locked but a screenshot can be seen of Scarcella's video).
She also pointed to a February tweet by Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, which mocked women athletes for complaining about being beat by trans women.
Scarcella bluntly condemned those who say "cis women are just losers who should try harder" saying "um, f*** off," before arguing scientifically for stronger guidelines restricting biological males from competing women's sports.
In fact, her opinions that trans women retain advantageous physical strength even after gender-affirming therapy is backed up by scientific studies here and here.
Trans Athletes Call Women Competitors LOSERS & MOCK Female Sports... youtu.be
"If being born biologically male and having gone through male puberty doesn't inherently give somebody an advantage, why are sports sex-segregated in the first place?" she asked.
At the outset of the video, Scarcella was sure to stress that her discussion would be limited to "high school, college, and professional sports" due to the fact that "money, scholarships, and records" are on the line.
In the video, Scarcella discussed reports from Connecticut where the families of three female high school girls have sued to block transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.
"Mentally and physically, we know the outcome before the race even starts," said one of the girls, who is the daughter of former Major League Baseball pitcher Lee Smith. "That biological unfairness doesn't go away because of what someone believes about gender identity. All girls deserve the chance to compete on a level playing field."


theblaze--2020-04-16--NYC says goodbye to summer as Mayor de Blasio closes public pools and more

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says that public swimming pools are closed for the summer — and beaches may soon be next.
What are the details?
In a Thursday news conference, de Blasio said that summer in the city will not be business as usual.
"Imagine Coney Island in the summer," he said during the briefing. "Hundreds of thousands of people packed tightly together, I don't see that happening anytime soon."
He went on to advise New Yorkers to "lower expectations" for the upcoming summer months.
"If we bring out lifeguards, and it's a situation where people think it's safe to go to the beach, and it's safe to start resuming normalcy, it's going to start endangering people," the mayor added. "So, no, right now, we do not have a plan to open the beaches, just like we don't have a plan to open the pools."
De Blasio said that the last thing he wants is to "create a situation where people start gathering."
"If things evolve, we'll assess our options going forward," he reasoned.
According to Business Insider, a budget proposed by the mayor's office says that closing the more than 50 outdoor pools will save the city about $12 million.
What else?
On Thursday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) extended the state's stay-at-home order another 30 days to May 15.
All schools and nonessential businesses will continue to remain closed.
"We must stay the course," Cuomo said during a briefing from Albany.
The state initially planned to reopen around April 30.
"New York Pause has worked," the governor added during the news briefing. "We're not there yet."
Cuomo also added that his new executive order demanding all New Yorkers wear face coverings in public is set to go into effect on Friday.
At the time of this writing, researchers at Johns Hopkins University estimates at least 214,832 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New York, and at least 14,636 people have died because of the virus.


theblaze--2020-04-16--'You're killing people! Go home!': UK cop blasts journalist documenting woman's removal from park; p

'You're killing people! Go home!': UK cop blasts journalist documenting woman's removal from park; police said she was 'clearly not exercising'

'You 're killing people !
Go home ! '
: UK cop blasts journalist documenting woman 's removal from park @ @ @ @ @ 'clearly not exercising '

Journalist Michael Segalov noted on Twitter that while walking through Finsbury Park in London on April 5 he spotted police confronting a woman who protested she was being treated unfairly.
What happened next?
"I have done nothing wrong," the woman could be heard saying on video Segalov recorded as police led her out of the park. "I'm not resisting."
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
After he followed the officers and the woman out of the park where they stopped by a pair of police vans, Segalov recounted in his Twitter thread that he was "quickly surrounded — much closer than 2 meters — by 5 male officers. They stopped me being able to keep a safe distance. I explained calmly that I'm a journalist and was documenting an incident while walking."
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
He then said Sgt. Gary Brown (3058U) got in his face and said he was "not authorized to go around videoing" before letting loose with some hollering: "You're killing people! Go home!"
"Or you get fined," another officer told Segalov.
What happened later?
According to a complaint letter filed by the ITN network, Segalov felt the officer's spittle on his face, VICE reported.
More from the outlet:
The National Police Chiefs' Council guidance on working with journalists during the coronavirus outbreak clearly states that "journalists are covered as key workers," acknowledges that there is "a public interest in keeping the population informed," and that police will "engage" with journalists if they are unsure why they are outside. Journalists are expected to follow the guidelines on social distancing, which Segalov was doing until he was surrounded.
"We are in a public health emergency, not a police state," Segalov also noted on his Twitter thread. "Surely officers must not be able to act without scrutiny, and journalists must not be aggressively stopped from documenting what they see."
VICE also said Segalov wants an investigation into Sgt. Brown and the other officers as well as a public apology.
What did police have to say?
Police told the outlet that officers were encouraging a woman who was "clearly not exercising" to leave the park when "a man, who identified himself as a journalist, began filming the interaction. The officers spoke to the man. We can confirm a complaint has been received in relation to that interaction which is currently being considered. We always expect our officers to engage with the public in a courteous and respectful manner and where this is not the case, their conduct will be reviewed and they can rightfully be held to account."
According to the Islington Gazette, vans with loudspeakers have been at parks telling people, "You should only be here for exercise. If you're not, then please go home."
Pattern emerging?
TheBlaze recently reported on several disturbing incidents regarding United Kingdom police and their actions related to coronavirus social distancing measures:
On Monday, an expletive-filled video was posted to Twitter showing a man berating "British f***ing police" who allegedly bashed through his front door "to make sure there's nothing going on" amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
Content warning: More than a few F-bombs:
The previous week, a U.K. cop was caught on video telling a man he isn't allowed to sit in his own front garden due to the government's COVID-19 lockdown.
The officer also chastised the man for wanting to go to the supermarket twice — and that she saw him out earlier after making a nonessential purchase: "You've already been to the shop once; I've seen you with two cans of pop."


theblaze--2020-04-16--Commentary: Tyrants are using the coronavirus to bully the American people. It's time to put a stop

Commentary: Tyrants are using the coronavirus to bully the American people. It's time to put a stop to it.

Commentary : Tyrants are using the coronavirus to bully the American people .
It 's time to put a stop @ @ @ @ @ the rulers .
We call the shots .

You may have thought after watching patriots in Michigan, Kentucky, and North Carolina defiantly protest their lockdown status, as well as sheriffs in Michigan telling their governor in writing that they refused to comply with her tyrannical nonsense, that the old saying “desperate times call for desperate measures" was in full effect.
But you would be wrong.
These are indeed desperate times, but what they call for is the sort of action that true citizens should have been engaged in on a regular basis before it ever got to this point. Protest and self-government isn't remotely close to a desperate measure. It's your danged birthright as an American.
I think that's what President Trump really means when he repeatedly says America wasn't built to be shut down. The context he's addressing usually relates to the economy, to be sure, but it is a transcendent notion above and beyond even that one monumental issue.
We have allowed ourselves to be bullied as citizens of a constitutional republic for far too long. This country belongs first and foremost to “We the people," but the so-called “experts" have seduced us into believing we could somehow put this entire experiment in liberty on cruise control while pursuing our various Epicurean delights and leaving the heavy lifting to others. Expert-in-Chief Anthony Fauci embodies this spirit of the age, as he simultaneously doubts we'll ever be able to shake hands again while signing off on strangers using Tinder to hook up and swap bodily fluids.
Give those others an inch, though, and they'll take a hellish mile. They did it on taxes and debt. On religious liberty. On gender. On life. And each time, instead of rubbing their nose in it like a dog who made a mess on the carpet inside, we shrugged and often re-elected them. We inverted the master/servant relationship.
What we should have been doing all along is treating these usurpers on both the political left and right as Trump treated the press pool earlier this week, with his fantastic video montage of their bias and hypocrisy. Absolutely no quarter. One reporter seemed to actually be begging for mercy when he whined, “Why would you do that?" Because you deserve it, that's why. And the tarring and feathering will continue until morale improves.
You deserved it for betraying your nation and choosing fiction over truth, just as every bureaucrat and civil servant does when they forget who they work for and what God they serve. Our rights come from Him and Him alone, and they can't be suspended or forfeited by force for any reason — including a virus that has been twisted out of all proportion to be used as a political weapon.
First China did it, and then all the power hungry little Barney Fifes and Karens in our country dialed their lust for controlling other people's lives up to 11 as well. Why wouldn't they? We've been giving up ground to them for so long that they've forgotten what a good tarring and feathering feels like. They believe us to be beneath them, and by our lack of action we have actually shown them to be effectively correct on that front.
This is a Republic, said Benjamin Franklin, if only we can keep it. That means we need to draw lines in the sand always and everywhere to protect the true nature of our relationship with government — government by the consent of the governed.
We are the rulers. We call the shots. And to that end, we are grateful the president seems ready, willing and able to return this great nation to its rightful owners. However, if you truly want to see him deliver on that instinct, don't just assume he will, or even can, do it without you. In politics, you should always hold your allies to a higher standard than your adversaries. Why expect more from those who hate you than you do those who claim otherwise? Trump is not our mosaic deliverer — we are. He is to carry out our deliverance, not initiate it.
Let us never again forget who we were destined to be as Americans and children of God. We weren't built to be shut down. We were built to rise up, and prove ourselves worthy of the lives, fortunes, and sacred honors sacrificed on our behalf, long before any of us knew what a coronavirus was.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Elon Musk shreds CNN after it reports he didn't deliver on ventilators. CNN gets nasty when he sets

Elon Musk shreds CNN after it reports he didn't deliver on ventilators. CNN gets nasty when he sets the record straight.

Elon Musk shreds CNN after it reports he did n't deliver on ventilators .
CNN gets nasty when he sets @ @ @ @

Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, mocked CNN on Thursday after it reported that Musk never made good on his promise to deliver ventilators to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
In March, Musk vowed to donate 1,000 ventilators to help California amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the details?
On Thursday, CNN reported that the governor's office said that it had not received any ventilators despite Musk's March promise.
CNN tweeted the article on Thursday, captioning it, "Three weeks after Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he had obtained more than 1,000 ventilators to help California hospitals treating patients infected with the coronavirus, the governor's office says none of the promised ventilators have been received by hospitals."
Musk, however, said that it was all a misunderstanding, and that he had delivered on his offer.
In a Twitter response, Musk fired back, "What I find most surprising is that CNN still exists."
He later tweeted at Newsom, asking him to clear up the misunderstanding, and shared screenshots of receipts that appeared to confirm that he did send the promised ventilators to California hospitals.
One screenshot appears to show a message thread between Los Angeles County Health Services' Director of System Operations and Support Services Phillip Franks.
In a March 27 message — just days after Elon made the generous offer — Franks wrote, "[The ventilators] worked great during testing today. We will put these to use tomorrow! Thanks!"
Musk later laughed, "I literally have the receipts!! This is so dumb."
CNN seemed to stand by its reporting in a Twitter response.
The Daily Caller pointed out a tweet from Matt Dornic — who is the network's vice president of communications — which seemed to mock Musk for his indignation.
Dornic wrote, "Weird to attack CNN for what the CA governor's office said — especially when your own spokespeople at Tesla didn't respond to requests for comment. Seems like your outrage should, uh, be directed at the entity that made the claim, not the one that reported it. U new to this?"
To make matters worse, Dornic then defensively dredged up an early March tweet in which Musk called the pandemic panic "dumb."
Dornic wrote, "Nearly 29k Americans have now died. Still think it's dumb @elonmusk? Or are you too busy attacking news orgs to care?"
At the time of this writing, it does not appear that CNN has updated its original story. Dornic, too, still appears to be employed.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Major League Baseball facilitates largest US coronavirus antibody study to help determine scope of C

Major League Baseball facilitates largest US coronavirus antibody study to help determine scope of COVID-19

'This is going to be unbelievable for public health policy' Major League Baseball facilitates largest US coronavirus antibody study to @ @ @ @ @ The `` Teammates '' statues of former Boston Red Sox players Ted Williams , Bobby @ @ @ @ @ Dom DiMaggio wear makeshift masks made of Red Sox merchandise on April 9 at Fenway @ @ @ @ @ Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images )

Major League Baseball is coordinating with researchers to facilitate the first large-scale coronavirus antibody study in the United States, which could be a significant first step in determining how widespread coronavirus has been and how much immunity exists in the population, according to ESPN.
What is an antibody study? Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory are working with Major League Baseball to test up to 10,000 people for the antibodies that are present in people who have previously had COVID-19.
The study should provide more information about how widespread the coronavirus has been among people who didn't get seriously sick or who were asymptomatic, and shed some light about what level of herd immunity exists.
"This is the first study of national scope where we're going to get a read on a large number of communities throughout the United States to understand how extensive the spread of the virus has been," said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, according to ESPN.
How did MLB get involved? Major League baseball is making players, employees, stadium workers, and other people available for the study, allowing for a diverse population of very public-facing people to be tested. The speed with which the MLB was able to put that sample together contributed to them being selected for the study.
"Why MLB versus other employers? I've reached out to others, but MLB moved by far the fastest," Bhattacharya told ESPN. "They've been enormously cooperative and flexible. We're trying to set up a scientific study that would normally take years to set up, and it's going to be a matter of weeks."
What's next? The study will take place this week. The tests can be quickly turned around, with results within 10 minutes, so the data can be gathered quickly for Bhattacharya and the rest of the team to study and publish the results, possibly as early as next week.


theblaze--2020-04-16--VIDEO: President Trump meets the Michigan Democrat who credited him with saving her life: Had Trump

VIDEO: President Trump meets the Michigan Democrat who credited him with saving her life: Had Trump not pushed HCQ drug, 'I wouldn't be here today.'

VIDEO : President Trump meets the Michigan Democrat who credited him with saving her life : Had Trump not pushed @ @ @ @ @ would n't be here today . '
' I was afraid for my life '

President Donald Trump on Tuesday met with the Democratic state lawmaker from Michigan who credited him with saving her life after she contracted COVID-19.
Earlier this month, state Rep. Karen Whitsett publicly thanked the president for touting the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for the infectious disease, an action she said saved her life. And during a meeting at the White House, she had the chance to thank the president in person.
"I did not know that saying 'thank you' had a political line. I didn't know that," Whitsett said. "I thought just saying 'thank you' meant 'thank you.' And I do. I sincerely appreciate that, because had you not brought [hydroxychloroquine to the forefront], I wouldn't be here today."
Whitsett, who suffers from chronic Lyme disease, describe to the president how her "nightmare" experience with the coronavirus came suddenly and aggressively.
"The breathing is what scared me the most," she recalled, according to a transcript of the meeting. "I went from 0 to 100. It was from getting tested that day on March 31st to trying to do a few things around the house, to just all of the sudden my breathing became labored.
"I was afraid — I was afraid for my life," she said noting that the surrounding hospitals were full and unable to take her in for treatment. "I honestly felt like I was going to die.
"I'm telling my story," she added. "I'm not telling anyone else's story. I'm not telling anyone else what to do. I'm telling my story and my truth, and this is how I feel and these are my words."
At one point during the meeting, Whitsett said, "it was either the medication or die."
President Trump has been supportive of using the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat and prevent COVID-19 despite warnings from some health officials that evidence of its effectiveness is anecdotal.
Late last month, Trump called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to fast-track the drug for use against COVID-19 after three separate studies found it to be potentially effective against the virus. The FDA has advised against taking any form of the drug unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, despite initially threatening physicians for prescribing it, has since requested an emergency supply of the drug for her state — a move that Whitsett said she is happy about.
Here's video of the White House meeting:


theblaze--2020-04-16--LGBTQ website says 'coronavirus is punishment for conservative Christians'

LGBTQ website says 'coronavirus is punishment for conservative Christians' The argument does n't hold up to the facts .

An LGBTQ website featured an article that states "coronavirus is punishment for conservative Christians."
LGBTQ Nation is "an online news magazine, reporting on issues relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer community." Mark Segal, who is a contributor to the site, posted an article Wednesday titled, "If HIV was God's punishment for gays, then coronavirus is punishment for conservative Christians."
Segal contends that "God must now be angry with religious people by striking the headquarters of the world's religions with the COVID-19: Rome, headquarters of Catholics; Athens, the headquarters of Greek Orthodoxy; Moscow, the headquarters of Russian orthodoxy; London, home of the Anglican communion; Mecca, home of Muslims; Jerusalem, home of Jewish faith; and Salt Lake City, home of the Mormons."
To attempt to support his argument, Segal claimed that there are fewer confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in San Francisco than other international cities that hold religious significance.
"Fundamentalists apparently consider San Francisco the capital of the LGBTQ world," Segal wrote. "Now let's compare and see what God's wrath is. San Francisco has under 1,000 cases and only 12 deaths. All of the headquarters cities of the world's major religions, religions that at one point or another have discriminated against the LGBTQ community, have more cases and more deaths than San Francisco. San Francisco is the least affected of all the cities."
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the City by the Bay has 1,012 total positive COVID-19 cases and 17 fatalities as of Wednesday. There are 1,287 confirmed coronavirus cases and 12 deaths in Salt Lake County, Utah, which has a population of 1.1 million.
While the city of San Francisco has a population near 900,000, Moscow (12.5 million), London (9.3 million), Rome (4.2 million), and Mecca (2 million) all have significantly larger populations than the California city. The country of Greece, which has a population of 10.7 million, has 2,207 COVID-19 cases and 105 deaths.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Facebook forcing users reading certain COVID-19 news to disgraced WHO: 'Could a Facebook post kill g

Facebook forcing users reading certain COVID-19 news to disgraced WHO: 'Could a Facebook post kill grandma?'

Facebook forcing users reading certain COVID-19 news to disgraced WHO : 'Could a Facebook post kill grandma ? '

Facebook will begin forcibly rerouting social media users who interact with misinformation surrounding COVID-19 to the World Health Organization's website for clarification.
The World Health Organization is under fire for its decidedly improper response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately led to deaths that likely could have been prevented from occurring.
The organization also previously made statements that appeared to mimic Chinese propaganda about the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move seemed to be an apparent cover-up attempt to avoid any Chinese culpability.
What are the details?
According to a Thursday report from NBC News, the social media giant will begin redirecting users to the WHO if they come across what it believes to be misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 crisis.
The company insisted that the action is intended to cut down on the spread of fake news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
"Users who have liked, commented on, or reacted to coronavirus information that has been flagged 'harmful' by Facebook and removed, will now be directed to a website debunking coronavirus myths from the World Health Organization," the outlet reported.
In a statement, Guy Rosen, Facebook's vice president of integrity, said the company aims to partner users with "authoritative sources" to get factual information.
"We want to connect people who may have interacted with harmful misinformation about the virus with the truth from authoritative sources in case they see or hear these claims again off of Facebook," he said.
In March, Facebook launched its own COVID-19 information resource center, which is a repository of select information from federal and local governments as well as advisories from the WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outlet reported that such an effort has resulted in at least 2 billion users having access to "reliable health resources from the WHO and other organizations."
Joan Donovan, who is director of Harvard University's Technology and Social Change Research Project, said, "Could a Facebook post kill grandma? It's more likely than ever with the lack of curation of COVID-19 information. Facebook has come a long way to change some of their product's design by implementing fact-checking, but we are seeing manipulators evolve much quicker. "
"Without a plan for robust curation and strategic amplification, we will continue to suffer the ill effects of health misinformation," Donovan added.
What else?
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that he would cease all U.S. funding for the WHO.
During a briefing, Trump said, "Today I am instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus."
In December, while some experts suspected the possibility of human-to-human transmission, both China and the WHO insisted that human-to-human transmission was not an issue.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Democratic governor admits to not considering the Bill of Rights before banning religious gatherings

Democratic governor admits to not considering the Bill of Rights before banning religious gatherings 'That 's above my pay grade @ @ @

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, admitted to Fox News host Tucker Carlson that he didn't think about the Bill of Rights before issuing an order that has resulted in people being arrested for attending religious gatherings, according to the Daily Caller.
Coronavirus-related state lockdown orders include bans on gatherings of more than 10 people, making most normal religious gatherings impossible. In a heavily Jewish community in New Jersey earlier this month, 15 people were charged for attending an Orthodox Jewish funeral.
Carlson asked Murphy about the potential constitutional considerations of an executive order that hinders religious expression. Murphy, apparently, hadn't thought about it.
"Now, the Bill of Rights, as you well know, protects Americans' right, enshrines their right to practice their religion as they see fit and to congregate together, to assemble peacefully," Carlson said. "By what authority did you nullify the Bill of Rights in issuing this order? How do you have the power to do that?"
"That's above my pay grade, Tucker," Murphy responded. "I wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights when we did this. We went to all — first of all, we looked at the data and the science …"
"I can tell," Carlson said.
As Murphy continued to return to the talking points about the need for social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, Carlson acknowledged the public health considerations but continued to press Murphy on the specific question of where he, an elected official, drew the authority to order something that directly contradicts the Bill of Rights by telling people where and how they can worship.
Murphy still didn't answer that directly, but said he had spoken to religious leaders in the state and that his policies were supported.
"Government's not allowed to tell people how to worship," Carlson said.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Churches ordered 'no singing' during livestream services unless they're in homes, California county

Churches ordered 'no singing' during livestream services unless they're in homes, California county COVID-19 restrictions say

Churches ordered 'no singing ' during livestream services unless they 're in homes , California county COVID-19 restrictions say What @ @ @ @ @ ?

A northern California county issued revised shelter-in-place orders on Good Friday that outlaw singing during livestream church services unless the services take place in residences.
What are the details?
The specifics within Mendocino County's 13-page document are found on page 8 under "Minimum Basic Operations" for "venues, such as concert halls, auditoriums, churches, temples, and playhouses, to enable a recorded and/or live-streamed event to be shared virtually with the public" — and then come the "limitations."
First off, the order states that "only four individuals may be present for the live event. All others must participate remotely," the document states.
Secondly, "Social Distancing Requirements must be maintained, include maintaining at least six feet of physical distancing from other individuals (physical distancing not required for members of the same household), frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer that is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as effective in combatting COVID-19, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, not shaking hands, and, for those who are not on camera, to wear facial coverings as much as possible," the document notes.
'No singing or use of wind instruments'
And then the powers that be get into specific activities not allowed during livestream events: "No singing or use of wind instruments, harmonicas, or other instruments that could spread COVID-19 through projected droplets shall be permitted unless the recording of the event is done at one's residence, and involving only the members of one's household or living unit, because of the increased risk of transmission of COVID-19."
Anything else?
The order is in effect until May 10 and "violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both," the document reads.
How are folks reacting?
Twitter users who got wind of the county's restrictions were none too pleased:


theblaze--2020-04-16--VIDEO: US Navy says 11 Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels 'conducted dangerous and harassing' maneu

VIDEO: US Navy says 11 Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels 'conducted dangerous and harassing' maneuvers

VIDEO : US Navy says 11 Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels 'conducted dangerous and harassing ' maneuvers On the same day @ @ @ @ @ intercepted a US Navy aircraft .

The U.S. Navy released a video of Iranian naval vessels in the North Arabian Sea and alleged that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy speedboats "conducted dangerous and harassing" maneuvers in close proximity to American ships.
On Wednesday, six U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships encountered 11 IRGC Navy ships in international waters. At one point, an armed Iranian ship came within 10 yards of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. The U.S. Navy accused the IRGC of "dangerous and provocative actions."
According to the U.S. Navy, Iranian speedboats "repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds." The Navy asserted that the IRGCN's repeated maneuvers "increased the risk of miscalculation and collision."
The Navy also stated that the Iranian boats "were not in accordance with the internationally recognized Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) 'rules of the road' or internationally recognized maritime customs, and were not in accordance with the obligation under international law to act with due regard for the safety of other vessels in the area."
The U.S. Navy crews issued multiple warnings, but the Iranian vessels did not respond. After about an hour, the Iranian ships navigated away from the U.S. vessels.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo faced questions about the incident during a Fox News interview and whether he had consulted the Pentagon about the encounter.
"We've talked as a team. We're evaluating how best to respond and how best to communicate our displeasure with what ... took place," Pompeo responded.
Iran has yet to comment on the incident.
The encounter came one day after a Hong Kong-flagged tanker was briefly detained by armed speedboats believed to be members of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. The SC Taipei chemical tanker, which was bound for Saudi Arabia, was stopped in international waters in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday. The tanker was directed into Iranian waters and then released near the Strait of Hormuz.
On the same day as the IRGC incident with U.S. ships, the Navy reported an "unsafe" and "irresponsible" encounter with a Russian fighter jet that put American pilots "at risk." On Wednesday, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft was flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. The P-8A Poseidon, which is an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft, was intercepted by a Russian SU-35 fighter jet.
The Navy claimed that the SU-35 conducted a "high-speed, inverted maneuver, 25 ft. directly in front of the mission aircraft." The intercept lasted 42 minutes and the P-8A Poseidon was "operating consistent with international law and did not provoke this Russian activity," according to the U.S. Navy.


theblaze--2020-04-16--Michigan sheriffs buck Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's restrictive orders: She's 'overstepping her executive

Michigan sheriffs buck Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's restrictive orders: She's 'overstepping her executive authority'

Four county sheriffs in Michigan have announced opposition to Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's restrictive stay-at-home orders , arguing that the governor is `` overstepping her executive authority '' amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In a news release Wednesday afternoon , the sheriffs from Manistee , Benzie , Leelanau , and Mason counties , asserted that they would not strictly enforce the governor 's orders but instead `` deal with every case as an individual situation and apply common sense in assessing the apparent violation . ''
The news came as thousands flooded the state capitol Wednesday afternoon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` While we understand her desire to protect the public , we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority , '' the release states .
`` She has created a vague framework of emergency laws that only confuse Michigan citizens . ''
Whitmer 's stay-at-home order began late last month and was initially set to expire on April 13 before it was extended until April 30 .
With the announcement of the extension , Whitmer also added further restrictions to the order , which previously required all residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform essential work or pick up food and supplies .
The new restrictions prohibited residents from traveling between two residences within the state .
Residents were given until April 10 to travel to one of their residences and after that they were required to stay there .
Also under the new order , large stores were required to limit occupancy in their stores to no more than four customers for every 1,000 square feet .
The cohort of sheriffs also stressed that their efforts would be on protecting their residents ' God-given rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us took an oath to uphold and defend the Michigan Constitution , as well as the U.S. Constitution , and to ensure that your God given rights are not violated , '' the sheriffs said .
`` We believe that we are the last line of defense in protecting your civil liberties . ''
They also said that the statewide focus should be on `` reopening our counties and getting people back to work . ''
They noted that this could be done while still operating under U.S. Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks .
Whitmer 's leadership is clearly being called into question as a result of her actions since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak .
A petition to remove her from office has been picking up steam since it was launched earlier this week .
It now has over 250,000 signatures .
Whitmer addressed the protest during an appearance on MSNBC , telling Joy Reid that the protesters who attended were endangering the lives of Michiganders .
Many of them were not wearing masks and some were handing out candy to children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was n't really about the stay-at-home order at all .
It was essentially a political rally , a political statement that flies in the face of all of the science , all of the best practices in the stay-at-home order that was issued , '' she said .
`` This was a political rally ... .
that is going to endanger people 's lives because this is precisely how COVID-19 spreads . ''
This article has been updated to include the governor 's response .

Four county sheriffs in Michigan have announced opposition to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's restrictive stay-at-home orders, arguing that the governor is "overstepping her executive authority" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the sheriffs from Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, and Mason counties, asserted that they would not strictly enforce the governor's orders but instead "deal with every case as an individual situation and apply common sense in assessing the apparent violation."
The news came as thousands flooded the state capitol Wednesday afternoon in protest of Whitmer's executive orders.
"While we understand her desire to protect the public, we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority," the release states. "She has created a vague framework of emergency laws that only confuse Michigan citizens."
Whitmer's stay-at-home order began late last month and was initially set to expire on April 13 before it was extended until April 30. With the announcement of the extension, Whitmer also added further restrictions to the order, which previously required all residents to remain at home unless traveling to perform essential work or pick up food and supplies.
The new restrictions prohibited residents from traveling between two residences within the state. Residents were given until April 10 to travel to one of their residences and after that they were required to stay there. Also under the new order, large stores were required to limit occupancy in their stores to no more than four customers for every 1,000 square feet.
The cohort of sheriffs also stressed that their efforts would be on protecting their residents' God-given rights and constitutional freedoms.
"Each of us took an oath to uphold and defend the Michigan Constitution, as well as the U.S. Constitution, and to ensure that your God given rights are not violated," the sheriffs said. "We believe that we are the last line of defense in protecting your civil liberties."
They also said that the statewide focus should be on "reopening our counties and getting people back to work." They noted that this could be done while still operating under U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines such as washing hands and wearing masks.
Whitmer's leadership is clearly being called into question as a result of her actions since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. A petition to remove her from office has been picking up steam since it was launched earlier this week. It now has over 250,000 signatures.
Whitmer addressed the protest during an appearance on MSNBC, telling Joy Reid that the protesters who attended were endangering the lives of Michiganders. Many of them were not wearing masks and some were handing out candy to children with bare hands, she said.
"It wasn't really about the stay-at-home order at all. It was essentially a political rally, a political statement that flies in the face of all of the science, all of the best practices in the stay-at-home order that was issued," she said. "This was a political rally.... that is going to endanger people's lives because this is precisely how COVID-19 spreads."
This article has been updated to include the governor's response.