theblaze--2020-06-18--Taco Bell reportedly fires worker over Black Lives Matter face mask because it was against policy. C

Taco Bell reportedly fires worker over Black Lives Matter face mask because it was against policy. Company says it's not.

Taco Bell reportedly fires worker over Black Lives Matter face mask because it was against policy .
Company says it @ @ @

A former Taco Bell employee says the local restaurant where he worked fired him after he refused to take off his Black Lives Matter face mask during work.
A spokesperson for the company, however, says that Black Lives Matter masks are not against company policy.
What are the details?
The employee, 29-year-old Denzel Skinner, filmed his alleged experience in a video posted to Twitter.
Skinner had reportedly worked at the Youngstown, Ohio, Taco Bell for eight years and was a night shift manager before being terminated.
Skinner's post has gone viral and has sparked protests at the local franchise.
In the one-minute video shared to Twitter, Skinner can be heard having a discussion with an off-screen, unidentified female about the mask.
The female can be heard telling Skinner that he is not permitted to "bring politics into the building," but he disagrees. Skinner responds by telling the woman "This is what I'm standing for. ... I'm standing up for my people."
The female tells Skinner that he doesn't "get it" and says that she doesn't have a problem with the mask or the movement, but that rather it's a "company thing."
Skinner shared a follow-up video on Facebook, where he said he was asked to leave the restaurant and was advised to "not come back."
He also told WFMJ-TV that the company mandated mask-wearing on May 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the verbiage in the company's new policy did not stipulate what types of masks were permitted.
"It just said we have to wear a mask," Skinner recalled.
"If the governor and governments are requiring us to wear masks, we should be able to wear any type of mask that you want," he reasoned. "And not only that, I still want everyone to believe that we still need justice for what is happening in this world and people need to be held accountable for whatever mistakes that they make. Black lives are going to always matter. Not just when some people want it to matter. It will always matter."
Following outcry about Skinner's alleged firing, at least 30 people convened at the Taco Bell franchise to protest the incident.
Has Taco Bell responded?
A company spokesperson said Taco Bell was "disappointed to learn about the incident" and promised that it was working with the franchisee who operates the location "to understand what happened."
The company added that it is "committed to fighting racial injustice and are hosting open forums to give restaurant teams an opportunity to discuss racism in America."
Taco Bell pointed out that masks are certainly mandatory for restaurant employees, and the employees are asked to supply their own masks for work.
The station also reported on the restaurant's policy:
Masks are required not only by the states but by Taco Bell and KFC. They must be worn properly at all times. We have been receiving multiple guest complaints about employees wearing masks under their chins or not over their nose. Team, I know it's hot and uncomfortable but unfortunately, this is what has to be done. Not wearing your mask correctly is grounds for termination. Businesses are under a microscope right now, and we must follow the rules ... masks/gloves/food safety!!!
On Thursday, Taco Bell announced that it would permit employees to wear Black Lives Matter masks while working.
"We believe Black Lives Matter. We were disappointed to learn about the incident that took place in Youngstown, OH," a spokesperson for Taco Bell told USA Today. "We take this very seriously; we have been working closely with our franchisee that operates this location to address the issue."
The statement added, "Our goal is to ensure our policies are inclusive and keep our team members and customers safe. While our policies at restaurants do not prohibit Team Members from wearing Black Lives Matter masks, we are working to clarify our mask policy so this doesn't happen again."


theblaze--2020-06-18--Steven Crowder: 'FELONY MURDER?! We are now all 'extremists'

Steven Crowder : 'FELONY MURDER ?
!
We are now all 'extremists '

According to the mob, a drunk guy can pass out in a Wendy's drive-thru, fail a breathalyzer, and resist arrest. Then, he can punch a cop, steal his stun gun, and aim the weapon at the police officer.
A drunk man with priors can do all of that and not expect to get shot?
The state of Georgia charged fired Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe with felony murder on Wednesday. Here's a "fun" fact: In the state of Georgia, felony murder carries a maximum penalty of death.
Steven Crowder went off on the court's decision to charge Rolfe with felony murder. "This is the line in the sand..."
(Content warning: Rough language):
FELONY MURDER?! We are now all 'extremists'...
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theblaze--2020-06-18--Former player renews claim that embattled coach Mike Gundy called him the N-word nearly 31 years ago

Former player renews claim that embattled coach Mike Gundy called him the N-word nearly 31 years ago Gundy already is @ @ @ @ @ shirt

Former NFL player Alfred Williams has renewed a claim that embattled Oklahoma State University football coach Mike Gundy twice called him the N-word when their college teams played in a 1989 game, the Oklahoman reported.
Gundy is already under fire in the wake of OSU star running back Chuba Hubbard saying he'd boycott his team after a CBS Sports reporter shared a photo of Gundy wearing a T-shirt bearing the insignia of controversial conservative news outlet OAN, or One America News. Later, Gundy and Hubbard posted a joint video statement featuring the coach promising changes and the player apologizing for the way he handled the situation.
The coach also issued a second apology video Tuesday:
OSU Coach Mike Gundy apologizes in video for wearing controversial t-shirt youtu.be
What are the details of Williams' allegation?
Williams was an All-American linebacker for the University of Colorado, and Gundy was the quarterback for Oklahoma State. Williams— now 51 — was one of several Colorado players who, after their 41-17 win, said Gundy used the racial slur, ESPN reported.
"I remember that it was the first time that the University of Colorado beat Oklahoma State while I was there," Williams told the Oklahoman in a phone interview Wednesday night. "It was a big win. It really was a big win. And I remember Mike Gundy called me the N-word. That's what I remember."
Williams said Gundy called him the N-word while he was walking off the OSU field before halftime and during the second half, the paper said.
More from the paper:
The Daily Oklahoman's story from Nov. 12, 1989, addressed the accusations in the bottom half of the game story with six paragraphs, including Colorado's Kanavis McGhee, Bruce Young and Okland Salavea all joining Williams in saying Gundy used racial comments.
"He said it to me and a couple of other guys on the field," McGhee said at the time. "It got me real upset. Here's a guy in the spotlight all the time, to say something like that is not cool at all. All it did was fire us up."
Gundy emphatically denied the accusations to The Daily Oklahoman reporter Mac Bentley.
"I didn't say it," Gundy said. "It's just not true. I've been here four years, and well over half of my friends are black. I just did not say that; I wouldn't say something like that."
The Oklahoman said an OSU official declined comment on the renewed allegation Wednesday night. ESPN said Gundy hasn't addressed Williams' latest allegation, and a spokesperson told the sports network Thursday that Oklahoma State's athletic department would have no comment at this time.
What else did Williams say?
Williams told the Oklahoman that Wednesday was the first time he'd seen Gundy's response after the 1989 game, and that brought up painful memories.
"I want an apology from him, and I want to see him have some growth," Williams told the paper, adding that he doesn't want Gundy fired. "If he denies that he said [that], I have at least 20 people who will vouch for what happened that day. I'm a little upset, because after 31 years I finally saw the story published in your papers out in Oklahoma. That was the first time I saw some of the responses to what I said. In the St. Louis Dispatch he said, 'Look at the University of Colorado and its players. They got rapists.'"
Sports Illustrated in February 1989 examined the rise in crime connected to Colorado players as the program improved on the field, the Oklahoman noted.
"Wait a minute," Williams shot back to the paper. "What does that have to do with Alfred Williams or anything? I'm not part of any one of those SI stories, or I wasn't part of anything like that. As a matter of fact, I'm part of the College Football Hall of Fame. So why would I be part of anything that is dishonorable? The fact that he tried to discredit me, it's 31 years later, and I just saw the article for the first time today, so, yeah, I'm a little upset."
He also told the Oklahoman that he's discouraged at least four high school coaches of college recruits from sending their players to OSU — and all of them chose other schools.
Williams added to the paper that he was surprised when Gundy was promoted to head coach 15 years ago.
"It's incredible, right, because the way I look at it was Oklahoma State must have done their due diligence before hiring him and thought he was an appropriate coach for them after everything that was alleged by me and validated by my teammates," he recounted to the Oklahoman. "They still hired him, so whatever."
Williams went on to play for the Denver Broncos, which won two Super Bowls during his career, the Oklahoman said, adding that he's spent the past 17 years as a broadcaster.


theblaze--2020-06-18--Leah Remini warns Danny Masterson rape charges are 'just the beginning' of a reckoning for the Churc

Leah Remini warns Danny Masterson rape charges are 'just the beginning' of a reckoning for the Church of Scientology

Leah Remini warns Danny Masterson rape charges are 'just the beginning ' of a reckoning for the Church of Scientology

Actress and activist Leah Remini warned the Church of Scientology that the announcement of rape charges against member Danny Masterson are "just the beginning" of a reckoning for the organization.
Masterson, known for his acting roles in the sitcoms "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch," was charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003 by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office Wednesday. If convicted, he could face 45 years to life in prison, the district attorney's office said in a news release.
The charges against Masterson followed allegations made in 2017 when the victims, who were also Scientologists, reported the crimes to the organization. Four women subsequently sued Masterson, the Church of Scientology, and its controversial leader David Miscavige for allegedly stalking them and attempting to obstruct law enforcement's investigation into their claims.
Remini, who has become one of Scientology's most outspoken critics since leaving the organization in 2013, featured two of the victims in the finale of her A&E documentary series, "Scientology and the Aftermath."
"Finally, victims are being heard when it comes to Scientology!" Remini tweeted in response to news of the charges against Masterson. "This is just the beginning Scientology, your days of getting away with it is coming to an end!"
In the finale, one of the alleged victims, Crissie Bixler, a former girlfriend of Masterson's, described a 2001 incident in which she said that she blacked out after they went out for dinner. Upon waking the next morning she described being in pain and feeling like she had been poisoned.
When she asked Masterson what happened, "He started laughing and said, 'I had sex with you,'" Bixler claimed. She then remembered asking, "Was I unconscious?" to which Masterson reportedly replied, "Yes."
Bixler, who joined the Church of Scientology when she began dating Masterson, said that she was turned away when she reported the incident to an official in the organization.
"It's not rape if you've been in a consensual relationship," Bixler recalled the official told her, though the organization has denied that Bixler ever approached anyone within it about her accusations.
Video of Bixler's comments are included in the Huffington Post's report on the charges against Masterson.
Another alleged victim, Bobette Riales, also spoke out during the episode. The two other plaintiffs in the lawsuit were not interviewed because of their desire to remain anonymous.
Masterson's arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 18.


theblaze--2020-06-18--Bruce Springsteen goes on the attack against President Trump's COVID-19 response: 'Put on a f***ing

Bruce Springsteen goes on the attack against President Trump's COVID-19 response: 'Put on a f***ing mask'

Bruce Springsteen goes on the attack against President Trump 's COVID-19 response : 'Put on a f***ing mask' The rocker @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic has been a 'national disgrace '

Bruce Springsteen ripped President Donald Trump for not wearing a face mask and for the "shamed response" to the coronavirus pandemic "from our leaders."
Springsteen proclaimed that he was "pissed off" over the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak and made critical remarks about President Trump on Wednesday during his E Street Radio show on SiriusXM.
"Now I had another show prepared for broadcast this week, on this strange and eventful summer," Springsteen said. "But with a 100,000-plus Americans dying over the last few months, and the empty shamed response from our leaders, I've been simply pissed off.
"Those lives deserve better than just being inconvenient statistics for our president's re-election efforts," the singer-songwriter continued. "It's a national disgrace.
"I'm going to start out by sending one to the man sitting behind the Resolute Desk. With all respect, sir, show some consideration and care for your countrymen and your country," Springsteen told Trump. "Put on a f***ing mask."
Then "The Boss" played Bob Dylan's 1989 song "The Disease of Conceit."
(Content warning:Profanity):
Bruce Springsteen on Bob Dylan's "Disease of Conceit" www.youtube.com
President Trump has purposely not worn face coverings during the COVID-19 outbreak. The one time Trump was spotted wearing a face mask was during a tour of a Ford Motor Co. plant in Michigan last month.
Trump admitted that he was not wearing a face covering to annoy the media.
"I wore one in this back area, but I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it," Trump told reporters following his tour of the Ford plant that would make ventilators in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Springsteen has been a steadfast adversary of President Trump. Last October, Springsteen said Trump "doesn't have a grasp of the deep meaning of what it means to be an American."
In 2017, the progressive rocker released a song titled, "That's What Makes Us Great," that blasted the president.
Springsteen opened a February 2017 concert in Australia by saying, "We stand before you embarrassed Americans tonight." The quote was a reference to President Trump's self-described "tough" phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull regarding a "dumb" Obama administration agreement to take in refugees from a detention center.
Springsteen was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election. A day before Clinton lost the election to Trump, Springsteen performed at a rally for the Democratic candidate.
"This is a man whose vision is limited to little beyond himself, who has the profound lack of decency that would allow him to prioritize his own interests and ego before American democracy itself," Springsteen told the crowd in Philadelphia on Nov. 8, 2016. "Somebody who would be willing to damage our long-cherished and admired system rather than look to himself for the reasons behind his own epic failure. And that's unforgivable. Tomorrow, those ideas and that campaign is going down."


theblaze--2020-06-18--Bye-bye, Uncle Ben's: Company ditching long-running branding for social justice — and 2 more big bra

Bye-bye, Uncle Ben's: Company ditching long-running branding for social justice — and 2 more big brands are following suit

Bye-bye , Uncle Ben 's : Company ditching long-running branding for social justice — and 2 more big brands are @ @

Uncle Ben's rice is set to overhaul its branding as a part of the company's stance against racism and support for inclusivity.
What are the details?
Uncle Ben's parent company, Mars Inc., says it will remove "Uncle Ben" from its product packaging in order to recognize racial stereotypes in advertising.
The rice has been sold in the United States under the Uncle Ben's brand since 1947.
Mars Inc. made the announcement Wednesday, saying that the time was nigh to make such a decision about the brand's evolution.
"Racism has no place in society," a portion of the company's statement read. "We stand in solidarity with the Black community, or Associates, and our partners in the fight for social justice. We know to make the systemic change needed, it's going to take a collective effort from all of us — individuals, communities, and organizations of all sizes around the world."
The company did not detail precisely what will happen to the look or the name of the brand.
Uncle Ben's took form in the 1940s and was modeled after a black Chicago waiter by the name of Frank Brown, and named after a well-known Texas rice farmer known as "Uncle Ben."
Earlier on Wednesday, Quaker Oats announced that the branding of Aunt Jemima's breakfast syrup and pancake mix — a 130-year-old brand — would be no more due to its role in perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Anything else?
Cream of Wheat is now considering making a similar move, and removing its package branding, which features a black male chef.
In a statement, Cream of Wheat's parent company, B&G Foods, Inc., said that the company is conducting a review of the branding.
"B&G Foods, Inc. today announced that we are initiating an immediate review of the Cream of Wheat brand packaging," the company said in a Wednesday statement. "We understand there are concerns regarding the Chef image, and we are committed to evaluating our packaging and will proactively take steps to ensure that we and our brands do not inadvertently contribute to systemic racism."
Cream of Wheat isn't the only one: Mrs. Butterworth's breakfast syrup, which features a woman as its brand face, is also considering making a similar concession. Conagra Brands, the parent company of Mrs. Butterworth's, made a Wednesday statement about the brand's future:
The Mrs. Butterworth's brand, including its syrup packaging, is intended to evoke the images of a loving grandmother. We stand in solidarity with our Black and Brown communities and we can see that our packaging may be interpreted in a way that is wholly inconsistent with our values.
We understand that our actions help play an important role in eliminating racial bias and as a result, we have begun a complete brand and packaging review on Mrs. Butterworth's.
It's heartbreaking and unacceptable that racism and racial injustices exist around the world. We will be part of the solution. Let's work together to progress toward change.


theblaze--2020-06-18--DA says Rayshard Brooks was not a threat when he shot Taser at police, charges cop with murder. But

DA says Rayshard Brooks was not a threat when he shot Taser at police, charges cop with murder. But 2 weeks ago he said 'a Taser is considered a deadly weapon.'

DA says Rayshard Brooks was not a threat when he shot Taser at police , charges cop with murder .
@ @ @ @ @ said ' a Taser is considered a deadly weapon . '

Fulton Country District Attorney Paul Howard announced felony murder charges Wednesday against Garrett Rolfe, the white police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks last week in a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta.
Rolfe and fellow officer Devin Brosnan had responded to the scene when Brooks was found sleeping in his car in the Wendy's drive-thru line. Bodycam and surveillance video show the officers calmly communicating with Brooks for about 40 minutes, during which a field sobriety test was administered.
But as the officers attempted to arrest Brooks, he resisted. He grabbed the Taser from one of the officers and began to run. Moments before he was shot, Brooks pointed the stun gun back at the officers.
A Taser is a 'deadly weapon'
Yet when announcing charges, Howard told reporters that Brooks "never presented himself as a threat" and "never displayed any aggressive behavior."
Howard's claims seem at odds with his own argument about Tasers just two weeks ago, when he acknowledged that "a Taser is considered as a deadly weapon under Georgia law."
That statement was made as Howard announced charges against Atlanta police officers who employed Tasers while making an arrest during the George Floyd protests in the city.
In the immediate aftermath of the Brooks shooting, TheBlaze's Leon Wolf pointed out that the case would likely hinge on whether or not a Taser was considered a deadly weapon.
"Ultimately, this is what a prosecutor and a jury will have to answer: Was it reasonable for the police officer to fear imminent death or serious bodily harm when he discharged his weapon?" Wolf wrote.
In this case, Howard's own words may haunt him in his prosecution.
Anything else?
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was reportedly blindsided by Howard's announcement of the charges. The agency posted on social media after the district attorney's news conference that its investigation was still undergoing and that it was not consulted on the charges.
Howard is also reportedly under investigation by the agency for potentially using a nonprofit to funnel city of Atlanta funds to supplement his salary.
Following the announcement of charges against Rolfe, who was also promptly fired from the police department after the incident, large groups of Atlanta police officers have allegedly walked out. Though the Atlanta Police Department denied reports of similar activity on Wednesday.


theblaze--2020-06-19--'Some people work': Dan Crenshaw burns Beto O'Rourke for claiming Texas reopened too soon

'Some people work ' : Dan Crenshaw burns Beto O'Rourke for claiming Texas reopened too soon

Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw shut down fellow Texan and former congressman Beto O'Rourke (D) on Thursday, after the Democrat attacked Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for reopening the state following months of citizens being unable to earn a living due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Crenshaw made his point to O'Rourke — who is also a failed senatorial and presidential candidate — by reminding him that "some people work."
What are the details?
O'Rourke tweeted, "Against advice of public health experts Abbott reopened too soon, put Texans in harm's way (especially African Americans, Latinos & low-wage workers), won't let cities manage increased health risk by requiring masks & now blames young people for record level of hospitalizations."
He argued the situation is "a case of those who believe government is the problem making government the problem," telling his followers, "What can we do? Stay home when possible, wear masks when we leave the house, follow public health guidance & register, organize, & vote to elect a new government in Texas."
But Crenshaw wasn't having it.
The Republican replied, "Let me get this straight Beto: you think lockdowns help low wage workers? You mean all those who lost their jobs because of universal lockdowns that you advocate for?"
Crenshaw then pointed out: "Not everyone lives in a nice mansion. Some people work. And they're not gonna let you keep them captive to fear."
Crenshaw's dig was not overtly personal, but could certainly be interpreted as such. Regardless, it served as a signal flagging O'Rourke's privilege.
Newsweek reported that O'Rourke, a radical leftist, was one of the most wealthy members of Congress when he served in the House of Representatives. The outlet noted that according to the New York Times, he is married to the daughter of a billionaire, so Crenshaw's comments served as a reminder that O'Rourke is not living in the same world as those for whom he purports to advocate.
But O'Rourke is aware of that. In 2018, the former congressman told The Associated Press, "I was very fortunate, and I recognize that a lot of people don't have that same fortune."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Minnesota city mulls removing 'chief' from job titles, saying term is offensive to Native Americans

Minnesota city mulls removing 'chief ' from job titles , saying term is offensive to Native Americans No more 'chief @ @ @ @ @ 'chief ' ?

The city council of Duluth, Minnesota, is considering removing the word "chief" from the job titles of top administrators at the urging of the mayor, who says the term is offensive to indigenous people.
What are the details?
The Star Tribune reported that during a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Emily Larson "implored City Council members to vote to approve the change next week 'so that we have more inclusive leadership and less language that is rooted in hurt and offensive, intentional marginalization.'"
Alicia Kozlowski, the city's community relations officer and a member of the Grand Portage and Fond du Lac Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa, is on board with the initiative. She told the outlet, "I think there are other titles that we have the opportunity to use to steer away from language that may put people down based off their race or culture."
Kozlowski said the term "chief" is used as "a racial epithet, and it turns into a microaggression."
The specific measure up for consideration before the council on Monday would change the title of the city's chief administrative officer to "City Administrator," and the title of the chief financial officer would become "finance director."
Mayor Larson said the city is also looking at changing the titles of their police and fire chiefs.
Fox News reported that "Larson who was elected the city's first female mayor in 2015, called for the city's legal foundation to be tweaked with more 'gender-neutral language to better reflect that the mayor is not going to be a man."
Anything else?
There has been a movement for years to change the mascots of sports teams named after Native Americans for the same concerns over cultural sensitivity, and several high schools have made such a switch across the country.
But professional teams such as the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins and MLB's Cleveland Indians have resisted calls to start over with their brands.
One concern about removing the word "chief" from certain professional job titles incrementally is that it could cause confusion regarding positions, as Larson noted in her news conference.
The Star Tribune reported that the title of "police chief," for instance, "is used by professional law enforcement associations and to refer to those in comparable public safety roles elsewhere, which makes finding a suitable replacement more challenging" since applicants may not be familiar with the seniority level of the new title.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Fox News poll of registered voters says Biden has increased his lead to 12% over President Trump

Fox News poll of registered voters says Biden has increased his lead to 12 % over President Trump

A new Fox News poll of registered voters says that Joe Biden has widened his lead to 12% over incumbent President Donald Trump.
The poll results were released on Thursday.
That is a slight shift from the results in May, when the president was trailing Biden by 8%. The poll indicates that the president lost 2% of support while the presumptive Democratic nominee gained 2% of support, compared to the May result.
Fear and enthusiasm
There is one metric in which the president trounces Biden: Enthusiasm. The poll found that Biden supporters were motivated nearly twice as much by fear of Trump as by enthusiasm for Biden, 63% to 31%, respectively.
That index was flipped for the president. Many more supporters were motivated by enthusiasm for voting for Trump than were motivated by fear of Biden, 62% to 33%, respectively.
"Negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and anger, can be powerful motivators for political participation," said Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll. "The lack of enthusiasm for Biden, however, does create an opening for Trump to define him as out of touch and not up to the task."
Trump approval stays steady
The president's approval rating stayed at 44% despite losing points to Biden in the head-to-head matchup. Another 55% said they disapproved of the president's performance.
The poll also found that more Americans saw Biden as respectful in the face of the Black Lives Matter protests and riots and the coronavirus pandemic.
The president lashed out at a previous CNN poll that showed Biden beating him by 14% in June, and many expect that he will similarly react to this poll from Fox News.
Here's more about the current election polling:


theblaze--2020-06-19--Chick-fil-A CEO suggests white people shine the shoes of black people to express 'shame' over racism

Chick-fil-A CEO suggests white people shine the shoes of black people to express 'shame ' over racism

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy suggested during a church service that one way for white people to atone for racism in the United States is to shine the shoes of black people, to express their "shame."
What are the details?
Cathy sat down for a televised discussion at Atlanta's Passion City Church on Sunday with Pastor Louie Giglio and rapper Lecrae to engage in what the church described as "an open and honest conversation around how racism has plagued our city for generations, and the steps we can all take to confront it head-on in our church, our neighborhoods, and our hearts."
The CEO shared a story told to him about a revival that happened in Texas, where a young man at the service who was "gripped with conviction about the racism that was happening" in the small town expressed his conviction by kneeling down before an elderly African American man and shining the gentleman's shoes.
Cathy said "the tears began to flow in that service."
"So I invite folks to just put some words to action here," Cathy said, standing up and walking over to Lecrae with a shoe brush in hand. As he knelt down before the rapper, the CEO continued, "If we need to find somebody that needs to have their shoes shined, we just need to go right on over and shine their shoes and whether they got tennis shoes on or not, maybe they got sandals on, it really doesn't matter. But there's a time at which we need to have, you know, some personal action here. Maybe we need to give them a hug, too."
After sharing a hug, Cathy walked back to his seat as Lecrae joked, "And some stock in Chick-fil-A."
Remaining serious, Cathy held up his brush and explained, "I bought about 1,500 of these and I gave them to all of our Chick-fil-A operators and staff a number of years ago and so any expressions of a contrite heart, of a sense of humility, a sense of shame, a sense of embarrassment, but yet with an apologetic heart, I think that's what our world needs to hear today."


theblaze--2020-06-20--Navy will not reinstate USS Roosevelt captain, who authored leaked email pleading for COVID-19 help

Navy will not reinstate USS Roosevelt captain , who authored leaked email pleading for COVID-19 help An initial probe into @ @ @ @ @ .
Brett Crozier should get his job back

The U.S. Navy announced Friday that the former captain of the coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt will not get his job back, despite an earlier investigation that recommended he be returned to the helm.
What are the details?
A press release from Naval Operations reported that Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday determined that ousted Capt. Brett Crozier "will not be re-instated" as commander officer of the ship, after reviewing "the results of the command investigation into the events surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt."
The media alert also announced a delay in the promotion of Crozier's boss, saying consideration "of Rear Adm. Stuart Baker for a second star has been delayed pending further examination."
MarketWatch reported the decision as "a stunning reversal" that serves as "confirmation of concerns expressed by top Pentagon officials who demanded a deeper investigation last month when the initial probe recommended Crozier's reinstatement as the ship's captain."
Gilday himself had endorsed the reinstatement of Crozier a few months ago, but said Friday that if Crozier had not been let go earlier he would be relieved of duty today.
According to Military.com, Gilday said Friday, "Had I known then what I know today, I would have not made that recommendation." He continued, "In reviewing both [Rear Adm. Stuart] Baker and Crozier's actions, they did not do enough soon enough to fulfill their primary obligation."
Fox News reported that "the Navy stressed Crozier was not released from duty for the email or for firing the red flare about the outbreak on his ship. However, the Navy concluded that Crozier had multiple opportunities to alert his chain of command to his concerns before writing the leaked email. Also on the email he only addressed fellow aviators, leaving off a key submariner who is in his chain of command."
Capt. Crozier was removed from his command of the USS Roosevelt in early April after the media obtained an email he wrote to senior military officials, begging for help for his sailors amid a spreading COVID-19 outbreak on the aircraft carrier.
Then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who fired Crozier, flew to Guam—where the ship was docked—shortly thereafter and delivered a speech to the crew wherein he said Crozier was either "naive" or "stupid" if he thought his email would not go public. Modly resigned the day after his speech.
In Gilday's endorsement accompanying the investigation on Friday, he wrote, "I make this decision fully recognizing that his email, which was leaked to the media and is the genesis of this investigation, was sent with the well-being of the crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as his top concern. Also I am mindful that the actions of those involved must be considered with the understanding of the unprecedented nature of the challenge, the fast-pace of the crisis, and the difficulties involved with evolving guidance."
However, Gilday added, "It is clear to me following this investigation, Capt. Crozier did not act according to the standards I expect of our commanding officers — to adapt in the face of adversity, exercise ingenuity and creativity in crisis, demonstrate resilience, communicate effectively up the chain of command, and to take bold and appropriate action early and often."


theblaze--2020-06-20--Trump breaks with Dr. Fauci over football — says the NFL season will go on

Trump breaks with Dr. Fauci over football — says the NFL season will go on 'They are planning a very @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump publicly contradicted his own coronavirus task force expert over the issue of whether professional football should be played despite the coronavirus risks.
"Tony Fauci has nothing to do with NFL Football. They are planning a very safe and controlled opening," the president tweeted.
"However, if they don't stand for our National Anthem and our Great American Flag, I won't be watching!!!" he added.
The president was responding to Fauci opining that it was too risky to play the NFL season during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall," Fauci said on Thursday.
Several football players have admitted to testing positive for coronavirus, including Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys and several Houston Texans players.
The NFL has said that they are still negotiating how the league can have a season while respecting social distancing guidelines as much as possible.
Fauci has also said that his meetings with the president have decreased in number since the nationwide unrest from the George Floyd protests and rioting.
Here's more about the future of the NFL season:


theblaze--2020-06-19--Atlanta DA who charged officer with felony murder is seeking reelection while under criminal investi

Atlanta DA who charged officer with felony murder is seeking reelection while under criminal investigation

Fulton Country District Attorney Paul Howard shocked the nation when he charged Officer Garrett Rolfe with felony murder in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) had finished its investigation into the matter.
On the radio program Friday, Glenn Beck argued that Howard is using the emotions of the African American community to try and salvage his troubled political career.
Howard is currently under criminal investigation by the GBI for allegedly using his nonprofit to take at least $140,000 in Atlanta taxpayer dollars. Additionally, he is facing the latest in a string of sexual harassment allegations and has been accused of 12 public disclosure violations by the state ethics commission.
"The Atlanta DA, Paul Howard, is fighting for his political life," Glenn said. "He's currently under investigation, by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, for his alleged use of a nonprofit to funnel at least $140,000 in city of Atlanta funds to supplement his salary. Oh, yeah. And he's also facing multiple sexual harassment lawsuits. This guy is a prince. And then there's this: The State Ethics Commission is alleging that Howard committed a dozen violations of public disclosure law. An investigation allegedly reveals violations spanning for five years.
"It kind of puts into perspective why this guy is using the emotions of African-Americans to go so tough on the cops," he added.
Watch the video below for more details:
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theblaze--2020-06-19--McEnany throws CNN's record back at Jim Acosta after he accuses Trump of 'exploiting children'

McEnany throws CNN 's record back at Jim Acosta after he accuses Trump of 'exploiting children' The White House press @ @ @ @ @ difference between fake news and satire

CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta accused President Donald Trump of "exploiting children" by sharing a satirical video on social media this week, leading White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany to remind the journalist that his own employer was forced to pay up for actually smearing a kid using a fake news narrative.
What are the details?
On Thursday, President Trump shared a clearly satirical video on Twitter making fun of CNN's reputation for consistently presenting stories in an anti-Trump spin. The clip begins with a white toddler chasing a black toddler with made-up CNN chryons such as "TERRIFIED TODDLER RUNS FROM RACIST BABY" and "RACIST BABY PROBABY A TRUMP VOTER."
The video then cuts to "what actually happened," and shows the two adorable tikes embracing.
Acosta brought up the video during a White House press briefing on Friday, asking McEnany, "Why is the president sharing fake videos on Twitter about two toddlers who are obviously showing a lot of love for one another? It seems as though he's exploiting children to make some sort of crass political point."
"He was making a point about CNN, specifically," the press secretary replied. "He was making a point that CNN has regularly taken him out of context, that in 2019 CNN misleading aired a clip from one viewpoint repeatedly to falsely accuse the Covington boys of being 'students in MAGA gear harassing a Native American elder.'"
"That's a harassing video, a misleading video about children that had really grave consequences for their future," McEnany added, in a reminder to Acosta that CNN settled a $275 million defamation suit brought by Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandman.
Acosta pressed, "So, you're saying it's OK to exploit two toddlers hugging one another on a sidewalk to make some sort of political point," and asked, "When you share fake videos like that, doesn't that make you fake news?"
McEnany explained, "I think the president was making a satirical point that was quite funny if you go and actually watch the video. The point is, it was a play on CNN repeatedly taking the president out of context."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Tulsa mayor rescinds curfew for Trump rally; court denies request filed by local attorneys to impose

Tulsa mayor rescinds curfew for Trump rally; court denies request filed by local attorneys to impose social distancing standards on the event

Tulsa mayor rescinds curfew for Trump rally ; court denies request filed by local attorneys to impose social distancing standards @ @ @

A judge ruled against a bid to impose social distancing rules on a planned Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the mayor rescinded a curfew to allow supporters to wait in line overnight.
The two developments mean the Trump campaign rally is likely to go on as planned, in defiance of those warning that it might lead to a rise in coronavirus cases.
"Last night, I enacted a curfew at the request of Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, following consultation with the United States Secret Service based on intelligence they had received," said Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, on Friday. "Today, we were told the curfew is no longer necessary so I am rescinding it."
The president thanked the mayor in a tweet from his official account.
"I just spoke to the highly respected Mayor of Tulsa, G.T. Bynum, who informed me there will be no curfew tonight or tomorrow for our many supporters attending the #MAGA Rally," said the president.
The court sides with Trump rally
Also on Friday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court denied a request that social distancing guidelines be ordered on the attendees of the rally in order to prevent it from becoming a "super spreader" event. The lawsuit was filed by two local Tulsa attorneys allegedly on behalf of the entire community.
Attorneys for the BOK Center, where the rally will be held, argued that their guidelines were sufficient and that the plaintiffs had not proven that they would be directly impacted.
The rally was planned for Friday, but the campaign moved it to Saturday after receiving criticism for holding the rally on Juneteenth, a historical holiday commemorating the day when slaves who were held in the confederacy were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation.
Officials expect approximately 200,000 to come to Tulsa for the rally, while the BOK Center seats about 19,000.
Here's more about the Tulsa rally:


theblaze--2020-06-19--The internet slams CNN for erecting protective barrier at headquarters: 'CNN built a wall'

The internet slams CNN for erecting protective barrier at headquarters : 'CNN built a wall '

CNN has been relentlessly fixated and critical of President Donald Trump's border wall ever since he made it a centerpiece of his 2016 campaign. There are 2,094 results on CNN's website under the search of "Trump border wall." On Twitter, CNN host Chris Cuomo has dozens of tweets lambasting Trump's wall on the U.S. southern border.
A January 2017 tweet from CNN's official Twitter account reads: "'BUILD BRIDGES NOT WALLS': Protests around the world during President Trump's #inauguration."
A January 2019 CNN opinion piece said: "In the same way, the wall may be becoming a 'clash of absolutes' that crystallizes the key 21st-century cultural divide over the nation's growing ethnic and racial diversity."
CNN sent White House correspondent Jim Acosta to the U.S.–Mexico border, where he attempted to show that walls don't work. However, the field trip to the wall backfired stupendously.
In a strange twist of hypocrisy, CNN has erected its own "wall" of sorts.
Three weeks ago, riots erupted in the city of Atlanta, and the violence spread to CNN's headquarters. Rioters destroyed glass, spray-painted graffiti on the huge "CNN" sign, and attempted to breach the cable TV news network's headquarters.
Following last weekend's deadly police shooting of Rayshard Brooks at a Wendy's drive-thru in Atlanta, the city is bracing for more protests and possibly riots. As of Friday afternoon, crowds had already begun to assemble outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.
Julio Rosas, senior writer at Townhall, was on the ground in Atlanta on Friday and noticed that the CNN headquarters has some new additions since the riots weeks ago. Most notable was a protective barrier set up to keep people out of CNN.
CNN witnessed first-hand the destruction that violent riots can cause. The cable news network, rightfully, wants to keep unwanted intruders from entering their facility. CNN decided that building a wall is the best method to keep outsiders out.
The internet was quick to point out the hypocrisy of CNN building a reinforced fence to protect its headquarters, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who lampooned the network by saying, "WaLLs dOn'T wOrK."
Others on Twitter, including Trump senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis, pointed out more hypocrisy by CNN. During the weeks of George Floyd protests, which many have escalated into full-scale fiery riots that have devastated city blocks, CNN has gone out of its way to classify rioters and looters as mostly "peaceful protestors."
People questioned why CNN would need to protect its building from "peaceful protestors."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: 'Overwhelmingly Hispanic' migrant farmers to blame for COVID-19 spike

But the state 's agriculture commissioner disagrees , says majority of farmworkers left several weeks ago Florida Gov .
Ron @ @ @ @ @ conference at NBC Sports Grill & Brew at Universal CityWalk in Orlando , Fla. , @ @ @ @ @ .
( Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images )

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said clusters of "overwhelmingly Hispanic" day workers are contributing to a recent increase in daily new coronavirus cases in the state, according to WFOR-TV.
Florida officials announced Friday that the state had 3,822 new cases over the past 24 hours, a record jump, a record increase that DeSantis also attributed partially to increased testing, in addition to cramped conditions in which migrant workers live and work.
"Some of these guys go to work in a school bus, and they are all just packed there like sardines, going across Palm Beach County or some of these other places, and there's all these opportunities to have transmission," DeSantis said Friday.
The state's agriculture commissioner, Nikki Fried, disagreed with DeSantis' conclusion. From the Miami Herald:
After DeSantis said last week that "the No. 1 outbreak we've seen is in agricultural communities" and followed up this week with statements that "overwhelmingly Hispanic" farmworkers and day laborers were the leading source of new cases, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried fired back, noting thatthe majority of farmworkers left several weeks ago after harvests ended and that cases are spiking in non-agricultural areas.
Other officials say lack of testing is still a problem in Spanish-speaking communities in Florida, including among migrant workers, and that despite many of them being essential workers, they did not get quick access to personal protective equipment.
"We sent this letter to the governor more than two months ago and now he is realizing that foreign workers are more suitable to get infected," said Antonio Tovar, executive director of the Farmworker Association of Florida. "That is very shameful because he was advised, he was told when we sent the letter."
Venues like bars and movie theaters have reopened in much of Florida recently, and DeSantis said he has no intention of rolling back reopening progress as long as the state's hospitals appear to be in good position to treat all patients who need it.
(H/T New York Post)


theblaze--2020-06-19--Jimmy Kimmel announces leave from ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ after being embroiled in a blackface controve

Jimmy Kimmel announces leave from ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ after being embroiled in a blackface controversy

Jimmy Kimmel announces leave from ‘ Jimmy Kimmel Live !
’ after being embroiled in a blackface controversy

Late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel has announced that he is taking a break from "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the summer.
The announcement comes on the heels of a recently resurfaced blackface controversy in which Kimmel took heavy criticism for dressing up as a former NBA player.
What are the details?
On Thursday, Kimmel announced his summer leave, citing the need for a "couple of months off."
In a video announcement from his home studio, Kimmel said, "I'm taking this summer off to spend even more time with my family. There's nothing wrong. I'm healthy, my family's healthy, I just need a couple of months off."
The 52-year-old TV host added, "While I'm gone, a cavalcade of very kind and capable people will be filling in for me."
The guest-hosted episodes will begin after Independence Day weekend on July 6, The Hill reported.
Kimmel is slated to host the Emmy Awards on ABC on Sept. 20.
What else?
In a parody video from Comedy Central's "The Man Show," Kimmel can be seen doing an exaggerated impersonation of black former Utah Jazz basketball star Karl Malone.
Kimmel was co-host of "The Man Show," which ran from 1999-2004.
During the video, Kimmel speaks with a defined speech impediment and acts in a manner that suggests he believes Malone is unintelligent.
Kimmel hasn't been the only one under such a microscope for performing in blackface: Earlier this month, a similar video of TV host Jimmy Fallon resurfaced in which he was performing as black comedian Chris Rock.
A spokesperson for Fallon pointed TheBlaze to a statement from Fallon on the video.
"There is no excuse for this," Fallon said in a statement. "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Oxford University allows students 'affected' by George Floyd death to apply for special consideratio

Oxford University allows students 'affected' by George Floyd death to apply for special consideration in exams

Oxford University allows students 'affected ' by George Floyd death to apply for special consideration in exams Officials at the @ @ @ @ @ under pressure to act in recent weeks

Facing pressure to act in recent weeks, prestigious British college Oxford University said students "affected" by George Floyd's death in the United States can apply for special consideration in their exams, the Evening Standard reported.
What are the details?
Vice chancellor and professor Louise Richardson told students about the decision in an open letter signed by the heads of Oxford's colleges, the paper said.
Richardson thanked students for informing her about "the traumatic effect of the brutality which killed George Floyd" — which sparked protests and rioting and statue vandalism in the United States — and added that the incident was "a manifestation of institutionalized racism," the Evening Standard added.
"Any student taking university assessments who feels their performance has been affected should submit a self-assessment mitigating circumstances form after their final examination or assessment," she wrote, the paper said.
In addition, the Evening Standard noted that Oxford's "heads of house" will alert tutors and welfare staff about the potential need for a workload cut and "urge colleagues to reach out" to those who apply for special consideration in exams.
Anything else?
Richardson also told the Oxford students' union that "many departments in social sciences have begun work on making their curriculum more inclusive and adding diverse voices to it" such as "integrating race and gender questions into topics" and "embedding teaching on colonialism and empire into courses," the paper said.
It's not an unfamiliar pattern for Oxford:


theblaze--2020-06-19--Only 6% of BLM spending went to local chapters and grassroots organizations, while millions went tow

Only 6% of BLM spending went to local chapters and grassroots organizations, while millions went towards travel and staff compensation: report

Only 6 % of BLM spending went to local chapters and grassroots organizations , while millions went towards travel and @ @ @ @

The national arm of Black Lives Matter spent millions of dollars on travel and compensation over the past three fiscal years, according to financial statements obtained by the Daily Caller, while granting comparatively little to outside organizations, including the group's local chapters.
The news raises suspicions that top staffers at the organization are cashing in on the movement for racial justice and equality while grassroots organizations go largely unsupported.
Here's more from the Daily Caller report:
BLM Global Network spent $899,000 on travel, $1.6 million on consulting and $2.1 million on personnel costs during its 2017, 2018 and 2019 fiscal years, the financial statements show, together comprising 83.3% of its total spending during the three year period. BLM Global Network granted $328,000 to outside organizations, which include local BLM chapters, during that same time frame, a figure that represents about 6% of its total spending.
The report comes as BLM Global Network reported more than 1.1 million individual donations at an average of $33 per donation — which adds up to at least $36.3 million — since the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis.
In light of the news, the organization said that it was setting aside over $12 million for local chapters and other black-led grassroots organizations.
Financial statements for the current fiscal year are not yet available.
In response to the report, BLM Global Network Managing Director Kailee Scales told the Daily Caller, "The numbers you have for the prior years do not reflect, for example, the in-kind support for chapters and fundraising directed to chapters and programmatic assistance to chapters, that would not show up as direct grants on the audited financials. That work was carried out by employees and consultants to BLM."
Scales added that the organization is not responsible for preparing the financial statements, but rather those statements are prepared by a California charity, Thousand Currents.
"The numbers you cite from the annual information return form [sic] our fiscal sponsor reflect IRS-required reporting categories that bear no relationship to how our programs have actually been run," Scales told the news outlet. "These are not numbers developed by BLM Global Network Foundation and we cannot speak to how they were calculated."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Petition demands St. Louis change its name and tear down namesake's statue, claims they are an affro

Petition demands St. Louis change its name and tear down namesake's statue, claims they are an affront to Jews and Muslims

Petition demands St. Louis change its name and tear down namesake 's statue , claims they are an affront to @ @ @

A new petition on Change.org is demanding that the city of St. Louis, Missouri, change its name and remove a statute of the city's namesake, King Louis IX of France.
The petition begins by noting the recent success the "New Civil Rights Movement" has had removing controversial statues, both those that were torn down and those that were legally removed. Petitioners say the current climate is the perfect time to take down the King Louis statue and change the city's name:
Over the past several years beginning with the killing of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, America has underwent a New Civil Rights Movement. Part of this movement has been removing statues of racists, slavemasters, and Confederates from public spaces. In 2017 St. Louis removed the Confederate Monument in Forest Park after protests. In 2020 the statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from Tower Grove Park. It is now time for St. Louis to take the bold step to remove the statue of King Louis IX from Forest Park and rename the city.
The statue, KMOX-AM said, was originally unveiled in 1906 where the Gateway Arch currently sits. It now is on Art Hill in front of the St. Louis Art Museum.
According to the petition, the city's name and statue are "an outright disrespect" to Muslim and Jewish residents of The Gateway to the West.
King Louis IX, the petition states, was a "rabid anti-semite" who persecuted Jews and whose life was an "inspiration" to Adolf Hitler's Nazis:
For those unfamiliar with King Louis IX he was a rabid anti-semite who spearheaded many persecutions against the Jewish people. Centuries later Nazi Germany gained inspiration and ideas from Louis IX as they embarked on a campaign of murderous genocide against the Jewish people. Louis IX was also vehemently Islamophobic and led a murderous crusade against Muslims which ultimately cost him his life.
King Louis IX is the only French king canonized by the Catholic Church, KMOX said, adding that he was a devout papist "who ordered the burning of some 12,000 manuscript copies of the Talmud and other Jewish books."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Op-ed writer says Texas Rangers baseball team should toss 'racist' name into 'garbage dump of histor

Op-ed writer says Texas Rangers baseball team should toss 'racist' name into 'garbage dump of history'

Op-ed writer says Texas Rangers baseball team should toss 'racist ' name into 'garbage dump of history' 'The Rangers name @ @ @ @ @ , African Americans , and anyone who favors racial equity . '

As leftists around the country destroy statueafterstatue, and companies do away with socially unacceptable symbols and images in a stunning flurry of wokeness, a Chicago Tribune editorial board member has declared that the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball should toss their "racist" moniker into the "garbage dump of history."
What are the details?
Steve Chapman, in his "MLB's Texas Rangers should give up their name, which honors police force with brutal, racist history" op-ed, wrote that while the Texas Rangers of history have been "widely revered" in his native state, a recent treatise says they shouldn't be.
Chapman said journalist Doug J. Swanson's "Cult of Glory: The Bold and Brutal History of the Texas Rangers" exposes their "long record of savagery, lawlessness, and racism."
More from the op-ed:
"They burned peasant villages and slaughtered innocents," he writes. "They committed war crimes. Their murders of Mexicans and Mexican Americans made them as feared on the border as the Ku Klux Klan in the South."
A century ago, during the fighting that took place along the border during the Mexican Revolution, blood flowed like the Rio Grande. "The terms 'death squads' and 'ethnic cleansing' would not enter common usage for another 60 years or so," Swanson notes, "but that was what the Rangers were and what they did."
Later, they were a bulwark acting to hold back racial equality. When black students tried to enroll in the segregated Texarkana Junior College in 1956, angry white people barred the way, hurling gravel and racial slurs and forcing the students to leave. The Rangers stood idly by.
The message to racists, said a member of the Texas Civil Rights Advisory Committee, was plain: "If you will only assemble a mob, or threaten to do so, the power of the Texas Rangers will be on your side to deny civil rights to school children."
Chapman added that Swanson's book led to the removal of a Texas Rangers statue from a lobby at the Love Field airport in Dallas earlier this month.
Now it's the baseball team's turn
"That decision is a good start in coming to grips with the Rangers' poisonous past," Chapman added in his piece. "But the baseball club still carries the name of an agency that struck terror in many nonwhites."
Therefore, he said, the moniker "deserves to be relegated to the garbage dump of history. It's an undeserved tribute that reflects a widespread ignorance, at best, of the Rangers' malignant past."
Chapman offered the following observation:
"It may be argued that the team name honors the current agency, not the worst elements of its history. But without the history and the legends, the franchise would not have adopted the name. No one would name a major league team 'The Police' or 'The Highway Patrol.'"
"The Rangers name is an affront to Hispanics, African Americans and anyone who favors racial equity," he concluded. "It should be an intolerable embarrassment to the owners and fans."


theblaze--2020-06-19--NBA player Enes Kanter's father released from Turkish prison: 'I could cry'

'This is due to the pressure we have put on the Turkish regime '

The father of Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter has been released from prison in Turkey, seven years after his first arrest, which was followed by a long battle with the country's authoritarian government, ESPN reported.
The NBA center's father, Mehmet Kanter, had most recently been sentenced to 15 years in prison in June 2018. The arrest was allegedly related to Mehmet's connection to a man blamed for a failed military coup, but Enes Kanter has long maintained that the Turkish government is punishing Mehmet for his son's outspoken opposition of dictator Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"Wow! I could cry," Kanter wrote on Twitter. "Today I found out that 7 years after arresting my dad, taking him through a Kangaroo court and accusing him of being a criminal just because he is my dad … MY DAD HAS BEEN RELEASED! This is due to the pressure we have put on the Turkish regime."
Mehmet Kanter was acquitted of terrorism charges Thursday. He had been fired from his faculty position at Istanbul University over the charges. Enes Kanter's parents had to disown him publicly in 2016 for their own safety, as any suspicion that they were in contact with Enes could land them in jail.
Turkish authorities have tried to detain Enes Kanter in the past, and now he rarely travels outside the United States over fear that he may be deported to Turkey. Turkish prosecutors have sought international arrest warrants for him for his ties to Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Turkish officials blame for the coup attempt.
"They no longer could keep him from his freedom because of the spotlight that we all put on this case!" Kanter wrote. "However! He is just one person, there are still tens of thousands of people wrongfully in jail in Turkey. I will not forget. You, we will not forget you!"
Kanter tweeted Monday that he will be eligible to officially become a U.S. citizen on June 15, 2021, ESPN reported.


theblaze--2020-06-19--California cops fatally shoot 18-year-old security guard after he reportedly drew his weapon and ran

California cops fatally shoot 18-year-old security guard after he reportedly drew his weapon and ran in fear 'He ran because @ @ @ @

Los Angeles police officers fatally shot a local security guard after he reportedly drew his weapon and ran in fear Thursday night.
The man's family members identified the victim as 18-year-old Andres Guardado.
What are the details?
Guardado, a security guard at Freeway auto shop, was on duty to protect the business from vandals, KABC-TV said.
Officers were reportedly patrolling the area when they spotted Guardado. Guardado reportedly pulled out a weapon upon seeing the officers and ran away from the business.
During a press briefing, Lt. Charles Calderaro said, "Deputies observed the individual, at which point he observed the deputies. The individual began running away from deputies, and at some point during the encounter, a deputy-involved shooting occurred."
Calderaro added that Guardado was not wearing a security uniform at the time of the fatal shooting.
Guardado was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The suspect was struck by gunfire in the upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene," Deputy James Nagao of the Sheriff's Information Bureau said via statement. "No deputies were injured during the incident."
Andrew Heney, identified by KABC as the auto shop's owner, explained, "We had a security guard that was out front, because we had just had certain issues with people tagging and stuff like that. ... And then the police came up, and they pulled their guns on him and he ran because he was scared, and they shot and killed him."
"He's got a clean background and everything," Heney added. "There's no reason."
According to a department spokesperson, deputies reportedly witnessed Guardado produce a handgun before running away.
"Deputies engaged in a short foot pursuit between the two businesses, at some point the deputies contacted the suspect and that's when the deputy-involved shooting occurred," the spokesperson explained.
The spokesperson also noted that a handgun was retrieved from the scene, but family members insisted that Guardado was not armed.
Guardado's sister said that her brother "always worked as a professional security guard."
"He had no armed weapons on him," she insisted. "None."
Guardado's family showed up at the crime scene and got into a heated argument with members of the police, demanding to know what happened.
Investigations by the Sheriff's Homicide and Internal Affairs bureaus are underway.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Steven Crowder demonstrates why a chokehold is safer than a Taser

In his executive order on police reform, President Donald Trump bans police officers from using a chokehold during an arrest. The move prompted Steven Crowder to give a quick lesson on how to properly apply a chokehold, and why police officers would be safer if they used a rear-naked chokehold instead of a Taser.
You're not a bad person for enjoying watching Wade take a quick nap.
.
Want more from Steven Crowder?
To enjoy more of Steven's uncensored late-night comedy that's actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Leftists want to keep black Democratic lawmaker Val Demings from being Joe Biden's running mate beca

Leftists want to keep black Democratic lawmaker Val Demings from being Joe Biden's running mate because she's a former cop

Leftists want to keep black Democratic lawmaker Val Demings from being Joe Biden 's running mate because she 's a @ @ @ @ @ a police officer , you are not black anymore '

As presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden searches for a running mate, leftist progressives in his party and among his liberal base are urging him not to pick a particular black Democratic female lawmaker because she was once a police officer.
What was that now?
Since the moment Biden became the likely nominee, the former vice president has faced ongoing calls for him to tap a running mate who checks at least one demographic box — preferably two — important to the identity politics of the left.
According to those offering advice to the nominee, the most important characteristics of a good vice presidential candidate do not include aptitude, leadership ability, experience, or understanding of the Constitution. Rather, these so-called advisers are telling Biden he must select a woman, preferably a black woman.
Unless that black woman is Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), who served as Orlando's first female police chief from 2007 to 2011.
Why? Well, consider the current protest- and riot-riddled environment. Americans are protesting for racial justice and police form, while many radicals, including many members of the Black Lives Matter movement, are leading anti-cop riots.
The Hill reported Friday that progressives are giving Demings' law enforcement past the hairy eyeball, "questioning whether someone who spent a decades-long career in law enforcement is right for this moment."
"While she was chief of police, I felt like public policies and changes to address community policing should have been done," said Lawanna Gelzer, president of the central Florida chapter of the National Action Network, according to The Hill. "It was not. We've had a problem here for years."
Gelzer said if Demings' gets the veep nod, then Biden won't get her vote.
"I will go vote, but I will not vote for her if she's on that ticket," said Gelzer, who added that the party's pick should stop listening to law enforcement for now.
"Biden needs to listen to the people of Orlando and of Florida and elsewhere — not law enforcement — at this time," Gelzer stated.
If you're a cop, you're not black?
Black Lives Matter activists told the Hill they are equally unimpressed with Demings.
Hawk Newsome, who co-founded BLM's Greater New York chapter, told the paper, "She's a cop. She was a top cop at an extremely brutal police department. She was a vocal supporter of brutal actions by police."
And then he made it clear that a person cannot be both black and a cop.
"We are working to abolish police. We are working to defund police. When you are a police officer, you are not black anymore. You are blue," Newsome said.
During the Hill interview, Newsome turned to his sister, Chivona Newsome, a congressional candidate who co-founded the BLM chapter with Hawk, and asked her if Biden should pick a former cop as his running mate.
She screamed, "Hell no!"


theblaze--2020-06-19--Police officer involved in fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor to be fired, Louisville mayor says

Police officer involved in fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor to be fired , Louisville mayor says The Louisville Metro Police @ @ @ @ @ and blindly ' fired 10 rounds into the apartment

One of the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor will be fired, according to Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Greg Fischer (D).
"Today, I'm announcing that @LMPD Chief Schroeder is initiating termination procedures against Officer Brett Hankison," Fischer wrote Friday afternoon on Twitter.
The mayor's tweet included a link to a Louisville government website that had more details on the announcement.
"Unfortunately, due to a provision in state law that I very much would like to see changed, both the Chief and I are precluded from talking about what brought us to this moment, or even the timing of this decision," the mayor said.
The statute Fischer was referencing is KRS Chapter 67c point 326 (1) (f) which states:
When a police officer has been charged with a violation of departmental rules or regulations, no public statements shall be made concerning the alleged violation by any person or persons of the consolidated local government or the police officer so charged, until final disposition of the charges.
Hankison is one of three Louisville police officers who were involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor on March 13. Three plainclothes police officers forcefully entered Taylor's apartment while executing a no-knock warrant. The officers were conducting a narcotics investigation at the time, but no drugs were found inside Taylor's apartment.
Taylor, 26, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were asleep at the time. Walker believed the plainclothes police were home invaders, so he shot at the officers. The cops returned fire, and Taylor was fatally shot eight times.
Hankison allegedly "wantonly and blindly" fired 10 rounds into Taylor's apartment "without supporting facts" that his "deadly force was directed at a person against whom presented an immediate threat of danger or serious injury" of himself or others, according to Hankison's termination letter released Friday by the Louisville Metro Police Department.
The letter added that three bullets that Hankison fired "traveled into the apartment next to Ms. Taylor's endangering the three lives in that apartment."
The LMPD Chief Rob Schroeder said Hankison was not trained to use deadly force in this fashion, and his conduct is a "shock to the conscience."
The letter notes that Hankison had previously been "disciplined for reckless conduct" that injured an innocent person in 2019.
"Your conduct demands your termination," Schroeder wrote. "I have the utmost confidence in my decision to terminate your employment for the best interest of the Louisville Metro Police Department and our community."
The two other officers involved in the Breonna Taylor case, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, have been placed on administrative reassignment.
Previously, city officials noted that action against the three police officers could not take place until the investigations were complete. There was no bodycam video of the deadly incident.
WDRB-TV reported that the LMPD is also investigating allegations that Hankison made inappropriate sexual advances toward at least four women. The mayor demanded that Hankison be removed from the Louisville Police Merit Board after the allegations surfaced.
Sam Aguiar, an attorney for Taylor's family, said, "It's about time and this is the poster child of the dirtiest of dirty cops and the most dangerous of dangerous cops. I hope to God he's never back to working our streets again."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Black gun rights group adds thousands of members in hours after George Floyd’s death

Black gun rights group adds thousands of members in hours after George Floyd ’ s death

A black gun rights group announced last week that it experienced an unprecedented rise in membership in the hours following George Floyd's death on May 25 in Minneapolis.
Philip Smith, founder of the National African American Gun Association, said, "2,000 people joined NAAGA in 36 hours after George Floyd," according to an Ammo.com news release. "That broke our records. We're getting a ton of folks from all over."
The news release attributed the rise in enrollments to "growing concerns over personal safety in the African American community" that are "leading many to take action."
The rise in memberships was also reflected in Ammo.com's sales to NAAGA members. On May 26, the day after Floyd's death, the online ammunition retailer reported a 260% rise in online traffic from members of the group.
In the two weeks following Floyd's death, Ammo.com reported a 425% revenue increase from NAAGA members in comparison to the two weeks prior.
NAAGA, which started in 2015 with just one chapter and 30 members, now has 112 chapters across the country and about 40,000 members — with more than 10,000 joining this year alone.
On its website, NAAGA describes itself as "a pro 2nd amendment organization focused on the preservation of our community through armed protection and community building" with the long-term goal of having "every African American introduced to firearm use for home protection, competitive shooting, and outdoor recreational activities."
Alex Horsman, who serves as the marketing director at Ammo.com, said that "the right to self defense is natural, color-blind, and enshrined in our Constitution."
"That is why in 2017, we selected the NAAGA Scholarship Fund as one of the several pro-freedom organizations to which we voluntarily donate one percent of our sales," Horsman added. "We're proud to serve NAAGA members and to support the NAAGA Scholarship Fund in the process, which goes solely to exceptional African American students coming from single-family households."


theblaze--2020-06-19--Georgia city council asks mayor to resign over rant, saying 'privilege is wearing $300 Beats headpho

Georgia city council asks mayor to resign over rant, saying 'privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance'

Georgia city council asks mayor to resign over rant , saying 'privilege is wearing $ 300 Beats headphones while living @ @ @ @ @ Rozier of Bloomingdale also wrote that 'privilege is wearing $ 200 sneakers when you 've @ @ @ @ @

The city council of Bloomingdale, Georgia, has asked the mayor to immediately resign over his comments on Facebook ripping those he believes possess "privilege," including those who wear "$300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance" and those who wear "$200 sneakers when you've never had a job."
What are the details?
Mayor Ben Rozier's now-deleted post in the Gossip Bloomingdale GA Facebook group from Tuesday night appeared to be a response to the term "white privilege," WJCL-TV reported.
Here's what Rozier wrote:
"What is privilege?....
"Privilege is wearing $200 sneakers when you've never had a job.
"Privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance.
"Privilege is having a Smartphone with a Data plan which you receive no bill for.
"Privilege is living in subsidized housing where you don't have a water bill, where rising property taxes and rents and energy costs have absolutely no effect on the amount of food you can put on your table.
"Privilege is the ability to go march against, and protest anything that triggers you without worrying about calling out of work and the consequences that accompany such behavior.
"Privilege is having as many children as you want, regardless of your employment status, and [to] be able to send them off to daycare or school you don't pay for.
"Privilege is sending your kids to school early for the before-school programs and breakfast, and then keeping them there for the after-school program...paid for by the people who DO HAVE TO DEAL WITH RISING TAXES AND COSTS! ...you know, us so-called 'PRIVILEGED' the ones who pay while you TAKE TAKE TAKE!"
City council wants Rozier to 'tender his resignation immediately'
Bloomingdale's city council asked for Rozier's immediate resignation over his comments, according to a news release posted Thursday on the city's Facebook page.
The council said it doesn't "condone or endorse any single or collective posts" from Rozier, and that it's "unfortunate that Mayor Rozier's [post] on Facebook has caused this set of circumstances and ill will in our beloved community. In no way does this reflect the ideals and values of the City of Bloomingdale or the Bloomingdale City Council."
The statement concluded: "Based on the actions of Mayor Rozier, the entire City Council has respectfully requested that Mayor Rozier tender his resignation immediately."
The Savannah Morning News said calls to Rozier were not immediately returned.
WJCL reported that a resident scheduled a protest for this weekend on the steps of city hall.
The paper added that Rozier in 2018 commented on a video that's since been removed from Facebook showing a black man blocking cars in a roadway — and that he called a commenter a "cotton picker."


theblaze--2020-06-19--20-year-old commits suicide after seeing $730K negative balance on stock trading app — but he may ha

20-year-old commits suicide after seeing $730K negative balance on stock trading app — but he may have misinterpreted it

20-year-old commits suicide after seeing $ 730K negative balance on stock trading app — but he may have misinterpreted it @ @ @ @ @ even think he made that big of a mistake . '

A 20-year-old man who began trading stocks on the Robinhood app during the COVID-19 pandemic killed himself last Friday after logging in to his account to find a negative balance of $730,165, Forbes reported.
Alexander Kearns, a University of Nebraska college student, left a note expressing dismay over his apparent financial situation and questioning how he was able to even get the leverage to go that far into debt.
"How was a 20 year old with no income able to get assigned almost a million dollars worth of leverage?" Kearns asked in the letter.
Bill Brewster, Kearns' cousin-in-law, said the appearance of such overwhelming debt must have pushed Kearns into suicidal despair.
"When he saw that $730,000 number as a negative, he thought that he had blown up his entire future," Brewster told Forbes. "I mean this is a kid that when he was younger was so conscious about savings."
Making matters worse, there is a chance that the massive negative balance that apparently pushed Kearns to take his own life was not a full and accurate representation of his financial situation, and once all the transactions were settled, things may have looked much different. Forbes reports:
Kearns may not have realized that his negative cash balance displaying on his Robinhood home screen was only temporary and would be corrected once the underlying stock was credited to his account. Indeed it's not uncommon for cash and buying power to display negative after the first half of options are processed but before the second options are exercised—even if the portfolio remains positive.
"Tragically, I don't even think he made that big of a mistake. This is an interface issue, they have slick interfaces. Confetti popping everywhere," says Brewster referring to the shower of colorful confetti Robinhood routinely deploys after customers make trades. "They try to gamify trading and couch it as investment."
Kearns, who was living with his parents in Naperville, Illinois, expressed anger toward Robinhood in his note, saying he had "no clue" what he was doing when he entered the market during the volatile early days of COVID-19.
Citing privacy concerns, Robinhood would not disclose details about Kearns' account situation.
"All of us at Robinhood are deeply saddened to hear this terrible news and we reached out to share our condolences with the family over the weekend," a company statement read.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Tulsa mayor declares civil emergency and sets curfew ahead of Trump rally

Said organized groups involved in 'destructive and violent behavior in other states ' are planning to create unrest for Trump @ @

The mayor of Tulsa has declared a civil emergency and set a curfew ahead of President Donald Trump's first rally since the coronavirus pandemic began. The mayor warned that organized groups involved in "destructive and violent behavior in other states" are planning to create unrest in Tulsa for Trump's rally.
President Trump's first rally in more than three months is garnering much interest. There have been more than a million ticket requests for the event on Saturday night, according to Brad Parscale, Trump's campaign manager. The rally is being held at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, which has a maximum capacity of 19,000. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum (R) is expecting crowds of 100,000 in the area during the rally.
Bynum signed an executive order establishing a curfew for the area around the BOK Center from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. The Trump rally begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
"As part of our preparations for President Trump's Rally this Saturday, we are working on making the area secure for everyone's safety," a tweet from the Tulsa Police read. "As posted earlier, the area illustrated in this map will need to be free of vehicles and pedestrian traffic."
The tweet included the mayor's executive order and a map of the curfew area.
"I have received information from the Tulsa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that shows that individuals from organized groups who have been involved in destructive and violent behavior in other States are planning to travel to the City of Tulsa for purposes of causing unrest in and around the rally," Bynum said in the executive order.
On Friday morning, President Trump issued a warning to "any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma."
The president stated: "Please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!"
The Tulsa Police said: "If we find anyone in violation of the Executive Order this evening, we will request that they leave the area based on the curfew."
The Tulsa Police cautioned that anyone who refuses to leave the area "may be cited or arrested."
"This is an unprecedented event for the City of Tulsa and has hundreds of moving parts, we are asking for everyone's help in making this a safe event for all citizens," the Tulsa Police said.
The curfew applies to the Trump supporters who have been camping outside the BOK Center for Saturday's political rally since Monday.
The rally was originally scheduled for Friday night, which coincided with Juneteenth, the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. The Trump campaign changed the date to Saturday following backlash.
There was also criticism of Trump for holding a rally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Face coverings will be optional, and the Trump campaign will supply rallygoers with face masks and hand sanitizer. There will be temperature checks at the door, but people won't be forced to socially distance at six feet apart, according to the Washington Post. Attendees of the rally will be required to sign a coronavirus waiver.


theblaze--2020-06-19--AMC plans to reopen most US theaters in July, will now require face masks (UPDATED)

AMC plans to reopen most US theaters in July , will now require face masks ( UPDATED ) 'We did @ @ @ @ @ into a political controversy '

Update: After intense public backlash, AMC has announced that they will now require customers to wear facemasks.
Americans have been starving for traditional forms of entertainment — like in-theater movies and sports — since the lockdowns inspired by the coronavirus pandemic brought many traditional recreational activities to a halt in late March. However, one sign that things may slowly be returning to normal is that the nation's largest movie theater chain, AMC Theatres, plans to have most of its theaters open by July 15.
According to Variety, AMC plans to resume operations in 450 of its 600 theaters on July 15, and plans to be fully operational by the end of July. The company announced that it will reduce seating capacity in order to encourage social distancing and rework its cleaning procedures. The chain also stated that it plans to have hand-sanitizing stations throughout the theater and will have more contact-free concessions.
AMC CEO Adam Aron insisted that the company would be ready to reopen, and wasn't basing their decision on a crunch for funding, telling Variety, "We didn't rush to reopen. There were some jurisdictions in some states, such as Georgia and Texas, that allowed people to reopen theaters in mid-May. We opted to remain closed, so we could give the country time to get a better handle on coronavirus. We wanted to use this time to figure out how best to open and how to do so safely."
While many will welcome the return of movie theaters as part of a sense of a return of normalcy, others have been highly critical of AMC's initial decision to announce that they will not require customers to wear masks, although employees will be required to do so.
"We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy," Aron said. "We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks."
Aron also announced that AMC will sell masks for a $1 at the door for customers who forgot to bring one.
AMC's largest competitors, Cinemark and Regal, will also not require customers to wear masks.
The news was met with consternation by some, particularly liberals.
The use of face masks and their requirement within the context of the coronavirus pandemic has been a controversial issue. The CDC recommends the use (after fluctuating on the issue), but the WHO still does not recommend the "widespread" use in public settings among healthy people. As more Americans resume their daily activities, the hot button issue of mask usage is likely to gain even more political significance.


theblaze--2020-06-19--SEC gives ultimatum to Mississippi: Change your Confederate-themed flag or no more championship game

SEC gives ultimatum to Mississippi: Change your Confederate-themed flag or no more championship games

SEC gives ultimatum to Mississippi : Change your Confederate-themed flag or no more championship games 'It is past time for @ @ @ @ @

The NCAA's Southeastern Conference told the state of Mississippi on Thursday that if it does not change its flag, the state could be precluded from hosting championship events.
Mississippi is the only state that still showcases the Confederate symbol of a blue cross with 13 stars on its flag.
"It is past time for change to be made to the flag of the State of Mississippi," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. "Our students deserve an opportunity to learn and compete in environments that are inclusive and welcoming to all."
"In the event there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi," he added.
According to NBC News, the University of Mississippi, known as "Ole Miss," and Mississippi State University supported the SEC's decision. The two schools stopped flying the flag in 2016.
In a joint statement, Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce and athletic director Keith Carter said: "Mississippi needs a flag that represents the qualities about our state that unite us, not those that still divide us. We support the SEC's position for changing the Mississippi State flag to an image that is more welcoming and inclusive for all people."
Mississippi State President Mark Keenum also issued a statement reiterating his support for changing the flag.
"Clearly, the current national climate is such that this debate may produce unintended consequences for our student athletes here at Mississippi State University and those at the University of Mississippi," Keenum said. "Since 2015, our Student Association, Robert Holland Faculty Senate and university administration have been firmly on record in support of changing the state flag,"
In 2001, state residents voted in a referendum to keep the current flag, but efforts to change the flag have ramped up again recently as protests and riots over alleged systemic racism erupted across the country following George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
Last week, a bill to change the flag was introduced in the state Congress, though it is not expected to pass.
ESPN reported that the last time an SEC championship event was held in Mississippi was in May 2016, when Mississippi State hosted the softball tournament in Starkville.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Florida Keys mandates the wearing of face masks until June 2021

Florida's Monroe County Commission has determined that for the next year visitors to the Florida Keys will need to bring — and wear — face masks with them at all times or face a stiff penalty.
What are the details?
On Wednesday, the commission passed a ruling mandating all people — including business employees and customers — wear face coverings in all establishments.
Violators of the new measure face a $500 civil fine.
The new ruling says that face masks are mandatory until June 1, 2021. The decision will be revisited on a quarterly basis.
In a statement, county spokesperson Kristen Livengood said, "Facial coverings over the nose and mouth must be worn in business establishments and other public settings where there is a roof overhead."
Children 6 and younger are not required to wear a mask. The only exceptions to the new rule are "for those eating and drinking in a restaurant in bar, as well as while exercising in a gym as long as a six-foot social distance is maintained."
What else?
Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) blasted the media in May for sensationalizing the pandemic.
During a news briefing, DeSantis — who appeared with Vice President Mike Pence at the time — said that much of the media insisted that Florida would go the way of New York, and see an insurmountable amount of diagnoses and deaths due to COVID-19.
"So we've succeeded, and I think that people just don't want to recognize it because it challenges their narrative, it challenges their assumption, so they've gotta try to find a boogeyman," he said.
On Wednesday, however, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania released data indicating that Florida — which has seen a large uptick in cases over the last few weeks — could become the new epicenter of the virus in the U.S.
Researchers say that the latest rise in cases "has all the makings of the next large epicenter ... the risk there is the worst it has ever been in our projections."
According to U.S. News & World Report, Florida's cases are on an upward trend, and confirmed an additional 3,207 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday — a record amount of cases. The prior record was set the previous Tuesday with a confirmed 2,783 infections.


theblaze--2020-06-19--Horowitz: Time’s up: Trump doesn’t need permission of cities participating in insurrection to send i

Horowitz: Time’s up: Trump doesn’t need permission of cities participating in insurrection to send in military

Horowitz : Time ’ s up : Trump doesn ’ t need permission of cities participating in insurrection to send @ @ @ @ @ power of the federal government .

How is it that we are two weeks into an armed insurrection in Seattle, where local politicians let terrorists take over a police precinct and several city blocks and prevent all city services from entering? How is it that Americans continue to get beaten out of their cars by lynch mobs, and it appears there are no police in sight? Every Republican tells us that re-election of Trump is the most important outcome we can strive for, but he is president right now. He holds the power of the federal government. Are we really at the mercy of local governments ignoring or downright participating in the insurrection?
This question was settled long ago. State governments never had the power to violate life, liberty, or property, pursuant to Art. IV, §2, cl. 1 of the Constitution, which prohibited states from violating core natural rights from the very first day of the republic. In 1867, however, the 14th Amendment's Privileges and Immunities Clause gave the federal government enforcement power over states that violate those natural rights, which were specified at the federal level in the Bill of Rights after states had already adopted the original Constitution.
In response to the Civil War, Congress passed a law in 1871 to authorize the president to put down any insurrection. It was the original enforcement legislation designed to put teeth into the 14th Amendment, as envisioned under Sec. 5 of that amendment, which authorizes Congress to enforce violations by states. It's law to this day under 10 U.S. Code §253 and was amended in 2008 to apply to natural disasters and terrorism.
The President, by using the militia or the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it—
(1) so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or
(2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.
There are no limitations on the time, methods, or place in which the president can deploy the military to put down insurrection and domestic violence. With the anarchists desiring to relive the Civil War, it's time to use a Civil War-era law to put down this rebellion, as the law was designed to do.
What we are facing today in many cities is the worst unlawful combination of insurrection and violence that is hindering numerous state and federal laws, blocking highways and threatening motorists, and destroying businesses and property. Everyone seems to think that the president needs the permission of the state to deal with this, but the law was clearly designed for when "authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection."
The language of "privileges and immunities" was taken from the then-recently passed 14th Amendment to ensure that states couldn't get away with ignoring people's inalienable rights. Trump and Senate Republicans need to up the ante and threaten to invoke this statute if states and cities continue to allow "autonomous zones" and rioters to maim, loot, burn, steal, and obstruct traffic.
Obviously, we were all reluctant to immediately deploy the military and were hoping that local police would finally come to their senses, as they always have in the past after a few days of rioting. However, three weeks into this insurrection, many of these city governments have downright joined in the insurrection, which has led to direct threats to the lives and property of all Americans indefinitely. Truckers now have to rethink where they deliver goods, as if this were Afghanistan, where you need a map to see where the government has full or partial control over the territory.
Here is the latest motorist lynching in Santa Monica, California, captured in a video posted by my BlazeTV colleague, Elijah Schaffer:
With California officials downright encouraging this behavior and preventing the police from stopping it, the president is obligated to step in. The philosophy behind the 14th Amendment and the 1871 law to implement it is that the federal government was created for situations where states are either inherently incapable of defending liberty (a foreign invasion) or when they refuse to protect liberty and downright promulgate tyrannical edicts against life and property. Slavery and Jim Crow had to be swatted down by the federal government. Now these riots and beatings need the same response.
The police have been made to be criminals while the criminals are being exalted as civil rights leaders. This cannot go on longer. We cannot wait until November. Trump is already president and already has all the authority he needs. It's time to use it.