A national grassroots petition in protest of President Joe Biden’s latest student debt “forgiveness” stunt garnered over 5‚000 comments in a single night. Biden’s newest student loan cancellation plan would shift almost $150 billion in debt from those with outstanding college loans to American taxpayers—including those who already paid off their own college loans‚ worked through school to reduce or negate the cost of loans‚ or didn’t attend college at all. Although Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called this latest plan a “relief for today’s borrowers‚” he has said nothing about the new taxation Americans would be saddled with. Cardona suggested that simply canceling agreed-upon loans would create “social mobility‚ economic prosperity‚” and “an America that lives up to its highest ideals.” Recognizing this wildly overt governmental overreach‚ estimated to cost $475 billion‚ Heritage Action for America made an online portal available Wednesday to give Americans an opportunity to voice their concerns to Biden’s Education Department. (Heritage Action is the grassroots partner of The Heritage Foundation‚ parent organization of The Daily Signal.) Comments have flooded in since Heritage Action launched the portal‚ with over 5‚000 comments submitted in one night. Thad Brock‚ director of digital advocacy for Heritage Action‚ told The Daily Signal that it’s “the most rapid engagement we have seen from the grassroots on any comment portal that Heritage has launched since 2021.” This isn’t the Biden administration’s first attempt to circumvent Congress by signing hackneyed executive orders to appeal politically to those who haven’t repaid student loans. In July 2023‚ the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Biden’s contrivance to use emergency funding for the Iraq War as justification for forgiving student loan debt because of COVID-19. The high court’s 6-3 decision reiterated that the “power of the purse” resides with Congress‚ not the executive branch. The ruling‚ however‚ appears not to have dissuaded the president.  In February‚ Biden claimed during a press conference in California that the Supreme Court “didn’t stop me.” Economists have asserted that the government’s unilateral student debt “cancellation” would do nothing to fix skyrocketing tuition rates at universities‚ which studies show are incredibly high in part because of the predatory federal student loan program.  As long as the incentive structure to take out federal student loans remains in place‚ universities and colleges will continue to increase tuition—and a new wave of student debt will replace the old just as quickly. Regardless‚ the Biden administration has put forward its “SAVE Plan” as a proposed regulation shoved through by the Education Department‚ ignoring a congressional distinction between loans and grants in the Higher Education Act to shift the voluntary debt of over 30 million borrowers to the rest of the nation’s tax burden. This is estimated to cost $475 billion over the next 10 years. Heritage Action’s portal will remain open for comments on Biden’s latest plan to “forgive” student debt until May 17‚ the federal deadline. The post Record-Breaking Flood of Comments Condemns Biden’s Latest Student Loan Scheme appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Australia’s Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has urged citizens to report content posted on social sites to what’s known as the country’s “chief censor‚” the eSafety commissioner. Appearing on the ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast‚ Rowland explained to host Craig Reucassel what the current government thinks should be done about “misinformation.” Often-repeated assertions were heard that there is dangerous misinformation on social media along with exposure to “reactions and rumors” that traumatize users – because‚ for example‚ they are able to view breaking news videos “with no censorship.” (This last bit is what rubs Reucassel the wrong way‚ and it has to do with the recent Sydney stabbing attacks that he would evidently like “nicely packaged” first‚ in that way controlling how the public learns about an event and reacts to it.) And so‚ clearly‚ both the minister and the host agree that the government should step in (even more) and intervene‚ the only question is‚ how&;#63; One of the ideas is to come up with yet another “voluntary” (voluntary as in‚ “or else…”) code of conduct for tech companies‚ probably along the lines of what is already happening in the EU. The purpose would be to get platforms to remove even more content that’s labeled as “misinformation.” Right now‚ the eCommissioner is the official who can order comments removed‚ but a “voluntary code” would obviously expedite things. In the meantime‚ since according to the minister‚ platforms aren’t “doing enough‚” she encouraged citizens to report content to the eSafety commissioner‚ turning themselves into some sort of “government censorship helpers.” Reucassel exhibited quite the zeal for censorship‚ remarking during the conversation that ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast flagged content on TikTok (also related to one of the Sydney stabbings)‚ but accused the platform of not removing it. The host revealed that the media outlet told TikTok‚ “We’re taking down all this footage that’s happened in the Wakeley stabbing‚ we’re trying to regulate that kind of stuff.” But apparently this effort‚ joined by the eSafety commissioner‚ did not produce results – or as Reucassel said‚ social platforms are not sufficiently “proactive.” Even if videos have a sensitive content warning and people have to click and choose to still watch it – Rowland doesn’t think that’s “enough.” Rowland agreed. “They need to do more. Keeping Australians safe online‚ protecting particularly children and vulnerable people from being exposed to this content is a collective responsibility.” And that’s when listeners got “encouraged” to report content to eSafety. The post Australia’s Communications Minister Tells People To Report Social Media Posts to the Chief Censor appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. AFL this week sued two federal departments and their chiefs alleging that they illegally destroyed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its secretary‚ Xavier Becerra‚ as well as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan have been named in the filing‚ which states that their actions amount to a violation of the Federal Records Act. We obtained a copy of the complaint for you here. Namely‚ AFL claims the two departments under the current administration illegally deleted emails of former CDC employees‚ which constitute federal records. The case‚ the non-profit hopes‚ will serve to highlight what they say is the Biden White House “partisan two-tier justice system.” This is because‚ at the same time as NARA and NHHS are going about destroying the said emails without‚ up until this point‚ being held accountable‚ former President Donald Trump is being prosecuted over possession of presidential records. However‚ if federal records are no longer kept based on allowing individuals over at the CDC to evaluate which emails to delete and which to keep (this was‚ in a nutshell‚ the NARA justification of the situation) – then the accusations against Trump made by NARA and picked up by the Department of Justice have no merit. All the more so since in Trump’s case‚ AFL continued‚ those were documents that were either personal records or non-records. Related: REVEALED: Documents show collusion between the CDC and Big Tech “If the federal government wants to unlawfully assert that anytime a government employee leaves an agency their records are no longer considered records of the United States‚ then the same assumption would apply to former presidents of the United States‚” AFL noted. On top of that‚ there’s another question that this behavior raises: “What is the CDC trying to hide&;#63;” AFL uncovered the practice in the course of investigating the CDC’s role in supporting what the organization says is “teacher-led indoctrination of children with radical gender ideology” – only to be told that disclosure of official emails was not possible because they no longer existed. It turned out that the CDC is in the habit of deleting former employees’ emails 30 days after they leave – and NARA‚ when asked to look into the practice‚ found no problem with it‚ revealing that they trust those working for the CDC to make these decisions. But this comes in violation of the Federal Records Act‚ AFL believes. “The rule of law cannot mean one set of rules for unelected bureaucrats and another for democratically-elected officials who happen to be a political challenger to the sitting president‚” AFL stated. The post CDC is Sued For Scrubbing Digital Records appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Has No One Noticed 1st Amendment Foe Katherine Maher Chairs the Board of 'Free Speech' Signal Foundation&;#63;

They're Baaaack... Columbia Students Retake the Campus

Atlantic: Abolish DEI Statements

When it comes to the legendary “runner’s high”‚ people often fall into one of two camps: the true believers‚ and the staunch deniers. While it’s true that not everyone feels fabulous after a long run‚ runner’s high is a real phenomenon. But what causes it&;#63; And if you’ve never felt it yet‚ is there still hope&;#63;What is runner’s high&;#63;Runner’s high is the term given to a feeling of euphoria brought on by a period of exercise. While runners speak about this particularly often‚ other cardio workouts can have the same effect‚ such as cycling or rowing.For those who experience it‚ the euphoria typically starts about 30 minutes to 1 hour into a run‚ but this can vary depending on individual levels of fitness‚ according to Medical News Today. Some research has even suggested that this feeling is so rewarding‚ it’s why humans evolved to exercise in the first place.However‚ it’s important to say that this is not at all a universal phenomenon‚ even among very experienced runners. “Indeed‚ many distance runners feel merely drained or even nauseated at the end of a long race‚ not blissful‚” said professor of neuroscience David J. Linden‚ speaking to Johns Hopkins Medicine. They also poop themselves surprisingly often‚ which probably doesn’t help matters (if we must be burdened with this knowledge‚ so must you).This sentiment was also echoed by competitive trail runner Lou Clifton in an interview with the Guardian. “I guess generally when I’m running‚ there’ll be a point where I settle into a bit of a groove and it’s quite comfortable‚” she said‚ but stopped short of calling this feeling a “high”.What causes runner’s high&;#63;It’s possible that not every Runnerâ„¢ in your life is being entirely truthful when they extol the rush of a quick 10K before work‚ but some people really do get &;quot;high&;quot; off exercise. So‚ what’s behind this effect&;#63;Many will confidently declare at this point that it’s “something to do with endorphins” – but Linden explained that this is likely a misconception‚ as endorphins can’t pass the blood-brain barrier. While these so-called “happy chemicals” certainly are released in response to exercise‚ neuroscientists have known for a while that they’re unlikely to be the real drivers of exercise-induced euphoria.Instead‚ more recent research is pointing to a different system altogether: the endocannabinoids. These are the body’s own versions of compounds like CBD and THC from the cannabis plant‚ which research suggests are good at chilling us out and helping us destress.A study in 2021 demonstrated that blocking opioid receptors – the receptors that endorphins bind to – using the drug naltrexone didn’t stop people feeling a post-workout high. That indicated that something other than endorphins must have been at work‚ and the authors suggested that endocannabinoids could be the answer.Further work has collected together what we know about endocannabinoid release in response to different types of exercise. A 2022 meta-analysis concluded that acute exercise consistently boosts levels of endocannabinoids‚ and that moderate activity is more effective than lower intensity workouts.The consensus seems to be that endocannabinoids are a far more promising candidate than endorphins‚ but that lots more studies are needed to tease out exactly what’s happening there.How do you achieve runner’s high&;#63;If you’re looking for a more sophisticated answer than “get your trainers on and go for a run”‚ don’t worry‚ we’ve got you covered.Speaking to Runner’s World‚ professor of biological sciences David Raichlen suggested that setting your workout intensity to keep you at 70-85 percent of your maximum heart rate is best if you want to boost your endocannabinoid production. You can calculate this based on your age.From their research into why the runner’s high seems so elusive for some people‚ Steven Hicks‚ an associate professor at Penn State‚ added that it can be worth switching things up. Try running different distances‚ or intervals of sprinting‚ to stop things from feeling too routine.But some people will simply never get to experience the runner's high‚ and that's okay. You’ll still be reaping all the benefits of regular exercise‚ even if at the time it feels like a slog.“Voluntary exercise is the single best thing one can do to slow the cognitive decline that accompanies normal aging‚” Linden said‚ which can only be good news. You’ll also be helping your heart and lowering your risk of various diseases.If you’re thinking of taking up regular exercise after a long break‚ it’s best to start slow and consult your doctor first. But otherwise‚ get fuelled up‚ get out there‚ and chase that high.The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice‚ diagnosis‚ or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text‚ images‚ and links may be edited‚ removed‚ or added to at a later date to keep information current. 

Faux-conservative ABC News co-host Ana Navarro was back to defending her close friend Democratic Senator Bob Menendez (NJ) from credible allegations of corruption on Friday’s edition of The View. Despite insisting she doesn’t “excuse him‚” she was quite busy blaming Menendez’s wife for getting him into the situation that he was in‚ and seemingly tried to suggest he might have bought the gold bars hidden in his suit pockets at Costco. She also praised Democratic senators for not forcing him out of office. At least Navarro started off by acknowledging she was not going to be operating with honesty and good faith on the issue. “And look‚ and every time we talk about this I always want to start by saying‚ I think I'm biased. I try to be objective but I've known Bob Menendez for almost 30 years. I’ve worked with him on countless issues‚ Cuba‚ Nicaragua‚ immigration‚ Central American free trade‚” she admitted. She immediately followed up by going after the credible allegations against him. “This Menendez that I read about here just does not jive‚ does not square away with the man I've known for all of this time. It's hard for me to understand all of these facts‚” she decried. One might argue that she admitted to possibly facilitating some of Menendez’s alleged corruption when she bragged: “I’ve went to him with 100 issues with very rich clients‚ he never ever did anything like this.”     Throughout the segment‚ Navarro tried to blame Menendez’s wife and argued that she and his other friends didn’t know who the woman was before he married her: NAVARRO: And I will say this last thing‚ a lot of his friends‚ including me‚ when he saw this case‚ thought this is not the Bob we know. Who is this woman and how has this happened&;#63; I mean‚ she suddenly showed up like in the middle of COVID saying that she didn't know he was a senator. SARA HAINES: At IHOP. NAVARRO: At an IHOP. “And I did tell you the first time I read about this case‚ I think this woman -- I think Bob was completely smitten‚ enamored. He was a lone wolf for a long time. This happened during COVID‚” she defended him. Navarro went on to praise Democratic senators for not forcing her friend out of office‚ citing the “reservoir of goodwill” Menendez had with them: And I think part of the reason that he hasn't been made to resign‚ that Schumer haven't forced it‚ his colleagues haven't forced it‚ is because there is a reservoir of goodwill towards him and respect towards him that there wasn’t toward like a George Santos‚ for example. And also I think it's because he's up for re-election now this November. And so‚ it's not like he's got another four years to serve‚ right&;#63; And the case is coming up -- is coming up now. On the flip side‚ she lashed out at Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman (D) for daring to demand her friend resign. “The difference with John Fetterman is that John Fetterman is new in the Senate. And so‚ he probably doesn't have the collegiality and friendship and history with Menendez that most of the others do‚” she chided. Near the end of the segment‚ Navarro inexplicably proclaimed: “I read that Costco sells gold bars and they're sold out.” It was unclear if she was suggesting that Menendez bought the gold bars at Costco or that gold bars were readily available thus it didn’t matter. Costco does not sell the 1-kilo bricks stamped “Swiss Bank Corporation” that Menendez squirreled away. The transcript is below. Click &;quot;expand&;quot; to read: ABC’s The View April 19‚ 2024 11:03:27 a.m. Eastern (…) ANA NAVARRO: His trial begins in a couple of weeks‚ I think‚ in two or three weeks. And look‚ and every time we talk about this I always want to start by saying‚ I think I'm biased. I try to be objective but I've known Bob Menendez for almost 30 years. I’ve worked with him on countless issues‚ Cuba‚ Nicaragua‚ immigration‚ Central American free trade. This Menendez that I read about here just does not jive‚ does not square away with the man I've known for all of this time. It's hard for me to understand all of these facts. I’ve went to him with 100 issues with very rich clients‚ he never ever did anything like this. And I will say this‚ and I don't excuse him‚ I don't justify him because Bob is one of the smartest people in Congress. It is a low bar but he really is one of the smartest people that I know‚ that I've worked with Congress. I think there needs to be more regulation of family members lobbying because it's not just Bob Menendez's wife‚ it's siblings‚ it's spouses‚ it's all of this thing. And they do have an advantage that other people don't have and a lot of lobbying firms have them on the firm and they don't even work. They don't even show up. It’s just have the names. The people of New Jersey are going to have a say on this. Bob has not said if he’s running again&;#63; JOY BEHAR: Is he running again&;#63; NAVARRO: He's not running as a Democrat. He hasn't said if he's running as an independent. And I will say this last thing‚ a lot of his friends‚ including me‚ when he saw this case‚ thought this is not the Bob we know. Who is this woman and how has this happened&;#63; I mean‚ she suddenly showed up like in the middle of COVID saying that she didn't know he was a senator. SARA HAINES: At IHOP. NAVARRO: At an IHOP. (…) 11:07:06 a.m. Eastern ALYSSA FARAH GRIFFIN: He’d been charged previously and he did get off. HAINES: In 2015. FARAH GRIFFIN: He already had very similar charges that he was able to get by before he ever met the woman‚ so the fact that similar activity is taking place -- HAINES: She needs to be there too. NAVARRO (interrupting): I’m actually very familiar with that first case. I knew both of them. I knew Dr. Melden because he was always with Bob. And‚ I mean‚ Bob’s a guy who's been in my house. I've been at his mom's funeral. I know him very well. And I think part of the reason that he hasn't been made to resign‚ that Schumer haven't forced it‚ his colleagues haven't forced it‚ is because there is a reservoir of goodwill towards him and respect towards him that there wasn’t toward like a George Santos‚ for example. And also I think it's because he's up for re-election now this November. And so‚ it's not like he's got another four years to serve‚ right&;#63; And the case is coming up -- is coming up now. This case to me feels different than the first case. And I did tell you the first time I read about this case‚ I think this woman -- I think Bob was completely smitten‚ enamored. He was a lone wolf for a long time. This happened during COVID. Again‚ I don't excuse him. He is a smart guy. He should have known better. He's not something stupid gullible ingenue. SUNNY HOSTIN: The gold bars are a giveaway‚ right&;#63; [Crosstalk] HAINES: First time‚ shame on you; second time it's shame on me. In 2015‚ there was a close enough trial. If he’s coming back knowing‚ “Oh my gosh‚ I almost got caught” and he is so smart‚ dabbling in what he is dabbling in is dangerous and almost felt like he feels he was above it. NAVARRO: It seems to me gold bars for a gold digger. FARAH GRIFFIN: There are Democratic senator who’ve called for his resignation. HAINES: Fetterman. FARAH GRIFFIN: Including John Fetterman. So‚ I think the senator who served multiple times should stand on his own two feet‚ not blame the woman. NAVARRO: The difference with John Fetterman is that John Fetterman is new in the Senate. And so‚ he probably doesn't have the collegiality and friendship and history with Menendez that most of the others do. FARAH GRIFFIN: But that often blinds judgment. HAINES: Gold bars and you’re hiding them in your suit pockets and you’re giving your wife a car and they have text messages. I’d say‚ collegiality aside‚ you've crossed over. FARAH GRIFFIN: That's where the good old boys club gets in the way. It’s like‚ “oh‚ we like him. He’s such a such a nice guy.” Well‚ if he's committing crimes it doesn't really matter. NAVARRO: Which is why I tell you I feel like I know that I'm biased. I like the guy and I keep hoping against hope there is some reasonable explanation. I hope -- Listen‚ I hope the truth comes out. You know‚ I read -- I read that Costco sells gold bars and they're sold out. HOSTIN: Really&;#63;&;#33; NAVARRO: Yes&;#33; HAINES: You can buy gold bars&;#63; HOSTIN: I don't know about some gold bars from Costco. (…)

The Washington Post is covering NPR’s Uri Berliner controversy – now that he’s resigned. The front of Thursday’s Style section ran a story by media reporter Elahe Izadi with the usual framing of “conservative activists” vs. “public radio network.” As if this isn’t “right versus left.” This was the online headline: Turmoil at NPR after editor rips network for political bias The public-radio network is being targeted by conservative activists over the essay‚ which many staffers say is misleading and inaccurate. Izadi and the Post suggested that your critique is self-discrediting if it can be cited by conservatives. On its face‚ it seemed to confirm the worst suspicions held by NPR’s critics on the right: that the legendary media organization had an ideological‚ progressive agenda that dictates its journalism. [Imagine that&;#33;] The Free Press is an online publication started by journalist Bari Weiss‚ whose own resignation from the New York Times in 2020 was used by conservative politicians as evidence that the Times stifled certain ideas and ideologies… Izadi’s story was stuffed with NPR reporters and executives huffing that they’re not putting out a slanted left-wing product. They’re an “independent” outlet doing “fact-based reporting.” Disagree with that&;#63; It’s a “bad-faith” argument. The liberal bubble is thick. Several prominent NPR journalists countered that impression. “We have strong‚ heated editorial debates every day to try and get the most appropriate language and nuanced reporting in a landscape that is divisive and difficult to work in as a journalist‚” Leila Fadel‚ host of Morning Edition‚ told The Post. “Media and free independent press are often under attack for the fact-based reporting that we do.” She called Berliner’s essay “a bad-faith effort” and a “factually inaccurate take on our work that was filled with omissions to back his arguments.” &;quot;Errors and omissions&;quot; are a constant NPR-employee talking point‚ as in Steve Inskeep's blazing attack on Substack. Izadi didn’t come to conservative critics for rebuttal – like ask Leila about her puffball interview with Liz Cheney‚ promoting her claim that the current Republican Party is a &;quot;danger to the country.&;quot; But it grew worse: Ayesha Rascoe went for guilt by association‚ that any conservative critique of NPR is responsible for encouraging anonymous numbskulls on the internet: No news organization is above reproach‚ Weekend Edition host Ayesha Rascoe told The Post‚ but someone should not “be able to tear down an entire organization’s work without any sort of response or context provided‚ or pushback.” There are many legitimate critiques to make of NPR’s coverage‚ she added‚ “but the way this has been done — it’s to invalidate all the work NPR does.” …Rascoe‚ who‚ as a Black woman host for NPR‚ says she’s no stranger to online vitriol‚ but one message after Berliner’s essay labeled her as a “DEI hire” who has “never read a book in her life.” “What stung about this one was it came on the basis of a supposed colleague’s op-ed‚” whose words were “being used as fodder to attack me‚” Rascoe said. “And my concern is not about me‚ but all the younger journalists who don’t have the platform I have and who will be attacked and their integrity questioned simply on the basis of who they are.” Izadi's piece read like a long list of internal NPR complaints without any inkling of what all liberals know: NPR is a left-wing sandbox. It's &;quot;public‚&;quot; but it's owned by the Left. Berliner betrayed his colleagues by assailing its &;quot;legendary&;quot; status. 

A pair of teens entered a Sunoco convenience store in Humble‚ Texas‚ on Jan. 19. After shoplifting‚ they left the 42-year-old clerk dead in his car. Although the 18-year-old present for Asif Maknojia's slaying was never charged‚ the apparent shooter‚ 17-year-old Mario Young‚ was charged with capital murder. This week‚ a Harris County grand jury spared Young from any consequence‚ deciding not to indict him for murder. The shooter's mother has painted her son as a victim‚ and Young's attorney Lott Brooks reiterated that the teen had just acted out of self-defense‚ reported KTRK-TV Surveillance footage shows Young and his 18-year-old friend enter the convenience store around 11:25 a.m. with dark hoodies pulled over their heads. Maknojia followed them in‚ dressed in an orange and black jacket. While the clerk resumed mopping the floor‚ he noticed one of the teens stuff a bag of chips into his pants. BREAKING: A grand jury declines to indict Mario Young (17) for shoplifting and then shooting and kiIIing the store clerk.\n\nActivists claim that Mr. Young acted in self defense since the clerk chased after them‚ asking for the stolen items back.\n\nThe 2nd teen was never even\u2026 — (@) Maknojia followed the teens outside then confronted the duo. A witness told KPRC-TV that he saw the clerk follow the young men out of the store. &;quot;I'm just kind of being a little nosy‚ looking to see what's going on. He seemed to be confronting the gentlemen about something‚&;quot; said the unnamed witness. &;quot;It didn't seem to be that serious.&;quot; While Young reportedly walked toward the rear of the store‚ the other teen paused to brandish a bottle of Gatorade‚ which was apparently also taken from the store‚ then point it at the clerk. According to the witness‚ the clerk returned to the store‚ and the apparent shoplifters walked over to a grassy area nearby. Maknojia reportedly went back outside and yelled at the teens‚ telling them to return to the store. They responded with an obscene gesture. When the teens began jogging away‚ the clerk allegedly got into his car and pulled up to the duo — at which point the witness heard two gunshots. According to the Humble Police Department‚ one of the suspects opened fire on the victim's vehicle‚ striking and killing the clerk. Humble Assistant Police Chief Dan Zientek told KPRC‚ &;quot;They started shooting at him‚ in which he tried to reverse his car and ended up on the median over there.&;quot; The witness rushed over and found Maknojia slumped over behind the wheel of his car. &;quot;Hey‚ buddy. Hey‚ are you OK&;#63;&;quot; the witness recalled saying to the victim before calling 911. &;quot;When I looked through the window‚ he seemed to be unresponsive‚&;quot; noting that it appeared the clerk had been unarmed. While the teens later claimed the clerk was armed‚ neither court documents nor the police provided any indication the clerk had a gun at the time. After a brief manhunt‚ Young and his compatriot turned themselves in with the help of Quanell X‚ the former national chairman of the New Black Panther Nation. Zientek told KPRC‚ &;quot;No one ever anticipates just going to work that day and not coming home.&;quot; &;quot;You've lost a great citizen who's just trying to work and do their job‚ and instead we have two people that also have ruined their lives because they will be going to jail‚&;quot; added Zientek. Evidently‚ the chief hadn't considered the possibility that a jury would cut Young loose. KRIV-TV indicated that part of Brooks' strategy for getting his client's case thrown out was having him tell his sob story to the jury. &;quot;I wanted him to be there with the grand jury‚ be honest and tell them exactly what happened‚&;quot; said Brooks. &;quot;It is just absolutely devastating‚ and I know my client is very upset about what happened‚&;quot; added Brooks‚ who said he didn't know where Young acquired the firearm that was used to kill Maknojia. Precious Ferguson‚ Young's mother‚ told KTRK her son was &;quot;physically and mentally depressed‚ he's stressed‚ and he's going to need some counseling.&;quot; Like Blaze News&;#63; Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here&;#33;