thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Guest Commentary: I work for Dominion Voting Systems. I did not commit voter fraud. The attacks agai

Guest Commentary: I work for Dominion Voting Systems. I did not commit voter fraud. The attacks against me need to stop.

As we enter the final stages of the 2020 election , Americans are focused on the voting process like never before .
Even amid a pandemic and its rising death toll , we seek assurances that our democratic institutions are being upheld .
I have spent the past 15 years of my life working to ensure the safety and security of elections , and I am especially mindful that Americans deserve to have continued confidence in the officials , companies , and individuals who help conduct free , fair , and transparent elections .
In my role as the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voting Systems , I have been responsible for ensuring that Dominion customers can rely on a partner to help support the delivery of secure , accurate , and transparent elections .
Not only have I designed systems and products that directly support the auditing and validation of election results , but I have championed and helped develop a vulnerability disclosure program to support more collaboration between election vendors and independent third-party security researchers in identifying and mitigating potential security vulnerabilities in election infrastructure .
The safekeeping of elections is of the utmost importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am not alone .
Chris Krebs , the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency appointed by President Donald Trump , said in recent interviews that the 2020 election was the most secure in American history .
Attorney General William Barr has also confirmed that there is no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the election outcome .
Still , with these assurances and facts that are readily available to all of us , uninformed and unscrupulous individuals upset by the outcome of a free and fair election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the professional and diligent work performed by me , the company I work for , and the thousands of election workers who worked overtime during a pandemic putting our health and safety at risk to ensure the votes were counted accurately , securely , and transparently .
Americans need to understand the security of election systems involves a multi-layered defensive strategy , and the ballot tabulators are only one small piece of the entire process .
Every Dominion system creates a durable , voter-verifiable , paper record of the cast votes , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems are subjected to rigorous certification standards which include code review , testing , and verification by an independent and accredited voting system test laboratory .
While no system is 100 % defensible against dedicated threats , the multiple layers of testing , auditing , and process controls ensure the security of U.S. elections .
As Krebs recently said , all votes are counted in the United States .
No tabulation or accumulation of votes happens outside of the United States .
The software “ glitch ” that some claim “ switched ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detected human-induced error .
This misreporting of results was not the result of a software issue , or a dedicated “ algorithm ” designed to change the results of the election .
Like any system , there are potentials for human error , but the electoral process is designed with checks and tools to specifically identify when these situations arise .
After submitting the results to a state reporting site , the totals were checked against the in-precinct results tapes and paper ballots , and the error was identified and immediately corrected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during every election .
Fifty-nine election security experts signed a statement on Nov. 16 affirming that the 2020 presidential election was technologically secure .
Signatories include computer science professors at Princeton University , Georgetown University , and Stanford University , among many other researchers and scientists .
Despite the election ’ s security , a litany of defamatory statements continues to be made about me by officials with the Trump campaign , the president ’ s personal attorneys , the president ’ s family members , alt-media personalities , and countless social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear : I have no connection to the Antifa movement , I did not “ rig , ” or influence the election , nor have I participated in any calls , demonstrations , or other demonstrable activity related to any political party or social justice/action group .
All claims that someone recorded me on a call , or even overheard me saying , “ Don ’ t worry about the election , Trump ’ s not gon na win .
I made ( expletive ) sure of that !
” are wholly fabricated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capability to do such a thing .
I have not written a single line of code in the Dominion Voting Systems product .
The constant repetition of these baseless rumors has not only brought harm to me but also to my family .
These lies that aim to ruin my reputation , my livelihood , my relationships , my well-being , and my life will not go unanswered .
These fabrications and attacks against me have upended my life , forced me to flee my home , and caused my family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I fear for theirs .
It is unconscionable that certain fringe media personalities looking to increase personal notoriety , website traffic , and ad revenue would continue to prey on the fears of a public concerned about the safety and security of our electoral system .
Additionally , any posts on social media channels purporting to be from me have also been fabricated .
I do not have a Twitter account and my Facebook account is not active .
These individuals are impersonating me .
While the personal attacks that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am increasingly distressed by the willingness of so many to embrace these lies with such enthusiasm — calling out openly and loudly for the demise , and even death , of a fellow American who is dedicated to upholding the right of every citizen to express their voice at the ballot box .
It isn ’ t right .
It must stop .
Eric Coomer is the director of product security and strategy for Dominion Voting Systems .
He lives in Colorado .
This op-ed does not necessarily represent the opinion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

As we enter the final stages of the 2020 election, Americans are focused on the voting process like never before. Even amid a pandemic and its rising death toll, we seek assurances that our democratic institutions are being upheld. I have spent the past 15 years of my life working to ensure the safety and security of elections, and I am especially mindful that Americans deserve to have continued confidence in the officials, companies, and individuals who help conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.
In my role as the director for product security and strategy for Dominion Voting Systems, I have been responsible for ensuring that Dominion customers can rely on a partner to help support the delivery of secure, accurate, and transparent elections. Not only have I designed systems and products that directly support the auditing and validation of election results, but I have championed and helped develop a vulnerability disclosure program to support more collaboration between election vendors and independent third-party security researchers in identifying and mitigating potential security vulnerabilities in election infrastructure.
The safekeeping of elections is of the utmost importance to me personally and professionally, and I am not alone. Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency appointed by President Donald Trump, said in recent interviews that the 2020 election was the most secure in American history. Attorney General William Barr has also confirmed that there is no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the election outcome.
Still, with these assurances and facts that are readily available to all of us, uninformed and unscrupulous individuals upset by the outcome of a free and fair election have launched a smear campaign to discredit the professional and diligent work performed by me, the company I work for, and the thousands of election workers who worked overtime during a pandemic putting our health and safety at risk to ensure the votes were counted accurately, securely, and transparently.
Americans need to understand the security of election systems involves a multi-layered defensive strategy, and the ballot tabulators are only one small piece of the entire process. Every Dominion system creates a durable, voter-verifiable, paper record of the cast votes, which is the official record. All election systems are subjected to rigorous certification standards which include code review, testing, and verification by an independent and accredited voting system test laboratory.
While no system is 100% defensible against dedicated threats, the multiple layers of testing, auditing, and process controls ensure the security of U.S. elections. As Krebs recently said, all votes are counted in the United States. No tabulation or accumulation of votes happens outside of the United States.
The software “glitch” that some claim “switched” votes between particular candidates was an easily detected human-induced error. This misreporting of results was not the result of a software issue, or a dedicated “algorithm” designed to change the results of the election. Like any system, there are potentials for human error, but the electoral process is designed with checks and tools to specifically identify when these situations arise. After submitting the results to a state reporting site, the totals were checked against the in-precinct results tapes and paper ballots, and the error was identified and immediately corrected. This is a normal process that occurs during every election.
Fifty-nine election security experts signed a statement on Nov. 16 affirming that the 2020 presidential election was technologically secure. Signatories include computer science professors at Princeton University, Georgetown University, and Stanford University, among many other researchers and scientists.
Despite the election’s security, a litany of defamatory statements continues to be made about me by officials with the Trump campaign, the president’s personal attorneys, the president’s family members, alt-media personalities, and countless social media trolls. I want to be very clear: I have no connection to the Antifa movement, I did not “rig,” or influence the election, nor have I participated in any calls, demonstrations, or other demonstrable activity related to any political party or social justice/action group.
All claims that someone recorded me on a call, or even overheard me saying, “Don’t worry about the election, Trump’s not gonna win. I made (expletive) sure of that!” are wholly fabricated. Moreover, I do not have the capability to do such a thing. I have not written a single line of code in the Dominion Voting Systems product.
The constant repetition of these baseless rumors has not only brought harm to me but also to my family. These lies that aim to ruin my reputation, my livelihood, my relationships, my well-being, and my life will not go unanswered. These fabrications and attacks against me have upended my life, forced me to flee my home, and caused my family and loved ones to fear for my safety, and I fear for theirs.
It is unconscionable that certain fringe media personalities looking to increase personal notoriety, website traffic, and ad revenue would continue to prey on the fears of a public concerned about the safety and security of our electoral system. Additionally, any posts on social media channels purporting to be from me have also been fabricated. I do not have a Twitter account and my Facebook account is not active. These individuals are impersonating me.
While the personal attacks that have no basis in fact are disturbing, I am increasingly distressed by the willingness of so many to embrace these lies with such enthusiasm — calling out openly and loudly for the demise, and even death, of a fellow American who is dedicated to upholding the right of every citizen to express their voice at the ballot box. It isn’t right. It must stop.
Eric Coomer is the director of product security and strategy for Dominion Voting Systems. He lives in Colorado. This op-ed does not necessarily represent the opinion of Dominion.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Get Cooking: What reviewing restaurants taught me about cooking

Most of us learn to cook by first watching other people do it .
Perhaps you ’ re a son whose mom made blue-ribbon pies , or a daughter with a father who slung pies at his pizza parlor .
Or anyone , anywhere , who once asked someone in their kitchen , “ So , how much salt did you just add ?
” I learned much about cooking from my parents , especially my mother , and from cooking with friends .
But I also learned from watching the cooking — to be more precise , the finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restaurant chefs .
I reviewed restaurants hereabouts for 15 years , mostly in the 1980s and 1990s , a bit into the aughts , after eating and assaying thousands of restaurant meals .
Here ’ s ( some of ) what I learned about cooking , lessons I ’ ve taken to heart when cooking , not only for myself , but also and very importantly when cooking for others , especially guests in my home .
( Remember when we fed guests in our homes ? )
Being a guest at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly being a restaurant reviewer at a chef ’ s restaurant .
I remember writing recurrent criticisms in my reviews , about how the butter on the table tasted “ of the refrigerator ” or how mealy or stale the bread was .
These are little things ( that , in the nature of little things , add up ) that a good cook should monitor .
For example , in the fridge , keep the butter in its own shed , away from the foods from which it can pick up odors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to many foods that might absorb the malodorous : a slab of polenta set to cool , for example , or certainly many a baked good . )
From all these years restaurant reviewing , I learned many a solid cooking technique , for example , how hand-patted burger meat way outshines , especially texturally , pre-formed pucks .
How mushrooms are sponges , really , and so to mind my hand when adding moisture — stock , juice , wine — when cooking or serving them .
I learned not to soak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a few minutes lest they lose their crunch .
Or to be aware of how easily it is to eradicate the crisp I ’ d achieved on roasted vegetables or the edge of a steak or the bottom of a risotto cake by either letting it steam if somehow contained or by dousing it with an embarrassment of sauce ( s ) .
Some things really annoyed me , mostly dishonesties , it turns out .
I used to rank or grade a restaurant on the correspondence between what it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plate .
A really fine pho joint got the same sorts of positives as a posh fine dining establishment if both were honest in their own ways .
One thing totally bugged me : canned corned beef , which to my mind looks and smells just like anything wet for the pooch from Purina .
( It may taste like it , too , but I can not and will not go there . )
So whenever I asked a server if the restaurant made “ its own corned beef hash ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not , I got peeved .
Cooking from a can is recooking someone else ’ s cooking .
Don ’ t do it ; cook it yourself .
I suppose what I learned most about cooking from all that restaurant reviewing is also another form of honesty , that is , to buy the best quality ingredients that you can afford , prepare them simply or straightforwardly , with fine focus , all the while keeping the plate balanced ( among textures , tastes , savors , aromas , indeed all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot , and actually it is , which means that it also allows for play and pretention , its downfalls .
Dining out — and , similarly , entertaining at table — is beset by the urge to splurge , to impress or wow .
It ’ s important to check that , just like our coat or jacket at the door .
• 2 cups corned beef , trimmed and cut up into small cubes • 2 cups cooked waxy potatoes ( such as Yukon Gold ) , cut up into small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together the corned beef , potatoes and cream .
Set aside .
Over medium-high heat in a large skillet , preferably nonstick or seasoned cast-iron , melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and in it cook the onions for 6-7 minutes to soften them .
Add the remaining butter to the skillet and , when it has melted , the meat and potato mix , pressing down on everything with a spatula to flatten it uniformly .
Cook like this for 10 minutes , or until a crust forms on the bottom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coming along . )
Next , brown the topside in any of three different ways : by broiling it close to the broiling element for 5-6 minutes ; flipping the hash over in broken sections and cooking the new sides for 8-10 minutes ; or ( this is the most difficult but can be the most attractive ) placing a large plate over the hash in the skillet , flipping over both the skillet and plate together , then sliding the less-cooked side of the hash from the plate back into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
Garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley and serve with plenty of ground pepper and hot sauce or ketchup .
Poached eggs are a traditional topping , but any soft-cooked eggs work well , too .

Most of us learn to cook by first watching other people do it. Perhaps you’re a son whose mom made blue-ribbon pies, or a daughter with a father who slung pies at his pizza parlor. Or anyone, anywhere, who once asked someone in their kitchen, “So, how much salt did you just add?”
I learned much about cooking from my parents, especially my mother, and from cooking with friends. But I also learned from watching the cooking — to be more precise, the finished results of the cooking — of hundreds of restaurant chefs.
I reviewed restaurants hereabouts for 15 years, mostly in the 1980s and 1990s, a bit into the aughts, after eating and assaying thousands of restaurant meals.
Here’s (some of) what I learned about cooking, lessons I’ve taken to heart when cooking, not only for myself, but also and very importantly when cooking for others, especially guests in my home. (Remember when we fed guests in our homes?) Being a guest at another’s table is near to exactly being a restaurant reviewer at a chef’s restaurant.
I remember writing recurrent criticisms in my reviews, about how the butter on the table tasted “of the refrigerator” or how mealy or stale the bread was. These are little things (that, in the nature of little things, add up) that a good cook should monitor. For example, in the fridge, keep the butter in its own shed, away from the foods from which it can pick up odors and off-flavors. (This caveat applies to many foods that might absorb the malodorous: a slab of polenta set to cool, for example, or certainly many a baked good.)
From all these years restaurant reviewing, I learned many a solid cooking technique, for example, how hand-patted burger meat way outshines, especially texturally, pre-formed pucks. How mushrooms are sponges, really, and so to mind my hand when adding moisture — stock, juice, wine — when cooking or serving them.
I learned not to soak chopped nuts in a salad dressing for more than a few minutes lest they lose their crunch. Or to be aware of how easily it is to eradicate the crisp I’d achieved on roasted vegetables or the edge of a steak or the bottom of a risotto cake by either letting it steam if somehow contained or by dousing it with an embarrassment of sauce(s).
Some things really annoyed me, mostly dishonesties, it turns out. I used to rank or grade a restaurant on the correspondence between what it said it was and what it delivered on the plate. A really fine pho joint got the same sorts of positives as a posh fine dining establishment if both were honest in their own ways.
One thing totally bugged me: canned corned beef, which to my mind looks and smells just like anything wet for the pooch from Purina. (It may taste like it, too, but I cannot and will not go there.) So whenever I asked a server if the restaurant made “its own corned beef hash” and was told it did but it did not, I got peeved. Cooking from a can is recooking someone else’s cooking. Don’t do it; cook it yourself.
I suppose what I learned most about cooking from all that restaurant reviewing is also another form of honesty, that is, to buy the best quality ingredients that you can afford, prepare them simply or straightforwardly, with fine focus, all the while keeping the plate balanced (among textures, tastes, savors, aromas, indeed all the senses).
That sounds like a lot, and actually it is, which means that it also allows for play and pretention, its downfalls. Dining out — and, similarly, entertaining at table — is beset by the urge to splurge, to impress or wow.
It’s important to check that, just like our coat or jacket at the door.
Corned Beef Hash
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
2 cups corned beef, trimmed and cut up into small cubes
2 cups cooked waxy potatoes (such as Yukon Gold), cut up into small cubes
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 medium onion, peeled and small diced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, in two equal portions
Flat-leaf parsley, chopped fine
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a bowl, gently mix together the corned beef, potatoes and cream. Set aside.
Over medium-high heat in a large skillet, preferably nonstick or seasoned cast-iron, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and in it cook the onions for 6-7 minutes to soften them.
Add the remaining butter to the skillet and, when it has melted, the meat and potato mix, pressing down on everything with a spatula to flatten it uniformly. Cook like this for 10 minutes, or until a crust forms on the bottom. (Peek to see how it’s coming along.)
Next, brown the topside in any of three different ways: by broiling it close to the broiling element for 5-6 minutes; flipping the hash over in broken sections and cooking the new sides for 8-10 minutes; or (this is the most difficult but can be the most attractive) placing a large plate over the hash in the skillet, flipping over both the skillet and plate together, then sliding the less-cooked side of the hash from the plate back into the skillet and cooking that side for 8-10 minutes.
Garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley and serve with plenty of ground pepper and hot sauce or ketchup. Poached eggs are a traditional topping, but any soft-cooked eggs work well, too.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--As his term ends, Trump faces more questions on payments to his hotel

By Eric Lipton , The New York Times WASHINGTON — It was a month before Donald Trump ’ s inauguration , and one of his aides had a delicate question : Wasn ’ t there going to be a backlash when it became known that the inauguration had spent donors ’ money at Trump ’ s hotel in Washington , even though other places would cost much less or even be free ?
“ These are events in P.E.
’ s honor at his hotel , and one of them is with and for family and close friends , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planner for Trump , wrote in an email to a colleague in December 2016 , referring to Trump as the president-elect and saying she raised the issue to “ express my concern.
” As Trump ’ s presidency comes to a close , expenditures like those are receiving renewed legal scrutiny in the form of a civil case being pursued by the attorney general for the District of Columbia .
At the heart of the case is a question — whether Trump and his family have profited from his public role , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and donors — that has been a persistent theme of his tenure in the White House .
More than 200 companies , special-interest groups and foreign governments patronized Trump ’ s properties during his presidency while reaping benefits from him and his administration .
Sixty of them spent $ 12 million at his properties during the first two years he was in office .
The Trump family business has received millions of dollars in payments by the Secret Service , the State Department and the U.S. military to Trump properties around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited his properties on at least 417 days since taking office , at times with world leaders .
And he and his affiliated political committees spent more than $ 6.5 million in campaign funds at his hotels and other businesses since 2017 , including a $ 1 million final burst in the weeks before the election last month .
In the lawsuit moving forward , Attorney General Karl A. Racine of Washington is arguing that Trump ’ s inaugural committee illegally overpaid his family business by as much as $ 1.1 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city in January 2017 .
Ivanka Trump was deposed in the case last week .
Questions about spending , influence and lobbying around the 2017 inaugural have also drawn scrutiny from federal prosecutors from two different offices in New York , with charges filed against at least one donor .
But for all the attention focused on the issue , Trump is set to leave office without a clear resolution of what limits there should be on a president ’ s ability to profit from his public role .
Lawsuits brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington and Maryland claiming that Trump had violated the so-called emoluments clause of the Constitution were never resolved during his term and now face potential dismissal once he is out of power .
“ It is more than just frustrating , ” said Laurence H. Tribe , a constitutional law professor at Harvard University , who has been involved in the emoluments litigation .
“ The most serious questions about the abuse of presidential power and the use of the presidency as a center of personal gain and profit remain unresolved .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than some would have hoped.
” The issue played out especially visibly at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , which opened in late October 2016 , two weeks before Trump was elected .
The hotel became a focal point for lobbyists , White House aides , Republicans in Congress and hundreds of others who sought a way to impress Trump , even though tax records obtained by The New York Times show that the property continued to lose money through at least 2018 .
The Trump family had tried to sell its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversing course when the coronavirus pandemic hit .
With revenue sure to have declined this year , Trump will have to decide whether to put the property back up for sale after he leaves office , or perhaps hope its value will increase if he runs again .
“ Fifty percent of the people still will not go into the hotel , ” said William W. Moyer , a hotel broker , noting that many potential customers who were not supporters of Trump avoided the property .
“ And the other 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to turn on or off people ’ s loyalties like a light switch.
” The case Racine is pursuing is moving ahead after he spent several years collecting evidence about the arrangements between the presidential inaugural committee and the hotel .
Trump ’ s inauguration was unlike any other in U.S. history : He raised more than $ 107 million , twice the previous record , as corporate donors poured tens of millions of dollars into the inaugural committee .
Spending also took place at a record rate .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests attending the inauguration were already planning to fill most of the 263 rooms , which Racine argued meant that ballroom space would typically be offered for free or at least at a major discount .
But when the hotel initially asked the inaugural committee to pay $ 450,000 a day to rent the ballrooms and other common spaces , it provoked immediate questions from both Wolkoff , who has since broken with the Trump family , and Rick Gates , then the inaugural committee ’ s deputy chair , who would go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the special counsel ’ s investigation .
“ First , the cost itself seems quite high compared to other property buyouts for the week , ” Gates wrote in an email to Ivanka Trump 38 days before the inauguration .
“ Second , I am a bit worried about the optics of PIC paying Trump Hotel a high rent fee and the media making a big story out of it , ” he added , referring to the presidential inaugural committee .
Trump wrote to Mickael C. Damelincourt , the hotel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call Gates to negotiate a better deal for the inaugural committee .
“ It should be a fair market rate , ” she said in a follow-up email , which soon led to a new offer of $ 175,000 per day .
“ In my opinion , the max rental fee should be $ 85,000 per day , ” she responded to Gates and Trump in an email where she also noted that other properties , such as Union Station , had offered their spaces for the inauguration at no charge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court documents as part of the lawsuit — is at the heart of the case that Racine , a Democrat , is pursuing .
The inaugural committee paid $ 220,000 for rooms at the hotel , including $ 75,259 to rent out the so-called Trump Townhouse , marketed as an ultraluxurious suite .
On two of the days that the inaugural committee paid the hotel $ 175,000 to rent the ballroom , it had no events that used it , the lawsuit said .
And on a third day when it actually used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying $ 175,000 — another nonprofit group had paid just $ 5,000 to rent the same presidential ballroom space for an inauguration-related event that morning .
The committee also paid the hotel for costs associated with a “ friends and family ” event for Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. that their father was not expected to attend .
The inauguration staff was so uncomfortable sponsoring the gathering that they tried to cancel it , court documents showed .
But Damelincourt objected .
“ Rick … just heard that the Friday night reception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Damelincourt wrote .
“ Tough on us if it is as it was a lot of revenue.
” The event was then rescheduled and took place the night Donald Trump was sworn in .
Ivanka Trump was questioned for five hours last week about the matter , in one of a series of depositions that has also included Damelincourt and Thomas J. Barrack Jr. , a major donor to Donald Trump who was the chair of the inaugural committee .
Wolkoff will be questioned under oath this week and Gates this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melania Trump , the first lady , but she has not been called to testify .
After her deposition , Ivanka Trump condemned the inquiry , as did her brother Eric Trump , who oversees operations at the hotel .
“ This is a game stemming from a political vendetta , ” Trump said in an interview , echoing his sister , who said on Twitter that the case was “ another politically motivated demonstration of vindictiveness & waste of taxpayer dollars.
” So far , Judge José M. López at the Superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sided with the attorney general , rejecting a motion by the Trump Organization and the inaugural committee to dismiss the case .
López has authorized the parties to move ahead with depositions and other discovery until March to prepare for a possible trial .
The civil suit pursued by Racine is distinct from two separate cases raising the constitutional issues about the intersection of Donald Trump ’ s public role and his businesses .
The two cases focused on the Constitution ’ s emoluments clause will be on shakier ground once he leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in one of the emoluments suits in March 2018 that Maryland and the District of Columbia had the right to pursue their cases challenging whether Trump ’ s businesses could take payments from other governments .
And for the first time , the court defined what an emolument is , accepting the broader definition advocated by Maryland and the District of Columbia that it represented just about any payment from a foreign government to the president ’ s businesses instead of a payment made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official action he would then take , as he had argued .
But one of the remedies their lawsuit sought was an order that the president stop accepting these payments .
Once he leaves office , that outcome will effectively have been achieved , perhaps undermining the case .
“ We are having high-level discussions around the viability , survivability of the matter , ” Racine said about the emoluments case .
Equally unresolved is the future of the Trump hotel in Washington .
The hotel bar is open again after closing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But traffic is slow , in part because the hotel is limiting entry to only those with reservations because of virus restrictions .
Zach Everson , who runs an online newsletter that tracks activities at the hotel , said its fate might be determined in part by how much of a power broker Trump remains .
“ Any business that is sustained in some part by people wanting to get in his favor , once you take the official power he had to grant that favor , I am not sure how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ But with Donald Trump , he has been able to pull a rabbit out of the hat before.
” On Friday , White House-related business was still coming in .
Jason Miller , a Trump campaign aide , showed up at lunchtime without his name on the list .
He told a security guard at the hotel entrance that he was there for a meeting with lawyers Eric Hershmann and Justin Clark , two other aides to Trump .
For a moment , Miller was prevented from entering .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told the security guard , before finally being let in .

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Eric Lipton, The New York Times
WASHINGTON — It was a month before Donald Trump’s inauguration, and one of his aides had a delicate question: Wasn’t there going to be a backlash when it became known that the inauguration had spent donors’ money at Trump’s hotel in Washington, even though other places would cost much less or even be free?
“These are events in P.E.’s honor at his hotel, and one of them is with and for family and close friends,” Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, then an event planner for Trump, wrote in an email to a colleague in December 2016, referring to Trump as the president-elect and saying she raised the issue to “express my concern.”
As Trump’s presidency comes to a close, expenditures like those are receiving renewed legal scrutiny in the form of a civil case being pursued by the attorney general for the District of Columbia.
At the heart of the case is a question — whether Trump and his family have profited from his public role, sometimes at the expense of taxpayers, competitors and donors — that has been a persistent theme of his tenure in the White House.
More than 200 companies, special-interest groups and foreign governments patronized Trump’s properties during his presidency while reaping benefits from him and his administration. Sixty of them spent $12 million at his properties during the first two years he was in office.
The Trump family business has received millions of dollars in payments by the Secret Service, the State Department and the U.S. military to Trump properties around the country and the world. The president has visited his properties on at least 417 days since taking office, at times with world leaders. And he and his affiliated political committees spent more than $6.5 million in campaign funds at his hotels and other businesses since 2017, including a $1 million final burst in the weeks before the election last month.
In the lawsuit moving forward, Attorney General Karl A. Racine of Washington is arguing that Trump’s inaugural committee illegally overpaid his family business by as much as $1.1 million for events held at the Trump International Hotel in the city in January 2017. Ivanka Trump was deposed in the case last week.
Questions about spending, influence and lobbying around the 2017 inaugural have also drawn scrutiny from federal prosecutors from two different offices in New York, with charges filed against at least one donor.
But for all the attention focused on the issue, Trump is set to leave office without a clear resolution of what limits there should be on a president’s ability to profit from his public role.
Lawsuits brought by nonprofit groups and attorneys general in Washington and Maryland claiming that Trump had violated the so-called emoluments clause of the Constitution were never resolved during his term and now face potential dismissal once he is out of power.
“It is more than just frustrating,” said Laurence H. Tribe, a constitutional law professor at Harvard University, who has been involved in the emoluments litigation. “The most serious questions about the abuse of presidential power and the use of the presidency as a center of personal gain and profit remain unresolved. The wheels of justice clearly ground more slowly than some would have hoped.”
The issue played out especially visibly at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, which opened in late October 2016, two weeks before Trump was elected.
The hotel became a focal point for lobbyists, White House aides, Republicans in Congress and hundreds of others who sought a way to impress Trump, even though tax records obtained by The New York Times show that the property continued to lose money through at least 2018.
The Trump family had tried to sell its lease at the hotel last year before reversing course when the coronavirus pandemic hit. With revenue sure to have declined this year, Trump will have to decide whether to put the property back up for sale after he leaves office, or perhaps hope its value will increase if he runs again.
“Fifty percent of the people still will not go into the hotel,” said William W. Moyer, a hotel broker, noting that many potential customers who were not supporters of Trump avoided the property. “And the other 50% wanted to go there. You are not going to turn on or off people’s loyalties like a light switch.”
The case Racine is pursuing is moving ahead after he spent several years collecting evidence about the arrangements between the presidential inaugural committee and the hotel.
Trump’s inauguration was unlike any other in U.S. history: He raised more than $107 million, twice the previous record, as corporate donors poured tens of millions of dollars into the inaugural committee. Spending also took place at a record rate.
At the Trump hotel, the inaugural committee and guests attending the inauguration were already planning to fill most of the 263 rooms, which Racine argued meant that ballroom space would typically be offered for free or at least at a major discount.
But when the hotel initially asked the inaugural committee to pay $450,000 a day to rent the ballrooms and other common spaces, it provoked immediate questions from both Wolkoff, who has since broken with the Trump family, and Rick Gates, then the inaugural committee’s deputy chair, who would go on to plead guilty to charges stemming from the special counsel’s investigation.
“First, the cost itself seems quite high compared to other property buyouts for the week,” Gates wrote in an email to Ivanka Trump 38 days before the inauguration. “Second, I am a bit worried about the optics of PIC paying Trump Hotel a high rent fee and the media making a big story out of it,” he added, referring to the presidential inaugural committee.
Trump wrote to Mickael C. Damelincourt, the hotel’s general manager, and asked him to call Gates to negotiate a better deal for the inaugural committee. “It should be a fair market rate,” she said in a follow-up email, which soon led to a new offer of $175,000 per day.
Still, Wolkoff raised concerns.
“In my opinion, the max rental fee should be $85,000 per day,” she responded to Gates and Trump in an email where she also noted that other properties, such as Union Station, had offered their spaces for the inauguration at no charge.
This series of emails — filed in court documents as part of the lawsuit — is at the heart of the case that Racine, a Democrat, is pursuing.
The inaugural committee paid $220,000 for rooms at the hotel, including $75,259 to rent out the so-called Trump Townhouse, marketed as an ultraluxurious suite.
On two of the days that the inaugural committee paid the hotel $175,000 to rent the ballroom, it had no events that used it, the lawsuit said. And on a third day when it actually used the ballroom for a luncheon — again paying $175,000 — another nonprofit group had paid just $5,000 to rent the same presidential ballroom space for an inauguration-related event that morning.
The committee also paid the hotel for costs associated with a “friends and family” event for Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. that their father was not expected to attend. The inauguration staff was so uncomfortable sponsoring the gathering that they tried to cancel it, court documents showed. But Damelincourt objected.
“Rick … just heard that the Friday night reception had been canceled. Is it accurate?” Damelincourt wrote. “Tough on us if it is as it was a lot of revenue.” The event was then rescheduled and took place the night Donald Trump was sworn in.
Ivanka Trump was questioned for five hours last week about the matter, in one of a series of depositions that has also included Damelincourt and Thomas J. Barrack Jr., a major donor to Donald Trump who was the chair of the inaugural committee. Wolkoff will be questioned under oath this week and Gates this month.
Documents were also subpoenaed from Melania Trump, the first lady, but she has not been called to testify.
After her deposition, Ivanka Trump condemned the inquiry, as did her brother Eric Trump, who oversees operations at the hotel.
“This is a game stemming from a political vendetta,” Trump said in an interview, echoing his sister, who said on Twitter that the case was “another politically motivated demonstration of vindictiveness & waste of taxpayer dollars.”
So far, Judge José M. López at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has sided with the attorney general, rejecting a motion by the Trump Organization and the inaugural committee to dismiss the case. López has authorized the parties to move ahead with depositions and other discovery until March to prepare for a possible trial.
The civil suit pursued by Racine is distinct from two separate cases raising the constitutional issues about the intersection of Donald Trump’s public role and his businesses. The two cases focused on the Constitution’s emoluments clause will be on shakier ground once he leaves office, lawyers involved in the cases said.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in one of the emoluments suits in March 2018 that Maryland and the District of Columbia had the right to pursue their cases challenging whether Trump’s businesses could take payments from other governments. And for the first time, the court defined what an emolument is, accepting the broader definition advocated by Maryland and the District of Columbia that it represented just about any payment from a foreign government to the president’s businesses instead of a payment made to the president explicitly in exchange for an official action he would then take, as he had argued.
But one of the remedies their lawsuit sought was an order that the president stop accepting these payments. Once he leaves office, that outcome will effectively have been achieved, perhaps undermining the case.
“We are having high-level discussions around the viability, survivability of the matter,” Racine said about the emoluments case.
Equally unresolved is the future of the Trump hotel in Washington.
The hotel bar is open again after closing in the spring when the virus first peaked. But traffic is slow, in part because the hotel is limiting entry to only those with reservations because of virus restrictions.
Zach Everson, who runs an online newsletter that tracks activities at the hotel, said its fate might be determined in part by how much of a power broker Trump remains.
“Any business that is sustained in some part by people wanting to get in his favor, once you take the official power he had to grant that favor, I am not sure how they can sustain it,” Everson said. “But with Donald Trump, he has been able to pull a rabbit out of the hat before.”
On Friday, White House-related business was still coming in.
Jason Miller, a Trump campaign aide, showed up at lunchtime without his name on the list. He told a security guard at the hotel entrance that he was there for a meeting with lawyers Eric Hershmann and Justin Clark, two other aides to Trump.
For a moment, Miller was prevented from entering.
“I work for the president,” he told the security guard, before finally being let in.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Broncos Mailbag: Why did Phillip Lindsay continue to get carries as Melvin Gordon went past 100 yard

Broncos Mailbag: Why did Phillip Lindsay continue to get carries as Melvin Gordon went past 100 yards against Chiefs?

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O ’ Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season .
Submit questions to Ryan here .
How much of the debacle against the Saints was due to : a ) the quarterbacks ’ carelessness , b ) the coaches not having a designated quarantined quarterback , c ) the team not having a strong owner and d ) the league wanting to make an example and the Broncos getting caught in the net ?
All of the above .
But let ’ s examine things : Yes , the quarterbacks were lax in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , hindsight being 20-20 , the Broncos should have kept a practice squad quarterback away from the other players at the position .
Yes , and I may be in the minority here , but having an owner might not have impacted the league ’ s decision on discipline , but the owner would have stood up for the players and hopefully said the punishment doesn ’ t fit the crime .
I ’ ve gone back and forth on your final point .
By the rule , the quarterbacks were placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact .
I just don ’ t think they were at a high enough risk .
They should have been allowed to play against New Orleans .
I ’ m all about feeding Phillip Lindsay , but was there any reason the Broncos kept giving him the ball even though Melvin Gordon was clearly having the better game ?
Probably would ’ ve helped them out of some sticky situations on Sunday .
— Miles , Denver • Jaycee Horn to the Broncos ?
NFL mock draft has South Carolina cornerback headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face Broncos in “ surreal ” matchup against his hometown team • Broncos After Further Review : Tale of two halves for tight end Noah Fant • Kiszla vs. O ’ Halloran : Has Shelby Harris made himself essential piece of Broncos ’ defensive core ?
The “ Feed Phil ” crowd was pretty quiet Sunday night .
Lindsay had 14 carries for 26 yards and Melvin Gordon had 15 carries for 131 yards and one catch for 11 yards .
I don ’ t get why they didn ’ t lean on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t get starting the fourth quarter by having Lindsay carry the ball ( lost one yard ) .
And I really didn ’ t get having him carry on second-and-4 from the 48 ( one yard ) .
All the Broncos have talked about is the potential of leaning on a hot hand .
They should have cut Lindsay ’ s work and increased Gordon ’ s usage .
Ryan , is there something wrong with Jerry Jeudy ?
He looked like he was missing a step against the Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week because of an ankle injury , but coach Vic Fangio said Monday that didn ’ t contribute to Jeudy having one catch for five yards .
The Broncos focused on getting tight end Noah Fant going in the first half ( four catches-57 yards ) and then spread the football out between receiver Tim Patrick ( two touchdowns ) , running back Melvin Gordon ( 16 total touches ) , receiver KJ Hamler ( two carries/two catches ) and even receiver Tyrie Cleveland had a catch before Jeudy .
Coverage dictates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the football and if that was the reason for Jeudy ’ s inactivity on Sunday , it ’ s time to draw up some new plays for him .
Will the Broncos re-sign Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris next year ?
It feels like those two with Bradley Chubb would make for a great foundation for Denver ’ s defense for years to come .
I know Garett Bolles ’ contract gives us some wiggle room , so will John Elway pull the trigger and get it done ?
Now that Elway has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nose tackle Mike Purcell to contract extensions , Simmons and Harris should be priorities .
Sure , the money needs to be right for both sides , but the Broncos shouldn ’ t be in the business of letting good players walk out of the locker room .
They don ’ t have the depth to do that .
Bolles ’ contract provides wiggle room in that the Broncos can carry right tackle Ja ’ Wuan James ’ deal for one more year and it frees up the franchise tag to use with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simmons to hit the market — if no deal is reached , the guess is the Broncos use the tag again .
Harris , as columnist Mark Kiszla and I debated in Tuesday ’ s paper , is a unique case because he will be in his age-30 season in 2021 , but he has played only 64 games .
Right now , he ’ s a “ young ” 29 .
Getting Will Parks back will be great for our depleted secondary .
Do you think he ’ ll have an immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to right ?
It seems like we keep losing more and more players every week Parks may need to have an immediate impact because the Broncos ’ depth has been shattered .
In just the past two games , they ’ ve lost top cornerback Bryce Callahan ( foot ) for at least two more games and nickel back Essang Bassey ( knee ) for the season .
Parks brings versatility and Fangio could use him as the nickel covering the slot receiver or the dime safety who can run-blitz , cover or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell me why offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur doesn ’ t call plays that best suit the players ?
I have a great question .
Why doesn ’ t John Elway give Colin Kaepernick a chance ?
The Broncos need a veteran quarterback or a quarterback that can read defenses .
And what if Lock releases the ball quicker instead of holding the ball to get a deep pass down the field do you think the Broncos will be successful in getting yards ?
I ’ ll decide if it ’ s a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve covered the Elway-Kaepernick dynamic several times over .
I ’ m not sure how a quarterback who ’ s been out of the league for several years is going to solve the Broncos ’ problems .
As for Shurmur , my only primary complaint about his play-calling is the lack of a screen game to get tight end Noah Fant and running back Melvin Gordon into open space .
They both had positive screen plays on Sunday night so that ’ s progress .
What we also don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Lock struggles to read defenses and if the play call is dictating longer passes instead of checking it down .
Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O ’ Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season .
Submit questions to Ryan here .

Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.
How much of the debacle against the Saints was due to: a) the quarterbacks’ carelessness, b) the coaches not having a designated quarantined quarterback, c) the team not having a strong owner and d) the league wanting to make an example and the Broncos getting caught in the net?
— Greg, Boulder
All of the above. But let’s examine things:
Yes, the quarterbacks were lax in their mask-wearing and have admitted that.
Yes, hindsight being 20-20, the Broncos should have kept a practice squad quarterback away from the other players at the position.
Yes, and I may be in the minority here, but having an owner might not have impacted the league’s decision on discipline, but the owner would have stood up for the players and hopefully said the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
I’ve gone back and forth on your final point. By the rule, the quarterbacks were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list as a high-risk close contact. I just don’t think they were at a high enough risk. They should have been allowed to play against New Orleans.
I’m all about feeding Phillip Lindsay, but was there any reason the Broncos kept giving him the ball even though Melvin Gordon was clearly having the better game? Probably would’ve helped them out of some sticky situations on Sunday.
— Miles, Denver
The “Feed Phil” crowd was pretty quiet Sunday night. Lindsay had 14 carries for 26 yards and Melvin Gordon had 15 carries for 131 yards and one catch for 11 yards.
I don’t get why they didn’t lean on Gordon more in the second half. I didn’t get starting the fourth quarter by having Lindsay carry the ball (lost one yard). And I really didn’t get having him carry on second-and-4 from the 48 (one yard).
All the Broncos have talked about is the potential of leaning on a hot hand. They should have cut Lindsay’s work and increased Gordon’s usage.
Ryan, is there something wrong with Jerry Jeudy? He looked like he was missing a step against the Chiefs.
— Mike, Castle Rock
Jeudy was limited in practice last week because of an ankle injury, but coach Vic Fangio said Monday that didn’t contribute to Jeudy having one catch for five yards.
The Broncos focused on getting tight end Noah Fant going in the first half (four catches-57 yards) and then spread the football out between receiver Tim Patrick (two touchdowns), running back Melvin Gordon (16 total touches), receiver KJ Hamler (two carries/two catches) and even receiver Tyrie Cleveland had a catch before Jeudy.
Coverage dictates in most cases where Lock should go with the football and if that was the reason for Jeudy’s inactivity on Sunday, it’s time to draw up some new plays for him.
Will the Broncos re-sign Justin Simmons and Shelby Harris next year? It feels like those two with Bradley Chubb would make for a great foundation for Denver’s defense for years to come. I know Garett Bolles’ contract gives us some wiggle room, so will John Elway pull the trigger and get it done?
— David Robertson, Aurora
Now that Elway has signed Bolles, kicker Brandon McManus and nose tackle Mike Purcell to contract extensions, Simmons and Harris should be priorities. Sure, the money needs to be right for both sides, but the Broncos shouldn’t be in the business of letting good players walk out of the locker room. They don’t have the depth to do that.
Bolles’ contract provides wiggle room in that the Broncos can carry right tackle Ja’Wuan James’ deal for one more year and it frees up the franchise tag to use with Simmons.
I don’t expect Simmons to hit the market — if no deal is reached, the guess is the Broncos use the tag again.
Harris, as columnist Mark Kiszla and I debated in Tuesday’s paper, is a unique case because he will be in his age-30 season in 2021, but he has played only 64 games. Right now, he’s a “young” 29.
Getting Will Parks back will be great for our depleted secondary. Do you think he’ll have an immediate impact? I mean, he has to right? It seems like we keep losing more and more players every week
— Kyle, Parker
Parks may need to have an immediate impact because the Broncos’ depth has been shattered. In just the past two games, they’ve lost top cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) for at least two more games and nickel back Essang Bassey (knee) for the season.
Parks brings versatility and Fangio could use him as the nickel covering the slot receiver or the dime safety who can run-blitz, cover or play zone coverage.
Can you please tell me why offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur doesn’t call plays that best suit the players? I have a great question. Why doesn’t John Elway give Colin Kaepernick a chance? The Broncos need a veteran quarterback or a quarterback that can read defenses. And what if Lock releases the ball quicker instead of holding the ball to get a deep pass down the field do you think the Broncos will be successful in getting yards?
— Sam Jones, Fairfield, Calif.
I’ll decide if it’s a “great question” or not. We’ve covered the Elway-Kaepernick dynamic several times over. I’m not sure how a quarterback who’s been out of the league for several years is going to solve the Broncos’ problems.
As for Shurmur, my only primary complaint about his play-calling is the lack of a screen game to get tight end Noah Fant and running back Melvin Gordon into open space. They both had positive screen plays on Sunday night so that’s progress.
What we also don’t know: How much (if at all) Lock struggles to read defenses and if the play call is dictating longer passes instead of checking it down.
Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Jaycee Horn to the Broncos? NFL mock draft has South Carolina cornerback headed to Denver.

If the Broncos are looking to recapture the swagger of the No-Fly Zone , maybe they should turn to the draft .
Sporting News ’ Vinnie Iyer unveiled his latest 2021 NFL mock draft on Monday and has South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn headed to the Broncos with the No .
10 overall pick .
“ Offensive tackle is no longer a pressing need with Garett Bolles playing very well ( finally ) and earning his extension , ” Iyer writes .
“ The Broncos might think about a Drew Lock replacement , but cornerback is a big defensive area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn , is getting the due he deserves as a big-time corner .
His big two-interception game against Auburn fueled an upset as he was the best player on the field in that game .
Horn has good size , length , athleticism and physicality.
” Horn , 21 , is 6-foot tall and weighs 200 pounds .
He ’ s recorded two interceptions this year for the Gamecocks in seven games before opting out after Will Muschamp was fired as head coach .
The NFL draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleveland .

If the Broncos are looking to recapture the swagger of the No-Fly Zone, maybe they should turn to the draft.
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer unveiled his latest 2021 NFL mock draft on Monday and has South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn headed to the Broncos with the No. 10 overall pick.
“Offensive tackle is no longer a pressing need with Garett Bolles playing very well (finally) and earning his extension,” Iyer writes. “The Broncos might think about a Drew Lock replacement, but cornerback is a big defensive area to address. Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, is getting the due he deserves as a big-time corner. His big two-interception game against Auburn fueled an upset as he was the best player on the field in that game. Horn has good size, length, athleticism and physicality.”
Horn, 21, is 6-foot tall and weighs 200 pounds. He’s recorded two interceptions this year for the Gamecocks in seven games before opting out after Will Muschamp was fired as head coach.
The NFL draft will take place April 29-May 1 in Cleveland.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Ask Amy: Mentally ill family member struggles in silence

Dear Amy : I have struggled with my mental health my entire life .
I ’ ve been in and out of several psychiatric hospitals over the past few years .
I ’ ve always been private with my emotions , having been raised in a family that doesn ’ t talk about feelings .
Therefore , my first hospital admission came as a surprise to my parents , though they did visit me often while I was there .
To this day , we still don ’ t talk about my struggles , nor have my parents asked me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was recently at a ( small , distanced ) family gathering with my parents and an aunt .
Somehow , the conversation turned to my grandfather ’ s service in WWII .
In what was framed as a funny anecdote , my parents and aunt repeatedly talked about my grandfather ’ s time guarding the “ loony bin.
” I was very taken aback by this phrase and the laughter that accompanied it .
I was too surprised to react in the moment .
Several weeks later , I ’ m still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derogatory comments toward the people in the hospital felt like a dagger to my heart .
I don ’ t know where to go from here .
I haven ’ t had any contact with any of them since that day .
Dear No “ Loony ” : When people make a deeply insensitive remark — or a slur — the appropriate response is to react honestly to it , either in the moment or later on , once you ’ ve caught your breath .
Retreating into an angry silence may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not useful .
Changing this one thing about how you respond to things that hurt you might be good for you , and would definitely be useful to them .
Their terminology and attitude toward people with mental illness is both unfortunate and obsolete .
Your family members were repeating slurs and stories from 70 years ago , using language that was commonly used at that time .
If you are able , reach out and tell them something along these lines : “ I had never heard those stories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Honestly , though , calling a hospital a ‘ loony bin ’ is a terrible thing to say .
I was shocked when I heard people using that term .
People who have mental illness are not ‘ loony ’ , and they don ’ t spend time in a ‘ bin , ’ any more than people who have cancer do .
I feel it is important to let you know that.
” My suggested script does not refer to your own experience in hospitals , which I sense hews to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more open about your own illness could be a gamechanger for you .
I hope you will talk to your therapist about ways to connect more deeply with your family .
Your advocacy is a positive step in that direction .
Dear Amy : I ’ ve been going to a restaurant with some friends and really like one of the waiters .
He seems to be interested in me , but that could just be good salesmanship .
His body language indicates that he is interested .
I ’ m a gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make him uncomfortable .
I don ’ t want to make the situation awkward , should he not be gay or not interested .
How do I approach this , or do I have to let it die ?
Dear Hungry : Researching your question , I ’ ve visited several online forums for servers , and most waitstaff say that no matter what , do not ask them out during a shift .
They are very busy , and this puts them in an awkward position with you and other customers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get asked out a lot .
Understand that for a server , your handsome face might be one more in a blur of faces he sees each day .
If he is good at his job , each table he serves will notice that he ’ s attentive and interested .
If he is interested in you , he will let you know in all the usual ways : eye contact , lingering , extraneous conversation .
The most benign ( and , I think , sophisticated ) way to handle this would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the check .
( I know what you ’ re thinking : Time to order business cards ! )
Dear Amy : “ Concerned ” asked you if he was an alcoholic .
Two scotch and waters and two glasses of wine at night do NOT an alcoholic make .
Dear Drinker : I did not declare “ Concerned ” to be an alcoholic but offered him several metrics by which to gauge his own drinking , and to cut down , if necessary .

Dear Amy: I have struggled with my mental health my entire life.
I’ve been in and out of several psychiatric hospitals over the past few years.
I’ve always been private with my emotions, having been raised in a family that doesn’t talk about feelings. Therefore, my first hospital admission came as a surprise to my parents, though they did visit me often while I was there.
To this day, we still don’t talk about my struggles, nor have my parents asked me directly about why I was there.
I was recently at a (small, distanced) family gathering with my parents and an aunt. Somehow, the conversation turned to my grandfather’s service in WWII.
In what was framed as a funny anecdote, my parents and aunt repeatedly talked about my grandfather’s time guarding the “loony bin.”
I was very taken aback by this phrase and the laughter that accompanied it. I was too surprised to react in the moment.
Several weeks later, I’m still supremely hurt by this conversation.
The derogatory comments toward the people in the hospital felt like a dagger to my heart.
I don’t know where to go from here. I haven’t had any contact with any of them since that day.
— I’m No “Loony”
Dear No “Loony”: When people make a deeply insensitive remark — or a slur — the appropriate response is to react honestly to it, either in the moment or later on, once you’ve caught your breath.
Retreating into an angry silence may be the norm in your family, but it is not useful. Changing this one thing about how you respond to things that hurt you might be good for you, and would definitely be useful to them.
Their terminology and attitude toward people with mental illness is both unfortunate and obsolete. Your family members were repeating slurs and stories from 70 years ago, using language that was commonly used at that time.
If you are able, reach out and tell them something along these lines: “I had never heard those stories from Grandpa’s service in WWII before. Honestly, though, calling a hospital a ‘loony bin’ is a terrible thing to say. I was shocked when I heard people using that term. People who have mental illness are not ‘loony’, and they don’t spend time in a ‘bin,’ any more than people who have cancer do. I feel it is important to let you know that.”
My suggested script does not refer to your own experience in hospitals, which I sense hews to your family’s style.
Being more open about your own illness could be a gamechanger for you. I hope you will talk to your therapist about ways to connect more deeply with your family. Your advocacy is a positive step in that direction.
Dear Amy: I’ve been going to a restaurant with some friends and really like one of the waiters.
He seems to be interested in me, but that could just be good salesmanship.
His body language indicates that he is interested.
I’m a gay male and don’t want to make him uncomfortable. I don’t want to make the situation awkward, should he not be gay or not interested.
How do I approach this, or do I have to let it die?
— Hungry
Dear Hungry: Researching your question, I’ve visited several online forums for servers, and most waitstaff say that no matter what, do not ask them out during a shift. They are very busy, and this puts them in an awkward position with you and other customers. And it turns out that some waitstaff get asked out a lot.
Understand that for a server, your handsome face might be one more in a blur of faces he sees each day. If he is good at his job, each table he serves will notice that he’s attentive and interested.
If he is interested in you, he will let you know in all the usual ways: eye contact, lingering, extraneous conversation.
The most benign (and, I think, sophisticated) way to handle this would be to simply leave your business card with the check. (I know what you’re thinking: Time to order business cards!)
Dear Amy: “Concerned” asked you if he was an alcoholic.
Two scotch and waters and two glasses of wine at night do NOT an alcoholic make.
— Social Drinker
Dear Drinker: I did not declare “Concerned” to be an alcoholic but offered him several metrics by which to gauge his own drinking, and to cut down, if necessary.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Denver Public Schools to begin spring semester remotely, phase kids back into classrooms by Feb. 1

Denver Public Schools ’ more than 93,000 students will begin the spring semester remotely , with students returning to the classroom in phases through the month of January , the district announced Tuesday .
Virtual classes resume Jan. 5 following winter break and continue for all grades through Jan. 8 , according to a note sent to families by outgoing Superintendent Susana Cordova .
Thereafter , the district will gradually phase students back to in-person learning by grade level , much like it had anticipated doing in the fall before community spread of COVID-19 forced schools to close .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childhood education through fifth grade , including those in SPED Centers and Newcomer Centers , are expected to return to in-person learning .
And beginning Jan. 19 , secondary school students may start attending classes in-person , though plans may vary by individual schools .
“ Schools bring secondary students back at their own pace , including health and safety orientation days to help students acclimate to the required health protocols for in-person learning , ” Cordova in her note .
“ Some of our smaller high schools may be able to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while some of our larger schools may return on a hybrid schedule.
” By Feb. 1 , the district plans to open schools to all students who choose to go back in-person — health conditions permitting .
“ We believe this timeline prioritizes students who need in-person learning most , while also giving schools the opportunity to plan and prepare for a full-scale return to in-person learning , ” Cordova said .
“ As always , we will continue to monitor health conditions in partnership with Denver Health and will adjust our January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools is one of the first Colorado districts to announce its plans for the spring .
Gov .
Jared Polis has been adamant about getting kids back in schools for in-person learning and recently called a task force of educators and experts to help develop protocols that enable that format .
In-person learning at DPS was on-again , off-again through the fall semester as COVID-19 rates fluctuated .
The district originally delayed the start of in-person learning for all grades before gradually phasing in its youngest students in late September .
But by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle and high school students .
By the end of the month , the district returned third- through fifth-graders to remote learning .
And by Nov. 30 , all students were back online .

Denver Public Schools’ more than 93,000 students will begin the spring semester remotely, with students returning to the classroom in phases through the month of January, the district announced Tuesday.
Virtual classes resume Jan. 5 following winter break and continue for all grades through Jan. 8, according to a note sent to families by outgoing Superintendent Susana Cordova. Thereafter, the district will gradually phase students back to in-person learning by grade level, much like it had anticipated doing in the fall before community spread of COVID-19 forced schools to close.
On Jan. 11, students enrolled in early childhood education through fifth grade, including those in SPED Centers and Newcomer Centers, are expected to return to in-person learning. And beginning Jan. 19, secondary school students may start attending classes in-person, though plans may vary by individual schools.
“Schools bring secondary students back at their own pace, including health and safety orientation days to help students acclimate to the required health protocols for in-person learning,” Cordova in her note. “Some of our smaller high schools may be able to return to in-person five days a week, while some of our larger schools may return on a hybrid schedule.”
By Feb. 1, the district plans to open schools to all students who choose to go back in-person — health conditions permitting.
“We believe this timeline prioritizes students who need in-person learning most, while also giving schools the opportunity to plan and prepare for a full-scale return to in-person learning,” Cordova said. “As always, we will continue to monitor health conditions in partnership with Denver Health and will adjust our January return plans if needed.”
Denver Public Schools is one of the first Colorado districts to announce its plans for the spring. Gov. Jared Polis has been adamant about getting kids back in schools for in-person learning and recently called a task force of educators and experts to help develop protocols that enable that format.
In-person learning at DPS was on-again, off-again through the fall semester as COVID-19 rates fluctuated. The district originally delayed the start of in-person learning for all grades before gradually phasing in its youngest students in late September. But by mid-October, DPS canceled in-person classes for middle and high school students. By the end of the month, the district returned third- through fifth-graders to remote learning. And by Nov. 30, all students were back online.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Barbershop owner sues Colorado governor over COVID-19 relief earmarked for minority-owned businesses

The white owner of a Colorado Springs barbershop sued Gov .
Jared Polis on Tuesday over newly-passed coronavirus relief designated for minority-owned small businesses , claiming the relief is unconstitutional .
Etienne Hardre , owner of Locals Barbershop , claimed in the lawsuit — which also names the state ’ s Minority Business Office and its director as defendants — that the $ 4 million in aid earmarked for businesses that are at least 51 % minority-owned is unconstitutional because access to the aid is based entirely on race , and the state failed to show how the aid remedies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court has held that if you are going to do race-conscious measures , you are required to specify the past or present discrimination you are remedying , ” attorney Michael Kuhn said .
“ And societal , so-called systemic racism isn ’ t sufficient.
” The novel coronavirus disproportionately affects people of color , research has shown , but Kuhn argued that disparity is not enough for the state to base its relief on .
A spokesman for Polis did not immediately return a request for comment .
Hardre lost a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , according to the lawsuit , and would apply for any available state aid — but because he is white he can ’ t receive the funds designated for minority-owned businesses .
“ We have nothing against minorities , minorities are fantastic , ” Hardre said .
“ However , everybody , all Americans , all Coloradans have been hurt .
Business owners of all kinds , whites as well as minorities .
We are doing our part to just raise a flag and say , ‘ Hey , this doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for only one subsection of the Coloradans who have been hurt and ignore the others.
’ ” The lawsuit seeks to remove the race-based requirement from the aid .
The $ 4 million designated for minority-owned businesses is part of a wider relief package signed into law Monday that includes $ 300 million in aid to small businesses , child care providers , nonprofit organizations , and struggling landlords and families .
The relief set aside for minority-owned businesses is part of $ 57 million designated for small businesses and arts organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 million , is earmarked for direct relief payments of up to $ 7,000 for businesses hit hard by the pandemic , like restaurants , bars and salons .
To qualify for the relief , businesses must follow COVID-19 safety restrictions .

The white owner of a Colorado Springs barbershop sued Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday over newly-passed coronavirus relief designated for minority-owned small businesses, claiming the relief is unconstitutional.
Etienne Hardre, owner of Locals Barbershop, claimed in the lawsuit — which also names the state’s Minority Business Office and its director as defendants — that the $4 million in aid earmarked for businesses that are at least 51% minority-owned is unconstitutional because access to the aid is based entirely on race, and the state failed to show how the aid remedies discrimination or racism.
“The Supreme Court has held that if you are going to do race-conscious measures, you are required to specify the past or present discrimination you are remedying,” attorney Michael Kuhn said. “And societal, so-called systemic racism isn’t sufficient.”
The novel coronavirus disproportionately affects people of color, research has shown, but Kuhn argued that disparity is not enough for the state to base its relief on.
A spokesman for Polis did not immediately return a request for comment.
Hardre lost a third of his barbershop’s revenue during the pandemic, according to the lawsuit, and would apply for any available state aid — but because he is white he can’t receive the funds designated for minority-owned businesses.
“We have nothing against minorities, minorities are fantastic,” Hardre said. “However, everybody, all Americans, all Coloradans have been hurt. Business owners of all kinds, whites as well as minorities. We are doing our part to just raise a flag and say, ‘Hey, this doesn’t seem right to carve out the money for only one subsection of the Coloradans who have been hurt and ignore the others.’”
The lawsuit seeks to remove the race-based requirement from the aid. The $4 million designated for minority-owned businesses is part of a wider relief package signed into law Monday that includes $300 million in aid to small businesses, child care providers, nonprofit organizations, and struggling landlords and families.
The relief set aside for minority-owned businesses is part of $57 million designated for small businesses and arts organizations. Most of the money, $37 million, is earmarked for direct relief payments of up to $7,000 for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, like restaurants, bars and salons. To qualify for the relief, businesses must follow COVID-19 safety restrictions.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Man charged with first-degree murder in Commerce City homicide

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder , according to Commerce City police .
At 3:37 @ @ @ @ @ dispatched to the 5500 block of East 65th Street on a report of a disturbance @ @ @ @ @ release .
When officers arrived they found a man “ jumping on top of a @ @ @ @ @ ” The man “ made statements ” that prompted officers to make a welfare check @ @ @ @ @ they found a man dead inside the home .
Jorge Hernandez , the man who @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested without further incident .
Police said he ’ s been charged with @ @ @ @ @ ’ s identity will be released by the Adams County Coroner ’ s Office .

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according to Commerce City police.
At 3:37 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 5500 block of East 65th Street on a report of a disturbance, according to a news release. When officers arrived they found a man “jumping on top of a parked vehicle in the street.”
The man “made statements” that prompted officers to make a welfare check at a nearby residence where they found a man dead inside the home.
Jorge Hernandez, the man who was jumping on the vehicle, was arrested without further incident. Police said he’s been charged with first-degree murder.
The victim’s identity will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.


thedenverpost--2020-12-09--Carter Savoie scores late power-play goal as DU Pioneers defeat No. 1 North Dakota

University of Denver freshman Carter Savoie nearly averaged a goal-per-game last season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League , producing a league-high 53 tallies in 54 games for the Sherwood Park Crusaders .
As a collegian , the 18-year-old is on an even better clip , with five goals in four career games for the Pioneers .
His fifth came Tuesday against No .
1 North Dakota at Baxter Arena in Omaha , Neb.
, and the power-play goal with 2:02 remaining in the third period lifted DU to a 3-2 victory — its first of the season .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an early 2-0 lead , had suffered three one-goal losses in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference pod , including 4-3 in overtime to North Dakota on Friday .
Savoie accepted a pass from Cole Guttman on the backhand and used a wrist shot from the left circle to beat goalie Adam Scheel , who was 20 seconds from killing off a five-minute major to Brendan Budy for checking DU ’ s Justin Lee from behind .
Budy began his college career at DU in 2018 , playing six games before returning to junior-A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kohen Olischefski also scored for the Pioneers , and goalie Magnus Chrona made 24 saves .
DU next plays Miami-Ohio on Thursday at Baxter Arena .

University of Denver freshman Carter Savoie nearly averaged a goal-per-game last season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, producing a league-high 53 tallies in 54 games for the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
As a collegian, the 18-year-old is on an even better clip, with five goals in four career games for the Pioneers.
His fifth came Tuesday against No. 1 North Dakota at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Neb., and the power-play goal with 2:02 remaining in the third period lifted DU to a 3-2 victory — its first of the season.
The Pioneers (1-3), who blew an early 2-0 lead, had suffered three one-goal losses in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference pod, including 4-3 in overtime to North Dakota on Friday.
Savoie accepted a pass from Cole Guttman on the backhand and used a wrist shot from the left circle to beat goalie Adam Scheel, who was 20 seconds from killing off a five-minute major to Brendan Budy for checking DU’s Justin Lee from behind. Budy began his college career at DU in 2018, playing six games before returning to junior-A.
McKade Webster (power play) and Kohen Olischefski also scored for the Pioneers, and goalie Magnus Chrona made 24 saves.
DU next plays Miami-Ohio on Thursday at Baxter Arena.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--A to-do list for Broncos quarterback Drew Lock over the final four games

If Broncos quarterback Drew Lock needed a personal to-do list for the season ’ s final four games , coach Vic Fangio delivered it after Sunday ’ s loss in Kansas City .
“ Just to need to make good throws , good plays , good reads , run the offense from the start of the huddle to the line of scrimmage , ” Fangio said when asked about what he wants to see from Lock .
“ We ’ re not always spot on right there and we need to be .
“ I think Drew has got it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep working with him on that.
” Fourteen starts into his NFL career , Lock ’ s goal for the final month should be three-fold : Stay healthy , show noticeable improvement and be a factor in the Broncos winning games .
To that end , Lock can point to many areas for improvement , including these four : Where he ranks : Lock ’ s 13 interceptions are second-most in the NFL , behind only Philadelphia ’ s Carson Wentz ( 15 ) , who was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one interception in seven consecutive games , the league ’ s longest current streak .
His interception rate of 4.4 % is highest in the NFL by a long shot .
Next are the New York Jets ’ Sam Darold and San Francisco ’ s Nick Mullens at 3.7 % .
“ We ’ ve got to cut down on the interceptions , obviously , ” Fangio said .
How to fix it : This is problem area No .
1 for Lock , and Fangio is right .
Lock ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the move , avoiding pressure and forcing a throw to tight end Troy Fumagalli .
Lock ’ s second interception came on the Broncos ’ final snap — fourth down and in desperation mode .
It ’ s the flow-of-the-game turnovers like the first interception that need to be curtailed .
There ’ s nothing wrong with a throwaway , even on third down .
Lock has five first-half interceptions , including opening-drive giveaways against Miami and Kansas City .
Where he ranks : Lock is 43-of-86 passing for 553 yards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down this year .
Lock ’ s 64.0 rating is 24th out of 25 quarterbacks with at least 75 third-down passes , ahead of only Arizona ’ s Kyler Murray ( 61.4 ) and just behind Seattle ’ s Russell Wilson ( 66.4 ) .
How to fix it : Stay out of third-and-long .
In the last four games , Lock has attempted 43 third-down passes and achieved 18 conversions .
Some of his success on third-and-manageable : *Atlanta : Lock converted a third-and-2 ( nine-yard touchdown to receiver Tim Patrick ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiver KJ Hamler and three yards to receiver DaeSean Hamilton ) .
*Kansas City : Lock had throws to convert a third-and-3 ( tight end Noah Fant five yards ) and two third-and-7s ( Fant 37 yards and eight yards to receiver KJ Hamler ) .
“ I think converting the third downs ( Sunday ) night showed ( improvement ) a little bit , ” Fangio said .
Third-and-manageable situations give Lock other options , chiefly a quick throw for the first down or , if the first read isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-down marker .
Where he ranks : Yikes .
Last … and it ’ s not even close .
According to Stats , Inc. , on passes of at least 21 “ air ” yards , Lock is 9-of-49 passing ( 18.4 % ) for 338 yards , four interceptions and no touchdowns .
Lock ’ s rating of 21.9 on these passes is worst in the league ; Tampa Bay ’ s Tom Brady is the next-worst at 52.9 .
How to fix it : The easy answer would be to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dink-and-dunk strategy isn ’ t a sure-fire route to winning , either .
Against the Chiefs , Lock threw 26 “ air ” yards to Fant for a 37-yard gain ( well-placed pass ) and hit Patrick on an over route for 21 ( 20 “ air ” yards ) .
Big pass plays set up touchdowns , so the Broncos shouldn ’ t abandon the downfield attempts completely .
Where he ranks : Only 34 of Lock ’ s 296 attempts and 20 of his 164 completions have been to running backs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.5 % is 38th out of 39 quarterbacks with at least 100 overall pass attempts ( Pittsburgh ’ s Ben Roethlisberger is last at 11.4 % ) and the running back reception rate of 12.2 % is 37th out of 38 qualified quarterbacks ( Tennessee ’ s Ryan Tannehill is last at 11.8 % ) .
How to fix it : This is up to play-calling offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur , but Lock should offer a suggestion .
Melvin Gordon had seasons 41 , 58 and 50 catches for the Chargers from 2016-18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 receptions this year .
Plays like wheel routes and screens would allow Gordon and running back Royce Freeman ( remember him ? )
to get into the open field and gain extra yards .
Overall , is Lock on audition for 2021 ?
Sure he is , but so are numerous other players on the roster who are under contract for next year and beyond .
The goal for Lock — take the improvements he feels he ’ s making in the film room and practice field to Sundays .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and better each week , ” Lock said after the Kansas City game .
“ Feeling the game , dealing with what these defenses are doing and how they ’ re trying to stop us — definitely further along and feel better than I did a year ago .
”

If Broncos quarterback Drew Lock needed a personal to-do list for the season’s final four games, coach Vic Fangio delivered it after Sunday’s loss in Kansas City.
“Just to need to make good throws, good plays, good reads, run the offense from the start of the huddle to the line of scrimmage,” Fangio said when asked about what he wants to see from Lock. “We’re not always spot on right there and we need to be.
“I think Drew has got it in him and we’re going to keep working with him on that.”
Fourteen starts into his NFL career, Lock’s goal for the final month should be three-fold: Stay healthy, show noticeable improvement and be a factor in the Broncos winning games.
To that end, Lock can point to many areas for improvement, including these four:
Interceptions
Where he ranks: Lock’s 13 interceptions are second-most in the NFL, behind only Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz (15), who was benched for rookie Jalen Hurts on Tuesday.
Lock has at least one interception in seven consecutive games, the league’s longest current streak. His interception rate of 4.4% is highest in the NFL by a long shot. Next are the New York Jets’ Sam Darold and San Francisco’s Nick Mullens at 3.7%.
“We’ve got to cut down on the interceptions, obviously,” Fangio said.
How to fix it: This is problem area No. 1 for Lock, and Fangio is right.
Lock’s first interception against Kansas City was careless — on the move, avoiding pressure and forcing a throw to tight end Troy Fumagalli.
Lock’s second interception came on the Broncos’ final snap — fourth down and in desperation mode.
It’s the flow-of-the-game turnovers like the first interception that need to be curtailed. There’s nothing wrong with a throwaway, even on third down. Lock has five first-half interceptions, including opening-drive giveaways against Miami and Kansas City.
Third down passing
Where he ranks: Lock is 43-of-86 passing for 553 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions on third down this year.
Lock’s 64.0 rating is 24th out of 25 quarterbacks with at least 75 third-down passes, ahead of only Arizona’s Kyler Murray (61.4) and just behind Seattle’s Russell Wilson (66.4).
How to fix it: Stay out of third-and-long. In the last four games, Lock has attempted 43 third-down passes and achieved 18 conversions. Some of his success on third-and-manageable:
*Atlanta: Lock converted a third-and-2 (nine-yard touchdown to receiver Tim Patrick) and two third-and-3s (nine yards to receiver KJ Hamler and three yards to receiver DaeSean Hamilton).
*Las Vegas: Lock converted a third-and-7 (11 yards to Hamler).
*Miami: Lock converted a third-and-2 to Hamler for 16 yards.
*Kansas City: Lock had throws to convert a third-and-3 (tight end Noah Fant five yards) and two third-and-7s (Fant 37 yards and eight yards to receiver KJ Hamler).
“I think converting the third downs (Sunday) night showed (improvement) a little bit,” Fangio said.
Third-and-manageable situations give Lock other options, chiefly a quick throw for the first down or, if the first read isn’t there, a check-down/dump-off throw near the first-down marker.
Downfield passing
Where he ranks: Yikes. Last … and it’s not even close. According to Stats, Inc., on passes of at least 21 “air” yards, Lock is 9-of-49 passing (18.4%) for 338 yards, four interceptions and no touchdowns.
Lock’s rating of 21.9 on these passes is worst in the league; Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady is the next-worst at 52.9.
How to fix it: The easy answer would be to stop throwing downfield so often, but a dink-and-dunk strategy isn’t a sure-fire route to winning, either.
Against the Chiefs, Lock threw 26 “air” yards to Fant for a 37-yard gain (well-placed pass) and hit Patrick on an over route for 21 (20 “air” yards).
Big pass plays set up touchdowns, so the Broncos shouldn’t abandon the downfield attempts completely.
Involving running backs
Where he ranks: Only 34 of Lock’s 296 attempts and 20 of his 164 completions have been to running backs this year.
The target rate of 11.5% is 38th out of 39 quarterbacks with at least 100 overall pass attempts (Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger is last at 11.4%) and the running back reception rate of 12.2% is 37th out of 38 qualified quarterbacks (Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill is last at 11.8%).
How to fix it: This is up to play-calling offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, but Lock should offer a suggestion.
Melvin Gordon had seasons 41, 58 and 50 catches for the Chargers from 2016-18, but is on pace for only 28 receptions this year.
Plays like wheel routes and screens would allow Gordon and running back Royce Freeman (remember him?) to get into the open field and gain extra yards.
Overall, is Lock on audition for 2021? Sure he is, but so are numerous other players on the roster who are under contract for next year and beyond. The goal for Lock — take the improvements he feels he’s making in the film room and practice field to Sundays.
“I try to see (things) better and better each week,” Lock said after the Kansas City game. “Feeling the game, dealing with what these defenses are doing and how they’re trying to stop us — definitely further along and feel better than I did a year ago.”


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--High court rejects GOP bid to halt Biden’s Pennsylvania win

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Republicans ’ last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania ’ s certification of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in the electoral battleground .
The court without comment refused to call into question the certification process in Pennsylvania .
Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf already has certified Biden ’ s victory and the state ’ s 20 electors are to meet on Dec. 14 to cast their votes for Biden .
Biden won 306 electoral votes , so even if Pennsylvania ’ s results had been in doubt , he still would have more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become president .
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of northwestern Pennsylvania and other plaintiffs pleaded with the justices to intervene after the state Supreme Court turned away their case .
The Republicans argued that Pennsylvania ’ s expansive vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional because it required a constitutional amendment to authorize its provisions .
Biden beat President Donald Trump by more than 80,000 votes in Pennsylvania , a state Trump had won in 2016 .
Most mail-in ballots were submitted by Democrats .
The state ’ s high court said the plaintiffs waited too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans ’ staggering demand that an entire election be overturned retroactively .
In the underlying lawsuit , Kelly and the other Republican plaintiffs had sought to either throw out the 2.5 million mail-in ballots submitted under the law or to wipe out the election results and direct the state ’ s Republican-controlled Legislature to pick Pennsylvania ’ s presidential electors .

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Republicans’ last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania’s certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the electoral battleground.
The court without comment refused to call into question the certification process in Pennsylvania. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf already has certified Biden’s victory and the state’s 20 electors are to meet on Dec. 14 to cast their votes for Biden.
Biden won 306 electoral votes, so even if Pennsylvania’s results had been in doubt, he still would have more than the 270 electoral votes needed to become president.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of northwestern Pennsylvania and other plaintiffs pleaded with the justices to intervene after the state Supreme Court turned away their case.
The Republicans argued that Pennsylvania’s expansive vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional because it required a constitutional amendment to authorize its provisions.
Biden beat President Donald Trump by more than 80,000 votes in Pennsylvania, a state Trump had won in 2016. Most mail-in ballots were submitted by Democrats.
The state’s high court said the plaintiffs waited too long to file the challenge and noted the Republicans’ staggering demand that an entire election be overturned retroactively.
In the underlying lawsuit, Kelly and the other Republican plaintiffs had sought to either throw out the 2.5 million mail-in ballots submitted under the law or to wipe out the election results and direct the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to pick Pennsylvania’s presidential electors.


thedenverpost--2020-12-08--Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye facing suspension for PED violation, league source says

Broncos cornerback A.J .
Bouye is facing a suspension for violating the NFL ’ s policy on performance-enhancing substances , according to a league source .
The multi-game suspension could be as many as six games .
Official word of a Bouye suspension wasn ’ t on the NFL ’ s transaction wire Tuesday night .
The Broncos declined to comment and Bouye ’ s agent , Fred Lyles , did not return messages from The Denver Post seeking comment and confirmation .
Bouye ’ s suspension would be the latest blow to an already-depleted Broncos cornerback corps .
Bryce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserve for at least two more games and rookie nickel back Essang Bassey sustained a season-ending knee injury in Sunday ’ s loss at Kansas City .
The available cornerbacks on the roster for this Sunday ’ s game at Carolina are Michael Ojemudia , DeVante Bausby , Duke Dawson and Kevin Toliver .
Safeties Alijah Holder and Will Parks could also be called upon to play corner in certain personnel packages .
Bouye is the second Broncos player currently facing a suspension , as running back Melvin Gordon is likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to a drunk driving arrest in September .
Acquired from Jacksonville in the offseason for a fourth-round pick , Bouye has 23 tackles and no interceptions in seven games this year .

Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced Wednesday morning.
The suspension will be the final four games of this year and the first two games of 2021. Bouye is eligible to participate in a team’s offseason program and preseason games in 2021.
Bouye’s suspension is the latest blow to an already-depleted Broncos cornerback corps. Bryce Callahan (foot) is on injured reserve for at least two more games and rookie nickel back Essang Bassey sustained a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s loss at Kansas City. The available cornerbacks on the roster for this Sunday’s game at Carolina are Michael Ojemudia, DeVante Bausby, Duke Dawson and Kevin Toliver.
Safeties Alijah Holder and Will Parks could also be called upon to play corner in certain personnel packages.
Bouye is the second Broncos player currently facing a suspension, as running back Melvin Gordon is likely to be suspended for three games at some point due to a drunk driving arrest in September.
Acquired from Jacksonville in the offseason for a fourth-round pick, Bouye has 23 tackles and no interceptions in seven games this year. Even before the suspension, it was becoming possible that Bouye would be a one-and-done player for the Broncos. His salary cap hit is $13.375 million and he has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract.