thedenverpost--2020-06-22--TikTok teens and K-pop stans say they sunk Trump’s Tulsa rally

By Taylor Lorenz , Kellen Browning and Sheera Frenkel , The New York Times President Donald Trump ’ s campaign promised huge crowds at his rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday , but it failed to deliver .
Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say they ’ re at least partially responsible .
Brad Parscale , the chairman of Trump ’ s reelection campaign , posted on Twitter on Monday that the campaign had fielded more than 1 million ticket requests , but reporters at the event noted the attendance was lower than expected .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally for an anticipated overflow crowd that did not materialize .
Tim Murtaugh , a spokesman for the Trump campaign , said protesters stopped supporters from entering the rally , held at the BOK Center , which has a 19,000-seat capacity .
Reporters present said there were few protests .
TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music groups claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets for Trump ’ s campaign rally as a prank .
After the Trump campaign ’ s official account @ TeamTrump posted a tweet asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their phones June 11 , K-pop fan accounts began sharing the information with followers , encouraging them to register for the rally — and then not show .
The trend quickly spread on TikTok , where videos with millions of views instructed viewers to do the same , as CNN reported Tuesday .
“ Oh no .
I signed up for a Trump rally , and I can ’ t go , ” one woman joked , along with a fake cough , in a TikTok posted June 15 .
Thousands of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok that racked up millions of views .
Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
“ It spread mostly through Alt TikTok — we kept it on the quiet side where people do pranks and a lot of activism , ” said YouTuber Elijah Daniel , 26 , who participated in the social media campaign .
“ K-pop , Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly .
They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users deleted their posts after 24 to 48 hours in order to conceal their plan and keep it from spreading into the mainstream internet .
“ The majority of people who made them deleted them after the first day because we didn ’ t want the Trump campaign to catch wind , ” Daniel said .
“ These kids are smart , and they thought of everything.
” Twitter users Saturday night were quick to declare the social media campaign ’ s victory .
“ Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York tweeted in response to Parscale , who had tweeted that “ radical protestors ” had “ interfered ” with attendance .
Steve Schmidt , a longtime Republican strategist , added , “ The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @ realDonaldTrump.
” Mary Jo Laupp , a 51-year-old from Fort Dodge , Iowa , said she had been watching Black TikTok users express their frustration about Trump hosting his rally on Juneteenth , the holiday on June 19 .
( The rally was later moved to June 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own anger in a late-night TikTok video June 11 — and provided a call to action .
“ I recommend all of those of us that want to see this 19,000-seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing there alone on the stage , ” Laupp said in the video .
When she checked her phone the next morning , Laupp said , the video was starting to go viral .
It has more than 700,000 likes , she added , and more than 2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 17,000 tickets were accounted for based on comments she received on her TikTok videos but added that people reaching out to her said tens of thousands more had been reserved .
Laupp said she was “ overwhelmed ” and “ stunned ” by the possibility that she and the effort she helped inspire might have contributed to the low rally attendance .
“ There are teenagers in this country who participated in this little no-show protest , who believe that they can have an impact in their country in the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old enough to vote right now , ” she said .
The effort to deprive Trump of a large crowd spread from Twitter and TikTok across multiple social media platforms , including Instagram and Snapchat .
Erin Hoffman , an 18-year-old from upstate New York , said she heard from a friend on Instagram about the social media campaign .
She then spread it herself via her Snapchat story and said friends who saw her post told her they were reserving tickets .
“ Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me , this was the protest I was able to perform , ” said Hoffman , who reserved two tickets herself and persuaded one of her parents to nab two more .
“ He doesn ’ t deserve the platform he has been given.
” Laupp said that many of the people who shared her video added commentary encouraging people to procure the tickets with fake names and phone numbers .
In the comment section under her own video , TikTok users exchanged advice on how to acquire a Google Voice number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all know the Trump campaign feeds on data ; they are constantly mining these rallies for data , ” said Laupp , who worked on several rallies for Pete Buttigieg ’ s campaign for the Democratic nomination for president .
“ Feeding them false data was a bonus .
The data they think they have , the data they are collecting from this rally , isn ’ t accurate.
” She added that several people who took part in her campaign complained that once they signed up for the rally with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get the Trump campaign to stop texting them and sending them messages .
( BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM . )
Mary Garcia , a 19-year-old student from California , said that she used a Google Voice number to sign up for the rally but that two of her friends who also signed up used their real numbers and had been inundated with texts from the Trump campaign .
Garcia said she decided to sign up on a whim after seeing Laupp ’ s video , but after she saw the Trump campaign boasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she had done .
“ I feel like it doesn ’ t even matter if the rally is full or not , ” Garcia said .
“ They are going to boast about a million tickets being registered , and then they ’ ll just lie or whatever about how big the audience was.
” ( END OPTIONAL TRIM . )
K-pop stans have been getting increasingly involved in American politics in recent months .
After the Trump campaign solicited messages for the president ’ s birthday June 8 , K-pop stans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And earlier in June , when the Dallas Police Department asked citizens to submit videos of suspicious or illegal activity through a dedicated app , K-pop Twitter claimed credit for crashing the app by uploading thousands of “ fancam ” videos .
They also reclaimed the # WhiteLivesMatter hashtag in May by spamming it with endless K-pop videos in hopes to make it harder for white supremacists and sympathizers to find one another and communicate their messaging .
Whether or not the prank to call in false tickets was the reason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally , teenagers online celebrated .
On Twitter , several accounts tweeted , “ best senior prank ever .
”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By Taylor Lorenz, Kellen Browning and Sheera Frenkel, The New York Times
President Donald Trump’s campaign promised huge crowds at his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, but it failed to deliver. Hundreds of teenage TikTok users and K-pop fans say they’re at least partially responsible.
Brad Parscale, the chairman of Trump’s reelection campaign, posted on Twitter on Monday that the campaign had fielded more than 1 million ticket requests, but reporters at the event noted the attendance was lower than expected. The campaign also canceled planned events outside the rally for an anticipated overflow crowd that did not materialize.
Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said protesters stopped supporters from entering the rally, held at the BOK Center, which has a 19,000-seat capacity. Reporters present said there were few protests.
TikTok users and fans of Korean pop music groups claimed to have registered potentially hundreds of thousands of tickets for Trump’s campaign rally as a prank. After the Trump campaign’s official account @TeamTrump posted a tweet asking supporters to register for free tickets using their phones June 11, K-pop fan accounts began sharing the information with followers, encouraging them to register for the rally — and then not show.
The trend quickly spread on TikTok, where videos with millions of views instructed viewers to do the same, as CNN reported Tuesday. “Oh no. I signed up for a Trump rally, and I can’t go,” one woman joked, along with a fake cough, in a TikTok posted June 15.
Thousands of other users posted similar tweets and videos to TikTok that racked up millions of views. Representatives for TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“It spread mostly through Alt TikTok — we kept it on the quiet side where people do pranks and a lot of activism,” said YouTuber Elijah Daniel, 26, who participated in the social media campaign. “K-pop, Twitter and Alt TikTok have a good alliance where they spread information amongst each other very quickly. They all know the algorithms and how they can boost videos to get where they want.”
Many users deleted their posts after 24 to 48 hours in order to conceal their plan and keep it from spreading into the mainstream internet. “The majority of people who made them deleted them after the first day because we didn’t want the Trump campaign to catch wind,” Daniel said. “These kids are smart, and they thought of everything.”
Twitter users Saturday night were quick to declare the social media campaign’s victory. “Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted in response to Parscale, who had tweeted that “radical protestors” had “interfered” with attendance.
Steve Schmidt, a longtime Republican strategist, added, “The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump.”
Mary Jo Laupp, a 51-year-old from Fort Dodge, Iowa, said she had been watching Black TikTok users express their frustration about Trump hosting his rally on Juneteenth, the holiday on June 19. (The rally was later moved to June 20.) She “vented” her own anger in a late-night TikTok video June 11 — and provided a call to action.
“I recommend all of those of us that want to see this 19,000-seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now and leave him standing there alone on the stage,” Laupp said in the video.
When she checked her phone the next morning, Laupp said, the video was starting to go viral. It has more than 700,000 likes, she added, and more than 2 million views.
She said she believed that at least 17,000 tickets were accounted for based on comments she received on her TikTok videos but added that people reaching out to her said tens of thousands more had been reserved.
Laupp said she was “overwhelmed” and “stunned” by the possibility that she and the effort she helped inspire might have contributed to the low rally attendance.
“There are teenagers in this country who participated in this little no-show protest, who believe that they can have an impact in their country in the political system even though they’re not old enough to vote right now,” she said.
The effort to deprive Trump of a large crowd spread from Twitter and TikTok across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat.
Erin Hoffman, an 18-year-old from upstate New York, said she heard from a friend on Instagram about the social media campaign. She then spread it herself via her Snapchat story and said friends who saw her post told her they were reserving tickets.
“Trump has been actively trying to disenfranchise millions of Americans in so many ways, and to me, this was the protest I was able to perform,” said Hoffman, who reserved two tickets herself and persuaded one of her parents to nab two more. “He doesn’t deserve the platform he has been given.”
Laupp said that many of the people who shared her video added commentary encouraging people to procure the tickets with fake names and phone numbers. In the comment section under her own video, TikTok users exchanged advice on how to acquire a Google Voice number or another internet-connected phone line.
“We all know the Trump campaign feeds on data; they are constantly mining these rallies for data,” said Laupp, who worked on several rallies for Pete Buttigieg’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. “Feeding them false data was a bonus. The data they think they have, the data they are collecting from this rally, isn’t accurate.”
She added that several people who took part in her campaign complained that once they signed up for the rally with their real phone numbers, they couldn’t get the Trump campaign to stop texting them and sending them messages.(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)Mary Garcia, a 19-year-old student from California, said that she used a Google Voice number to sign up for the rally but that two of her friends who also signed up used their real numbers and had been inundated with texts from the Trump campaign.
Garcia said she decided to sign up on a whim after seeing Laupp’s video, but after she saw the Trump campaign boasting about its record-setting ticket numbers she regretted what she had done.
“I feel like it doesn’t even matter if the rally is full or not,” Garcia said. “They are going to boast about a million tickets being registered, and then they’ll just lie or whatever about how big the audience was.”
(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)K-pop stans have been getting increasingly involved in American politics in recent months. After the Trump campaign solicited messages for the president’s birthday June 8, K-pop stans submitted a stream of prank messages. And earlier in June, when the Dallas Police Department asked citizens to submit videos of suspicious or illegal activity through a dedicated app, K-pop Twitter claimed credit for crashing the app by uploading thousands of “fancam” videos.
They also reclaimed the #WhiteLivesMatter hashtag in May by spamming it with endless K-pop videos in hopes to make it harder for white supremacists and sympathizers to find one another and communicate their messaging.
Whether or not the prank to call in false tickets was the reason for the empty upper rafters at Trump’s rally, teenagers online celebrated. On Twitter, several accounts tweeted, “best senior prank ever.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--How I got hooked on sports: First press box trip was a difference maker

A phone call to my parents last week zeroed me in on when I was hooked on sports : It was either the weekends of Jan. 31-Feb. 1 or Feb. 7-8 when they took me to a University of North Dakota hockey game .
I was less than a month old .
That got the figurative ball rolling for me .
I was fortunate growing up because we went to games .
North Dakota hockey .
North Dakota State football .
Vikings .
Twins .
North Stars .
Even a Chiefs-Broncos game at old Mile High in 1991 .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have a fistful of sports sections upon their return .
I would devour all of them .
But what I remember more is the night I got hooked on being a sports writer .
In high school , during trips to see Twins games , I would venture over to the press box to say hello to Jeff Lenihan , the Minneapolis Star-Tribune ’ s beat writer .
One time , I asked if I could shadow him for a game and the Twins gave me my first-ever press credential .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 29 , 1992 .
It was my first time in a major-league clubhouse ( A ’ s and Twins ) , my first time on the field for batting practice and my first time sitting side by side with real reporters during the game .
I loved every minute of it .
When I made a point late in the game that the Twins should put Scott Leius ( who was better defensively ) in for Mike Pagliarulo at third base , one of the reporters said , “ Great point.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet tall .
Oakland rallied to win 5-4 on Eric Fox ’ s three-run , ninth-inning home run to complete a three-game sweep .
The Twins wouldn ’ t recover for about a decade .
But my love for sports and sports writing remains intact .

A phone call to my parents last week zeroed me in on when I was hooked on sports: It was either the weekends of Jan. 31-Feb. 1 or Feb. 7-8 when they took me to a University of North Dakota hockey game.
I was less than a month old.
That got the figurative ball rolling for me.
I was fortunate growing up because we went to games. North Dakota hockey. North Dakota State football. Vikings. Twins. North Stars. Even a Chiefs-Broncos game at old Mile High in 1991. My parents traveled extensively for work and they would have a fistful of sports sections upon their return. I would devour all of them.
But what I remember more is the night I got hooked on being a sports writer.
In high school, during trips to see Twins games, I would venture over to the press box to say hello to Jeff Lenihan, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s beat writer. One time, I asked if I could shadow him for a game and the Twins gave me my first-ever press credential. I was 17. The Twins hosted Oakland on July 29, 1992.
It was my first time in a major-league clubhouse (A’s and Twins), my first time on the field for batting practice and my first time sitting side by side with real reporters during the game. I loved every minute of it.
When I made a point late in the game that the Twins should put Scott Leius (who was better defensively) in for Mike Pagliarulo at third base, one of the reporters said, “Great point.” I felt like I was 20 feet tall.
Oakland rallied to win 5-4 on Eric Fox’s three-run, ninth-inning home run to complete a three-game sweep. The Twins wouldn’t recover for about a decade. But my love for sports and sports writing remains intact.


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--Water-related recreation pumps $18B into Colorado economy, business group says

As the outdoor recreation industry steers through the rapids of the coronavirus-era economy , a business group has released a report that puts the annual value of water-related recreation in Colorado at nearly $ 18 billion .
The report released Monday by Business for Water Stewardship said 6.7 million people participate in water-related recreation annually , supporting more than 131,000 direct and indirect jobs .
That translates to $ 6.3 billion in household income and $ 2.7 billion in tax revenue , according to the analysis by Southwick Associates .
“ The general message is the importance of rivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Molly Mugglestone , director of Colorado policy for the business organization .
“ We need to preserve and protect these areas that people want to go to and spend time on.
” The new report is similar to one the group released after first forming in 2011 that examined the economic benefits of recreation associated with waterways in six of the seven Colorado River Basin states .
The organization says it has a network of about 1,400 businesses throughout the basin , with roughly 450 of those in Colorado .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some numbers behind our argument around the economic value of rivers to our state , ” Mugglestone said .
The report relies on spending data collected by Southwick Associates for the Outdoor Industry Association and a survey that looked at where people recreated .
The report includes responses from 1,252 people and targets such activities as swimming , rafting , kayaking and other sports on the water as well as trail running along the water , fishing and wildlife watching .
The report analyzes statewide data and date for nine river basins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ define our state , our outdoor experiences .
Lakes and waterways define our outdoor experiences , ” Mugglestone said .
People seek out spots along rivers and waterways to watch wildlife , run on trails and have picnics , Mugglestone said .
The idea was to try to quantify the economic benefits of being able to enjoy those experiences .
“ This is important for us .
We ’ re in the fishing industry , so being a headwater state is so vital to our economy , ” said David Dragoo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company designs , engineers and manufactures fishing equipment known around the world .
Its brands include Ross Reels , Abel and Airflo .
The Business for Water Stewardship ’ s promotion of keeping waterways healthy is a big benefit for the outdoor industry , Dragoo said .
“ As an industry , we don ’ t really have any infrastructure , if you will .
Our corporate infrastructure is our public lands and our waters.
” A recent report by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable , a trade organization , said an overwhelming majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or furloughed employees and suffered decreased sales and revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic .
However , businesses also said they ’ re starting to see increased sales of some products .
State wildlife agencies have reported selling more fishing licenses , according to the roundtable , prompting hopes that outdoor recreation can help spur an economic recovery .
“ Social distancing just really puts more emphasis on being outside and getting fresh air , ” Dragoo said .
“ We ’ ve seen a huge uptick in late spring , early summer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will see the same thing as long as there ’ s not a second wave ” of the coronavirus .
Kelly Brough , Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president and CEO , said Colorado ’ s beautiful rivers , “ are a big part of what makes the state a great place to live and what draws people from around the world .
“ This study shows how much our state ’ s economy depends on preserving our rivers .
We must continue to protect our quality of life and keep our environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stewardship supports the goals in the Colorado Water Plan , a blueprint for meeting the state ’ s long-term water needs in the face of a growing population , climate change , wildfires and drought .
“ We have this Colorado water plan and it ’ s excellent .
It really highlights the need for planning around all waterways , ” Mugglestone said .
But the budget calamities caused by the suppression of the economy during the pandemic will make it tough to come up with the $ 100 million per year needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
If Colorado gets more federal money to help during the pandemic , the stewardship group is encouraging Gov .
Jared Polis to use some of the aid for the water plan .
The report analyzes statewide data and date for nine river basins in the state .

As the outdoor recreation industry steers through the rapids of the coronavirus-era economy, a business group has released a report that puts the annual value of water-related recreation in Colorado at nearly $18 billion.
The report released Monday by Business for Water Stewardship said 6.7 million people participate in water-related recreation annually, supporting more than 131,000 direct and indirect jobs. That translates to $6.3 billion in household income, $2.7 billion in tax revenue and roughly $10 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, according to the analysis by Southwick Associates.
“The general message is the importance of rivers, waterways, to our economy,” said Molly Mugglestone, director of Colorado policy for the business organization. “We need to preserve and protect these areas that people want to go to and spend time on.”
The new report is similar to one the group released after first forming in 2011 that examined the economic benefits of recreation associated with waterways in six of the seven Colorado River Basin states. The organization says it has a network of about 1,400 businesses throughout the basin, with roughly 450 of those in Colorado.
“We were really trying to make sure we had some numbers behind our argument around the economic value of rivers to our state,” Mugglestone said.
The report relies on spending data collected by Southwick Associates for the Outdoor Industry Association and a survey that looked at where people recreated. The report includes responses from 1,252 people and targets such activities as swimming, rafting, kayaking and other sports on the water as well as trail running along the water, fishing and wildlife watching.
The report analyzes statewide data and date for nine river basins in the state.
“Rivers really define our state, our outdoor experiences. Lakes and waterways define our outdoor experiences,” Mugglestone said.
People seek out spots along rivers and waterways to watch wildlife, run on trails and have picnics, Mugglestone said. The idea was to try to quantify the economic benefits of being able to enjoy those experiences.
“This is important for us. We’re in the fishing industry, so being a headwater state is so vital to our economy,” said David Dragoo, the founder of Mayfly Outdoors.
The Montrose-based company designs, engineers and manufactures fishing equipment known around the world. Its brands include Ross Reels, Abel and Airflo.
The Business for Water Stewardship’s promotion of keeping waterways healthy is a big benefit for the outdoor industry, Dragoo said. “As an industry, we don’t really have any infrastructure, if you will. Our corporate infrastructure is our public lands and our waters.”
A recent report by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a trade organization, said an overwhelming majority of outdoor business nationwide have laid off or furloughed employees and suffered decreased sales and revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, businesses also said they’re starting to see increased sales of some products. State wildlife agencies have reported selling more fishing licenses, according to the roundtable, prompting hopes that outdoor recreation can help spur an economic recovery.
“Social distancing just really puts more emphasis on being outside and getting fresh air,” Dragoo said. “We’ve seen a huge uptick in late spring, early summer for business. I think many outdoor brands will see the same thing as long as there’s not a second wave” of the coronavirus.
Kelly Brough, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said Colorado’s beautiful rivers, “are a big part of what makes the state a great place to live and what draws people from around the world.
“This study shows how much our state’s economy depends on preserving our rivers. We must continue to protect our quality of life and keep our environment as a top priority.”
The business stewardship supports the goals in the Colorado Water Plan, a blueprint for meeting the state’s long-term water needs in the face of a growing population, climate change, wildfires and drought.
“We have this Colorado water plan and it’s excellent. It really highlights the need for planning around all waterways,” Mugglestone said.
But the budget calamities caused by the suppression of the economy during the pandemic will make it tough to come up with the $100 million per year needed to carry out the plan, Mugglestone said. If Colorado gets more federal money to help during the pandemic, the stewardship group is encouraging Gov. Jared Polis to use some of the aid for the water plan.
The report analyzes statewide data and date for nine river basins in the state.


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--With no students, small college town worries over future

What happens to a college town when the students disappear ?
Ithaca , a small upstate New York city nearby gorges and vineyards , is finding out .
Most of the 24,000 students at Cornell University and 6,200 more from Ithaca College effectively vanished in March when the coronavirus pandemic struck , leaving behind struggling restaurants and shops .
Locals still reeling from the outbreak and resulting exodus are wondering when — or if — things will get back to normal .
“ It ’ s going to be hard .
I mean , normally we have about seven months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Gregar Brous , who runs the local Collegetown Bagels shops , other restaurants and a catering operation .
He has brought back just over 100 of the 330 employees he laid off , but the long-term fate of college-dependent businesses remain cloudy .
“ One of the biggest challenges right now is so many unknowns , ” Brous said .
Ithaca College intends to bring students back this fall , but weeks later than normal on Oct. 5 .
Cornell — the Ivy League school that dominates this city of 31,000 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to release its plans for the fall semester soon .
Even if Cornell opts for a return to in-class instruction as locals expect , they ’ re concerned about returning students holing up on campus more , or an autumn surge in COVID-19 cases sparking another sudden exit .
Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said possible international travel restrictions could affect Cornell , where almost a quarter of the students come from other countries .
“ If people don ’ t feel comfortable sending their children across the country or across the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll start to shed jobs , ” said Myrick .
Cornell students spend an estimated $ 225 million annually , helping fuel a healthy retail economy highlighted by blocks of funky shops and restaurants on the Ithaca Commons , a pedestrian strip downhill from the sprawling Cornell campus .
“ If you ’ re a line cook or a server in Ithaca before the pandemic … it was so easy to get a job .
You couldn ’ t avoid it , they were everywhere , ” said Matt Stupak , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery job with partial unemployment .
David Foote was laid off from his job at Ithaca ’ s Planned Parenthood the same day his wife found out her hours at a not-for-profit were being reduced .
The couple had savings and deferred expenses .
But even with his wife back to full-time hours recently , he ’ s still looking for work and waiting on unemployment benefits .
“ At this point , things are starting to look a little stretched so I ’ m hoping that things start to shape up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognizing there ’ s still a lot of dangers in a lot of people being in the same place or not taking the proper precautions.
” Ithaca is still doing well , relatively .
The regional April unemployment rate zoomed up to 10 % , but was the lowest for metropolitan areas in the state .
With more than 10,000 workers , Cornell is the county ’ s largest employer and has yet to announce job cuts .
The university has even taken steps to help locally , such as contributing $ 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Still , area hotels , restaurants and shops are recovering from a big hit .
The number of leisure and hospitality jobs alone in surrounding Tompkins County was down by 2,000 from March to May , according to preliminary federal data .
Cities all over bled jobs this year , but the effects were more concentrated in some smaller college towns , where businesses depend heavily on students .
The quaint Massachusetts college town had to deal with the sudden loss of some 35,000 students from UMass Amherst and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , Amherst had a 32.6 % unemployment rate , tied for second highest in the state , according to an analysis provided by the Pioneer Institute .
The 47 restaurants in Amherst ’ s business district were allowed to add outdoor seating this month , though Gould said the struggles continue .
Ithaca ’ s economic picture is brightening as pandemic restrictions are slowly eased , with area restaurants recently allowed to open at half capacity .
Ithaca is also a summer tourist destination , with people passing through after sipping rieslings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Myrick appreciates the business bump from April , but said it looks more like a slump when compared to last year .
With local residents still hurting , the city council this month approved a novel resolution allowing the city to ask for state permission to forgive rents due between April and June .
Beyond concerns over fall sales tax revenues , Ithaca residents are wary of long-term trends in higher education .
Colleges all over are dealing with pandemic-related budget problems as they reckon with uncertain futures .
Some students are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being re-accessed .
Ithaca College has already furloughed 167 workers .
Cornell , which has a $ 7.3 billion endowment , is expected to weather any storm .
But Cornell President Martha Pollack in April wrote that the school ’ s plan to navigate the crisis “ will almost certainly include painful steps such as furloughs or layoffs.
” “ How worried am for Ithaca if the future of higher ed changes ?
” Myrick said .
“ I am worried .
I am extremely worried .
”

What happens to a college town when the students disappear? Ithaca, a small upstate New York city nearby gorges and vineyards, is finding out.
Most of the 24,000 students at Cornell University and 6,200 more from Ithaca College effectively vanished in March when the coronavirus pandemic struck, leaving behind struggling restaurants and shops. Locals still reeling from the outbreak and resulting exodus are wondering when — or if — things will get back to normal.
“It’s going to be hard. I mean, normally we have about seven months that the colleges are here,” said Gregar Brous, who runs the local Collegetown Bagels shops, other restaurants and a catering operation. He has brought back just over 100 of the 330 employees he laid off, but the long-term fate of college-dependent businesses remain cloudy.
“One of the biggest challenges right now is so many unknowns,” Brous said.
Ithaca College intends to bring students back this fall, but weeks later than normal on Oct. 5. Cornell — the Ivy League school that dominates this city of 31,000 — is offering its summer courses online and expected to release its plans for the fall semester soon.
Even if Cornell opts for a return to in-class instruction as locals expect, they’re concerned about returning students holing up on campus more, or an autumn surge in COVID-19 cases sparking another sudden exit. Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said possible international travel restrictions could affect Cornell, where almost a quarter of the students come from other countries.
“If people don’t feel comfortable sending their children across the country or across the world back to our campuses, then we’ll start to shed jobs,” said Myrick.
Cornell students spend an estimated $225 million annually, helping fuel a healthy retail economy highlighted by blocks of funky shops and restaurants on the Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian strip downhill from the sprawling Cornell campus.
“If you’re a line cook or a server in Ithaca before the pandemic … it was so easy to get a job. You couldn’t avoid it, they were everywhere,” said Matt Stupak, a laid-off line cook now working a part-time delivery job with partial unemployment.
David Foote was laid off from his job at Ithaca’s Planned Parenthood the same day his wife found out her hours at a not-for-profit were being reduced. The couple had savings and deferred expenses. But even with his wife back to full-time hours recently, he’s still looking for work and waiting on unemployment benefits.
“At this point, things are starting to look a little stretched so I’m hoping that things start to shape up,” he said, “but also recognizing there’s still a lot of dangers in a lot of people being in the same place or not taking the proper precautions.”
Ithaca is still doing well, relatively. The regional April unemployment rate zoomed up to 10%, but was the lowest for metropolitan areas in the state. With more than 10,000 workers, Cornell is the county’s largest employer and has yet to announce job cuts. The university has even taken steps to help locally, such as contributing $100,000 to a fund supporting businesses hurt by the pandemic.
Still, area hotels, restaurants and shops are recovering from a big hit. The number of leisure and hospitality jobs alone in surrounding Tompkins County was down by 2,000 from March to May, according to preliminary federal data.
Cities all over bled jobs this year, but the effects were more concentrated in some smaller college towns, where businesses depend heavily on students.
“Our entire economy left,” said Gabrielle Gould, executive director of Amherst Business Improvement District.
The quaint Massachusetts college town had to deal with the sudden loss of some 35,000 students from UMass Amherst and four other colleges in the area. By May, Amherst had a 32.6% unemployment rate, tied for second highest in the state, according to an analysis provided by the Pioneer Institute.
The 47 restaurants in Amherst’s business district were allowed to add outdoor seating this month, though Gould said the struggles continue.
Ithaca’s economic picture is brightening as pandemic restrictions are slowly eased, with area restaurants recently allowed to open at half capacity. Ithaca is also a summer tourist destination, with people passing through after sipping rieslings at local vineyards or exploring local gorges.
Myrick appreciates the business bump from April, but said it looks more like a slump when compared to last year. With local residents still hurting, the city council this month approved a novel resolution allowing the city to ask for state permission to forgive rents due between April and June.
Beyond concerns over fall sales tax revenues, Ithaca residents are wary of long-term trends in higher education. Colleges all over are dealing with pandemic-related budget problems as they reckon with uncertain futures. Some students are deferring enrollment and long-term business models are being re-accessed.
Ithaca College has already furloughed 167 workers. Cornell, which has a $7.3 billion endowment, is expected to weather any storm. But Cornell President Martha Pollack in April wrote that the school’s plan to navigate the crisis “will almost certainly include painful steps such as furloughs or layoffs.”
“How worried am for Ithaca if the future of higher ed changes?” Myrick said. “I am worried. I am extremely worried.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--How Steve Addazio and CSU Rams — yes, CSU — built a top 50 recruiting class

“ I ’ m a big believer , ” new Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio said , “ that a head coach has to drive recruiting.
” But what ’ s that head coach supposed to do when the coronavirus pandemic drives all that handshake time , all that hugging time , straight off a cliff ?
Easy .
You audible .
Then you grind twice as hard .
“ I ’ ve been a head coach for nine years — it ’ s not my first rodeo , ” Addazio said .
“ The COVID thing , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I knew right away , even from a distance , through virtual ( means ) , we had to be extremely organized and detailed.
” It ’ s paid off .
The Rams have notched 21 commitments for the Class of 2021 , according to the 247Sports.com database , tops in the Mountain West Conference by a country mile .
Former Valor speedster Jack Howell , a 3-star prospect and the son of former CSU standout John Howell , committed on June 15 , joining a haul of local commits that had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luke McAllister of Palmer Ridge , Justin Michael of Poudre and Langston Williams from Eaglecrest .
“ It ’ s a great start to the Daz Era and shows the type of recruiting energy this new staff has , ” noted 247Sports recruiting analyst Blair Angulo .
“ Whereas in other years , it ’ d be difficult to connect with recruits and attract visitors , this current ( pandemic ) situation has leveled the playing field , in a way .
CSU can host any recruit , anywhere , on a ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other school.
” Even more impressively , CSU ’ s haul totaled twice as many commits as Front Range peers such as Colorado ( four ) , Wyoming ( zero ) and Air Force ( six ) had managed , combined , through the first three weeks of June .
“ It ’ s not necessarily been low-hanging fruit because there is a lot of quality up and down their commitment list , ” Angulo said .
“ But the CSU coaches haven ’ t been wasting their time going after recruits that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up fast , it ’ s been impressive to track how they have managed to convince many prospects to commit to the program without ever stepping foot on campus .
That just speaks to their collective pull and energy as a staff.
” The Rams ’ class was ranked No .
45 nationally by 247Sports as of June 20 , although that ranking was based more on volume than individual ratings — 16 of those 21 were tagged as 3-star prospects , with no 4-stars or 5-stars in the fold .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lot of time gets wasted when they take a job , they get bogged down hiring a staff and assistants , ” said Addazio , a native of Connecticut who ’ d never really recruited the Mountain states , let alone Colorado , before taking the CSU job last December .
“ I know that whenever you start a job , you ’ ve got to be able to keep all things going at the same time .
“ You ’ ve got to hit the road , boots on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , but I ’ ve been in this before .
So I was comfortable and had a plan as to how it was going to happen and I was going to execute the plan.
” Staff meetings after COVID-19 nixed spring practice in mid-March started remotely at 7 a.m. with recruiting plans and updates , even with Addazio at the family home in Cape Cod , Mass.
, and the rest of his staff scattered .
The Rams coach estimates he and his coaches broke down more than 350 prospects while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making evaluations , recruiting assignments and contacts .
“ And ( we ) set up a structure of , ‘ OK , every day , these phone calls have got to be made ’ … ( while ) adapting to the virtual concept , making virtual connections daily , ” Addazio explained .
“ Get to know them , get to know their families .
“ We just grinded right through this whole deal .
And I felt we did a really good job evaluating and building relationships .
And along the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaches .
We just kind of maximized our time.
” The Rams aren ’ t yet locking the gates when it comes to Colorado kids , but they sure have been knocking on a heck of a lot more doors .
As of June 20 , 247Sports tracked CSU with 19 offers out to Colorado prospects in the Class of 2021 .
Over the previous six recruiting cycles , the Rams had extended offers to an average of 12 in-state kids .
CU , meanwhile , had 12 offers out to Colorado prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most in a single cycle since extending 11 in 2017 .
From 2015-20 , the Buffs offered scholarships to an average of eight in-state prospects per class .
“ I studied CSU , I quickly realized that some of the more successful times with ( former Rams coach ) Sonny Lubick , that ’ s what has been done here , that was the footprint and philosophy , ” Addazio said of emphasizing Colorado recruits .
“ I believe in that concept .
I believe in building a fence around your area and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas that are best for you .
“ And every job is a little bit different , and so when I got here , I had to get out here and get out to as many high school coaches and programs ( as possible ) .
And when I did , I was pleasantly surprised .
I was told ‘ Well , ehhh , football in Colorado.
’ But my assessment was , that it was awesome .
My assessment was , you can find diamonds ( here ) .
“ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d always been at places where you have to develop your players .
And that ’ s what I do .
I think when you get those players and what you get are motivated guys , they believe in CSU , they ’ re from the state of Colorado , the community wants to see them play .
It ’ s super important to ( the kids ) .
It ’ s not just some place .
It ’ s near and dear to their hearts.
” While The Daz and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safe social distance , there ’ s also a long way to go until the first Division I football signing period , which runs from Dec. 16-18 .
A lot can happen in the next five-and-a-half months — and given the unknowns of the pandemic and given spikes of COVID-19 cases among college football teams working out this month , a suspended or shortened season could well be on the table , too .
“ ( Summer camps ) would ’ ve been the cherry on top , ” Addazio said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what our staff has done .
“ ( But ) it ’ s not over , that process of building those strong relationships and hanging on to your guys and continuing the process .
But , to this point and time , we ’ ve made some headway with these calls and where ( the class ) is ranked now in comparison to the past .
”

The Daz? Dude’s your classic closer. A handshaker. A hugger.
“I’m a big believer,” new Colorado State football coach Steve Addazio said, “that a head coach has to drive recruiting.”
But what’s that head coach supposed to do when the coronavirus pandemic drives all that handshake time, all that hugging time, straight off a cliff?
Easy. You audible. Then you grind twice as hard.
“I’ve been a head coach for nine years — it’s not my first rodeo,” Addazio said. “The COVID thing, now, that was convoluted. And so I knew right away, even from a distance, through virtual (means), we had to be extremely organized and detailed.”
It’s paid off. The Rams have notched 21 commitments for the Class of 2021, according to the 247Sports.com database, tops in the Mountain West Conference by a country mile. Former Valor speedster Jack Howell, a 3-star prospect and the son of former CSU standout John Howell, committed on June 15, joining a haul of local commits that had already included Tanner Arkin of Fossil Ridge, Luke McAllister of Palmer Ridge, Justin Michael of Poudre and Langston Williams from Eaglecrest.
“It’s a great start to the Daz Era and shows the type of recruiting energy this new staff has,” noted 247Sports recruiting analyst Blair Angulo. “Whereas in other years, it’d be difficult to connect with recruits and attract visitors, this current (pandemic) situation has leveled the playing field, in a way. CSU can host any recruit, anywhere, on a ‘virtual’ visit, just like any other school.”
Even more impressively, CSU’s haul totaled twice as many commits as Front Range peers such as Colorado (four), Wyoming (zero) and Air Force (six) had managed, combined, through the first three weeks of June.
“It’s not necessarily been low-hanging fruit because there is a lot of quality up and down their commitment list,” Angulo said. “But the CSU coaches haven’t been wasting their time going after recruits that are unattainable. And with spots filling up fast, it’s been impressive to track how they have managed to convince many prospects to commit to the program without ever stepping foot on campus. That just speaks to their collective pull and energy as a staff.”
“We just grinded”
The Rams’ class was ranked No. 45 nationally by 247Sports as of June 20, although that ranking was based more on volume than individual ratings — 16 of those 21 were tagged as 3-star prospects, with no 4-stars or 5-stars in the fold.
“What happens to a lot of guys is, a lot of time gets wasted when they take a job, they get bogged down hiring a staff and assistants,” said Addazio, a native of Connecticut who’d never really recruited the Mountain states, let alone Colorado, before taking the CSU job last December. “I know that whenever you start a job, you’ve got to be able to keep all things going at the same time.
“You’ve got to hit the road, boots on the ground. It’s a hard job, but I’ve been in this before. So I was comfortable and had a plan as to how it was going to happen and I was going to execute the plan.”
Staff meetings after COVID-19 nixed spring practice in mid-March started remotely at 7 a.m. with recruiting plans and updates, even with Addazio at the family home in Cape Cod, Mass., and the rest of his staff scattered.
The Rams coach estimates he and his coaches broke down more than 350 prospects while the coronavirus had shut down travel, quickly making evaluations, recruiting assignments and contacts.
“And (we) set up a structure of, ‘OK, every day, these phone calls have got to be made’ … (while) adapting to the virtual concept, making virtual connections daily,” Addazio explained. “Get to know them, get to know their families.
“We just grinded right through this whole deal. And I felt we did a really good job evaluating and building relationships. And along the way, we’d call high school coaches. We just kind of maximized our time.”
“You can find diamonds”
The Rams aren’t yet locking the gates when it comes to Colorado kids, but they sure have been knocking on a heck of a lot more doors. As of June 20, 247Sports tracked CSU with 19 offers out to Colorado prospects in the Class of 2021. Over the previous six recruiting cycles, the Rams had extended offers to an average of 12 in-state kids.
CU, meanwhile, had 12 offers out to Colorado prospects in the Class of 2021, the most in a single cycle since extending 11 in 2017. From 2015-20, the Buffs offered scholarships to an average of eight in-state prospects per class.
“I studied CSU, I quickly realized that some of the more successful times with (former Rams coach) Sonny Lubick, that’s what has been done here, that was the footprint and philosophy,” Addazio said of emphasizing Colorado recruits. “I believe in that concept. I believe in building a fence around your area and trying to gauge the (outside) areas that are best for you.
“And every job is a little bit different, and so when I got here, I had to get out here and get out to as many high school coaches and programs (as possible). And when I did, I was pleasantly surprised. I was told ‘Well, ehhh, football in Colorado.’ But my assessment was, that it was awesome. My assessment was, you can find diamonds (here).
“That’s kind of been my background — I’d always been at places where you have to develop your players. And that’s what I do. I think when you get those players and what you get are motivated guys, they believe in CSU, they’re from the state of Colorado, the community wants to see them play. It’s super important to (the kids). It’s not just some place. It’s near and dear to their hearts.”
While The Daz and his lieutenants have been kicking tail from a safe social distance, there’s also a long way to go until the first Division I football signing period, which runs from Dec. 16-18.
A lot can happen in the next five-and-a-half months — and given the unknowns of the pandemic and given spikes of COVID-19 cases among college football teams working out this month, a suspended or shortened season could well be on the table, too.
“(Summer camps) would’ve been the cherry on top,” Addazio said. “But I’m proud of what our staff has done.
“(But) it’s not over, that process of building those strong relationships and hanging on to your guys and continuing the process. But, to this point and time, we’ve made some headway with these calls and where (the class) is ranked now in comparison to the past.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--Broncos land eight players on ESPN’s AFC West all-decade team

ESPN unveiled its all-decade team for the AFC West on Thursday and the Broncos landed eight players on the squad .
Five players made it from the offense ( six if you count Jamaal Charles ) : Quarterback Peyton Manning , left tackle Ryan Clady , right guard Louis Vasquez and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders .
Three members of Denver ’ s vaunted defense were named : linebacker Von Miller and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. Miller was named the Broncos ’ player of the decade .
ESPN ’ s Jeff Legwold writes : “ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team ’ s player of the 2010s — but Miller simply rose above in performance and number of games played .
… And he did it all with five different defensive coordinators and four head coaches.
” John Fox was the honorable mention for AFC West coach of the decade with Legwold adding , “ his teams went 4-for-4 in AFC West titles and went 46-18 in his four seasons in Denver.
” If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette , tell a friend it ’ s easy to sign up here for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any questions or suggestions , hit me up on Twitter @ joenguyen or by email .
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ESPN unveiled its all-decade team for the AFC West on Thursday and the Broncos landed eight players on the squad.
Five players made it from the offense (six if you count Jamaal Charles): Quarterback Peyton Manning, left tackle Ryan Clady, right guard Louis Vasquez and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Three members of Denver’s vaunted defense were named: linebacker Von Miller and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.
Miller was named the Broncos’ player of the decade. ESPN’s Jeff Legwold writes: “There are plenty of candidates to be the team’s player of the 2010s — but Miller simply rose above in performance and number of games played. … And he did it all with five different defensive coordinators and four head coaches.”
John Fox was the honorable mention for AFC West coach of the decade with Legwold adding, “his teams went 4-for-4 in AFC West titles and went 46-18 in his four seasons in Denver.”
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--Ask Amy: Young marriage faces old problems

Dear Amy : I have been married for a year and a half .
We got married super-quick without knowing each other well .
I am mostly happy .
My husband treats me well and we have a baby on the way .
My complaint is that when we got married , he had a good-paying factory job that he had been at for three years .
Immediately after our marriage he got fired ( for not showing up ) .
Since then , he has had 5 different jobs !
He has quit or has gotten fired from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to care if a job pays well .
I have had the same job for four years at a factory and make good money , but the job can be demanding .
I try not to nag him and instead encourage him , but it doesn ’ t seem to help .
I am getting fed up .
I don ’ t want to end my marriage over this , but I also don ’ t want to be the only responsible person worried about our finances .
Do you have any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first thing you should do is to face the reality that you are very likely going to be the main – if not only – financial mainstay for your family .
Unfortunately , realistically – the person who enters into marriage and parenthood by immediately retreating and acting like an entitled child is establishing that he has no intention of being a partner .
Your behavior ( whether “ nagging ” OR encouraging ) has little impact on him .
If he proved capable of caring for a home and child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being the primary at-home parent ( while you remained the main breadwinner ) .
The qualities for being a good dad are remarkably similar to the qualities for being a good employee : Demonstrating the dedication to show up every single day ; performing tasks that are boring , repetitive , and thankless ; and having a boss ( your baby ) who might occasionally scream at you .
And guess what ?
You can ’ t quit !
So far , your husband does not demonstrate any of these qualities .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issue that has caused this behavior , but again – those are issues only he can work to fix .
The good news is that YOU sound like a solid , responsible person – and you will be a great role model for your child .
Dear Amy : About 15 years ago my sister sold her house and started living in rented accommodations in the winter .
She camps from May to October .
This has resulted in her calling me up three to five times a year , asking if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city while she went to appointments ( such as dentist , doctor , car repair etc. )
.
Last year my siblings and I inherited some money .
I was hoping that she would buy some basic accommodation ( such as a condo ) somewhere in our province in Canada .
My sister ’ s winter rental is ending and like clockwork she has just contacted me to see if she can stay with us for two nights .
I am really struggling with how to answer her .
Part of me says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay with us for a couple of days – but my wife and I don ’ t want to enable a lifestyle that depends on us having her in our home several times a year .
Dear Conflicted : Your sister ’ s lifestyle does not depend on you hosting her .
If you didn ’ t host her , she would find another way to accomplish what she needs .
You should only ask yourself whether you and your wife want to see her .
Everything else aside — if you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do to change this dynamic is to say “ no , ” one time : “ We ’ re not going to host you this season , but maybe next time.
” You don ’ t need to make up an excuse , or supply a reason .
In beautiful Vancouver , it would be easy for your sister to rent a room for a couple of nights .
Dear Amy : Thank you for offering actual practical advice to “ Grieving Daughter , ” regarding her smoking addiction .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would just say , “ Quit !
” Ingesting some nicotine while I quit was the only way I could do it .
Thank you for suggesting that .
Dear Former : Many people did NOT like that I recommended gums , patches , and vaping as things to try , while quitting cigarettes .
I don ’ t think any of them were former smokers ( I am ) .

Dear Amy: I have been married for a year and a half. We got married super-quick without knowing each other well.
I am mostly happy. My husband treats me well and we have a baby on the way.
My complaint is that when we got married, he had a good-paying factory job that he had been at for three years.
Immediately after our marriage he got fired (for not showing up).
Since then, he has had 5 different jobs! He has quit or has gotten fired from all of them. He also does not seem to care if a job pays well.
I have had the same job for four years at a factory and make good money, but the job can be demanding.
I try not to nag him and instead encourage him, but it doesn’t seem to help. I am getting fed up. I don’t want to end my marriage over this, but I also don’t want to be the only responsible person worried about our finances.
Do you have any advice for me?
— Worried Wife
Dear Worried: The first thing you should do is to face the reality that you are very likely going to be the main – if not only – financial mainstay for your family.
Unfortunately, realistically – the person who enters into marriage and parenthood by immediately retreating and acting like an entitled child is establishing that he has no intention of being a partner. Your behavior (whether “nagging” OR encouraging) has little impact on him.
If he proved capable of caring for a home and child, he might be a good candidate for being the primary at-home parent (while you remained the main breadwinner).
The qualities for being a good dad are remarkably similar to the qualities for being a good employee: Demonstrating the dedication to show up every single day; performing tasks that are boring, repetitive, and thankless; and having a boss (your baby) who might occasionally scream at you. And guess what? You can’t quit!
So far, your husband does not demonstrate any of these qualities.
He may have a substance abuse or mental health issue that has caused this behavior, but again – those are issues only he can work to fix.
The good news is that YOU sound like a solid, responsible person – and you will be a great role model for your child.
Dear Amy: About 15 years ago my sister sold her house and started living in rented accommodations in the winter. She camps from May to October. This has resulted in her calling me up three to five times a year, asking if she could stay with us in the city while she went to appointments (such as dentist, doctor, car repair etc.).
Last year my siblings and I inherited some money. I was hoping that she would buy some basic accommodation (such as a condo) somewhere in our province in Canada.
My sister’s winter rental is ending and like clockwork she has just contacted me to see if she can stay with us for two nights.
I am really struggling with how to answer her. Part of me says to just go ahead and let her stay with us for a couple of days – but my wife and I don’t want to enable a lifestyle that depends on us having her in our home several times a year.
— Conflicted in Vancouver
Dear Conflicted: Your sister’s lifestyle does not depend on you hosting her. If you didn’t host her, she would find another way to accomplish what she needs.
You should only ask yourself whether you and your wife want to see her. Everything else aside — if you do, then welcome her.
All you have to do to change this dynamic is to say “no,” one time: “We’re not going to host you this season, but maybe next time.” You don’t need to make up an excuse, or supply a reason. In beautiful Vancouver, it would be easy for your sister to rent a room for a couple of nights.
Dear Amy: Thank you for offering actual practical advice to “Grieving Daughter,” regarding her smoking addiction. When I read her question, I assumed you would just say, “Quit!”
Ingesting some nicotine while I quit was the only way I could do it. Thank you for suggesting that.
— Former Smoker
Dear Former: Many people did NOT like that I recommended gums, patches, and vaping as things to try, while quitting cigarettes. I don’t think any of them were former smokers (I am).
(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--2020-06-22--The ESPYS focus on honors, pandemic and racial justice

No red carpet , no nattily dressed athletes , no house band or monologue poking fun at the past year ’ s top athletes and moments .
This was a different version of The ESPYS .
The focus of Sunday night ’ s show on ESPN was hope and inspiration in the time of coronavirus .
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson , along with soccer star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA star Sue Bird , hosted the pre-produced show remotely from their respective homes in Seattle .
Each wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts to open the show , and touched on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Breonna Taylor , all of whom were killed by police .
Rapinoe and Bird urged their fellow white athletes to “ don ’ t just listen .
Help.
” “ This is the time we ’ ve got to have their backs , ” Rapinoe said of Black athletes .
Later in the show , Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr , Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Olympic gold-medal skier Lindsey Vonn were among those calling on white athletes to listen , learn and act .
Wilson , who is Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s work is not anywhere close to being done.
” Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for sparking a national conversation about mental health .
Two years ago , he wrote an online essay detailing his struggles with mental health , including having a panic attack during a game .
As a result , other athletes and fans began sharing details of their own mental health challenges and sharing resources on how to get help .
Love created the Kevin Love Fund and has continued speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s shared tips on how to cope with the stress and isolation caused by the pandemic .
At home , Love opened a box with the trophy inside , proclaiming , “ It ’ s nice and shiny.
” “ In light of all that ’ s going on in our country today , I accept this award as both an honor and a challenge , ” he said , looking into the camera .
“ A challenge to not only continue on my path , but to push beyond it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer.
” Minnesota Twins outfielder Nelson Cruz received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in a videotaped piece introduced by the late boxer ’ s daughter , Laila .
Cruz has helped his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic build a police station , a medical clinic and acquire a fire truck and firefighting gear , as well as an ambulance .
Cruz cried and put his head in his hands before composing himself and saying , “ From the bottom of my heart , my family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” Snoop Dogg rapped a tribute to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant , tracing his life from high school to a career with the Los Angeles Lakers .
Bryant , his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in January .
Taquarius “ TQ ” Wair , who as a 4-year-old survived a house fire in 2005 that killed his 6-year-old sister , was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance .
Wair was burned all over his body and given just a 20 % chance to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand .
Wair began playing football at age 7 and is now playing at a junior college in Minnesota , with a goal of playing at a four-year school and in the NFL .
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin informed Wair via laptop that he was being honored .
Wair was handed a box with the trophy inside .
He pulled it out and said , “ Oh my goodness .
Thank you.
” “ This is humbling for me , ” Wair said .
“ My family won ’ t let me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I can go from here .
Stay tuned.
” Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry introduced Kim Clavel as winner of the Pat Tillman Award for Service .
The boxer from Montreal was preparing for her first main event bout on March 21 after winning the North American Boxing Federation female flyweight title last year .
But the coronavirus pandemic meant the fight was canceled .
Clavel wasn ’ t idle for long .
She had previous experience as a nurse in a maternity ward before focusing on boxing , so she began working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last three months .
Via laptop , Clavel listened as her grandmother told her she was being honored with the award named after the player who left the NFL to join the Army after the 9/11 attacks .
Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004 .
“ When I need motivation , I will look at this trophy , ” Clavel said .
From her living room , Billie Jean King announced the winners of her namesake Youth Leadership Award , given to those tackling issues in their communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friedman , Jaronn Islar , Chelsea Quito , Elijah Murphy and Niah Woods will receive either a $ 10,000 academic scholarship or a donation to the charity of their choice .
The Los Angeles Dodgers were named the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year for their foundation that works to improve education , health care , homelessness and social justice in the city .
The foundation will use the $ 100,000 award to continue its programs .
Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key hosted an Olympic reunion via Zoom , checking in with enough athletes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phelps impersonator .

No red carpet, no nattily dressed athletes, no house band or monologue poking fun at the past year’s top athletes and moments.
This was a different version of The ESPYS.
The focus of Sunday night’s show on ESPN was hope and inspiration in the time of coronavirus.
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, along with soccer star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA star Sue Bird, hosted the pre-produced show remotely from their respective homes in Seattle. Each wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts to open the show, and touched on the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, all of whom were killed by police.
Rapinoe and Bird urged their fellow white athletes to “don’t just listen. Help.”
“This is the time we’ve got to have their backs,” Rapinoe said of Black athletes. Later in the show, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Olympic gold-medal skier Lindsey Vonn were among those calling on white athletes to listen, learn and act.
Wilson, who is Black, added, “Our country’s work is not anywhere close to being done.”
Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for sparking a national conversation about mental health. Two years ago, he wrote an online essay detailing his struggles with mental health, including having a panic attack during a game. As a result, other athletes and fans began sharing details of their own mental health challenges and sharing resources on how to get help.
Love created the Kevin Love Fund and has continued speaking out. During the COVID-19 crisis, he’s shared tips on how to cope with the stress and isolation caused by the pandemic.
At home, Love opened a box with the trophy inside, proclaiming, “It’s nice and shiny.”
“In light of all that’s going on in our country today, I accept this award as both an honor and a challenge,” he said, looking into the camera. “A challenge to not only continue on my path, but to push beyond it and stay vocal even when silence feels safer.”
Minnesota Twins outfielder Nelson Cruz received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in a videotaped piece introduced by the late boxer’s daughter, Laila. Cruz has helped his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic build a police station, a medical clinic and acquire a fire truck and firefighting gear, as well as an ambulance.
Cruz cried and put his head in his hands before composing himself and saying, “From the bottom of my heart, my family, my foundation and my hometown, thank you.”
Snoop Dogg rapped a tribute to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, tracing his life from high school to a career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in January.
Taquarius “TQ” Wair, who as a 4-year-old survived a house fire in 2005 that killed his 6-year-old sister, was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Wair was burned all over his body and given just a 20% chance to live. He lost fingers on his left hand. Wair began playing football at age 7 and is now playing at a junior college in Minnesota, with a goal of playing at a four-year school and in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin informed Wair via laptop that he was being honored. Wair was handed a box with the trophy inside. He pulled it out and said, “Oh my goodness. Thank you.”
“This is humbling for me,” Wair said. “My family won’t let me give up. Let’s see where I can go from here. Stay tuned.”
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry introduced Kim Clavel as winner of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The boxer from Montreal was preparing for her first main event bout on March 21 after winning the North American Boxing Federation female flyweight title last year. But the coronavirus pandemic meant the fight was canceled.
Clavel wasn’t idle for long. She had previous experience as a nurse in a maternity ward before focusing on boxing, so she began working in care units across Montreal over the last three months.
Via laptop, Clavel listened as her grandmother told her she was being honored with the award named after the player who left the NFL to join the Army after the 9/11 attacks. Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.
“When I need motivation, I will look at this trophy,” Clavel said.
From her living room, Billie Jean King announced the winners of her namesake Youth Leadership Award, given to those tackling issues in their communities. Joel Apudo, Batouly Camara, Ally Friedman, Jaronn Islar, Chelsea Quito, Elijah Murphy and Niah Woods will receive either a $10,000 academic scholarship or a donation to the charity of their choice.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were named the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year for their foundation that works to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice in the city. The foundation will use the $100,000 award to continue its programs.
Actor-comedian Keegan-Michael Key hosted an Olympic reunion via Zoom, checking in with enough athletes to represent 150 medals, including a Michael Phelps impersonator.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--NASCAR says noose found in Black driver Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega

TALLADEGA , Ala. — A noose was found in the garage stall of Black driver Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR race in Alabama on Sunday , less than two weeks after he successfully pushed the auto racing series to ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities .
NASCAR announced the discovery late Sunday and said it had launched an immediate investigation .
It said it will do everything possible to find who was responsible and “ eliminate them from the sport.
” “ We are angry and outraged , and can not state strongly enough how seriously we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series said in a statement .
“ As we have stated unequivocally , there is no place for racism in NASCAR , and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.
” Wallace is the only fulltime Black driver in NASCAR ’ s elite Cup Series .
On Twitter , he said the “ the despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and ow persistent we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ As my mother told me today , ‘ They are just trying to scare you , ’ ” he wrote .
” This will not break me , I will not give in nor will I back down .
I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in .
The noose was discovered on the same day NASCAR ’ s fledgling flag ban faced its biggest challenge .
The ban took effect before last week ’ s race near Miami , but there were only about 1,000 military members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the heart of the South , as many as 5,000 fans were allowed in , even though rain postponed the race until Monday .
There weren ’ t any immediate reports of how many , if any , flags were confiscated or taken down at the track — but the flag was present nearby .
There were informal protests Saturday and Sunday alike , with cars and pickup trucks driving along nearby roads flying the flag and parading past the entrance to the superspeedway .
A small plane flew overhead pulling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words “ Defund NASCAR.
” NASCAR did not acknowledged the plane or its banner , though executive Steve O ’ Donnell tweeted a picture of black and white hands shaking : “ You won ’ t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here…but you will see this…Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today.
” Rapper Ice Cube even tweeted about the plane saying , “ ( Expletive ) him NASCAR , you got new fans in this household.
” Wallace , a 26-year-old Alabama native who drives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he has found support among fellow drivers for his stance on the flag and he noted that in his tweet late Sunday after the noose announcement .
“ Over the last several weeks , I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and tea members in the garage , ” he said .
“ Together , our sport has made a commitment to driving real chance and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone .
Nothing is more important and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate.
” Talladega is one of the more raucous stops on the NASCAR schedule , but the coronavirus pandemic prompted the series , like all sports , to ban or sharply limit fans for months .
The scene this weekend was a dramatic departure from the Talladega norm with plenty of room for social distancing and fans asked to wear masks .
“ It ’ s weird .
It ’ s eerie , ” said David Radvansky , 32 , from suburban Atlanta , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 6 .
Radvansky , who started coming to Talladega in the 1990s when his father parked cars at races , applauded NASCAR ’ s decision to ban the Confederate flag .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a place for it in NASCAR , to be honest with you , ” the 32-year-old said .
“ That doesn ’ t sit well with all the good ole boys but it is what it is.
” Directly across from the track , Ed Sugg ’ s merchandise tent was flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 2020 banners and an American flag .
“ They ’ re doing very well , ” said Sugg , a Helena , Alabama , resident who has been selling an array of wares at NASCAR races for 21 years .
“ People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance .
It ’ s been around for as long as all of us have been .
I don ’ t think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything .
It ’ s just a Southern thing .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a heritage thing .
”

TALLADEGA, Ala. — A noose was found in the garage stall of Black driver Bubba Wallace at the NASCAR race in Alabama on Sunday, less than two weeks after he successfully pushed the auto racing series to ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities.
NASCAR announced the discovery late Sunday and said it had launched an immediate investigation. It said it will do everything possible to find who was responsible and “eliminate them from the sport.”
“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” the series said in a statement. “As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.”
Wallace is the only fulltime Black driver in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series. On Twitter, he said the “the despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and ow persistent we must be in the fight against racism.”
“As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you,’” he wrote. ” This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.
The noose was discovered on the same day NASCAR’s fledgling flag ban faced its biggest challenge. The ban took effect before last week’s race near Miami, but there were only about 1,000 military members admitted into that race.
At Talladega, in the heart of the South, as many as 5,000 fans were allowed in, even though rain postponed the race until Monday. There weren’t any immediate reports of how many, if any, flags were confiscated or taken down at the track — but the flag was present nearby.
There were informal protests Saturday and Sunday alike, with cars and pickup trucks driving along nearby roads flying the flag and parading past the entrance to the superspeedway. A small plane flew overhead pulling a banner with the flag and the words “Defund NASCAR.”
NASCAR did not acknowledged the plane or its banner, though executive Steve O’Donnell tweeted a picture of black and white hands shaking: “You won’t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here…but you will see this…Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today.” Rapper Ice Cube even tweeted about the plane saying, “(Expletive) him NASCAR, you got new fans in this household.”
Wallace, a 26-year-old Alabama native who drives the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports, said he has found support among fellow drivers for his stance on the flag and he noted that in his tweet late Sunday after the noose announcement.
“Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and tea members in the garage,” he said. “Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real chance and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone. Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate.”
Talladega is one of the more raucous stops on the NASCAR schedule, but the coronavirus pandemic prompted the series, like all sports, to ban or sharply limit fans for months. The scene this weekend was a dramatic departure from the Talladega norm with plenty of room for social distancing and fans asked to wear masks.
“It’s weird. It’s eerie,” said David Radvansky, 32, from suburban Atlanta, who brought his wife and boys, 3 and 6.
Radvansky, who started coming to Talladega in the 1990s when his father parked cars at races, applauded NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate flag.
“I don’t think there’s a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you,” the 32-year-old said. “That doesn’t sit well with all the good ole boys but it is what it is.”
Directly across from the track, Ed Sugg’s merchandise tent was flying Confederate flags prominently in a display alongside Trump 2020 banners and an American flag.
“They’re doing very well,” said Sugg, a Helena, Alabama, resident who has been selling an array of wares at NASCAR races for 21 years. “People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance. It’s been around for as long as all of us have been. I don’t think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It’s just a Southern thing. It’s transparent. It’s just a heritage thing.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-22--While Confederate statues come down, other symbols targeted

RALEIGH , N.C. — Spectators in North Carolina ’ s capital cheered Sunday morning as work crews finished the job started by protesters Friday night and removed a Confederate statue from the top of a 75-foot ( 232 meter ) monument .
Across the country , an initially peaceful protest in Portland , Oregon , against racial injustice turned violent early Sunday : Baton-wielding police used flash-bang grenades to disperse demonstrators throwing bottles , cans and rocks at sheriff ’ s deputies near downtown ’ s Justice Center .
News outlets reported that work crews acting on the order of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed the statue Sunday morning and began taking down the obelisk on which it stood .
Sunday ’ s work follows the removal of two other Confederate statues on the state Capitol grounds in Raleigh on Saturday .
Cooper ordered the statues removed after protesters toppled two other Confederate statues Friday night , stringing one up by the neck and hanging it from a light pole .
“ Monuments to white supremacy don ’ t belong in places of allegiance , and it ’ s past time that these painful memorials be moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cooper said in a press release Saturday .
A 2015 law bars removal of the statues without approval of a state historical commission , but Cooper said he ’ s acting under a public-safety exception to the law out of concern for the danger presented when protesters seek to topple the statues themselves .
Cooper has advocated the statues ’ removal for years .
Republicans , though , blamed him for not ordering police to take a tougher stand Friday night to protect the memorials .
In Wilmington , N.C. , Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a narrow area surrounding two Confederate monuments to try to thwart any vandalism or destruction .
The curfew from 7:30 p.m. through 7 a.m. began Saturday night and lasts five nights .
In Baltimore , a statue and memorial to George Washington in a city park were vandalized with red paint .
The Baltimore Sun reports that the memorial in Druid Hill Park in northwest Baltimore also had the words “ Destroy Racists ” and the initials for the Black Lives Matter movement written on the base .
Police said Sunday morning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vandalism .
Baltimore removed several statues and memorials linked to the Confederacy in 2017 .
In St. Augustine , Florida , the nation ’ s oldest city , a debate over history is looming over a monument , located in the city ’ s historic central plaza , memorializing dozens of the city ’ s sons who died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War .
The Rev .
Ron Rawls , a pastor at St. Paul ’ s African Methodist Episcopal Church , calls the monument disrespectful and wants it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide whether to heed that call on Monday .
As statues and memorials to the Confederacy have been targeted across the South , prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , protesters have also at times targeted Founding Fathers who were slaveholders , including Washington .
In New York , the American Museum of Natural History will remove a prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance after years of objections that it symbolizes colonial expansion and racial discrimination , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday .
The bronze statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Central Park West entrance since 1940 depicts Roosevelt on horseback with a Native American man and an African man standing next to the horse .
“ The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior , ” de Blasio said in a written statement .
“ The City supports the Museum ’ s request .
It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue.
” In California , protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former President Ulysses Grant , who commanded the Union Army that defeated the Confederacy ; Francis Scott Key , who wrote “ The Star Spangled Banner ; ” and Spanish missionary Junipero Serra , who is credited with bringing Roman Catholicism to the western United States .
Grant and Key were both slave owners at points in their lives .
In another case in California , symbols of the Black Lives Matter movement have been targeted in recent weeks with vandalism .
Three men , including employees of a sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were arrested in connection with the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter sign .
Portland police and Multnomah County sheriff ’ s deputies arrested several people after a group of protesters pulled down a fence cordoning off the center , tossed objects including fireworks at officers and ignored repeated warnings to disperse , police said in a statement .
It said some people shined lasers into the eyes of deputies .
Seattle police on Sunday pursued their investigation into a weekend shooting in the city ’ s protest zone that killed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No arrests had been made .

RALEIGH, N.C. — Spectators in North Carolina’s capital cheered Sunday morning as work crews finished the job started by protesters Friday night and removed a Confederate statue from the top of a 75-foot monument.
Across the country, an initially peaceful protest in Portland, Oregon, against racial injustice turned violent early Sunday: Baton-wielding police used flash-bang grenades to disperse demonstrators throwing bottles, cans and rocks at sheriff’s deputies near downtown’s Justice Center.
News outlets reported that work crews acting on the order of Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper removed the statue Sunday morning and began taking down the obelisk on which it stood.
Sunday’s work follows the removal of two other Confederate statues on the state Capitol grounds in Raleigh on Saturday.
Cooper ordered the statues removed after protesters toppled two other Confederate statues Friday night, stringing one up by the neck and hanging it from a light pole.
“Monuments to white supremacy don’t belong in places of allegiance, and it’s past time that these painful memorials be moved in a legal, safe way,” Cooper said in a press release Saturday.
A 2015 law bars removal of the statues without approval of a state historical commission, but Cooper said he’s acting under a public-safety exception to the law out of concern for the danger presented when protesters seek to topple the statues themselves.
Cooper has advocated the statues’ removal for years. Republicans, though, blamed him for not ordering police to take a tougher stand Friday night to protect the memorials.
In Wilmington, N.C., Democratic Mayor Bill Saffo imposed a curfew in a narrow area surrounding two Confederate monuments to try to thwart any vandalism or destruction. The curfew from 7:30 p.m. through 7 a.m. began Saturday night and lasts five nights.
In Baltimore, a statue and memorial to George Washington in a city park were vandalized with red paint. The Baltimore Sun reports that the memorial in Druid Hill Park in northwest Baltimore also had the words “Destroy Racists” and the initials for the Black Lives Matter movement written on the base.
Police said Sunday morning that they had not received any complaints about the vandalism.
Baltimore removed several statues and memorials linked to the Confederacy in 2017.
In St. Augustine, Florida, the nation’s oldest city, a debate over history is looming over a monument, located in the city’s historic central plaza, memorializing dozens of the city’s sons who died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
The Rev. Ron Rawls, a pastor at St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, calls the monument disrespectful and wants it removed. The City Commission is expected to decide whether to heed that call on Monday.
As statues and memorials to the Confederacy have been targeted across the South, prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, protesters have also at times targeted Founding Fathers who were slaveholders, including Washington.
In New York, the American Museum of Natural History will remove a prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance after years of objections that it symbolizes colonial expansion and racial discrimination, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday.
The bronze statue that has stood at the museum’s Central Park West entrance since 1940 depicts Roosevelt on horseback with a Native American man and an African man standing next to the horse.
“The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior,” de Blasio said in a written statement. “The City supports the Museum’s request. It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue.”
In California, protesters over the weekend targeted statues and busts of former President Ulysses Grant, who commanded the Union Army that defeated the Confederacy; Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star Spangled Banner;” and Spanish missionary Junipero Serra, who is credited with bringing Roman Catholicism to the western United States. Grant and Key were both slave owners at points in their lives.
In another case in California, symbols of the Black Lives Matter movement have been targeted in recent weeks with vandalism. Three men, including employees of a sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office, were arrested in connection with the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter sign.
Portland police and Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies arrested several people after a group of protesters pulled down a fence cordoning off the center, tossed objects including fireworks at officers and ignored repeated warnings to disperse, police said in a statement. It said some people shined lasers into the eyes of deputies.
Seattle police on Sunday pursued their investigation into a weekend shooting in the city’s protest zone that killed a 19-year-old man and critically injured another person. No arrests had been made.


thedenverpost--2020-06-23--Players association’s rejection of MLB’s latest proposal puts fate of 2020 season into Rob Manfred’s

Players association’s rejection of MLB’s latest proposal puts fate of 2020 season into Rob Manfred’s hands

Commissioner Rob Manfred now controls the fate of the baseball season .
After the players ’ association on Monday rejected the owners ’ latest proposal , the commissioner can now implement a schedule of his choosing , per an agreement reached in March .
The schedule will most likely be around 60 games .
Following the 33-5 rejection — the latest in a series of failed proposals between the two sides — MLB released a statement giving the players ’ association a 3 p.m. MT deadline on Tuesday to respond to a pair of items .
The first is agreeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of another spring training , and the second is players agreeing to health-and-safety protocols .
That March 26 agreement also guarantees the players full prorated pay , which they have been clamoring for since the coronavirus pandemic shut down baseball earlier in that month .
The length of the schedule is whatever length Manfred sets forth .
“ While we had hoped to reach a revised back to work agreement with the league , the Players remain fully committed to proceeding under our current agreement and getting back on the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for each other , ” the association said in a statement after voting to reject the owners ’ proposal .
Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg , the team ’ s player representative , said : “ The Rockies support the decision made by the union .
We are proud of the collective unity players have shown throughout this process and we are excited to get back on the field to play for our fans.
” While the proposal rejected Monday featured a 16-team expanded playoff field , Manfred ’ s mandate — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not feature expanded playoffs .
After multiple teams reported positive tests for coronavirus at their facilities last week , MLB announced that spring training complexes were to be temporarily closed and that the next phase of spring training would be held in team ’ s home cities .
There will still be a universal designated hitter in 2020 , as the rule was part of the agreed-upon health-and-safety protocols , but it will not be around in 2021 , as it would have under the proposal the players rejected .
The months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players association have been underscored by the fact the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the 2021 season .
The players and the powerful agents behind them are hesitant to yield any leverage in current negotiations with the CBA fight looming on the horizon .
Additionally , the divide and public sniping between players and owners has grown over the past few months as the two sides haven ’ t been able to agree on what they agreed upon in March .
At that point , MLB and MLBPA agreed to full prorated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would further discuss the economic feasibility of a season without fans allowed at the ballpark .
Since it has become increasingly clear that fans won ’ t be a part of the 2020 picture , costing teams a huge percentage of their revenue , the owners have tried to use that point to leverage a shorter season .
With the rejection of the latest proposal , players retain their right to file a grievance regarding the March agreement .
So , while a season is now appearing more imminent , the fight between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .

Rob Manfred now controls the fate of the baseball season.
After the players’ association rejected the owners’ latest proposal on Monday, the commissioner can now implement a schedule of his choosing, per an agreement reached in March. The schedule will most likely be around 60 games.
Following the 33-5 rejection — the latest in a series of failed proposals between the two sides — MLB released a statement giving the players’ association a 3 p.m. MT deadline on Tuesday to respond to a pair of items. The first is agreeing to a July 1 report date for the start of another spring training, and the second is players agreeing to health-and-safety protocols.
It is likely the players vote yes to both of those items, meaning the 2020 regular season projects to start sometime in late July.
That March 26 agreement also guarantees the players full prorated pay, which they have been clamoring for since the coronavirus pandemic shut down baseball earlier in that month. The length of the schedule is whatever length Manfred sets forth.
“While we had hoped to reach a revised back to work agreement with the league, the Players remain fully committed to proceeding under our current agreement and getting back on the field for the fans, for the game and for each other,” the association said in a statement after voting to reject the owners’ proposal.
Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg, the team’s player representative, said: “The Rockies support the decision made by the union. We are proud of the collective unity players have shown throughout this process and we are excited to get back on the field to play for our fans.”
While the proposal rejected Monday featured a 16-team expanded playoff field, Manfred’s mandate — which is expected to officially come this week — will not feature expanded playoffs. After multiple teams reported positive tests for coronavirus at their facilities last week, MLB announced that spring training complexes were to be temporarily closed and that the next phase of spring training would be held in team’s home cities.
There will still be a universal designated hitter in 2020, as the rule was part of the agreed-upon health-and-safety protocols, but it will not be around in 2021, as it would have under the proposal the players rejected.
The months of bitter negotiations between MLB and the players association have been underscored by the fact the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the 2021 season. The players and the powerful agents behind them are hesitant to yield any leverage in current negotiations with the CBA fight looming on the horizon.
Additionally, the divide and public sniping between players and owners has grown over the past few months as the two sides haven’t been able to agree on what they agreed upon in March. At that point, MLB and MLBPA agreed to full prorated pay with the stipulation that the sides would further discuss the economic feasibility of a season without fans allowed at the ballpark. Since it has become increasingly clear that fans won’t be a part of the 2020 picture, costing teams a huge percentage of their revenue, the owners have tried to use that point to leverage a shorter season.
With the rejection of the latest proposal, players retain their right to file a grievance regarding the March agreement. So, while a season is now appearing more imminent, the fight between the players and owners is far from over.