crooksandliars--2020-08-01--A Florida Mom Reacts In Horror To School District's Reopening Plan

`` I feel like I 'm living in an M. Night .
Shyamalan movie , dude , '' wrote Tiffany Jenkins .
A sentiment shared by many of us these days , I 'm sure .
In an interview with Buzzfeed News , Jenkins called the video “ heartbreaking.
” As Florida schools plan to reopen in just a few weeks -- even as the coronavirus continues to spread -- one school district ’ s video showing what classrooms could look like this fall is gaining attention online .
The School District of Manatee County posted the promotion video to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab coats , masks , gloves and face shields as they teach students who are seated at spaced-out desks .
A narrator explains that social distancing will be adhered to , face coverings will be required and random health screenings will take place .
“ We look forward to welcoming your children to the new school year , ” the video ends .
A Florida mother who saw the video took to TikTok to point out what she saw as a few problems with the video .
The response video Tiffany Jenkins posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 381,000 times on the social media platform , starts with her comparing the footage to something from a horror or dystopian film .
“ So the school district in my town just released a video of what to expect for the upcoming school year and I ’ m not gon na lie , it looks a little apocalyptic-y , a little ‘ Hunger Games ’ -y , ” Jenkins said in the intro .

"I feel like I'm living in an M. Night. Shyamalan movie, dude," wrote Tiffany Jenkins. A sentiment shared by many of us these days, I'm sure.
In an interview with Buzzfeed News, Jenkins called the video “heartbreaking.”
Source: ClickOrlando
As Florida schools plan to reopen in just a few weeks -- even as the coronavirus continues to spread -- one school district’s video showing what classrooms could look like this fall is gaining attention online.
The School District of Manatee County posted the promotion video to Facebook on July 21 showing teachers wearing lab coats, masks, gloves and face shields as they teach students who are seated at spaced-out desks.
A narrator explains that social distancing will be adhered to, face coverings will be required and random health screenings will take place.
“We look forward to welcoming your children to the new school year,” the video ends.
A Florida mother who saw the video took to TikTok to point out what she saw as a few problems with the video.
The response video Tiffany Jenkins posted, which has been liked more than 381,000 times on the social media platform, starts with her comparing the footage to something from a horror or dystopian film.
“So the school district in my town just released a video of what to expect for the upcoming school year and I’m not gonna lie, it looks a little apocalyptic-y, a little ‘Hunger Games’-y,” Jenkins said in the intro.


crooksandliars--2020-08-01--Hundreds Of Children Infected With COVID At Georgia YMCA Camp

Of the 597 residents who attended the High Harbour YMCA camp , 344 were tested and 260 tested positive for the virus .
But do let 's open schools in Georgia , right Gov .
Brian Kemp ?
Schools in Jefferson , Georgia reopened yesterday , their first day back since March .
A CDC report released Friday reveals that hundreds of campers at a north Georgia YMCA camp were infected with coronavirus in just days before the camp was shut down .
Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that the report documents COVID-19 cases at the YMCA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rabun County .
According to the report , of the 597 residents who attended the camp , 344 were tested and 260 tested positive for the virus .
The camp was only open for four days before being shut down because of the virus , and officials followed all recommended safety protocols .
In total , the virus attacked 44 % of the children , staff members and trainees who attended the camp .
The CDC said that what happened at High Harbor shows that earlier thinking that children might not be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the report , the age group with the most positive coronavirus tests was 6 - 10 years old .
Under Gov .
Kemp ’ s executive orders , overnight summer camps in Georgia were allowed to open on May 31 .
All campers and staff members had to test negative for the coronavirus before attending

Of the 597 residents who attended the High Harbour YMCA camp, 344 were tested and 260 tested positive for the virus. But do let's open schools in Georgia, right Gov. Brian Kemp? Schools in Jefferson, Georgia reopened yesterday, their first day back since March.
Source: WSB-TV
A CDC report released Friday reveals that hundreds of campers at a north Georgia YMCA camp were infected with coronavirus in just days before the camp was shut down.
Channel 2 Action News has confirmed that the report documents COVID-19 cases at the YMCA’s Camp High Harbor on Lake Burton in Rabun County.
According to the report, of the 597 residents who attended the camp, 344 were tested and 260 tested positive for the virus. The camp was only open for four days before being shut down because of the virus, and officials followed all recommended safety protocols.
In total, the virus attacked 44% of the children, staff members and trainees who attended the camp.
The CDC said that what happened at High Harbor shows that earlier thinking that children might not be as susceptible to COVID-19 is wrong. According to the report, the age group with the most positive coronavirus tests was 6 - 10 years old.
Under Gov. Kemp’s executive orders, overnight summer camps in Georgia were allowed to open on May 31. All campers and staff members had to test negative for the coronavirus before attending


crooksandliars--2020-08-01--Trump’s Kodak Crony Just Made Millions From Taxpayers To Make Hydroxychloroquine

As I wrote earlier this week , there ’ s a major scandal brewing in this deal .
Everything about it looks fishy : While Trump has refused to heed calls to invoke the Defense Production Act for the manufacture of PPE and COVID-19 testing supplies , he suddenly gifted Kodak , the camera people , with a $ 765M loan for a not-yet established division to start producing ingredients for pharmaceuticals .
The Washington Post notes that the lender , U.S. International Development Finance Corporation , or DFC , “ normally funds infrastructure and other projects in the developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed in May , President Trump gave DFC new powers under the Defense Production Act to finance domestic health-care manufacturing needed to respond to the coronavirus crisis.
” Coincidentally , it was also in May that Kodak shareholders authorized CEO James Continenza 1.75 million in stock options .
But he wasn ’ t granted the options until July 27 , the day before the deal was announced .
Eastman Kodak 's stock price went up over 1000 percent this week .
Thanks to some great reporting by Judd Legum in his Popular Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock options as well as Continenza ’ s previous big purchase of stock in June , when negotiations with the federal government were already in progress .
Other top executives at Kodak got some nice options , too .
`` These options are now worth tens of millions of dollars , '' Legum said .
Furthermore , Kodak ’ s explanation for the suspicious timing of the options is “ complex but not very convincing , ” Legum points out .
But why did the company protect Continenza over its other shareholders ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the deal with the government ?
And why were stock options issued to the other executives ?
Like I said , it 's fishy .
But wait , there ’ s more .
“ [ W ] hile the options were awarded on July 27 , they were n't disclosed until after 7 PM on July 29 , ” Legum notes .
That means that when Continenza appeared on CNBC on the morning of July 29 , host Joe Kernen knew nothing about the options when he asked Continenza about the massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 27 .
Yet Continenza ’ s , “ I couldn ’ t tell you what influenced that or didn ’ t , ” looks like a big lie .
( Part of the increase may have been due to a careless leak by Kodak . )
Then there ’ s the hydroxychloroquine angle .
Legum has more on that , too .
The deal with Kodak was brokered by White House trade advisor Peter Navarro .
In recent days , Navarro has openly feuded with Anthony Fauci , the nation 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an op-ed for USA Today with the title , `` Anthony Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on . ''
One of Navarro 's chief complaints is that Fauci was insufficiently supportive of using hydroxychloroquine , an anti-malarial drug , to treat or prevent COVID-19 .
The deal with Kodak appears to be a way for Navarro to continue to push hydroxychloroquine .
As part of the deal , Kodak will reportedly manufacture chemicals that will allow more hydroxychloroquine to be produced domestically .
But as Today reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show hydroxychloroquine effective against COVID-19 , the FDA has revoked its emergency use authorization and leading infectious disease experts , doctors and virologists say it ’ s time to stop promoting it as a treatment .
Also noteworthy is that Kodak was a big sponsor of Trump ’ s Celebrity Apprentice show .
So what ’ s in this for Trump ?
Did he shell out all those taxpayer dollars just to reward an old buddy ?
To own the hydroxychloroquine doubters ?
To go along with Navarro ?
Whether any or all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bet he and/or his family are making money somewhere , too .

As I wrote earlier this week, there’s a major scandal brewing in this deal. Everything about it looks fishy:
While Trump has refused to heed calls to invoke the Defense Production Act for the manufacture of PPE and COVID-19 testing supplies, he suddenly gifted Kodak, the camera people, with a $765M loan for a not-yet established division to start producing ingredients for pharmaceuticals. The Washington Post notes that the lender, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, or DFC, “normally funds infrastructure and other projects in the developing world. But in an executive order signed in May, President Trump gave DFC new powers under the Defense Production Act to finance domestic health-care manufacturing needed to respond to the coronavirus crisis.”
Coincidentally, it was also in May that Kodak shareholders authorized CEO James Continenza 1.75 million in stock options. But he wasn’t granted the options until July 27, the day before the deal was announced.
Eastman Kodak's stock price went up over 1000 percent this week.
Thanks to some great reporting by Judd Legum in his Popular Information newsletter, we now know about the stock options as well as Continenza’s previous big purchase of stock in June, when negotiations with the federal government were already in progress. Other top executives at Kodak got some nice options, too. "These options are now worth tens of millions of dollars," Legum said.
Furthermore, Kodak’s explanation for the suspicious timing of the options is “complex but not very convincing,” Legum points out.
Kodak, in an amendment filed July 30, attempted to claim that Continenza's grant was issued to prevent dilution in his stock holding should a convertible note due in 2021 convert to equity. A convertible note gives a lender the option of taking equity in the company. This is something that is very likely to happen now that Kodak is significantly more valuable.
But why did the company protect Continenza over its other shareholders? And why issue the options the day before the deal with the government? And why were stock options issued to the other executives? Like I said, it's fishy.
But wait, there’s more. “[W]hile the options were awarded on July 27, they weren't disclosed until after 7 PM on July 29,” Legum notes. That means that when Continenza appeared on CNBC on the morning of July 29, host Joe Kernen knew nothing about the options when he asked Continenza about the massive increase in Kodak’s stock trading on July 27. Yet Continenza’s, “I couldn’t tell you what influenced that or didn’t,” looks like a big lie. (Part of the increase may have been due to a careless leak by Kodak.)
Then there’s the hydroxychloroquine angle. Legum has more on that, too.
The deal with Kodak was brokered by White House trade advisor Peter Navarro. In recent days, Navarro has openly feuded with Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert. Navarro wrote an op-ed for USA Today with the title, "Anthony Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on." One of Navarro's chief complaints is that Fauci was insufficiently supportive of using hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, to treat or prevent COVID-19. The deal with Kodak appears to be a way for Navarro to continue to push hydroxychloroquine. As part of the deal, Kodak will reportedly manufacture chemicals that will allow more hydroxychloroquine to be produced domestically.
But as Today reported, numerous clinical trials have failed to show hydroxychloroquine effective against COVID-19, the FDA has revoked its emergency use authorization and leading infectious disease experts, doctors and virologists say it’s time to stop promoting it as a treatment.
Also noteworthy is that Kodak was a big sponsor of Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice show.
So what’s in this for Trump? Did he shell out all those taxpayer dollars just to reward an old buddy? To own the hydroxychloroquine doubters? To go along with Navarro? Whether any or all of those are factors, I'll bet he and/or his family are making money somewhere, too.


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Assistant Secretary For Health Contradicts Dear Leader On Benefits Of Hydroxychloroquine

How long before Trump is sending out angry tweets attacking Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir ?
Admiral Brett Giroir was asked about the danger from his boss constantly pushing the drug Hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus during an interview on this Sunday 's Meet the Press , consequences and risks for the safety of those foolish to listen to him be damned , and the Admiral refused to play along with Trump 's gaslighting on the topic .
ADM. BRETT GIROIR : So , from a public health standpoint , at first Hydroxychloroquine looked very promising .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ At this point in time , there has been five randomized controlled , placebo controlled trials that do not show any benefit to Hydroxychloroquine .
So , at this point in time , we do n't recommend that as a treatment .
There 's no evidence to show that it is .
But on the other hand , we have Remdesivir , we have steroids which reduce mortality by 30 percent .
We still do n't know about immune plasma , but it has worked in many other circumstances .
There are many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that .
And a vaccine looks very promising as well .
So , we have many things that do work .
Right now , Hydroxychloroquine , I ca n't recommend that .
CHUCK TODD : Now , I was just going to say , are you concerned though that because of this mixed messaging , that it continues -- it 's going to continue to , sort of , create this fog , if you will , about treatments and misuse of this drug ?
ADM. BRETT GIROIR : So , Hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There may be circumstances , I do n't know what they are , where a physician may prescribe it for an individual .
But I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence based and they 're not influenced by whatever is on Twitter or anything else .
And the evidence just does n't show that Hydroxychloroquine is effective right now .
I think we need to move on from that and talk about what is effective , both from a public health standpoint .
I told you the masks , the crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces .
And for treatments , we know that if you get COVID now , your chances of dying are incredibly less than they were in April because our healthcare providers know how to treat it better .
We have effective therapies like Remdesivir and steroids , promising therapies like immune plasma , and a vaccine really on the horizon .

How long before Trump is sending out angry tweets attacking Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir? Admiral Brett Giroir was asked about the danger from his boss constantly pushing the drug Hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus during an interview on this Sunday's Meet the Press, consequences and risks for the safety of those foolish to listen to him be damned, and the Admiral refused to play along with Trump's gaslighting on the topic.
ADM. BRETT GIROIR: So, from a public health standpoint, at first Hydroxychloroquine looked very promising. There were not the definitive studies. At this point in time, there has been five randomized controlled, placebo controlled trials that do not show any benefit to Hydroxychloroquine.
So, at this point in time, we don't recommend that as a treatment. There's no evidence to show that it is. But on the other hand, we have Remdesivir, we have steroids which reduce mortality by 30 percent. We still don't know about immune plasma, but it has worked in many other circumstances. There are many trials and you heard that national call for that. And a vaccine looks very promising as well. So, we have many things that do work. Right now, Hydroxychloroquine, I can't recommend that.
CHUCK TODD: Now, I was just going to say, are you concerned though that because of this mixed messaging, that it continues -- it's going to continue to, sort of, create this fog, if you will, about treatments and misuse of this drug?
ADM. BRETT GIROIR: So, Hydroxychloroquine needs to be prescribed by a physician. There may be circumstances, I don't know what they are, where a physician may prescribe it for an individual. But I think most physicians and prescribers are evidence based and they're not influenced by whatever is on Twitter or anything else. And the evidence just doesn't show that Hydroxychloroquine is effective right now.
I think we need to move on from that and talk about what is effective, both from a public health standpoint. I told you the masks, the crowds, wash your hands, avoid indoor spaces. And for treatments, we know that if you get COVID now, your chances of dying are incredibly less than they were in April because our healthcare providers know how to treat it better. We have effective therapies like Remdesivir and steroids, promising therapies like immune plasma, and a vaccine really on the horizon.


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--'White Supremacist' Trump Supporter Gets Choked In Florida After Slapping Woman

A self-proclaimed white supremacist who said he supports President Donald Trump was reportedly arrested after he was seen on camera @ @ @ @ @ incident was said to have occurred in Sarasota County , Florida on Friday .
In @ @ @ @ @ , a man identified as Nicholas Aaron Schock can be heard demanding employees of an @ @ @ @ @ '' after he is asked not to expose himself to children .
`` If you @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm not going nowhere , '' he says .
When a woman warns @ @ @ @ @ , he slaps slaps the woman with an open hand .
Several men quickly tackle @ @ @ @ @ where is put into a chokehold .
According to Law & Crime , Schock was @ @ @ @ @ $ 620 bond .
[ Ed .
Note : TRIGGER WARNING : This video is @ @ @ @ @ to violence against women . ]

A self-proclaimed white supremacist who said he supports President Donald Trump was reportedly arrested after he was seen on camera punching a woman.
The incident was said to have occurred in Sarasota County, Florida on Friday.
In video shared on social media, a man identified as Nicholas Aaron Schock can be heard demanding employees of an establishment "call Donald Trump" after he is asked not to expose himself to children.
“I’m a white supremacist!” Schock shouts. “The Aryan nation will rule the world!”
"If you don't know Donald Trump, I'm not going nowhere," he says.
When a woman warns Schock that children are nearby, he slaps slaps the woman with an open hand. Several men quickly tackle Schock to the ground, where is put into a chokehold.
According to Law & Crime, Schock was arrested and held on a $620 bond.
[Ed. Note: TRIGGER WARNING: This video is graphic, particularly with regard to violence against women.]


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Dr. Birx Gives Non-Response On Why U.S. Pandemic Response Has Failed So Miserably

I 'm pretty sure CNN 's Dana Bash already knows the answer to this question , but that did n't stop her from repeatedly asking Dr. Deborah Birx why the United States has failed so miserably in comparison to other countries with our response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Rather than admit that we needed , and still need a national response to the pandemic , or a national mask mandate , or that Trump and Kushner were more interested in playing politics with the lives of U.S. citizens because they live in blue states , or that her boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the way with their horrid response to this national emergency , Birx instead prattled along about Americans `` on the move '' and the fact that the pandemic has spread to rural areas now .
Tell us something we did n't know , Dr. Birx : BASH : The U.S. recorded nearly two million new cases in July , the most cases of any month yet .
So , the United States is still averaging more than 60,000 cases and 1,000 deaths per day .
And we are going to show our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even close to controlling this , like other places , South Korea and the European Union , for example .
So , Dr. Birx , why has the U.S. failed so badly at this ?
BIRX : I think there 's three parts to this epidemic .
First , I think the viewers are well aware of what happened in March and April .
And a series of metros went down in what we call in series , so what started in Seattle and then New York , Louisiana , and then an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit and Chicago , and then moving to Philadelphia and Washington , Houston , and Dallas .
And those series of outbreaks created that curve with multiple peaks , as you show it .
Each one of those individual curves looks very much like the European country curves independently .
But this was a series of metros .
Throughout May , then , as cases were coming down in the metros , then a series of outbreaks across the country in long-term -- as you describe , in the Midwest , long-term care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And each of those were contained by those local officials or local public health officials with testing and contact tracing into the community .
BIRX : And so , coming into May , it was those series .
BIRX : And then , after Memorial Day , that is when we saw this explosion across the South and the West .
BASH : So , Dr. Birx , you 're explaining what happened .
The question that everybody out there has is , why ?
Why did this happen ?
Why was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're the coordinator for the federal response .
Why were n't you able to -- to stop this from spreading and continuing to spread uncontrollably , as it is now ?
BIRX : So , what I have learned in working with epidemics around the globe is , you have to really get down to the level of where the epidemic is .
That 's why I have been on the road for the last three weeks to 14 states , because just talking about the gating criteria and saying that test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the reality on the ground of what people are -- experience .
I can tell you , across America right now , people are on the move .
And so all of our discussions about social distancing and decreasing gatherings to under 10 , as I traveled around the country , I saw all of America moving .
BIRX : And I think it 's our job , as public health officials , to be able to get a message to each American that says , if you have chosen to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you really need to come back and protect those with comorbidities and assume you 're infected .
We have been trying to get out the clarion call about the asymptomatic spread , which I think still Americans and public health officials really -- hard to get their hands around that , because the number of people who are spreading virus without symptoms , by the time you wait for someone to come forward to the emergency room , you have widespread community spread .
And so I think that is what we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county by county , is adapting the federal recommendations to the realities on the ground .
BASH : But -- right , Dr. Birx , and I hear you .
But it 's clearly not working .
I mean , we have been talking about outbreaks across the Sunbelt .
You 're warning now about a resurgence in states across the Midwest .
In recent days , you have named 20 -- we are putting them on the screen -- 20 of the 50 states as places you 're watching .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic ?
And , if so , what are you going to do to change course ?
To which Birx basically responded ... no .
Here she is explaining that local officials are still on their own : BIRX : I think those are two very critical questions , because we are in a new phase .
And that is why I really wanted to make it clear to the American people .
It 's why we started putting out governor reports directly to the health officials and the governors in every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that each thing had to be tailored .
So , each state has a tailored set of recommendations , based on what we are seeing at the community level , what we are seeing relevant to the hospitals .
And each of these responses have to be dramatically tailored .
We are beginning to see an impact from the mitigation procedures that many of the state and local officials have put into place .
But I want to be very clear .
What we are seeing today is different from March and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's into the rural as equal urban areas .
And to everybody who lives in a rural area , you are not immune or protected from this virus .
And that is why we keep saying , no matter where you live in America , you need to wear a mask and socially distance , do the personal hygiene pieces .
But , more importantly , if you 're in multigenerational households , and there 's an outbreak in your rural area or in your city , you need to really consider wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're positive , if you have individuals in your households with comorbidities .
This epidemic right now is different , and it 's wide -- it 's more widespread .
BIRX : And it 's both rural and urban .
Yeah , clear as mud .
As Annie Lowrey discussed in The Atlantic , the `` U.S. prioritized the economy over public health—and got the worst of both worlds . ''
How long we 'll be dealing with the consequences of that failure remains to be seen .

I'm pretty sure CNN's Dana Bash already knows the answer to this question, but that didn't stop her from repeatedly asking Dr. Deborah Birx why the United States has failed so miserably in comparison to other countries with our response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rather than admit that we needed, and still need a national response to the pandemic, or a national mask mandate, or that Trump and Kushner were more interested in playing politics with the lives of U.S. citizens because they live in blue states, or that her boss has done real damage every single step of the way with their horrid response to this national emergency, Birx instead prattled along about Americans "on the move" and the fact that the pandemic has spread to rural areas now.
Tell us something we didn't know, Dr. Birx:
BASH: The U.S. recorded nearly two million new cases in July, the most cases of any month yet. So, the United States is still averaging more than 60,000 cases and 1,000 deaths per day.
And we are going to show our viewers the curve. America is not even close to controlling this, like other places, South Korea and the European Union, for example.
So, Dr. Birx, why has the U.S. failed so badly at this?
BIRX: I think there's three parts to this epidemic.
First, I think the viewers are well aware of what happened in March and April. And a series of metros went down in what we call in series, so what started in Seattle and then New York, Louisiana, and then an eruption of increased cases in Boston and Detroit and Chicago, and then moving to Philadelphia and Washington, Houston, and Dallas.
And those series of outbreaks created that curve with multiple peaks, as you show it. Each one of those individual curves looks very much like the European country curves independently.
But this was a series of metros. Throughout May, then, as cases were coming down in the metros, then a series of outbreaks across the country in long-term -- as you describe, in the Midwest, long-term care facilities, meatpacking plants, prisons. And each of those were contained by those local officials or local public health officials with testing and contact tracing into the community.
BASH: Yes.
BIRX: And so, coming into May, it was those series.
BASH: Right.
BIRX: And then, after Memorial Day, that is when we saw this explosion across the South and the West.
BASH: So, Dr. Birx, you're explaining what happened. The question that everybody out there has is, why? Why did this happen? Why was the government, particularly -- I mean, you're the coordinator for the federal response. Why weren't you able to -- to stop this from spreading and continuing to spread uncontrollably, as it is now?
BIRX: So, what I have learned in working with epidemics around the globe is, you have to really get down to the level of where the epidemic is.
That's why I have been on the road for the last three weeks to 14 states, because just talking about the gating criteria and saying that test positivity is increasing has to be joined with the reality on the ground of what people are -- experience.
I can tell you, across America right now, people are on the move. And so all of our discussions about social distancing and decreasing gatherings to under 10, as I traveled around the country, I saw all of America moving.
BASH: Mm-hmm.
BIRX: And I think it's our job, as public health officials, to be able to get a message to each American that says, if you have chosen to go on vacation into a hot spot, you really need to come back and protect those with comorbidities and assume you're infected.
We have been trying to get out the clarion call about the asymptomatic spread, which I think still Americans and public health officials really -- hard to get their hands around that, because the number of people who are spreading virus without symptoms, by the time you wait for someone to come forward to the emergency room, you have widespread community spread.
And so I think that is what we are trying to do community by community, county by county, is adapting the federal recommendations to the realities on the ground.
BASH: But -- right, Dr. Birx, and I hear you.
But it's clearly not working. I mean, we have been talking about outbreaks across the Sunbelt. You're warning now about a resurgence in states across the Midwest. In recent days, you have named 20 -- we are putting them on the screen -- 20 of the 50 states as places you're watching.
So, are we in a new phase of the pandemic? And, if so, what are you going to do to change course?


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Rep. James Clyburn: Trump Is 'Mussolini, Putin And Hitler'

Rep. Clyburn joined Dana Bash on CNN 's State of The Union on Sunday to discuss some comments he made about how Donald Trump would reach to losing the November election and comparing Trump to Hitler , Putin and Mussolini .
Clyburn echoes what many are fearing : that Donald Trump will not leave office peacefully , even if he loses by wide margins , and that his minions in cabinet positions would probably help him retain power in some sort of illegal power grab .
BASH : I want to ask you about something you said on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that you do n't think President Trump would be willing to give up his office and that , quote , he thinks that the American people will be duped by him like the people of Germany were duped by Adolf Hitler .
Do you think Donald Trump is comparable to Adolf Hitler ?
CLYBURN : What I said started about two and a half , maybe three years ago after one of his State of the Unions .
That I feel very strongly that this man has taken on a strongarm tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Mussolini , Putin and Hitler .
I said that back then and I believe that .
I believe very strongly this guy never had an idea about wanting to peacefully transfer power .
I do n't think he plans to leave the White House .
He does n't plan to have a fair election .
I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold on to office and that is why the American people had better wake up .
I know a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries find their demise .
It is when we trail to let democracy and the fundamentals of which is a fair unfair election and why he is trying to put a cloud over this election and floating the idea of postponing the elections .
He does not -- I saw what -- within the last few hours .
That is some of the worst stuff i 've ever heard in my life .
This is not a perfect democracy .
But it 's better than any other that either exists and I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if we are not careful , this country will be lost for our next generation of our children and our grandchildren .
Many thought comparisons to Hitler were insane back in 2016 , but look where we are .
Over 150,000 Americans dead .
Kids in cages .
Militarized police attacking peaceful protestors .
This is not what our country looked like just 4 years ago .
We must swarm the polls on Election Day and during early voting .
We must make Donald Trump 's loss so overwhelming that even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question its validity .
The Democrats can not go on news shows every day and talk about it while we , the voters , sit at home and do nothing .
Rep. Clyburn is right - Donald Trump WILL TRY TO FIND A WAY TO INSTALL HIMSELF and the American people need to WAKE UP .
And fast .

Rep. Clyburn joined Dana Bash on CNN's State of The Union on Sunday to discuss some comments he made about how Donald Trump would reach to losing the November election and comparing Trump to Hitler, Putin and Mussolini. Clyburn echoes what many are fearing: that Donald Trump will not leave office peacefully, even if he loses by wide margins, and that his minions in cabinet positions would probably help him retain power in some sort of illegal power grab.
BASH: I want to ask you about something you said on Friday night in an interview with PBS. You said that you don't think President Trump would be willing to give up his office and that, quote, he thinks that the American people will be duped by him like the people of Germany were duped by Adolf Hitler. Do you think Donald Trump is comparable to Adolf Hitler? CLYBURN: What I said started about two and a half, maybe three years ago after one of his State of the Unions. That I feel very strongly that this man has taken on a strongarm tactics and I feel very strongly that he is Mussolini, Putin and Hitler. I said that back then and I believe that. I believe very strongly this guy never had an idea about wanting to peacefully transfer power. I don't think he plans to leave the White House. He doesn't plan to have a fair election. I believe that he plans to install himself in some kind of emergency way to continue to hold on to office and that is why the American people had better wake up. I know a little bit about history and I know how countries find their demise. It is when we trail to let democracy and the fundamentals of which is a fair unfair election and why he is trying to put a cloud over this election and floating the idea of postponing the elections. He does not -- I saw what -- within the last few hours. That is some of the worst stuff i've ever heard in my life. This is not a perfect democracy. But it's better than any other that either exists and I really feel that the fundamentals of being afraid, if we are not careful, this country will be lost for our next generation of our children and our grandchildren.
Many thought comparisons to Hitler were insane back in 2016, but look where we are. Over 150,000 Americans dead. Kids in cages. Militarized police attacking peaceful protestors. This is not what our country looked like just 4 years ago. We must swarm the polls on Election Day and during early voting. We must make Donald Trump's loss so overwhelming that even the GOP cannot find a way to question its validity.
The Democrats cannot go on news shows every day and talk about it while we, the voters, sit at home and do nothing. Rep. Clyburn is right - Donald Trump WILL TRY TO FIND A WAY TO INSTALL HIMSELF and the American people need to WAKE UP. And fast.
93 days.


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Poll-Truther Jesse Watters Hangs His Hat On One CNBC Poll Showing Race Tightening In Battleground St

Poll-Truther Jesse Watters Hangs His Hat On One CNBC Poll Showing Race Tightening In Battleground States

Fox 's Jesse Watters did his best to soothe Trump 's fragile ego by downplaying the results of the latest presidential polls , while hanging his hat on one by CNBC showing some tightening in many of the key battleground states .
Here 's how Watters began his opening monologue this Saturday : You can feel the momentum shift in the presidential race .
It showed up in the polls too in key battleground states .
Take a look at t his screen .
See they show a consistent shift across the board to the president .
Which was followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC poll : Forget about the national polls .
It ’ s all about the battlegrounds anyway .
Most pollsters are undersampling Republicans as high as 10 points .
They do that just to depress turnout .
Don ’ t fall for it .
And just for a little perspective , Hillary was beating Trump in every single battleground state going into the 2016 election .
What happened ?
Hillary lost every single battleground state .
That seems to be a common theme from all of Trump 's surrogates and his propagandists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been downplaying the national polls for weeks now , and accusing them of weighting their polls too heavily for Democrats .
What Watters failed to note is that even in the CNBC poll he cited , Trump 's strong disapproval ratings are terrible , and Fox 's own polls of the battleground states are terrible for Trump as well .
I wonder if Watters believes his own network is also undersampling Republicans as he accused the other pollsters of doing ?
And just this morning , Politico published this report on Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden doesn ’ t juice up their base ’ : Key swing state slips away from Trump : Senior citizens and suburban voters are sinking President Donald Trump ’ s campaign across the country .
But here in Pennsylvania — home to one of the largest populations of residents age 65 or older and where suburbanites comprise more than half of the electorate — their defection to Joe Biden is hurting Trump even more acutely .
It ’ s a very big problem in a swing state that ’ s central to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate since 1988 to carry Pennsylvania , in part by winning older and suburban voters , as well as blue-collar white workers in ancestrally Democratic areas .
Now , with less than 100 days till Election Day , surveys show those voters are eyeing something different yet again .
Joe Biden has an overall early lead in the state of 6 percentage points , according to RealClearPolitics ’ polling average , and has led Trump in all 12 public polls released since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll average in the battleground states that Watters claims are now showing a `` momentum shift '' for Trump :

Fox's Jesse Watters did his best to soothe Trump's fragile ego by downplaying the results of the latest presidential polls, while hanging his hat on one by CNBC showing some tightening in many of the key battleground states.
Here's how Watters began his opening monologue this Saturday:
You can feel the momentum shift in the presidential race. It showed up in the polls too in key battleground states. Take a look at t his screen. See they show a consistent shift across the board to the president.
Which was followed by him citing the results of this CNBC poll:
Forget about the national polls. It’s all about the battlegrounds anyway. Most pollsters are undersampling Republicans as high as 10 points. They do that just to depress turnout. Don’t fall for it. And just for a little perspective, Hillary was beating Trump in every single battleground state going into the 2016 election. What happened? Hillary lost every single battleground state.
That seems to be a common theme from all of Trump's surrogates and his propagandists in the media like Watters, who have been downplaying the national polls for weeks now, and accusing them of weighting their polls too heavily for Democrats.
What Watters failed to note is that even in the CNBC poll he cited, Trump's strong disapproval ratings are terrible, and Fox's own polls of the battleground states are terrible for Trump as well. I wonder if Watters believes his own network is also undersampling Republicans as he accused the other pollsters of doing?
And just this morning, Politico published this report on Trump's prospects in Pennsylvania: ‘Hating Joe Biden doesn’t juice up their base’: Key swing state slips away from Trump:
Senior citizens and suburban voters are sinking President Donald Trump’s campaign across the country. But here in Pennsylvania — home to one of the largest populations of residents age 65 or older and where suburbanites comprise more than half of the electorate — their defection to Joe Biden is hurting Trump even more acutely. It’s a very big problem in a swing state that’s central to his Rust Belt path to victory. Four years ago, Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate since 1988 to carry Pennsylvania, in part by winning older and suburban voters, as well as blue-collar white workers in ancestrally Democratic areas. Now, with less than 100 days till Election Day, surveys show those voters are eyeing something different yet again. Joe Biden has an overall early lead in the state of 6 percentage points, according to RealClearPolitics’ polling average, and has led Trump in all 12 public polls released since the beginning of June.
Here is the RCP poll average in the battleground states that Watters claims are now showing a "momentum shift" for Trump:


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--James Clyburn Calls Out Fox News Host For Failing To Report On White Supremacists Inciting Violence

House Majority Whip James Clyburn ( D-SC ) on Sunday accused Fox News host Pete Hegseth of failing to report that white supremacists had attempted to incite violence during Black Lives Matter protests in Portland , Oregon and other places .
`` As you know , over the last couple of months , we 've seen riots in Portland , '' Hegseth told Clyburn during an interview on Fox & Friends .
`` President Trump made it clear , we 're going to send federal agents , law enforcement officers there to protect federal property as necessary . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clyburn of comparing federal agents to `` the Gestapo . ''
`` Why would you make such a comparison when what they 're doing is their job to protect federal property ? ''
Hegseth asked .
`` I do n't know if I ever compared what they 're doing to the Gestapo , '' Clyburn objected .
`` It 's right there in the transcript , '' Hegseth said , referring to a CNN interview in which Clyburn said Trump is trying to `` impose Gestapo activities in local communities . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am never one to think I can never misspeak .
That is not to say what I feel .
But what I do feel , what I 've seen in Portland , reminds me very much of what I saw in Anniston , Alabama back in the '60s , what I saw on the Edmund Pettus Bridge back in the '60s , where state-sponsored and supported terrorism was visited upon people who were protesting peacefully . ''
Hegseth seemed outraged by the comparison .
`` They 're burning Bibles in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge like the peaceful protesters did in the 1960s , '' the Fox News host remarked .
`` I do n't know anything about burning Bibles , '' Clyburn said .
`` Burning a Bible does n't do anything about burning down a federal building .
Maybe you all have seen something I do n't know .
What federal building has been under threat ? ''
`` With all due respect , Congressman , you may be watching other networks , '' Hegseth charged .
`` It 's been fireworks , Molotov cocktails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after night after night . ''
`` I do defend [ the officers ] as well , '' Clyburn insisted .
`` But I do n't defend pretenders .
We saw in Minneapolis a guy in black knocking out windows .
When they arrested him , they found out he 's a white supremacist disguising himself .
And that 's what 's going on all over . ''
`` Look , I was in these movies back in the '60s , '' he continued .
`` I walked right alongside John Lewis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , we never rioted .
But there was rioting going on .
Burn , baby , burn was not us .
Somebody else , insurgents came in .
Pretenders came in , in order to subvert the movement . ''
Clyburn added : `` And that 's what 's going on here .
Black Lives Matter will not ever , the people connected to that will not burn down any buildings .
But the people who are trying to incite stuff , the pretenders -- not protesters , but pretenders -- will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat concluded by admonishing the Fox News host .
`` You saw that on the camera yourselves and you should have reported it , '' he said .
`` Other places did . ''

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) on Sunday accused Fox News host Pete Hegseth of failing to report that white supremacists had attempted to incite violence during Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, Oregon and other places.
"As you know, over the last couple of months, we've seen riots in Portland," Hegseth told Clyburn during an interview on Fox & Friends. "President Trump made it clear, we're going to send federal agents, law enforcement officers there to protect federal property as necessary."
The Fox News host went on to accuse Clyburn of comparing federal agents to "the Gestapo."
"Why would you make such a comparison when what they're doing is their job to protect federal property?" Hegseth asked.
"I don't know if I ever compared what they're doing to the Gestapo," Clyburn objected.
"It's right there in the transcript," Hegseth said, referring to a CNN interview in which Clyburn said Trump is trying to "impose Gestapo activities in local communities."
"Maybe I did," Clyburn replied. "I am never one to think I can never misspeak. That is not to say what I feel. But what I do feel, what I've seen in Portland, reminds me very much of what I saw in Anniston, Alabama back in the '60s, what I saw on the Edmund Pettus Bridge back in the '60s, where state-sponsored and supported terrorism was visited upon people who were protesting peacefully."
Hegseth seemed outraged by the comparison.
"They're burning Bibles in Portland instead of holding them on the bridge like the peaceful protesters did in the 1960s," the Fox News host remarked.
"I don't know anything about burning Bibles," Clyburn said. "Burning a Bible doesn't do anything about burning down a federal building. Maybe you all have seen something I don't know. What federal building has been under threat?"
"With all due respect, Congressman, you may be watching other networks," Hegseth charged. "It's been fireworks, Molotov cocktails, explosions, attacks at officers night after night after night."
"I do defend [the officers] as well," Clyburn insisted. "But I don't defend pretenders. We saw in Minneapolis a guy in black knocking out windows. When they arrested him, they found out he's a white supremacist disguising himself. And that's what's going on all over."
"Look, I was in these movies back in the '60s," he continued. "I walked right alongside John Lewis and everybody else. And I can tell you, we never rioted. But there was rioting going on. Burn, baby, burn was not us. Somebody else, insurgents came in. Pretenders came in, in order to subvert the movement."
Clyburn added: "And that's what's going on here. Black Lives Matter will not ever, the people connected to that will not burn down any buildings. But the people who are trying to incite stuff, the pretenders -- not protesters, but pretenders -- will do anything."
The South Carolina Democrat concluded by admonishing the Fox News host.
"You saw that on the camera yourselves and you should have reported it," he said. "Other places did."


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Chris Wallace Thumps Jason Miller's 'Credibility' After He Denies Trump Is Losing In Polls

Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday challenged Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller after he downplayed polls showing President Donald Trump trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In an interview on Fox News Sunday , Wallace noted that Trump is trailing Biden by over 7 points in an average of nine separate national polls .
`` How do you turn this around because at this point , Jason , you 're losing ? ''
Wallace asked .
`` Well , we think we 're in great shape and well positioned to win this , '' Miller replied .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states President Trump needs to get to 270 [ electoral votes ] , he 's either leading or within the margin of error . ''
`` I knew you were going to attack one poll , '' Wallace said .
`` As I said the national poll is based on nine polls .
The state polls are based on multiple polls as well .
Are you really going to blame this -- it seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you do n't admit , yeah , we 're losing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` I disagree , '' Miller insisted .
`` The trajectory lines are going very well , the campaign is in a good place ... We 're doing much better than the public polling which tends to lag behind what our private polling is showing us .
We think he 's in a good position right now . ''

Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday challenged Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller after he downplayed polls showing President Donald Trump trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Wallace noted that Trump is trailing Biden by over 7 points in an average of nine separate national polls.
"How do you turn this around because at this point, Jason, you're losing?" Wallace asked.
"Well, we think we're in great shape and well positioned to win this," Miller replied. "And in fact, in all the states President Trump needs to get to 270 [electoral votes], he's either leading or within the margin of error."
"I knew you were going to attack one poll," Wallace said. "As I said the national poll is based on nine polls. The state polls are based on multiple polls as well. Are you really going to blame this -- it seems to me that you hurt your credibility if you don't admit, yeah, we're losing and we've got to turn things around."
"I disagree," Miller insisted. "The trajectory lines are going very well, the campaign is in a good place... We're doing much better than the public polling which tends to lag behind what our private polling is showing us. We think he's in a good position right now."


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Rep. Raúl Grijalva Slams Irresponsible GOP Colleagues After Testing Positive For COVID-19

As we noted here last week when Rep. Louis Gohmert tested positive for COVID-19 , due to his refusal to @ @ @ @ @ fellow members of Congress and staff that he may have exposed to the virus needed @ @ @ @ @ .
It seems those concerns were valid , because we 've now learned that Rep. @ @ @ @ @ as the AP reported , was unfortunate enough to be sitting near Gohmert during a @ @ @ @ @ now also tested positive for coronavirus .
Grijalva slammed his irresponsible Republican colleagues in a @ @ @ @ @ We wish Grijalva and anyone else coping with this virus a speedy recovery .

As we noted here last week when Rep. Louis Gohmert tested positive for COVID-19, due to his refusal to wear a mask, his fellow members of Congress and staff that he may have exposed to the virus needed to get tested, STAT. It seems those concerns were valid, because we've now learned that Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who, as the AP reported, was unfortunate enough to be sitting near Gohmert during a hearing last week, has now also tested positive for coronavirus.
Grijalva slammed his irresponsible Republican colleagues in a statement on Twitter yesterday:
I have tested positive for COVID-19.
As a result, I will be self-isolating in quarantine. I currently have no symptoms, feel fine, and hope to make a quick & speedy recovery.
COVID-19 is not a joke & we should all take this seriously.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/nnBskdSyTF — Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) August 1, 2020
We wish Grijalva and anyone else coping with this virus a speedy recovery.


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Steve Mnuchin Complains People Are Being 'Overpaid' On Unemployment

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Sunday complained that many people who receive unemployment benefits during the pandemic have been `` overpaid . ''
During an interview with ABC news , Mnuchin said that Republicans are pushing back against the $ 600 weekly federal unemployment benefit because it is more than many people received from their jobs .
`` Unemployment is supposed to be wage replacement , '' the Treasury secretary told ABC 's Martha Raddatz .
`` So it should be tied to some percentage of wages . ''
`` We want to fix the issue where in some cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And we want to make sure there 's the right incentives . ''
`` Do you do think it 's a disincentive to find a job if you have that extra $ 600 ? ''
Raddatz asked .
`` There 's no question , '' Mnuchin replied .
`` In certain cases , where we 're paying people more to stay home than to work , that 's created issues in the entire economy . ''
Raddatz interrupted by pointing out a Yale study which found that there is no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disincentive to return to work .
`` I went to Yale , '' Mnuchin replied .
`` There are certain things , I do n't always agree . ''

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Sunday complained that many people who receive unemployment benefits during the pandemic have been "overpaid."
During an interview with ABC news, Mnuchin said that Republicans are pushing back against the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefit because it is more than many people received from their jobs.
"Unemployment is supposed to be wage replacement," the Treasury secretary told ABC's Martha Raddatz. "So it should be tied to some percentage of wages."
"We want to fix the issue where in some cases people are overpaid," he continued. "And we want to make sure there's the right incentives."
"Do you do think it's a disincentive to find a job if you have that extra $600?" Raddatz asked.
"There's no question," Mnuchin replied. "In certain cases, where we're paying people more to stay home than to work, that's created issues in the entire economy."
Raddatz interrupted by pointing out a Yale study which found that there is no evidence that the $600 weekly payment is a disincentive to return to work.
"I went to Yale," Mnuchin replied. "There are certain things, I don't always agree."


crooksandliars--2020-08-02--Is The FDA Sacrificing Safety For A Quick COVID Cure?

Given the death , suffering , social disruption and economic devastation caused by COVID-19 , there is an urgent need to quickly develop therapies to treat this disease and prevent the spread of the virus .
But the Food and Drug Administration , charged with the task of evaluating and deciding whether to approve new drugs and other products , has a problem .
The FDA ’ s standards appear to be dropping at a time when rigorous regulatory review and robust oversight are crucial .
For example , on March 28 , the FDA granted emergency use authorization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sulfate , despite the drugs having known safety concerns and negligible evidence of efficacy in treating COVID-19 .
As a specialist in bioethics and public health , I see troubling signs that suggest the FDA ’ s new program for expediting reviews of potential therapies for COVID-19 is not working as it should .
Instead , its regulatory oversight has been weakened .
In its place , I see signs of political interference , inappropriate pressure to authorize products for emergency use , and an overwhelming surge of clinical studies that challenges the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them before deciding whether they should proceed .
Are the right people doing the work ?
Even with numerous special approval programs in existence , it typically takes about eight years for new drugs to proceed from initial authorization of clinical trials to FDA approval .
Because the process of testing drugs and other potential therapies can be so lengthy , the pandemic poses a challenge to the FDA ’ s usual review and approval processes .
In response to COVID-19 , the FDA established the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program ( CTAP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help facilitate the speedy development of treatments and preventive measures .
The FDA has redeployed many staff members to serve on CTAP review teams .
In public statements about CTAP , the FDA has not disclosed how many staff members serve on these teams .
And it ’ s not certain if all reassigned staff members have the background and training required to review COVID-19 studies and individual patient requests for expanded access to investigational new drugs .
There is little publicly available information concerning how CTAP is staffed , how review teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of expertise particular teams of reviewers possess .
If FDA employees are being assigned unfamiliar responsibilities , or are reviewing applications for products beyond their expertise , there ’ s a risk those reviews will not be sufficiently thorough .
CTAP is essentially an opaque regulatory initiative .
Decisions emerge from CTAP but we don ’ t know who made them , why they were made , or what information was provided to FDA .
While some details have been shared , I believe that , in general , CTAP would benefit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut red tape , says it ’ s now reviewing many clinical study protocols for COVID-19 within 24 hours .
But what specific bureaucratic impediments did the FDA eliminate to fast-track the process ?
That we don ’ t know .
In public statements about CTAP , the FDA hasn ’ t identified what “ bureaucratic impediments ” it removed .
The agency has yet to disclose this important information .
What we do know : The FDA has enabled COVID-19 studies to proceed at a far more rapid pace than trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By doing so , the FDA needs to respond to scientists , physicians , bioethicists , regulatory specialists and other critics concerned that the FDA is failing to maintain its regulatory standards .
Mounting evidence indicates CTAP ’ s oversight may be inadequate .
One example : The FDA has cleared an application for a clinical study to test a stem cell product to see if it ’ s safe and if it works .
The stem cells , researchers hope , will provide enough immune support to reduce symptoms and hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no control group that can be used to compare the stem cell intervention against a placebo or sham procedure .
Without such a control group , the study will not generate usable data concerning whether or not the administered stem cells are effective .
Because of how little information has been disclosed about CTAP ’ s operation , the inner workings of CTAP seem beyond public scrutiny .
No information is available on why some trials were cleared to proceed despite what many researchers would consider glaring shortcomings .
This includes poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial overlap with other studies , or as in case of the stem cell study , a lack of a control group .
That specific problematic trials are being allowed to proceed within a wider climate of disrespect for evidence-based clinical research adds to the concern .
Many scientists fear that President Trump ’ s boosterism for drugs he believes prevent or treat COVID-19 has helped to undermine the independence and integrity of FDA decision-making .
The FDA ’ s emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate only heightened the concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also in question amid efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 .
Need for transparency grows as trials expand The agency has indicated that summary statistics about CTAP will be forthcoming .
So far , however , the FDA has only disclosed limited information about the program ’ s operations .
Meanwhile , the number of trials allowed to proceed – and need for oversight – has grown .
When the creation of CTAP was announced on March 31 , the FDA said clinical trials had begun for 10 therapeutic agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in planning stages .
The FDA now reports that by mid-April , it had received 950 inquiries and proposals concerning COVID-19 related drug development .
By May 11 , 144 active trials of therapeutic agents were in progress , or cleared to proceed .
Another 457 development programs for therapeutic agents were in planning stages .
It is good to have such information in the public domain .
However , I believe the public deserves to know much more about how CTAP is functioning .
Along with providing regular updates on the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the number cleared to proceed , the FDA needs to report the number of proposed studies it has declined to review ; the number of times the FDA has not cleared studies to proceed and has instead imposed holds due to safety issues ; and the duration between when investigational new drug applications were submitted and when the studies were allowed to proceed or placed on hold .
Most importantly , the public needs to know more about how decisions are being made within CTAP .
Public understanding of CTAP would increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it reviews and clears , and provided links to listings on ClinicalTrials.gov .
The FDA ’ s commissioner has defended the agency ’ s practices during the pandemic , including the use of less “ robust ” datasets .
But the FDA ’ s review process needs to result in the development of safe and effective COVID-19 treatments .
Speed of product development , while crucial in a pandemic , must never be prioritized over all other considerations .
Political pressure can not influence regulatory decision-making ; the agency must release more information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision-making processes .
First and foremost , the FDA ’ s rigorous oversight – rather than a race to satisfy an aggressive and perhaps political agenda – is imperative during this pandemic .
[ Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Leigh Turner , Associate Professor , University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics , School of Public Health , & College of Pharmacy , University of Minnesota This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read @ @ @ @

Leigh Turner, University of Minnesota
Given the death, suffering, social disruption and economic devastation caused by COVID-19, there is an urgent need to quickly develop therapies to treat this disease and prevent the spread of the virus.
But the Food and Drug Administration, charged with the task of evaluating and deciding whether to approve new drugs and other products, has a problem. The FDA’s standards appear to be dropping at a time when rigorous regulatory review and robust oversight are crucial.
For example, on March 28, the FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, despite the drugs having known safety concerns and negligible evidence of efficacy in treating COVID-19.
As a specialist in bioethics and public health, I see troubling signs that suggest the FDA’s new program for expediting reviews of potential therapies for COVID-19 is not working as it should. Instead, its regulatory oversight has been weakened. In its place, I see signs of political interference, inappropriate pressure to authorize products for emergency use, and an overwhelming surge of clinical studies that challenges the FDA’s capacity to carefully scrutinize them before deciding whether they should proceed.
Are the right people doing the work?
Even with numerous special approval programs in existence, it
typically takes about eight years for new drugs to proceed from initial authorization of clinical trials to FDA approval. Because the process of testing drugs and other potential therapies can be so lengthy, the pandemic poses a challenge to the FDA’s usual review and approval processes.
In response to COVID-19, the FDA established the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP) to expedite the regulatory review process and help facilitate the speedy development of treatments and preventive measures.
The FDA has redeployed many staff members to serve on CTAP review teams. In public statements about CTAP, the FDA has not disclosed how many staff members serve on these teams. And it’s not certain if all reassigned staff members have the background and training required to review COVID-19 studies and individual patient requests for expanded access to investigational new drugs. There is little publicly available information concerning how CTAP is staffed, how review teams have been organized, and what kinds of expertise particular teams of reviewers possess.
If FDA employees are being assigned unfamiliar responsibilities, or are reviewing applications for products beyond their expertise, there’s a risk those reviews will not be sufficiently thorough.
CTAP is essentially an opaque regulatory initiative. Decisions emerge from CTAP but we don’t know who made them, why they were made, or what information was provided to FDA. While some details have been shared, I believe that, in general, CTAP would benefit from greater transparency.
A 24-hour review
The FDA, claiming to cut red tape, says it’s now reviewing many clinical study protocols for COVID-19 within 24 hours. But what specific bureaucratic impediments did the FDA eliminate to fast-track the process? That we don’t know. In public statements about CTAP, the FDA hasn’t identified what “bureaucratic impediments” it removed. The agency has yet to disclose this important information.
What we do know: The FDA has enabled COVID-19 studies to proceed at a far more rapid pace than trials that are testing interventions for other diseases. By doing so, the FDA needs to respond to scientists, physicians, bioethicists, regulatory specialists and other critics concerned that the FDA is failing to maintain its regulatory standards.
Mounting evidence indicates CTAP’s oversight may be inadequate. One example: The FDA has cleared an application for a clinical study to test a stem cell product to see if it’s safe and if it works. The stem cells, researchers hope, will provide enough immune support to reduce symptoms and hospitals stays for COVID-19. But the study has no control group that can be used to compare the stem cell intervention against a placebo or sham procedure.
Without such a control group, the study will not generate usable data concerning whether or not the administered stem cells are effective.
Because of how little information has been disclosed about CTAP’s operation, the inner workings of CTAP seem beyond public scrutiny. No information is available on why some trials were cleared to proceed despite what many researchers would consider glaring shortcomings. This includes poor study design, small sample size, substantial overlap with other studies, or as in case of the stem cell study, a lack of a control group.
That specific problematic trials are being allowed to proceed within a wider climate of disrespect for evidence-based clinical research adds to the concern. Many scientists fear that President Trump’s boosterism for drugs he believes prevent or treat COVID-19 has helped to undermine the independence and integrity of FDA decision-making. The FDA’s emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate only heightened the concern. The independence of the FDA is also in question amid efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19.
Need for transparency grows as trials expand
The agency has indicated that summary statistics about CTAP will be forthcoming. So far, however, the FDA has only disclosed limited information about the program’s operations. Meanwhile, the number of trials allowed to proceed – and need for oversight – has grown.
When the creation of CTAP was announced on March 31, the FDA said clinical trials had begun for 10 therapeutic agents to treat COVID-19, with 15 more in planning stages. The FDA now reports that by mid-April, it had received 950 inquiries and proposals concerning COVID-19 related drug development. By May 11, 144 active trials of therapeutic agents were in progress, or cleared to proceed. Another 457 development programs for therapeutic agents were in planning stages.
It is good to have such information in the public domain. However, I believe the public deserves to know much more about how CTAP is functioning. Along with providing regular updates on the number of COVID-19 applications it has received, and the number cleared to proceed, the FDA needs to report the number of proposed studies it has declined to review; the number of times the FDA has not cleared studies to proceed and has instead imposed holds due to safety issues; and the duration between when investigational new drug applications were submitted and when the studies were allowed to proceed or placed on hold.
Most importantly, the public needs to know more about how decisions are being made within CTAP. Public understanding of CTAP would increase if the FDA identified the clinical studies it reviews and clears, and provided links to listings on ClinicalTrials.gov.
The FDA’s commissioner has defended the agency’s practices during the pandemic, including the use of less “robust” datasets. But the FDA’s review process needs to result in the development of safe and effective COVID-19 treatments. Speed of product development, while crucial in a pandemic, must never be prioritized over all other considerations. Political pressure cannot influence regulatory decision-making; the agency must release more information about CTAP’s review standards and decision-making processes. First and foremost, the FDA’s rigorous oversight – rather than a race to satisfy an aggressive and perhaps political agenda – is imperative during this pandemic.
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Leigh Turner, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics, School of Public Health, & College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Federal Forces Leave Portland And Peace Returns—But White Nationalists Don't Want It To Stay

Every night that federal forces were deployed in Portland , the crowds grew larger .
And every time those federal forces showed their lack of experience with law enforcement—and willingness to use violence even if that meant shooting peaceful protesters in the face—more people came forward to show that they wouldn ’ t be intimidated .
There was a wall of moms .
A wall of dads .
A wall of veterans .
But mostly there were just a wall of people unwilling to step down and hand over their city to paramilitary forces in camo who came over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the state government .
But on Thursday night protests were peaceful .
On Friday that pattern repeated as the number of people around the federal courthouse decreased and the “ walls ” came down .
Protesters who came dressed to face tear gas and billy clubs , instead ended up sitting in the grass together , listening to speakers , sharing songs , and celebrating .
The reason : those camo-wearing federal forces packed up and left .
Trump ’ s makeshift mix of ICE , Border Patrol , and Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town for the moment , but they are off the streets .
They ’ re no longer randomly firing impact weapons into people ’ s faces , deploying tear gas in the middle of a hymn , or grabbing people off the street and slamming them into unmarked vans .
Instead they ’ re camped out a few blocks away , waiting to see what happens over the weekend .
Amazingly , despite the warnings of acting DHS director Chad Wolf , the federal courthouse was not burned overnight , buildings were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into anarchy despite the lack of people on hand to point weapons straight into people ’ s faces .
As The Washington Post reports , a few protesters lobbed rocks into empty space , symbolically bashing the place where the armed invaders had been on previous evenings .
For now … that ’ s about it .
Still , there are reasons for concern .
For one thing , the withdrawal of federal forces doesn ’ t end the racist violence on the part of Portland police that initiated protests in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis .
It also doesn ’ t resolve the often heavy-handed response taken by those local police in response to protests .
Some in the area are also concerned that there actually be violence initiated by agitators who want nothing more than to justify Trump ’ s invasion of the city .
After all , it ’ s already clear that white nationalists have been engaging in violence and vandalism at cities where protests are taking place with the express purpose of “ sowing discord and racial unrest.
” In Richmond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people after weeks of peaceful protests suddenly “ turned violent.
” Flyers in the area called for attacks on police “ in sympathy with protesters in Portland , ” and the calls appeared to be met with damage to a local university , burning vehicles , and bricks hurled at local police .
“ There were white supremacists marching under the banner of Black Lives Matter , attempting to undermine an otherwise overwhelmingly peaceful movement towards social justice , ” said Mayor Levar Stoney .
There are concerns that the same kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After all , Trump wasn ’ t just using claims of violence at that location to justify keeping forces on the ground in Portland , he was promising to do the same in a number of other cities .
Portland is both the beta test and the flagship .
For those who want peace to fail , undermining the piece in Portland could be the best bet to see far more camo wearing troops on American streets .
“ The mission is simple , ” said Mayor Stoney .
“ To undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this city has seen.
” That was certainly true in Richmond .
What happens next in Portland may be decided in the next two nights .

Every night that federal forces were deployed in Portland, the crowds grew larger. And every time those federal forces showed their lack of experience with law enforcement—and willingness to use violence even if that meant shooting peaceful protesters in the face—more people came forward to show that they wouldn’t be intimidated. There was a wall of moms. A wall of dads. A wall of veterans. But mostly there were just a wall of people unwilling to step down and hand over their city to paramilitary forces in camo who came over the express wishes of citizens, city officials, and the state government.
But on Thursday night protests were peaceful. On Friday that pattern repeated as the number of people around the federal courthouse decreased and the “walls” came down. Protesters who came dressed to face tear gas and billy clubs, instead ended up sitting in the grass together, listening to speakers, sharing songs, and celebrating. The reason: those camo-wearing federal forces packed up and left.
Trump’s makeshift mix of ICE, Border Patrol, and Marshall Service forces haven’t completely departed town for the moment, but they are off the streets. They’re no longer randomly firing impact weapons into people’s faces, deploying tear gas in the middle of a hymn, or grabbing people off the street and slamming them into unmarked vans. Instead they’re camped out a few blocks away, waiting to see what happens over the weekend.
Amazingly, despite the warnings of acting DHS director Chad Wolf, the federal courthouse was not burned overnight, buildings were not looted, and Portland did not descend into anarchy despite the lack of people on hand to point weapons straight into people’s faces. As The Washington Post reports, a few protesters lobbed rocks into empty space, symbolically bashing the place where the armed invaders had been on previous evenings. For now … that’s about it.
Still, there are reasons for concern. For one thing, the withdrawal of federal forces doesn’t end the racist violence on the part of Portland police that initiated protests in the city following the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It also doesn’t resolve the often heavy-handed response taken by those local police in response to protests.
Some in the area are also concerned that there actually be violence initiated by agitators who want nothing more than to justify Trump’s invasion of the city. After all, it’s already clear that white nationalists have been engaging in violence and vandalism at cities where protests are taking place with the express purpose of “sowing discord and racial unrest.”
In Richmond, Virginia this week, police arrested 23 people after weeks of peaceful protests suddenly “turned violent.” Flyers in the area called for attacks on police “in sympathy with protesters in Portland,” and the calls appeared to be met with damage to a local university, burning vehicles, and bricks hurled at local police. “There were white supremacists marching under the banner of Black Lives Matter, attempting to undermine an otherwise overwhelmingly peaceful movement towards social justice,” said Mayor Levar Stoney.
There are concerns that the same kind of efforts could be organized in Portland. After all, Trump wasn’t just using claims of violence at that location to justify keeping forces on the ground in Portland, he was promising to do the same in a number of other cities. Portland is both the beta test and the flagship. For those who want peace to fail, undermining the piece in Portland could be the best bet to see far more camo wearing troops on American streets.
“The mission is simple,” said Mayor Stoney. “To undermine the months of peaceful, community-driven protests that this city has seen.” That was certainly true in Richmond.
What happens next in Portland may be decided in the next two nights.
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Alabama State Rep. Resigns Church After Attending Birthday Party For First KKK Grand Wizard

Republican State Rep. Will Dismukes of Alabama is making more being-a-racist news .
On Thursday , Dismukes announced he would be stepping down as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Prattville .
This comes after days and weeks of controversy surrounding the legislator and his relationship to race and racist organizations in the state .
The most recent controversy comes after Dismukes attended and then gave the invocation at the annual birthday party for first grand wizard of the KKK and Confederate general and traitor Nathan Bedford Forrest on July 25 in Selma .
The event coincided with ceremonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights activist John Lewis ’ passing .
Rep. Dismukes posted about the event on his Facebook page the following day , writing : “ Had a great time at Fort Dixie speaking and giving the invocation for Nathan Bedford Forrest annual birthday celebration .
Always a great time and some sure enough good eating !
!
” Very quickly , Alabama Baptist officials distanced themselves from Dismukes ’ attendance of the event .
Rick Lance , executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions , told Alabama Baptist Media : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the recent Facebook post by state Rep. Will Dismukes .
… In the wake of tremendous controversy we reaffirm our opposition to any kind of racism.
” Subsequently Dismukes was contacted by other Baptist officials in the state , with whom he met and decided to resign from his post as pastor .
According to the Montgomery Advertiser , Dismukes says he has no plans to leave his position in state government .
Back in June , Dismukes came under fire for his support of state funding for a Confederate memorial park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ membership in a local Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter in Prattville .
At the time , Rep. Dismukes told reporters that he didn ’ t support “ slavery in any fashion , ” but just “ because I want to protect our history doesn ’ t mean I ’ m all of a sudden glorifying the days of slavery or anything of that nature.
” Dismukes ’ Facebook page is filled with the kind of thinking about race and activism and flags that you might expect from someone who believes speaking at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the KKK is patriotic and godly in some fashion .
It ’ s a lot of the reasoning behind why people are kneeling during the national anthem , and criticisms of Dr. Anthony Fauci , and questioning the need to wear masks .

Republican State Rep. Will Dismukes of Alabama is making more being-a-racist news. On Thursday, Dismukes announced he would be stepping down as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Prattville. This comes after days and weeks of controversy surrounding the legislator and his relationship to race and racist organizations in the state.
The most recent controversy comes after Dismukes attended and then gave the invocation at the annual birthday party for first grand wizard of the KKK and Confederate general and traitor Nathan Bedford Forrest on July 25 in Selma. The event coincided with ceremonies honoring the late U.S. representative and civil rights activist John Lewis’ passing. Rep. Dismukes posted about the event on his Facebook page the following day, writing: “Had a great time at Fort Dixie speaking and giving the invocation for Nathan Bedford Forrest annual birthday celebration. Always a great time and some sure enough good eating!!”
Very quickly, Alabama Baptist officials distanced themselves from Dismukes’ attendance of the event. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, told Alabama Baptist Media: “We are saddened and grieved to learn of the recent Facebook post by state Rep. Will Dismukes. … In the wake of tremendous controversy we reaffirm our opposition to any kind of racism.” Subsequently Dismukes was contacted by other Baptist officials in the state, with whom he met and decided to resign from his post as pastor. According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Dismukes says he has no plans to leave his position in state government.
Back in June, Dismukes came under fire for his support of state funding for a Confederate memorial park in Alabama, as well as his membership in a local Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter in Prattville. At the time, Rep. Dismukes told reporters that he didn’t support “slavery in any fashion,” but just “because I want to protect our history doesn’t mean I’m all of a sudden glorifying the days of slavery or anything of that nature.”
Dismukes’ Facebook page is filled with the kind of thinking about race and activism and flags that you might expect from someone who believes speaking at the birthday celebration for the first grand wizard of the KKK is patriotic and godly in some fashion. It’s a lot of the reasoning behind why people are kneeling during the national anthem, and criticisms of Dr. Anthony Fauci, and questioning the need to wear masks.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Manhattan DA Investigating Trump For Bank And Insurance Fraud

The hits keep coming for Trump , and it could n't happen to a nicer guy .
Nicolle Wallace and Tim O'Brien discussed the latest legal blow : a court filing by Manhattan DA Cy Vance , showing that Cy Vance is looking into bank and insurance fraud by Trump and his company .
According to Wallace , `` [ i ] t 's a broader scope than we first knew , and it comes as Vance continues to argue that the president must comply with the subpoena for eight years of his taxes . ''
Here 's O'Brien 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would suspect that Michael Cohen is a key source in this .
He said in his congressional testimony that Donald Trump 's chief operating officer , Matthew Calamari , yes , Trump 's chief operating officer 's last name is Calamari .
His accountant , essentially , Allen Weisselberg , and Ron Lieberman and other executives all had knowledge of Trump routinely inflating the value of his assets in order to get bank loans and insurance policies .
[ ... ] Clearly , Cy Vance said in court today that they 're looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those things .
The shoe that 's dropping here is we are now in the wake of the Supreme Court saying that Trump ca n't withhold his tax returns from a prosecutor .
So his tax returns are in play .
But also , the other thing that 's in play here , Nicolle , is this will probably go beyond the election this fall .
And if he does n't get re-elected , some of the protections of the presidency are going to fall away , and he 's going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around him .
So , this is a very significant development .
We know Trump is doing everything possible to delegitimize the November election , and that the longer he can hold on to power , the longer he can avoid facing the legal music in New York .
If , heaven forfend , he wins another term ( *spits twice over my shoulder* ) the statute of limitations runs out .
Nothing else matters to him .
He has never faced consequences for anything in his life , so he is literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republic to keep that streak going .
But there is another legal speed bump Trump faces , and with his son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
Yes , Orange Twitler and his little clementine are under scrutiny along with their personal banker with Deutsche Bank , Rosemary Vrablic .
Seems she loaned them hundreds of millions of dollars , and made a few unsavory real estate purchases with Jared-of-the-undescended-testicles back in 2013 .
Again , here 's O'Brien , with a much more professional and educated explanation : O'BRIEN : Donald Trump welched on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 1990s , and after that , no major bank would deal with him .
The predecessors to banks like Citigroup , JP Morgan Chase , et cetera .
The bank that continued to do business with Donald Trump was Deutsche Bank , they continued doing business with him even after he litigated in the mid-2000s and tried to walk away from a loan then .
That is not typical bank behavior .
Deutsche bank has had myriad problems over the years involving money laundering and other issues and has gotten into trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
They have been trying to clean up their act in recent years .
And what 's come to the fore , now , is that the Kushners and Trump 's private banker , Deutsche Bank was with a number of colleagues buying apartments from the Kushners .
That 's not an arm 's length transaction .
It raises questions about whether she was conflicted in terms of any business dealings that she did with Trump and the Kushners .
So that 's being explored internally at Deutsche Bank now .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a potential powder keg .
If she has to begin to provide evidence or testimony involving work she 's done for Trump and Kushners , it is going to unlock a pandora 's box for both of those families .
Oh , dear .
I know lots of people who wish the Trumps and Kushners would die from COVID .
I 'm not one of them .
I want to see them humiliated out of office , then twisting in the legal winds before they 're shackled and permanently clad in orange @ @

The hits keep coming for Trump, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Nicolle Wallace and Tim O'Brien discussed the latest legal blow: a court filing by Manhattan DA Cy Vance, showing that Cy Vance is looking into bank and insurance fraud by Trump and his company. According to Wallace, "[i]t's a broader scope than we first knew, and it comes as Vance continues to argue that the president must comply with the subpoena for eight years of his taxes." Here's O'Brien's take on that:
O'BRIEN: I would suspect that Michael Cohen is a key source in this. He said in his congressional testimony that Donald Trump's chief operating officer, Matthew Calamari, yes, Trump's chief operating officer's last name is Calamari. His accountant, essentially, Allen Weisselberg, and Ron Lieberman and other executives all had knowledge of Trump routinely inflating the value of his assets in order to get bank loans and insurance policies.
[...]
Clearly, Cy Vance said in court today that they're looking into the possibility of criminal fraud around those things. The shoe that's dropping here is we are now in the wake of the Supreme Court saying that Trump can't withhold his tax returns from a prosecutor. So his tax returns are in play. But also, the other thing that's in play here, Nicolle, is this will probably go beyond the election this fall. And if he doesn't get re-elected, some of the protections of the presidency are going to fall away, and he's going to have to face these prosecutors without that armor around him. So, this is a very significant development.
We know Trump is doing everything possible to delegitimize the November election, and that the longer he can hold on to power, the longer he can avoid facing the legal music in New York. If, heaven forfend, he wins another term (*spits twice over my shoulder*) the statute of limitations runs out. Nothing else matters to him. He has never faced consequences for anything in his life, so he is literally and fully willing to destroy our democratic republic to keep that streak going.
But there is another legal speed bump Trump faces, and with his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Yes, Orange Twitler and his little clementine are under scrutiny along with their personal banker with Deutsche Bank, Rosemary Vrablic. Seems she loaned them hundreds of millions of dollars, and made a few unsavory real estate purchases with Jared-of-the-undescended-testicles back in 2013.
Again, here's O'Brien, with a much more professional and educated explanation:
O'BRIEN: Donald Trump welched on billions of dollars of loans in the early 1990s, and after that, no major bank would deal with him. The predecessors to banks like Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, et cetera. The bank that continued to do business with Donald Trump was Deutsche Bank, they continued doing business with him even after he litigated in the mid-2000s and tried to walk away from a loan then. That is not typical bank behavior. Deutsche bank has had myriad problems over the years involving money laundering and other issues and has gotten into trouble with regulators in Europe and the United States. They have been trying to clean up their act in recent years. And what's come to the fore, now, is that the Kushners and Trump's private banker, Deutsche Bank was with a number of colleagues buying apartments from the Kushners. That's not an arm's length transaction. It raises questions about whether she was conflicted in terms of any business dealings that she did with Trump and the Kushners. So that's being explored internally at Deutsche Bank now. And that private banking operation at Deutsche Bank is a potential powder keg. If she has to begin to provide evidence or testimony involving work she's done for Trump and Kushners, it is going to unlock a pandora's box for both of those families.
Oh, dear. I know lots of people who wish the Trumps and Kushners would die from COVID. I'm not one of them. I want to see them humiliated out of office, then twisting in the legal winds before they're shackled and permanently clad in orange jumpsuits.


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Man Opened Fire After Being Told To Wear A Mask In Cigar Store

Zaborowski was later arrested , after a shootout with the police .
When a cigar shop clerk told Adam Zaborowski on Friday he had to wear a mask in the shop , the 35-year-old angrily refused .
Instead , he grabbed two stogies , stormed outside — and then pulled a handgun and shot at the clerk , Bethlehem Township , Pa. , police said .
The next day , cornered near his home , Zaborowski allegedly fired at police with an AK-47 , sparking a wild shootout with at least seven officers that ended with him shot multiple times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest violent incident tied to arguments over mandatory mask orders .
But Zaborowski ’ s reaction was driven by his own intense difficulty with the pandemic , his attorney claimed ; before the shootout , Zaborowski had lost his job and had also recently lost custody of his child .
“ He just wasn ’ t dealing well with the loss of his job , the loss of his child , just not handling the pandemic well , ” John Waldron told the Express-Times on Sunday , while noting those factors didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think he was getting stretched too tight .
”

Zaborowski was later arrested, after a shootout with the police.
Source: Washington Post
When a cigar shop clerk told Adam Zaborowski on Friday he had to wear a mask in the shop, the 35-year-old angrily refused. Instead, he grabbed two stogies, stormed outside — and then pulled a handgun and shot at the clerk, Bethlehem Township, Pa., police said.
The next day, cornered near his home, Zaborowski allegedly fired at police with an AK-47, sparking a wild shootout with at least seven officers that ended with him shot multiple times and under arrest.
The case is the latest violent incident tied to arguments over mandatory mask orders. But Zaborowski’s reaction was driven by his own intense difficulty with the pandemic, his attorney claimed; before the shootout, Zaborowski had lost his job and had also recently lost custody of his child.
“He just wasn’t dealing well with the loss of his job, the loss of his child, just not handling the pandemic well,” John Waldron told the Express-Times on Sunday, while noting those factors didn’t justify his violent conduct. “I think he was getting stretched too tight.”


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Trump's New Campaign Manager Will 'Try To Match His Work Ethic'

Despite claims by the Trump campaign to the contrary , former campaign manager Brad Parscale was demoted to senior adviser of something , and has been replaced by former Chris Christie aide of Bridge-Gate scandal infamy , Bill Stepien .
Stepien made his first public appearance since accepting the new position on ... where else ... .
Fox `` news '' this Monday , and following some gaslighting about how Joe Biden is an `` empty vessel '' that 's been taken over by the `` radical left '' in the party , and denying that Trump is actually down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've seen from the rest of the poll-truthers that have been filling the right-wing airways in recent weeks , Stepien was asked how he plans to move forward with the campaign .
KILMEADE : Bill , as you know , if you are winning by a lot you have a certain strategy .
If you are losing by a lot you have a certain strategy .
If you feel as though you 're neck and neck certain states and not in other states have a certain strategy .
So , if you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this job , do you believe the current president , dealing with a pandemic and civil unrest was trailing Joe Biden who so far we have not seen an effective plan to hurt his candidacy ?
Did you take over a campaign that was trailing ?
STEPIEN : Look , when I took the job two weeks ago , I refocused the campaign on doing three things every single day .
The first is we are focusing only on things that win votes .
If it does n't win a vote , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is we are focused on winning each of the next 91 , really 92 days of the campaign .
It 's a series of one-day campaigns that we need to win more than Joe Biden and we will .
And lastly , you know , no one works harder than the president .
This campaign is going to try and match his work ethic .
We 're going to have a blue collar chip on our shoulder .
We 're going to run like we are the underdog .
We 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind even if we 're two points ahead .
That 's the mentality we 're going to have .
That 's the mindset we have over the next three months of this campaign .
And for that , Stepien was rightfully mocked on Twitter .

Despite claims by the Trump campaign to the contrary, former campaign manager Brad Parscale was demoted to senior adviser of something, and has been replaced by former Chris Christie aide of Bridge-Gate scandal infamy, Bill Stepien.
Stepien made his first public appearance since accepting the new position on... where else.... Fox "news" this Monday, and following some gaslighting about how Joe Biden is an "empty vessel" that's been taken over by the "radical left" in the party, and denying that Trump is actually down in the polls, just as we've seen from the rest of the poll-truthers that have been filling the right-wing airways in recent weeks, Stepien was asked how he plans to move forward with the campaign.
KILMEADE: Bill, as you know, if you are winning by a lot you have a certain strategy. If you are losing by a lot you have a certain strategy. If you feel as though you're neck and neck certain states and not in other states have a certain strategy.
So, if you could dismiss every poll, when you got this job, do you believe the current president, dealing with a pandemic and civil unrest was trailing Joe Biden who so far we have not seen an effective plan to hurt his candidacy? Did you take over a campaign that was trailing?
STEPIEN: Look, when I took the job two weeks ago, I refocused the campaign on doing three things every single day. The first is we are focusing only on things that win votes. If it doesn't win a vote, we're not doing it. The seconds thing is we are focused on winning each of the next 91, really 92 days of the campaign. It's a series of one-day campaigns that we need to win more than Joe Biden and we will. And lastly, you know, no one works harder than the president. This campaign is going to try and match his work ethic. We're going to have a blue collar chip on our shoulder. We're going to run like we are the underdog. We're going to run like we're two points behind even if we're two points ahead. That's the mentality we're going to have. That's the mindset we have over the next three months of this campaign.
And for that, Stepien was rightfully mocked on Twitter.
The campaign is going to have the same work ethic as the 'president'?
So, they're going to be golfing, fundraising, and rage-tweeting on Twitter? https://t.co/nbjPKvvHIj — D Villella ❄ (@dvillella) August 3, 2020
You'd think it would be illegal for a "News" channel to be the only reason a president is elected. pic.twitter.com/7JP3FmEaYj — Sick of the Divide and Lies (@CharlesBee13) August 3, 2020
Another fast talking soft shoe shuffler. Trump played golf round #284 yesterday while over 1000 Americans died in agony. Hard working? Maybe on running up body counts. Since 7/21, the US is averaging 1000 Covid deaths/day. That’s equivalent 65 Boeing 757 crashes since 7/21. — Tim Ryan (@TimRyan17262403) August 3, 2020