crooksandliars--2020-06-13--Trump Administration Set To Blame Mexico For Surge Of U.S. COVID-19 Cases

Starting as early as April , states that had taken steps to limit businesses and enforce social distancing began to “ reopen ” with strong encouragement from Donald Trump .
Truthfully , it ’ s not that Donald Trump pushed states to reopen too soon .
It ’ s that Trump never encouraged states to lock down in the first place .
Now , just weeks after restrictions began to be removed , more than 20 states are showing the predictable results : a spike in COVID-19 cases , limited remaining hospital beds , and fresh concerns over everything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where cases are rising most quickly including Texas—which is currently racking up new cases faster than at any point in the pandemic—and Arizona , where 80 % of ICU beds are already occupied as new cases come in before older cases have recovered .
But no matter how much danger there is of the healthcare system being overwhelmed , Trump has already made it clear that he ’ s not backing any attempts to slow or roll back reopening .
Instead , Trump has another solution to fighting the second wave of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wall.
” That ’ s right : Trump is blaming new cases of COVID-19 on Mexico .
As of Thursday morning , there were well over 2 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States , and 116,000 Americans have died from the disease .
Mexico was far down the list of nations affected , with 133,000 cases and 15,000 deaths .
The idea that cases imported from Mexico might be contributing significantly to the American total seems not just ridiculous , but determinedly xenophobic—especially considering that most early cases in Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the United States .
But of course Trump is pretending that new cases in the United States are coming from Mexico .
After all , Trump has long included “ disease ” on the list of terrible things that might come from immigrants crossing the southern border .
During his 2016 campaign , Trump repeatedly made statements that included things like “ tremendous infectious disease is pouring across the border , '' and said that immigrants were bringing “ large scale crime and disease . ''
As CBS reports , the strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some length during a meeting of the administration 's coronavirus task force.
” Of course , those same officials also recognize that the outbreaks are happening in practically every state where social distancing guidelines have been relaxed , and that “ circumstances likely differ by location.
” The report does not say whether any medical doctors or scientists on the team were present for this discussion .
Of course , what he ’ s saying doesn ’ t have to be true .
After all , Trump ’ s claims about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this new theory is getting introduced just in time for Trump to mention it at his Juneteenth travesty in Tulsa .
Then he can sit back and listen to the chants .

Starting as early as April, states that had taken steps to limit businesses and enforce social distancing began to “reopen” with strong encouragement from Donald Trump. Truthfully, it’s not that Donald Trump pushed states to reopen too soon. It’s that Trump never encouraged states to lock down in the first place. Now, just weeks after restrictions began to be removed, more than 20 states are showing the predictable results: a spike in COVID-19 cases, limited remaining hospital beds, and fresh concerns over everything from protective gear to respirators.
The states where cases are rising most quickly including Texas—which is currently racking up new cases faster than at any point in the pandemic—and Arizona, where 80% of ICU beds are already occupied as new cases come in before older cases have recovered. But no matter how much danger there is of the healthcare system being overwhelmed, Trump has already made it clear that he’s not backing any attempts to slow or roll back reopening. Instead, Trump has another solution to fighting the second wave of COVID-19. It’s called “build that wall.”
That’s right: Trump is blaming new cases of COVID-19 on Mexico.
As of Thursday morning, there were well over 2 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and 116,000 Americans have died from the disease. Mexico was far down the list of nations affected, with 133,000 cases and 15,000 deaths. The idea that cases imported from Mexico might be contributing significantly to the American total seems not just ridiculous, but determinedly xenophobic—especially considering that most early cases in Mexico could be directly connected to people coming from the United States.
But of course Trump is pretending that new cases in the United States are coming from Mexico. After all, Trump has long included “disease” on the list of terrible things that might come from immigrants crossing the southern border. During his 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly made statements that included things like “tremendous infectious disease is pouring across the border," and said that immigrants were bringing “large scale crime and disease."
As CBS reports, the strategy decision to blame Mexico was “discussed at some length during a meeting of the administration's coronavirus task force.” Of course, those same officials also recognize that the outbreaks are happening in practically every state where social distancing guidelines have been relaxed, and that “circumstances likely differ by location.” The report does not say whether any medical doctors or scientists on the team were present for this discussion.
Of course, what he’s saying doesn’t have to be true. After all, Trump’s claims about “crime and disease” were never true. But this new theory is getting introduced just in time for Trump to mention it at his Juneteenth travesty in Tulsa. Then he can sit back and listen to the chants.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--Giuliani Promotes Anti-Semitic 'One World' Government Theory On Fox News

Fox News has gone gaga over Seattle 's protests , painting all protesters with their small brush of anarchy while ignoring the racial outrage that has captured the country , but is still lost on Trump .
This in turn makes it lost on Fox News .
Rudy Giuliani has been relatively quiet after being caught setting up a shadow government to force Ukraine to smear the Bidens which led to Donald Trump being impeached by the House .
But once the police are involved Rudy comes out of the woodwork like a cockroach to spew anti-Semitic Alex Jones-type conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to the second-biggest presidential fluffer outside of Pete Hegseth on Fox News , Jesse Watters , Rudy pretended that the George Floyd protests have nothing with at all to do with the police murdering nonviolent and cooperating Black men .
Giuliani first opened up saying there was an insurrection in Seattle and Miami and they both blamed liberals for the outburst and not the police .
There is n't an insurrection .
Rudy tried to compare 'autonomous zones ' to the Civil War , calling it a minor version of that major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War was about slavery , assh*le .
Watters stated the police needed to stop these protesters in their tracks now or they will go for everything .
What is everything ?
The two then went deep into the Alex Jones racist and anti-Semitic One World government trope that Neo-Nazis love to espouse .
`` They hit the president for anything -- the way he walks , anything at all . ''
He continued , `` There are people who have been planning this for a long time .
Antifa , Soros .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tendencies and views . ''
`` They want us to be part of a one world government , '' he exclaimed .
`` This could be the start of that .
Setting up these autonomous zones .
if it is n't , it should be wiped out anyway .
if it is , it should definitely be wiped out , '' Giuliani said .
This is about brutality against African-Americans by the police nationally .
George Floyd was murdered for no reason except racism -- racism that was exposed by a cruel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video .
Just this weekend , a black man was shot and killed in Atlanta by the police during a routine DUI check , forcing the police chief to resign .
But these scumbags want you to believe that Trump only wants to lend a helping hand and everyone else is an anti-Semitic globalist trying to eat your babies .

Fox News has gone gaga over Seattle's protests, painting all protesters with their small brush of anarchy while ignoring the racial outrage that has captured the country, but is still lost on Trump. This in turn makes it lost on Fox News.
Rudy Giuliani has been relatively quiet after being caught setting up a shadow government to force Ukraine to smear the Bidens which led to Donald Trump being impeached by the House.
But once the police are involved Rudy comes out of the woodwork like a cockroach to spew anti-Semitic Alex Jones-type conspiracy theories about Antifa and George Soros.
Speaking to the second-biggest presidential fluffer outside of Pete Hegseth on Fox News, Jesse Watters, Rudy pretended that the George Floyd protests have nothing with at all to do with the police murdering nonviolent and cooperating Black men.
Giuliani first opened up saying there was an insurrection in Seattle and Miami and they both blamed liberals for the outburst and not the police. There isn't an insurrection.
Rudy tried to compare 'autonomous zones' to the Civil War, calling it a minor version of that major conflict in American history.
The Civil War was about slavery, assh*le.
Watters stated the police needed to stop these protesters in their tracks now or they will go for everything. What is everything?
The two then went deep into the Alex Jones racist and anti-Semitic One World government trope that Neo-Nazis love to espouse.
"They hit the president for anything -- the way he walks, anything at all."
He continued, "There are people who have been planning this for a long time. Antifa, Soros. There are people that have anarchist and socialist tendencies and views."
"They want us to be part of a one world government," he exclaimed. "This could be the start of that. Setting up these autonomous zones. if it isn't, it should be wiped out anyway. if it is, it should definitely be wiped out," Giuliani said.
This is about brutality against African-Americans by the police nationally. George Floyd was murdered for no reason except racism -- racism that was exposed by a cruel and almost unwatchable eight minute and 46 second video.
Just this weekend, a black man was shot and killed in Atlanta by the police during a routine DUI check, forcing the police chief to resign.
But these scumbags want you to believe that Trump only wants to lend a helping hand and everyone else is an anti-Semitic globalist trying to eat your babies.
Fear and lies sell ads on Fox News.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--CNN Interview With Trump Attorney Goes Off The Rails As She Melts Down Over Trump's Poor Polling

Jenna Ellis , an attorney for President Donald Trump 's campaign , on Sunday defended a lawsuit threat against CNN which seeks to suppress a poll showing the president losing to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
`` No pollster in the world would stand behind this as a legitimate poll , according to industry standards , '' Ellis told CNN 's Brian Stelter .
`` So why would CNN ?
Why ? ''
`` What industry standards ? ''
Stelter asked .
`` This poll is in line with other network polls .
Pretty much every poll shows Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not true , '' Ellis insisted .
`` You polled adults , not registered voters , not likely voters , but just adults . ''
Stelter explained that the network used a `` normal polling procedure . ''
`` The only reason CNN published this , it 's junk science , '' Ellis opined .
`` You know that .
And you know that if you 're poll showed the inverse and showed Joe Biden 14 points behind , you would n't have published this poll . ''
`` Let me finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you just going to interrupt me this whole time ?
Or can we actually have a reasonable dialog .
This is why everyone calls you fake news .
Because you finally bring me on to actually talk about things and then , yet , you just interrupt me and wo n't let me make my point . ''
`` Your comment about polls and industry standards was totally false , '' Stelter explained .
`` And it 's important to interrupt when you share fake information . ''
`` You call yourself a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it 's your job to report the facts and then let the people decide .
Your ratings are so bad and so in the tank because America knows that CNN publishes activist agenda against President Trump . ''
`` CNN is one of the highest rated channels on cable , '' Stelter noted .
`` If you think the ratings are so low -- it 's untrue but it should n't matter -- why would you bother coming on ? ''
`` I think it 's important for your viewers -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the facts and the truth , '' the Trump attorney opined .
`` Why is it President Trump cares about ratings at a time like this ? ''
Stelter wondered .
`` I 'm saying President Trump cares about facts and truth , '' Ellis replied .
`` And as a journalist , you should care about facts and truth .
And to stand behind this poll is actually embarrassing for you .
Because this poll is so far outside the margins and standards . ''
`` That 's not true , @ @ @ @ @

Jenna Ellis, an attorney for President Donald Trump's campaign, on Sunday defended a lawsuit threat against CNN which seeks to suppress a poll showing the president losing to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
"No pollster in the world would stand behind this as a legitimate poll, according to industry standards," Ellis told CNN's Brian Stelter. "So why would CNN? Why?"
"What industry standards?" Stelter asked. "This poll is in line with other network polls. Pretty much every poll shows Trump losing to Biden."
"That's not true," Ellis insisted. "You polled adults, not registered voters, not likely voters, but just adults."
Stelter explained that the network used a "normal polling procedure."
"The only reason CNN published this, it's junk science," Ellis opined. "You know that. And you know that if you're poll showed the inverse and showed Joe Biden 14 points behind, you wouldn't have published this poll."
Stelter disagreed but Ellis continued.
"Let me finish!" she exclaimed. "Are you just going to interrupt me this whole time? Or can we actually have a reasonable dialog. This is why everyone calls you fake news. Because you finally bring me on to actually talk about things and then, yet, you just interrupt me and won't let me make my point."
"Your comment about polls and industry standards was totally false," Stelter explained. "And it's important to interrupt when you share fake information."
"You call yourself a journalist," Ellis said. "And it's your job to report the facts and then let the people decide. Your ratings are so bad and so in the tank because America knows that CNN publishes activist agenda against President Trump."
"CNN is one of the highest rated channels on cable," Stelter noted. "If you think the ratings are so low -- it's untrue but it shouldn't matter -- why would you bother coming on?"
"I think it's important for your viewers -- the few that there are -- that they get the facts and the truth," the Trump attorney opined.
"Why is it President Trump cares about ratings at a time like this?" Stelter wondered.
"I'm saying President Trump cares about facts and truth," Ellis replied. "And as a journalist, you should care about facts and truth. And to stand behind this poll is actually embarrassing for you. Because this poll is so far outside the margins and standards."
"That's not true," Stelter chimed in.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--Twitter Celebrates Diaper Don's Birthday With 'All Birthdays Matter'

Twitter noted that today is Mango Mussolini 's date of birth and responded Trump-style with `` All Birthdays Matter , @ @ @ @ @ people killed for being black .
# AllBirthdaysMatter i 'm so happy to see everyone @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's birthday .
Now get anonymous and Kpop fancams and we 'll be all @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate Barack Obama Appreciation Day , the perfect troll of President Twittler .

Twitter noted that today is Mango Mussolini's date of birth and responded Trump-style with "All Birthdays Matter," especially those of black people killed for being black.
I would wish Donnie a happy birthday, but by his logic #AllBirthdaysMatter so here’s a few more that matter pic.twitter.com/30SQMMMSNJ — Seth Purvis (@imnotarapperok) June 14, 2020
#AllBirthdaysMatter i'm so happy to see everyone spreading #BlackLivesMatter content on Trump's birthday. Now get anonymous and Kpop fancams and we'll be all set — ᴄᴀɪᴛʟʏɴ 🌈 (@brinaxhale) June 14, 2020
Twitter was also ready to celebrate Barack Obama Appreciation Day, the perfect troll of President Twittler.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--Larry Kudlow: Attendees Of Trump's Tulsa Rally Should 'Probably' Wear Masks

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow admitted on Sunday that attendees at President Donald Trump 's rallies should `` probably @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 .
While appearing on CNN , State of the Union host Jake @ @ @ @ @ to 200,000 Americans '' have been projected to die due to the novel coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ a concern , '' Kudlow said .
`` People must observe the safety guidelines .
@ @ @ @ @ observed .
Face coverings in key places must be observed . ''
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ for people to wear masks , '' Tapper observed .
`` And I assume that @ @ @ @ @ rally in Tulsa ?
People should be wearing masks at the Trump rally in Tulsa @ @ @ @ @ Well , okay , '' Kudlow stuttered in response .
`` Probably so . ''

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow admitted on Sunday that attendees at President Donald Trump's rallies should "probably" wear masks to prevent spread of COVID-19.
While appearing on CNN, State of the Union host Jake Tapper noted that "up to 200,000 Americans" have been projected to die due to the novel coronavirus.
"Yes, it is a concern," Kudlow said. "People must observe the safety guidelines. The social distancing must be observed. Face coverings in key places must be observed."
"I'm glad to see you calling for people to wear masks," Tapper observed. "And I assume that also means at the Trump rally in Tulsa? People should be wearing masks at the Trump rally in Tulsa this Saturday."
"Well, okay," Kudlow stuttered in response. "Probably so."


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--White Woman Caught On Video At Scene Of Wendy's Fire In Atlanta Where Rayshard Brooks Was Killed

A video released on Twitter early Sunday morning is said to show a white woman at the scene of a @ @ @ @ @ 's .
According to media reports , the Wendy 's where 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks was @ @ @ @ @ on fire during Saturday night 's protests .
KHOU reported that the Wendy 's blaze @ @ @ @ @ before spreading to the restaurant .
Video shared on social media , purportedly shows a @ @ @ @ @ fire inside the restaurant .
`` Look at white girl trying to set shit on @ @ @ @ @ the video says .
`` Look at white girl trying to burn down a Wendy @ @ @ @ @ was n't us , '' he adds .
`` This was n't us . ''

A video released on Twitter early Sunday morning is said to show a white woman at the scene of a fire at an Atlanta Wendy's.
According to media reports, the Wendy's where 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks was killed by police was set on fire during Saturday night's protests.
KHOU reported that the Wendy's blaze began as a dumpster fire before spreading to the restaurant.
Video shared on social media, purportedly shows a white woman contributing to the fire inside the restaurant.
"Look at white girl trying to set shit on fire," someone narrating the video says. "Look at white girl trying to burn down a Wendy's."
"This wasn't us," he adds. "This wasn't us."
Watch the video below.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--Conservative Media Is Outright Lying About Seattle

For days , Donald Trump has been tweeting about the “ anarchist take over ” of Seattle .
According to Trump , the city is being “ pillaged ” by “ terrorists ” who are murder-burning their way across the city .
These “ armed lunatics ” have “ taken over a major American city , ” and what frustrates Trump most is that the mayor and governor don ’ t even seem to know that their city is missing .
In addition , the media is conducting a “ total blackout on the insanity ” in Seattle .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take back the city fast ” and promised that if they don ’ t do something , he will !
The “ autonomous zone , ” formed by peaceful protesters in a small area of Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill neighborhood , has been described by Durkan as an example of free speech and genuine patriotism ; and by The New York Times as “ part street festival , part commune.
” But what viewers of Fox News and other conservative media are seeing is something very , very different .
Across conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city in chaos , under siege , and simply burning .
Where are conservative outlets getting this ?
Easy … they ’ re making it up .
The Seattle Autonomous Zone grew up in the wake of the protests over the police murder of George Floyd , and also in response to aggressive actions taken by the Seattle police ( both in the the last two weeks and in previous protests ) and has largely been in place since Monday .
The reaction of city officials has varied from tolerance to cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have helped to make sure that services within the area are continuing , and that sanitation supplies are secure .
Seattle ’ s police chief has continued to express frustration , particularly after police deserted and boarded up a precinct house , but the perimeter of the “ zone ” has largely remained open for people to come and go , and is free of the lines of heavily armored forces seen around protests nationwide .
For the most part , local officials seem content to simply wait , so long as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not what Fox News or OAN viewers are seeing , what visitors to right-wing blogs are reading , or what listeners to the vast array of right-wing radio stations are hearing .
On those sources , the zone is not a small area where people are distributing free pizza and constructing a somewhat pitiful community garden—it ’ s a hotbed of violence where buildings are burning and people are dying .
To support that position , Fox News hasn ’ t just been making up stories—it ’ s been manufacturing images and video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox has “ digitally altered ” images to make the situation in the area seem dire .
That includes putting together elements from multiple images to create a misleading collage , lifting signs and symbols from one area to impose them on another , and it means that many of the images Fox is using to present the image of chaos in Seattle … aren ’ t even from Seattle .
Images that appear to show masked and armed men inside the zone are in fact composites taken on different dates and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from shots taken in St. Paul during the first days of the protests there .
Some of the pictures Fox has merged together in their “ coverage ” of the current Seattle are actually two weeks old—or elements from two-week old pictures have been inserted into current scenes to make the situation appear worse than it is .
Fox has also continued to report , and other sources have repeated , claims that businesses inside the zone are being extorted for protection payments , even after the police chief in Seattle investigated these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The protesters within the zone are anarchists in the sense that there is no formal leadership , which has led to numerous voices claiming to speak for the group and issue various lists of demands ( some of which have appeared on Daily Kos ) .
But the most prominent demands of those in the zone are a defunding of the Seattle police , charges against police involved in violence toward Black people , reparations for past victims of police violence , and a dismissal of charges against protesters .
In the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have met with some of those inside the zone in hopes of finding points of agreement .
The decades , the Seattle police have been involved in repeated acts of violence—from an assault on peaceful protesters during a 2019 protest , to a brutal , unnecessary arrest captured on video , to even suing to be able to use more violence .
The department has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation for using unnecessary levels of force .
That ’ s why , under the Obama administration , the department was investigated for Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address systemic problems .
Against that background , many in Seattle , including many Seattle officials , seem open to the idea of making the Capitol Hill area an ongoing experiment in operating without police , and for how shared community resources can be mixed with ordinary shops and businesses .
Conservatives aren ’ t upset because Seattle is burning .
They ’ re terrified because it is not .

For days, Donald Trump has been tweeting about the “anarchist take over” of Seattle. According to Trump, the city is being “pillaged” by “terrorists” who are murder-burning their way across the city. These “armed lunatics” have “taken over a major American city,” and what frustrates Trump most is that the mayor and governor don’t even seem to know that their city is missing. In addition, the media is conducting a “total blackout on the insanity” in Seattle. Trump has ordered Mayor Jenny Durkan to “take back the city fast” and promised that if they don’t do something, he will!
The “autonomous zone,” formed by peaceful protesters in a small area of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, has been described by Durkan as an example of free speech and genuine patriotism; and by The New York Times as “part street festival, part commune.” But what viewers of Fox News and other conservative media are seeing is something very, very different. Across conservative media, Seattle is being portrayed as a city in chaos, under siege, and simply burning. Where are conservative outlets getting this? Easy … they’re making it up.
The Seattle Autonomous Zone grew up in the wake of the protests over the police murder of George Floyd, and also in response to aggressive actions taken by the Seattle police (both in the the last two weeks and in previous protests) and has largely been in place since Monday. The reaction of city officials has varied from tolerance to cooperation, and even encouragement. City officials have helped to make sure that services within the area are continuing, and that sanitation supplies are secure. Seattle’s police chief has continued to express frustration, particularly after police deserted and boarded up a precinct house, but the perimeter of the “zone” has largely remained open for people to come and go, and is free of the lines of heavily armored forces seen around protests nationwide. For the most part, local officials seem content to simply wait, so long as the area stays peaceful.
But peaceful is not what Fox News or OAN viewers are seeing, what visitors to right-wing blogs are reading, or what listeners to the vast array of right-wing radio stations are hearing. On those sources, the zone is not a small area where people are distributing free pizza and constructing a somewhat pitiful community garden—it’s a hotbed of violence where buildings are burning and people are dying.
To support that position, Fox News hasn’t just been making up stories—it’s been manufacturing images and video. As the Seattle Times reports, Fox has “digitally altered” images to make the situation in the area seem dire. That includes putting together elements from multiple images to create a misleading collage, lifting signs and symbols from one area to impose them on another, and it means that many of the images Fox is using to present the image of chaos in Seattle … aren’t even from Seattle.
Images that appear to show masked and armed men inside the zone are in fact composites taken on different dates and in different places. Burning buildings are actually from shots taken in St. Paul during the first days of the protests there. Some of the pictures Fox has merged together in their “coverage” of the current Seattle are actually two weeks old—or elements from two-week old pictures have been inserted into current scenes to make the situation appear worse than it is. Fox has also continued to report, and other sources have repeated, claims that businesses inside the zone are being extorted for protection payments, even after the police chief in Seattle investigated these claims and found nothing to them. The protesters within the zone are anarchists in the sense that there is no formal leadership, which has led to numerous voices claiming to speak for the group and issue various lists of demands (some of which have appeared on Daily Kos). But the most prominent demands of those in the zone are a defunding of the Seattle police, charges against police involved in violence toward Black people, reparations for past victims of police violence, and a dismissal of charges against protesters. In the last few days, representatives from the police have met with some of those inside the zone in hopes of finding points of agreement. The decades, the Seattle police have been involved in repeated acts of violence—from an assault on peaceful protesters during a 2019 protest, to a brutal, unnecessary arrest captured on video, to even suing to be able to use more violence. The department has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation for using unnecessary levels of force. That’s why, under the Obama administration, the department was investigated for Civil Rights violations and required to take steps to address systemic problems. Against that background, many in Seattle, including many Seattle officials, seem open to the idea of making the Capitol Hill area an ongoing experiment in operating without police, and for how shared community resources can be mixed with ordinary shops and businesses. Conservatives aren’t upset because Seattle is burning. They’re terrified because it is not.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--Joni Ernst In Big Trouble In Iowa

Joni Ernst In Big Trouble In Iowa

Add yet another problem state for Republicans if they want to maintain control of the U.S. Senate .
Joni Ernst has bent over backwards to align herself with Trump and it 's not helping her re-election bid .
Theresa Greenfield has a ton of cash and is about a million times better than the woeful Joni Ernst .
With a reasonable electorate this would n't even be close .
Fresh off a four-way primary race that drew millions in outside spending , Democrat Theresa Greenfield leads Republican Sen. Joni Ernst by 3 percentage points in Iowa ’ s hotly contested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows .
According to the poll , 46 % of likely voters say they would back Greenfield if the election were held today , and 43 % say they would back Ernst .
“ This is definitely a competitive race , ” said J. Ann Selzer , president of Selzer & Co. , which conducted the poll .
She said the poll contains other “ warning signs ” for Ernst and noted that this is the first Iowa Poll conducted since Ernst first ran in 2014 in which she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Symbolically , that 's certainly meaningful , even if Theresa Greenfield 's lead is not commanding , ” Selzer said .
The poll , which was conducted June 7-10 , has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points for questions asked of the 674 likely voters in the 2020 general election and plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for those asked of 801 Iowans .

Add yet another problem state for Republicans if they want to maintain control of the U.S. Senate. Joni Ernst has bent over backwards to align herself with Trump and it's not helping her re-election bid. Theresa Greenfield has a ton of cash and is about a million times better than the woeful Joni Ernst. With a reasonable electorate this wouldn't even be close.
Source: Des Moines Register
Fresh off a four-way primary race that drew millions in outside spending, Democrat Theresa Greenfield leads Republican Sen. Joni Ernst by 3 percentage points in Iowa’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows.
According to the poll, 46% of likely voters say they would back Greenfield if the election were held today, and 43% say they would back Ernst.
“This is definitely a competitive race,” said J. Ann Selzer, president of Selzer & Co., which conducted the poll. She said the poll contains other “warning signs” for Ernst and noted that this is the first Iowa Poll conducted since Ernst first ran in 2014 in which she has trailed her general election opponent.
“Symbolically, that's certainly meaningful, even if Theresa Greenfield's lead is not commanding,” Selzer said.
The poll, which was conducted June 7-10, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points for questions asked of the 674 likely voters in the 2020 general election and plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for those asked of 801 Iowans.


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--New Ad Uses Lindsey Graham's Own Words Praising Joe Biden Against Him

The conservative group Republican Voters Against Trump is using S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham 's own words praising Joe Biden against him in a new ad that 's set to run on Fox News in the Charlotte and Greenville markets , and in Washington D.C. , according to the Huffington Post : Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) gushes in a new Republican ad that former Vice President Joe Biden is “ as good a man as God ever created ” — while President Donald Trump is a “ xenophobic , race-baiting , religious bigot.
” What a difference an administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham ’ s past , “ before he lost his conscience ” and became one of the president ’ s staunchest defenders , noted a statement from the Republican Voters Against Trump .
“ You want to know how to make America great again ?
” Graham asked in 2015 .
“ Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.
” The ad backing Trump ’ s Democratic presidential rival features a very different Graham .
And here 's more on Graham 's previous praise of Biden from The Hill : The ad then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with HuffPost in 2015 .
“ If you can ’ t admire Joe Biden as a person , you ’ ve got a problem .
You need to do some self-evaluation , ‘ cause , what ’ s not to like ?
” Graham says , calling Biden “ as good a man as God ever created.
” “ He ’ s said some of the most incredibly heartfelt things that anybody could ever say to me .
He ’ s the nicest person I think I ’ ve ever met in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also uses an audio clip of Graham telling CNN in 2015 that the GOP primary was a “ defining moment for the future of the Republican Party ” and warning that Republicans would lose the “ moral authority ” to govern if they did not reject Trump .
The ad ends with an image of Trump holding up a bible during a photo opportunity outside St John ’ s Church earlier this month .

The conservative group Republican Voters Against Trump is using S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham's own words praising Joe Biden against him in a new ad that's set to run on Fox News in the Charlotte and Greenville markets, and in Washington D.C., according to the Huffington Post:
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) gushes in a new Republican ad that former Vice President Joe Biden is “as good a man as God ever created” — while President Donald Trump is a “xenophobic, race-baiting, religious bigot.” What a difference an administration makes. The comments were pulled from Graham’s past, “before he lost his conscience” and became one of the president’s staunchest defenders, noted a statement from the Republican Voters Against Trump. “You want to know how to make America great again?” Graham asked in 2015. “Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.” The ad backing Trump’s Democratic presidential rival features a very different Graham.
And here's more on Graham's previous praise of Biden from The Hill:
The ad then shows Graham praising Biden in an interview with HuffPost in 2015. “If you can’t admire Joe Biden as a person, you’ve got a problem. You need to do some self-evaluation, ‘cause, what’s not to like?” Graham says, calling Biden “as good a man as God ever created.” “He’s said some of the most incredibly heartfelt things that anybody could ever say to me. He’s the nicest person I think I’ve ever met in politics,” Graham says. The ad also uses an audio clip of Graham telling CNN in 2015 that the GOP primary was a “defining moment for the future of the Republican Party” and warning that Republicans would lose the “moral authority” to govern if they did not reject Trump. The ad ends with an image of Trump holding up a bible during a photo opportunity outside St John’s Church earlier this month.
Trump would hate it if this new "Lindsey Graham Loves Joe Biden" ad from Republicans were to go viral. Just a few years ago Lindsey Graham said Biden was one of the best men he's ever met. Out of respect for Biden, Graham should now resign. #SaturdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/cV0LshOmQX — Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) June 13, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--#TrumpIsNotWell Trends On Twitter After Video Shows Him Struggling To Walk Down Ramp

This Saturday , Trump decision to once again use members of the military as campaign props may have backfired on @ @ @ @ @ speech , and his apparent struggle to make his way down a ramp have led @ @ @ @ @ and fitness to hold office , along with the hashtag # TrumpIsNotWell making it to @ @ @ @ @ as the top trending topic on Twitter .
He repeatedly had trouble pronouncing General Douglas @ @ @ @ @ as the video above shows , he had trouble making his way down a ramp @ @ @ @ @ his speech .
Trump then lashed out on Twitter with this defense for the trouble @ @ @ @ @ of which led to widespread mockery and speculation about his health in general : And @ @ @ @ @ from the dotard himself :

This Saturday, Trump decision to once again use members of the military as campaign props may have backfired on him as portions of his speech, and his apparent struggle to make his way down a ramp have led to speculation about his health and fitness to hold office, along with the hashtag #TrumpIsNotWell making it to the top of the list as the top trending topic on Twitter.
As Aaron Rupar documented, Trump struggled to drink water:
Trump still hasn't totally figured out how to drink water pic.twitter.com/IO8CDXmD9i — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2020
He repeatedly had trouble pronouncing General Douglas MacArthur's name:
"McGarther" -- Trump also repeatedly had trouble with General Douglas MacArthur's name pic.twitter.com/HLSwbol2yL — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2020
And as the video above shows, he had trouble making his way down a ramp after he was finished making his speech.
Trump then lashed out on Twitter with this defense for the trouble on the ramp:
The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
All of which led to widespread mockery and speculation about his health in general:
Amazing weather for West Point graduation today https://t.co/aDo691H6Bd — Clint Watts (@selectedwisdom) June 13, 2020
He didn’t have to tweet it. He could have let it go. If he was mindful in any way whatsoever he wouldn’t have put himself in a position we were going to talk about his ramp walk for a day. — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 14, 2020
I like a president who can drink water with one hand #ObamaDayJune14th #TrumpIsNotWell pic.twitter.com/UWEvWUhkgn — 🌪 SnowStormYou! 🌊142🌊🌪🌱 (@snowstormyou) June 14, 2020
please don’t retweet this it might make @realDonaldTrump mad on his birthday and make everyone else think #TrumpIsNotWell so again please don’t retweet https://t.co/FXdUjCn4Fu — George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 14, 2020
Yeah, this definitely aged well. Let’s see you run anywhere now, big guy. I dare you. Hope your bday sucks and every day from here on out you get what you gave, agony and pain. #TrumpIsNotWell #ResignNowTrump pic.twitter.com/q8m6ipDv2E — Lauren (@mommytalks2much) June 14, 2020
I used an online protractor and determined that the ramp was only at a 12 degree angle.
Barely off the ground. pic.twitter.com/3smcFfLULw — Red, Noble Committee Director (@Redpainter1) June 14, 2020
And there is always a tweet from the dotard himself:


crooksandliars--2020-06-14--'Infantile' Ben Carson Slammed By Stacey Abrams For Saying Black People Need To 'Grow Up'

Vice presidential contender Stacey Abrams slammed Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday after he downplayed President Donald Trump 's apparent ignorance of black history .
During an interview on ABC 's This Week , host George Stephanopoulos asked Carson if it was appropriate for Trump to accept the 2020 Republican nomination in Jacksonville on 60th anniversary of a Ku Klux Klan mob attacking black protesters in the city .
`` You know , we 've reached a point in our society where we dissect everything , '' Carson complained , `` and try to ascribe some nefarious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move away from that .
We need to move away from being offended by everything , of going through history and looking at everything , you know , of renaming everything . ''
`` It really gets to a point of being ridiculous after a while , '' he added .
`` And you know , we 're going to have to grow up as a society . ''
Following Carson 's interview , Abrams lashed out at Carson 's defense of Trump .
`` I think that is a fairly infantile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To say that words do n't have meanings , that dates do n't have meanings , that dates do n't have power .
This is from the administration that on the 4th anniversary of the Pulse [ nightclub ] murders of the LGBTQ community stripped away health protections for that community . ''
`` This is the same person who had to be convinced that having a rally that has traditionally attracted people that do not care about black lives , that they were going to have this [ Trump ] rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massacre and it took a week of cajoling to make him move , '' Abrams noted .
`` And so let 's be very clear , this is n't about growing up .
It 's about taking responsibility and having accountability for the actions that have been taken by this country and by people acting on behalf of this country . ''
`` And we do have a day of reckoning , and that day of reckoning is going to continue until we actually make change , '' she said .

Vice presidential contender Stacey Abrams slammed Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday after he downplayed President Donald Trump's apparent ignorance of black history.
During an interview on ABC's This Week, host George Stephanopoulos asked Carson if it was appropriate for Trump to accept the 2020 Republican nomination in Jacksonville on 60th anniversary of a Ku Klux Klan mob attacking black protesters in the city.
"You know, we've reached a point in our society where we dissect everything," Carson complained, "and try to ascribe some nefarious notion to it. We really need to move away from that. We need to move away from being offended by everything, of going through history and looking at everything, you know, of renaming everything."
"It really gets to a point of being ridiculous after a while," he added. "And you know, we're going to have to grow up as a society."
Following Carson's interview, Abrams lashed out at Carson's defense of Trump.
"I think that is a fairly infantile response," she explained. "To say that words don't have meanings, that dates don't have meanings, that dates don't have power. This is from the administration that on the 4th anniversary of the Pulse [nightclub] murders of the LGBTQ community stripped away health protections for that community."
"This is the same person who had to be convinced that having a rally that has traditionally attracted people that do not care about black lives, that they were going to have this [Trump] rally in Tulsa at the site of a black massacre and it took a week of cajoling to make him move," Abrams noted. "And so let's be very clear, this isn't about growing up. It's about taking responsibility and having accountability for the actions that have been taken by this country and by people acting on behalf of this country."
"And we do have a day of reckoning, and that day of reckoning is going to continue until we actually make change," she said.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Robert Gates Damns Trump With Faint Praise: 'At Least He Hasn't Started Any New Wars'

Robert Gates , the former secretary of defense , on Sunday said that he was relieved that President Donald Trump “ hasn ’ t started any new wars.
” Gates made the remarks during an interview on NBC ’ s Meet the Press .
Host Chuck Todd reminded Gates that he called Trump “ unqualified and unfit to be commander-in-chief ” in 2016 .
“ Has your assessment of him changed ?
” Todd wondered .
“ I would say this , Chuck , first of all , unlike his three predecessors , and I write about this in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t started any new wars , ” Gates replied .
“ And he has robustly funded the military .
I supported his outreach to North Korea .
It hasn ’ t come to anything , but I thought that it was a bold move when everything else had failed in the previous 25 years.
” “ But there ’ s also the other side of the coin in terms of some of the things he says , his treatment and words about military people and military heroes like John McCain that I admire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troublesome , ” he added .

Robert Gates, the former secretary of defense, on Sunday said that he was relieved that President Donald Trump “hasn’t started any new wars.”
Gates made the remarks during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press.
Host Chuck Todd reminded Gates that he called Trump “unqualified and unfit to be commander-in-chief” in 2016.
“Has your assessment of him changed?” Todd wondered.
“I would say this, Chuck, first of all, unlike his three predecessors, and I write about this in the book, at least he hasn’t started any new wars,” Gates replied. “And he has robustly funded the military. I supported his outreach to North Korea. It hasn’t come to anything, but I thought that it was a bold move when everything else had failed in the previous 25 years.”
“But there’s also the other side of the coin in terms of some of the things he says, his treatment and words about military people and military heroes like John McCain that I admire a lot that, that are really troublesome,” he added.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Racism? In Texas? Here's Why Mike Siegel Will Never Stop Fighting It

Mike Siegel is a civil rights lawyer and former public school teacher , who nearly beat right-wing Republican Michael McCaul in 2018 in a gerrymandered district the DCCC never took a serious look at .
He intends to finish what he started this cycle .
Saturday , Mike demonstrated the kind of coalition -- and movement -- he 's building with an online event featuring Rep. Ted Lieu ( D-CA ) , author and former Texas Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower , Sunrise Movement founder Varshini Prakash , Texas state Rep Sheryl Cole , Texas AFL-CIO president Rich Levy and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 300 million Republican , '' said Mike in closing , `` is with people power , and that ’ s what we ’ ve been building ...
This is a race where organizing can beat money .
Mike and his team are fighting for Medicare-for-All , a Green New Deal to combat climate change and create millions of good new jobs , building a renewable economy , racial justice and to end the War on Drugs , to stop voter suppression and strengthen voting rights .
`` There is this conventional wisdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` swing district '' like this one , with a Republican incumbent , that the Democrat needs to be conservative , that you shouldn ’ t fight for transformative change , and policies like these , but this campaign is about a different approach ... Fighting for progressive policies helps us build a broad movement .
My commitment is to support these movements , and to bring the streets into the halls of Congress . ''
I asked Mike to write about the struggle that 's going on in the streets right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to say , please contribute to his campaign by clicking on the Take Back Texas thermometer on the right .
The Murder of George Floyd Started With Three Words : `` Forgery In Progress .
``  -by Mike Siegel You may know the story that brought us here .
Mr. Floyd went to a grocery store and paid with a $ 20 bill -- but the currency was no good .
The shop called the police .
And like so many times before , the officers who responded took a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without saying , but I will say it : if I had paid with that bill , I would be alive today .
My body would not have been on a Minneapolis street .
No officer would have pushed their knee into my neck .
If a white man from a privileged background pays with a fake $ 20 bill ?
99 times out of 100 , it would be dismissed as `` a mistake . ''
The moment we are in is historic massive nationwide protests to demand an end to racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has taken over 100,000 lives .
During an economic crisis .
Under a dictatorial and vindictive president .
Yet I am struck by this incident in another way -- as a father .
Because I have a counterfeit $ 20 bill in my possession right now , given to me by my daughter .
How did she get it ?
Well , she 's eight years old , and a Girl Scout .
Like countless girls across the nation , she was busy selling cookies this Spring .
Learning economics and team-building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day , someone bought several boxes of cookies and gave her a fake $ 20 bill .
We did n't realize it until later .
If you have n't sold Girl Scout cookies before -- the parents buy cookies in advance , and then pay ourselves back as we make sales .
Weeks ago , my wife went to deposit the money we collected , and happened to notice this bill .
It did n't feel right .
On closer inspection , even though much of the design is the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It says `` Motion Picture Use Purposes . ''
So we wrote it off as a loss .
And I had the bill on my desk when I learned how George Floyd was killed .
You may know this : my daughter is Black .
Her mother is Nigerian-American .
Living in Texas -- let 's be honest , living in the United States -- she is perceived differently than I was at her age .
And maybe at 8-years old , a shop owner would n't perceive her as a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pokémon cards with this counterfeit bill .
Maybe .
But what if she was a little older ?
10 years old ?
12 years old ?
At what point does your life become expendable in this country , by virtue of the color of your skin ?
It should n't be this way .
Racism may be the `` original sin ''  of the United States , as some have said , but it does not have to be our destiny .
That is why we are in the streets .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union , in towns big and small , people young and old are marching for justice .
And to demand that Black Lives Matter .
As a candidate for Congress , my pledge is to fight for major criminal justice reforms .
Several leading members of Congress , including Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley and Barbara Lee , have put forward essential bills that will create accountability for local police .
A database of police abuse ; ending qualified immunity for officers who violate constitutional rights ; stopping the transfer of military equipment to local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other over-policed communities , to lay the foundation for transformative change .
I will certainly fight for these reforms .
In the Texas 10th , we have our own history of racist policing .
Sandra Bland died in police custody in Waller County , after a racist and unconstitutional arrest .
Rodney Reed has been on Texas Death Row for decades -- for a crime likely committed by a white former police officer .
There are countless reasons to demand change at every level of government , right now .
And one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To protect our children as they grow up in this society .
To ensure that their lives will be treated as sacred .
To make certain that Black Lives Matter .

Mike Siegel is a civil rights lawyer and former public school teacher, who nearly beat right-wing Republican Michael McCaul in 2018 in a gerrymandered district the DCCC never took a serious look at. He intends to finish what he started this cycle.
Saturday, Mike demonstrated the kind of coalition-- and movement-- he's building with an online event featuring Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), author and former Texas Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower, Sunrise Movement founder Varshini Prakash, Texas state Rep Sheryl Cole, Texas AFL-CIO president Rich Levy and others. "The way we beat a $300 million Republican," said Mike in closing, "is with people power, and that’s what we’ve been building...
This is a race where organizing can beat money. Mike and his team are fighting for Medicare-for-All, a Green New Deal to combat climate change and create millions of good new jobs, building a renewable economy, racial justice and to end the War on Drugs, to stop voter suppression and strengthen voting rights.
"There is this conventional wisdom," he said that to win a "swing district" like this one, with a Republican incumbent, that the Democrat needs to be conservative, that you shouldn’t fight for transformative change, and policies like these, but this campaign is about a different approach...
Fighting for progressive policies helps us build a broad movement. My commitment is to support these movements, and to bring the streets into the halls of Congress." I asked Mike to write about the struggle that's going on in the streets right now. If you like what he has to say, please contribute to his campaign by clicking on the Take Back Texas thermometer on the right.
The Murder of George Floyd Started With Three Words: "Forgery In Progress."
-by Mike Siegel
You may know the story that brought us here. Mr. Floyd went to a grocery store and paid with a $20 bill-- but the currency was no good. The shop called the police. And like so many times before, the officers who responded took a Black man's life.
For $20.
This may go without saying, but I will say it: if I had paid with that bill, I would be alive today. My body would not have been on a Minneapolis street. No officer would have pushed their knee into my neck.
If a white man from a privileged background pays with a fake $20 bill? 99 times out of 100, it would be dismissed as "a mistake."
The moment we are in is historic massive nationwide protests to demand an end to racist police killings. During a health pandemic that has taken over 100,000 lives. During an economic crisis. Under a dictatorial and vindictive president.
Yet I am struck by this incident in another way-- as a father.
Because I have a counterfeit $20 bill in my possession right now, given to me by my daughter.
How did she get it? Well, she's eight years old, and a Girl Scout. Like countless girls across the nation, she was busy selling cookies this Spring. Learning economics and team-building and communication skills and more.
And one day, someone bought several boxes of cookies and gave her a fake $20 bill.
We didn't realize it until later. If you haven't sold Girl Scout cookies before-- the parents buy cookies in advance, and then pay ourselves back as we make sales. Weeks ago, my wife went to deposit the money we collected, and happened to notice this bill. It didn't feel right. On closer inspection, even though much of the design is the same, you can see words that are different. It says "Motion Picture Use Purposes."
So we wrote it off as a loss. And I had the bill on my desk when I learned how George Floyd was killed.
You may know this: my daughter is Black. Her mother is Nigerian-American. Living in Texas-- let's be honest, living in the United States-- she is perceived differently than I was at her age.
And maybe at 8-years old, a shop owner wouldn't perceive her as a threat if she tried to buy candy or Pokémon cards with this counterfeit bill. Maybe.
But what if she was a little older? 10 years old? 12 years old? At what point does your life become expendable in this country, by virtue of the color of your skin?
It shouldn't be this way. Racism may be the "original sin" of the United States, as some have said, but it does not have to be our destiny.
That is why we are in the streets. That is why in every state in the Union, in towns big and small, people young and old are marching for justice.
And to demand that Black Lives Matter.
As a candidate for Congress, my pledge is to fight for major criminal justice reforms. Several leading members of Congress, including Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley and Barbara Lee, have put forward essential bills that will create accountability for local police. A database of police abuse; ending qualified immunity for officers who violate constitutional rights; stopping the transfer of military equipment to local police; and investing in Black and other over-policed communities, to lay the foundation for transformative change.
I will certainly fight for these reforms. In the Texas 10th, we have our own history of racist policing. Sandra Bland died in police custody in Waller County, after a racist and unconstitutional arrest. Rodney Reed has been on Texas Death Row for decades-- for a crime likely committed by a white former police officer.
There are countless reasons to demand change at every level of government, right now.
And one of those reasons is for the future. To protect our children as they grow up in this society. To ensure that their lives will be treated as sacred. To make certain that Black Lives Matter.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Life On Welfare Isn’t What Most People Think

When Americans talk about people receiving public assistance – food stamps , disability , unemployment payments and other government help – they often have stereotypes and inaccurate perceptions of who those people are and what their lives are like .
Statistics can help clarify the picture by challenging false stereotypes of undeserving people gaming the system , but people ’ s stories about their own experiences can be more memorable and therefore more effective in changing minds .
As an anthropologist and folklorist seeking to better understand life on public assistance , I have worked with a team of researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , recording stories people tell about welfare in America .
We ’ ve talked to more than 150 people and recorded over 1,200 stories and found that the stories people tell about aid recipients rarely match up with the stories told by people actually receiving aid .
Pat has a story that is representative of many aid recipients .
She started working at McDonald ’ s at age 15 to help her family make ends meet .
After graduating high school , she worked in hotels , factories and big-box stores , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 , she got hurt at work , and now has back problems that have rendered her unable to do the only jobs she has been trained to do .
Theoretically , Pat faced a choice between going to school or a training program , or finding low-wage work – but she didn ’ t have the luxury of looking at the long-term benefits of learning new skills .
She and her family needed money right away .
So , like many aid recipients , she found a series of short-term solutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-paying job after another to put food on the table effectively locked her out of the opportunity to build skills she could have used to work her way out of poverty .
The many causes of poverty As I explain in my forthcoming book , “ Overthrowing the Queen : Telling Stories of Welfare in America , ” the reasons people find themselves needing assistance are numerous and interrelated .
Many children born poor remain poor as they grow up and raise their own families , inheriting the financial hardships of the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millions of Americans still can ’ t get a quality education , jobs that pay a living wage , affordable child care to offset low-wage labor or reliable transportation .
But more than anything else , health problems emerged in our interviews as one of the most pervasive causes , and results , of poverty .
The real stories are often hidden from view At first glance , people receiving public aid may seem to confirm popular stereotypes .
But actual stories reveal that there is much more to many recipients ’ situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , a casual observer in the grocery store could see a woman I ’ ll call Keira dressed immaculately , with carefully coiffed hair and manicured nails , buying her groceries with food stamps and conclude that she was one more “ welfare queen ” gaming the system .
But as a newly single mother of two who had just gone through a divorce , Keira was trying to find a home and a job in a new city .
Her clothing and appearance reflected the life she had recently led , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not excessive or illegitimate aid benefits .
Keira ’ s use of food stamps was temporary .
She soon found two jobs and is able to help put her children through college .
Aid is less temporary for others .
“ Davey ” often smokes outside the local homeless shelter .
He knows cigarettes are not good for him , but they provide him comfort as he deals with a degenerative joint disease , broken spine , and extensive nerve damage that went undiagnosed for years because he didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care he needed and has applied for disability , but he lost his job and his home and will likely never walk again .
“ Lilly ” has a dog , even though she needs food stamps to feed herself and gets free health care .
She was homeless for a while until she was able to afford a room in a boarding house and then qualify for subsidized housing .
But it wasn ’ t always this way .
Lilly was married with a home and a thriving Avon business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she realized that if she stayed with the physically and emotionally abusive man she had married , she might not survive .
She escaped , only to find herself in a new town with no money , no home , no family and no job .
Her dog may seem like an unnecessary expense , but he provides crucial comfort for Lilly as she moves toward self-sufficiency .
Many people told us stories that illuminated one of the problems they found most frustrating with the current welfare system : An increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in benefits .
Rather than climbing a ladder to success with each promotion , they remain on a treadmill .
“ Louise ” lives in public housing and pays rent based on her income .
But as a home care nurse , her income fluctuates depending on her patients ’ needs .
Less care means less money for Louise to pay her rent and feed her children .
“ I can ’ t tell you how discouraged I have felt , ” she told us .
“ I have cried .
Every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know I got to report that income .
And the people at grant housing said , ‘ Well , because you have a certain amount of hours , you have pay [ coming in ] .
’ But my patient just got moved , so my income is not going to be the same .
And the housing guy just said , ‘ Well , we can ’ t keep adjusting the rent.
’ ” But as she says , “ They ’ re supposed to adjust my rent.
” Louise felt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she was making more money , but reluctant to raise them when she was making less .
In some places , that trap may be loosening a bit .
Some states such as Minnesota have allowed aid recipients to keep a greater portion of their benefits as they begin working .
In North Carolina , some local housing authorities offer their residents a program that matches a portion of their savings to help them build their own safety net .
These stories show only some of the range of problems aid recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it more difficult for them to make ends meet .
But they provide a crucial , if often overlooked , perspective in helping to clarify public perception , public opinion and , importantly , public policy .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Tom Mould, Butler University
When Americans talk about people receiving public assistance – food stamps, disability, unemployment payments and other government help – they often have stereotypes and inaccurate perceptions of who those people are and what their lives are like.
Statistics can help clarify the picture by challenging false stereotypes of undeserving people gaming the system, but people’s stories about their own experiences can be more memorable and therefore more effective in changing minds.
As an anthropologist and folklorist seeking to better understand life on public assistance, I have worked with a team of researchers in North Carolina over the past seven years, recording stories people tell about welfare in America. We’ve talked to more than 150 people and recorded over 1,200 stories and found that the stories people tell about aid recipients rarely match up with the stories told by people actually receiving aid.
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
The danger of short-term solutions
Pat has a story that is representative of many aid recipients. She started working at McDonald’s at age 15 to help her family make ends meet. After graduating high school, she worked in hotels, factories and big-box stores, all in physically demanding jobs.
At 45, she got hurt at work, and now has back problems that have rendered her unable to do the only jobs she has been trained to do.
Theoretically, Pat faced a choice between going to school or a training program, or finding low-wage work – but she didn’t have the luxury of looking at the long-term benefits of learning new skills. She and her family needed money right away.
So, like many aid recipients, she found a series of short-term solutions to that immediate need. But taking one low-paying job after another to put food on the table effectively locked her out of the opportunity to build skills she could have used to work her way out of poverty.
The many causes of poverty
As I explain in my forthcoming book, “Overthrowing the Queen: Telling Stories of Welfare in America,” the reasons people find themselves needing assistance are numerous and interrelated. Many children born poor remain poor as they grow up and raise their own families, inheriting the financial hardships of the past as continued pressure in the present.
Millions of Americans still can’t get a quality education, jobs that pay a living wage, affordable child care to offset low-wage labor or reliable transportation. But more than anything else, health problems emerged in our interviews as one of the most pervasive causes, and results, of poverty.
Derek Davis/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
The real stories are often hidden from view
At first glance, people receiving public aid may seem to confirm popular stereotypes. But actual stories reveal that there is much more to many recipients’ situations than outside viewers might imagine.
For instance, a casual observer in the grocery store could see a woman I’ll call Keira dressed immaculately, with carefully coiffed hair and manicured nails, buying her groceries with food stamps and conclude that she was one more “welfare queen” gaming the system.
But as a newly single mother of two who had just gone through a divorce, Keira was trying to find a home and a job in a new city. Her clothing and appearance reflected the life she had recently led, and the jobs she was applying for, not excessive or illegitimate aid benefits. Keira’s use of food stamps was temporary. She soon found two jobs and is able to help put her children through college.
Aid is less temporary for others. “Davey” often smokes outside the local homeless shelter. He knows cigarettes are not good for him, but they provide him comfort as he deals with a degenerative joint disease, broken spine, and extensive nerve damage that went undiagnosed for years because he didn’t have health insurance. He eventually got the health care he needed and has applied for disability, but he lost his job and his home and will likely never walk again.
“Lilly” has a dog, even though she needs food stamps to feed herself and gets free health care. She was homeless for a while until she was able to afford a room in a boarding house and then qualify for subsidized housing. But it wasn’t always this way. Lilly was married with a home and a thriving Avon business.
After only a few years of marriage, she realized that if she stayed with the physically and emotionally abusive man she had married, she might not survive. She escaped, only to find herself in a new town with no money, no home, no family and no job. Her dog may seem like an unnecessary expense, but he provides crucial comfort for Lilly as she moves toward self-sufficiency.
Running in place
Many people told us stories that illuminated one of the problems they found most frustrating with the current welfare system: An increase in income can result in a corresponding reduction in benefits. Rather than climbing a ladder to success with each promotion, they remain on a treadmill.
“Louise” lives in public housing and pays rent based on her income. But as a home care nurse, her income fluctuates depending on her patients’ needs. Less care means less money for Louise to pay her rent and feed her children.
“I can’t tell you how discouraged I have felt,” she told us. “I have cried. Every time when I start another job, I know I got to report that income. And the people at grant housing said, ‘Well, because you have a certain amount of hours, you have pay [coming in].’ But my patient just got moved, so my income is not going to be the same. And the housing guy just said, ‘Well, we can’t keep adjusting the rent.’”
But as she says, “They’re supposed to adjust my rent.” Louise felt that agencies were quick to lower her benefits when she was making more money, but reluctant to raise them when she was making less.
In some places, that trap may be loosening a bit. Some states such as Minnesota have allowed aid recipients to keep a greater portion of their benefits as they begin working. In North Carolina, some local housing authorities offer their residents a program that matches a portion of their savings to help them build their own safety net.
These stories show only some of the range of problems aid recipients face and the complex systems that can make it more difficult for them to make ends meet. But they provide a crucial, if often overlooked, perspective in helping to clarify public perception, public opinion and, importantly, public policy.
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Tom Mould, Professor of Anthropology and Folklore, Butler University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Ben Carson: Police Killing Of Rayshard Brooks In Atlanta 'Is Not Clear Cut'

Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday said that the killing of Rayshard Brooks by police is `` not clear cut . ''
During an interview on Fox News Sunday , Carson was asked if he has seen the video in which a police officer guns down Brooks as he is running away with the officer 's Taser .
`` My previous career as a surgeon at Johns Hopkins , whenever we would have an untoward event , we would establish an internal review board of people who actually knew what should be done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think this is a situation that is not clear cut , you know , like the callous murder that occurred in Minnesota , '' he continued .
`` And it really requires the heads of people that know what should be done under the circumstances to make judgement . ''
`` Why do you say , sir , that it 's not clearcut ? ''
Fox News host Chris Wallace asked the guest .
`` Because in the case in Minnesota , there was an officer who was clearly in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` No , No , I understand that , '' Wallace said .
`` But why was the Atlanta case not clearcut ? ''
`` Because we do n't know what was in the mind of the officer , '' Carson opined .
`` When somebody turns around , points a weapon at him , is he absolutely sure that 's not non-lethal weapon ?
You know , this is not a clear cut circumstances . ''
`` Could it have been handled better ? ''
he added .
`` Certainly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to do things . ''
Ed .
Note .
: Rayshard Brooks had the officer 's own taser in his hands .

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson on Sunday said that the killing of Rayshard Brooks by police is "not clear cut."
During an interview on Fox News Sunday, Carson was asked if he has seen the video in which a police officer guns down Brooks as he is running away with the officer's Taser.
Carson called the shooting "an untoward event."
"My previous career as a surgeon at Johns Hopkins, whenever we would have an untoward event, we would establish an internal review board of people who actually knew what should be done," the HUD secretary explained.
"I think this is a situation that is not clear cut, you know, like the callous murder that occurred in Minnesota," he continued. "And it really requires the heads of people that know what should be done under the circumstances to make judgement."
"Why do you say, sir, that it's not clearcut?" Fox News host Chris Wallace asked the guest.
"Because in the case in Minnesota, there was an officer who was clearly in the process," Carson said before being interrupted.
"No, No, I understand that," Wallace said. "But why was the Atlanta case not clearcut?"
"Because we don't know what was in the mind of the officer," Carson opined. "When somebody turns around, points a weapon at him, is he absolutely sure that's not non-lethal weapon? You know, this is not a clear cut circumstances."
"Could it have been handled better?" he added. "Certainly, in retrospect, there are probably other ways to do things."
Ed. Note.: Rayshard Brooks had the officer's own taser in his hands.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Trump: 'If We Stop Testing Right Now, We’d Have Very Few Cases, If Any'

Donald Trump is often called dumb , but today he said something brillaint .
He has realized that instead of @ @ @ @ @ he can just stick his head in the sand like an ostrich and just ... @ @ @ @ @ happening !
`` If we stop testing right now , we ’ d have very @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He followed up that statement with this tweet , intended to mitigate the @ @ @ @ @ to the pool reporters .
Yes , this is actually true .
Similarly , if @ @ @ @ @ account , I can write as many checks as I want .
I can also @ @ @ @ @ I want , as long as I never get on the scale .
BLISSFULLY UNAWARE @ @ @ @ @ Stupidity is contagious and Donald Trump is infecting our country .
Voting him out in @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump is often called dumb, but today he said something brillaint. He has realized that instead of testing and getting results, he can just stick his head in the sand like an ostrich and just...pretend like it isn't happening!
"If we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any."
He followed up that statement with this tweet, intended to mitigate the damage from what he said to the pool reporters.
Our testing is so much bigger and more advanced than any other country (we have done a great job on this!) that it shows more cases. Without testing, or weak testing, we would be showing almost no cases. Testing is a double edged sword - Makes us look bad, but good to have!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2020
Yes, this is actually true. Similarly, if I stop checking my bank account, I can write as many checks as I want. I can also eat all the ice cream I want, as long as I never get on the scale. BLISSFULLY UNAWARE!
Twitter thought Trump's plan was brilliant!
If I don't look at my bank statement, I can buy that new Mercedes! — That Masked Fundraising Woman from Michigan (@RaisesMoney) June 15, 2020
Stop testing in school then our schools will be #1 in the world. — John Lenz (@Ogyafs) June 15, 2020
Stop playing football games and then every team would declare themselves to be a winner. — rt1971 (@rohittal) June 15, 2020
And if we have no IGs.....then we have no corruption ! — edward thomas (@luvdafood) June 15, 2020
if we don’t look, we don’t see problems. Magic. Works for fires too. No smoke detector, therefore can be no fire, right? Or no racism if we don’t see it. Trump per pool on covid: “If we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, if any.” — Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) June 15, 2020
Yes, this reads like a @SNL routine. But it's real #Trump :
"If we stop testing right now, we'd have very few cases, if any," the president said during an event for seniors at @WhiteHouse .
This is literally the #COVID19 version of "Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil." pic.twitter.com/kAZmqQqGUH — Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) June 15, 2020
The best one:
If we stopped doing pregnancy tests, there wouldn't be any babies!!! — AnnasDad (BlackLivesMatter) (@_Annas_Dad_) June 15, 2020
Stupidity is contagious and Donald Trump is infecting our country. Voting him out in November is the cure.


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Trump Puts A Bull's-eye On His Own Health

Over the weekend Trump gave a commencement speech at West Point where it was visibly obvious that he was having physical difficulty .
Videos went viral of him struggling to drink a cup of water and walk down a ramp aided by Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams .
In an effort to try to blunt the stories Trump took to Twitter and lied about why he had such a tough time walking down a ramp right next to a military man : '' The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was very slippery .
The last thing I was going to do is 'fall ' for the Fake News to have fun with .
Final ten feet I ran down to level ground .
Momentum ! ''
As the Washington Post explained , `` Trump 's claim that the ramp had been 'very slippery ' was inconsistent with the weather , which on Saturday in West Point , N.Y. , was sunny and clear-skied .
The grass plain on which the commencement took place was dry . ''
Did someone drop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramp right before Trump started his descent ?
Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams had no difficulty at all .
Today on CNN , the NY Times ' Maggie Haberman made this observation , `` As I said , he invited it by tweeting about it .
We don ’ t know what the issue is .
We don ’ t know from just looking at this video .
We know the president has had issues with stairs before , but as Sanjay also says , there are a lot of questions around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amplified the questions surrounding his health by telling a bald-faced lie .
All he had to say was that he does n't like walking down ramps - case closed .
But instead he offered up a lie like the childish narcissist that he is .
Honesty is something foreign to him .
By responding , he 's put a bullseye on his every move .
During the 2016 general election , Trump , his henchmen and personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani spared no expense going after Hillary Clinton 's health by promoting phony stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries on national TV .
Like this : As ye sow , so shall ye reap !

Over the weekend Trump gave a commencement speech at West Point where it was visibly obvious that he was having physical difficulty.
Videos went viral of him struggling to drink a cup of water and walk down a ramp aided by Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams.
A new Twitter hashtag arose: #TrumpIsNotWell
In an effort to try to blunt the stories Trump took to Twitter and lied about why he had such a tough time walking down a ramp right next to a military man:
"The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is 'fall' for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum!"
The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery. The last thing I was going to do is “fall” for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2020
As the Washington Post explained, "Trump's claim that the ramp had been 'very slippery' was inconsistent with the weather, which on Saturday in West Point, N.Y., was sunny and clear-skied. The grass plain on which the commencement took place was dry."
Did someone drop a can of Valvoline motor oil down the ramp right before Trump started his descent? Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams had no difficulty at all.
Today on CNN, the NY Times' Maggie Haberman made this observation, "As I said, he invited it by tweeting about it. We don’t know what the issue is. We don’t know from just looking at this video. We know the president has had issues with stairs before, but as Sanjay also says, there are a lot of questions around the president’s physical fitness.”
Trump amplified the questions surrounding his health by telling a bald-faced lie. All he had to say was that he doesn't like walking down ramps - case closed. But instead he offered up a lie like the childish narcissist that he is.
Honesty is something foreign to him. By responding, he's put a bullseye on his every move.
During the 2016 general election, Trump, his henchmen and personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani spared no expense going after Hillary Clinton's health by promoting phony stories and videos claiming that she had brain injuries on national TV. Like this:
As ye sow, so shall ye reap!


crooksandliars--2020-06-15--Families Of Two Black Men Found Publicly Hanged In CA Believe They Were Lynched

Two Black men in Southern California were found hanging from trees , ten days and fifty miles apart from one another .
Malcolm Harsch , in Victorville on May 31 , and Robert Fuller in Palmdale on June 10 .
Eerily reminiscent of Jim Crow-era lynchings , and during a time of churning national racial unrest , virtually no one is accepting police explanations of suicide ( in the case of Mr. Fuller ) and no foul play ( in the case of Mr .
Harsch . )
Quite the opposite , their deaths are being labeled lynchings by most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times : The family of Robert L. Fuller , 24 , disputed the authorities ’ initial pronouncement that he died by suicide .
The family of Malcolm Harsch , 38 , is worried his death will also be ruled a suicide .
Mr. Harsch was found at 7 a.m. on May 31 near a homeless encampment in Victorville , Calif. , where bystanders told the authorities he was living .
There were no indications of foul play but the investigation was continuing , according to a spokeswoman for the San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A passer-by discovered Mr. Fuller ’ s body hanging from a tree in Poncitlán Square , across from Palmdale City Hall , at around 3:39 a.m. on Wednesday , according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Though the investigation was continuing , the authorities noted in their news release that “ Mr .
Fuller , tragically , committed suicide.
” Mr. Fuller ’ s autopsy has not been completed , the authorities said .
At a news conference held by officials at Palmdale City Hall on Friday , residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust that the local authorities would properly investigate Mr. Fuller ’ s death .
They demanded an independent review and transparency .
“ Why was it right here in public , in front of City Hall , next to a church , in front of a library ?
” one woman said .
“ Why was it like that ?
Who would do that ?
No black man would hang himself in public like that.
” Given everything we know , and continue to learn about police racism , and covering up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than warranted .
California police 's initial conclusions here are about believable and trustworthy as the report Louisville , KY police filed after Breonna Taylor 's death .
In that report , the pages were nearly empty , and the section for injuries was left blank .
So , yeah .
Until we hear and see otherwise , the more reasonable conclusion is that these two Black men 's lives were stolen from them in the most gruesome way possible .
Members of the community have established a fund for Robert Fuller here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malcolm Harsch 's death here .

Two Black men in Southern California were found hanging from trees, ten days and fifty miles apart from one another. Malcolm Harsch, in Victorville on May 31, and Robert Fuller in Palmdale on June 10. Eerily reminiscent of Jim Crow-era lynchings, and during a time of churning national racial unrest, virtually no one is accepting police explanations of suicide (in the case of Mr. Fuller) and no foul play (in the case of Mr. Harsch.) Quite the opposite, their deaths are being labeled lynchings by most who learn of them.
According to the New York Times:
The family of Robert L. Fuller, 24, disputed the authorities’ initial pronouncement that he died by suicide. The family of Malcolm Harsch, 38, is worried his death will also be ruled a suicide. Mr. Harsch was found at 7 a.m. on May 31 near a homeless encampment in Victorville, Calif., where bystanders told the authorities he was living. There were no indications of foul play but the investigation was continuing, according to a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s Department. [...] A passer-by discovered Mr. Fuller’s body hanging from a tree in Poncitlán Square, across from Palmdale City Hall, at around 3:39 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Though the investigation was continuing, the authorities noted in their news release that “Mr. Fuller, tragically, committed suicide.” Mr. Fuller’s autopsy has not been completed, the authorities said. [...] At a news conference held by officials at Palmdale City Hall on Friday, residents made it clear that they did not trust that the local authorities would properly investigate Mr. Fuller’s death. They demanded an independent review and transparency. “Why was it right here in public, in front of City Hall, next to a church, in front of a library?” one woman said. “Why was it like that? Who would do that? No black man would hang himself in public like that.”
Given everything we know, and continue to learn about police racism, and covering up of racist behavior, that distrust is more than warranted. California police's initial conclusions here are about believable and trustworthy as the report Louisville, KY police filed after Breonna Taylor's death. In that report, the pages were nearly empty, and the section for injuries was left blank. So, yeah. Until we hear and see otherwise, the more reasonable conclusion is that these two Black men's lives were stolen from them in the most gruesome way possible.
Members of the community have established a fund for Robert Fuller here.
Find information about planned protests surrounding Malcolm Harsch's death here.