crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Justin Amash Says He Won't Run For President

This is probably good news for Joe Biden , as Libertarians do have pockets of support in some states , one of which is Michigan .
If presidential elections were decided rationally by popular vote it would n't matter , but with the eccentricities of the Electoral College it could have mattered a lot more than it should .
Rep. Justin Amash , the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year , said on Twitter that he will not run for president this year after saying last month that he would seek the Libertarian Party ’ s nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve concluded that circumstances don ’ t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year , and therefore I will not be a candidate , ” he tweeted .
Amash said that the polarization in the country , as well as the challenges to campaigning posed by the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing , meant it was not the right year for a successful third-party bid .
Amash , 40 , was elected in the 2010 tea party wave and grew increasingly distant from Republicans as the decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge from a business-backed conservative in 2014 .
He was deeply critical of Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , and even more critical of what the GOP did with control of the legislative and executive branches .

This is probably good news for Joe Biden, as Libertarians do have pockets of support in some states, one of which is Michigan. If presidential elections were decided rationally by popular vote it wouldn't matter, but with the eccentricities of the Electoral College it could have mattered a lot more than it should.
Source: Washington Post
Rep. Justin Amash, the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year, said on Twitter that he will not run for president this year after saying last month that he would seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination.
“After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate,” he tweeted.
Amash said that the polarization in the country, as well as the challenges to campaigning posed by the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing, meant it was not the right year for a successful third-party bid.
Amash, 40, was elected in the 2010 tea party wave and grew increasingly distant from Republicans as the decade went on, fending off a primary challenge from a business-backed conservative in 2014. He was deeply critical of Trump’s 2016 campaign, and even more critical of what the GOP did with control of the legislative and executive branches.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--The Breonna Taylor Tragedy Raises The Question: Do African Americans Have 2nd Amendment Rights?

NBC News has a good explainer about the tragedy that ensued when Louisville , Kentucky police executed a no-knock search warrant on Taylor in a drug case involving a man who lived in a different part of the city but who police claim was using Taylor ’ s apartment to receive mail , stash money or keep drugs .
The police also claim that Taylor ’ s car was seen parked in front of a “ drug house ” connected to that man .
But Glover was already in custody before police raided Taylor ’ s home .
Breonna Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were asleep in their apartment when just before 1 a.m. on March 13 three plainclothes officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department arrived to execute a search warrant in a drug case .
The two believed their apartment was being broken into when police busted through the door , according to a lawsuit by Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer .
Walker called 911 , grabbed a gun and fired , shooting an officer in the leg .
He had a license to carry and kept firearms in the home , and Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers of `` blindly firing '' more than 20 shots into the apartment .
Taylor , a former EMT worker , was shot eight times and died .
Walker , 27 , was arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder on a police officer .
Taylor and Walker had no criminal history or drug convictions , and no drugs were found in the apartment during the raid , the suit states .
One can only imagine the terror Walker and Taylor felt and how that compounded the tragedy .
But , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Walker arrested and charged with a felony in a “ stand your ground ” state ?
Taylor family attorney Benjamin Crump , also the attorney for Abery ’ s family , addressed that part of the awful saga with Joy Reid Saturday : REID : You know , the boyfriend of this young woman , who 's a licensed gun owner , did what people get a gun for , that if someone bursts into your house after midnight and you do n't know who it is , what happened to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't Kentucky one of these “ stand your ground , ” castle-doctrine states ?
CRUMP : Yes , it is , Joy Reid and you have to ask the question , do African Americans have a right to the Second amendment ?
I think when you look at what Kenny Walker did , he tried to defend his castle .
He tried to defend his woman .
He tried to defend their lives but when he says self-defense and stand your ground , the police arrested him immediately and took him to jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's facing life in prison .
Reid went on to note that the Louisville postal inspector refuted one of the justifications for the no-knock warrant in a statement that the police did not use his office to verify that a drug suspect was receiving packages at Taylor 's home.The postal inspector also said there were no packages of interest in her home .
So what justification did the police have to enter it at all ?
None that her family knows of .
In fact , Crump said the postal inspector has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the no-knock warrant .
CRUMP : We have to remember that black women lives matter , too , equally , and so if you ran for Ahmaud you need to stand for Bre because when you look at these two cases and the issues , it 's just unbelievable .
Never have I seen two cases , Joy , that has such a vivid distinction of self-defense in black and white .
When you think about the killers of Ahmaud Arbery who executed him in broad daylight , there was a video and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said , self-defense .
And when they said that , they were not arrested , they were allowed to leave and go home and sleep in their beds peacefully for ten weeks .
But then when Kenny Walker , who was in the bed with Breonna , when the police came in , in plain clothes , we have to remember that , they did not announce themselves .
They called 911 .
They believed that it was a home invasion , that they were going to be burglarized , And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police shot over 20 rounds - I mean , from the front door , from the back window , from the patio .
They were so reckless , Joy , that bullets went into the neighbors ’ apartments .
A little five-year-old girl was sleeping and had a bullet in her room and Breonna was executed .
When they confronted Kenny Walker , he said we were trying to protect ourselves .
It was self-defense .
But they arrested him on the spot , put him in jail , he is charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison and he killed nobody .
Now , tell me that is not self-defense and black and white in America .

NBC News has a good explainer about the tragedy that ensued when Louisville, Kentucky police executed a no-knock search warrant on Taylor in a drug case involving a man who lived in a different part of the city but who police claim was using Taylor’s apartment to receive mail, stash money or keep drugs. The police also claim that Taylor’s car was seen parked in front of a “drug house” connected to that man. But Glover was already in custody before police raided Taylor’s home.
Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were asleep in their apartment when just before 1 a.m. on March 13 three plainclothes officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department arrived to execute a search warrant in a drug case.
The two believed their apartment was being broken into when police busted through the door, according to a lawsuit by Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer.
Walker called 911, grabbed a gun and fired, shooting an officer in the leg. He had a license to carry and kept firearms in the home, and Taylor was unarmed.
The lawsuit accuses the officers of "blindly firing" more than 20 shots into the apartment. Taylor, a former EMT worker, was shot eight times and died. Walker, 27, was arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder on a police officer.
Taylor and Walker had no criminal history or drug convictions, and no drugs were found in the apartment during the raid, the suit states.
One can only imagine the terror Walker and Taylor felt and how that compounded the tragedy. But, why, on top of all that, was Walker arrested and charged with a felony in a “stand your ground” state?
Taylor family attorney Benjamin Crump, also the attorney for Abery’s family, addressed that part of the awful saga with Joy Reid Saturday:
REID: You know, the boyfriend of this young woman, who's a licensed gun owner, did what people get a gun for, that if someone bursts into your house after midnight and you don't know who it is, what happened to his rights of stand your ground? Isn't Kentucky one of these “stand your ground,” castle-doctrine states? CRUMP: Yes, it is, Joy Reid and you have to ask the question, do African Americans have a right to the Second amendment? I think when you look at what Kenny Walker did, he tried to defend his castle. He tried to defend his woman. He tried to defend their lives but when he says self-defense and stand your ground, the police arrested him immediately and took him to jail and charged him with attempted murder where he's facing life in prison.
Reid went on to note that the Louisville postal inspector refuted one of the justifications for the no-knock warrant in a statement that the police did not use his office to verify that a drug suspect was receiving packages at Taylor's home.The postal inspector also said there were no packages of interest in her home.
So what justification did the police have to enter it at all? None that her family knows of. In fact, Crump said the postal inspector has proved that police used falsehoods to get the no-knock warrant.
Then Crump delivered a powerful call for activism:


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Someone Will Have To Pay For Breonna Taylor's Murder By Louisville Cops

You have hopefully heard already about Ahmaud Arbery 's modern-day lynching for the crime of jogging-while black .
That it took nearly two months for the crime to reach national consciousness is depressingly predictable , but the resulting outrage has spurred some action , finally .
Have you had your heart broken by Breonna Taylor 's story , yet , though ?
This one took place in Louisville , KY , and took even longer than Mr. Arbery 's to be elevated to the national spotlight .
Ms. Taylor was a young woman sleeping in what should have been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercover police broke into her home without announcing themselves , and shot her to death as her boyfriend tried to protect them both .
She was an EMT .
She wanted to become a nurse .
She was 26 .
Elie Mystal wrote in The Nation that she was killed for the crime of `` sleeping-while-Black . ''
Police claim they announced themselves before using some type of battering ram to force their way in , but witnesses say the police did not identify themselves as police officers .
Taylor ’ s boyfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were being robbed and fired a gun at police , striking one officer in the leg .
Police responded with a hail of gunfire .
The police shot Taylor , who was unarmed , at least eight times , killing her .
They then arrested and charged Walker with attempted murder of a police officer .
The police say they were looking for evidence against a suspect in an ongoing narcotics investigation .
That suspect lives 10 miles away from Taylor ’ s home .
No drugs were found in Taylor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mystal takes to task two American institutions charged with protecting our freedom : the media and the Supreme Court .
Both of those venerated pillars continue to crumble in the face of racist police killings , and Mystal dissects how with surgical precision .
He concludes : Almost every major institutional actor in this country chooses to let the cops get away with murder .
The media makes this choice every time it decides to reprint a police report , uncritically , as if the cops can be trusted to represent the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign open-ended search warrants , or retroactively admit evidence obtained without a warrant at all .
Mayors and governors make this choice when they seek the endorsement of police unions and bend over backwards to keep those unions happy .
And prosecutors , juries , and justices make this choice when they refuse to hold cops criminally or financially accountable for their crimes .
On AM Joy this morning , Joy Reid spent at least half her show devoted to this tragic execution , her guest list a virtual rolodex of Civil Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more passionate , though , than Brittany Packnett Cunningham .
When Reid asked her about the brazen dishonesty of the police in how they have changed their story , and misled and lied to Ms. Taylor 's mother , Cunningham spoke from the fire in her heart to Louisville 's mayor , Greg Fischer , who as of today has STILL not reached out to Ms. Taylor 's family , nor has the police released Kenneth Walker , her boyfriend who shot a police officer in the leg thinking their home was being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who has been working on issues of police violence for a number of years now , this is something we have to remind people of all the time , that not only are police often unfortunately dishonest , there is a system built to protect and in some ways encourage their dishonesty .
That there are a number of police bills of rights and police union contracts that protect and create space for that kind of dishonesty .
That in some cases , that it 's actually illegal to question police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain amount of time , and sometimes police officers are actually able to see the evidence that will be used against them when they have taken somebody 's life .
These are the kinds of things that activists like Chanelle , and so many others have been trying to fight back against and trying to make sure that things like citizens review boards , that have subpoena power , can be made available in cities like Louisville to be able to prevent more cases like Breonna 's .
To be able to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I want to go back to Erin 's point because it 's so critical .
Breonna was essential , not just as a worker but also as a human being .
Attorney Crump made the point so eloquently , Black women 's lives matter , too , and after over 61 days we had to work so hard to make Breonna 's story go viral just to make people say her name .
And if I can take off my commentator hat for a moment and put on my activist hat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my Obama policing task force hat , and frankly just my hat as a Black woman with breath in her body , I want to speak directly to Mayor Greg Fisher , because he should be sitting on this panel too .
He should have a whole lot more to say than he has .
Mayor Fisher , Tameka Palmer , Breonna Taylor 's mother is your constituent , and she pays your salary .
Breonna Taylor was saving your city , and after two months you have had nothing to say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been held to account for Breonna Taylor 's death .
She did NOT take her own life .
It was YOUR officers who pumped eight bullet into her body while she was laying in her bed .
Someone , you and your officers will have to pay for that and we are tired , sick and tired of our elected officials not taking accountability for what happens to our people .
Few Black people are remotely surprised by any of this .
What is needed is for white people to fix it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people and traditions that perpetuate these abhorrent tragedies to occur .
Let 's be real .
We have the resources to untangle them and fix them , too , but we 're simply choosing not to .

You have hopefully heard already about Ahmaud Arbery's modern-day lynching for the crime of jogging-while black. That it took nearly two months for the crime to reach national consciousness is depressingly predictable, but the resulting outrage has spurred some action, finally.
Have you had your heart broken by Breonna Taylor's story, yet, though? This one took place in Louisville, KY, and took even longer than Mr. Arbery's to be elevated to the national spotlight. Ms. Taylor was a young woman sleeping in what should have been the safety of her own bed, when undercover police broke into her home without announcing themselves, and shot her to death as her boyfriend tried to protect them both. She was an EMT. She wanted to become a nurse. She was 26.
Elie Mystal wrote in The Nation that she was killed for the crime of "sleeping-while-Black."
Police claim they announced themselves before using some type of battering ram to force their way in, but witnesses say the police did not identify themselves as police officers. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, says he believed they were being robbed and fired a gun at police, striking one officer in the leg. Police responded with a hail of gunfire. The police shot Taylor, who was unarmed, at least eight times, killing her. They then arrested and charged Walker with attempted murder of a police officer. The police say they were looking for evidence against a suspect in an ongoing narcotics investigation. That suspect lives 10 miles away from Taylor’s home. No drugs were found in Taylor’s apartment.
In his piece, Mystal takes to task two American institutions charged with protecting our freedom: the media and the Supreme Court. Both of those venerated pillars continue to crumble in the face of racist police killings, and Mystal dissects how with surgical precision. He concludes:
Almost every major institutional actor in this country chooses to let the cops get away with murder. The media makes this choice every time it decides to reprint a police report, uncritically, as if the cops can be trusted to represent the truth. Judges make this choice when they sign open-ended search warrants, or retroactively admit evidence obtained without a warrant at all. Mayors and governors make this choice when they seek the endorsement of police unions and bend over backwards to keep those unions happy. And prosecutors, juries, and justices make this choice when they refuse to hold cops criminally or financially accountable for their crimes.
On AM Joy this morning, Joy Reid spent at least half her show devoted to this tragic execution, her guest list a virtual rolodex of Civil Rights powerhouse thinkers and doers. None was more passionate, though, than Brittany Packnett Cunningham.
When Reid asked her about the brazen dishonesty of the police in how they have changed their story, and misled and lied to Ms. Taylor's mother, Cunningham spoke from the fire in her heart to Louisville's mayor, Greg Fischer, who as of today has STILL not reached out to Ms. Taylor's family, nor has the police released Kenneth Walker, her boyfriend who shot a police officer in the leg thinking their home was being invaded.
CUNNINGHAM: Well, as someone who has been working on issues of police violence for a number of years now, this is something we have to remind people of all the time, that not only are police often unfortunately dishonest, there is a system built to protect and in some ways encourage their dishonesty. That there are a number of police bills of rights and police union contracts that protect and create space for that kind of dishonesty. That in some cases, that it's actually illegal to question police officers when they have killed somebody for a certain amount of time, and sometimes police officers are actually able to see the evidence that will be used against them when they have taken somebody's life. These are the kinds of things that activists like Chanelle, and so many others have been trying to fight back against and trying to make sure that things like citizens review boards, that have subpoena power, can be made available in cities like Louisville to be able to prevent more cases like Breonna's. To be able to prevent more cases like Kenneth's from happening. I want to go back to Erin's point because it's so critical. Breonna was essential, not just as a worker but also as a human being. Attorney Crump made the point so eloquently, Black women's lives matter, too, and after over 61 days we had to work so hard to make Breonna's story go viral just to make people say her name. And if I can take off my commentator hat for a moment and put on my activist hat, and my Ferguson commissioner hat, and my Obama policing task force hat, and frankly just my hat as a Black woman with breath in her body, I want to speak directly to Mayor Greg Fisher, because he should be sitting on this panel too. He should have a whole lot more to say than he has. Mayor Fisher, Tameka Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother is your constituent, and she pays your salary. Breonna Taylor was saving your city, and after two months you have had nothing to say to her mother, and no one has been held to account for Breonna Taylor's death. She did NOT take her own life. It was YOUR officers who pumped eight bullet into her body while she was laying in her bed. Someone, you and your officers will have to pay for that and we are tired, sick and tired of our elected officials not taking accountability for what happens to our people.
Few Black people are remotely surprised by any of this. What is needed is for white people to fix it. We created these racist institutions and protections for people and traditions that perpetuate these abhorrent tragedies to occur. Let's be real. We have the resources to untangle them and fix them, too, but we're simply choosing not to.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Howard Stern Unloads On Trump Supporters: ‘The People Trump Despises Most, Love Him The Most'

On Tuesday night , famed radio personality Howard Stern ’ s SiriusXM show received some media print treatment when the New York Daily News reported on comments the host made about Trump and his MAGA voting base earlier that day .
Addressing his audience directly , Stern went in on Trump supporters who have delusions that their corrupt greedy president would want to have anything to do with them .
Stern had Donald Trump on the various iterations of his show going back decades .
Stern ’ s show was one of the places the mostly New York , tri-state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get publicity back in the days .
Since becoming president , Stern has been openly critical of Trump , pointing out to conservatives who voted for him that Trump has always been openly racist and misogynistic and petty .
But on Tuesday , Stern took his frustration with Trump supporters to the next level .
Stern slammed those in his audience that would vote for Trump .
“ The oddity in all of this is the people Trump despises most , love him the most .
The people who are voting for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even let them in a f -- -ing hotel .
He ’ d be disgusted by them .
Go to Mar-a-Lago , see if there ’ s any people who look like you .
I ’ m talking to you in the audience.
” If it sounded like Stern was manifesting contempt for people who voted for Trump … he was .
“ I don ’ t hate Donald .
I hate you for voting for him , for not having intelligence.
” This came after Stern announced his show would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not subscribed to SiriusXM .
Stern joked that Trump should hold a rally with all of his supporters where they could “ hug each other and kiss each other , ” and drink bleach together .
When the Daily News story hit , Twitter saw Stern ’ s name trending as people lauded him , while others , obvious MAGA hat wearers condemned Stern .
And some people wanted to make sure the whole story about this administration got out , like co-creator of Chapelle Show , Neal Brennan , who tweeted this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a mercenary , self-involved , misogynistic prick himself .
And Stern ’ s condemnation of Trump supporters didn ’ t extend to Trump himself , saying he would have dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago if Trump just stood up and said he was going to quit because he was in over his head .
But the 66-year-old former “ shock jock ” has definitely shown an evolution of character over the past couple of decades .
Is he the singular representative of liberal ideals ?
No .
But Donald Trump and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck in a mythic time from the 1970s , when men were men and women were women and parents were supposed to be mostly drunk , absent , and shitty .

On Tuesday night, famed radio personality Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show received some media print treatment when the New York Daily News reported on comments the host made about Trump and his MAGA voting base earlier that day. Addressing his audience directly, Stern went in on Trump supporters who have delusions that their corrupt greedy president would want to have anything to do with them.
Stern had Donald Trump on the various iterations of his show going back decades. Stern’s show was one of the places the mostly New York, tri-state area-based real estate failure could go and get publicity back in the days. Since becoming president, Stern has been openly critical of Trump, pointing out to conservatives who voted for him that Trump has always been openly racist and misogynistic and petty. But on Tuesday, Stern took his frustration with Trump supporters to the next level.
Stern slammed those in his audience that would vote for Trump. “The oddity in all of this is the people Trump despises most, love him the most. The people who are voting for Trump for the most part ... he wouldn’t even let them in a f---ing hotel. He’d be disgusted by them. Go to Mar-a-Lago, see if there’s any people who look like you. I’m talking to you in the audience.” If it sounded like Stern was manifesting contempt for people who voted for Trump … he was. “I don’t hate Donald. I hate you for voting for him, for not having intelligence.”
This came after Stern announced his show would be free to anybody, even those not subscribed to SiriusXM. Stern joked that Trump should hold a rally with all of his supporters where they could “hug each other and kiss each other,” and drink bleach together. When the Daily News story hit, Twitter saw Stern’s name trending as people lauded him, while others, obvious MAGA hat wearers condemned Stern.
Donald Trump is feverishly trying to think of a slander that rhymes with Howard.#HowardStern pic.twitter.com/8GvWN3dOaS — CK (@charley_ck14) May 13, 2020
Howard has become an anti American. All he does is bash our president, when he needed ratings he was his best friend now he is told not to like him . Never thought he would fall and become a puppet to the left , so sad , canceling him off my account on xm — a sirico (@tattooeddad68) May 13, 2020
And some people wanted to make sure the whole story about this administration got out, like co-creator of Chapelle Show, Neal Brennan, who tweeted this.
P.S. same with Jared. Despises working class and poor people. https://t.co/wxfP0ElzV5 — Neal Brennan (@nealbrennan) May 13, 2020
Stern has a long history of being a mercenary, self-involved, misogynistic prick himself. And Stern’s condemnation of Trump supporters didn’t extend to Trump himself, saying he would have dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago if Trump just stood up and said he was going to quit because he was in over his head. But the 66-year-old former “shock jock” has definitely shown an evolution of character over the past couple of decades. Is he the singular representative of liberal ideals? No. But Donald Trump and many of his supporters seem to be be stuck in a mythic time from the 1970s, when men were men and women were women and parents were supposed to be mostly drunk, absent, and shitty.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Another Private Jet Company Owned By A Trump Donor Got A Bailout — This One For $20 Million

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
An Omaha , Nebraska-based private jet company whose principal owner donated generously to Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the 2016 election received $ 20 million in taxpayer aid from the federal bailout package passed in March .
Jet Linx Aviation , which caters to well-to-do CEOs and executives , was the second private plane company founded or owned by Trump donors to receive federal funds designated for the airline industry under the Coronavirus Aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC reported on Thursday that Clay Lacy Aviation , a Van Nuys , California-based private jet company whose founder has given nearly $ 50,000 to the Republican National Committee and Trump , got $ 27 million in federal funds .
Jet Linx Management Company Vice Chairman John Denny Carreker and his wife , Connie , gave $ 68,100 to Trump ’ s campaign , the Republican National Committee and the Trump Victory Committee between October 2015 and November 2016 , Federal Election Commission filings show .
Connie Carreker gave an additional $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the FEC .
Most of the CARES Act money for the airline industry has gone to commercial or regional carriers .
American , Delta , United and Southwest collectively were allotted almost $ 19.5 billion , more than three-quarters of the total reserved for the passenger airline industry .
But private charters haven ’ t been left out .
About 70 such companies received CARES Act funds as of April 27 , according to the first round of disclosures to 96 recipients published this week .
That represents just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies operating in the U.S. , as compiled by Private Jet Card Comparisons , an independent buyer ’ s guide .
In total , they received about $ 157 million in taxpayer aid , less than a percent of the more than $ 23 billion disbursed so far for the passenger airline industry .
Jet Linx and Clay Lacy are among the most prominent in the industry : Last year , the flight tracking firm Argus Traqpak ranked them fifth and 11th , respectively , in hours logged , according to a list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
No other top 10 private jet company received federal grants .
The average grant amount for the 70 private jet companies to receive aid was $ 2.2 million , about a tenth of what Jet Linx and Clay Lacy each received .
A number listed for the Carrekers at their Dallas home wasn ’ t in service , and a press representative for the company hasn ’ t responded to emails seeking comment .
A Treasury Department spokeswoman said campaign contributions play no role in determining which companies received federal funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CNBC reported that Clay Lacy did not respond to a request for comment on its reporting .
Lawmakers set aside $ 25 billion for passenger airlines in the coronavirus relief bill .
Companies that earned at least half their revenue last year by flying people from place to place could apply for grants from a special program within the CARES Act designed to cover payroll and benefits for workers .
The size of the grants companies received is supposed to be based on how much they paid their employees in salary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The law restricts how much executives are allowed to take in compensation .
The Treasury Department declined to say how many total companies applied for the payroll grants , how many were private plane companies or how many applicants were deemed ineligible for funds .
A spokesman for the Transportation Department said officials verified that applicants held up-to-date “ certificates and authorizations ” before the Treasury distributed them money .
It wasn ’ t clear when the other passenger airline companies granted payroll aid would be publicly disclosed .
Jet Linx claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 cities where it operates its own private terminals .
The company says it has 450 workers , who serve as flight crew and operations , maintenance and support staff .
Jet Linx offers well-heeled customers membership packages that give them access to luxury plane rides for a fee .
On its website , Jet Linx offers members who pay $ 5,000 up front access to any size jet for pay-as-you-fly costs .
Hourly rates can run up to $ 4,500 per hour .
Do you work for a company that was denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if you were laid off from a company that received the federal aid , email Jake Pearson at jake.pearson @ propublica.org

by Jake Pearson
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
An Omaha, Nebraska-based private jet company whose principal owner donated generously to Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the 2016 election received $20 million in taxpayer aid from the federal bailout package passed in March.
Jet Linx Aviation, which caters to well-to-do CEOs and executives, was the second private plane company founded or owned by Trump donors to receive federal funds designated for the airline industry under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. CNBC reported on Thursday that Clay Lacy Aviation, a Van Nuys, California-based private jet company whose founder has given nearly $50,000 to the Republican National Committee and Trump, got $27 million in federal funds.
Jet Linx Management Company Vice Chairman John Denny Carreker and his wife, Connie, gave $68,100 to Trump’s campaign, the Republican National Committee and the Trump Victory Committee between October 2015 and November 2016, Federal Election Commission filings show. Connie Carreker gave an additional $1,000 to the Trump campaign in November 2018, according to the FEC.
Most of the CARES Act money for the airline industry has gone to commercial or regional carriers. American, Delta, United and Southwest collectively were allotted almost $19.5 billion, more than three-quarters of the total reserved for the passenger airline industry.
But private charters haven’t been left out.
About 70 such companies received CARES Act funds as of April 27, according to the first round of disclosures to 96 recipients published this week. That represents just a fraction of the roughly 2,000 private jet companies operating in the U.S., as compiled by Private Jet Card Comparisons, an independent buyer’s guide. In total, they received about $157 million in taxpayer aid, less than a percent of the more than $23 billion disbursed so far for the passenger airline industry.
Jet Linx and Clay Lacy are among the most prominent in the industry: Last year, the flight tracking firm Argus Traqpak ranked them fifth and 11th, respectively, in hours logged, according to a list of the top 25 private air charter operations. No other top 10 private jet company received federal grants. The average grant amount for the 70 private jet companies to receive aid was $2.2 million, about a tenth of what Jet Linx and Clay Lacy each received.
A number listed for the Carrekers at their Dallas home wasn’t in service, and a press representative for the company hasn’t responded to emails seeking comment. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said campaign contributions play no role in determining which companies received federal funds, requirements that were set by Congress.
CNBC reported that Clay Lacy did not respond to a request for comment on its reporting.
Lawmakers set aside $25 billion for passenger airlines in the coronavirus relief bill. Companies that earned at least half their revenue last year by flying people from place to place could apply for grants from a special program within the CARES Act designed to cover payroll and benefits for workers. The size of the grants companies received is supposed to be based on how much they paid their employees in salary and benefits between April and September last year. The law restricts how much executives are allowed to take in compensation.
The Treasury Department declined to say how many total companies applied for the payroll grants, how many were private plane companies or how many applicants were deemed ineligible for funds. A spokesman for the Transportation Department said officials verified that applicants held up-to-date “certificates and authorizations” before the Treasury distributed them money.
It wasn’t clear when the other passenger airline companies granted payroll aid would be publicly disclosed.
Jet Linx claims an 112-aircraft fleet that flies out of 18 cities where it operates its own private terminals. The company says it has 450 workers, who serve as flight crew and operations, maintenance and support staff.
Jet Linx offers well-heeled customers membership packages that give them access to luxury plane rides for a fee. On its website, Jet Linx offers members who pay $5,000 up front access to any size jet for pay-as-you-fly costs. Hourly rates can run up to $4,500 per hour.
Do you work for a company that was denied CARES Act funds? If so, or if you were laid off from a company that received the federal aid, email Jake Pearson at jake.pearson@propublica.org
Doris Burke contributed research.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Fighting Antitrust Bills, Facebook Goes 'Faceless' With New Dark Money Lobby

Fresh calls to break up Facebook emerged this week after new reporting revealed the tech giant is the guiding force behind a new lobbying group aimed at battling back regulatory scrutiny of Silicon Valley .
The new group , the Washington Post reported Tuesday , is called American Edge , and while Facebook may not be the only entity behind it , `` Facebook is viewed as a critical , primary driver . ''
The lobby group intends to roll out `` a barrage of advertising and other political spending to convince policymakers that Silicon Valley is essential to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech . ''
For its creation , American Edge took a page from the National Rifle Association to avoid disclosing donors .
From the Post : In December , American Edge formed as a nonprofit organization , and last month , it registered an accompanying foundation , according to incorporation documents filed in Virginia .
The setup essentially allows it to navigate a thicket of tax laws in such a way that it can raise money , and blitz the airwaves with ads , without the obligation of disclosing all of its donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rifle Association—similarly operate with the aid of `` social welfare '' groups .
The newly formed group will argue that `` strong restrictions imposed on tech giants could hurt U.S. firms and ultimately serve to aid their competitors , particularly in China , according to another person familiar with the effort , who described it as a 'fake grass-roots ' attempt to influence the policy debate in Washington , '' aded the Post .
According to Demand Progress , American Edge 's creation is unsurprising given that Facebook is `` fighting back as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realizing what happens when we leave tech monopolies unchecked . ''
Facebook is facing antitrust probes by the House lawmakers , the Justice Department , the Federal Trade Commission , and state attorneys general .
`` It 's no surprise that Facebook wants to go faceless , '' added Robert Weissman , president the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen .
Facebook 's reputation , according to Weissman , `` has been sullied beyond repair due to an endless string of illegality , misdeeds , and controversies . ''
Weissman pointed to Facebook 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its commitment to transparency as recent examples .
The company 's `` hopes and ambitions are the stuff of techno-dystopia , '' added Weissman , `` and conflict with the maintenance of a robust democracy , in which the people , not giant corporations , control the government and establish the rules of the economy . ''
`` Facebook thus faces a conundrum , '' he continued .
`` A functioning , independent government is a threat to its global dreams , but even with its fabulous wealth , the company 's shameful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government sufficiently .
And so , we have the prospect of Facebook creating a front group and secret money machine . ''
`` Money gets you an awful lot in Washington , but even in D.C. , there are limits , '' said Weissman .
`` American Edge of Despair is not likely to rescue Facebook from the overdue regulatory , antitrust , and civil rights scrutiny that is now coming its way . ''

Fresh calls to break up Facebook emerged this week after new reporting revealed the tech giant is the guiding force behind a new lobbying group aimed at battling back regulatory scrutiny of Silicon Valley.
The new group, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, is called American Edge, and while Facebook may not be the only entity behind it, "Facebook is viewed as a critical, primary driver."
The lobby group intends to roll out "a barrage of advertising and other political spending to convince policymakers that Silicon Valley is essential to the U.S. economy and the future of free speech."
For its creation, American Edge took a page from the National Rifle Association to avoid disclosing donors. From the Post:
In December, American Edge formed as a nonprofit organization, and last month, it registered an accompanying foundation, according to incorporation documents filed in Virginia. The setup essentially allows it to navigate a thicket of tax laws in such a way that it can raise money, and blitz the airwaves with ads, without the obligation of disclosing all of its donors. Many powerful political actors—including the National Rifle Association—similarly operate with the aid of "social welfare" groups.
The newly formed group will argue that "strong restrictions imposed on tech giants could hurt U.S. firms and ultimately serve to aid their competitors, particularly in China, according to another person familiar with the effort, who described it as a 'fake grass-roots' attempt to influence the policy debate in Washington," aded the Post.
According to Demand Progress, American Edge's creation is unsurprising given that Facebook is "fighting back as lawmakers conduct an antitrust probe and are realizing what happens when we leave tech monopolies unchecked."
Facebook is secretly setting up a lobbying group to fight government oversight of big tech. No surprise––it’s fighting back as lawmakers conduct an antitrust probe and are realizing what happens when we leave tech monopolies unchecked. We need to #BreakUpFacebook now. https://t.co/GiuCh2dzTX — Demand Progress (@demandprogress) May 12, 2020
Facebook is facing antitrust probes by the House lawmakers, the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general.
"It's no surprise that Facebook wants to go faceless," added Robert Weissman, president the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.
Facebook's reputation, according to Weissman, "has been sullied beyond repair due to an endless string of illegality, misdeeds, and controversies." Weissman pointed to Facebook's violations of user privacy and questions over its commitment to transparency as recent examples.
The company's "hopes and ambitions are the stuff of techno-dystopia," added Weissman, "and conflict with the maintenance of a robust democracy, in which the people, not giant corporations, control the government and establish the rules of the economy."
"Facebook thus faces a conundrum," he continued. "A functioning, independent government is a threat to its global dreams, but even with its fabulous wealth, the company's shameful record of wrongdoing prevents it from compromising government sufficiently. And so, we have the prospect of Facebook creating a front group and secret money machine."
"Money gets you an awful lot in Washington, but even in D.C., there are limits," said Weissman. "American Edge of Despair is not likely to rescue Facebook from the overdue regulatory, antitrust, and civil rights scrutiny that is now coming its way."
Republished from Common Dreams (Andrea Germanos, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Why Won't Media Demand Trump's Resignation?

Published with permission of PRESS RUN , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
Unfurling a West Wing nervous breakdown , Trump spent Mother 's Day tweeting like a true mad man , posting and re-posting more than 120 missives .
The rants ricocheted from alleged crimes by Democrats , to an array of perceived enemies swirling around his head , including a cable TV host , FBI officials , and the entire state of California .
The President of the United States collapsed into another of his bewildering and manic bouts of anger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. economy , and it was met with mostly shoulder shrugs from the Beltway media , which refuses to demand that the mad man resign for the good of the country .
The White House is n't the only institution guilty of failing to lead during our current pandemic .
So are major news outlets that refuse to use their voice to demand change in the face of historic , deadly failure , as Trump refused to protect America from the virus invasion .
The media failure is especially galling since more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic president step down for the good of the country .
That president 's sin ?
He lied about an extramarital affair he was having .
`` He should resign because he has resolutely failed — and continues to fail — the most fundamental test of any president : to put his nation 's interests first , '' USA Today announced unequivocally of Bill Clinton in September 1998 .
`` Bill Clinton should resign , echoed the Philadelphia Inquirer .
`` He should resign because his repeated , reckless deceits have dishonored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Post , Washington Times , Orlando Sentinel , San Antonio Express-News , Anchorage Daily News , and Manchester ( N.H. ) Union Leader were among the dailies that joined the resignation chorus .
Does anyone think the allegations of deceit lodged against Clinton 's character and actions back then do n't today apply to Trump ?
Trump has openly colluding with a foreign government to dig up dirt on his political opponent , while offering up the assistance of the Department of Justice .
He froze U.S. foreign aid to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transcripts of presidential calls on secret servers in hopes of covering up the collusion , and publically threatened to expose the crucial whistleblower , insinuating that he or she should be executed .
He 's also urged that a Democratic member of Congress be arrested for treason .
More ?
He 's actively gutted the national intelligence apparatus .
He 's a chronic , habitual liar who 's the single most destructive force in terms of misinforming the American public .
He 's promoted Twitter accounts that have shown support for the dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QAnon .
He regularly inspires white nationalist gunmen to unleash murderous attacks .
He 's been busy lining his pockets while serving in the Oval Office .
He coddles murderous dictators .
And today , nearly 85,000 Americans are dead from a pandemic , and almost 40 million Americans have lost their jobs .
`` Any CEO who was deemed responsible for allowing a massive tragedy to unfold would be immediately called upon to resign or be fired , even if he or she were six months from retirement , '' noted former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent CNN column on why newspapers remain silent regarding Trump 's much-needed resignation .
Added Michael Steinberger at The Atlantic last week : `` In the face of Trump ’ s catastrophic ineptitude , as well as his obvious indifference to the pain he has inflicted on the country , how has the only nationally influential voice to demand his resignation been … Howard Stern ? ''
It 's true that clarion calls for resignation certainly would not force Trump from office .
They would however , help change the national debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country faces with a pathological liar at the helm .
And quite simply , the calls would be the right , and just , thing to do .
So why the deafening silence regarding Trump today ?
Is n't it time for newspapers to use their public platforms to call for Trump to resign and to make the case for a return to the rule of law in the executive branch ?
That loud condescending voice of moral indignation that rained down on Clinton has been replaced by embarrassing timidity for Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ press remains afraid of Trump — they 're bullied and battered .
And that 's changed how they deal with the White House .
Specifically , they refuse to fight back .
Recently , Trump unfurled nasty public insults directed at ABC News ' Jonathan Karl .
When asked about the ugly attack , Karl insisted Trump `` insults do n't matter , '' which obviously gives Trump a green light to keep attacking reporters and denigrate newsgathering .
This week , CBS News ' Weijia Jiang was on the receiving end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
The next day , the Washington Post reported that Trump 's outburst had shocked the press corps .
Noticeably absent from the article was any public condemnation from CBS News regarding Trump 's wildly inappropriate attack .
Maybe like Karl , CBS News does n't think Trump insults `` matter '' ?
If news outlets wo n't get serious about Trump slandering their own employees , they 're never going to get serious about demanding the mad man resign .

Published with permission of PRESS RUN, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
Unfurling a West Wing nervous breakdown, Trump spent Mother's Day tweeting like a true mad man, posting and re-posting more than 120 missives. The rants ricocheted from alleged crimes by Democrats, to an array of perceived enemies swirling around his head, including a cable TV host, FBI officials, and the entire state of California.
The President of the United States collapsed into another of his bewildering and manic bouts of anger, while a public health crisis crippled the U.S. economy, and it was met with mostly shoulder shrugs from the Beltway media, which refuses to demand that the mad man resign for the good of the country.
The White House isn't the only institution guilty of failing to lead during our current pandemic. So are major news outlets that refuse to use their voice to demand change in the face of historic, deadly failure, as Trump refused to protect America from the virus invasion. The media failure is especially galling since more than 100 newspapers in the 1990s loudly demanded a Democratic president step down for the good of the country. That president's sin? He lied about an extramarital affair he was having.
"He should resign because he has resolutely failed — and continues to fail — the most fundamental test of any president: to put his nation's interests first," USA Today announced unequivocally of Bill Clinton in September 1998. "Bill Clinton should resign, echoed the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He should resign because his repeated, reckless deceits have dishonored his presidency beyond repair." The Denver Post, Washington Times, Orlando Sentinel, San Antonio Express-News, Anchorage Daily News, and Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader were among the dailies that joined the resignation chorus.
Does anyone think the allegations of deceit lodged against Clinton's character and actions back then don't today apply to Trump? Trump has openly colluding with a foreign government to dig up dirt on his political opponent, while offering up the assistance of the Department of Justice. He froze U.S. foreign aid to make sure the overseas dirt was unearthed, hid transcripts of presidential calls on secret servers in hopes of covering up the collusion, and publically threatened to expose the crucial whistleblower, insinuating that he or she should be executed. He's also urged that a Democratic member of Congress be arrested for treason.
More? He's actively gutted the national intelligence apparatus. He's a chronic, habitual liar who's the single most destructive force in terms of misinforming the American public. He's promoted Twitter accounts that have shown support for the dangerous and demented online conspiracy theory known as QAnon. He regularly inspires white nationalist gunmen to unleash murderous attacks. He's been busy lining his pockets while serving in the Oval Office. He coddles murderous dictators. And today, nearly 85,000 Americans are dead from a pandemic, and almost 40 million Americans have lost their jobs.
"Any CEO who was deemed responsible for allowing a massive tragedy to unfold would be immediately called upon to resign or be fired, even if he or she were six months from retirement," noted former Clinton White House spokesman Joe Lockhart in a recent CNN column on why newspapers remain silent regarding Trump's much-needed resignation.
Added Michael Steinberger at The Atlantic last week: "In the face of Trump’s catastrophic ineptitude, as well as his obvious indifference to the pain he has inflicted on the country, how has the only nationally influential voice to demand his resignation been … Howard Stern?"
It's true that clarion calls for resignation certainly would not force Trump from office. They would however, help change the national debate and more accurately reflect the crisis our country faces with a pathological liar at the helm. And quite simply, the calls would be the right, and just, thing to do.
So why the deafening silence regarding Trump today? Isn't it time for newspapers to use their public platforms to call for Trump to resign and to make the case for a return to the rule of law in the executive branch? That loud condescending voice of moral indignation that rained down on Clinton has been replaced by embarrassing timidity for Trump.
The sad truth is, the Beltway press remains afraid of Trump — they're bullied and battered. And that's changed how they deal with the White House. Specifically, they refuse to fight back. Recently, Trump unfurled nasty public insults directed at ABC News' Jonathan Karl. When asked about the ugly attack, Karl insisted Trump "insults don't matter," which obviously gives Trump a green light to keep attacking reporters and denigrate newsgathering.
This week, CBS News' Weijia Jiang was on the receiving end of Trump taunts at a Rose Garden press conference. The next day, the Washington Post reported that Trump's outburst had shocked the press corps. Noticeably absent from the article was any public condemnation from CBS News regarding Trump's wildly inappropriate attack. Maybe like Karl, CBS News doesn't think Trump insults "matter"?
If news outlets won't get serious about Trump slandering their own employees, they're never going to get serious about demanding the mad man resign.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Towleroad : The American Family Association demands PBS cancel its LGBT Pride Month airing of Prideland , which it deems @ @ @ @ @ Christianity.
” Pharyngula : This fall could be the end of the world as we @ @ @ @ @ education system already on the brink of collapse .
The Incidental Economist : As a @ @ @ @ @ government does put a price on a human life .
Just An Earth-Bound Misfit : @ @ @ @ @ and right-wing terror is a short one , Coronavirus edition .
Speaking of which , @ @ @ @ @ : `` I do n't know if you 're going to use the word terrorist @ @ @ @ @ Palin , asked “ Is an abortion clinic bomber a terrorist , ” October 24 @ @ @ @ @ blogging Mike 's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send @ @ @ @ @ comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com .

Towleroad: The American Family Association demands PBS cancel its LGBT Pride Month airing of Prideland, which it deems “an unjust attack on Christianity.”
Pharyngula: This fall could be the end of the world as we know it for a higher education system already on the brink of collapse.
The Incidental Economist: As a matter of fact, the government does put a price on a human life.
Just An Earth-Bound Misfit: The line between right-wing rhetoric and right-wing terror is a short one, Coronavirus edition.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"I don't know if you're going to use the word terrorist there." (Sarah Palin, asked “Is an abortion clinic bomber a terrorist,” October 24, 2008.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-05-16--Satanists Support $4,700 Cleaning Bill For Embattled Washington State Rep. Matt Shea

Somewhat better for Shea than last year , when he was accused of domestic terrorism for helping to plan an occupation in Oregon .
( Yeah , really . )
Shea is also the leader of the so-called secessionist group , Liberty State , which wants to carve off a part of western Washingon and Oregon for some far-right Christianity-based utopia .
Given all his recent antics then it 's hardly surprising that Shea did not meet the filing deadline for reelection this afternoon and will not be in the state legislature much longer .
Shea was served the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and porous stone of the Capitol steps .
$ 4761.34 to be exact .
At least one Satanist is glad to see Shea penalized for `` disregarding the public safety . ''
Spokane Valley Rep. Matt Shea is being billed $ 4,700 for the cleanup of olive oil he poured on the steps of the domed Legislative Building in early March , part of a Christian group ’ s response to an earlier demonstration by Satanists who had marched around the building .
The oil was poured onto porous stones that form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure that houses the Legislature and top executive offices , making it difficult to remove , according to the Department of Enterprise Services , which manages the Capitol grounds and buildings .
Shea was sent a letter and an invoice Thursday from the department ’ s finance office .
“ This invoice to you is generated to recover the full amount of expense incurred to repair damage caused by olive oil on the Legislative Building Steps on March 6 , 2020 , ” the letter says .
“ Please send your remittance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Steps of the building is a frequent location for demonstrations of groups of all sizes and political beliefs .
On March 6 , a group of protesters from the Seattle-based Satanic Temple of Washington , many of them wearing black hooded robes , gathered at the Capitol and marched through and around the domed building .
According to the permit they received for that gathering , they were performing an “ invocation .
”

Somewhat better for Shea than last year, when he was accused of domestic terrorism for helping to plan an occupation in Oregon. (Yeah, really.) Shea is also the leader of the so-called secessionist group, Liberty State, which wants to carve off a part of western Washingon and Oregon for some far-right Christianity-based utopia. Given all his recent antics then it's hardly surprising that Shea did not meet the filing deadline for reelection this afternoon and will not be in the state legislature much longer.
Shea was served the bill for pouring the oil on the historic, and porous stone of the Capitol steps. $4761.34 to be exact. At least one Satanist is glad to see Shea penalized for "disregarding the public safety."
Source: Spokesman-Review


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Trump Claims He's Taking Hydroxychloroquine Preventatively

Donald Trump held an impromptu press conference in the Oval Office to perform for reporters on Monday .
As Trump was disparaging Dr .
Bright 's testimony about hydroxychloroquine and the unpreparedness of the Trump administration and Trump 's refusal to take action immediately when the coronavirus was discovered , Donald blurted out an utterly bizarre statement .
`` I happen to be taking it , '' he said to a stunned press gaggle .
`` Right now .
A couple of weeks ago I started taking it . ''
Trump replied , `` Because I think it 's good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good stories and if it 's not good I 'll tell you right . ''
Trump said he hoped to not be taking it soon but if he does n't have the coronavirus so why is he taking it at all since it 's not not a drug that immunizes you from COVID-19 .
`` I ’ ve taken it for one-and-a-half weeks now , ” Trump said .
“ And I ’ m still here .
I ’ m still here.
” Dr .
Bright had claimed in his whistle-blower complaint that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning the use of hydroxychloroquine .
`` Did the White House doctor recommend he take it ? ''
reporters asked .
He confirmed the White House doctor did prescribe it for him but that he asked for it .
Maybe Trump can start injecting Clorox into his veins because he heard that works too .
Welcome to another bizarre day in the Donald Trump administration during another crazy coronavirus task force press conferences .
All Trump is doing is making it more acceptable for those who support him to take a drug that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unproven as an effective drug against the new virus .
We need to see the proof of Trump 's claim that he 's been taking Hydroxychloroquine .
He said he never mentioned it before because no reporter asked if he was taking it .
That 's a lot of crap too because why would any reporter ask him if he was taking it if he had n't tested positive for the virus ?
Trump has turned the office of the presidency and the responsibility to the American people it holds into a cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxycloroquine has been exclusively to minimize the effects of Covid-19 by giving patients very high doses of the drug in combination with a Z-Pak .
After several studies which show that not only are patients not helped by the drug but actually endangered , the FDA issued a warning against it .
But why would Trump believe in science ?

Donald Trump held an impromptu press conference in the Oval Office to perform for reporters on Monday.
As Trump was disparaging Dr. Bright's testimony about hydroxychloroquine and the unpreparedness of the Trump administration and Trump's refusal to take action immediately when the coronavirus was discovered, Donald blurted out an utterly bizarre statement.
"I happen to be taking it," he said to a stunned press gaggle.
Reporters yelled in disbelief, "Hydroxychloroquine?"
He replied," I'm taking it, Hydroxychloroquine."
"When?"
"Right now. A couple of weeks ago I started taking it."
"Why?
Trump replied, "Because I think it's good. I've heard a lot of good stories and if it's not good I'll tell you right."
Trump said he hoped to not be taking it soon but if he doesn't have the coronavirus so why is he taking it at all since it's not not a drug that immunizes you from COVID-19.
"I’ve taken it for one-and-a-half weeks now,” Trump said. “And I’m still here. I’m still here.”
Dr. Bright had claimed in his whistle-blower complaint that he was removed from his job for questioning the use of hydroxychloroquine.
"Did the White House doctor recommend he take it?" reporters asked.
He confirmed the White House doctor did prescribe it for him but that he asked for it.
Maybe Trump can start injecting Clorox into his veins because he heard that works too.
Welcome to another bizarre day in the Donald Trump administration during another crazy coronavirus task force press conferences.
All Trump is doing is making it more acceptable for those who support him to take a drug that has serious side effects and has been unproven as an effective drug against the new virus.
We need to see the proof of Trump's claim that he's been taking Hydroxychloroquine.
He said he never mentioned it before because no reporter asked if he was taking it.
That's a lot of crap too because why would any reporter ask him if he was taking it if he hadn't tested positive for the virus?
Trump has turned the office of the presidency and the responsibility to the American people it holds into a cheap carnival.
Note: The use of hydroxycloroquine has been exclusively to minimize the effects of Covid-19 by giving patients very high doses of the drug in combination with a Z-Pak. After several studies which show that not only are patients not helped by the drug but actually endangered, the FDA issued a warning against it. But why would Trump believe in science?
UPDATE: Trump's doctor has written a letter which does not actually confirm that he is taking the drugs he says he is.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Juan Williams Brings Dose Of Reality To Fox On Who Is 'Mentally Fit' To Hold Office

Fox regular Juan Williams gave Trump another reason to try to get Chris Wallace booted off the network when he brought a dose of reality to this weekend 's Fox News Sunday .
Wallace asked Williams about Biden 's age , and the Trump campaign 's line of attack that Biden is too old and senile to handle being president .
After first shooting down the right 's latest faux conspiracy theory , Williams rightfully noted that we 've only got one candidate out there pushing conspiracy theories and dangerous misinformation on the coronavirus .
WALLACE : Juan , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I also want you to weigh in on another attack line that the president , president Trump is using against Joe Biden—that at age 77 , he is not up to the job of becoming president .
I want to play a clip from one of those events from the studio basement in Delaware from Joe Biden 's home there , in which he frankly mixed up the number of lies lives and jobs lost in this pandemic .
Take a look .
BIDEN : We are in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 85,000 jobs as of today .
Lives of millions of people .
Millions of people .
Millions of jobs .
WALLACE : Juan , do n't you have to wonder about Joe Biden after this long layoff , shut in , in his basement in Delaware , how he 's going to do once he gets on the campaign trail facing voters and also facing questions , lots of questions , from reporters ?
WILLIAMS : Well , I think first thing , let me just say Chris that with regard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamagate .
President Trump himself ca n't even say what President Trump—I 'm sorry , what President Obama did that was wrong or criminal , and if any of us right here on the show lied to the FBI , twice plead guilty , we 'd be in jail right now—right now .
So I just think this is a total effort , if you 're thinking of it in strategic terms , to distract from the Trump administration 's failed handling of the coronavirus crisis .
With regard to age , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , Joe Biden 77 .
The only one of them that seems to prefer conspiracy theories and talking about putting disinfectant in your body is President Trump , not Joe Biden .
And with regard to the campaign trail , we live in a moment when telework , Zoom conferences have become the new normal , and so far in terms of campaigning , fundraising , giving interviews , Joe Biden has been doing that from his basement .
He is a good retail politician , I 've seen him out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that 's the reality of how this campaign is going to go forward .
We 're are not even sure about the conventions at this point .

Fox regular Juan Williams gave Trump another reason to try to get Chris Wallace booted off the network when he brought a dose of reality to this weekend's Fox News Sunday. Wallace asked Williams about Biden's age, and the Trump campaign's line of attack that Biden is too old and senile to handle being president.
After first shooting down the right's latest faux conspiracy theory, Williams rightfully noted that we've only got one candidate out there pushing conspiracy theories and dangerous misinformation on the coronavirus.
WALLACE: Juan, I want you to weigh in on that, and I also want you to weigh in on another attack line that the president, president Trump is using against Joe Biden—that at age 77, he is not up to the job of becoming president.
I want to play a clip from one of those events from the studio basement in Delaware from Joe Biden's home there, in which he frankly mixed up the number of lies lives and jobs lost in this pandemic. Take a look.
BIDEN: We are in the middle of a pandemic that has cost us more than 85,000 jobs as of today. Lives of millions of people. Millions of people. Millions of jobs.
WALLACE: Juan, don't you have to wonder about Joe Biden after this long layoff, shut in, in his basement in Delaware, how he's going to do once he gets on the campaign trail facing voters and also facing questions, lots of questions, from reporters?
WILLIAMS: Well, I think first thing, let me just say Chris that with regard to the so-called Obamagate, there is no Obamagate. President Trump himself can't even say what President Trump—I'm sorry, what President Obama did that was wrong or criminal, and if any of us right here on the show lied to the FBI, twice plead guilty, we'd be in jail right now—right now.
So I just think this is a total effort, if you're thinking of it in strategic terms, to distract from the Trump administration's failed handling of the coronavirus crisis.
With regard to age, I think that President Trump turns 74 next month, Joe Biden 77. The only one of them that seems to prefer conspiracy theories and talking about putting disinfectant in your body is President Trump, not Joe Biden.
And with regard to the campaign trail, we live in a moment when telework, Zoom conferences have become the new normal, and so far in terms of campaigning, fundraising, giving interviews, Joe Biden has been doing that from his basement. He is a good retail politician, I've seen him out on the stump, but I'm not sure that's the reality of how this campaign is going to go forward. We're are not even sure about the conventions at this point.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Reality Strikes: AG Barr Doesn’t ‘Expect’ DOJ To Prosecute Obama

Attorney General William Barr on Monday said that he did not “ expect ” a criminal prosecution of former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden — even though President Donald Trump has called for one .
At a press conference at the Justice Department , Barr said that he would not address Trump ’ s statements directly .
“ There have been increasing attempts to use the justice system as a political weapon , ” Barr said .
“ The legal tactic has been to gin up allegations of criminality by one ’ s political opponent based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Any effort to pursue an investigation of either candidate has to be approved by me , ” he continued .
“ What happened to the president — and I ’ ve said this many times — in the 2016 election and throughout the first two years of his administration was abhorrent .
It was a grave injustice .
According to the attorney general , the U.S. intelligence community perpetrated a “ false and utterly baseless Russian collusion narrative.
” Barr said that an ongoing probe into how the Russia investigation began could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every abuse of power , no matter how outrageous is necessarily a federal crime , ” he added .
“ As to President Obama and Vice President Biden , whatever their level of involvement , based on the information I have today , I don ’ t expect [ the current probe ] will lead to a criminal investigation of either man.
” “ Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others , ” Barr concluded .

Attorney General William Barr on Monday said that he did not “expect” a criminal prosecution of former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden — even though President Donald Trump has called for one.
At a press conference at the Justice Department, Barr said that he would not address Trump’s statements directly.
Instead, Barr slammed former special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
“There have been increasing attempts to use the justice system as a political weapon,” Barr said. “The legal tactic has been to gin up allegations of criminality by one’s political opponent based on the flimsiest of legal theories.”
“Any effort to pursue an investigation of either candidate has to be approved by me,” he continued. “What happened to the president — and I’ve said this many times — in the 2016 election and throughout the first two years of his administration was abhorrent. It was a grave injustice.
According to the attorney general, the U.S. intelligence community perpetrated a “false and utterly baseless Russian collusion narrative.”
Barr said that an ongoing probe into how the Russia investigation began could result in criminal prosecutions.
“Not every abuse of power, no matter how outrageous is necessarily a federal crime,” he added. “As to President Obama and Vice President Biden, whatever their level of involvement, based on the information I have today, I don’t expect [the current probe] will lead to a criminal investigation of either man.”
“Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others,” Barr concluded.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Georgia Republicans Edit Graph To Lie About COVID Spikes

The Great Stet of Georgeduh released this startling graph of their infections as they slam into their two-weeks of opening-up @ @ @ @ @ we Libs were totally wrong and we ’ re a bunch of patriot-hating , crying @ @ @ @ @ that , you say ?
The X-axis is not chronological ?
What ?
If you @ @ @ @ @ X-axis , here are the dates in the order plotted : So , if you @ @ @ @ @ spiking just as predicted .
So the question becomes , how did this travesty happen @ @ @ @ @ s spokesperson oddly was forthcoming !
The thing to take away from this is : @ @ @ @ @ which Wingnuttia will not stoop to own the libs , and they really want to @ @ @ @ @ your labor even if it kills you and it probably will .

The Great Stet of Georgeduh released this startling graph of their infections as they slam into their two-weeks of opening-up their economy.
It appears we Libs were totally wrong and we’re a bunch of patriot-hating, crying snowflakes and…
What’s that, you say?
The X-axis is not chronological? What?
If you can’t read the X-axis, here are the dates in the order plotted:
April 28
April 27
April 29
May 1
April 30
May 4
May 6
May 5
May 2
May 7
April 26
May 3
May 8
May 9
So, if you straighten it out…
Georgeduh was spiking just as predicted.
So the question becomes, how did this travesty happen? Gov. Kemp’s spokesperson oddly was forthcoming!
Kemp spokesperson says the quiet part out loud: “***The x axis was set up that way to show descending values***” https://t.co/iJ8ZwLzXe8 https://t.co/NekFjxRg9L — Timothy Stewart-Winter (@timothysw) May 17, 2020
The thing to take away from this is: there is no low to which Wingnuttia will not stoop to own the libs, and they really want to make a buck off of your labor even if it kills you and it probably will.
(Addendum: Texas was first and BOOM! Georgeduh was second and BOOM! Will Floriduh make it a trifecta? Betting windows are open!)
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Trump Lashes Out On Twitter After Coronavirus Whistleblower Speaks Out On '60 Minutes'

Days after testifying to Congress , coronavirus whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright spoke to 60 Minutes about how he was removed from the head of a federal pandemic response and vaccine development agency after he pushed for a more effective response .
Bright still has a warning to sound , saying “ We do n't yet have a national strategy to respond fully to this pandemic .
The best scientists that we have in our government who are working really hard to try to figure this out are n't getting that clear , cohesive leadership , strategic plan message yet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still gon na be chaotic.
” In response , Donald Trump showed that failure of leadership in action , rage-tweeting that Bright is “ yet another Fake ‘ Whistleblower ’ , a disgruntled employee who supports Dems , fabricates stories , & spews lies.
” But it wasn ’ t just a personal attack .
Trump took aim at the idea of accountability , continuing “ This whole Whistleblower racket needs to be looked at very closely , it is causing great injustice & harm , ” and predictably attacking the media for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For someone who Trump claims to think is irrelevant , Bright sure does get under his skin .
And he probably should .
Bright ’ s story is damaging and totally believable .
Starting in January , he has told Congress and now 60 Minutes , he was warning his fellow Health and Human Services officials that a pandemic was coming and the U.S. was unprepared .
He warned specifically about personal protective equipment , and pushed for N95 mask manufacturing in the U.S. to be boosted early , in time to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire leadership was focused on containment , ” early on , Bright said .
“ There was a belief that we could contain this virus and keep it out of the United States .
Containment does n't work .
Containment does buy time .
It could slow .
It very well could slow the spread .
But while you 're slowing the spread , you better be doing something in parallel to be prepared for when that virus breaks out .
That was my job.
” And that was the job the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t interested in having done .
But while pressing for greater urgency in the response got Bright sidelined from key meetings , he says it was pushing back against Trump ’ s hyping of hydroxychloroquine that got him removed from leadership of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and reassigned to a lesser position at the National Institutes of Health .
” I believe my last ditch effort to protect Americans from that drug was the final straw that they used and believed was essential to push me out , ” Bright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview that aired Sunday .
He acknowledged that he ultimately signed an emergency use authorization for the untested drug , but noted it was after he had already worked to limit the drug ’ s use to hospital patients , saying , “ I was given a directive .
I did n't have a choice , other than to leave at that time .
And I went along and signed that letter knowing that we had contained access to that drug.
” Unfortunately , Trump had other plans—and continues to push the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Days after testifying to Congress, coronavirus whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright spoke to 60 Minutes about how he was removed from the head of a federal pandemic response and vaccine development agency after he pushed for a more effective response. Bright still has a warning to sound, saying “We don't yet have a national strategy to respond fully to this pandemic. The best scientists that we have in our government who are working really hard to try to figure this out aren't getting that clear, cohesive leadership, strategic plan message yet. Until they get that, it's still gonna be chaotic.”
In response, Donald Trump showed that failure of leadership in action, rage-tweeting that Bright is “yet another Fake ‘Whistleblower’, a disgruntled employee who supports Dems, fabricates stories, & spews lies.” But it wasn’t just a personal attack. Trump took aim at the idea of accountability, continuing “This whole Whistleblower racket needs to be looked at very closely, it is causing great injustice & harm,” and predictably attacking the media for daring to report on his failures.
For someone who Trump claims to think is irrelevant, Bright sure does get under his skin. And he probably should. Bright’s story is damaging and totally believable. Starting in January, he has told Congress and now 60 Minutes, he was warning his fellow Health and Human Services officials that a pandemic was coming and the U.S. was unprepared. He warned specifically about personal protective equipment, and pushed for N95 mask manufacturing in the U.S. to be boosted early, in time to build a stockpile.
“Remember, the entire leadership was focused on containment,” early on, Bright said. “There was a belief that we could contain this virus and keep it out of the United States. Containment doesn't work. Containment does buy time. It could slow. It very well could slow the spread. But while you're slowing the spread, you better be doing something in parallel to be prepared for when that virus breaks out. That was my job.”
And that was the job the top people in the Trump administration weren’t interested in having done. But while pressing for greater urgency in the response got Bright sidelined from key meetings, he says it was pushing back against Trump’s hyping of hydroxychloroquine that got him removed from leadership of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and reassigned to a lesser position at the National Institutes of Health.
”I believe my last ditch effort to protect Americans from that drug was the final straw that they used and believed was essential to push me out,” Bright told Norah O’Donnell in the interview that aired Sunday. He acknowledged that he ultimately signed an emergency use authorization for the untested drug, but noted it was after he had already worked to limit the drug’s use to hospital patients, saying, “I was given a directive. I didn't have a choice, other than to leave at that time. And I went along and signed that letter knowing that we had contained access to that drug.”
Unfortunately, Trump had other plans—and continues to push the government in a series of disastrous directions.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--On Twitter, Ivanka Takes 'The Red Pill'

On Twitter, Ivanka Takes 'The Red Pill'

Somewhat fitting that completely insufferable people like Ivanka Trump and Elon Musk should find themselves together on the same team , in internet subspeak , right-wing psychobabble .
On Sunday morning , the Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted a cryptic tweet , saying “ Take the red pill ” with an emoji of a red rose .
As most movie buffs know , “ take the red pill ” is a reference from the Wachowski sisters ’ sci-fi blockbuster “ The Matrix.
” In the movie , Morpheus ( Lawrence Fishburne ) reveals to the protagonist Neo ( Keanu Reeves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a computer simulation .
He offers Neo a choice : Take a blue pill and go back to his life and forget about everything , or take a red pill to learn the truth about the Matrix and his fake reality .
However , the phrase “ take the red pill ” has taken on a new meaning in Internet subculture , and it usually refers to conservative political beliefs .
It can now mean shifting one ’ s political alignment to the right , and it ’ s often used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men ’ s rights groups .
Musk ’ s tweet drew plenty of controversy in the comments , and had more than 190,000 likes by Sunday afternoon .
Ivanka Trump then quoted “ Taken !
” on Musk ’ s tweet , prompting Wachowski to reply “ F— both of you ”

Somewhat fitting that completely insufferable people like Ivanka Trump and Elon Musk should find themselves together on the same team, in internet subspeak, right-wing psychobabble.
Source: Variety
On Sunday morning, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted a cryptic tweet, saying “Take the red pill” with an emoji of a red rose.
As most movie buffs know, “take the red pill” is a reference from the Wachowski sisters’ sci-fi blockbuster “The Matrix.” In the movie, Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) reveals to the protagonist Neo (Keanu Reeves) that he’s been living in a computer simulation. He offers Neo a choice: Take a blue pill and go back to his life and forget about everything, or take a red pill to learn the truth about the Matrix and his fake reality.
However, the phrase “take the red pill” has taken on a new meaning in Internet subculture, and it usually refers to conservative political beliefs. It can now mean shifting one’s political alignment to the right, and it’s often used in Internet forums related to Donald Trump or men’s rights groups.
Musk’s tweet drew plenty of controversy in the comments, and had more than 190,000 likes by Sunday afternoon. Ivanka Trump then quoted “Taken!” on Musk’s tweet, prompting Wachowski to reply “F— both of you”


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse Just Gave The Worst Graduation Speech Of All Time

I suppose Ben Sasse thought giving a depressing , downbeat , 'reality-based ' high school commencement address would be amusing .
And it might have been if given by a real comedian , with some better material than just the usual Trump-like blather about blaming China for COVID-19 .
Here though it just comes across as crassly partisan and mean , an insult to high school graduates everywhere .
Republicans just seem completely divorced from reality these days .
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-Neb . )
gave the virtual commencement speech at his alma mater , Fremont High School , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not kind .
Caylin Choquette , who shared the video on Twitter , called it `` the worst graduation speech of all time . ''
`` Is this satire ? ''
asked Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis .
His colleague Noah Shachtman was on the same page : `` Who is this actor SNL got to play Sasse ?
He looks JUST like him . ''
Former New York Observer editor Elizabeth Spiers elaborated : `` If you 've ever been to an open mic standup comedy show where there 's one guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes completely silent and starts scanning for exits because the vicarious embarrassment is too much — and you want to re-live that — here 's Ben Sasse to oblige . ''
`` Yiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes , '' said historian Kevin Kruse .
The Omaha World-Herald described Sasse as `` unshaven '' and `` wearing a loosened red tie and white shirt . ''
He was certainly ... casual .
`` Ca n't say that I have ever watched a high school commencement address where someone suggests that they are overweight , repeatedly blames China for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majors and anyone named Jeremy , '' local state Sen. Adam Morfeld tweeted , but Sasse `` pulls it off ! ''
Sarah Longwell , who publishes The Bulwark , watched his remarks and wanted to know : `` Who hurt Ben Sasse in high school ? ''

I suppose Ben Sasse thought giving a depressing, downbeat, 'reality-based' high school commencement address would be amusing. And it might have been if given by a real comedian, with some better material than just the usual Trump-like blather about blaming China for COVID-19. Here though it just comes across as crassly partisan and mean, an insult to high school graduates everywhere. Republicans just seem completely divorced from reality these days.
Source: The Week
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) gave the virtual commencement speech at his alma mater, Fremont High School, on Saturday, and the reviews were not kind.
Caylin Choquette, who shared the video on Twitter, called it "the worst graduation speech of all time."
"Is this satire?" asked Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis. His colleague Noah Shachtman was on the same page: "Who is this actor SNL got to play Sasse? He looks JUST like him." Former New York Observer editor Elizabeth Spiers elaborated: "If you've ever been to an open mic standup comedy show where there's one guy who's so bad the whole room goes completely silent and starts scanning for exits because the vicarious embarrassment is too much — and you want to re-live that — here's Ben Sasse to oblige." "Yiiiiiiiiiiiiiikes," said historian Kevin Kruse.
The Omaha World-Herald described Sasse as "unshaven" and "wearing a loosened red tie and white shirt." He was certainly ... casual. "Can't say that I have ever watched a high school commencement address where someone suggests that they are overweight, repeatedly blames China for ruining their ceremony, and insults psychology majors and anyone named Jeremy," local state Sen. Adam Morfeld tweeted, but Sasse "pulls it off!" Sarah Longwell, who publishes The Bulwark, watched his remarks and wanted to know: "Who hurt Ben Sasse in high school?"


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--CBS Hires Fox News Benghazi Hack -- And Now She's Pushing Obamagate

Eric Boehlert 's Press Run newsletter wonders why CBS News hired this known right-wing hack as a reporter : When CBS News last year hired a Fox News reporter who had been aggressively wrong about the Benghazi story for three straight years , it was not a good sign .
It 's distressing when a mainstream media outlet is so anxious to make nice with conservatives that they hire someone like Catherine Herridge , whose career is filled with misinformation work .
But that 's what CBS did , despite the reporter 's long and shameful history of acting more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news reporter .
At Fox News , Herridge peddled whatever Republicans on the Hill were pushing — Hillary Clinton 's email server was hacked by a crime syndicate !
President Barack Obama was MIA the night of the Benghazi attack !
She basically ran an ongoing misinformation campaign on behalf of the GOP .
( Her Twitter feed still serves as one . )
Herridge has emerged in recent days as a media point person as the White House tries frantically to smear former President Barack Obama with the hollow claims of a @ @ @ @ @

Eric Boehlert's Press Run newsletter wonders why CBS News hired this known right-wing hack as a reporter:
When CBS News last year hired a Fox News reporter who had been aggressively wrong about the Benghazi story for three straight years, it was not a good sign. It's distressing when a mainstream media outlet is so anxious to make nice with conservatives that they hire someone like Catherine Herridge, whose career is filled with misinformation work. But that's what CBS did, despite the reporter's long and shameful history of acting more as a Republican partisan than a straight news reporter.
At Fox News, Herridge peddled whatever Republicans on the Hill were pushing — Hillary Clinton's email server was hacked by a crime syndicate! President Barack Obama was MIA the night of the Benghazi attack! She basically ran an ongoing misinformation campaign on behalf of the GOP. (Her Twitter feed still serves as one.)
Herridge has emerged in recent days as a media point person as the White House tries frantically to smear former President Barack Obama with the hollow claims of a "Obamagate" scandal.


crooksandliars--2020-05-18--Starting Today, Twitter Will Hold World Leaders Accountable For COVID Misinformation

According to Melissa Ryan , who follows disinformation in her Control Alt-Right Delete newsletter , Twitter has made more changes to its misinformation policy to deal with coronavirus-related mis- and disinformation .
Yoel Roth , Twitter ’ s site Integrity chief , confirmed that this new policy would apply to world leaders .
In response to COVID-19 Twitter expanded its misinformation policy by broadening its definition of harm to include content that “ goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information.
” This allowed the company more leeway to remove disinformation or add a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinformation .
Twitter also noted that harmful content from world leaders might also fall under this new policy .
Starting on Monday Twitter “ may use these labels and warning messages to provide additional explanations or clarifications in situations where the risks of harm associated with a Tweet are less severe but where people may still be confused or misled by the content.
” So Ryan asked Roth if the expanded policy would apply to world leaders , elected officials and/or Donald Trump .
CNN ’ s Donie O ’ Sullivan also asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will apply to anyone sharing misleading information that meets the requirements of our policy , including world leaders , ” Roth replied .
Since I started covering this Twitter has removed a few tweets from world leaders in violation of their policy .
As far as I know , this has only happened three times .
Most recently Twitter removed tweets from the Presidents of Brazil and Venezuela for violating the Coronavirus misinformation rules .
Will we see warning labels start to appear on more tweets from world leaders next week ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when these labels are added .
Of course , we have to talk about President Trump ’ s Twitter feed .
Twitter has removed tweets that Trump has retweeted and flagged a video that Trump retweeted as manipulated media ( their preferred term for deepfake . )
But they haven ’ t yet removed a Trump tweet for a violation or added a label to a Trump tweet .
Watching this all play out , with Twitter updating their policy over time as Trump ’ s tweets grow wilder by the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump keeps daring Twitter to do something and Twitter keeps going out of its way to avoid that fight .
She contends that Twitter ( or any of the tech platforms ) shouldn ’ t have a separate policy for world leaders .
While I understand that Twitter doesn ’ t want to be in the position of removing tweets from a sitting head of government , the only way to enforce the rules fairly and not give world leaders even more power to abuse the platform is to have them apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see Twitter draw a line on Coronavirus mis and disinformation from world leaders .
Ryan points out that having a rule in place does make it easier for activists to demand accountability .

According to Melissa Ryan, who follows disinformation in her Control Alt-Right Delete newsletter, Twitter has made more changes to its misinformation policy to deal with coronavirus-related mis- and disinformation. Yoel Roth, Twitter’s site Integrity chief, confirmed that this new policy would apply to world leaders.
In response to COVID-19 Twitter expanded its misinformation policy by broadening its definition of harm to include content that “goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information.” This allowed the company more leeway to remove disinformation or add a warning label to content with mis or disinformation. Twitter also noted that harmful content from world leaders might also fall under this new policy. Starting on Monday Twitter “may use these labels and warning messages to provide additional explanations or clarifications in situations where the risks of harm associated with a Tweet are less severe but where people may still be confused or misled by the content.”
So Ryan asked Roth if the expanded policy would apply to world leaders, elected officials and/or Donald Trump. CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan also asked Twitter for comment. “These labels will apply to anyone sharing misleading information that meets the requirements of our policy, including world leaders,” Roth replied.
Ryan isn't satisfied:
Since I started covering this Twitter has removed a few tweets from world leaders in violation of their policy. As far as I know, this has only happened three times. Most recently Twitter removed tweets from the Presidents of Brazil and Venezuela for violating the Coronavirus misinformation rules. Will we see warning labels start to appear on more tweets from world leaders next week? It will be interesting to see how and when these labels are added. Of course, we have to talk about President Trump’s Twitter feed. Twitter has removed tweets that Trump has retweeted and flagged a video that Trump retweeted as manipulated media (their preferred term for deepfake.) But they haven’t yet removed a Trump tweet for a violation or added a label to a Trump tweet. Watching this all play out, with Twitter updating their policy over time as Trump’s tweets grow wilder by the day, feels like a game of chicken. Trump keeps daring Twitter to do something and Twitter keeps going out of its way to avoid that fight.
She contends that Twitter (or any of the tech platforms) shouldn’t have a separate policy for world leaders.
While I understand that Twitter doesn’t want to be in the position of removing tweets from a sitting head of government, the only way to enforce the rules fairly and not give world leaders even more power to abuse the platform is to have them apply to everyone. But I’m glad to see Twitter draw a line on Coronavirus mis and disinformation from world leaders.
Ryan points out that having a rule in place does make it easier for activists to demand accountability.