thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Bill Gates: Slow Turnaround of COVID-19 Tests Makes Them A 'Complete Waste'

In an interview with CNBC on Monday , Bill Gates had sharp criticism for the United State ’ s COVID-19 testing system , calling it a “ complete waste ” that requires a much shorter turnaround period to be truly effective .
“ You should not reimburse somebody for getting a test that takes more than 48 hours to get a result back , ” Gates said on CNBC ’ s “ Squawk Box.
” “ That test is a complete waste .
And to all these numbers about how much we test , the majority is just a complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test ] back as soon as possible so that somebody can change their behavior — so that they ’ re not infecting other people.
” Gates — who has studied infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness as part of his philanthropic work — went on to criticize the current process , in which Americans are often waiting “ more than three days , sometimes seven days to get ” test results , calling it “ insane , ” especially for underprivileged communities , which are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus .
“ Nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ You need to prioritize .
You need to make sure that ... low-income communities that are most at risk are getting those results back within 24 hours.
” Gates said that increasing the speed of testing is a “ near term ” goal , while “ enabling the therapeutics and vaccines ” would be a long-term priority for controlling the spread of the coronavirus .
`` You should not reimburse somebody for getting a test that it takes more than 48 hours to get the result back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says @ BillGates .
`` You need to get it back as soon as possible so that somebody can change their behavior . ''
pic.twitter.com/sIClPJ334F — Squawk Box ( @ SquawkCNBC ) July 28 , 2020 Gates was more optimistic about a vaccine , predicting that the ongoing development of drugs to combat COVID-19 would likely cause a “ substantial death rate reduction by the end of the year.
” The Microsoft co-founder , who is worth more than $ 112 billion , also chimed in on remote working , guessing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be “ less long-distance travel ” and “ more flexibility about jobs.
” Gates has warned for years that a pandemic could “ kill more than 30 million people in less than a year , ” and in June pledged $ 1.6 billion dollars to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , with $ 100 million going toward the development of a COVID-19 vaccine .

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In an interview with CNBC on Monday, Bill Gates had sharp criticism for the United State’s COVID-19 testing system, calling it a “complete waste” that requires a much shorter turnaround period to be truly effective.
“You should not reimburse somebody for getting a test that takes more than 48 hours to get a result back,” Gates said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “That test is a complete waste. And to all these numbers about how much we test, the majority is just a complete waste. You need to get [a test] back as soon as possible so that somebody can change their behavior — so that they’re not infecting other people.”
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Gates — who has studied infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness as part of his philanthropic work — went on to criticize the current process, in which Americans are often waiting “more than three days, sometimes seven days to get” test results, calling it “insane,” especially for underprivileged communities, which are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.
“Nobody should pay one dollar for that,” he said. “You need to prioritize. You need to make sure that ... low-income communities that are most at risk are getting those results back within 24 hours.”
Gates said that increasing the speed of testing is a “near term” goal, while “enabling the therapeutics and vaccines” would be a long-term priority for controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
"You should not reimburse somebody for getting a test that it takes more than 48 hours to get the result back. That test is a complete waste," says @BillGates. "You need to get it back as soon as possible so that somebody can change their behavior." pic.twitter.com/sIClPJ334F — Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) July 28, 2020
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Gates was more optimistic about a vaccine, predicting that the ongoing development of drugs to combat COVID-19 would likely cause a “substantial death rate reduction by the end of the year.”
The Microsoft co-founder, who is worth more than $112 billion, also chimed in on remote working, guessing that, in the near future, there would be “less long-distance travel” and “more flexibility about jobs.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Benedict Cumberbatch Surprised Fans In Comic Store As Doctor Strange In New Video

Scott Derrickson , the director and co-writer of “ Doctor Strange , ” on Monday night shared a “ never @ @ @ @ @ Cumberbatch , in full character regalia , casually walking into .
a comic book store @ @ @ @ @ the filming of the 2016 superhero flick .
Cumberbatch , very composed , strolls into @ @ @ @ @ with big smiles and a few double-takes .
He immediately strikes up a conversation with @ @ @ @ @ and a patron , who excitedly ask for photographs .
The whole exchange is just @ @ @

Scott Derrickson, the director and co-writer of “Doctor Strange,” on Monday night shared a “never before shown moment” of Cumberbatch, in full character regalia, casually walking into. a comic book store in New York City during the filming of the 2016 superhero flick.
Cumberbatch, very composed, strolls into the store and is met with big smiles and a few double-takes. He immediately strikes up a conversation with the man behind the counter and a patron, who excitedly ask for photographs.
The whole exchange is just downright joyful:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--COVID-19 Outbreak Postpones Yankees-Phillies Game For 2nd Straight Day

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) — The Phillies ’ scheduled game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night was postponed for the second straight day amid coronavirus concerns in the wake of an outbreak involving another team .
The Phillies were having a second round of COVID-19 tests Tuesday following an outbreak among the Miami Marlins , who played a weekend series in Philadelphia .
“ The fact that we haven ’ t had anyone test positive yet is great , but there ’ s too much at stake when you talk about players and their health and their family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There are guys that have little children at home or wives that are pregnant or a parent that is high risk .
There ’ s too much at risk here not to say : ‘ Hey , we ’ ve got to back off for two days and let ’ s make sure.
’ I think it ’ s smart what baseball is doing here and then we ’ ll go from there .
We had some players that probably had some trepidation ( playing against the Marlins ) on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Yankees spent Monday in a hotel in Philadelphia after the opener of the series was postponed .
They were returning to New York on Tuesday and are scheduled to host the Phillies on Wednesday and Thursday .
“ My fear always is , if there ’ s one person who has it , there ’ s probably more , ” Girardi said .
“ I don ’ t know if any of us thought there ’ d be , I think they ’ re up to 17 cases now , 15 players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were some anxious moments for me today not knowing the results I ’ d get for my team .
I think it ’ s really smart of baseball to wait one more day just because the incubation period is 2 to 14 days and I know we can ’ t wait 14 days .
But I think we have to be really smart about this and after thinking about it , I think that this could happen more than one time with an organization .
If everyone doesn ’ t play 60 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right .
We want to get to the playoffs .
That ’ s the important thing .
If a team plays 57 games , you go by winning percentage to take the playoff teams and you go from there.
” More than a dozen Marlins players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak that stranded the team in Philadelphia on Sunday , disrupting MLB ’ s schedule in the early days of the pandemic-delayed season .

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies’ scheduled game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night was postponed for the second straight day amid coronavirus concerns in the wake of an outbreak involving another team.
Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi confirmed the decision in an interview with MLB Network Radio.
The Phillies were having a second round of COVID-19 tests Tuesday following an outbreak among the Miami Marlins, who played a weekend series in Philadelphia.
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“The fact that we haven’t had anyone test positive yet is great, but there’s too much at stake when you talk about players and their health and their family’s health,” Girardi said. “There are guys that have little children at home or wives that are pregnant or a parent that is high risk. There’s too much at risk here not to say: ‘Hey, we’ve got to back off for two days and let’s make sure.’ I think it’s smart what baseball is doing here and then we’ll go from there. We had some players that probably had some trepidation (playing against the Marlins) on Sunday because there’s close contact.”
The Yankees spent Monday in a hotel in Philadelphia after the opener of the series was postponed. They were returning to New York on Tuesday and are scheduled to host the Phillies on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Phillies would take a bus to New York on Wednesday, pending the results of their latest COVID-19 tests.
“My fear always is, if there’s one person who has it, there’s probably more,” Girardi said. “I don’t know if any of us thought there’d be, I think they’re up to 17 cases now, 15 players, devastating for the Marlins. There were some anxious moments for me today not knowing the results I’d get for my team. I think it’s really smart of baseball to wait one more day just because the incubation period is 2 to 14 days and I know we can’t wait 14 days. But I think we have to be really smart about this and after thinking about it, I think that this could happen more than one time with an organization. If everyone doesn’t play 60 games, I think that’s all right. We want to get to the playoffs. That’s the important thing. If a team plays 57 games, you go by winning percentage to take the playoff teams and you go from there.”
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More than a dozen Marlins players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak that stranded the team in Philadelphia on Sunday, disrupting MLB’s schedule in the early days of the pandemic-delayed season.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--House Approves Creation Of Smithsonian Latinx Museum

The House on Monday approved legislation to begin the process of establishing a Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino in Washington , following more than two decades of advocacy for a national museum honoring Latinx people , history and culture .
“ The Latino story is an American story , and our history is a central thread in the history of our nation , ” Rep. Joaquin Castro ( D-Texas ) , a co-sponsor of the bill and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , said Monday .
“ Now , more than ever , America ’ s Latinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our voices to be heard.
” The bipartisan bill , passed by a voice vote , follows advocacy that began in 1994 , when a Smithsonian task force found the government-administered museums had “ willfully neglected ” Latinx people and culture in its programs , exhibits and collections .
In 2008 , President George W. Bush opened a presidential commission to study the possibility of creating the museum .
In 2011 , the commission ’ s members released a report saying construction would be feasible on the National Mall .
Under the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two years to evaluate and select from several proposed sites on the National Mall .
Half of the museum ’ s funds would come from the federal government , and half would come from donors and fundraising .
The Smithsonian already has a Latino Center dedicated to rotating exhibits and programs about Latinx history and culture .
In 2022 , it plans to open a permanent gallery space , housed within the National Museum of American History .
The process to create a permanent Latinx stand-alone museum would be similar to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American History and Culture , which opened in 2016 .
That museum has since become one of the Smithsonian ’ s most popular , receiving about 2 million visitors last year .
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian , focusing on Native and Indigenous peoples and cultures , opened in 2004 .
A similar process is underway for launching a Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center , which for years has been a temporary , rotating exhibition .
Advocates are trying to raise $ 25 million for a permanent gallery space on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bill now heads to the Senate , where it has bipartisan support .
It ’ s unclear if President Donald Trump — whose administration has been separating Latinx families at the U.S.-Mexico border and began his presidential campaign in 2015 by calling Latinx immigrants “ rapists ” — would sign it into law .

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The House on Monday approved legislation to begin the process of establishing a Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, following more than two decades of advocacy for a national museum honoring Latinx people, history and culture.
“The Latino story is an American story, and our history is a central thread in the history of our nation,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), a co-sponsor of the bill and chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said Monday. “Now, more than ever, America’s Latinos deserve to have our story told and our voices to be heard.”
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Previous legislation to create a museum, beginning in 2003, failed to gain traction.
In 2008, President George W. Bush opened a presidential commission to study the possibility of creating the museum. In 2011, the commission’s members released a report saying construction would be feasible on the National Mall.
Under the House bill, a board would have up to two years to evaluate and select from several proposed sites on the National Mall. Half of the museum’s funds would come from the federal government, and half would come from donors and fundraising.
The Smithsonian already has a Latino Center dedicated to rotating exhibits and programs about Latinx history and culture. In 2022, it plans to open a permanent gallery space, housed within the National Museum of American History.
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The process to create a permanent Latinx stand-alone museum would be similar to that of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016. That museum has since become one of the Smithsonian’s most popular, receiving about 2 million visitors last year.
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, focusing on Native and Indigenous peoples and cultures, opened in 2004.
A similar process is underway for launching a Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, which for years has been a temporary, rotating exhibition. Advocates are trying to raise $25 million for a permanent gallery space on the National Mall.
The Latinx museum House bill now heads to the Senate, where it has bipartisan support.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Neil Young Reveals The Final Straw Making Him Reconsider Suing Donald Trump

Young said earlier this month that he wouldn ’ t file legal action over Trump ’ s repeated unauthorized use of his music at campaign events because he didn ’ t want to distract the president from doing his job .
But in an open letter published on his website Sunday , Young said he was now “ reconsidering ” and “ looking at it again ” because of Trump ’ s order deploying militarized federal agents against social justice protesters in Portland , Oregon , and other cities .
Young , a longtime critic of the president , described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete disgrace , the way he plays citizens against one another for his own political gain.
” Rock icon Neil Young said he is `` reconsidering '' suing President Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of his music at political rallies .
“ When the states asked for help with Covid 19 , the president did not give it .
He said he ’ s not responsible , ” the musician continued .
“ When they said don ’ t bring military to our streets ― we don ’ t need that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political reasons ― not for America.
” He added : “ This rogue president is creating a much worse problem with his street thug army of uniformed hatred .
Imagine what it feels like to hear ‘ Rockin ’ in the Free World ’ after this President speaks , like it is his theme song .
I did not write it for that.
” Three of Young ’ s songs were played during Trump ’ s Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore , prompting Young to tweet : “ This is NOT ok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song “ Lookin ’ For A Leader ” with a dig at the president .
Three of Neil Young ’ s songs were played during President Donald Trump ’ s Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore .

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Rock icon Neil Young is having second thoughts about suing President Donald Trump.
Young said earlier this month that he wouldn’t file legal action over Trump’s repeated unauthorized use of his music at campaign events because he didn’t want to distract the president from doing his job.
But in an open letter published on his website Sunday, Young said he was now “reconsidering” and “looking at it again” because of Trump’s order deploying militarized federal agents against social justice protesters in Portland, Oregon, and other cities.
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Young, a longtime critic of the president, described Trump’s actions as “a complete disgrace, the way he plays citizens against one another for his own political gain.”
Rock icon Neil Young said he is "reconsidering" suing President Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of his music at political rallies. KGC-138/STAR MAX/IPx
“When the states asked for help with Covid 19, the president did not give it. He said he’s not responsible,” the musician continued. “When they said don’t bring military to our streets ― we don’t need that, he did it anyway for his own political reasons ― not for America.”
He added: “This rogue president is creating a much worse problem with his street thug army of uniformed hatred. Imagine what it feels like to hear ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ after this President speaks, like it is his theme song. I did not write it for that.”
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Three of Young’s songs were played during Trump’s Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore, prompting Young to tweet: “This is NOT ok with me…” and update his 2006 song “Lookin’ For A Leader” with a dig at the president.
The Canada-born rocker is a newly minted U.S. citizen living in California.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Madonna Shares Coronavirus Conspiracy Video And Says Cure Is Being Hidden

Madonna on Tuesday posted a video with misinformation about COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine , writing on Instagram that a vaccine for the virus had been developed but was being withheld to “ let the rich get richer.
” “ The truth will set us all Free !
But some people don ’ t want to hear the truth , ” the pop star wrote , per the BBC .
Instagram flagged her post for false information and noted there is no known cure for the coronavirus , Vulture reported .
The post was later removed .
The viral video , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deletion by Twitter , featured controversial Houston physician Dr. Stella Immanuel claiming she had treated hundreds of patients with hydroxychloroquine and prevented death .
She also said masks were not necessary .
Madonna posted a coronavirus conspiracy video and wrote that a cure had been found but was being hidden .
Studies have found the drug ineffective in treating the virus , with dangerous side effects .
Trump has repeatedly promoted it , and claimed to be taking it himself to ward off the sickness .
Singer Annie Lennox expressed shock that Madonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utter madness !
!
!
I can ’ t believe that you are endorsing this dangerous quackery , ” she wrote , per HuffPost UK .
“ Hopefully your site has been hacked and you ’ re just about to explain it.
” Madonna has courted coronavirus controversy before .
She called COVID-19 “ the great equalizer.
” After testing positive for antibodies , she wrote that she would take a drive and “ breathe in the COVID-19 air .
”

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The Material Girl is now the Coronavirus Conspiracist.
Madonna on Tuesday posted a video with misinformation about COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine, writing on Instagram that a vaccine for the virus had been developed but was being withheld to “let the rich get richer.”
“The truth will set us all Free! But some people don’t want to hear the truth,” the pop star wrote, per the BBC.
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Instagram flagged her post for false information and noted there is no known cure for the coronavirus, Vulture reported. The post was later removed.
The viral video, also retweeted by President Donald Trump before its deletion by Twitter, featured controversial Houston physician Dr. Stella Immanuel claiming she had treated hundreds of patients with hydroxychloroquine and prevented death. She also said masks were not necessary.
Madonna posted a coronavirus conspiracy video and wrote that a cure had been found but was being hidden. BEN STANSALL via Getty Images
Studies have found the drug ineffective in treating the virus, with dangerous side effects. Trump has repeatedly promoted it, and claimed to be taking it himself to ward off the sickness.
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Singer Annie Lennox expressed shock that Madonna spread the misinformation. “This is utter madness!!! I can’t believe that you are endorsing this dangerous quackery,” she wrote, per HuffPost UK. “Hopefully your site has been hacked and you’re just about to explain it.”
Madonna has courted coronavirus controversy before. She called COVID-19 “the great equalizer.” After testing positive for antibodies, she wrote that she would take a drive and “breathe in the COVID-19 air.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--What Public Health Experts Think About Expediting A Coronavirus Vaccine

Among their concerns : Early evidence that any vaccine works would lead to political pressure from the administration for emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration .
That conflict between science and politics might cause some people to not trust the vaccine and refuse to take it , which would undermine the global campaign to stop the pandemic .
Or it could lead to a product that is not fully protective .
Confidence in routine childhood vaccinations , already shaken , could decline further .
“ The fear is that you wind up doing to a vaccine what [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening ] school , ” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein , a former FDA deputy commissioner and a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore .
“ Take an important , difficult question and politicize it .
That ’ s what you want to avoid.
” On Monday at 6:45 a.m. , the first volunteer in the landmark phase 3 trial for the Moderna Therapeutics vaccine received a shot at a clinic in Savannah , Georgia .
Clinicians at 88 other sites , stretching from Miami to Seattle , also administered the experimental shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 people .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s leading infectious disease expert , told reporters he hoped 15,000 could be vaccinated by the end of the week , although he provided no information about progress toward that goal .
All volunteers would receive a second shot 29 days after their first inoculation .
( Half will receive a placebo containing saline solution . )
Another vaccine , produced by Pfizer with the German company BioNTech , also entered a large phase 3 U.S. trial this week .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health , which is partially funding the Moderna trial as well as tests for an Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine trial , and others in the future .
AstraZeneca has said some doses of its vaccine might be ready as early as September .
Fauci said he expects the Moderna trial to provide an answer about whether that vaccine works by the end of the year — and it ’ s “ conceivable ” an answer could come in October .
“ I doubt that , but we are leaving an open mind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see how that ’ s remotely possible unless the thing I most fear happens , a truncated phase 3 trial with just an idea of efficacy , an idea of common side effects , and then it rolls out , ” said Dr. Paul Offit , director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia .
With past vaccines , the FDA has generally relied on such a committee , made up mostly of vaccine experts and appointed by the FDA commissioner .
They typically conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting on whether the FDA should approve a vaccine .
The commissioner has rarely , if ever , gone against the committee ’ s decisions .
Hahn undercut confidence in the FDA ’ s independence earlier in the year , many observers felt , when he issued an Emergency Authorization Use declaration for hydroxychloroquine , a drug used to treat malaria that President Donald Trump and members of his administration have continued to tout , erroneously , as a cure for COVID-19 .
The FDA later revoked the authorization , which was made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , an answer could become clear after only 150 to 160 cases of disease are reported among the trial participants , Fauci said .
If roughly two-thirds of those cases occurred in non-vaccinated people , it would show statisticians that the vaccine had above-60 % efficacy , he said .
If the vaccine is 80 % to 90 % effective and the annual rate of infection in the places where it ’ s being tested is above 4 % , scientists could get a signal of efficacy in such a trial with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little as three months , said Ira Longini , a University of Florida biostatistician who designs vaccine trials .
The trial ’ s fate is partly in the hands of its 30-member Data and Safety Monitoring Board , whose members can see unblinded data about the participants in real time — pinpointing who was vaccinated with the actual vaccine and got sick , for example .
The board will alert the NIH and vaccine maker if it sees surprising data — either dangerous side effects or powerful efficacy .
Some fear that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early review , the FDA would be pressured to stop the trial .

undefined undefined via Getty Images Rendering 3d vaccine medicine bottle flu vaccine anti-vaccination and covid-19
The vaccine trial that Vice President Mike Pence kicked off in Miami on Monday gives the United States the tiniest chance of being ready to vaccinate millions of Americans just before Election Day.
It’s a possibility that fills many public health experts with dread.
Among their concerns: Early evidence that any vaccine works would lead to political pressure from the administration for emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration. That conflict between science and politics might cause some people to not trust the vaccine and refuse to take it, which would undermine the global campaign to stop the pandemic. Or it could lead to a product that is not fully protective. Confidence in routine childhood vaccinations, already shaken, could decline further.
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“The fear is that you wind up doing to a vaccine what [Trump has] already done with [opening] school,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a former FDA deputy commissioner and a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. “Take an important, difficult question and politicize it. That’s what you want to avoid.”
On Monday at 6:45 a.m., the first volunteer in the landmark phase 3 trial for the Moderna Therapeutics vaccine received a shot at a clinic in Savannah, Georgia. Clinicians at 88 other sites, stretching from Miami to Seattle, were also preparing to deliver the experimental shot in a trial that aims to enroll 30,000 people.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, told reporters he hoped 15,000 could be vaccinated by the end of the week, although he provided no information about progress toward that goal. All volunteers would receive a second shot 29 days after their first inoculation. (Half will receive a placebo containing saline solution.)
Another vaccine, produced by Pfizer with the German company BioNTech, also entered a large phase 3 U.S. trial this week. It’s being tested independently of the National Institutes of Health, which is partially funding the Moderna trial as well as tests for an Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine trial, and others in the future. AstraZeneca has said some doses of its vaccine might be ready as early as September.
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Fauci said he expects the Moderna trial to provide an answer about whether that vaccine works by the end of the year — and it’s “conceivable” an answer could come in October. “I doubt that, but we are leaving an open mind that it is a possibility.”
Such a fast pace worries some experts.
“I don’t see how that’s remotely possible unless the thing I most fear happens, a truncated phase 3 trial with just an idea of efficacy, an idea of common side effects, and then it rolls out,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Pence downplayed such fears Monday, telling reporters: “There will be no shortcuts. There will be no cutting corners.”
Officials are pressing for an open and transparent process.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, is preparing to release a bill requiring the FDA to have an expert panel review any COVID vaccine and issue a recommendation before FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn makes a decision.
With past vaccines, the FDA has generally relied on such a committee, made up mostly of vaccine experts and appointed by the FDA commissioner. They typically conduct a painstaking examination of all evidence before voting on whether the FDA should approve a vaccine. The commissioner has rarely, if ever, gone against the committee’s decisions.
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Hahn undercut confidence in the FDA’s independence earlier in the year, many observers felt, when he issued an Emergency Authorization Use declaration for hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria that President Donald Trump and members of his administration have continued to tout, erroneously, as a cure for COVID-19. The FDA later revoked the authorization, which was made without consulting an independent committee.
“FDA’s independence has been threatened, no question, by the hydroxychloroquine issue,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman, a Georgetown University professor who led the FDA’s biologics division and later was chief scientific officer.
The agency must give outside scientists and the public the opportunity to see the data and the FDA’s reasoning before coming to such a decision, he said.
Concerns about political interference arose recently when Trump talked excitedly about a vaccine, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confidently told reporters there would be a vaccine by the end of the year for emergency use.
To be sure, it’s unlikely the FDA would be tempted to issue an emergency release without data that showed a vaccine was working and not causing serious side effects.
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The massive coronavirus outbreaks in Texas and other hard-hit areas where the Moderna vaccine is being tested should provide an answer, although exactly when is an open question.
In theory, scientists might get a handle on a vaccine’s efficacy before all 30,000 people are enrolled, vaccinated and studied.
In fact, an answer could become clear after only 150 to 160 cases of disease are reported among the trial participants, Fauci said. If roughly two-thirds of those cases occurred in non-vaccinated people, it would show statisticians that the vaccine had above-60% efficacy, he said.
If the vaccine is 80% to 90% effective and the annual rate of infection in the places where it’s being tested is above 4%, scientists could get a signal of efficacy in such a trial with just 50 cases, or in as little as three months, said Ira Longini, a University of Florida biostatistician who designs vaccine trials.
The Moderna vaccine trial would hit that three-month threshold on Oct. 27.
The trial’s fate is partly in the hands of its 30-member Data and Safety Monitoring Board, whose members can see unblinded data about the participants in real time — pinpointing who was vaccinated with the actual vaccine and got sick, for example. The board will alert the NIH and vaccine maker if it sees surprising data — either dangerous side effects or powerful efficacy. Some fear that if the vaccine seems to work in an early review, the FDA would be pressured to stop the trial.
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Offit said NIH should not accept anything less than a completed trial of 30,000 people. Fifty cases “is a very small number” to use as evidence for releasing a vaccine that could be administered to tens of millions, he said.
The public might clamor for the release of any vaccine that seemed to work. Moderna said it has already begun producing millions of doses of vaccine “at risk,” banking on the vaccine’s success. The FDA could release those under powers provided when the country declared a public health emergency in March.
With more than half the country deeply mistrustful of Trump, according to recent polls, any federal decision could be resisted and lead to widespread rejection of even a promising vaccine. Sharfstein worries about a “knee-jerk” reaction against the vaccine by Democrats if Trump touts it before the election.
Experts also worry about releasing a vaccine that shows some positive effects but isn’t robustly protective. A slide presented by FDA deputy director Philip Krause at the World Health Organization earlier this month said a weak vaccine could fail to protect the public adequately, leading to a false sense of security in those who’ve received it, while making it harder to test future vaccines.
CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story gave the impression that all 89 sites involved in the landmark phase 3 trial for the Moderna Therapeutics vaccine started administering doses Monday. In fact, some sites aren’t enrolling and vaccinating volunteers until August.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--GOP Tucks $8 Billion For Military Weaponry Into Coronavirus Stimulus Bill

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A new $ 1 trillion COVID-19 response package by Senate Republicans is supposed to give the government more weapons to battle the surging coronavirus pandemic .
But GOP lawmakers have more than just the “ invisible enemy ” in mind .
The bill , drafted by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard Shelby , R-Ala. , would deposit $ 2.2 billion in Pentagon shipbuilding accounts , boost missile defense systems in California and Alaska and deliver about $ 1.4 billion for C-130 transport planes and F-35 fighters manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard unit in Montgomery , Alabama .
In several cases , Shelby proposes restoring cuts imposed by the administration that diverted almost $ 4 billion to help pay for the construction of President Donald Trump ’ s border wall .
The Pentagon won significant defense increases last year with passage of a budget agreement that erased automatic spending cuts known as sequestration .
The $ 8 billion weapons procurement package is part of a $ 29.4 billion defense portion of the GOP ’ s $ 1 trillion coronavirus response measure , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that money now would help build headroom into the annual defense funding bill that Congress plans to write later this year .
The outlook for Shelby ’ s proposed defense projects could be dim .
Democrats slammed the add-ons , and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that the final package should not stray from the coronavirus response .
The weapons bazaar galled Democrats whose votes will be required to pass the bill amid widespread divisions inside the Senate GOP conference on the measure .
They are pressing items such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting .
The administration never officially asked for the defense funding .
It instead delivered informal requests to the powerful lawmakers like Shelby who sit atop the defense funding panel , aides say .
Even those informal requests left out the $ 8 billion for items like planes , ships and missile defense systems , though the White House grew to embrace some of the items .
Endangered GOP Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona has been pressing a $ 650 million project to replace the wings of A-10 Thunderbolt ground support aircraft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force Base in Tucson .
There ’ s $ 49 million for Navy sonobuoys , listening devices that can detect submarines that are likely to be manufactured in Florida , according to an analysis by Democratic staff aides requiring anonymity to share internal working documents .
“ The defense industrial base — a lot of it ’ s been eroded right now .
A lot of people are off from work , ” Shelby said .
“ We ’ ve got a lot of suppliers involved in there.
” A Shelby spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial base is “ essential to our economy and to the defense of our nation ” and said the bill would support millions of jobs .
But further justification for the huge weapons procurement package — drawn in part from a Pentagon “ unfunded priorities ” wish list of items excluded from the official $ 740 billion or so defense budget — has been lacking .
The measure doesn ’ t say in many cases whether the money is going to buy additional aircraft and other weapons or provide additional money for existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense dollars that were diverted for border wall work , such as $ 260 million for a high-speed Navy transport ship to be built by Austal Ltd. in Mobile , Alabama .
The Austal shipyard is also the most likely contractor for “ four expeditionary medical ships.
” “ They turned the appropriations portion of the bill into a spending spree on weapons systems and a new federal building designed to block competition to the president ’ s hotel , ” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t feed hungry children.
” The package includes $ 1.8 billion to rebuild the FBI ’ s headquarters in downtown Washington .
The building is near the Trump International Hotel , and if the FBI moves the lot , it could be used to construct another hotel that would compete with Trump ’ s .
McConnell is moving to kill the idea after it attracted widespread media scrutiny and came under attack as unrelated to COVID-19 .
Shelby is among the last of a brazen breed of veteran Senate appropriators who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their states .
He also appears to be more independent than his predecessor , the late Sen. Thad Cochran , R-Miss .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A new $1 trillion COVID-19 response package by Senate Republicans is supposed to give the government more weapons to battle the surging coronavirus pandemic. But GOP lawmakers have more than just the “invisible enemy” in mind.
The Republican measure includes billions for F-35 fighters, Apache helicopters and infantry carriers sought by Washington’s powerful defense lobby. Overall, the proposal stuffs $8 billion into Pentagon weapons systems built by defense contractors like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics — corporate titans that sit atop the Washington influence industry.
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The bill, drafted by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard Shelby, R-Ala., would deposit $2.2 billion in Pentagon shipbuilding accounts, boost missile defense systems in California and Alaska and deliver about $1.4 billion for C-130 transport planes and F-35 fighters manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp. Some of the F-35s could be delivered to an Air National Guard unit in Montgomery, Alabama.
In several cases, Shelby proposes restoring cuts imposed by the administration that diverted almost $4 billion to help pay for the construction of President Donald Trump’s border wall. The Pentagon won significant defense increases last year with passage of a budget agreement that erased automatic spending cuts known as sequestration.
The $8 billion weapons procurement package is part of a $29.4 billion defense portion of the GOP’s $1 trillion coronavirus response measure, a White House-backed package released Monday. Providing that money now would help build headroom into the annual defense funding bill that Congress plans to write later this year.
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The outlook for Shelby’s proposed defense projects could be dim. Democrats slammed the add-ons, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday that the final package should not stray from the coronavirus response.
The weapons bazaar galled Democrats whose votes will be required to pass the bill amid widespread divisions inside the Senate GOP conference on the measure. They are pressing items such as food aid and funding for mail-in voting.
“We are not going to be supporting anything that does not acknowledge the incredible hardship people are facing on food,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
“Did you see the states it goes to? Maine. Arizona. Kentucky — we have a list,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., naming states where Republicans are defending seats in the fall election.
The administration never officially asked for the defense funding. It instead delivered informal requests to the powerful lawmakers like Shelby who sit atop the defense funding panel, aides say. Even those informal requests left out the $8 billion for items like planes, ships and missile defense systems, though the White House grew to embrace some of the items.
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The weapons package grew to include $1.1 billion to build Boeing Poseidon surveillance jets, manufactured in Washington and Kansas, with $283 million more for the company’s Army Apache helicopters, which are made in Mesa, Arizona.
Endangered GOP Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona has been pressing a $650 million project to replace the wings of A-10 Thunderbolt ground support aircraft, many of which are based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. There’s $49 million for Navy sonobuoys, listening devices that can detect submarines that are likely to be manufactured in Florida, according to an analysis by Democratic staff aides requiring anonymity to share internal working documents.
“The defense industrial base — a lot of it’s been eroded right now. A lot of people are off from work,” Shelby said. “We’ve got a lot of suppliers involved in there.” A Shelby spokesperson added that the country’s defense industrial base is “essential to our economy and to the defense of our nation” and said the bill would support millions of jobs.
But further justification for the huge weapons procurement package — drawn in part from a Pentagon “unfunded priorities” wish list of items excluded from the official $740 billion or so defense budget — has been lacking. The measure doesn’t say in many cases whether the money is going to buy additional aircraft and other weapons or provide additional money for existing contracts.
The Shelby measure would restore defense dollars that were diverted for border wall work, such as $260 million for a high-speed Navy transport ship to be built by Austal Ltd. in Mobile, Alabama. The Austal shipyard is also the most likely contractor for “four expeditionary medical ships.”
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Anniston, Alabama, is also a beneficiary, along with Lima, Ohio, of $375 million for Stryker Army combat vehicle upgrades. Shipyards in Mississippi and Maine would benefit from $250 million for shipbuilding industrial bases.
“They turned the appropriations portion of the bill into a spending spree on weapons systems and a new federal building designed to block competition to the president’s hotel,” said House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. “It’s clear to me that amphibious ships don’t feed hungry children.”
The package includes $1.8 billion to rebuild the FBI’s headquarters in downtown Washington. The building is near the Trump International Hotel, and if the FBI moves the lot, it could be used to construct another hotel that would compete with Trump’s. McConnell is moving to kill the idea after it attracted widespread media scrutiny and came under attack as unrelated to COVID-19.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--6 States In South, West Break Records For Coronavirus Deaths

( Reuters ) - A half-dozen U.S. states in the South and West reported one-day records for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday and cases in Texas passed the 400,000 mark as California health officials said Latinos made up more than half its cases .
In the United States more than 1,300 lives were lost on Tuesday , the biggest one-day increase since May , according to a Reuters tally .
California health officials said Latinos , who make up just over a third of the most populous U.S. state , account for 56 % of COVID-19 infections and 46 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Valley agricultural region , with its heavily Latino population , overwhelming hospitals .
The state on Tuesday reported 171 deaths .
Texas added more than 6,000 new cases on Monday , pushing its total to 401,477 , according to a Reuters tally .
Only three other states - California , Florida and New York - have more than 400,000 total cases .
The four are the most populous U.S. states .
California and Texas both reported decreases in overall hospitalizations as Dr. Anthony Fauci , a top U.S. infectious diseases expert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South and West while other areas were on the cusp of new outbreaks .
The rise in U.S. deaths and infections has dampened early hopes the country was past the worst of an economic crisis that has decimated businesses and put millions of Americans out of work .
The trend has fueled a bitter debate over the reopening of schools in the coming weeks .
President Donald Trump and members of his administration have pushed for students to return to class , while some teachers and local officials have called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all fronts for the safety of students and their educators , ” Randi Weingarten , president of the American Federation of Teachers , said during the union ’ s virtual convention on Tuesday .
“ It ’ s the 11th hour ; we need the resources now.
” The Texas Education Agency , the state ’ s overseer of public education , said it would deny funding to schools that delay in-person classes because of orders by local health authorities related to the pandemic .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blanket ” school closures for coronavirus prevention .
Any such decision is up to school officials , he said .
In Washington , some Republicans in the U.S. Senate pushed back against their own party ’ s $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief proposal the day after it was unveiled by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , weighing on U.S. stocks .
Democrats have rejected the plan as too limited compared with their $ 3 trillion proposal that passed the House of Representatives in May .
Some Republicans called it too expensive .
Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate Republican coronavirus relief legislation but would not elaborate .
Trump also groused about Fauci ’ s high approval ratings and joked “ nobody likes me ” as he struggles to improve his standing with voters over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic .

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(Reuters) - A half-dozen U.S. states in the South and West reported one-day records for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday and cases in Texas passed the 400,000 mark as California health officials said Latinos made up more than half its cases.
Arkansas, California, Florida, Montana, Oregon and Texas each reported record spikes in fatalities.
In the United States more than 1,300 lives were lost on Tuesday, the biggest one-day increase since May, according to a Reuters tally.
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California health officials said Latinos, who make up just over a third of the most populous U.S. state, account for 56% of COVID-19 infections and 46% of deaths. Cases are soaring in the Central Valley agricultural region, with its heavily Latino population, overwhelming hospitals. The state on Tuesday reported 171 deaths.
Florida saw 191 coronavirus deaths in the prior 24 hours, the state health department said.
Texas added more than 6,000 new cases on Monday, pushing its total to 401,477, according to a Reuters tally. Only three other states - California, Florida and New York - have more than 400,000 total cases. The four are the most populous U.S. states.
California and Texas both reported decreases in overall hospitalizations as Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top U.S. infectious diseases expert, saw signs the surge could be peaking in the South and West while other areas were on the cusp of new outbreaks.
Fauci said early indications showed the percentage of positive coronavirus tests rising in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky.
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TEACHERS’ UNION FIGHTS
The rise in U.S. deaths and infections has dampened early hopes the country was past the worst of an economic crisis that has decimated businesses and put millions of Americans out of work.
The trend has fueled a bitter debate over the reopening of schools in the coming weeks. President Donald Trump and members of his administration have pushed for students to return to class, while some teachers and local officials have called for online learning.
“We will fight on all fronts for the safety of students and their educators,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said during the union’s virtual convention on Tuesday. “It’s the 11th hour; we need the resources now.”
The Texas Education Agency, the state’s overseer of public education, said it would deny funding to schools that delay in-person classes because of orders by local health authorities related to the pandemic.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued guidance that health authorities cannot impose “blanket” school closures for coronavirus prevention. Any such decision is up to school officials, he said.
Local health leaders in the biggest metropolitan areas in Texas, including Houston and Dallas, have recently ordered the postponement of in-person classes.
In Washington, some Republicans in the U.S. Senate pushed back against their own party’s $1 trillion coronavirus relief proposal the day after it was unveiled by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, weighing on U.S. stocks.
“I’m not for borrowing another trillion dollars,” Republican Senator Rand Paul told reporters.
Democrats have rejected the plan as too limited compared with their $3 trillion proposal that passed the House of Representatives in May. Some Republicans called it too expensive.
Trump said on Tuesday he did not support everything in the Senate Republican coronavirus relief legislation but would not elaborate.
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“There are also things that I very much support,” he told a White House briefing. “But we’ll be negotiating.”
Trump also groused about Fauci’s high approval ratings and joked “nobody likes me” as he struggles to improve his standing with voters over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Trump Moans 'Nobody Likes Me,' And Twitter Critics Quickly Remind Him Why

President Donald Trump on Tuesday complained that people like Dr. Anthony Fauci more than him .
And his critics were quick to point out why .
“ He ’ s got this high approval rating , so why don ’ t I have a high approval rating with respect ― and the administration ― with respect to the virus ?
” Trump said at a news conference .
“ We should have it very high.
” Fauci is one of the nation ’ s leading infectious diseases experts and has been giving people the latest science-based information on the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video about the virus from a doctor who says she is also “ exposing incubus and succubus.
” The video was removed from social media for containing false information and supporting unproven treatments for COVID-19 .
But Trump on Tuesday seemed puzzled as to why he ’ s not as well-regarded as Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx , another member of the White House coronavirus task force .
“ They ’ re highly thought of , ” he said .
“ But nobody likes me .
It can only be my personality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 😂🤣😅 '' He 's got this high approval rating ... Why do n't I have a high approval rating ?
... Nobody likes me .
It could only be my personality .
I do n't know .
`` pic.twitter.com/tvv5hPWAYm — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly ( @ AynRandPaulRyan ) July 28 , 2020 Trump says Fauci 's poll numbers are high but `` nobody likes me . ''
This is what he thinks about , with 150,000 Americans dead due to the pandemic .
pic.twitter.com/HUI5dXxX6z — David Corn ( @ DavidCornDC ) July 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very highly thought of but nobody likes me .
It can only be my personality , that 's all . ''
# TrumpPressConference Cruelty , dishonesty , hubris and evil are rarely respected , but sure-let 's call it his `` personality . ''
pic.twitter.com/9UzbyVAhLI — Amee Vanderpool ( @ girlsreallyrule ) July 28 , 2020 The all-time greatest chyron appeared today on CNN : Trump As U.S. Nears 150,000 Deaths : `` Nobody Likes Me '' — Duty To Warn 🔉 ( @ duty2warn ) July 28 , 2020 Trump : nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't win the election , it will be because it was rigged .
— Leslie - 98 Days 🇺🇲🌊 ( @ Leslieoo7 ) July 29 , 2020 '' Why does everyone like Dr. Fauci and nobody likes me ?
Fauci Fauci Fauci ! ''
pic.twitter.com/rDmRjZQUyj — JeremyNewberger ( @ jeremynewberger ) July 28 , 2020 “ Why do n't I have a high approval rating ?
... Nobody likes me.
” This is the truest to come from Comrade Chump in 4 months.. .
— Anthony Scaramucci ( @ Scaramucci ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the day when 150K are dead from the coronavirus , the President bemoans his low approval rating , compared with his public health officials .
'.. they 're highly thought of , and nobody likes me . '
— Susan Glasser ( @ sbg1 ) July 28 , 2020 Almost 150,000 Americans are dead and the president is complaining that “ nobody likes me.
” Unbelievable .
pic.twitter.com/tLLC7rsxI2 — Voice of Reason ( @ RealJeffreyT ) July 28 , 2020 Pro talk here .
This is a prime example when you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to your advice or understand the negativity .
To quote Billy Joel : “ He ’ s never been able to learn from mistakes and ca n't understand why his heart always breaks ” # NobodyLikesMe https : //t.co/Wr3WY00Cat — Danny Deraney ( @ DannyDeraney ) July 28 , 2020

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday complained that people like Dr. Anthony Fauci more than him.
And his critics were quick to point out why.
“He’s got this high approval rating, so why don’t I have a high approval rating with respect ― and the administration ― with respect to the virus?” Trump said at a news conference. “We should have it very high.”
Fauci is one of the nation’s leading infectious diseases experts and has been giving people the latest science-based information on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
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Trump this week shared a video about the virus from a doctor who says she is also “exposing incubus and succubus.” The video was removed from social media for containing false information and supporting unproven treatments for COVID-19.
But Trump on Tuesday seemed puzzled as to why he’s not as well-regarded as Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, another member of the White House coronavirus task force.
“They’re highly thought of,” he said. “But nobody likes me. It can only be my personality, that’s all.”
Trump’s complaint caused #NobodyLikesMe to trend on Twitter:
Trump finally told the truth!
“Nobody likes me.”
— Donald Trump — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 29, 2020
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"...but nobody likes me." 🤦🏾♂🤦🏾♂🤦🏾♂ — Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) July 29, 2020
OMFG 😂🤣😅
"He's got this high approval rating...Why don't I have a high approval rating?...Nobody likes me. It could only be my personality. I don't know."pic.twitter.com/tvv5hPWAYm — Holly Figueroa O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) July 28, 2020
Trump says Fauci's poll numbers are high but "nobody likes me."
This is what he thinks about, with 150,000 Americans dead due to the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/HUI5dXxX6z — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) July 28, 2020
"And yet, they're very highly thought of but nobody likes me. It can only be my personality, that's all." #TrumpPressConference
Cruelty, dishonesty, hubris and evil are rarely respected, but sure-let's call it his "personality." pic.twitter.com/9UzbyVAhLI — Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) July 28, 2020
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The all-time greatest chyron appeared today on CNN:
Trump As U.S. Nears 150,000 Deaths: "Nobody Likes Me" — Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) July 28, 2020
Trump: nobody likes me.
Also Trump: if I don't win the election, it will be because it was rigged. — Leslie - 98 Days 🇺🇲🌊 (@Leslieoo7) July 29, 2020
"Why does everyone like Dr. Fauci and nobody likes me? Fauci Fauci Fauci!" pic.twitter.com/rDmRjZQUyj — JeremyNewberger (@jeremynewberger) July 28, 2020
“Why don't I have a high approval rating?...Nobody likes me.” This is the truest to come from Comrade Chump in 4 months.. . — Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 28, 2020
To recap: on the day when 150K are dead from the coronavirus, the President bemoans his low approval rating, compared with his public health officials. '.. they're highly thought of, and nobody likes me.' — Susan Glasser (@sbg1) July 28, 2020
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Almost 150,000 Americans are dead and the president is complaining that “nobody likes me.” Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/tLLC7rsxI2 — Voice of Reason (@RealJeffreyT) July 28, 2020
"Nobody likes me."
-A president responsible for over 150,000 dead Americans — Antifa SSGT Rick Havoc (@lib_owned) July 28, 2020
Almost 150,000 Americans are dead and the president is complaining that “nobody likes me.” Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/tLLC7rsxI2 — Voice of Reason (@RealJeffreyT) July 28, 2020
Pro talk here.
This is a prime example when you have a difficult client that won’t listen to your advice or understand the negativity.
To quote Billy Joel:
“He’s never been able to learn from mistakes and can't understand why his heart always breaks”#NobodyLikesMe https://t.co/Wr3WY00Cat — Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) July 28, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--Biden's Notes On Kamala Harris Captured By Photographer: 'Do Not Hold Grudges'

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) — Joe Biden was uncharacteristically tight-lipped on Tuesday about the final stretch of his search for a vice president .
But the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee seemed prepared to talk about at least one leading contender : California Sen. Kamala Harris .
As he took questions from reporters on Tuesday , Biden held notes that were captured by an Associated Press photographer .
Harris ’ name was scrawled across the top , followed by five talking points .
Those are all observations Biden has made about Harris before .
But they take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one of Biden ’ s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee , former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd , still harbors concerns about Harris ’ tough debate stage performance and that she hasn ’ t expressed regret .
The notes of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden reference Sen. Kamala Harris , among other things as he speaks at a campaign event at the William `` Hicks '' Anderson Community Center in Wilmington , Del.
, on July 28 , 2020 .
The comments attributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influential Democratic women who maintain that Harris is being held to a standard that wouldn ’ t apply to a man running for president .
The debate-stage skirmish was one of the seminal moments of the Democratic primary .
Harris , who is Black , said Biden made “ very hurtful ” comments about his past work with segregationist senators before she slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate .
“ There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school every day , ” she said .
“ And that little girl was me.
” Biden has praised Harris publicly many times and noted that he ’ s thought highly of her personally and professionally since she became close to his late son , Beau Biden , when both were state attorneys general .
The notes of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden reference Sen. Kamala Harris , among other things as he speaks at a campaign event at the William `` Hicks '' Anderson Community Center in Wilmington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is common for high-profile politicians to take notes with them to the podium , either handwritten additions to formal remarks or a bullet-point list like what Biden held on stationery featuring his full name : Joseph R. Biden Jr .
In March , early in the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump ’ s notes were photographed to show “ Chinese ” written over “ corona , ” part of the president ’ s efforts to blame the pandemic on a foreign adversary .
Last year , as Trump faced impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection by finding dirt on Biden , the president had notes that read : “ I want nothing ” and “ I want no quid pro quo.
” Biden ’ s list , at the least , suggests that he wants to defuse any tensions around his relationship with Harris .
As reflected in his notes , Harris has become a reliable surrogate for Biden , appearing with him in online fundraisers amid the unusual social distancing standards forced on the campaign by the COVID-19 pandemic .
As recently as last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one focused on the Raleigh area in North Carolina , a battleground state where Harris ’ dual appeal to Black voters and college-educated white women could boost Democrats ’ prospects .
In just his third extended news conference in four months , Biden also sidestepped specific questions about the timing of his decision on a running mate , an approach reflected in another entry on Biden ’ s notepad .
Under the heading “ VP , ” Biden wrote “ highly qualified ” and “ diverse group , ” signifying his intention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beyond vice presidential politics , Biden ’ s topics included the Justice Department , an allusion to Attorney General William Barr testifying Tuesday on Capitol Hill .
His notes did not name Barr , but Biden referenced “ the people ’ s lawyer … not the president ’ s lawyer , ” echoing his previous assertions that Barr has used his post as the latter .

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WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden was uncharacteristically tight-lipped on Tuesday about the final stretch of his search for a vice president. But the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee seemed prepared to talk about at least one leading contender: California Sen. Kamala Harris.
As he took questions from reporters on Tuesday, Biden held notes that were captured by an Associated Press photographer. Harris’ name was scrawled across the top, followed by five talking points.
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“Do not hold grudges.” “Campaigned with me & Jill.” “Talented.” “Great help to campaign.” “Great respect for her.”
Those are all observations Biden has made about Harris before. But they take on new significance following a recent Politico report that one of Biden’s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, still harbors concerns about Harris’ tough debate stage performance and that she hasn’t expressed regret.
The notes of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden reference Sen. Kamala Harris, among other things as he speaks at a campaign event at the William "Hicks" Anderson Community Center in Wilmington, Del., on July 28, 2020. Associated Press
The comments attributed to Dodd have drawn condemnation, especially from influential Democratic women who maintain that Harris is being held to a standard that wouldn’t apply to a man running for president.
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The debate-stage skirmish was one of the seminal moments of the Democratic primary. Harris, who is Black, said Biden made “very hurtful” comments about his past work with segregationist senators before she slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate.
“There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day,” she said. “And that little girl was me.”
At the time, Biden called her comments “a mischaracterization of my position.”
Their relationship has become considerably more amicable.
Biden has praised Harris publicly many times and noted that he’s thought highly of her personally and professionally since she became close to his late son, Beau Biden, when both were state attorneys general.
The notes of Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden reference Sen. Kamala Harris, among other things as he speaks at a campaign event at the William "Hicks" Anderson Community Center in Wilmington, Del., on July 28, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS / Andrew Harnik
It is common for high-profile politicians to take notes with them to the podium, either handwritten additions to formal remarks or a bullet-point list like what Biden held on stationery featuring his full name: Joseph R. Biden Jr.
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In March, early in the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump’s notes were photographed to show “Chinese” written over “corona,” part of the president’s efforts to blame the pandemic on a foreign adversary. Last year, as Trump faced impeachment for pressuring Ukraine officials to help his reelection by finding dirt on Biden, the president had notes that read: “I want nothing” and “I want no quid pro quo.”
Biden’s list, at the least, suggests that he wants to defuse any tensions around his relationship with Harris. As reflected in his notes, Harris has become a reliable surrogate for Biden, appearing with him in online fundraisers amid the unusual social distancing standards forced on the campaign by the COVID-19 pandemic. As recently as last week, Harris headlined her own event for Biden, one focused on the Raleigh area in North Carolina, a battleground state where Harris’ dual appeal to Black voters and college-educated white women could boost Democrats’ prospects.
Biden ultimately did not field a question specifically about Harris. A spokesperson for Harris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In just his third extended news conference in four months, Biden also sidestepped specific questions about the timing of his decision on a running mate, an approach reflected in another entry on Biden’s notepad. Under the heading “VP,” Biden wrote “highly qualified” and “diverse group,” signifying his intention not to tease out any more details.
Beyond vice presidential politics, Biden’s topics included the Justice Department, an allusion to Attorney General William Barr testifying Tuesday on Capitol Hill. His notes did not name Barr, but Biden referenced “the people’s lawyer … not the president’s lawyer,” echoing his previous assertions that Barr has used his post as the latter.
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On the “Last 100 days” of the campaign, Biden wrote that he’d be “offering clearest contrast,” “tell the truth,” “take responsibility” and “listen to the scientists” – all swipes at Trump.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Anderson Cooper Taunts Trump With Baby Talk For Fleeing News Conference

Anderson Cooper mocked President Donald Trump on Tuesday for fleeing a press conference rather than answer a question he didn @ @ @ @ @ in the day , Trump defended his decision to share a video of a sketchy @ @ @ @ @ unsafe treatment for the coronavirus infection .
That same doctor , the CNN host noted @ @ @ @ @ videos warning of sex witches and posted demands on social media for urine from Dr. @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump hailed her as “ very impressive ” and “ an important voice , @ @ @ @ @ more details , he abruptly ended the news conference and walked out .
“ Aww @ @ @ @ @ the woom , ” Cooper said .
“ Mmmm .
Too many questions .
Not @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m gon na leave.
” See Cooper ’ s full segment about Trump @ @ @ @ @ ” actions on the coronavirus below : Important conversations are happening now .
Add your @ @ @ @ @ !

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Anderson Cooper mocked President Donald Trump on Tuesday for fleeing a press conference rather than answer a question he didn’t like.
Earlier in the day, Trump defended his decision to share a video of a sketchy doctor promoting an unproven and unsafe treatment for the coronavirus infection. That same doctor, the CNN host noted, had also made YouTube videos warning of sex witches and posted demands on social media for urine from Dr. Anthony Fauci and CNN personalities.
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Trump hailed her as “very impressive” and “an important voice,” but when pressed for more details, he abruptly ended the news conference and walked out.
Cooper mocked him using baby talk.
“Aww. He wan out of the woom,” Cooper said. “Mmmm. Too many questions. Not the questions I wanted. I’m gonna leave.”
See Cooper’s full segment about Trump’s “dangerously irresponsible” actions on the coronavirus below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-28--MacKenzie Scott Has Donated $1.7 Billion Since Divorce From Jeff Bezos

MacKenzie Scott , the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos , said Tuesday she has donated nearly $ 1.7 billion to more than 100 charitable organizations following her divorce from the Amazon founder last year .
Scott wrote in a lengthy blog post that she was troubled by the events of this year but had worked with a group of advisers to support nonprofits linked to human rights , environmental and social causes .
The move comes after she signed the Giving Pledge , a public promise among the world ’ s richest people to donate at least half of their wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no question in my mind that anyone ’ s personal wealth is the product of a collective effort , and of social structures which present opportunities to some people , and obstacles to countless others , ” Scott wrote in the post .
“ Like many , I watched the first half of 2020 with a mixture of heartbreak and horror .
Life will never stop finding fresh ways to expose inequities in our systems.
” Following up on the commitment I made last year to give away the majority of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //t.co/Ocb8eU5UR1 .
( Note my Medium account is under my new last name -- changed back to middle name I grew up with , after my grandfather Scott . )
— MacKenzie Scott ( @ mackenziebezos ) July 28 , 2020 To date , Scott has donated more than $ 586 million to racial equity initiatives , $ 46 million to LGBTQ groups , $ 133 million to gender equity causes and $ 125 million to climate change efforts .
Her list of beneficiaries includes major nonprofits including Lambda Legal , The Nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as Seattle-based charities including the United Way of King County .
“ I recommend these organizations to anyone similarly excited by the idea of empowering leaders well-positioned to accelerate progress , ” Scott wrote .
“ Every one of them is tackling complex challenges that will require sustained effort over many years , while simultaneously addressing consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” All of the donations were unrestricted unless groups asked otherwise , Scott noted , in order to provide organizations with “ maximum flexibility.
” “ It ’ s surreal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American Indian Graduate Center and a beneficiary of Scott ’ s giving , told The Seattle Times .
“ The fact that it is unrestricted really speaks to [ Scott ’ s ] trust in us to really promote racial equity and justice .
It empowers us to do what is right for our community.
” Reuters notes that at the time of her divorce , Scott ’ s 4 % stake in Amazon was worth about $ 36 billion , making her one of the richest women in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 60 billion this year following dramatic leaps in Amazon ’ s share price .
Bezos himself has not taken a similar pledge to donate a majority of his wealth , although he has announced multibillion-dollar philanthropic endeavors this year , including a $ 10 billion fund to tackle climate change .
In her post , Scott said she would continue to speak of the organizations she chose to support “ as my giving continues in the months and years to come.
” “ Though this work is ongoing and will last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an update today because my own reflection after recent events revealed a dividend of privilege I ’ d been overlooking : the attention I can call to organizations and leaders driving change , ” she wrote .

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MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, said Tuesday she has donated nearly $1.7 billion to more than 100 charitable organizations following her divorce from the Amazon founder last year.
Scott wrote in a lengthy blog post that she was troubled by the events of this year but had worked with a group of advisers to support nonprofits linked to human rights, environmental and social causes. The move comes after she signed the Giving Pledge, a public promise among the world’s richest people to donate at least half of their wealth throughout their lifetimes.
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“There’s no question in my mind that anyone’s personal wealth is the product of a collective effort, and of social structures which present opportunities to some people, and obstacles to countless others,” Scott wrote in the post. “Like many, I watched the first half of 2020 with a mixture of heartbreak and horror. Life will never stop finding fresh ways to expose inequities in our systems.”
Following up on the commitment I made last year to give away the majority of my wealth in my lifetime: https://t.co/Ocb8eU5UR1. (Note my Medium account is under my new last name -- changed back to middle name I grew up with, after my grandfather Scott.) — MacKenzie Scott (@mackenziebezos) July 28, 2020
To date, Scott has donated more than $586 million to racial equity initiatives, $46 million to LGBTQ groups, $133 million to gender equity causes and $125 million to climate change efforts. Her list of beneficiaries includes major nonprofits including Lambda Legal, The Nature Conservancy and the National Urban League, as well as Seattle-based charities including the United Way of King County.
“I recommend these organizations to anyone similarly excited by the idea of empowering leaders well-positioned to accelerate progress,” Scott wrote. “Every one of them is tackling complex challenges that will require sustained effort over many years, while simultaneously addressing consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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All of the donations were unrestricted unless groups asked otherwise, Scott noted, in order to provide organizations with “maximum flexibility.”
“It’s surreal,” Angelique Albert, executive director of the American Indian Graduate Center and a beneficiary of Scott’s giving, told The Seattle Times. “The fact that it is unrestricted really speaks to [Scott’s] trust in us to really promote racial equity and justice. It empowers us to do what is right for our community.”
Very grateful to be featured - thank you so much! 💚 — The Nature Conservancy (@nature_org) July 28, 2020
Reuters notes that at the time of her divorce, Scott’s 4% stake in Amazon was worth about $36 billion, making her one of the richest women in the world. That figure has surged to more than $60 billion this year following dramatic leaps in Amazon’s share price.
Bezos himself has not taken a similar pledge to donate a majority of his wealth, although he has announced multibillion-dollar philanthropic endeavors this year, including a $10 billion fund to tackle climate change.
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In her post, Scott said she would continue to speak of the organizations she chose to support “as my giving continues in the months and years to come.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Tucker Carlson Broadcasts Video Filled With False And Dangerous COVID-19 Claims

Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night aired part of a video that multiple social media platforms had pulled earlier in the day because it contained dangerous false claims about the coronavirus .
Facebook , Twitter and YouTube yanked the clip featuring doctors touting unproven cures and treatments for COVID-19 and dismissing face masks to curb the spread of the contagion , contrary to the advice of public health experts .
Carlson defended the content of the clip , originally shared by the right-wing news site Breitbart , and claimed social media companies yanked it as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election , echoing previous rants .
“ Any scientific advancement that reduces the suffering of Americans in an election year is a threat to Joe Biden ’ s campaign , ” claimed the host of “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” “ Now , if Democrats want to erase a politically inconvenient news story fewer than 100 days before an election , they can do that , and they did do it , ” continued Carlson , who earlier this month abruptly took an unexpected vacation from his prime time show after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal .
“ Big tech censored science , ” alleged Carlson .
“ They pulled the video of doctors in lab coats talking about coronavirus research and they hid that video from the public .
That ’ s exactly what the Chinese government so often does , except when Silicon Valley erases your freedoms , they lecture you as they do it .
They ’ ve got all the ruthlessness of Chinese authoritarians but with double the self-righteousness .
It ’ s the American version.
” “ Thankfully , none of this applies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added , teeing up the clip for viewers .
“ We happen to work for one of the very few mass media companies left in America that is not controlled by Google or Facebook .
We can report the news honestly , ” Carlson said without a hint of irony .
“ Big tech can ’ t censor us , at least , not right now .
You ’ re not allowed to watch these physicians on YouTube tonight , but we can show them to you here , and we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump defended spreading the misinformation video and continued promoting hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment , even though studies have shown it ineffective and possibly dangerous .
The president abruptly ended his news briefing after reporters asked about a doctor in the video , a full-blown conspiracy theorist who has a history of claiming “ demon sperm ” causes a uterine condition .

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Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night aired part of a video that multiple social media platforms had pulled earlier in the day because it contained dangerous false claims about the coronavirus.
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube yanked the clip featuring doctors touting unproven cures and treatments for COVID-19 and dismissing face masks to curb the spread of the contagion, contrary to the advice of public health experts.
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Carlson defended the content of the clip, originally shared by the right-wing news site Breitbart, and claimed social media companies yanked it as part of a Democratic plot to defeat Trump in the 2020 election, echoing previous rants.
“Any scientific advancement that reduces the suffering of Americans in an election year is a threat to Joe Biden’s campaign,” claimed the host of “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
“Now, if Democrats want to erase a politically inconvenient news story fewer than 100 days before an election, they can do that, and they did do it,” continued Carlson, who earlier this month abruptly took an unexpected vacation from his prime time show after his former writer quit amid a racist tweets scandal.
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“Big tech censored science,” alleged Carlson. “They pulled the video of doctors in lab coats talking about coronavirus research and they hid that video from the public. That’s exactly what the Chinese government so often does, except when Silicon Valley erases your freedoms, they lecture you as they do it. They’ve got all the ruthlessness of Chinese authoritarians but with double the self-righteousness. It’s the American version.”
“Thankfully, none of this applies to us at Fox News,” he added, teeing up the clip for viewers.
“We happen to work for one of the very few mass media companies left in America that is not controlled by Google or Facebook. We can report the news honestly,” Carlson said without a hint of irony. “Big tech can’t censor us, at least, not right now. You’re not allowed to watch these physicians on YouTube tonight, but we can show them to you here, and we are going to.”
Earlier in the day, Trump defended spreading the misinformation video and continued promoting hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, even though studies have shown it ineffective and possibly dangerous. The president abruptly ended his news briefing after reporters asked about a doctor in the video, a full-blown conspiracy theorist who has a history of claiming “demon sperm” causes a uterine condition.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Devin Nunes Champions ‘Free Speech,' Gets Scathing Reminder Of His Hypocrisy

Rep. Devin Nunes ’ ( R-Calif. ) on Wednesday claimed to be a free-speech champion , but he was quickly reminded he is not .
The GOP lawmaker last year sued Twitter and a series of parody accounts on the platform ― including the @ DevinCow profile that pretends to be his cow ― alleging they defamed him .
So , Nunes on Wednesday was called out after urging his 1.1 million followers to ditch “ the Twitter sewer ” and follow him to the right-wing Parler platform , where users are “ living in freedom !
” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Twitter sewer ( My Space II ) we are over at Parler living in freedom !
pic.twitter.com/rgJoG6JnIR — Devin Nunes ( @ DevinNunes ) July 29 , 2020 The @ DevinCow account was , perhaps predictably , among the first to mock Nunes ’ tweet : Nunes , an ardent defender of President Donald Trump , passed secret intelligence to the White House in 2017 about the probe into the Trump campaign ’ s ties to Russian election interference .
Many tweeters welcomed Nunes ’ apparent departure from Twitter , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account of the president ’ s son , Donald Trump Jr. , for promoting a misleading video about the coronavirus .
The president retweeted the video .
Others noted Nunes ’ hypocrisy of calling for “ free speech , ” given his legal action to silence the cow account .
The lawsuit has reportedly hit a dead end .
“ WE ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN AT OUR PARTY .
THATS WHY WE ARE BEGGING YOU TO COME .
BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN .
NOT BECAUSE ITS , LIKE , THREE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — The Hoarse Whisperer ( @ HoarseWisperer ) July 29 , 2020 Devin says he 's on Parler and yet he keeps showing up here .
He 's like Shrodinger 's cat 's hacked up fur ball .
— JackWBower ( @ Trumpet1984 ) July 29 , 2020 You 're like that drunk that nobody likes that keeps swaying in the doorway and threatening to leave the party .
— J H Sked Nazis Don ’ t Deserve Safe Spaces # FBPE ( @ JHSked ) July 29 , 2020 @ DevinNunes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed him to Parler .
pic.twitter.com/Bljb5O5H2v — Devin Nunes ' Alt-Mom ( @ NunesAlt ) July 29 , 2020 No one missed you , Buddy .
Didn ’ t need to come back .
Now , head on back over to all your little friends whining that everyone is out to get them .
— Kurt Eichenwald ( @ kurteichenwald ) July 29 , 2020 Does he know that , by tweeting this , Congressman Nunes is also still here in the `` Twitter sewer '' ?
Also , the congressman does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Kyle Griffin ( @ kylegriffin1 ) July 29 , 2020 ALERT- There are still people in your district without clean drinking water and thousands infected with COVID-19 while you 're `` living in freedom '' on Parler .
https : //t.co/MBiT7SxvDq — Phil Arballo ( @ PhilArballo2020 ) July 29 , 2020 You 're the guy standing at the door of the party saying WELL I GUESS I 'LL BE GOING for the fourth time and no one 's turned around .
https : //t.co/7fXzZxfOXo — Fade In ( @ fadeinsoftware @ @ @ @ @

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Rep. Devin Nunes’ (R-Calif.) on Wednesday claimed to be a free-speech champion, but he was quickly reminded he is not.
The GOP lawmaker last year sued Twitter and a series of parody accounts on the platform ― including the @DevinCow profile that pretends to be his cow ― alleging they defamed him.
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So, Nunes on Wednesday was called out after urging his 1.1 million followers to ditch “the Twitter sewer” and follow him to the right-wing Parler platform, where users are “living in freedom!” he wrote.
ALERT- If you are still here in the Twitter sewer (My Space II) we are over at Parler living in freedom! pic.twitter.com/rgJoG6JnIR — Devin Nunes (@DevinNunes) July 29, 2020
The @DevinCow account was, perhaps predictably, among the first to mock Nunes’ tweet:
Nunes, an ardent defender of President Donald Trump, passed secret intelligence to the White House in 2017 about the probe into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russian election interference.
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Many tweeters welcomed Nunes’ apparent departure from Twitter, which earlier in the day partially suspended the account of the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., for promoting a misleading video about the coronavirus. The president retweeted the video.
Others noted Nunes’ hypocrisy of calling for “free speech,” given his legal action to silence the cow account. The lawsuit has reportedly hit a dead end.
Good. Stay off Twitter. — Nancy Hernandez (@nanelvisfan) July 29, 2020
Do they sue pretend cows there too — RidiculousIllegalUnfairHat (@Popehat) July 29, 2020
“WE ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN AT OUR PARTY. THATS WHY WE ARE BEGGING YOU TO COME. BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH FUN. NOT BECAUSE ITS, LIKE, THREE OF US SITTING AROUND TALKING TO OURSELVES.” — The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) July 29, 2020
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Devin says he's on Parler and yet he keeps showing up here.
He's like Shrodinger's cat's hacked up fur ball. — JackWBower (@Trumpet1984) July 29, 2020
You're like that drunk that nobody likes that keeps swaying in the doorway and threatening to leave the party. — J H Sked Nazis Don’t Deserve Safe Spaces #FBPE (@JHSked) July 29, 2020
@DevinNunes walking back over to Twitter after nobody followed him to Parler. pic.twitter.com/Bljb5O5H2v — Devin Nunes' Alt-Mom (@NunesAlt) July 29, 2020
Stop trying to make fetch happen. — Kevin Sussman (@KevinSussman) July 29, 2020
No one missed you, Buddy. Didn’t need to come back. Now, head on back over to all your little friends whining that everyone is out to get them. — Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) July 29, 2020
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Does he know that, by tweeting this, Congressman Nunes is also still here in the "Twitter sewer"? Also, the congressman doesn't seem to understand how free speech works. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 29, 2020
So the fake cow account won, then https://t.co/IDEx1Rj0d4 — Jack McLoone (@jfmclooney) July 29, 2020
You’re suing a fictitious cow because you didn’t like their tweets. — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) July 29, 2020
So delete your account bro https://t.co/snmhaXlrqZ — Kelly Roberts (@KellyKKRoberts) July 29, 2020
Glad you found a safe space https://t.co/VijXmOJtz3 — Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) July 29, 2020
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Glad to see Devin is hard at work as usual. https://t.co/4U8XdfTUFH — Max Burns (@themaxburns) July 29, 2020
MOOOOOOOOOOVE along to Parler. Bye Devin 🐮🐄🐮🐄 pic.twitter.com/t8pNdcM2ud — holiday, Rogue Antifa Jedi (@Holiday1326) July 29, 2020
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ALERT- There are still people in your district without clean drinking water and thousands infected with COVID-19 while you're "living in freedom" on Parler. https://t.co/MBiT7SxvDq — Phil Arballo (@PhilArballo2020) July 29, 2020
You're the guy standing at the door of the party saying WELL I GUESS I'LL BE GOING for the fourth time and no one's turned around. https://t.co/7fXzZxfOXo — Fade In (@fadeinsoftware) July 29, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-29--Pramila Jayapal Dismantles Bill Barr In Fiery Takedown Over Protest Treatment

Rep. Pramila Jayapal ( D-Wash. ) became a social media sensation on Tuesday after having a heated exchange with Attorney General William Barr .
During Barr ’ s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee , Jayapal called him out for using federal law enforcement agents wearing combat gear to suppress Black Lives Matter protests in Oregon while ignoring armed Trump supporters in Michigan who stormed the state ’ s capitol building to protest coronavirus shutdowns .
“ When white men with swastikas storm a government building with guns , there is no need for the president to ‘ activate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s personal agenda done .
But when Black people and people of color protest police brutality , systemic racism and the president ’ s very own lack of response to those critical issues , then you forcibly remove them with armed federal officers , pepper bombs , because they are considered terrorists by the president , ” Jayapal said , adding : “ You take an aggressive approach to Black Lives Matter protests but not to right-wing extremists threatening to lynch the governor , if it ’ s for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it right , Mr. Barr ?
” Barr replied that his agents were in Portland to protect federal property and the protests in Michigan happened on state property .
However , the agents in Portland have been blocking and arresting demonstrators blocks away from federal buildings .
There is a federal building right across the street from the Michigan State Capitol , which houses courts , a post office , the U.S .
Marshals and other federal offices .
Yet neither Trump nor Barr seemed to have an issue with the protests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of the demonstrators carried pro-Trump signs and banners as well as weapons .
Trump ’ s main response to the incident was this tweet , which only encouraged more armed protests :

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Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) became a social media sensation on Tuesday after having a heated exchange with Attorney General William Barr.
During Barr’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Jayapal called him out for using federal law enforcement agents wearing combat gear to suppress Black Lives Matter protests in Oregon while ignoring armed Trump supporters in Michigan who stormed the state’s capitol building to protest coronavirus shutdowns.
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“When white men with swastikas storm a government building with guns, there is no need for the president to ‘activate’ you because they’re getting the president’s personal agenda done. But when Black people and people of color protest police brutality, systemic racism and the president’s very own lack of response to those critical issues, then you forcibly remove them with armed federal officers, pepper bombs, because they are considered terrorists by the president,” Jayapal said, adding:
“You take an aggressive approach to Black Lives Matter protests but not to right-wing extremists threatening to lynch the governor, if it’s for the president’s benefit. Did I get it right, Mr. Barr?”
Barr replied that his agents were in Portland to protect federal property and the protests in Michigan happened on state property. However, the agents in Portland have been blocking and arresting demonstrators blocks away from federal buildings.
There is a federal building right across the street from the Michigan State Capitol, which houses courts, a post office, the U.S. Marshals and other federal offices. Yet neither Trump nor Barr seemed to have an issue with the protests in Michigan despite their proximity to federal property. Many of the demonstrators carried pro-Trump signs and banners as well as weapons.
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Trump’s main response to the incident was this tweet, which only encouraged more armed protests: