thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Mitch McConnell Is A Spineless Garden Pest In Jim Carrey’s Latest Artwork

Jim Carrey puts Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) on notice with his new cartoon .
The actor-artist warned McConnell that “ all greedy garden pests and political invertebrates will be mowed down ” and “ your Senatorial infestation ends in 2020 ” in the caption of this picture he tweeted Tuesday : It ’ s comin ’ Mitch !
Soon all greedy garden pests and political invertebrates will be mowed down .
Your Senatorial infestation ends in 2020. pic.twitter.com/WfrZluFFag — Jim Carrey ( @ JimCarrey ) June 23 , 2020 McConnell won the GOP Senate primary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for a November election against Amy McGrath or Charles Booker , whose Democratic primary result was still too close to call Wednesday morning .
Carrey in September 2019 called out McConnell ’ s failure to bring gun control legislation to the Senate floor , suggesting he posed a worse threat to the United States than al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden did .
“ 10,000 gun deaths in 2019 and the year is far from over , ” wrote Carrey .
“ What Osama bin Laden did to us was terrible but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mitch McConnell.
” 10,000 gun deaths in 2019 and the year is far from over .
What Osama bin Laden did to us was terrible but he doesn ’ t hold a candle to Mitch McConnell .
pic.twitter.com/o68JXxWlUX — Jim Carrey ( @ JimCarrey ) September 4 , 2019

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Jim Carrey puts Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on notice with his new cartoon.
The actor-artist warned McConnell that “all greedy garden pests and political invertebrates will be mowed down” and “your Senatorial infestation ends in 2020” in the caption of this picture he tweeted Tuesday:
It’s comin’ Mitch! Soon all greedy garden pests and political invertebrates will be mowed down. Your Senatorial infestation ends in 2020. pic.twitter.com/WfrZluFFag — Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 23, 2020
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McConnell won the GOP Senate primary in Kentucky on Tuesday.
It sets him up for a November election against Amy McGrath or Charles Booker, whose Democratic primary result was still too close to call Wednesday morning.
Carrey in September 2019 called out McConnell’s failure to bring gun control legislation to the Senate floor, suggesting he posed a worse threat to the United States than al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden did.
“10,000 gun deaths in 2019 and the year is far from over,” wrote Carrey. “What Osama bin Laden did to us was terrible but he doesn’t hold a candle to Mitch McConnell.”
10,000 gun deaths in 2019 and the year is far from over. What Osama bin Laden did to us was terrible but he doesn’t hold a candle to Mitch McConnell. pic.twitter.com/o68JXxWlUX — Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) September 4, 2019


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Don Lemon Issues 'Dire Warning' About How To Survive Coronavirus Under Trump

Don Lemon said on Wednesday that Americans need to tune out President Donald Trump if they hope to survive the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
In what he called a “ dire warning , ” the CNN host shared the latest COVID-19 statistics , which show the nation ’ s three most populous states ― California , Texas and Florida ― reaching new highs for confirmed cases .
Trump claims the increase in coronavirus cases is the result of more testing , and even said he wants to “ slow the testing down.
” On Wednesday , his administration cut federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the closure of 13 testing centers across five states .
“ Don ’ t let the president fool you , ” Lemon said .
“ This has nothing to do with increased testing , nothing at all.
” Around the country , Lemon said , there are “ real and frightening spikes ” in cases .
Yet Trump has repeatedly said that the infections were winding down , and has refused to wear a mask despite advice from his own administration to do so .
“ It ’ s incredibly sad that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemon said .
“ But if you value your health at this point , do not believe the president of the United States .
The president of the United States , who was acting today as if the coronavirus is in the rearview mirror .
”

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Don Lemon said on Wednesday that Americans need to tune out President Donald Trump if they hope to survive the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In what he called a “dire warning,” the CNN host shared the latest COVID-19 statistics, which show the nation’s three most populous states ― California, Texas and Florida ― reaching new highs for confirmed cases.
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Trump claims the increase in coronavirus cases is the result of more testing, and even said he wants to “slow the testing down.” On Wednesday, his administration cut federal funding for tests, which may lead to the closure of 13 testing centers across five states.
“Don’t let the president fool you,” Lemon said. “This has nothing to do with increased testing, nothing at all.”
Around the country, Lemon said, there are “real and frightening spikes” in cases. Yet Trump has repeatedly said that the infections were winding down, and has refused to wear a mask despite advice from his own administration to do so.
“It’s incredibly sad that I have to say this,” Lemon said. “But if you value your health at this point, do not believe the president of the United States. The president of the United States, who was acting today as if the coronavirus is in the rearview mirror.”
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See more of Lemon’s monologue below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Woman Who Praised KKK Apologizes, Vows To Never Wave Confederate Flag Again

The Missouri woman who went viral for waving a Confederate flag , praising the Ku Klux Klan and vowing to teach hate to her grandchildren while at a Black Lives Matter protest in Branson is apologizing .
“ I ’ m so , so sorry , ” Kathy Jenkins told Ozarks First .
“ I mean , if it would help for me to stand with Black Lives Matter , I absolutely would do that.
” Jenkins said she “ blacked out ” during the event and doesn ’ t remember what she said as anti-racism protesters gathered outside a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the moment was caught on a widely shared video as Jenkins ― decked out in a “ Make America Great Again ” cap and draped in a Confederate flag ― told the protesters she would teach her grandchildren to hate them .
“ I ’ m teaching them to fuckin ’ hate all of you people , ” she said , then she raised a fist and called out “ KKK belief.
” “ I wasn ’ t saying I ’ m KKK or for the KKK , ” she told Ozarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I don ’ t like being called a racist.
” She also said she lost her job and left Branson over the incident ― and promised to never wave a Confederate flag again .
“ I didn ’ t understand that the Confederate flag meant hate , ” she told Ozarks First .
“ I don ’ t understand the whole history of the Confederate flag , but I ’ m learning.
” Mental health advocate Kenidra Woods said on Twitter that Jenkins ’ vow to teach hate “ hurt me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to seeing people grow and accepting apologies but this doesn ’ t sound very genuine .
I truly believe she ‘ s only apologizing because she got exposed .
I get people get angry and “ lose it ” sometimes but I believe that kind of hate is deeply rooted within her .
🤷🏽♀ 2/ — Kenidra4Humanity ~ KHHL ~ ( @ KenidraRWoods_ ) June 24 , 2020 “ She knew exactly what she was doing , ” she told Ozarks First .
“ She was there from the start on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words at our protesters.
” Dixie Outfitters , the store at the center of the demonstrations , called the protesters “ thugs ” who “ hate our country.
” Anna Robb told the Springfield News Leader in 2015 that she had attended Klan events “ years ago ” but that it ’ s “ not even something that comes up anymore.
” Husband Nathan Robb , the newspaper said , is the son of KKK leader Thomas Robb .
Anna Robb said at the time that they hadn ’ t spoken with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the city ’ s aldermen were asked to denounce the KKK at a meeting on Tuesday .
Two did so , two were silent and one responded by saying police need more support .

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The Missouri woman who went viral for waving a Confederate flag, praising the Ku Klux Klan and vowing to teach hate to her grandchildren while at a Black Lives Matter protest in Branson is apologizing.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Kathy Jenkins told Ozarks First. “I mean, if it would help for me to stand with Black Lives Matter, I absolutely would do that.”
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Jenkins said she “blacked out” during the event and doesn’t remember what she said as anti-racism protesters gathered outside a store that sells Confederate merchandise.
However, the moment was caught on a widely shared video as Jenkins ― decked out in a “Make America Great Again” cap and draped in a Confederate flag ― told the protesters she would teach her grandchildren to hate them.
“I’m teaching them to fuckin’ hate all of you people,” she said, then she raised a fist and called out “KKK belief.”
Look how the police protecting her racists ass pic.twitter.com/CVIJitLhxH — BlackCultureEntertainment🗣 (@4TheCulture____) June 22, 2020
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Jenkins said she does not support the KKK.
“I wasn’t saying I’m KKK or for the KKK,” she told Ozarks First. “I was mocking them because I don’t like being called a racist.”
She also said she lost her job and left Branson over the incident ― and promised to never wave a Confederate flag again.
“I didn’t understand that the Confederate flag meant hate,” she told Ozarks First. “I don’t understand the whole history of the Confederate flag, but I’m learning.”
At least some of the protesters aren’t buying her apology.
Mental health advocate Kenidra Woods said on Twitter that Jenkins’ vow to teach hate “hurt me to my core.”
She added:
I’m always open to seeing people grow and accepting apologies but this doesn’t sound very genuine. I truly believe she‘s only apologizing because she got exposed. I get people get angry and “lose it” sometimes but I believe that kind of hate is deeply rooted within her. 🤷🏽♀ 2/ — Kenidra4Humanity ~ KHHL ~ (@KenidraRWoods_) June 24, 2020
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Protest organizer Faith Pittser was similarly unimpressed.
“She knew exactly what she was doing,” she told Ozarks First. “She was there from the start on the counter-protesters’ side shouting obscenities and hateful words at our protesters.”
Dixie Outfitters, the store at the center of the demonstrations, called the protesters “thugs” who “hate our country.”
The store is owned by a couple with a history of KKK support.
Anna Robb told the Springfield News Leader in 2015 that she had attended Klan events “years ago” but that it’s “not even something that comes up anymore.”
Husband Nathan Robb, the newspaper said, is the son of KKK leader Thomas Robb. Anna Robb said at the time that they hadn’t spoken with him in years.
City leaders in Branson, a major tourist hub, have had a mixed reaction to the events.
The Associated Press reports that the city’s aldermen were asked to denounce the KKK at a meeting on Tuesday. Two did so, two were silent and one responded by saying police need more support.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Dozens Of Secret Service Agents Reportedly Told To Quarantine After Tulsa Rally

The Secret Service told agents who worked at the Tulsa campaign event to stay home for 14 days following the weekend trip , two sources familiar with the decision told The Washington Post , which first reported the news .
The Secret Service field office in Tulsa also reportedly arranged for a special testing session at a hospital to determine if local agents contracted the virus while working during the event , two other sources told the Post .
The agency declined to confirm how many employees had tested positive or were quarantined .
“ The U.S. Secret Service remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the various duties as required , ” an agency spokesperson told the Post in a statement .
“ To protect the privacy of our employees ’ health information and for operational security , the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 , nor how many of its employees were , or currently are , quarantined , ” the spokesperson added .
The Secret Service did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s request for comment .
The news comes amid already heightened scrutiny of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead with in the face of objections from public health officials who warned it risked setting off a new surge of infections .
On the day of the event , the Trump campaign discovered that six staffers working on the rally had tested positive for the coronavirus ; two were reportedly Secret Service members .
On Monday , the campaign announced two staffers who attended the rally also tested positive .
In an acknowledgment of health concerns prior to the event , the Trump campaign required people registering online to agree to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if attendees contracted COVID-19 there .
The turnout at the event ultimately fell far short of the Trump campaign ’ s expectations .
After the team boasted of 1 million ticket registrations , local officials estimated roughly 6,200 people actually attended the rally at the 19,200-capacity BOK Center .
Still , with attendees not required to wear masks and social distancing not enforced , health consequences from the event have been closely watched .
The Tulsa Department of Health , which had warned of a rising case count before the rally , reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
Health officials say it ’ s too soon to link any increase in infections to the Trump event , The Associated Press reported .

The Secret Service told agents who worked at the Tulsa campaign event to stay home for 14 days following the weekend trip, two sources familiar with the decision told The Washington Post, which first reported the news.
The Secret Service field office in Tulsa also reportedly arranged for a special testing session at a hospital to determine if local agents contracted the virus while working during the event, two other sources told the Post. The agency declined to confirm how many employees had tested positive or were quarantined.
“The U.S. Secret Service remains prepared and staffed to fulfill all of the various duties as required,” agency spokesperson Catherine Milhoan told HuffPost in a statement. “To protect the privacy of our employees’ health information and for operational security, the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19, nor how many of its employees were, or currently are, quarantined,” Milhoan added. The news comes amid already heightened scrutiny of the large indoor event, which Trump forged ahead with in the face of objections from public health officials who warned it risked setting off a new surge of infections. On the day of the event, the Trump campaign discovered that six staffers working on the rally had tested positive for the coronavirus; two were reportedly Secret Service members. On Monday, the campaign announced two staffers who attended the rally also tested positive. In an acknowledgment of health concerns prior to the event, the Trump campaign required people registering online to agree to a legal disclaimer that released it from liability if attendees contracted COVID-19 there.
The turnout at the event ultimately fell far short of the Trump campaign’s expectations. After the team boasted of 1 million ticket registrations, local officials estimated roughly 6,200 people actually attended the rally at the 19,200-capacity BOK Center. Still, with attendees not required to wear masks and social distancing not enforced, health consequences from the event have been closely watched.
The Tulsa Department of Health, which had warned of a rising case count before the rally, reported a record spike of 259 new cases on Wednesday. Health officials say it’s too soon to link any increase in infections to the Trump event, The Associated Press reported.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Anti-Mask Floridians Hurl Conspiracy Theories At Officials In Wild Public Meeting

As Palm Beach County , Florida , battles an alarming spike in coronavirus cases , some speakers at a heated public hearing attacked county commissioners as “ communist dictators ” who follow “ the devil ’ s laws ” as they prepared to vote on a mandate for wearing face masks in public .
During public comments before the unanimous vote in favor of the mask requirement on Tuesday , a majority of speakers opposed the move , according to local news station WPTV .
Some of these speakers , as The Daily Beast reports , denied that masks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of playing God , violating the Constitution and threatening freedom and lives by imposing the measure .
“ Every single one of you that ’ s obeying the devil ’ s laws are going to be arrested .
And you are going to be arrested for crimes against humanity , ” the woman declared .
“ Every single one of you has a smirk behind that little mask , but every single one of you are going to get punished by God .
You can not escape God ... not even with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told commissioners , “ I want to know who is getting paid off and where is the mandate coming from.
” “ Well , guess what , the riots are spreading , too !
” she continued .
“ And what the hell are we going to do about that ?
We ’ re going to arrest patriots for not wearing a mask ?
That ’ s what you want ?
” COVID-19 cases in the county have surged since it entered the first phase of Florida ’ s reopening plan on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County , said during her testimony at the hearing .
“ Our numbers are going in the wrong direction , ” she said .
She reminded attendees that masks are intended to protect both themselves and others .
People are entitled to their rights , she said , but these public health laws are intended for people ’ s safety .
“ I hate the idea of talking about mandatory face coverings .
It goes against my grain , ” Weinroth said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were just out of this world.
” One man , who identified himself as Butch Dias and “ an American patriot , ” said that he “ would die ” for the Constitution , which he said commissioners were failing to uphold .
“ You probably already have your orders already taken care of .
You don ’ t really care .
You could have at least faked it .
You do not care about We the People .
It ’ s pathetic .
It breaks my heart , because I would die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this country and I would die for the Constitution , ” he said .
A speaker who said she had a medical condition that prevented her from wearing a mask told the commissioners she didn ’ t believe there was any evidence that masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ You ’ re not God , ” she told the panel .
“ You ’ re removing our freedoms and stomping on our constitutional rights by these communist dictatorship orders… If you do vote to mandate masks in the workplace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many will be on your hands .
”

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As Palm Beach County, Florida, battles an alarming spike in coronavirus cases, some speakers at a heated public hearing attacked county commissioners as “communist dictators” who follow “the devil’s laws” as they prepared to vote on a mandate for wearing face masks in public.
During public comments before the unanimous vote in favor of the mask requirement on Tuesday, a majority of speakers opposed the move, according to local news station WPTV. Some of these speakers, as The Daily Beast reports, denied that masks were effective against spreading COVID-19 and accused officials of playing God, violating the Constitution and threatening freedom and lives by imposing the measure.
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One speaker threatened to perform a citizen’s arrests on the officials for going “against the freedom of choice.”
“Every single one of you that’s obeying the devil’s laws are going to be arrested. And you are going to be arrested for crimes against humanity,” the woman declared.
“Every single one of you has a smirk behind that little mask, but every single one of you are going to get punished by God. You cannot escape God ... not even with the mask or 6 feet.”
The woman touched on several other theories, including a suggestion that the public officials could be part of a “deep state” of rogue officials.
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This angry Florida woman argued today against the mask mandate, while bringing up the devil, 5G, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, "the pedophiles" and the deep state.
Enjoy... pic.twitter.com/yqKUZNQYLQ — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) June 24, 2020
Another woman told commissioners, “I want to know who is getting paid off and where is the mandate coming from.”
“Well, guess what, the riots are spreading, too!” she continued. “And what the hell are we going to do about that? We’re going to arrest patriots for not wearing a mask? That’s what you want?”
She concluded her remarks: “And I say Trump 2020!”
COVID-19 cases in the county have surged since it entered the first phase of Florida’s reopening plan on May 11, Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, said during her testimony at the hearing.
“Our numbers are going in the wrong direction,” she said. She reminded attendees that masks are intended to protect both themselves and others. People are entitled to their rights, she said, but these public health laws are intended for people’s safety.
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Vice Mayor Robert Weinroth, who strongly opposed a mask mandate previously, said the surge in cases had changed his mind.
“I hate the idea of talking about mandatory face coverings. It goes against my grain,” Weinroth said. “But the numbers we saw this week were just out of this world.”
Majority of people opposing a mask mandate are participating in public comment portion of meeting. Two ppl now holding a Trump flag, and others are waving their hands when they hear comments they like arguing against wearing a mask. @WPTV pic.twitter.com/mSgabB77FZ — Ryan Hughes (@HughesWPTV) June 23, 2020
One man, who identified himself as Butch Dias and “an American patriot,” said that he “would die” for the Constitution, which he said commissioners were failing to uphold.
“You probably already have your orders already taken care of. You don’t really care. You could have at least faked it. You do not care about We the People. It’s pathetic. It breaks my heart, because I would die for that flag, I would die for this country and I would die for the Constitution,” he said.
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A speaker who said she had a medical condition that prevented her from wearing a mask told the commissioners she didn’t believe there was any evidence that masks prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“You’re not God,” she told the panel. “You’re removing our freedoms and stomping on our constitutional rights by these communist dictatorship orders… If you do vote to mandate masks in the workplace and public schools and stores, the death of many will be on your hands.”
The hearing erupted into chaos after the vote; some in the audience screamed insults and threats at the commissioners.
From Thursday, masks will be required in public places in Palm Beach County.
You can watch a recording of the meeting below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Mark Cuban Enlightens Fox News Viewers With Key Difference Between Biden, Trump

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban appeared on Fox News this week and declared his support for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who has been the subject of countless attacks on the conservative network , for president .
“ Shark Tank ” star Cuban used the Tuesday interview on Sean Hannity ’ s widely watched primetime show to highlight one key difference between former Vice President Biden and President Donald Trump .
“ Donald Trump doesn ’ t want to run a country .
He wants to run a campaign .
Joe Biden actually wants to run a country , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Dallas Mavericks .
Elsewhere in the interview , Hannity pressed Cuban to identify what Biden has done “ that you were proud of that qualifies him to be president after 50 years ” in public life .
“ I think the ACA ( Affordable Care Act ) is easily their biggest accomplishment and it ’ s unfortunate that they ’ re ( the Trump administration ) is trying to dismantle it , ” he said .
Hannity concluded by describing Cuban ’ s politics as “ nuts ” and lavishing praise on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campaign for during the 2020 election .

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Billionaire investor Mark Cuban appeared on Fox News this week to declare his support for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who has been the subject of countless attacks on the conservative network.
The “Shark Tank” star used the Tuesday interview on Sean Hannity’s widely watched primetime show to highlight one key difference between the former vice president and President Donald Trump.
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“Donald Trump doesn’t want to run a country. He wants to run a campaign. Joe Biden actually wants to run a country,” the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks said.
Check out the clip here:
Elsewhere in the interview, Hannity pressed Cuban to identify what Biden has done “that you’re proud of that qualifies him to be president after 50 years” in public life.
“I think the ACA [Affordable Care Act] is easily their biggest accomplishment, and it’s unfortunate that [the Trump administration] is trying to dismantle it,” he said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Tucker Carlson Cooks Up His Dumbest Conspiracy Theory Yet

Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson spent the opening minutes of his show Wednesday night railing against protesters who have toppled monuments to racist historical figures .
The “ Tucker Carlson Tonight ” host cooked up a conspiracy theory involving the Democrats and the anti-racism demonstrations that spread following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .
Carlson , who has a long history of making racist comments , also declared that America “ is not a racist country.
” “ It ’ s pretty clear that nothing is what we ’ re told it is , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
This is not about George Floyd .
It ’ s not about systemic racism , whatever that is .
America is not a racist country .
You are not a bad person for living here .
These are definitely not protesters or not even rioters.
” “ They are the armed militia of the Democratic Party .
They ’ re working to overthrow our system of government , ” he continued .
“ They ’ re trying to put themselves in power .
That ’ s all obvious now.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dumber group gathered in one place in all of American history , ” he said .
“ They ’ re mouth-breathers .
They know nothing .
They couldn ’ t tell you who George Washington was , ” Carlson ranted .
“ They don ’ t know when the Civil War was fought , probably not even to the century .
They say they oppose racism and then they ripped down monuments to abolitionists .
They don ’ t see the contradiction in that because they have no idea who the abolitionists were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band from the ’ 80s .
”

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Fox News’ Tucker Carlson spent the opening minutes of his show Wednesday night railing against protesters who have toppled monuments to racist historical figures.
The “Tucker Carlson Tonight” host cooked up a conspiracy theory involving the Democrats and the anti-racism demonstrations that spread following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
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Carlson, who has a long history of making racist comments, also declared that America “is not a racist country.”
“It’s pretty clear that nothing is what we’re told it is,” said Carlson. “These are not protests. This is not about George Floyd. It’s not about systemic racism, whatever that is. America is not a racist country. You are not a bad person for living here. These are definitely not protesters or not even rioters.”
“They are the armed militia of the Democratic Party. They’re working to overthrow our system of government,” he continued. “They’re trying to put themselves in power. That’s all obvious now.”
Carlson called the protesters “idiots, for real,” “angry children” and “utterly stupid.”
“There’s probably never been a dumber group gathered in one place in all of American history,” he said.
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“They’re mouth-breathers. They know nothing. They couldn’t tell you who George Washington was,” Carlson ranted. “They don’t know when the Civil War was fought, probably not even to the century. They say they oppose racism and then they ripped down monuments to abolitionists. They don’t see the contradiction in that because they have no idea who the abolitionists were. They think it’s a band from the ’80s.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Oakland School Board Votes To Eliminate Its Police Department

The school board in Oakland , California , unanimously voted on Wednesday to dismantle the school district ’ s police department — making the district the latest to cut ties with law enforcement amid nationwide anti-racism protests .
At a school board meeting on Wednesday night , all seven board members voted in favor of the “ George Floyd Resolution to Eliminate the Oakland School Police Department.
” The resolution needed a simple majority to pass .
Since nationwide protests against racism and police brutality began in late May after the police killing of George Floyd , several school systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portland , Oregon , and in Minneapolis , where Floyd was killed .
In San Francisco , across the bay from Oakland , the school board unanimously voted to remove police from its schools on Tuesday .
However , the campaign to remove police from Oakland schools started long before the recent protests .
Organizers , parents and students have been pushing for years for police-free schools .
The Black Organizing Project started its campaign in 2011 after an Oakland school police officer fatally shot 20-year-old Raheim Brown outside a school dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing in schools is interconnected to the same issues we see in policing in our cities , ” Black Organizing Project ’ s executive director , Jackie Byers , told HuffPost on Monday ahead of the school board vote .
“ There is a different approach a lot of law enforcement have in dealing with Black and brown children , and even seeing them as children.
” While Black students make up about one-quarter of OUSD students , they represent nearly three-quarters of those arrested , per a 2018 report from the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community members marched on Tuesday in Oakland in support of removing police from schools .
The problem of racist policing in schools is certainly not restricted to Oakland .
Black children , who only made up 16 % of enrolled students nationwide in 2012 , experienced 31 % of arrests in schools , according to a 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Education .
Research has shown that school cops can exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline , a phenomenon in which students ― often students of color ― are pushed out of school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byers said that dismantling OUSD ’ s police department is only the first step .
Next , activists want to see the district invest in more school support staff , like social workers and mental health counselors .
Byers noted that a police presence “ doesn ’ t make Black communities feel safer , ” adding , “ Whether you ’ re in your house or walking down the street or they approach you because they suspect you ’ ve done something — that encounter , no matter how you act , could @ @ @ @ @ @

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The school board in Oakland, California, unanimously voted on Wednesday to dismantle the school district’s police department — making the district the latest to cut ties with law enforcement amid nationwide anti-racism protests.
At a school board meeting on Wednesday night, all seven board members voted in favor of the “George Floyd Resolution to Eliminate the Oakland School Police Department.” The resolution needed a simple majority to pass.
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However, the campaign to remove police from Oakland schools started long before the recent protests. Organizers, parents and students have been pushing for years for police-free schools. The Black Organizing Project started its campaign in 2011 after an Oakland school police officer fatally shot 20-year-old Raheim Brown outside a school dance.
“What happens in terms of policing in schools is interconnected to the same issues we see in policing in our cities,” Black Organizing Project’s executive director, Jackie Byers, told HuffPost on Monday ahead of the school board vote. “There is a different approach a lot of law enforcement have in dealing with Black and brown children, and even seeing them as children.”
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While Black students make up about one-quarter of OUSD students, they represent nearly three-quarters of those arrested, per a 2018 report from the Black Organizing Project. The group and other community members marched on Tuesday in Oakland in support of removing police from schools.
The problem of racist policing in schools is certainly not restricted to Oakland. Black children, who only made up 16% of enrolled students nationwide in 2012, experienced 31% of arrests in schools, according to a 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Education.
Research has shown that school cops can exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline, a phenomenon in which students ― often students of color ― are pushed out of school and into the criminal justice system.
Byers said that dismantling OUSD’s police department is only the first step. Next, activists want to see the district invest in more school support staff, like social workers and mental health counselors.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Siberian Heat Wave Is A 'Warning Cry' From The Arctic, Climate Scientists Say

Scientists have known climate change is causing the Arctic to warm twice as quickly as the rest of the world , and the Siberian heat wave , which began in May , is typical of that trend .
“ It becomes like an oven , ” said Walt Meier , a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado who specializes in sea ice .
“ You are doing that on top of the longer-term warming trend , so you are getting the oven nicely baking a pie to scorching it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming normal .
Warmer temperatures are now relatively frequent , ” Meier said .
And as temperatures warm , and polar snow and ice melt , more Arctic area is left darker and absorbs heat faster , which contributes to more warming .
The Arctic sea ice has lost 70 % of its summer volume since the 1970s , with the area also shrinking to the point that last year saw one of the lowest ice covers on record .
The peat fires make the need to cut man-made emissions all the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wider changes in the Arctic could trigger bigger impacts on the global climate system .
“ It ’ s a huge warning cry that ’ s going off , but it ’ s not the only systemic problem that ’ s happening in the Arctic related to climate change , ” said Gail Whiteman , incoming professor of sustainability at Britain ’ s University of Exeter and founder of the Arctic Basecamp group of scientists advocating for rapid climate action .
Whiteman and other researchers are also worried about the rising heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than expected , which is liable to produce far larger quantities of carbon dioxide and methane than are being released by the fires .
Guido Grosse , head of the Permafrost Research Unit at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Germany , said the fires were stripping away peat and vegetation that normally would form a protective blanket over the permafrost .
“ If you take this away the heat from the summer penetrates directly into the ground and warms the permafrost , and it starts thawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see this effect usually a few years after the fires.
” The warming temperatures also appear to be making the Arctic wildfire season longer , said Jessica McCarty , an assistant professor of geography at Miami University in Ohio .
Typically , the Arctic fire season runs from July to August , plus or minus a couple of weeks .
This year , fires were detected in May .
And “ as the peat burns … its neighbor next door gets warmer , and their neighbors get warmer , ” McCarty said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient pools of carbon .
”

A NEW NORMAL
Scientists have known climate change is causing the Arctic to warm twice as quickly as the rest of the world, and the Siberian heat wave, which began in May, is typical of that trend.
“It becomes like an oven,” said Walt Meier, a senior research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado who specializes in sea ice. “You are doing that on top of the longer-term warming trend, so you are getting the oven nicely baking a pie to scorching it.”
“What used to be extreme is becoming normal. Warmer temperatures are now relatively frequent,” Meier said.
And as temperatures warm, and polar snow and ice melt, more Arctic area is left darker and absorbs heat faster, which contributes to more warming. The Arctic sea ice has lost 70% of its summer volume since the 1970s, with the area also shrinking to the point that last year saw one of the lowest ice covers on record.
“WARNING CRY”
The peat fires make the need to cut man-made emissions all the more urgent, say scientists, who warn that wider changes in the Arctic could trigger bigger impacts on the global climate system.
“It’s a huge warning cry that’s going off, but it’s not the only systemic problem that’s happening in the Arctic related to climate change,” said Gail Whiteman, incoming professor of sustainability at Britain’s University of Exeter and founder of the Arctic Basecamp group of scientists advocating for rapid climate action.
Whiteman and other researchers are also worried about the rising heat thawing Arctic permafrost https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/climate-change-arctic-methane faster than expected, which is liable to produce far larger quantities of carbon dioxide and methane than are being released by the fires.
Guido Grosse, head of the Permafrost Research Unit at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Germany, said the fires were stripping away peat and vegetation that normally would form a protective blanket over the permafrost.
“If you take this away the heat from the summer penetrates directly into the ground and warms the permafrost, and it starts thawing,” he said. “You see this effect usually a few years after the fires.”
The warming temperatures also appear to be making the Arctic wildfire season longer, said Jessica McCarty, an assistant professor of geography at Miami University in Ohio. Typically, the Arctic fire season runs from July to August, plus or minus a couple of weeks. This year, fires were detected in May.
And “as the peat burns … its neighbor next door gets warmer, and their neighbors get warmer,” McCarty said. “We’re burning up these ancient pools of carbon.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Colorado Governor Will Examine Death Of Elijah McClain After Millions Sign Petition

Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis ( D ) said Wednesday his office would examine last year ’ s death of Elijah McClain , an unarmed Black man who died in police custody after buying an iced tea at a convenience store .
“ Public confidence in our law enforcement process is incredibly important now more than ever , ” Polis wrote on Twitter .
“ A fair and objective process free from real or perceived bias for investigating officer-involved killings is critical.
” He continued : “ I am hearing from many Coloradans who have expressed concerns with the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , I have instructed my legal council to examine what the state can do and we are assessing next steps.
” McClain , 23 , was stopped by police in Aurora in August as he was walking home from a convenience store .
Someone called 911 to report him as suspicious because he was wearing a ski mask , police said .
Police said they tried to stop him , but he resisted , so three white officers tackled him and one put him in a chokehold .
Paramedics called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sedate him .
McClain went into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died days later , after he was declared brain dead .
He was never accused of a crime .
A Change.org petition calling for the case to be reexamined has garnered more than 2.5 million signatures as McClain ’ s name gained international attention amid rising calls to address systemic racism and police brutality .
“ Sign this petition to bring justice for Elijah , ” the petition reads .
“ Demand these officers are taken off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation is held.
” McClain ’ s family has called for an independent investigation into the officers ’ conduct , claiming they used excessive force that resulted in McClain ’ s death .
“ I ’ m surprised how long it has taken for the world to take notice of this case , ” Mari Newman , an attorney for his family , told CBS Denver .
“ It is very disappointing that it took the murder of somebody across the country for people here in Colorado to finally take notice .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , father of Elijah McClain , wears a T-shirt with is son 's picture on it during a press conference in front of the Aurora Municipal Center Oct. 1 , 2019 .
The governor ’ s authority to review the conduct of local police is unclear .
The Denver Post notes Polis can ’ t directly intervene , but could ask the state attorney general to do so .
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said he would ask the city council to vote for an independent investigator to look into McClain ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we quickly and urgently move forward with this investigation so we can provide answers to our community .
”

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Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said Wednesday his office would examine last year’s death of Elijah McClain, an unarmed Black man who died in police custody after buying an iced tea at a convenience store.
“Public confidence in our law enforcement process is incredibly important now more than ever,” Polis wrote on Twitter. “A fair and objective process free from real or perceived bias for investigating officer-involved killings is critical.”
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He continued: “I am hearing from many Coloradans who have expressed concerns with the investigation of Elijah McClain’s death. As a result, I have instructed my legal council to examine what the state can do and we are assessing next steps.”
Public confidence in our law enforcement process is incredibly important now more than ever. A fair and objective process free from real or perceived bias for investigating officer-involved killings is critical. (1/2) — Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 24, 2020
McClain, 23, was stopped by police in Aurora in August as he was walking home from a convenience store. Someone called 911 to report him as suspicious because he was wearing a ski mask, police said.
Police said they tried to stop him, but he resisted, so three white officers tackled him and one put him in a chokehold. Paramedics called to the scene injected him with ketamine to sedate him.
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McClain went into cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and died days later, after he was declared brain dead. He was never accused of a crime.
The officers were cleared of wrongdoing in February by a review board.
A Change.org petition calling for the case to be reexamined has garnered more than 2.5 million signatures as McClain’s name gained international attention amid rising calls to address systemic racism and police brutality.
“Sign this petition to bring justice for Elijah,” the petition reads. “Demand these officers are taken off duty, and that a more in-depth investigation is held.”
McClain’s family has called for an independent investigation into the officers’ conduct, claiming they used excessive force that resulted in McClain’s death.
“I’m surprised how long it has taken for the world to take notice of this case,” Mari Newman, an attorney for his family, told CBS Denver. “It is very disappointing that it took the murder of somebody across the country for people here in Colorado to finally take notice. But, it is happening.”
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LaWayne Mosley, father of Elijah McClain, wears a T-shirt with is son's picture on it during a press conference in front of the Aurora Municipal Center Oct. 1, 2019. Andy Cross via Getty Images
The governor’s authority to review the conduct of local police is unclear. The Denver Post notes Polis can’t directly intervene, but could ask the state attorney general to do so.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Applications For Unemployment Aid Fall To Still-High 1.48 Million

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The number of laid-off workers who applied for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 1.48 million last week , the 12th straight drop and a sign that layoffs are slowing but are still at a painfully high level .
The steady decline in claims suggests that the job market has begun to slowly heal from the pandemic , which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7 % in April , its highest level since the Great Depression .
Yet the latest figure also coincides with a sudden resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and West , that ’ s threatening to derail a nascent economic rebound .
The number of people who are receiving jobless aid also fell last week , evidence that employers are rehiring some of the workers who had been laid off since mid-March .
But on Wednesday , the nation set a record high of new coronavirus cases .
Many states are establishing their own records for daily infections , including Arizona , California , Mississippi , Nevada , Texas and Oklahoma .
Cases of coronavirus have also jumped in Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states may reimpose some limits on businesses that would likely trigger job cuts .
Whether by choice or by government order , fewer consumers would shop , travel , eat out and visit bars or gyms .
All those scenarios would result in renewed layoffs and hinder the economy .
Nervous investors sent stock prices plummeting Wednesday over escalating fears that the economy will suffer further damage from the disease .
Before this week ’ s heightened worries about the pandemic , many economists had been relatively optimistic .
In May , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a still-high 13.3 % .
Consumers began spending again , sending retail sales jumping by a record amount .
And sales of new homes rose as record-low mortgage rates fueled buyer interest .
In May , employers added 2.5 million jobs , a surprise gain .
Still , that hiring represented just one-ninth of all the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic struck .
And about 30 million Americans remain unemployed .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of laid-off workers who applied for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 1.48 million last week, the 12th straight drop and a sign that layoffs are slowing but are still at a painfully high level.
The steady decline in claims suggests that the job market has begun to slowly heal from the pandemic, which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7% in April, its highest level since the Great Depression.
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Yet the latest figure also coincides with a sudden resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the United States, especially in the South and West, that’s threatening to derail a nascent economic rebound.
The number of people who are receiving jobless aid also fell last week, evidence that employers are rehiring some of the workers who had been laid off since mid-March.
But on Wednesday, the nation set a record high of new coronavirus cases. Many states are establishing their own records for daily infections, including Arizona, California, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma. Cases of coronavirus have also jumped in Florida and Georgia.
Should those trends continue, states may reimpose some limits on businesses that would likely trigger job cuts. Whether by choice or by government order, fewer consumers would shop, travel, eat out and visit bars or gyms. All those scenarios would result in renewed layoffs and hinder the economy.
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Nervous investors sent stock prices plummeting Wednesday over escalating fears that the economy will suffer further damage from the disease.
“The health crisis continues to cast a dark shadow over the economic landscape,” said Bob Schwartz, a senior economist at Oxford Economics, a forecasting firm.
Before this week’s heightened worries about the pandemic, many economists had been relatively optimistic. In May, the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined, though to a still-high 13.3%. Consumers began spending again, sending retail sales jumping by a record amount. And sales of new homes rose as record-low mortgage rates fueled buyer interest.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Andrew Yang Offers Scathing Explanation For Donald Trump's Racist 'Kung Flu' Slurs

Former presidential contender Andrew Yang said Donald Trump ’ s repeated use of the racist term “ kung flu ” to refer to the coronavirus “ is the desperate thrashing around of a losing candidate.
” Trump uses derogatory and offensive slurs to “ distract attention from the fact that the administration has completely botched and mishandled the coronavirus pandemic , ” Yang , who quit the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination in February , told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper .
Trump ’ s divisive rhetoric is “ like the desperate thrashing around of a losing candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American .
Trump revived his “ kung flu ” slur during his underattended rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday , and repeated it at a rally in Arizona on Tuesday .
“ He shows up to a rally that has a small fraction of the people they are projecting and he ’ s somewhat desperate , in my opinion , ” Yang continued .
Trump is “ just degrading himself and the office of the president further by grasping at straws that aren ’ t actually keeping him afloat , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president could “ figure out a path that did not involve racist comments that end up throwing millions of Americans under a rhetorical bus .
”

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Former presidential contender Andrew Yang said Donald Trump’s repeated use of the racist term “kung flu” to refer to the coronavirus “is the desperate thrashing around of a losing candidate.”
Trump uses derogatory and offensive slurs to “distract attention from the fact that the administration has completely botched and mishandled the coronavirus pandemic,” Yang, who quit the race for the 2020 Democratic nomination in February, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
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Trump’s divisive rhetoric is “like the desperate thrashing around of a losing candidate,” argued Yang, who is Asian American.
Trump revived his “kung flu” slur during his underattended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, and repeated it at a rally in Arizona on Tuesday.
“He shows up to a rally that has a small fraction of the people they are projecting and he’s somewhat desperate, in my opinion,” Yang continued.
Trump is “just degrading himself and the office of the president further by grasping at straws that aren’t actually keeping him afloat,” said Yang, who said he wished the president could “figure out a path that did not involve racist comments that end up throwing millions of Americans under a rhetorical bus.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Sammy Hagar Says He’s Willing To Sacrifice People To Coronavirus For The Economy

Rocker Sammy Hagar said he ’ s willing to sacrifice people to the coronavirus ― himself included ― if it means saving the economy .
The former Van Halen frontman told Rolling Stone magazine on Tuesday that he would also be happy to play shows “ before there ’ s a vaccine , if it ’ s declining and seems to be going away.
” “ I ’ m going to make a radical statement here .
This is hard to say without stirring somebody up , but truthfully , I ’ d rather personally get sick and even die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes , ” the musician said as part of an article that asked touring artists how they were coping with being off the road .
“ We have to save the world and this country from this economic thing that ’ s going to kill more people in the long run , ” Hagar continued , saying he would “ rather see everyone go back to work ” and “ if some of us have to sacrifice on that , OK. ” “ I will die for my children and my grandchildren to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life that I had in this wonderful country .
That ’ s just the way that I feel about it , ” he added .
“ I ’ m not going to go around spreading the disease .
But there may be a time where we have to sacrifice .
I mean , how many people die on the Earth every day ?
I have no idea .
I ’ m sorry to say it , but we all got ta die , man.
” Meanwhile , John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so scary and life-threatening.
” “ Maybe some other guy thinks it ’ s a good idea , but I ’ m not dying for Donald Trump , ” Fogerty said of state reopenings .
“ I ’ m not dying for the economy .
How can you have any kind of a crowd ?
” Hagar ’ s comments came as multiple states announced record spikes in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases following last month ’ s easing of restrictions aimed at slowing the virus ’ s spread .

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Rocker Sammy Hagar has clarified his comments about sacrificing people to the coronavirus if it means saving the economy.
The former Van Halen frontman told Rolling Stone last month that he’d be happy to play shows before there is a vaccine. The interview took place in May but was republished Tuesday in condensed form for a feature on how touring artists are coping with being off the road during the pandemic.
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“I’m going to make a radical statement here,” the musician said. “I’m always good for that. Yeah, not too soon. I want to make sure it’s not escalating. When it’s declining and seems to be going away. I mean, it’s the flu, I guess, unless there is something I don’t know. So there’s a season where it’s going to go, ‘Eh.’ I mean, someone is going to get it always. It’s like the cold or pneumonia. Someone is always getting something.”
“Truthfully I’d rather personally get sick and even personally die, if that’s what it takes,” Hagar said. “We have to save the world and this country from this economic thing that’s going to kill more people in the long run.”
“I would rather see everyone go back to work,” he added. “If some of us have to sacrifice on that, OK. I will die for my children and my grandchildren to have a life anywhere close to the life that I had in this wonderful country and freedom. That’s just the way that I feel about it.”
“I’m not going to go around spreading the disease. But there may be a time where we have to sacrifice,” Hagar said. “We used to go to war for our country where hundreds of thousands of people died to keep our freedom and keep this country economically where everyone has a car and a home. Those days are changing, but that’s the way I feel about this whole thing. I’m not real big on dragging it out until we’re all fucked and there’s no way out.”
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On Thursday, Hagar sought to clarify the comments. He noted on Instagram that the original interview took place on May 8, “when we were already several weeks into the stay-at-home, which my family and I took very seriously, and things were starting to look up, the curve was beginning to flatten.”
“When I was asked if I’d be comfortable enough to get back onstage before a vaccine was out, I was cautiously optimistic,” the 72-year-old wrote. “I said, ’Yeah, not too soon. I want to make sure it’s not escalating. When it’s declining and seems to be going away.”
The “big picture” is “about getting back to work in a safe and responsible way and getting this economy rolling again,” he said, vowing to do his part.
“Like everything today, it’s a watch and see over the next few months but we remain cautiously optimistic that with the right improvements and safety measures in place, we might be able to play shows this year,” Hagar concluded. “That said, as things change, for the better or worse, we will appropriately adjust our plans.”
Check out Hagar’s post here:
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In the same compilation piece about life without concerts, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival described the pandemic as “so real and so scary and life-threatening.” “Maybe some other guy thinks it’s a good idea, but I’m not dying for Donald Trump,” Fogerty said of states reopening. “I’m not dying for the economy. How can you have any kind of a crowd?” Multiple states have seen record spikes in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases this week, following last month’s easing of restrictions aimed at slowing the virus’s spread. CORRECTION: This article initially reported comments made by Hagar to Rolling Stone as having been made this week, when in fact he made them in early May. Rolling Stone published the article on which HuffPost initially reported on June 23. The comments of all 14 artists quoted in it are undated, and the article does not indicate that these remarks were compiled from previous articles.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Faces New Indictment In U.S.

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sought to recruit hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia who could provide his anti-secrecy website with classified information , and conspired with members of hacking organizations , according to a new Justice Department indictment announced Wednesday .
The superseding indictment does not contain additional charges beyond the 18 counts the Justice Department unsealed last year .
But prosecutors say it underscores Assange ’ s efforts to procure and release classified information , allegations that form the basis of criminal charges he already faces .
Beyond recruiting hackers at conferences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of hacking groups known as LulzSec and Anonymous .
He also worked with a 17-year-old hacker who gave him information stolen from a bank and directed the teenager to steal additional material , including audio recordings of high-ranking government officials , prosecutors say .
Assange ’ s lawyer , Barry Pollack , said in a statement that “ the government ’ s relentless pursuit of Julian Assange poses a grave threat to journalists everywhere and to the public ’ s right to know.
” “ While today ’ s superseding indictment is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s effort to persuade the public that its pursuit of Julian Assange is based on something other than his publication of newsworthy truthful information , ” he added , “ the indictment continues to charge him with violating the Espionage Act based on WikiLeaks publications exposing war crimes committed by the U.S. Government.
” Assange was arrested last year after being evicted from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London , where he had sought refuge to avoid being sent to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault , and is at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he should be sent to the United States .
The Justice Department has already charged him with conspiring with former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in U.S. history by working together to crack a password to a government computer .
Prosecutors say the WikiLeaks founder damaged national security by publishing hundreds of thousands of classified documents , including diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , that harmed the U.S. and its allies and aided its adversaries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist entitled to First Amendment protection .
His lawyers have argued the U.S. charges of espionage and computer misuse were politically motivated and an abuse of power .
Assange generated substantial attention during the 2016 presidential election , and in investigations that followed , after WikiLeaks published stolen Democratic emails that U.S. authorities say were hacked by Russian military intelligence officials .
An investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller revealed how Trump campaign associates eagerly anticipated the email disclosures .
One Trump ally , Roger Stone , was found guilty last year of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the emails .
Assange , however , was never charged in Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
The allegations in the new indictment center on conferences , in locations including the Netherlands and Malaysia in 2009 , at which prosecutors say he and a WikiLeaks associate sought to recruit hackers who could locate classified information , including material on a “ Most Wanted Leaks ” list posted on WikiLeaks ’ website .
According to the new indictment , he told would-be recruits that unless they were a member of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for stealing classified information and giving it to WikiLeaks “ because ‘ TOP SECRET ’ meant nothing as a matter of law.
” At one conference in Malaysia , called the “ Hack in the Box Security Conference , ” Assange told the audience , “ I was a famous teenage hacker in Australia , and I ’ ve been reading generals ’ emails since I was 17 .
”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sought to recruit hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia who could provide his anti-secrecy website with classified information, and conspired with members of hacking organizations, according to a new Justice Department indictment announced Wednesday.
The superseding indictment does not contain additional charges beyond the 18 counts the Justice Department unsealed last year. But prosecutors say it underscores Assange’s efforts to procure and release classified information, allegations that form the basis of criminal charges he already faces.
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Beyond recruiting hackers at conferences, the indictment accuses Assange of conspiring with members of hacking groups known as LulzSec and Anonymous. He also worked with a 17-year-old hacker who gave him information stolen from a bank and directed the teenager to steal additional material, including audio recordings of high-ranking government officials, prosecutors say.
Assange’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said in a statement that “the government’s relentless pursuit of Julian Assange poses a grave threat to journalists everywhere and to the public’s right to know.”
“While today’s superseding indictment is yet another chapter in the U.S. Government’s effort to persuade the public that its pursuit of Julian Assange is based on something other than his publication of newsworthy truthful information,” he added, “the indictment continues to charge him with violating the Espionage Act based on WikiLeaks publications exposing war crimes committed by the U.S. Government.”
Assange was arrested last year after being evicted from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he had sought refuge to avoid being sent to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault, and is at the center of an extradition tussle over whether he should be sent to the United States.
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The Justice Department has already charged him with conspiring with former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in U.S. history by working together to crack a password to a government computer.
Prosecutors say the WikiLeaks founder damaged national security by publishing hundreds of thousands of classified documents, including diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that harmed the U.S. and its allies and aided its adversaries.
Assange maintains he was acting as a journalist entitled to First Amendment protection. His lawyers have argued the U.S. charges of espionage and computer misuse were politically motivated and an abuse of power.
Assange generated substantial attention during the 2016 presidential election, and in investigations that followed, after WikiLeaks published stolen Democratic emails that U.S. authorities say were hacked by Russian military intelligence officials. An investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller revealed how Trump campaign associates eagerly anticipated the email disclosures. One Trump ally, Roger Stone, was found guilty last year of lying about his efforts to gain inside information about the emails. Assange, however, was never charged in Mueller’s Russia investigation.
The allegations in the new indictment center on conferences, in locations including the Netherlands and Malaysia in 2009, at which prosecutors say he and a WikiLeaks associate sought to recruit hackers who could locate classified information, including material on a “Most Wanted Leaks” list posted on WikiLeaks’ website.
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According to the new indictment, he told would-be recruits that unless they were a member of the U.S. military, they faced no legal liability for stealing classified information and giving it to WikiLeaks “because ‘TOP SECRET’ meant nothing as a matter of law.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--North Carolina Cops Fired Over Racist Chats About ‘Slaughtering’ Black People

Wilmington Police Department in North Carolina has fired three veteran police officers who made racist comments and discussed “ slaughtering ” and wiping Black people off the map in conversations recorded on an in-car camera .
Newly appointed police Chief Donny Williams announced the dismissals of Cpl .
Jesse Moore and officers James Gilmore and Kevin Piner during a news conference Wednesday .
Their conversations featured racist slurs , criticism of Black officers and the Black Lives Matter movement , and talk of a civil war , Williams said , describing the exchanges as “ brutally offensive.
” The chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Chief Williams releases statement about the termination of three veteran Wilmington Police Officers and his plan for racial reconciliation .
( see attached statement ) pic.twitter.com/mYmPoWPuxL — Wilmington Police ( @ WilmingtonPD ) June 24 , 2020 “ There are certain behaviors that one must have in order to be a police officer and these three officers have demonstrated that they do not possess it , ” said the police chief .
He added that he was “ shocked , saddened and disgusted.
” “ Please don ’ t judge our officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Williams also explained the department ’ s unusual step of releasing a summary of the investigation .
“ Because it is the right thing to do , ” he said , calling it an exceptional case that was “ essential to maintain public confidence in the administration of the City and the Police Department .
”

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Wilmington Police Department in North Carolina has fired three veteran police officers who made racist comments and discussed “slaughtering” and wiping Black people off the map in conversations recorded on an in-car camera.
Newly appointed police Chief Donny Williams announced the dismissals of Cpl. Jesse Moore and officers James Gilmore and Kevin Piner during a news conference Wednesday.
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Their conversations featured racist slurs, criticism of Black officers and the Black Lives Matter movement, and talk of a civil war, Williams said, describing the exchanges as “brutally offensive.” The chief said the firings were “extremely necessary.”
Chief Williams releases statement about the termination of three veteran Wilmington Police Officers and his plan for racial reconciliation. (see attached statement) pic.twitter.com/mYmPoWPuxL — Wilmington Police (@WilmingtonPD) June 24, 2020
A police supervisor found the footage during a routine inspection, Williams said.
“There are certain behaviors that one must have in order to be a police officer and these three officers have demonstrated that they do not possess it,” said the police chief. He added that he was “shocked, saddened and disgusted.”
“Please don’t judge our officers based on the conduct of a few,” he said.
Williams also explained the department’s unusual step of releasing a summary of the investigation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Michael Bolton Trolls John Bolton By Singing Hilariously Fake Book Excerpts

Stephen Colbert ’ s “ Late Show ” team got the soft-rock icon to sing supposed passages from The Room @ @ @ @ @ national security advisor John Bolton ’ s book about President Donald Trump .
And they @ @ @ @ @ bonus chapters in this audiobook parody : Michael Bolton also took part in an unusual @ @ @ @ @ “ Late Show ” in 2018 , when he sang some of the infamous hawk @ @ @ @ @ :

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Seth Meyers Explains Why ‘Bald-Faced Racism’ Is Now Donald Trump’s Only Hope Of Winning

Seth Meyers on Wednesday broke down the only strategy that President Donald Trump and his right-wing allies appear to have @ @ @ @ @ this year — and that ’ s “ bald-faced racism.
” Trump and the primetime @ @ @ @ @ “ very few tricks ” left to secure the president ’ s victory in the @ @ @ @ @ Late Night ” host said , highlighting how they ’ d just decided to double @ @ @ @ @ ” “ This is a sociopathic political movement concerned only with amassing and maintaining power @ @ @ @ @ “ And they ’ ve decided , amid Trump ’ s many failures , to @ @ @ @ @ bald-faced racism as their only hope of winning .
”

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Seth Meyers on Wednesday broke down the only strategy that President Donald Trump and his right-wing allies appear to have left for getting him reelected this year — and that’s “bald-faced racism.”
Trump and the primetime personalities of Fox News have “very few tricks” left to secure the president’s victory in the November election, the “Late Night” host said, highlighting how they’d just decided to double down on “explicit racism.”
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“This is a sociopathic political movement concerned only with amassing and maintaining power,” Meyers said. “And they’ve decided, amid Trump’s many failures, to double down on crude, bald-faced racism as their only hope of winning.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-24--Jon Stewart Names The Biden Trait That 'In This Moment, This Country Needs'

Former “ Daily Show ” host Jon Stewart said former Vice President Joe Biden wasn ’ t his first choice for president and wasn ’ t even in the top four .
But he said Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has one key characteristic that President Donald Trump lacks ― and it ’ s one he said the country needs right now .
Speaking to “ Late Show ” host and former Comedy Central colleague Stephen Colbert , Stewart said he doesn ’ t like some of the “ shticky ” parts of Biden ’ s personality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not the core of who that guy really is , ” he said .
Stewart then spoke of the nation ’ s pain right now ― and pain is something Biden very much understands .
Biden ’ s first wife , Neilia Hunter Biden , was killed in a traffic accident that also claimed the life of their baby daughter and left their two sons badly injured .
One of those sons , Beau Biden , died of brain cancer in 2015 .
The former vice president has spoken openly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When I see Biden past the shtick , I see a guy who knows what loss is , who knows grief , ” he said .
“ And I think that that kind of grief humbles you.
” Stewart said it leads to humility , “ and what I think in this moment this country needs is a leader of humility.
” See more of his discussion with Colbert below :

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Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart said former Vice President Joe Biden wasn’t his first choice for president and wasn’t even in the top four.
But he said Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has one key characteristic that President Donald Trump lacks ― and it’s one he said the country needs right now.
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Speaking to “Late Show” host and former Comedy Central colleague Stephen Colbert, Stewart said he doesn’t like some of the “shticky” parts of Biden’s personality.
“But I feel like that’s not the core of who that guy really is,” he said.
Stewart then spoke of the nation’s pain right now ― and pain is something Biden very much understands.
Biden’s first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, was killed in a traffic accident that also claimed the life of their baby daughter and left their two sons badly injured. One of those sons, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer in 2015.
The former vice president has spoken openly about his grief and pain from loss.
“When I see Biden past the shtick, I see a guy who knows what loss is, who knows grief,” he said. “And I think that that kind of grief humbles you.”
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Stewart said it leads to humility, “and what I think in this moment this country needs is a leader of humility.”
See more of his discussion with Colbert below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Trump To Attend Mount Rushmore Fireworks Show Amid Wildfire And COVID-19 Risks

For the first time in more than a decade , fireworks will light up the sky over Mount Rushmore as part of President Donald Trump ’ s Fourth of July celebration next week , an event that is expected to draw thousands of people from across the country despite coronavirus , wildfire and water pollution concerns .
The July 3 event in South Dakota ’ s Black Hills is scheduled to include an appearance by Trump , who has vocally pushed for the return of the site ’ s pyrotechnics display that last took place at the national memorial in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrapped the display in previous years because of the heightened risk of wildfires linked to pine beetle infestations in the surrounding forest .
The forest , which primarily features ponderosa pine trees , has recovered to levels that will “ allow for a safe fireworks display , ” the state ’ s tourism website said. A former National Park Service fire management officer who oversaw Mount Rushmore and six other national park sites in the area disagreed with Trump ’ s fire assessment , however , and called plans to shoot explosives over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how dry the area has been .
South Dakota ’ s COVID-19 case count has remained relatively flat in recent weeks .
But about 70 % of the roughly 125,000 people who applied for the event ’ s $ 1 tickets will come from other states .
The tickets were granted through a lottery system .
The states that had the most ticket applicants were California , Colorado , Minnesota , Texas , Washington , Utah , Oregon , Wyoming , Nebraska , Illinois and Florida , according to a list obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , Washington , Illinois and Florida currently have some of the highest COVID-19 levels in the country , according to the latest figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Following a beetle infestation that killed trees surrounding the memorial , the land is said to have recovered to levels that will “ allow for a safe fireworks display . ''
South Dakota ’ s tourism website advises that the firework show ’ s “ participants will be in close contact for an extended amount of time ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Information on social distancing is not included on the website , and Gov .
Kristi Noem ( R ) earlier this month said that social distancing will not be enforced at the event .
There have also been concerns about the fireworks ’ harm to the local water supply .
A 2016 U.S. Geological Survey report found that Mount Rushmore ’ s annual fireworks displays were the probable cause of elevated concentrations of the neurotoxin perchlorate in local groundwater .
Perchlorate has been linked to brain damage in infants .

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For the first time in more than a decade, fireworks will light up the sky over Mount Rushmore as part of President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July celebration next week, an event that is expected to draw thousands of people from across the country despite coronavirus, wildfire and water pollution concerns.
The July 3 event in South Dakota’s Black Hills is scheduled to include an appearance by Trump, who has vocally pushed for the return of the site’s pyrotechnics display that last took place at the national memorial in 2009.
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National Park Service officials had scrapped the display in previous years because of the heightened risk of wildfires linked to pine beetle infestations in the surrounding forest. The forest, which primarily features ponderosa pine trees, has recovered to levels that will “allow for a safe fireworks display,” the state’s tourism website said.
Fireworks explode over Mount Rushmore National Memorial in 2004 in Keystone, South Dakota, in celebration of Independence Day. JEFF HAYNES via Getty Images
Trump announced his intent to launch fireworks at the site back in January; he also dismissed wildfire concerns at the site, saying, “What can burn? It’s stone.”
It’s not clear whether a 150-acre wildfire burning roughly 6 miles south of Mount Rushmore in Custer State Park will affect the coming fireworks event. Local and federal memorial officials did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment Thursday.
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A former National Park Service fire management officer who oversaw Mount Rushmore and six other national park sites in the area disagreed with Trump’s fire assessment, however, and called plans to shoot explosives over the wooded area unwise, particularly because of how dry the area has been.
“Shooting fireworks over a ponderosa pine forest, or any flammable vegetation, is ill-advised and should not be done. Period,” he told the Argus Leader.
President Trump argued that Mount Rushmore is incapable of burning because "it's stone." Annual firework displays haven't taken place at the national monument since 2009 because of wildfire risks. ASSOCIATED PRESS
But it’s not just wildfires that are raising concerns over Trump’s push to light up the night sky.
A total of 7,500 event tickets have gone out to people across the country, according to state tourism officials, raising health concerns about the nation’s ongoing surge in coronavirus cases.
South Dakota’s COVID-19 case count has remained relatively flat in recent weeks. But about 70% of the roughly 125,000 people who applied for the event’s $1 tickets will come from other states. The tickets were granted through a lottery system. The states that had the most ticket applicants were California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois and Florida, according to a list obtained by the Rapid City Journal.
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California, Texas, Washington, Illinois and Florida currently have some of the highest COVID-19 levels in the country, according to the latest figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Following a beetle infestation that killed trees surrounding the memorial, the land is said to have recovered to levels that will “allow for a safe fireworks display." ASSOCIATED PRESS
South Dakota’s tourism website advises that the firework show’s “participants will be in close contact for an extended amount of time” and that they should “plan accordingly.” Information on social distancing is not included on the website, and Gov. Kristi Noem (R) earlier this month said that social distancing will not be enforced at the event.
Unlike Trump’s recent campaign rally in Oklahoma, tickets for the fireworks display do not include a liability waiver if attendees become ill with COVID-19, the Argus Leader reported.
The South Dakota Department of Health referred social distancing questions to the state’s Department of Tourism, which did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
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There have also been concerns about the fireworks’ harm to the local water supply. A 2016 U.S. Geological Survey report found that Mount Rushmore’s annual fireworks displays were the probable cause of elevated concentrations of the neurotoxin perchlorate in local groundwater. Perchlorate has been linked to brain damage in infants.
The Trump administration last week ended the Obama administration’s efforts to regulate perchlorate in the nation’s drinking water. The chemical is a component of rocket fuel, ammunition and other explosives.
A 2016 U.S. Geological Survey report found that Mount Rushmore’s annual fireworks displays were the probable cause of elevated concentrations of the neurotoxin perchlorate in local groundwater. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cheryl Schreier, who served as the superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Monument between September 2010 and May 2019, called the fireworks event “a bad idea,” not just for tourists but also for park employees.
“It’s a bad idea based on the wildland fire risk, the impact to the water quality of the memorial, the fact that [it] is going to occur during a pandemic without social distancing guidelines and the emergency evacuation issues,” she told The Washington Post.
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Some Native Americans consider the land to have been stolen and desecrated by hostile foreign invaders centuries ago, and they reportedly plan to protest Trump’s visit next week.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Depression In Candid Chat With Demi Lovato

“ I think a lot of people , especially in the creative world , or just from childhood , you ’ ve been kind of trained to , like , just keep going and you can handle it , ” she said .
“ Especially as a woman , it ’ s like , ‘ Don ’ t let ‘ em see you sweat.
’ ” “ You were the first idol that I ever had , ” Lovato told Clarkson .
“ I wouldn ’ t be the artist — or even the person that I am — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I hadn ’ t had you to look up to.
” The conversation came about two weeks after news broke that Clarkson had filed for divorce from husband Brandon Blackstock after nearly seven years of marriage .
Since then , the “ American Idol ” alum has yet to address reports about her personal life .
Many interpreted her chilling take on Aretha Franklin ’ s 1967 hit , “ Chain of Fools ” ― performed on the June 16 episode of her eponymous talk show ― as her comment on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcome something , they ’ re like , ‘ OK , she ’ s already overcome it.
’ I ’ m like , ’ No , no , that ’ s a daily effort in trying to be positive….That ’ s not , like , a given .
Like , you ’ re just over it , and you went to some magical therapy session , and it ’ s over , ” she said .
“ I think that ’ s a daily thing that you work at , and a daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have a lot of time on our hands right now , ” said Lovato , who has been outspoken about the movement in interviews and social media .
“ There ’ s no reason why we shouldn ’ t be ... absorbing all the information that we possibly can about what ’ s going on in the world .
And then , from there , we ’ ve seen it all over the media that being silent and being not racist is not enough anymore.
” “ Like Aretha Franklin , Billie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color have shaped my musical journey , “ she added .
“ How am I supposed to appreciate what they ’ ve given me and not stand up for their community ?
”

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Kelly Clarkson began her interview with Demi Lovato this week by applauding her fellow pop star’s efforts to spread awareness about mental health.
On Wednesday’s episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the host explained to Lovato that she’d dealt with “similar issues,” adding, “I suffer from depression.”
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“I think a lot of people, especially in the creative world, or just from childhood, you’ve been kind of trained to, like, just keep going and you can handle it,” she said. “Especially as a woman, it’s like, ‘Don’t let ‘em see you sweat.’”
Turns out, the admiration was mutual.
“You were the first idol that I ever had,” Lovato told Clarkson. “I wouldn’t be the artist — or even the person that I am — with being so outspoken and vulnerable and fearless if I hadn’t had you to look up to.”
The conversation came about two weeks after news broke that Clarkson had filed for divorce from husband Brandon Blackstock after nearly seven years of marriage.
Since then, the “American Idol” alum has yet to address reports about her personal life. Many interpreted her chilling take on Aretha Franklin’s 1967 hit, “Chain of Fools” ― performed on the June 16 episode of her eponymous talk show ― as her comment on her marital breakup.
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Clarkson stuck mainly to platitudes on Wednesday, noting her mental health “takes work,” despite what others many assume.
“Even when you overcome something, they’re like, ‘OK, she’s already overcome it.’ I’m like, ’No, no, that’s a daily effort in trying to be positive….That’s not, like, a given. Like, you’re just over it, and you went to some magical therapy session, and it’s over,” she said. “I think that’s a daily thing that you work at, and a daily thing that I work at.”
Clarkson and Lovato also discussed the Black Lives Matter movement and the waves of protests against racial inequality sweeping the country.
“We have a lot of time on our hands right now,” said Lovato, who has been outspoken about the movement in interviews and social media. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be ... absorbing all the information that we possibly can about what’s going on in the world. And then, from there, we’ve seen it all over the media that being silent and being not racist is not enough anymore.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-25--How To Find The Best Coronavirus Face Mask For Kids

Because much like you wouldn ’ t buy one pair of shoes for your kid and declare shoe-wearing a nonstarter if he or she complained , experts say you shouldn ’ t write off masks for reluctant kiddos until you ’ ve taken some time to try and find the right one .
Which is tricky , of course , because until a few months ago , very few of us had any experience with buying or making masks .
The mask should snugly cover your kid ’ s mouth and nose .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should wear a cloth face covering when they ’ re in public settings where it is hard to practice social distancing .
And that mask should cover your child ’ s nose and mouth , the CDC says .
You shouldn ’ t have to yank it down or pull it up to cover both at the same time .
“ A mask fits properly if there aren ’ t big gaps between the skin and the mask , ” said Dr. Niket Sonpal , a New York-based internist and gastroenterologist and adjunct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask is too big , while it is still better than nothing , air can circulate through one of the crevices.
” Some kids are into masks that loop over the ears ; others prefer ones with ties .
Some kids might be able to handle a thicker mask ( which confers a bit more protection ) ; others won ’ t .
Kids can be really sensitive to textures , too , said Dr. Hailey Nelson , a complex care pediatrician with Valley Children ’ s Healthcare in California .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your child ’ s face , so that it is kind of snug but not pulling on their ears or bothering them , ” echoed Nelson , adding that if the mask is loose , your kid will definitely mess with it more .
One tip : don ’ t just ask your kiddo if a given mask is comfortable because they ’ ll probably say no .
Instead , spend some time watching them in it , being really mindful of some of those common fit and comfort issues .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are mulling having kids wear masks in the fall , parents are probably going to want to have at least five , plus a few extras on hand .
It could take some trial and error to find a good fit , and many mask vendors are experiencing delays , so it is not a bad idea to plan ahead and make sure you ’ re stocked up .
“ Wearing a mask is a skill , and it ’ s a skill that we have to learn , ” Nelson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask at home , if you haven ’ t already , so that the first ( or first-ish ) times they ’ re wearing it aren ’ t when they ’ re out in public and the stakes are high .
“ There are ways you can do this and make it fun , ” she said .
Try putting a mask on your kid ’ s favorite stuffed animal ( or a bunch of them ! )
or get them involved in buying or making their mask , so they feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No matter their age , be sure you ’ re also talking to them about why they ’ re wearing the mask .
Kids like to help .
Empower them ( in a developmentally appropriate way ) to understand the role they ’ re playing in keeping themselves and others healthy .
( Here are a few more tips on getting kids to actually keep masks on . )
If you ’ re not dutifully wearing your mask when you head outside with your kiddo , there ’ s really no reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make sure you ’ re masked up when you ’ re in settings where you can ’ t socially distance .
And be enthusiastic about it , Nelson urged .
Also , it ’ s OK to talk to your kid about adults you see in public who aren ’ t wearing masks themselves .
Just explain that it ’ s what you ’ re doing as a family to keep yourselves healthy and that your family ’ s rules are the ones your kid should be following .
And remember , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than nothing .
“ Anything that your child will tolerate is better than nothing at all , ” Sonpal said — though he emphasized you really want to communicate how important it is for them to wear a mask , try not to touch their face , wash their hands , and maintain social distance .

Tamilisa Miner via Getty Images Getting kids to wear masks can be a struggle. Paying close attention to fit and comfort can help.
When it comes to mask-wearing, parents generally say their kids fall into one of two groups: the my-kid-wears-one-without-much-complaint set, or the my-kid-absolutely-refuses contingent.
But what if there is a third option — the we-just-haven’t-found-the-right-mask-yet group?
Because much like you wouldn’t buy one pair of shoes for your kid and declare shoe-wearing a nonstarter if he or she complained, experts say you shouldn’t write off masks for reluctant kiddos until you’ve taken some time to try and find the right one. Which is tricky, of course, because until a few months ago, very few of us had any experience with buying or making masks.
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So we asked a few experts to share what parents should be looking for. Here’s what they had to say:
The mask should snugly cover your kid’s mouth and nose.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that kids ages 2 and up should wear a cloth face covering when they’re in public settings where it is hard to practice social distancing. And that mask should cover your child’s nose and mouth, the CDC says. You shouldn’t have to yank it down or pull it up to cover both at the same time.
Also critical? Make sure it’s snug and secure.
“A mask fits properly if there aren’t big gaps between the skin and the mask,” said Dr. Niket Sonpal, a New York-based internist and gastroenterologist and adjunct professor at Touro College. “If a mask is too big, while it is still better than nothing, air can circulate through one of the crevices.”
Ear loop vs. tie? Fabric thickness? These things matter.
Some kids are into masks that loop over the ears; others prefer ones with ties. Some kids might be able to handle a thicker mask (which confers a bit more protection); others won’t. Kids can be really sensitive to textures, too, said Dr. Hailey Nelson, a complex care pediatrician with Valley Children’s Healthcare in California.
For example, I’ve had some success in my own family with a relatively thin, stretchy “buff” — although Sonpal emphasized that heftier cotton is more effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
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“Comfort is a concern, I understand, and children [younger] than 2 have smaller airways, so it is harder for them to breathe through the mask,” he said. “Take these things into consideration.”
“Try to figure out that right fit for your child’s face, so that it is kind of snug but not pulling on their ears or bothering them,” echoed Nelson, adding that if the mask is loose, your kid will definitely mess with it more.
One tip: don’t just ask your kiddo if a given mask is comfortable because they’ll probably say no. Instead, spend some time watching them in it, being really mindful of some of those common fit and comfort issues.
Also, Nelson noted, since some schools are mulling having kids wear masks in the fall, parents are probably going to want to have at least five, plus a few extras on hand. It could take some trial and error to find a good fit, and many mask vendors are experiencing delays, so it is not a bad idea to plan ahead and make sure you’re stocked up.
Practice, practice, practice.
“Wearing a mask is a skill, and it’s a skill that we have to learn,” Nelson said. Start by having your kid wear the mask at home, if you haven’t already, so that the first (or first-ish) times they’re wearing it aren’t when they’re out in public and the stakes are high.
Advertisement
“There are ways you can do this and make it fun,” she said. Try putting a mask on your kid’s favorite stuffed animal (or a bunch of them!) or get them involved in buying or making their mask, so they feel like they have some control over the process.
No matter their age, be sure you’re also talking to them about why they’re wearing the mask. Kids like to help. Empower them (in a developmentally appropriate way) to understand the role they’re playing in keeping themselves and others healthy. (Here are a few more tips on getting kids to actually keep masks on.)
Make sure you’re modeling good mask-wearing yourself.
If you’re not dutifully wearing your mask when you head outside with your kiddo, there’s really no reason to expect them to take to it. Make sure you’re masked up when you’re in settings where you can’t socially distance. And be enthusiastic about it, Nelson urged.
“That can go a long way to set the tone and expectation,” she said.
Also, it’s OK to talk to your kid about adults you see in public who aren’t wearing masks themselves. Just explain that it’s what you’re doing as a family to keep yourselves healthy and that your family’s rules are the ones your kid should be following.
And remember, some level of mask-wearing is probably better than nothing.
“Anything that your child will tolerate is better than nothing at all,” Sonpal said — though he emphasized you really want to communicate how important it is for them to wear a mask, try not to touch their face, wash their hands, and maintain social distance.
Advertisement
Although mask-wearing has been framed as a “debate” in our country, experts say it is a simple step we can collectively take to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.