thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--I Was Desperate To Find A Roommate. Now, I'm Marrying Him During A Pandemic.

Something about those words : This is a long shot .
The rest of the email is mine to keep , hidden safely from view like a hermit crab tucked in its shell .
But it moved me .
He linked to his Facebook and LinkedIn profiles so I could be sure he was who he claimed to be .
I liked the look of him with his short , dark hair .
His near smile .
The email made me laugh .
None of the others had .
The next night we met for pizza and beer at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still wearing one of the only blazers I owned for work — gray , soft , cheap — a caricature of a functional adult with a temp job and only impending student loan debt .
He ran late because of the train and texted me politely , racing into the restaurant on his skinny legs , dressed almost entirely in black , save for a well worn band T-shirt that lives on in our closet today .
We were both escaping doomed relationships , his infinitely more complicated than mine .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roommate , all that really matters is that their at-home values match yours and they have good-enough credit .
He checked those boxes .
He was originally from Ohio , and his voice went down an octave when he said it , like mine does when I say I ’ m from Long Island .
It wasn ’ t love at first sight .
It ’ s more that I felt relieved .
He gave me the familiar feeling of coming home after a long time gone .
I figured I was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of time together over the next week while we searched for our eventual apartment in the Outer Sunset .
Instagram tagged the location as The Edge of the Western World .
My bedroom was the “ bonus room , ” with no fewer than three doors on three of the four walls ; his was the street-noisy master bedroom .
I don ’ t think either of us believed we could evolve into something more than an attraction , a too-close friendship , simply because ... we were an accident .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet in high school .
Others meet in college .
Maybe you meet at work .
At the bookstore .
At a concert .
At a bar .
On an app .
Through friends .
At a destination wedding .
Whatever it is , that plot point we call fate ( if we ’ re romantics ) or coincidence ( if we ’ re skeptics ) , I think something inside me always knew Jerrod was someone I wanted to keep — in any capacity .
We decided to be together , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living together .
He dressed up .
I had carnitas .
We moved from our two-bedroom at the beach to a one-bedroom on a high hill in San Francisco .
After a few years , we moved back to New York together .
We adopted our dog , also from the internet ( though not from Craigslist ) .
Like other couples , we weathered things , like painful dental procedures ( mine ) , back-to-back flus , family deaths and estrangements , student loans ( mine ) , a money pit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a fixture in my life as ordinary-extraordinary as a smoke alarm , and as present .
For all our days and nights spent together , I was still myself : a product of an especially difficult divorce , unsettled by comfort .
But so was Jerrod .
When he proposed after dinner on our sixth anniversary , in a hotel suite with a view , an antique ring in a bright box , I didn ’ t cry ; I yelled like my team had won the game .
My chest felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to point out , but you have to understand : I always imagined I would cry , hands to my face , all ugly , wonderful sweetness , like a movie .
Right ?
But my favorite movie is ” Moonstruck , ” and when Nic Cage proposes to Cher at the breakfast table , she doesn ’ t cry either .
And now I understand .
Love is the best thing we do .
It takes on so many shapes throughout the course of our lives .
But for most of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a life worth living , and that ’ s what I was most focused on all those years .
Every single person I spoke to after we got engaged assumed I knew it was coming — that night , on our anniversary .
But I didn ’ t .
I knew it was coming at all ; we ’ d talked about it in specific terms , not abstract ones .
We didn ’ t have ( don ’ t have ! )
much money , but we ’ re fortunate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some savings , our mutual joys .
This is a long shot is what I thought about the whole thing , because let ’ s be honest : Getting married is expensive in general , and especially if you live where we live and you don ’ t go to City Hall .
Less than two months later , COVID-19 arrived and New York was declared a state of emergency .
My mother ( who lives in New York City as well ) set to work making mask after mask for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerrod started working from home — indefinitely .
Our dog was thrilled to have us here , perpetually , competing with him for space on the couch .
We crept closer to the date we ’ d set aside for a summer wedding shower ... and quietly canceled it .
Our tasting was canceled .
The only thing we booked , before the pandemic was a known threat , was our venue .
I envisioned our 2021 winter wedding as a big cocktail party in a bookstore , with my original Craigslist roommate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us in a book-backed nook with tealights .
As we slogged into summer , blessed with only headaches and body aches anyone could call fatigue and anxiety — and not necessarily the virus — I bought a few small , hopeful things : a cake topper , a ring box , and some signs for the party .
But I felt it disappearing before me .
I couldn ’ t see a future state with a large group in an enclosed space , even as people told me : January ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you get married , you probably want to be able to hug your friends and family without holding your breath .
We ’ re not planning to have children .
( The pandemic didn ’ t change that ... though it wouldn ’ t be unreasonable to think it helped cement it . )
We ’ re not saving for a house .
We ’ re two people with two incomes , who ’ ve been able to get through this pandemic largely unscathed .
In New York City , no less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , is the one flashy dream I ’ d had for us as a couple .
Because we were roommates first , we never moved in together in the traditional sense .
There were milestones that slipped by unseen simply because they weren ’ t obvious .
But not everyone gets to have a wedding , and even fewer get the wedding of their dreams .
There are losses far greater , hardships that cut far deeper , than postponing or canceling a party .
So we decided that , whatever happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our date this winter .
The party can wait .
Everything else can wait .
The one miracle I see when I look into the mostly terrifying , gloom-and-doom future we ’ ve all been saddled with is this : we ’ re getting married to each other .
We can have our second start .
The wedding is not the marriage .
I miss everyone , I do , but if I had to captain a boat with only room for one other person , it would be Jerrod ( so long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
All of life is a long shot , and I don ’ t want to miss any of it .

The author and her fiancé, Jerrod, dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams, in Madison Square Park, New York City, on Halloween 2019. Courtesy of Jiordan Castle
Girl meets boy. Girl becomes engaged to boy. The world is overtaken by a deadly virus.
This is not how I thought my love story would go. But here we are, holed up in our apartment with our dog, our health, and a looming wedding date.
I met my future husband in the housing section of Craigslist in San Francisco seven years ago. I was 22 and looking for any bedroom, a dilapidated studio, a dining room with a curtain ... whatever would have me.
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An apartment with a friend (the friend who will be marrying us!) had fallen through at the last minute. Jerrod, my fiancé, was 25 and hurriedly leaving New York City for a job in the Bay Area. I’d made the same move three years earlier, but for school. In a competitive rental market, neither of us could find a bedroom that wasn’t snatched up instantly.
In desperation, he responded to my generic ad for a roommate. His was the only email I replied to.
Hi!
So I went into the housing wanted section of craigslist to post a frantic housing request and I saw your ad. I am also looking for move-in by 8/1. This is a long shot. I thought I would email you to see if you would be interested in urgently finding a two bedroom?
Something about those words: This is a long shot. The rest of the email is mine to keep, hidden safely from view like a hermit crab tucked in its shell. But it moved me. He linked to his Facebook and LinkedIn profiles so I could be sure he was who he claimed to be. I liked the look of him with his short, dark hair. His near smile. The email made me laugh. None of the others had.
The next night we met for pizza and beer at a place that no longer exists. I was still wearing one of the only blazers I owned for work — gray, soft, cheap — a caricature of a functional adult with a temp job and only impending student loan debt. He ran late because of the train and texted me politely, racing into the restaurant on his skinny legs, dressed almost entirely in black, save for a well worn band T-shirt that lives on in our closet today.
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We were both escaping doomed relationships, his infinitely more complicated than mine. But when you’re looking for a roommate, all that really matters is that their at-home values match yours and they have good-enough credit. He checked those boxes. He was originally from Ohio, and his voice went down an octave when he said it, like mine does when I say I’m from Long Island.
The men in the author's life. Courtesy of Jiordan Castle
It wasn’t love at first sight. It’s more that I felt relieved. He gave me the familiar feeling of coming home after a long time gone. I figured I was just missing New York. We spent a lot of time together over the next week while we searched for our eventual apartment in the Outer Sunset. Instagram tagged the location as The Edge of the Western World. My bedroom was the “bonus room,” with no fewer than three doors on three of the four walls; his was the street-noisy master bedroom.
Things happen. Your roommate is cuter than you’d expected. Your roommate likes the things you like. Your roommate buys you a Transformer for Christmas because you’ve always wanted one. (Megatron has a special place on one of our bookshelves.)
I don’t think either of us believed we could evolve into something more than an attraction, a too-close friendship, simply because ... we were an accident. But what couple isn’t? Some meet in high school. Others meet in college. Maybe you meet at work. At the bookstore. At a concert. At a bar. On an app. Through friends. At a destination wedding. Whatever it is, that plot point we call fate (if we’re romantics) or coincidence (if we’re skeptics), I think something inside me always knew Jerrod was someone I wanted to keep — in any capacity. We decided to be together, an official first date about six months into living together. He dressed up. I had carnitas.
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We moved from our two-bedroom at the beach to a one-bedroom on a high hill in San Francisco. After a few years, we moved back to New York together. We adopted our dog, also from the internet (though not from Craigslist). Like other couples, we weathered things, like painful dental procedures (mine), back-to-back flus, family deaths and estrangements, student loans (mine), a money pit of a car (his). Jerrod became a fixture in my life as ordinary-extraordinary as a smoke alarm, and as present. For all our days and nights spent together, I was still myself: a product of an especially difficult divorce, unsettled by comfort. But so was Jerrod.
“When he proposed after dinner on our sixth anniversary, in a hotel suite with a view, an antique ring in a bright box, I didn’t cry; I yelled like my team had won the game. My chest felt electric.”
When he proposed after dinner on our sixth anniversary, in a hotel suite with a view, an antique ring in a bright box, I didn’t cry; I yelled like my team had won the game. My chest felt electric. It seems an odd thing to point out, but you have to understand: I always imagined I would cry, hands to my face, all ugly, wonderful sweetness, like a movie. Right? But my favorite movie is ”Moonstruck,” and when Nic Cage proposes to Cher at the breakfast table, she doesn’t cry either. And now I understand.
Love is the best thing we do. It takes on so many shapes throughout the course of our lives. But for most of us, it takes a long time to build a life worth living, and that’s what I was most focused on all those years. Every single person I spoke to after we got engaged assumed I knew it was coming — that night, on our anniversary. But I didn’t. I knew it was coming at all; we’d talked about it in specific terms, not abstract ones. We didn’t have (don’t have!) much money, but we’re fortunate. We have each other, our dog, some savings, our mutual joys. This is a long shot is what I thought about the whole thing, because let’s be honest: Getting married is expensive in general, and especially if you live where we live and you don’t go to City Hall.
Less than two months later, COVID-19 arrived and New York was declared a state of emergency. My mother (who lives in New York City as well) set to work making mask after mask for us, and for everyone she knows. Jerrod started working from home — indefinitely. Our dog was thrilled to have us here, perpetually, competing with him for space on the couch. We crept closer to the date we’d set aside for a summer wedding shower ... and quietly canceled it. Our tasting was canceled. The only thing we booked, before the pandemic was a known threat, was our venue. I envisioned our 2021 winter wedding as a big cocktail party in a bookstore, with my original Craigslist roommate Jessie flying in from California to marry us in a book-backed nook with tealights.
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The author (left) with Jerrod (middle) and their friend Jessie (right) in the first photo Jerrod and the author ever took together as roommates in San Francisco. Courtesy of Jiordan Castle
As we slogged into summer, blessed with only headaches and body aches anyone could call fatigue and anxiety — and not necessarily the virus — I bought a few small, hopeful things: a cake topper, a ring box, and some signs for the party. But I felt it disappearing before me. I couldn’t see a future state with a large group in an enclosed space, even as people told me: January? It’ll all be fine by then. When you get married, you probably want to be able to hug your friends and family without holding your breath.
We’re not planning to have children. (The pandemic didn’t change that ... though it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think it helped cement it.) We’re not saving for a house. We’re two people with two incomes, who’ve been able to get through this pandemic largely unscathed. In New York City, no less! The wedding, the party of it, is the one flashy dream I’d had for us as a couple. Because we were roommates first, we never moved in together in the traditional sense. There were milestones that slipped by unseen simply because they weren’t obvious. But not everyone gets to have a wedding, and even fewer get the wedding of their dreams. There are losses far greater, hardships that cut far deeper, than postponing or canceling a party.
So we decided that, whatever happens, we’ll get married on our date this winter. The party can wait. Everything else can wait. The one miracle I see when I look into the mostly terrifying, gloom-and-doom future we’ve all been saddled with is this: we’re getting married to each other. We can have our second start. The wedding is not the marriage. I miss everyone, I do, but if I had to captain a boat with only room for one other person, it would be Jerrod (so long as he agrees to bring the dog). All of life is a long shot, and I don’t want to miss any of it.
Jiordan Castle is the author of the chapbook “All His Breakable Things.” Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Hobart, New Ohio Review, Third Point Press, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. She is a regular contributor to the LA-based quarterly food and culture magazine Compound Butter, and writes and curates the Pigeon Pages series The Long Pause…. She has an MFA in poetry from Hunter College and lives in Brooklyn with her fiancé and their dog.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--More Than 70 Republican Ex-National Security Officials Endorse Joe Biden

Dozens of Republican former national security officials have endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a stinging statement spelling out why they can ’ t vote for Donald Trump in the 2020 election .
The statement was signed by 74 former officials who have all served as Republicans in Congress or in GOP presidential administrations — including some former Trump officials .
They gave 10 reasons why they won ’ t be voting for Trump ’ s reelection , ranging from his cozy relationship with dictators to the damage he ’ s done to America ’ s role on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hayden , former FBI Director William Webster and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are among the signatories .
“ While we — like all Americans — had hoped that Donald Trump would govern wisely , he has disappointed millions of voters who put their faith in him and has demonstrated that he is dangerously unfit to serve another term , ” they said the statement .
“ In contrast , we believe Joe Biden has the character , experience , and temperament to lead this nation , ” the signatories added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the presidency , bring Americans together , reassert America ’ s role as a global leader , and inspire our nation to live up to its ideals.
” The Republican advocacy organization Defending Democracy Together , which was co-founded by the anti-Trump conservative Bill Kristol , shared the statement on its website Friday and invited other former national security officials to sign .
Defending Democracy Together is also behind the groups Republicans for the Rule of Law and Republican Voters Against Trump , whose videos attacking the president have gone viral on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , whether their clips — and those from other conservative anti-Trump groups like The Lincoln Project — have any effect on swing voters .

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Dozens of Republican former national security officials have endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a stinging statement spelling out why they can’t vote for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
The statement was signed by 74 former officials who have all served as Republicans in Congress or in GOP presidential administrations — including some former Trump officials. They gave 10 reasons why they won’t be voting for Trump’s reelection, ranging from his cozy relationship with dictators to the damage he’s done to America’s role on the world stage.
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Former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former FBI Director William Webster and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are among the signatories.
“While we — like all Americans — had hoped that Donald Trump would govern wisely, he has disappointed millions of voters who put their faith in him and has demonstrated that he is dangerously unfit to serve another term,” they said in the statement.
“In contrast, we believe Joe Biden has the character, experience, and temperament to lead this nation,” the signatories added. “We believe he will restore the dignity of the presidency, bring Americans together, reassert America’s role as a global leader, and inspire our nation to live up to its ideals.”
The Republican advocacy organization Defending Democracy Together, which was co-founded by the anti-Trump conservative Bill Kristol, shared the statement on its website Friday and invited other former national security officials to sign.
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Defending Democracy Together is also behind the groups Republicans for the Rule of Law and Republican Voters Against Trump, whose videos attacking the president have gone viral on social media.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--'The Daily Show' Makes A Complete Mockery Of Fox News’ Attacks On Kamala Harris

“ The Daily Show ” correspondent Desi Lydic on Friday lampooned the way in which some Fox News personalities have @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris this week .
Lydic began the parody clip by claiming to have watched @ @ @ @ @ hours straight .
She then mockingly laid out what her binging on Fox News had @ @ @ @ @ about the Democratic senator from California .

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--It's A Tiny Giant Panda! Mei Xiang Gives Birth On Panda Cam At National Zoo

“ Joyful news : a precious giant panda cub has arrived !
” said a statement from the Washington , D.C. , zoo .
Mei Xiang is “ caring for her newborn attentively.
” She ’ s exhibiting “ positive mothering behaviors , include nursing her cub and cuddling it close , ” zoo officials noted .
Mei Xiang “ picked the cub up immediately ” after the birth and “ began cradling and caring for it , ” the statement noted .
The panda team heard the cub vocalize , and caught a glimpse of the “ wonderful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the zoo .
🐼❤ See and listen to the joyous moment when our giant panda cub was born at 6:35 p.m. !
The animal care team reports mom Mei Xiang and cub appear to be doing well .
# PandaStory # PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/An1wx3FZG8 — National Zoo ( @ NationalZoo ) August 22 , 2020 🐼❤ Three cheers for giant panda Mei Xiang !
She graced us with a glimpse of her wonderful , wiggly cub .
It was born 6:35 p.m. Friday , Aug. 21 .
Watch along with us via the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/99lBTV2w92 .
# PandaStory # PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/4LJ6LKAhCO — National Zoo ( @ NationalZoo ) August 22 , 2020 A neonatal exam will be performed when keepers are able to retrieve the cub , which may take a few days , according to the zoo .
The sex of the cub will be determined later .
Female giant pandas rarely weight more than 220 pounds .
Newborn cubs — pink , hairless and blind — weigh just 3 to 5 ounces and are about the size of a “ stick of butter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cubs usually stay with their mothers up to three years .
Zoo officials learned that 22-year-old Mei Xiang was pregnant during an ultrasound earlier this month .
But she also began exhibiting some pregnancy behaviors in late July , including sleeping more , eating less and building a nest .
Females are able to become pregnant for only 24 to 72 hours each year .
Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated in March .
“ In the middle of a pandemic , this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the zoo , said after the ultrasound .
Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda in the United States and the second oldest documented in the world to give birth , according to the zoo .
She had previously given birth to three surviving cubs — Tai Shan , Bao Bao and Bei Bei — who now live in China .

Giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth Friday evening to a tiny squeaking baby on Panda Cam at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
“Joyful news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived!” said a statement from the Washington, D.C., zoo. Mei Xiang is “caring for her newborn attentively.” She’s exhibiting “positive mothering behaviors, include nursing her cub and cuddling it close,” zoo officials noted.
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Mei Xiang “picked the cub up immediately” after the birth and “began cradling and caring for it,” the statement noted. The panda team heard the cub vocalize, and caught a glimpse of the “wonderful, wiggly cub,” said a tweet from the zoo.
🐼❤ See and listen to the joyous moment when our giant panda cub was born at 6:35 p.m.! The animal care team reports mom Mei Xiang and cub appear to be doing well. #PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/An1wx3FZG8 — National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 22, 2020
🐼❤ Three cheers for giant panda Mei Xiang! She graced us with a glimpse of her wonderful, wiggly cub. It was born 6:35 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. Watch along with us via the Panda Cam! 👀🎥 TUNE IN: https://t.co/99lBTV2w92. #PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/4LJ6LKAhCO — National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 22, 2020
A neonatal exam will be performed when keepers are able to retrieve the cub, which may take a few days, according to the zoo. The sex of the cub will be determined later.
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Female giant pandas rarely weight more than 220 pounds. Newborn cubs — pink, hairless and blind — weigh just 3 to 5 ounces and are about the size of a “stick of butter,” according to the zoo. Cubs usually stay with their mothers up to three years.
Zoo officials learned that 22-year-old Mei Xiang was pregnant during an ultrasound earlier this month. But she also began exhibiting some pregnancy behaviors in late July, including sleeping more, eating less and building a nest.
Females are able to become pregnant for only 24 to 72 hours each year. Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated in March.
“In the middle of a pandemic, this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about,” Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian at the zoo, said after the ultrasound.
Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda in the United States and the second oldest documented in the world to give birth, according to the zoo.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--Trump Accuses FDA Of 'Deep State' Conspiracy Against Him Over COVID-19 Vaccine Testing

Trump tweeted that the FDA was specifically out to hurt him — “ obviously , ” he tweeted — by delaying progress on a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment until after the presidential election .
Critics , meanwhile , accused Trump of preparing to push an unproven vaccine to win his reelection despite the health risk to Americans .
Trump appeared to accuse the FDA in his tweet of interfering with drug company recruitment of subjects for testing vaccines and therapeutic medicines in the fight against the disease caused by the coronavirus .
FDA staff people meet with researchers and inspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rights of patients and verify the quality and integrity of the data , ” according to an FDA statement .
The deep state , or whoever , over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics .
Obviously , they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd .
Must focus on speed , and saving lives !
@ SteveFDA — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 22 , 2020 Trump tagged FDA Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whom Trump named to his post last December , vowed last month in an NBC interview that the FDA “ will not cut corners ” to rush a risky vaccine .
“ We ’ re going to call the balls and strikes on this , ” he said .
Hahn repeated that vow to doctors in a video briefing to the American Medical Association earlier this month , adding : “ All of our decisions will continue to be based on good science and the same careful deliberative processes we have always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marks , head of the FDA ’ s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research , said earlier this month in a call with officials and pharmaceutical representatives that he would resign if the Trump administration approves a vaccine before it ’ s proven to be safe and effective , Reuters reported .
“ You have to decide where your red line is , and that ’ s my red line , ” he told Reuters .
“ I would feel obligated [ to quit ] because in doing so , I would indicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s something wrong.
” Marks said he has not yet been under any political pressure to speed approval of an unproven vaccine .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) on Saturday called Trump ’ s wild “ deep state ” accusation “ very scary ” and a “ very dangerous ” statement .
“ Even for him it went beyond the pale in terms of how he would jeopardize the health and well-being of the American people , ” she said at a Washington news briefing .
“ The FDA has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their safety and their efficacy — not by a declaration from the White House about speed and politicizing the FDA , ” Pelosi told reporters .
Trump previously said that a COVID-19 vaccine could be ready by election day , contradicting reputable health experts .
Two U.S. companies are already in phase three clinical trials for vaccines , the final stage of testing , but final results will take months .
One of the companies , Moderna , must first finish enrolling participants — possibly by the end of September , CNN reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots .
They must wait 28 days before receiving a second round of shots , then wait two weeks longer to determine if the vaccine is effective .

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President Donald Trump accused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a wildly paranoid tweet of a “deep state” conspiracy against him over COVID-19 vaccine testing.
Trump tweeted that the FDA was specifically out to hurt him — “obviously,” he tweeted — by delaying progress on a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment until after the presidential election.
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Critics, meanwhile, accused Trump of preparing to push an unproven vaccine to win his reelection despite the health risk to Americans.
Trump appeared to accuse the FDA in his tweet of interfering with drug company recruitment of subjects for testing vaccines and therapeutic medicines in the fight against the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Research labs are responsible for finding volunteer test subjects and conducting testing but must follow health guidelines enforced by the FDA to protect people’s lives.
FDA staff people meet with researchers and inspect clinical trial study sites to “protect the rights of patients and verify the quality and integrity of the data,” according to an FDA statement.
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The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics. Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives! @SteveFDA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
Trump tagged FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in his tweet. Hahn, whom Trump named to his post last December, vowed last month in an NBC interview that the FDA “will not cut corners” to rush a risky vaccine. “We’re going to call the balls and strikes on this,” he said.
Hahn repeated that vow to doctors in a video briefing to the American Medical Association earlier this month, adding: “All of our decisions will continue to be based on good science and the same careful deliberative processes we have always used when reviewing medical products.”
Peter Marks, head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said earlier this month in a call with officials and pharmaceutical representatives that he would resign if the Trump administration approves a vaccine before it’s proven to be safe and effective, Reuters reported.
“You have to decide where your red line is, and that’s my red line,” he told Reuters. “I would feel obligated [to quit] because in doing so, I would indicate to the American public that there’s something wrong.” Marks said he has not yet been under any political pressure to speed approval of an unproven vaccine.
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The FDA has not yet commented on Trump’s Saturday tweet attack.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Saturday called Trump’s wild “deep state” accusation “very scary” and a “very dangerous” statement. “Even for him it went beyond the pale in terms of how he would jeopardize the health and well-being of the American people,” she said at a Washington news briefing.
“The FDA has a responsibility to approve drugs, judging on their safety and their efficacy — not by a declaration from the White House about speed and politicizing the FDA,” Pelosi told reporters.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, also slammed Trump’s accusation as dangerous. “The American public needs to have absolutely no doubt FDA is basing its decisions on science — not the president’s conspiracy theories,” she said in a statement to HuffPost.
Trump previously said that a COVID-19 vaccine could be ready by election day, contradicting reputable health experts. Two U.S. companies are already in phase three clinical trials for vaccines, the final stage of testing, but final results will take months.
One of the companies, Moderna, must first finish enrolling participants — possibly by the end of September, CNN reported. Volunteers are then given their first shots. They must wait 28 days before receiving a second round of shots, then wait two weeks longer to determine if the vaccine is effective.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--In Leaked Audio, Trump Credits Black Americans Who Didn't Vote In 2016: Reports

In the days before his inauguration , president-elect Donald Trump met with civil rights leaders at Trump Tower and boasted that lower turnout among Black Americans helped propel him to victory in the 2016 election .
According to leaked audio of the meeting cited by Politico and The Independent , Trump claimed that Black voters stayed home because they secretly supported him over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton .
“ Many Blacks didn ’ t go out to vote for Hillary ’ cause they liked me .
That was almost as good as getting the vote , you know , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the room of activists , which included Martin Luther King III .
There is no evidence to support Trump ’ s assertion .
Black voter turnout was down in 2016 compared to highs in 2008 and 2012 , when Barack Obama — the first Black president — topped the ticket , but Trump is notoriously unpopular with Black Americans .
In 2016 , 89 % of Black voters supported Clinton .
It is incredibly unlikely that there is a large cohort of Black Americans who back Trump but have remained silent about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 meeting was leaked by a former aide to one of the participants .
The president ’ s comments praising non-voting , however baseless they may be , are particularly alarming given his view of the United States Postal Service , which will play an outsized role in the 2020 presidential election .
Trump has repeatedly claimed , again without evidence , that if states make it easy to vote by mail , there will be massive voter fraud in the upcoming election .
States are leaning heavily on mail-in ballots this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to deter in-person voting because many voters — especially older Americans , who vote at particularly high rates — are worried about catching the deadly coronavirus .
Both parties recognize the power of Black voters , who reliably favor Democrats , and also believe that improving voter access will benefit Democrats .
Trump ’ s 2017 comments therefore appear to shed more light on his desire to disrupt the USPS .
The new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is a major Republican donor who began implementing policy changes earlier this year that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have reported waiting longer to receive necessary medications , for example .
Until this week , DeJoy was planning to treat election mail differently this year , in a way that could have slowed down delivery .
The Postal Service has warned that , without immediate aid , it will struggle to deliver millions of ballots on time .

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In the days before his inauguration, president-elect Donald Trump met with civil rights leaders at Trump Tower and boasted that lower turnout among Black Americans helped propel him to victory in the 2016 election.
According to leaked audio of the meeting cited by Politico and The Independent, Trump claimed that Black voters stayed home because they secretly supported him over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
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“Many Blacks didn’t go out to vote for Hillary ’cause they liked me. That was almost as good as getting the vote, you know, and it was great,” he reportedly told the room of activists, which included Martin Luther King III.
There is no evidence to support Trump’s assertion. Black voter turnout was down in 2016 compared to highs in 2008 and 2012, when Barack Obama — the first Black president — topped the ticket, but Trump is notoriously unpopular with Black Americans. In 2016, 89% of Black voters supported Clinton. It is incredibly unlikely that there is a large cohort of Black Americans who back Trump but have remained silent about it for years.
Audio of the 2017 meeting was leaked by a former aide to one of the participants.
The president’s comments praising non-voting, however baseless they may be, are particularly alarming given his view of the United States Postal Service, which will play an outsized role in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump has repeatedly claimed, again without evidence, that if states make it easy to vote by mail, there will be massive voter fraud in the upcoming election. States are leaning heavily on mail-in ballots this year due to the pandemic, which is likely to deter in-person voting because many voters — especially older Americans, who vote at particularly high rates — are worried about catching the deadly coronavirus.
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Both parties recognize the power of Black voters, who reliably favor Democrats, and also believe that improving voter access will benefit Democrats. Trump’s 2017 comments therefore appear to shed more light on his desire to disrupt the USPS.
The new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is a major Republican donor who began implementing policy changes earlier this year that have already slowed down the mail ― some Americans have reported waiting longer to receive necessary medications, for example. Until this week, DeJoy was planning to treat election mail differently this year, in a way that could have slowed down delivery.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--QAnon Cultists, Emboldened By Trump, Rally In Hollywood To Spread Dangerous Conspiracies

Jesselyn Cook / HuffPost A rally in Hollywood ostensibly meant to raise awareness about child sex trafficking was mostly an opportunity for QAnon adherents to spread their dangerous conspiracy theories .
The demonstration , purported to be about bringing awareness to child sex trafficking , was largely an opportunity for supporters of QAnon to spread various unfounded conspiracy theories ; the group has co-opted anti-trafficking messaging to draw more people into its conspiratorial web .
Most demonstrators did not wear masks as they marched through Los Angeles , where thousands of people have died from COVID-19 .
QAnon believers follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anonymous individual who claims to be a high-ranking official working with Trump to take down a supposed cabal of Satanic-worshipping pedophiles who have breached the highest levels of government , media and entertainment .
Though that appears to be the primary belief of QAnon supporters , followers often fold in a wide array of other baseless conspiracy theories .
No matter how wild or absurd the theory , QAnon embraces it all .
More than 200 Facebook and Instagram events called for demonstrators to spread awareness about child sex trafficking across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first reported .
Though this appears to be a worthy cause , something more sinister is at play .
“ This is not about pedophilia , ” Whitney Phillips , an assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University , told NBC News .
“ This is not about child protection .
This is about a conspiracy theory that ’ s trying to couch itself in other terms to get more people involved and sympathetic.
” “ They try to keep us under a rock , ” she said .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isis said it comes from seeing politicians on TV “ making weird moves on children.
” Despite numerous signs referencing conspiracy theories unrelated to child sex trafficking , 47-year-old Kristen Cummins said the rally was first and foremost about bringing awareness to the problem of child sexual exploitation .
She ’ s also a believer in QAnon , a movement she says is about the “ restoration of America.
” “ I started doing research into what was really going on because what I was seeing on the news was not matching what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , ” she told HuffPost , while wearing a QAnon shirt and holding a sign that read , “ THE REAL PANDEMIC IS CHILD TRAFFICKING.
” “ It ’ s more about a mindset , ” she added .
“ I want to be a critical thinker , I want to be a truth-seeker , instead of just believing an article and what the narrative is in the article.
” What may have once been a laughable conspiracy movement has now led to dangerous real-world consequences .
In 2018 , a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Hoover Dam to demand the government come clean about supposed crimes related to QAnon beliefs .
In 2019 , a QAnon-obsessed man was arrested in the killing of a high-profile mob boss .
A Colorado woman was arrested earlier this year after allegedly attempting to kidnap her son with the help of QAnon followers .
In April , the New York Police Department arrested a woman connected to the QAnon movement who was carrying 18 knives and allegedly threatened political figures .
Just last week , a Texas woman was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack strangers she believed were pedophiles .
As Right Wing Watch reported , the woman was a believer of QAnon .
The FBI has now designated QAnon a domestic terror threat .
What ’ s more , the deadly movement has now infiltrated politics at some of the highest levels .
In Oregon , the Republican Senate nominee , Jo Rae Perkins , is a staunch supporter of QAnon and even fought against her own campaign to promote the conspiracy network .
In an interview with CNN published Saturday , she continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t protect against COVID-19 and that the more than 170,000 American deaths from the disease had been “ doctored ” in an effort to hurt Trump .

A rally in Hollywood ostensibly meant to raise awareness about child sex trafficking was mostly an opportunity for QAnon adherents to spread their dangerous conspiracy theories. Jesselyn Cook / HuffPost
LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of believers of the dangerous conspiracy theory QAnon rallied in Hollywood on Saturday, just days after President Donald Trump praised the cult-like group.
The demonstration, purported to be about bringing awareness to child sex trafficking, was largely an opportunity for supporters of QAnon to spread various unfounded conspiracy theories; the group has co-opted anti-trafficking messaging to draw more people into its conspiratorial web. Most demonstrators did not wear masks as they marched through Los Angeles, where thousands of people have died from COVID-19.
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QAnon believers follow the postings of “Q,” an anonymous individual who claims to be a high-ranking official working with Trump to take down a supposed cabal of Satanic-worshipping pedophiles who have breached the highest levels of government, media and entertainment. Though that appears to be the primary belief of QAnon supporters, followers often fold in a wide array of other baseless conspiracy theories. No matter how wild or absurd the theory, QAnon embraces it all.
More than 200 Facebook and Instagram events called for demonstrators to spread awareness about child sex trafficking across the U.S. on Saturday, as NBC News first reported. Though this appears to be a worthy cause, something more sinister is at play.
“This is not about pedophilia,” Whitney Phillips, an assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University, told NBC News. “This is not about child protection. This is about a conspiracy theory that’s trying to couch itself in other terms to get more people involved and sympathetic.”
QAnon protesters now marching down Hollywood Blvd chanting “Defund Hollywood” and “Save Our Children.”
The far-right conspiracy movement has gained massive ground during the pandemic: https://t.co/bDTxnksxZ8 pic.twitter.com/5wmqCHVUEd — Jesselyn Cook (@JessReports) August 22, 2020
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In Hollywood, people chanted “Defund Hollywood” and “Defund Pedowood,” and carried signs demanding an end to child sex trafficking. But in conversations with HuffPost, demonstrators quickly drew connections between trafficking and the conspiracy network of QAnon.
Parents brought their children along for the ride, including 15-year-old Isis, who told HuffPost that the “government keeps secrets from us.”
“They try to keep us under a rock,” she said. When asked where she gets her information, Isis said it comes from seeing politicians on TV “making weird moves on children.”
Despite numerous signs referencing conspiracy theories unrelated to child sex trafficking, 47-year-old Kristen Cummins said the rally was first and foremost about bringing awareness to the problem of child sexual exploitation. She’s also a believer in QAnon, a movement she says is about the “restoration of America.”
“I love the hope and the perspective it offers,” Cummins said. “I love that it’s not this negative, beat-down approach to try to force agendas. Q is very much inviting, inclusive.”
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Protestors gathered next to an In-N-Out Burger on Sunset Boulevard, where they held a 20-second moment of silence followed by a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
QAnon protesters are carrying signs about pizzagate, adrenochrome & frazzledrip in Hollywood while chanting, “our children are not for sale” pic.twitter.com/NobiTl6Jv6 — Jesselyn Cook (@JessReports) August 22, 2020
Angelita, 33, who declined to give her last name, said she started following QAnon because of her distrust of media.
“I started doing research into what was really going on because what I was seeing on the news was not matching what I was seeing in the world around me,” she told HuffPost, while wearing a QAnon shirt and holding a sign that read, “THE REAL PANDEMIC IS CHILD TRAFFICKING.”
“It’s more about a mindset,” she added. “I want to be a critical thinker, I want to be a truth-seeker, instead of just believing an article and what the narrative is in the article.”
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Multiple protesters who declined to be interviewed by HuffPost later took part in a chant of, “Where is the media?”
To wrap things up, the QAnon crowd just gathered on Sunset Blvd across from an In-N-Out Burger to sing “Amazing Grace,” apparently to honor all the world’s trafficked children.. pic.twitter.com/JayUvTOOtu — Jesselyn Cook (@JessReports) August 22, 2020
What may have once been a laughable conspiracy movement has now led to dangerous real-world consequences. In 2018, a man took his AR-15 and an armored car to the Hoover Dam to demand the government come clean about supposed crimes related to QAnon beliefs. In 2019, a QAnon-obsessed man was arrested in the killing of a high-profile mob boss. A Colorado woman was arrested earlier this year after allegedly attempting to kidnap her son with the help of QAnon followers. In April, the New York Police Department arrested a woman connected to the QAnon movement who was carrying 18 knives and allegedly threatened political figures.
Just last week, a Texas woman was arrested after she allegedly used her car to attack strangers she believed were pedophiles. As Right Wing Watch reported, the woman was a believer of QAnon. The FBI has now designated QAnon a domestic terror threat.
What’s more, the deadly movement has now infiltrated politics at some of the highest levels. In Oregon, the Republican Senate nominee, Jo Rae Perkins, is a staunch supporter of QAnon and even fought against her own campaign to promote the conspiracy network. In an interview with CNN published Saturday, she continued to praise QAnon while falsely claiming that masks don’t protect against COVID-19 and that the more than 170,000 American deaths from the disease had been “doctored” in an effort to hurt Trump.
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Earlier this month, racist QAnon follower Marjorie Taylor Greene won a runoff election in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District and will be on the ballot there in November.
Following her win, Trump praised Greene in a tweet, calling her a “rising Republican star.” When asked why he was celebrating a conspiracy theorist, Trump sidestepped the question.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--Protesters Gather At USPS Locations Nationwide To 'Save The Post Office'

Pockets of demonstrators gathered at U.S .
Postal Service locations across the country Saturday to “ save the post office from Donald Trump ” and to call for the resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy as part of a protest movement spearheaded by liberal political group MoveOn .
At least 800 protests were scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. local time in towns and cities nationwide .
Videos and photos of the demonstrations shared on social media showed protesters of all ages cheering for postal workers as they drove by in mail trucks .
The protesters held signs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” “ Stamp Out Fascism , ” “ USPS Delivers Democracy ” and “ Return Trump to Sender.
” Wow what an amazing morning !
In about 24 hours I organized a # SaveThePostOffice rally outside of one of our local USPS sites .
I ’ m thankful to all the neighbors who came out .
We represented # nycha , LES , East Village , StuyTown , Gramercy , Kips Bay .
Message is clear # DeJoyMustGo pic.twitter.com/NCmnE5flSE — John M. Blasco 白斯高 🇵🇷🏳🌈 ( @ JBlascoNYC ) August 22 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our local protest .
What can we do ?
Contact Congress to support HR # 8015 The public was mostly w/ us ( honks , waves , thumbs-up gestures ) but I was bewildered by the 5 middle fingers we got .
Who objects to this ?
# SaveThePostOffice # USPS # SaveTheUSPS pic.twitter.com/lKvaU2nacH — Alex Dresner is # StayingHome ( @ madDoctorAlex ) August 22 , 2020 # SaveThePostOffice Disappointed my local branch didn ’ t have the Suffragist stamps yet so I purchased “ Celebrate ” stamps you honor @ USPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 50 participants and I think @ WUMBradio was there interviewing pic.twitter.com/DH8NcennKX — Colleen Kirby ( ⧖ ) ( @ kirby_cho ) August 22 , 2020 Thanks to all who showed up to our rally in Fair Lawn today to # SaveThePostOffice !
Do n't forget to also contact your representatives to ask them to fight for the post office as well : https : //t.co/waPwCCwWLm @ IndivisibleTeam @ MoveOn pic.twitter.com/uGw1gaxy4N — Indivisible NJ-05 ( @ indivisibleNJ5 ) August 22 , 2020 Postal workers for @ USPS in @ CityofDenver gathered this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are attacks on their institution .
They tell me they want congress to take action to # SaveThePostOffice .
I ’ ll have the full story on @ CBSDenver at 5p # SaveThePostOfficeSaturday pic.twitter.com/WrEG9BA7nk — Kati Weis ( @ KatiWeis ) August 22 , 2020 The protests took place on the same day the House voted to allocate more funds to the Postal Service , a notoriously underfunded organization that is expected to play a critical role in this year ’ s general election .
A majority of voters are expected to cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the coronavirus pandemic makes in-person voting less viable .
But fears have mounted about whether the Postal Service will be up to the task of handling the onslaught of mail ballots as DeJoy implemented cost-cutting measures that have reportedly delayed already sluggish mail delivery .
The Postal Service itself warned several states that some ballots may not be delivered on time to be counted .
At least 20 states sued DeJoy , a close ally of Trump ’ s , for implementing cost-cutting measures that the suits argue will stymie “ free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that he will suspend operational changes to the Postal Service until after the election as he faced increased scrutiny over his leadership .
But postal workers warned that some changes — including the reported destruction of mail-sorting machines — have already wrought significant damage to an already fragile organization .
In response to a request for comment on Saturday , a Postal Service spokesman directed HuffPost to a statement on its website that , among other points , stressed the agency ’ s capacity to handle election mail volume .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volume of election mail it receives .
Postmaster General DeJoy ’ s number one priority is to deliver election mail on time and within the Postal Service ’ s well-established standards .
To put it in context , the Postal Service delivers 433 million pieces of mail a day .
Even if all Americans were to vote by mail this year , 330 million ballots over the course of the election would be only three-quarters of what the Postal Service delivers in one single day.
” The House bill to provide $ 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party lines on Saturday .
The Senate , however , is expected to block the legislation , and the White House on Friday threatened to veto it .
Trump , who has repeatedly touted the baseless claim that mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud , admitted earlier this month to pushing back against Democrats ’ demands for more Postal Service funding because of his opposition to “ universal mail-in voting.
” “ Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said in an interview on Fox Business .
“ But if they don ’ t get those two items , that means you can ’ t have universal mail-in voting.
” Trump later insisted that he wouldn ’ t veto a bill just because it included Postal Service funding .
But the White House said this week that it would block the House bill because it “ would arbitrarily give USPS $ 25 billion in ‘ emergency ’ taxpayer funding , without linking that funding to either the COVID-19 pandemic or the @ @ @ @

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Pockets of demonstrators gathered at U.S. Postal Service locations across the country Saturday to “save the post office from Donald Trump” and to call for the resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy as part of a protest movement spearheaded by liberal political group MoveOn.
At least 800 protests were scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. local time in towns and cities nationwide.
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Videos and photos of the demonstrations shared on social media showed protesters of all ages cheering for postal workers as they drove by in mail trucks. The protesters held signs with messages such as “Protect the USPS,” “Stamp Out Fascism,” “USPS Delivers Democracy” and “Return Trump to Sender.”
Wow what an amazing morning! In about 24 hours I organized a #SaveThePostOffice rally outside of one of our local USPS sites.
I’m thankful to all the neighbors who came out. We represented #nycha, LES, East Village, StuyTown, Gramercy, Kips Bay.
Message is clear #DeJoyMustGo pic.twitter.com/NCmnE5flSE — John M. Blasco 白斯高 🇵🇷🏳🌈 (@JBlascoNYC) August 22, 2020
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Protesters gather at the Alamo Heights Post Office as part of a national call to action to save the post office and support the right to vote by mail. @ExpressNews pic.twitter.com/FwJLqpO9bp — vincentdavis (@vincentdavis) August 22, 2020
Save the US Postal Service! Our local protest. What can we do? Contact Congress to support HR #8015
The public was mostly w/ us (honks, waves, thumbs-up gestures) but I was bewildered by the 5 middle fingers we got. Who objects to this? #SaveThePostOffice #USPS #SaveTheUSPS pic.twitter.com/lKvaU2nacH — Alex Dresner is #StayingHome (@madDoctorAlex) August 22, 2020
#SaveThePostOffice Disappointed my local branch didn’t have the Suffragist stamps yet so I purchased “Celebrate” stamps you honor @USPS Lots of positive honks from drivers and over 50 participants and I think @WUMBradio was there interviewing pic.twitter.com/DH8NcennKX — Colleen Kirby (⧖) (@kirby_cho) August 22, 2020
Hey @RepColinAllred @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn In #Dallas a socially-distanced rally may not look impressive, but 2 dozen people who stand in heat and the MANY drivers who honk represent LOTS of Americans! @waltshaub @MoveOn #SaveThePostOffice pic.twitter.com/4eqKTjTSoR — Ann Drumm (@anndrumm) August 22, 2020
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Thanks to all who showed up to our rally in Fair Lawn today to #SaveThePostOffice!
Don't forget to also contact your representatives to ask them to fight for the post office as well: https://t.co/waPwCCwWLm@IndivisibleTeam @MoveOn pic.twitter.com/uGw1gaxy4N — Indivisible NJ-05 (@indivisibleNJ5) August 22, 2020
A great outpouring of support, where it all began. The Ben Franklin Post Office. #SaveThePostOffice pic.twitter.com/9LXRyBMiRI — Vincent Stehle (@VinceDaily) August 22, 2020
Rally to #SaveThePostOffice in Austin would not be complete without live music! Thanks to Swerve Left for the great #SaveTheUSPS 🎶 🎸👏🏽 @indivisibleATX @MoveOn pic.twitter.com/8SNd6lOsll — YRUMarchingTX? (@YRUMarchingTX) August 22, 2020
Nice crowd of 80+ us at a local PO on Chicago’s Northside. Looooots of seniors!#SaveThePostOfficeSaturday #SaveTheUSPS pic.twitter.com/KcZ3tuOixw — Eric Arthur Berg (@yaoberg) August 22, 2020
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Postal workers for @USPS in @CityofDenver gathered this morning voicing their concerns for what they say are attacks on their institution. They tell me they want congress to take action to #SaveThePostOffice. I’ll have the full story on @CBSDenver at 5p #SaveThePostOfficeSaturday pic.twitter.com/WrEG9BA7nk — Kati Weis (@KatiWeis) August 22, 2020
The protests took place on the same day the House voted to allocate more funds to the Postal Service, a notoriously underfunded organization that is expected to play a critical role in this year’s general election.
A majority of voters are expected to cast ballots by mail in the November election as the coronavirus pandemic makes in-person voting less viable. But fears have mounted about whether the Postal Service will be up to the task of handling the onslaught of mail ballots as DeJoy implemented cost-cutting measures that have reportedly delayed already sluggish mail delivery.
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The Postal Service itself warned several states that some ballots may not be delivered on time to be counted. At least 20 states sued DeJoy, a close ally of Trump’s, for implementing cost-cutting measures that the suits argue will stymie “free and fair elections.”
DeJoy said this week that he will suspend operational changes to the Postal Service until after the election as he faced increased scrutiny over his leadership. But postal workers warned that some changes — including the reported destruction of mail-sorting machines — have already wrought significant damage to an already fragile organization.
In response to a request for comment on Saturday, a Postal Service spokesman directed HuffPost to a statement on its website that, among other points, stressed the agency’s capacity to handle election mail volume.
“The Postal Service is ready to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives. Postmaster General DeJoy’s number one priority is to deliver election mail on time and within the Postal Service’s well-established standards. To put it in context, the Postal Service delivers 433 million pieces of mail a day. Even if all Americans were to vote by mail this year, 330 million ballots over the course of the election would be only three-quarters of what the Postal Service delivers in one single day.”
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The House bill to provide $25 billion to the Postal Service passed along party lines on Saturday. The Senate, however, is expected to block the legislation, and the White House on Friday threatened to veto it.
Trump, who has repeatedly touted the baseless claim that mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud, admitted earlier this month to pushing back against Democrats’ demands for more Postal Service funding because of his opposition to “universal mail-in voting.”
“Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,” he said in an interview on Fox Business. “But if they don’t get those two items, that means you can’t have universal mail-in voting.”
Trump later insisted that he wouldn’t veto a bill just because it included Postal Service funding. But the White House said this week that it would block the House bill because it “would arbitrarily give USPS $25 billion in ‘emergency’ taxpayer funding, without linking that funding to either the COVID-19 pandemic or the upcoming election.”
Democrats are attempting to “exploit the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext for placing counterproductive restrictions on USPS’s already limited operational flexibilities,” the White House said in a statement.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed back against this narrative on Saturday, saying the bill is an effort to “reject the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the critical mission of the Postal Service.”
Today, the House will take a stand and reject the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the critical mission of the Postal Service. #DontMessWithUSPS
Tune in as I speak with reporters at 12 noon ET: https://t.co/2fi357l3G3 — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--House Approves Sending USPS $25 Billion In Rare Saturday Session

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — With heated debate over mail disruptions , the House approved legislation in a rare Saturday session that would reverse recent changes in U.S .
Postal Service operations and send $ 25 billion in emergency funds to shore up the agency ahead of the November election .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled lawmakers to Washington over objections from Republicans who dismissed the action as a stunt .
President Donald Trump often rails against mail-in ballots , including in a Saturday tweet , and has said he wants to block extra funds for the Postal Service .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the president is saying , because it is all designed to suppress the vote , ” Pelosi said at the Capitol .
Trump tweeted as voting was about to begin that the Postal Service needs no more money .
“ This is all another HOAX , ” he said .
The daylong session came as an uproar over mail delays and potential interference puts the Postal Service at the center of the nation ’ s tumultuous election year , with Americans rallying around one of the nation ’ s oldest and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to opt for mail-in ballots to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic .
But the new postal leader , a Trump ally , said he would not restore the cuts to mailboxes and sorting equipment that have already been made .
He could not provide senators with a plan for handling the ballot crush for the election .
DeJoy is set to return Monday to testify before the House Oversight Committee .
“ The American people don ’ t want anyone messing with the post office , ” said Rep. Carolyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oversight Committee and author of the bill .
“ They just want their mail.
” Despite the postmaster general ’ s vow election mail will arrive on time , Democrats remain skeptical .
They produced new reports showing declines in postal service since he took over in June .
DeJoy acknowledged at the Senate hearing there has been a “ dip ” in service , but disputed reports of widespread problems .
The Board of Governors of the Postal Service announced a bipartisan committee to oversee mail voting .
The bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made after January , and provide funds to the agency .
With the majority , Democrats are expected to easily pass the legislation .
But Republicans are mostly opposed , and the bill is certain to stall in the GOP-held Senate .
The White House said the president would veto it .
Nevertheless , Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is eyeing a $ 10 billion postal rescue as part of the next COVID-19 relief package .
While Trump has said he wants to block emergency funding for the agency , the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more postal funding as part of a broader bill .
Hundreds of lawmakers are returning to Washington for the weekend session , but dozens will cast votes by proxy under House rules that allow them to stay away during the COVID-19 crisis .
For many , the Postal Service provides a lifeline , delivering not just cards and letters but also prescription drugs , financial statements and other items that are especially needed by mail during the pandemic .
The postal board of governors , appointed by Trump , selected DeJoy to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP donor , he previously owned a logistics business that was a longtime Postal Service contractor .
He maintains significant financial stakes in companies that do business or compete with the agency , raising conflict of interest questions .
Republicans have long sought changes to have the agency run more like a private company , and Trump often complains the Postal Service should be charging Amazon and other companies higher rates for package deliveries .
The founder of Amazon , Jeff Bezos , also owns The Washington Post , a publication that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over critical stories of him .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — With heated debate over mail disruptions, the House approved legislation in a rare Saturday session that would reverse recent changes in U.S. Postal Service operations and send $25 billion in emergency funds to shore up the agency ahead of the November election.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled lawmakers to Washington over objections from Republicans who dismissed the action as a stunt. President Donald Trump often rails against mail-in ballots, including in a Saturday tweet, and has said he wants to block extra funds for the Postal Service.
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“Don’t pay any attention to what the president is saying, because it is all designed to suppress the vote,” Pelosi said at the Capitol.
Pelosi called the Postal Service the nation’s “beautiful thread” connecting Americans and said voters should “ignore” the president’s threats.
Trump tweeted as voting was about to begin that the Postal Service needs no more money. “This is all another HOAX,” he said.
The daylong session came as an uproar over mail delays and potential interference puts the Postal Service at the center of the nation’s tumultuous election year, with Americans rallying around one of the nation’s oldest and more popular institutions. Millions of people are expected to opt for mail-in ballots to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.
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New Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified Friday in the Senate that his “No. 1 priority” is to ensure election mail arrives on time.
But the new postal leader, a Trump ally, said he would not restore the cuts to mailboxes and sorting equipment that have already been made. He could not provide senators with a plan for handling the ballot crush for the election. DeJoy is set to return Monday to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
“The American people don’t want anyone messing with the post office,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the chair of the Oversight Committee and author of the bill. “They just want their mail.”
Representatives of the Post Office have repeatedly stated that they DO NOT NEED MONEY, and will not make changes. This is all another HOAX by the Democrats to give 25 Billion unneeded dollars for political purposes, without talking about the Universal Mail-In Ballot Scam.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
....that they are trying to pull off in violation of everything that our Country stands for. Vote NO to the Pelosi/ Schumer money wasting HOAX which is taking place now. Then fight the $51 million unasked for Ballots. Only ABSENTEE BALLOTS are acceptable! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
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But Republicans countered that complaints about mail delivery disruptions are overblown, and no emergency funding is needed right now.
“It’s a silly, silly bill,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.
Despite the postmaster general’s vow election mail will arrive on time, Democrats remain skeptical. They produced new reports showing declines in postal service since he took over in June. DeJoy acknowledged at the Senate hearing there has been a “dip” in service, but disputed reports of widespread problems. The Board of Governors of the Postal Service announced a bipartisan committee to oversee mail voting.
The bill would reverse the cuts by prohibiting any changes made after January, and provide funds to the agency. With the majority, Democrats are expected to easily pass the legislation.
But Republicans are mostly opposed, and the bill is certain to stall in the GOP-held Senate. The White House said the president would veto it.
In a memo to House Republicans, leaders derided the legislation as a postal “conspiracy theory” act. Many GOP lawmakers echoed such sentiments during a lively floor debate.
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“I like the post office, I really do,” said Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. But he said, “We have no crisis here.”
Nevertheless, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is eyeing a $10 billion postal rescue as part of the next COVID-19 relief package. While Trump has said he wants to block emergency funding for the agency, the White House has said it would be open to more postal funding as part of a broader bill.
Hundreds of lawmakers are returning to Washington for the weekend session, but dozens will cast votes by proxy under House rules that allow them to stay away during the COVID-19 crisis.
Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, was on Capitol Hill meeting Saturday with GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy and other lawmakers, according to a Republican aide granted anonymity to discuss the private sessions.
The Postal Service has been struggling financially under a decline in mail volume, COVID-19-related costs and a rare and cumbersome congressional requirement to fund in advance its retiree health care benefits.
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For many, the Postal Service provides a lifeline, delivering not just cards and letters but also prescription drugs, financial statements and other items that are especially needed by mail during the pandemic.
The postal board of governors, appointed by Trump, selected DeJoy to take the job as postmaster general. A GOP donor, he previously owned a logistics business that was a longtime Postal Service contractor. He maintains significant financial stakes in companies that do business or compete with the agency, raising conflict of interest questions.
In a statement, the Postal Service said DeJoy has made all required financial disclosures, but he might have to divest some holdings if conflicts arise.
Republicans have long sought changes to have the agency run more like a private company, and Trump often complains the Postal Service should be charging Amazon and other companies higher rates for package deliveries. The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, also owns The Washington Post, a publication that Trump frequently derides as “fake news” over critical stories of him.
Others say the Postal Service is not expected to be solely a money-making enterprise, often delivering to far-flung places where it is not efficient to operate.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--Senator ‘Sums Up 2020’ With Hot Mic F-Bombs During Online Hearing

Sen. Tom Carper ( D-Del . )
dropped not one , not two but three F-bombs during a virtual Senate hearing on Friday .
Twitter users immediately suggested that Carper had summed up 2020 with the amusing outburst , which went viral .
Carper rattled off the series of curse words after he was called on to question Postmaster General Louis DeJoy but initially struggled to unmute himself .
“ Fuck , fuck , fuck , ” Carper was saying , as his voice became audible .
Sen. Tom Carper had an unfortunate hot mic moment when he dropped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ televised virtual Senate hearing on recent changes to USPS .
https : //t.co/CUZn5FAYYE pic.twitter.com/UKnErBcYUb — POLITICO ( @ politico ) August 21 , 2020 After uttering the expletives and proving he wasn ’ t on mute anymore , Carper was able to question DeJoy over recent changes made to the Postal Service , after President Donald Trump ’ s admission that he wants to make voting by mail more difficult ahead of the 2020 election .
A spokesperson for Carper confirmed to Politico that he “ got frustrated with technical difficulties this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his frustration with a postmaster general who ’ s actively undermining the U.S .
Postal Service during a national crisis.
” Those who know me know that there are few things that get me more fired up than protecting the Postal Service !
# DontMessWithUSPS — Senator Tom Carper ( @ SenatorCarper ) August 21 , 2020 Fellow Twitter users agreed that Carper ’ s comments summed up the year :

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Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) dropped not one, not two but three F-bombs during a virtual Senate hearing on Friday.
Twitter users immediately suggested that Carper had summed up 2020 with the amusing outburst, which went viral.
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Carper rattled off the series of curse words after he was called on to question Postmaster General Louis DeJoy but initially struggled to unmute himself.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Carper was saying, as his voice became audible.
Sen. Tom Carper had an unfortunate hot mic moment when he dropped the f-bomb during this morning’s nationally televised virtual Senate hearing on recent changes to USPS. https://t.co/CUZn5FAYYE pic.twitter.com/UKnErBcYUb — POLITICO (@politico) August 21, 2020
After uttering the expletives and proving he wasn’t on mute anymore, Carper was able to question DeJoy over recent changes made to the Postal Service, after President Donald Trump’s admission that he wants to make voting by mail more difficult ahead of the 2020 election.
A spokesperson for Carper confirmed to Politico that he “got frustrated with technical difficulties this morning, but that pales in comparison to his frustration with a postmaster general who’s actively undermining the U.S. Postal Service during a national crisis.”
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Carper later tweeted:
Those who know me know that there are few things that get me more fired up than protecting the Postal Service!#DontMessWithUSPS — Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) August 21, 2020
Now that I have your attention, an important reminder: https://t.co/rrOKzvnEDU — Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) August 22, 2020
Fellow Twitter users agreed that Carper’s comments summed up the year:
Senator Tom Carper is all of us. — Blogger formerly known as DCup (@lisagolden) August 21, 2020
Senator Tom Carper: "FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"
Sums up 2020 quite well. — Ryan 🏳🌈🐝 (@RyRousseau) August 21, 2020
2020 in a single video:
(Tom Carper is a gem) pic.twitter.com/KGNvKk0w8k — Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) August 21, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--Climate Change, Wildfires And COVID-19 Are Creating A Hellish Combo For California Prisons

Noah Berger/Associated Press A home is destroyed Wednesday in Vacaville , California .
Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues .
The thousands of people incarcerated in California prisons — some of which have already been devastated by COVID-19 — do not have the option of fleeing the flames .
Instead , they are forced to wait out the crisis behind bars , breathing in smoke and polluted air that could make them even more vulnerable to dying of the coronavirus .
Some of the prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a few dollars a day for the life-threatening work .
And because of the coronavirus ’ s toll on the state ’ s prisons , the firefighting crews dispatched from the prisons this year are stretched thin .
“ What does it say about a civilized society , that they leave people to die of COVID in prisons — and then regret that decision that they left them to die in prisons because now it ’ s fire season and we need them to die for us on the fire line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Justice Collaborative said in an interview .
“ It ’ s really quite barbaric .
And this was entirely foreseeable .
We have fire season every year.
” Incarcerated firefighter crews are the “ backbone ” of the state ’ s wildland firefighting operations , a high-ranking firefighter told HuffPost in 2018 .
Those who are accepted onto crews earn $ 2 to $ 5 a day , and they get an extra dollar an hour when actively fighting a fire .
They receive time off their sentence in exchange for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the state ’ s restrictions on individuals with felony convictions , many people who serve as firefighters while incarcerated are unable to get a job with a fire department after they are released .
Now , as the pandemic forces California to depopulate its prisons , the state is grappling with its reliance on prison fire crews .
Last month , after more than 2,000 California prisoners tested positive for COVID-19 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) ordered the expedited release of up to 8,000 people nearing the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create more distancing space in the prisons .
Some of the people approved for expedited release were incarcerated firefighters .
As a result , there are 236 fewer incarcerated firefighters right now than there were in August 2019 .
In less than a week , the wildfires have charred more than 771,000 acres ( roughly the size of Rhode Island ) , killed five people and forced tens of thousands of Northern California residents to evacuate .
But people who are incarcerated do not have the ability to choose when to escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solano State Prison and California Medical Center — are near residential areas that have been evacuated , but prison officials have resisted relocating the people in custody .
Asked repeatedly to describe their evacuation plan , a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation declined to provide one .
Rasheed Lockheart , who served as an incarcerated firefighter at San Quentin before he was paroled earlier this year , said the only evacuation plans and disaster drills he ever saw at the prison were for staff , not prisoners .
Lockheart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 to January 2020 .
“ Every one of them was for the staff .
We never once did any for the incarcerated people .
And I ’ ve never even heard of there being a plan for the incarcerated people , ” Lockheart said .
The plan , he added , “ is for staff to save themselves — and then us , if possible.
” Even people in prisons that aren ’ t in immediate risk of catching fire are struggling with the poor air quality caused by the flames .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem that may have exacerbated the spread of the coronavirus .
It also means that people imprisoned near the fires are likely breathing in fine particulate pollution , which can cause short- and long-term health problems , including respiratory diseases .
Exposure to wildfire smoke may also increase an individual ’ s vulnerability to COVID-19 .
San Quentin State Prison , located near Bay Area fires , is currently the biggest COVID-19 cluster in the country .
Adnan Khan , the executive director of Re : Store Justice , who was formerly incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was told by a friend who is still in Solano that correctional officers are walking into the building with ash on their shoulders and their hats .
“ Whatever the air quality was outside , whatever the temperature was outside , that ’ s what the ventilation system would blow in the cell , ” Khan said , recalling his time at Solano .
Staff and incarcerated individuals near the fires have been provided with N95 masks , according to Francis , the CDCR spokesman , although it is not clear how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single use , are available for each person .
Khan was told by his friend in Solano that N95s had not been available to every person in his dorm .
Until recently , the California Medical Center , a prison for those who are terminally ill or medically vulnerable , was using outdoor tent structures to create more space for social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Because of the dangerous air quality and encroaching flames , people housed in those tents have been moved back inside the prison — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being harmed by the fires but could increase their risk of contracting the coronavirus .
The Trump administration has responded to California ’ s wildfire crisis not with thoughtful leadership or the empathy it has shown for Republican-led states reeling from disasters , but with threats and partisan politics .
It has repeatedly dismissed and downplayed the role of climate change .
“ This has nothing to do with climate change , ” Trump ’ s first interior secretary , Ryan Zinke , told a Sacramento TV station during a visit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed fires on everything from a lack of raking to a nonexistent water shortage resulting from “ bad environmental laws.
” In late 2018 , Trump signed an executive order to boost logging on millions of federal acres to combat extreme fires .
In a Thursday address at the Democratic National Convention , Newsom slammed Trump for threatening — yet again — to withhold federal wildfire relief funds over perceived forest mismanagement by the state .
At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania earlier that day , Trump insisted California has “ got ta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean your forests ” of “ leaves and broken trees , ” adding that “ maybe we ’ re just going to have to make them pay for it because they don ’ t listen to us.
” Many of the state ’ s worst fires have been on land managed by the federal government , not the state .

A home is destroyed Wednesday in Vacaville, California. Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues. Noah Berger/Associated Press
More than 500 wildfires have been ignited across California this week, the result of a record-shattering heat wave and about 12,000 lightning strikes. The governor has declared a statewide emergency, and tens of thousands of people are under evacuation orders, yet many of them are reluctant to head to shelters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The thousands of people incarcerated in California prisons — some of which have already been devastated by COVID-19 — do not have the option of fleeing the flames. Instead, they are forced to wait out the crisis behind bars, breathing in smoke and polluted air that could make them even more vulnerable to dying of the coronavirus. Some of the prisoners are fighting the flames themselves, earning just a few dollars a day for the life-threatening work. And because of the coronavirus’s toll on the state’s prisons, the firefighting crews dispatched from the prisons this year are stretched thin.
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It is a convergence of crises on a level the state has never seen.
“What does it say about a civilized society, that they leave people to die of COVID in prisons — and then regret that decision that they left them to die in prisons because now it’s fire season and we need them to die for us on the fire line,” Kate Chatfield, a senior adviser at the Justice Collaborative said in an interview. “It’s really quite barbaric. And this was entirely foreseeable. We have fire season every year.”
Incarcerated firefighter crews are the “backbone” of the state’s wildland firefighting operations, a high-ranking firefighter told HuffPost in 2018. Those who are accepted onto crews earn $2 to $5 a day, and they get an extra dollar an hour when actively fighting a fire. They receive time off their sentence in exchange for the high-risk, low-wage work. But because of the state’s restrictions on individuals with felony convictions, many people who serve as firefighters while incarcerated are unable to get a job with a fire department after they are released.
Now, as the pandemic forces California to depopulate its prisons, the state is grappling with its reliance on prison fire crews. Last month, after more than 2,000 California prisoners tested positive for COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ordered the expedited release of up to 8,000 people nearing the end of their sentences, a long-overdue effort to create more distancing space in the prisons. Some of the people approved for expedited release were incarcerated firefighters. As a result, there are 236 fewer incarcerated firefighters right now than there were in August 2019.
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The conditions in California have overwhelmed the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as Cal Fire. With so many blazes, firefighters are overextended and equipment is sparse. “California’s firefighting resources are depleted as new fires continue to ignite,” Cal Fire public information officer Jeremy Rahn told HuffPost earlier this week.
The state has used $72 million in emergency supplemental funds to backfill more than 800 seasonal firefighter jobs, in part to offset the loss of incarcerated firefighters, Newsom said at a Friday news conference.
Incarcerated firefighters are paid $2 to $5 a day for potentially deadly work. Josh Edelson/Getty Images
In less than a week, the wildfires have charred more than 771,000 acres (roughly the size of Rhode Island), killed five people and forced tens of thousands of Northern California residents to evacuate. But people who are incarcerated do not have the ability to choose when to escape approaching flames. Two California prisons — Solano State Prison and California Medical Center — are near residential areas that have been evacuated, but prison officials have resisted relocating the people in custody. Asked repeatedly to describe their evacuation plan, a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation declined to provide one.
“We are actively monitoring the Lightning Fire in Vacaville, but are not being directed to evacuate and the institutions are not in immediate danger,” Aaron Francis, a spokesperson for the state’s corrections department, wrote in an email. “For safety and security reasons, we are not releasing evacuation plans to the public.”
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Rasheed Lockheart, who served as an incarcerated firefighter at San Quentin before he was paroled earlier this year, said the only evacuation plans and disaster drills he ever saw at the prison were for staff, not prisoners. Lockheart helped facilitate disaster drills every month from 2017 to January 2020. “Every one of them was for the staff. We never once did any for the incarcerated people. And I’ve never even heard of there being a plan for the incarcerated people,” Lockheart said. The plan, he added, “is for staff to save themselves — and then us, if possible.”
Lockheart remembers doing earthquake safety drills when he was incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility shortly after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. “All these kids were telling me, ‘This is bullshit because when the earthquake happened, all the staff took off and all you could hear was boys in their cells crying and yelling,’” he recalled.
In a March episode of “Uncuffed,” a podcast made by incarcerated people in California that airs on KALW public radio in San Francisco, several people imprisoned at Solano recalled the last time a wildfire threatened the prison, in 2018. As the fire crept down a hill behind the property and their cells filled with smoke, prison staff fled, they said.
“The power went out and all the air in the building was gone, and then the building started to fill up with smoke,” Bryan Mazza, who is incarcerated at Solano, said in March. “They left us in there, locked inside that building like that.”
Even people in prisons that aren’t in immediate risk of catching fire are struggling with the poor air quality caused by the flames. Prisons have notoriously poor ventilation, a problem that may have exacerbated the spread of the coronavirus. It also means that people imprisoned near the fires are likely breathing in fine particulate pollution, which can cause short- and long-term health problems, including respiratory diseases. Exposure to wildfire smoke may also increase an individual’s vulnerability to COVID-19. San Quentin State Prison, located near Bay Area fires, is currently the biggest COVID-19 cluster in the country.
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Adnan Khan, the executive director of Re:Store Justice, who was formerly incarcerated at Solano State Prison and San Quentin, was told by a friend who is still in Solano that correctional officers are walking into the building with ash on their shoulders and their hats. “Whatever the air quality was outside, whatever the temperature was outside, that’s what the ventilation system would blow in the cell,” Khan said, recalling his time at Solano.
Staff and incarcerated individuals near the fires have been provided with N95 masks, according to Francis, the CDCR spokesman, although it is not clear how many N95s, which are designed for single use, are available for each person. Khan was told by his friend in Solano that N95s had not been available to every person in his dorm.
Until recently, the California Medical Center, a prison for those who are terminally ill or medically vulnerable, was using outdoor tent structures to create more space for social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because of the dangerous air quality and encroaching flames, people housed in those tents have been moved back inside the prison — a move that potentially decreases their risk of being harmed by the fires but could increase their risk of contracting the coronavirus.
“The power went out and all the air in the building was gone, and then the building started to fill up with smoke ... they left us in there, locked inside that building like that.” - Bryan Mazza, a man incarcerated at Solano state prison
Fires have become a near year-round ordeal in the Golden State, with devastating effects on communities, forest ecosystems and the firefighters who respond. Multiple factors are driving California’s wildfire crisis. Decades of fire suppression have left forests overgrown. A growing number of people living in wildland areas often means more homes are destroyed in a blaze. And, of course, global climate change is driving up temperatures, fueling drought and triggering larger and more extreme fires.
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Anthropogenic climate change has doubled the amount of land that’s burned in Western forests since the 1980s, a 2016 study found. And without drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the amount of land scorched annually in California is expected to increase 77% by 2100, according to a 2018 state climate assessment.
The Trump administration has responded to California’s wildfire crisis not with thoughtful leadership or the empathy it has shown for Republican-led states reeling from disasters, but with threats and partisan politics. It has repeatedly dismissed and downplayed the role of climate change. “This has nothing to do with climate change,” Trump’s first interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, told a Sacramento TV station during a visit to the fire-scorched state in 2018. Trump has blamed fires on everything from a lack of raking to a nonexistent water shortage resulting from “bad environmental laws.” In late 2018, Trump signed an executive order to boost logging on millions of federal acres to combat extreme fires.
In a Thursday address at the Democratic National Convention, Newsom slammed Trump for threatening — yet again — to withhold federal wildfire relief funds over perceived forest mismanagement by the state. At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania earlier that day, Trump insisted California has “gotta clean your floors, you gotta clean your forests” of “leaves and broken trees,” adding that “maybe we’re just going to have to make them pay for it because they don’t listen to us.” Many of the state’s worst fires have been on land managed by the federal government, not the state.
“The hots are getting hotter. The dries are getting drier,” Newsom said in his DNC address. “If you are in denial about climate change, come to California.”
On Sunday, the temperature in Death Valley, California, soared to a disturbing 130 degrees Fahrenheit ― potentially the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-22--Court Orders Trump To Pay $44,100 For Stormy Daniels' Legal Fees

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — A California court ordered President Donald Trump this week to pay $ 44,100 in attorney fees to porn actress Stormy Daniels to pay for her legal battle over her effort to cancel a hush money deal brokered to keep her quiet about their sexual relationship a decade ago .
The order in Superior Court in Los Angeles determined Daniels won her lawsuit against Trump over the agreement that was signed 11 days before the 2016 presidential election .
As a part of that deal , the losing party would pay the lawyers fees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , Michael Cohen , paid $ 130,000 to Daniels , who filed the suit under her legal name Stephanie Clifford .
After Trump ’ s election , Daniels sued to void the agreement .
Trump and his supporters denied the president knew about the payment for several years before Trump acknowledged it on Twitter in May 2018 and said he reimbursed Cohen for the money paid to Daniels .
Daniels ’ suit over the non-disclosure agreement was dismissed before going to trial or a settlement because the parties were no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniels didn ’ t win the case and therefore wasn ’ t entitled to lawyer fees , but Judge Robert Broadbelt III disagreed in his ruling Monday , posted online by Daniels ’ lawyers .
Trump ’ s lawyers also argued Daniels didn ’ t prove the president was a part of the non-disclosure agreement which was made under the name “ David Dennison , ” but Broadbelt wrote there was a large amount of evidence showing Cohen chose Dennison as a pseudonym for Trump .
But they haven ’ t all been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump for defamation after the president ’ s comments on Twitter that a man she said threatened her to stay quiet about their alleged affair in 2011 was “ nonexistent.
” Trump also posted side-by-side photos of the composite sketch of the man making the threats and Daniels ’ husband .
The defamation lawsuit was thrown out and Daniels is appealing the decision and an order to pay Trump almost $ 300,000 in attorney fees .
Since Trump ’ s election , Daniels has remained in the adult entertainment industry , using her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shows , including her latest venture called “ Spooky Babes Paranormal Show ” where she said she is leading a team of investigators to hunt ghosts and get answers for people here on Earth .
She also still takes shots at the president on Twitter .
Meanwhile , Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress , among other crimes , and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 .

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California court ordered President Donald Trump this week to pay $44,100 in attorney fees to porn actress Stormy Daniels to pay for her legal battle over her effort to cancel a hush money deal brokered to keep her quiet about their sexual relationship a decade ago.
The order in Superior Court in Los Angeles determined Daniels won her lawsuit against Trump over the agreement that was signed 11 days before the 2016 presidential election. As a part of that deal, the losing party would pay the lawyers fees.
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the decision.
The president’s personal lawyer at the time, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Daniels, who filed the suit under her legal name Stephanie Clifford. After Trump’s election, Daniels sued to void the agreement.
Trump and his supporters denied the president knew about the payment for several years before Trump acknowledged it on Twitter in May 2018 and said he reimbursed Cohen for the money paid to Daniels.
Daniels’ suit over the non-disclosure agreement was dismissed before going to trial or a settlement because the parties were no longer quiet. Trump’s lawyers said Daniels didn’t win the case and therefore wasn’t entitled to lawyer fees, but Judge Robert Broadbelt III disagreed in his ruling Monday, posted online by Daniels’ lawyers.
Trump’s lawyers also argued Daniels didn’t prove the president was a part of the non-disclosure agreement which was made under the name “ David Dennison,” but Broadbelt wrote there was a large amount of evidence showing Cohen chose Dennison as a pseudonym for Trump.
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After her lawyer announced the decision, Daniels wrote on Twitter: “Yup. Another win.”
But they haven’t all been wins for Daniels. She also sued Trump for defamation after the president’s comments on Twitter that a man she said threatened her to stay quiet about their alleged affair in 2011 was “nonexistent.” Trump also posted side-by-side photos of the composite sketch of the man making the threats and Daniels’ husband.
The defamation lawsuit was thrown out and Daniels is appealing the decision and an order to pay Trump almost $300,000 in attorney fees.
A judge in that case ruled Trump’s statements on Twitter were protected speech under the First Amendment.
Since Trump’s election, Daniels has remained in the adult entertainment industry, using her new fame to promote strip club appearances and shows, including her latest venture called “Spooky Babes Paranormal Show” where she said she is leading a team of investigators to hunt ghosts and get answers for people here on Earth. She also still takes shots at the president on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress, among other crimes, and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018.