thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--California Declares Statewide Emergency Amid Fires, Heat Wave And Power Outages

Rolling blackouts have hit the state since Friday as a heat wave , now in its second week , places extreme strain on the state ’ s electric grid .
Though blackouts have been used by the state in recent years as a wildfire prevention measure , it was the first time in nearly 20 years that the state has resorted to blackouts to conserve its electrical supply .
Burned vehicles rest beneath a tree after the LNU Lightning Complex fires tore through Vacaville , California , on Wednesday .
Fire crews across the region have scrambled to contain dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statewide heat wave continues .
Though the state is putting forward all of its resources to meet the power demand , Newsom said , “ We are likely to fall short.
” The heat wave is expected to blanket the state through at least Thursday .
“ We are going to try to work to reduce the stress and reduce the need , ” he said .
“ But these next few days , we are anticipating being challenged as it relates to all of these conditions that have precipitated at once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affecting millions of residents may again occur this week , the state has said .
Rolling power outages to conserve energy consumption are also planned though Wednesday , said the California Independent System Operator ( ISO ) , which controls the majority of the state ’ s electricity flow .
“ We understand rolling outages are not easy , and we do everything we can to avoid them , ” Anne Gonzales , a spokeswoman for California ISO , told The New York Times .
“ The reason for the energy shortfall is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay cool.
” The power cuts come as firefighters battle more than two dozen large wildfires across the state , many sparked by a remarkable surge in dry lightning strikes , strong winds and triple-digit temperatures .
In Death Valley , California , on Sunday , temperatures hit 130 degrees ― if verified , that would be the hottest temperature recorded on Earth since at least 1913 .
The state ’ s largest incident , the SCU Lightning Complex fires , located east of San Jose , had consumed 85,000 acres and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The second-largest fire , the LNU Lightning Complex fires , in Napa and Sonoma counties , had consumed 46,000 acres and was 0 % contained as of Wednesday morning .
Newsom stressed that the extreme events seen throughout his state and neighboring regions are likely the new norm .
His assessment is one his predecessor , Gov .
Jerry Brown , made in 2017 and 2015 as the state battled similar natural disasters .
“ This is not the last , quote end quote , ‘ record-breaking ’ historic heat dome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , or in this region or in our nation or in our hemisphere in our lifetime , ” Newsom said .
“ This is exactly what so many scientists have predicted for decades.
” The state ’ s ongoing switch toward renewable energy from fossil fuels has received backlash this week in response to the power outages , with President Donald Trump criticizing the governor ’ s Democratic Party and its environmental goals , saying they ’ re “ unable to keep up with energy demand.
” “ We are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consume energy and we are creating now and have more jobs in this green sector than we have in the fossil fuel space .
So we see it as an economic imperative and we see it as a moral and ethical imperative as it relates to the kind of world we ’ re going to leave .
The kind of state and nation we ’ re going to leave to our grandkids , ” he said .

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Mass power outages, wildfires and record-breaking heat have led to a statewide emergency being declared in California this week.
Rolling blackouts have hit the state since Friday as a heat wave, now in its second week, places extreme strain on the state’s electric grid. Though blackouts have been used by the state in recent years as a wildfire prevention measure, it was the first time in nearly 20 years that the state has resorted to blackouts to conserve its electrical supply.
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“We are all experiencing rather extraordinary conditions,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said at a news conference Tuesday.
Burned vehicles rest beneath a tree after the LNU Lightning Complex fires tore through Vacaville, California, on Wednesday. Fire crews across the region have scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heat wave continues. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Though the state is putting forward all of its resources to meet the power demand, Newsom said, “We are likely to fall short.” The heat wave is expected to blanket the state through at least Thursday.
“We are going to try to work to reduce the stress and reduce the need,” he said. “But these next few days, we are anticipating being challenged as it relates to all of these conditions that have precipitated at once in this historic moment.”
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Additional blackouts affecting millions of residents may again occur this week, the state has said. Rolling power outages to conserve energy consumption are also planned through Wednesday, said the California Independent System Operator (ISO), which controls the majority of the state’s electricity flow.
Fires are seen burning in Napa County on Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, the state's largest wildfires had consumed roughly 201,000 acres. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We understand rolling outages are not easy, and we do everything we can to avoid them,” Anne Gonzales, a spokeswoman for California ISO, told The New York Times. “The reason for the energy shortfall is high heat and people naturally wanting to stay cool.”
The power cuts come as firefighters battle more than two dozen large wildfires across the state, many sparked by a remarkable surge in dry lightning strikes, strong winds and triple-digit temperatures. In Death Valley, California, on Sunday, temperatures hit 130 degrees ― if verified, that would be the hottest temperature recorded on Earth since at least 1913.
The unrelenting heat has created a challenge for firefighters, in particular.
“They’re wearing a lot of gear, carrying equipment, hiking to remote locations, so it’s a stress on the body,” Lynette Round, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), told Reuters.
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California's governor declared a statewide emergency on Tuesday. The order secures assistance from FEMA to help battle multiple wildfires, such as the one shown above in Napa Valley. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Newsom’s emergency order declared Tuesday secures assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to fires in Napa, Nevada and Monterey counties, where firefighters are battling some of the state’s largest blazes.
The state’s five largest fires ― the SCU Lightning Complex fires, LNU Lightning Complex fires, Apple Fire, Lake Fire and River Fire ― have consumed roughly 201,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, according to CalFire.
The state’s largest incident, the SCU Lightning Complex fires, located east of San Jose, had consumed 85,000 acres and was just 5% contained as of Wednesday morning. The second-largest fire, the LNU Lightning Complex fires, in Napa and Sonoma counties, had consumed 46,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Wednesday morning.
California resident Matt Nichols tries to save his home as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through Vacaville on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Newsom stressed that the extreme events seen throughout his state and neighboring regions are likely the new norm. His assessment is one his predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown, made in 2017 and 2015 as the state battled similar natural disasters.
“This is not the last, quote end quote, ‘record-breaking’ historic heat dome and experience that we will have in the state, or in this region or in our nation or in our hemisphere in our lifetime,” Newsom said. “This is exactly what so many scientists have predicted for decades.”
The state’s ongoing switch toward renewable energy from fossil fuels has received backlash this week in response to the power outages, with President Donald Trump criticizing the governor’s Democratic Party and its environmental goals, saying they’re “unable to keep up with energy demand.”
Bill Nichols, 84, tries to protect his home as fire consumes Vacaville on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Newsom, who conceded on Tuesday that he failed to anticipate the recent energy shortages, said California, as the country’s largest state, has the obligation “to do more and do better.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--San Francisco Smothered In Smoke As California Wildfires Rage

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — Thousands of people were under orders to evacuate in regions surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area Wednesday as nearly 40 wildfires blazed across the state amid a blistering heat wave now in its second week .
Smoke blanketed the city of San Francisco .
Police and firefighters went door-to-door before dawn Wednesday in a frantic scramble to warn residents to evacuate as fire encroached on Vacaville , a city of about 100,000 that lies between San Francisco and Sacramento .
Fire officials said at least 50 structures were destroyed and 50 were damaged and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bustos told KPIX-TV that she and her husband tried to drive out but their vehicle caught on fire and they had to flee on foot .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that blaze and others were exhibiting “ extreme fire behavior ” and challenging firefighters .
There is rugged terrain in several of the areas and unexpectedly strong winds overnight fanned the flames .
“ Throughout the state of California right now , we are stretched thin for crews ” because of the fires , said Will Powers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources have been stretched thin throughout the whole state.
” To the south in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties , about 22,000 people were ordered to evacuate because of a fire that was burning in dense wooded parkland but threatened communities , Cal Fire spokesman Jonathan Cox said .
“ This is a very active timber fire burning in two counties with a serious threat to both public safety and for structures that are out in front of it , ” he said .
Thousands of homes and businesses were also threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sonoma in an area devastated by a series of deadly blazes in the last three years .
At least seven fires were grouped together as one of two major Lightning Fires in Northern California , a nod to their origins just a day earlier .
In Napa County , Gail Bickett , 80 , loaded up her three dogs in a truck to evacuate as the fire burned behind houses across the road , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
“ I think the people around here , even the people that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that they ’ re in a more rural area and that the people in more densely populated areas have to get the resources first , ” he said .
Blazes engulfed rural and forest areas near the San Francisco Bay Area , near Salinas in Monterey County , around Oroville Dam north of Sacramento , forested areas west of Silicon Valley , in remote Mendocino County and near the Nevada state line north of Lake Tahoe .
The cluster of wine country fires threaten an area that only last year grappled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flee — a task made more complicated this year because of the pandemic .
Tuesday afternoon , the fire was moving toward an area called Atlas Peak that burned in 2017 in a blaze that killed six people and destroyed nearly 800 buildings .
The California Highway Patrol said helicopter crews were unable to do rescues in the area because the smoke was too thick to fly in .

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Thousands of people were under orders to evacuate in regions surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area Wednesday as nearly 40 wildfires blazed across the state amid a blistering heat wave now in its second week. Smoke blanketed the city of San Francisco.
Police and firefighters went door-to-door before dawn Wednesday in a frantic scramble to warn residents to evacuate as fire encroached on Vacaville, a city of about 100,000 that lies between San Francisco and Sacramento. Fire officials said at least 50 structures were destroyed and 50 were damaged and that four people were injured.
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Television footage showed some homes in flames and thick ash dropping in a rural area near Interstate 80 as the fire appeared to head toward more densely populated areas.
Smoke from wildfires hangs over homes in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diane Bustos told KPIX-TV that she and her husband tried to drive out but their vehicle caught on fire and they had to flee on foot.
“I got all these flames on me and I lost my shoe, but I made it. God saved me,” she said.
Many evacuees were alerted by calls to flee around 2:30 a.m., the Vacaville Reporter newspaper said.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that blaze and others were exhibiting “extreme fire behavior” and challenging firefighters. There is rugged terrain in several of the areas and unexpectedly strong winds overnight fanned the flames.
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“Throughout the state of California right now, we are stretched thin for crews” because of the fires, said Will Powers, a state fire spokesman. “Air resources have been stretched thin throughout the whole state.”
To the south in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, about 22,000 people were ordered to evacuate because of a fire that was burning in dense wooded parkland but threatened communities, Cal Fire spokesman Jonathan Cox said.
“This is a very active timber fire burning in two counties with a serious threat to both public safety and for structures that are out in front of it,” he said.
Thousands of homes and businesses were also threatened in the wine-growing counties of Napa and Sonoma in an area devastated by a series of deadly blazes in the last three years. At least seven fires were grouped together as one of two major Lightning Fires in Northern California, a nod to their origins just a day earlier.
Powers said much of the fire was burning through rural areas with steep terrain, making it difficult to get crews in.
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A flag flies as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires crest a ridge Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Napa County, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Napa County, Gail Bickett, 80, loaded up her three dogs in a truck to evacuate as the fire burned behind houses across the road, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“It’s scary,” she said. “It’s overwhelming.”
State Sen. Bill Dodd, who represents the area in the state Legislature, said the fires burning in Napa and Sonoma counties were mostly affecting less populated areas.
“I think the people around here, even the people that have structures in harm’s way, understand that they’re in a more rural area and that the people in more densely populated areas have to get the resources first,” he said.
In the East San Francisco Bay, a cluster of 20 separate lightning-sparked fires threatened about 1,400 structures in rugged terrain with dense brush. Strong winds and low humidity made the firefight challenging.
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A mobile home and car burn at Spanish Flat Mobile Villa as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blazes engulfed rural and forest areas near the San Francisco Bay Area, near Salinas in Monterey County, around Oroville Dam north of Sacramento, forested areas west of Silicon Valley, in remote Mendocino County and near the Nevada state line north of Lake Tahoe.
Several also were burning in northern coastline areas and in Southern California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a statewide state of emergency Tuesday, saying the blazes were “exacerbated by the effects of the historic West Coast heat wave and sustained high winds.”
The cluster of wine country fires threaten an area that only last year grappled with another massive blaze that forced 200,000 to flee — a task made more complicated this year because of the pandemic.
Tuesday afternoon, the fire was moving toward an area called Atlas Peak that burned in 2017 in a blaze that killed six people and destroyed nearly 800 buildings. The California Highway Patrol said helicopter crews were unable to do rescues in the area because the smoke was too thick to fly in.
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Robin Sisemore hosed down vegetation in front of her mother’s adjacent house. Both homes were new, replacing ones that burned just three years ago.
To the south, evacuations were ordered for all of Boulder Creek to the west of Silicon Valley, a community of 5,000 high in the Santa Cruz mountains where windy, long, forested roads, some paved, some dirt, can easily become blocked during storms or fires. About 6,000 structures were threatened by that blaze.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Michigan Reaches $600 Million Deal In Flint Water Crisis, Attorney Says

Michigan will pay $ 600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by lead-tainted drinking water after the city heeded state regulators ’ advice not to treat it properly , an attorney involved in the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
Details will be released later this week , according to the attorney , who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about it ahead of an official announcement .
The settlement was first reported by The Detroit News , MLive.com and WXZY-TV .
It is intended to resolve all legal actions against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that made the impoverished , majority-Black city a nationwide symbol of governmental mismanagement , the attorney said .
The offices of Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have been negotiating for more than 18 months with lawyers for thousands of Flint residents who have filed suits against the state .
“ We and the other parties are bound by a federal court order to maintain the confidentiality of detailed settlement and mediation communications until we reach a certain point , ” Jarvi said .
“ We have not yet reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential settlement.
” Flint switched its water source from the city of Detroit to the Flint River to save money in 2014 , while under control of a state-appointed emergency manager .
State environmental regulators advised Flint , located about about 70 miles north of Detroit , not to apply corrosion controls to the water , which was contaminated by lead from aging pipes .
Residents of the city with a population of nearly 100,000 people used bottled water quickly began complaining that the water was discolored and had a bad taste and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hair loss and other health concerns , but local and state officials insisted it was safe .
Researchers with Virginia Tech University reported in summer 2015 that samples of Flint water had abnormally high lead levels .
Shortly afterward , a group of doctors announced that local children had high levels of lead in their blood and urged Flint to stop using water from the river .
Then- Gov .
Rick Snyder eventually acknowledged the problem , accepted the resignation of his environmental chief and pledged to aid the city , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottled water for drinking and household needs for more than a year .
Researchers said in late 2016 that lead was no longer detectable in many homes .
Lawsuits against the state are being overseen by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy , who would have to approve the settlement .
Under the deal , the state would establish a $ 600 million fund and Flint residents could file claims for compensation .
The amount awarded per applicant would be based on how badly they were harmed , the attorney told AP .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to people who were under age 18 during the period when Flint was using river water , the attorney said .
If approved , the settlement would push state spending on the Flint water crisis over $ 1 billion .
Michigan already has pumped more than $ 400 million into replacing water pipes , purchasing filters and bottled water , children ’ s health care and other assistance .

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Michigan will pay $600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by lead-tainted drinking water after the city heeded state regulators’ advice not to treat it properly, an attorney involved in the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Details will be released later this week, according to the attorney, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about it ahead of an official announcement. The settlement was first reported by The Detroit News, MLive.com and WXZY-TV.
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It is intended to resolve all legal actions against the state for its role in a disaster that made the impoverished, majority-Black city a nationwide symbol of governmental mismanagement, the attorney said.
The offices of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have been negotiating for more than 18 months with lawyers for thousands of Flint residents who have filed suits against the state.
Ryan Jarvi, a spokesman for Nessel, declined to confirm the reports of a deal Wednesday night.
“We and the other parties are bound by a federal court order to maintain the confidentiality of detailed settlement and mediation communications until we reach a certain point,” Jarvi said. “We have not yet reached the point where we can discuss a potential settlement.”
In this March 21, 2016, file photo, the Flint Water Plant water tower is seen in Flint, Mich. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Flint switched its water source from the city of Detroit to the Flint River to save money in 2014, while under control of a state-appointed emergency manager. State environmental regulators advised Flint, located about about 70 miles north of Detroit, not to apply corrosion controls to the water, which was contaminated by lead from aging pipes.
Residents of the city with a population of nearly 100,000 people used bottled water quickly began complaining that the water was discolored and had a bad taste and smell. They blamed it for rashes, hair loss and other health concerns, but local and state officials insisted it was safe.
Researchers with Virginia Tech University reported in summer 2015 that samples of Flint water had abnormally high lead levels. Shortly afterward, a group of doctors announced that local children had high levels of lead in their blood and urged Flint to stop using water from the river.
Then- Gov. Rick Snyder eventually acknowledged the problem, accepted the resignation of his environmental chief and pledged to aid the city, which resumed using Detroit water.
Residents used bottled water for drinking and household needs for more than a year. Researchers said in late 2016 that lead was no longer detectable in many homes.
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Ivy Bailey, Detroit Federation of Teachers president helps carry bottled water at Noble School in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lawsuits against the state are being overseen by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy, who would have to approve the settlement.
Under the deal, the state would establish a $600 million fund and Flint residents could file claims for compensation. The amount awarded per applicant would be based on how badly they were harmed, the attorney told AP.
It calls for devoting 80% of the money to people who were under age 18 during the period when Flint was using river water, the attorney said.
If approved, the settlement would push state spending on the Flint water crisis over $1 billion. Michigan already has pumped more than $400 million into replacing water pipes, purchasing filters and bottled water, children’s health care and other assistance.
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Other suits are pending against Flint, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and private consultants that advised the city on water issues.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Progressive Mayors Missed The Chance To Remake Cities During Lockdown

In Europe , policymakers have seized on the coronavirus pandemic to re-envision how cities should look , feel and function .
Milan has lowered speed limits , converted intersections into public space and declared the explicit goal of reducing car usage .
The British government has committed to investing $ 2.6 billion in sustainable transportation infrastructure ; London authorities are planning for a fivefold increase in walking and a tenfold increase in bicycling .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced a plan to install more than 400 miles of new bicycle lanes , many on the city ’ s busiest thoroughfares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Cars Despite early warnings that citizens should avoid buses and subways during the coronavirus pandemic , public transit has not emerged as a source of spread .
According to a study in Paris , only 1 % of coronavirus clusters originated on public transport .
Another , in Japan , found zero outbreaks linked to buses or trains .
Public transit ’ s strong ventilation systems , combined with widespread mask usage and lack of conversation among travelers , appears to make it safer than it first appeared .
“ Cities needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it , ” Lydon said .
Recapturing streets for buses , bikes or open space doesn ’ t require copious amounts of money or time .
Bus lanes can be striped with paint ; bicycle lanes can be protected with makeshift barriers that separate them from cars .
A single pickup truck full of Department of Transportation workers could make significant improvements to roads or intersections in a matter of days rather than the years such projects normally take .
“ People can spend $ 300 a month on their car and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or they can spend $ 600 on a bike one time and never have to worry about any of those things , ” said Doug Gordon , a longtime safe-streets advocate and the co-host of ” The War on Cars , ” an urbanism podcast .
“ Driving is going to be out of reach for a lot of workers who just lost their jobs .
It ’ s incumbent on city leaders to make other options easy for people.
” While cars are becoming safer for the people inside them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2019 , pedestrian deaths reached their highest level in 30 years .
A huge percentage of these fatalities , Schmitt said , are preventable .
Pedestrians often die on the same streets and at the same intersections year after year .
Simple changes to street design — exactly the kinds that could have been installed during the quarantine lockdowns — would go a long way toward solving the problem .
“ We know that things like retiming traffic signals so people have time to safely cross the street will save lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also know that in suburban areas without bus shelters , people will wait under the awning of a McDonald ’ s , then sprint across the street when they see the bus coming .
We could install bus shelters at every bus stop in America for a fraction of what we spend on highways each year.
” “ When you have to get projects approved street by street , it ’ s hard to stitch something together across a whole city , ” Lydon said .
Bus networks and bike lanes need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to entice drivers out of their cars .
Even small changes , such as turning a street into outdoor restaurant seating , can get bogged down in local input processes and legal approvals for years .
“ In Europe , they ’ ve been thinking about how to deliver a car-free or car-lite experience for years , ” Lydon said .
American cities , by contrast , don ’ t have coherent processes to address climate change or sustainable transportation quickly .
“ Many cities do have plans , but they aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even getting enough cones for a bike lane can be too much for cities who rely on contractors and insist on these long , drawn-out processes .
”

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The most famous advice in modern politics might be, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
In Europe, policymakers have seized on the coronavirus pandemic to re-envision how cities should look, feel and function. Milan has lowered speed limits, converted intersections into public space and declared the explicit goal of reducing car usage. The British government has committed to investing $2.6 billion in sustainable transportation infrastructure; London authorities are planning for a fivefold increase in walking and a tenfold increase in bicycling. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced a plan to install more than 400 miles of new bicycle lanes, many on the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
So far, American policymakers have shown noticeably less ambition. Despite the importance of open space for preventing the spread of COVID-19, the federal government has not announced any plans to increase spending on bicycle lanes or sidewalks.
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Cities, too, have been reluctant to repurpose street space. Seattle, for example, was heralded for closing just 20 miles of low-traffic residential streets during lockdown. Los Angeles and New York have blocked off a tiny percentage of their road networks but have dragged their feet on making larger-scale, permanent fixes.
Danny Harris, the executive director of Transportation Alternatives, a nonprofit that advocates for walking, cycling and public transit infrastructure, said the reluctance of city leaders to reimagine public space represents a major missed opportunity.
“The streets could be a pathway to recovery,” Harris said. “They could move more people around with bike and bus lanes. They could become outdoor space for restaurants. They could help communities that are underserved by parks.”
But instead, cities are already returning to the pre-COVID status quo of snarled traffic, harmful air pollution and hostile public spaces. There’s a growing fear that budget cuts and fear of infection on public transport may shift commuters from buses and subways into single-passenger cars, and that the huge spike in demand for walking and biking may peter out if cities don’t expand cycle lanes or sidewalks.
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“If even a small percentage of people who take the bus every day start driving, cities are going to shut down,” Harris said. “I understand why people want to go back to normal, but ‘normal’ means traffic and honking and pollution.”
Brussels, Belgium, has recaptured city streets for other uses, including swimming pools for children. So far, American cities have been less ambitious in their responses to coronavirus. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cities Need To Reduce Their Dependence On Cars
Reducing the number of cars on the road is good for the planet, good for cities and good for Americans. Transportation remains the United States’ No. 1 source of greenhouse gas emissions.
And roughly 36,000 Americans are killed every year in car crashes. At the same time, less than 5% of Americans report getting 30 minutes of exercise per day; roughly 40% say they haven’t spent more than 10 minutes walking in the past week.
Getting Americans out of their cars would reduce these problems, and could help city residents spread out to avoid contracting COVID-19. In April, the World Health Organization recommended walking or cycling “whenever feasible.”
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Despite early warnings that citizens should avoid buses and subways during the coronavirus pandemic, public transit has not emerged as a source of spread. According to a study in Paris, only 1% of coronavirus clusters originated on public transport. Another, in Japan, found zero outbreaks linked to buses or trains. Public transit’s strong ventilation systems, combined with widespread mask usage and lack of conversation among travelers, appears to make it safer than it first appeared.
Pollution from cars, on the other hand, is a significant risk factor for COVID-19: In April, a Stanford study found that a relatively minor increase in long-term exposure to airborne pollutants was linked to an 8% higher COVID-19 death rate.
“In Europe, they’ve been thinking about how to deliver a car-free or car-lite experience for years.” - Mike Lydon, co-founder of urban planning firm Street Plans
“We’re such an auto-dominated society that it’s hard to get people to see how important it is to reduce driving,” said Mike Lydon, the co-founder of an urban planning firm, Street Plans, that specializes in walking, biking and public transit infrastructure.
For progressive policymakers, Lydon said, the coronavirus lockdown was an unprecedented opportunity to lay the groundwork for more sustainable post-pandemic cities. Not only did lockdown orders empty streets, flush downtowns and pause public transport, but the pandemic gave mayors and governors wide-ranging emergency powers. They could have used their authority to install networks of bicycle lanes or dedicated bus infrastructure.
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“Cities needed leadership and most places didn’t get it,” Lydon said. Recapturing streets for buses, bikes or open space doesn’t require copious amounts of money or time. Bus lanes can be striped with paint; bicycle lanes can be protected with makeshift barriers that separate them from cars. A single pickup truck full of Department of Transportation workers could make significant improvements to roads or intersections in a matter of days rather than the years such projects normally take.
These improvements are not only cheap for cities, but cheap for commuters.
“People can spend $300 a month on their car and deal with parking and insurance and traffic, or they can spend $600 on a bike one time and never have to worry about any of those things,” said Doug Gordon, a longtime safe-streets advocate and the co-host of ”The War on Cars,” an urbanism podcast. “Driving is going to be out of reach for a lot of workers who just lost their jobs. It’s incumbent on city leaders to make other options easy for people.”
Updating street infrastructure could also save lives. Angie Schmitt, the author of “Right of Way: Race, Class and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America,” pointed out that America has significantly more car crash deaths than other developed nations.
“Forget Germany or France,” she said, “if we could bring our car accident rates down to Canadian levels, we would save 20,000 lives every year.”
While cars are becoming safer for the people inside them, they are becoming deadlier for people outside. In 2019, pedestrian deaths reached their highest level in 30 years. A huge percentage of these fatalities, Schmitt said, are preventable. Pedestrians often die on the same streets and at the same intersections year after year. Simple changes to street design — exactly the kinds that could have been installed during the quarantine lockdowns — would go a long way toward solving the problem.
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“We know that things like retiming traffic signals so people have time to safely cross the street will save lives,” she said. “We also know that in suburban areas without bus shelters, people will wait under the awning of a McDonald’s, then sprint across the street when they see the bus coming. We could install bus shelters at every bus stop in America for a fraction of what we spend on highways each year.”
Paris has responded to COVID-19 by dramatically expanding bike lanes and giving residents $55 each to repair their bicycles. ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Lack Of Political Imagination
Some of the reasons mayors have been reluctant to transform their cities during the coronavirus outbreak are outside their control. American municipalities are generally less dense than their European and Asian counterparts, with less advanced public transit networks and fewer walkable areas.
Other reasons, however, are less excusable. Democratic politicians have always had a blind spot for cars and a limited ability to imagine cities without them.
“Most mayors have never experienced anything else,” Harris said. “They visit Northern Europe and they see dense neighborhoods and bike lanes everywhere and they say, ‘This could never be us.’ But those things are the result of political decisions.”
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The structures of city government also hamstring mayors. The United States has a more decentralized government than other developed nations. That means infrastructure upgrades have to go through local politicians and neighborhood councils, a process that makes unified, large-scale planning nearly impossible.
“When you have to get projects approved street by street, it’s hard to stitch something together across a whole city,” Lydon said. Bus networks and bike lanes need to be part of comprehensive, citywide networks to entice drivers out of their cars. Even small changes, such as turning a street into outdoor restaurant seating, can get bogged down in local input processes and legal approvals for years.
“In Europe, they’ve been thinking about how to deliver a car-free or car-lite experience for years,” Lydon said. American cities, by contrast, don’t have coherent processes to address climate change or sustainable transportation quickly. “Many cities do have plans, but they aren’t oriented to actionable, low-cost approaches. Even getting enough cones for a bike lane can be too much for cities who rely on contractors and insist on these long, drawn-out processes.”
No city better exemplifies this problem than New York. The city has one of the lowest car ownership rates in America. Only 27% of employees drive to work. And yet, despite the city’s lack of public space and abundant automobile infrastructure, Mayor Bill de Blasio has taken few steps to convert streets to bus lanes, bicycle infrastructure, restaurant seating or public squares during the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, de Blasio announced that he would open just 1.6 miles of street space to local residents — and would send NYPD officers to patrol them. In April, under pressure from the City Council, de Blasio agreed to expand the program to 100 miles of streets, roughly 1.6% of New York’s total road mileage.
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Since then, the program has stalled. The current “open streets” average less than a quarter of a mile long, limiting their use for cyclists and pedestrians who want to commute to work while social distancing. And while de Blasio announced 20 miles of dedicated bus lanes in June, most of the projects have been delayed due to objections from local political leaders.
One of the only policy initiatives to come to fruition so far is a change to street cleaning schedules to make it easier for drivers to park. The change will affect 2,300 miles of roads.
“We’ve seen that when the mayor wants something to happen, it can happen immediately,” Harris said. “But when it comes to open streets, busways and bike lanes, there’s always a reason why it has to be small and happen slowly.”
The most baffling aspect of this phenomenon is that most initiatives to transfer street space away from cars turn out to be wildly popular. New York’s 14th St. busway, a crosstown street almost entirely closed to cars, required years of contentious public meetings and legal battles. But now that it’s up and running, local businesses and residents who initially resisted the plan love it. The 2009 pedestrianization of Times Square, too, met vociferous resistance when it was first proposed and is now one of the most beloved features of the city.
“People always think these projects are going to result in the end of the world, but then they happen and no one wants to reverse them,” Gordon said. “The faster cities can get this stuff on the ground and get people used to the changes, the easier it becomes to expand them.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--COVID Is Still Ravaging Nursing Homes And It's Not Clear Anyone Really Cares

COVID-19 has been with us for more than half a year and a passenger jet ’ s worth of nursing home residents are dying from it every day .
But it seems neither the president , his allies nor the country as a whole appreciates the magnitude of tragedy ― or the need to do something about it .
There were 9,715 confirmed COVID cases reported in nursing homes in the last week of July , according to newly released figures compiled from federal data by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important , it ’ s the highest that it ’ s been since the federal government began collecting these statistics , back in May .
As cases in nursing homes have gone up , so have deaths : They reached 1,706 in the last week of July .
The math works out to 244 per day , or roughly what a mid-size Airbus or Boeing plane carries at full capacity .
Deaths tend to be a lagging indicator of the disease spread , which means the rate is likely to keep going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseloads start going down .
All of this was quite predictable ― and was quite predicted .
Following the first big COVID outbreak at a nursing home outside of Seattle , experts warned that the pandemic would devastate the long-term care population , including those in less intensive assisted living facilities and group homes for adults .
These people are among the most vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19 , because they are either frail , unable to take care of themselves or both , and because the physical realities of congregant living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy .
As we all now know , the response from Washington and many states was late , inadequate and sometimes misguided .
More than 40 % of all COVID deaths in the U.S. have been in long-term care .
In raw numbers , that is about 68,000 people ― which , to use another comparison , is close to what a typical NFL stadium holds .
A Failure To Contain The Pandemic Generally Definitive international comparisons are not really possible , because nations use such different accounting systems , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost certainly not the worst among developed nations when it comes to limiting COVID-19 ’ s spread among its most vulnerable citizens .
But by the same token , the U.S. is clearly far from the best .
Deaths in long-term care facilities are not nearly as prevalent in Germany , for example , and they ’ ve been practically non-existent in South Korea .
The single biggest reason is that these are also the countries that have had the most success containing the pandemic more generally .
Keeping the virus from spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep it from getting into long-term care facilities .
Sure enough , the latest evidence ― from the AHCA/NCAL report and a previous one from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation ― shows that the spike in nursing home cases is coming from the Sunbelt , which is also where confirmed cases have been on the rise .
A Failure To Stop The Pandemic In Nursing Homes Take , for example , these places that were able to limit or prevent cases : a small religious facility in Baltimore , a state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of nursing homes in Detroit and western Michigan .
Their strategies weren ’ t identical , but the common elements ― besides attentive , conscientious leadership ― are that they provided enough testing , personal protective equipment ( PPE ) gear and staff .
It was one thing to watch COVID ravage nursing homes in February and March , when scientists were still trying to understand the virus and long-term care facilities , following decades of neglect , were caught unprepared .
But the nursing homes in Georgia are having the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did back in the late winter and early spring , as if the threat was brand new .
Mostly the federal response has relied on getting money to the states and facilities , and letting them acquire material ― something many have simply not been able to do on their own .
And while testing is certainly more available than it was months ago , facilities are still not testing as regularly as public health officials recommend , with lack of adequate supplies a likely reason .

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COVID-19 has been with us for more than half a year and a passenger jet’s worth of nursing home residents are dying from it every day. But it seems neither the president, his allies nor the country as a whole appreciates the magnitude of tragedy ― or the need to do something about it.
There were 9,715 confirmed COVID cases reported in nursing homes in the last week of July, according to newly released figures compiled from federal data by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. That was up from the previous week and, more important, it’s the highest that it’s been since the federal government began collecting these statistics, back in May.
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As cases in nursing homes have gone up, so have deaths: They reached 1,706 in the last week of July. The math works out to 244 per day, or roughly what a mid-size Airbus or Boeing plane carries at full capacity. Deaths tend to be a lagging indicator of the disease spread, which means the rate is likely to keep going up for some time even when the caseloads start going down.
All of this was quite predictable ― and was quite predicted. Following the first big COVID outbreak at a nursing home outside of Seattle, experts warned that the pandemic would devastate the long-term care population, including those in less intensive assisted living facilities and group homes for adults. These people are among the most vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19, because they are either frail, unable to take care of themselves or both, and because the physical realities of congregant living make transmission from resident to resident so easy.
As we all now know, the response from Washington and many states was late, inadequate and sometimes misguided. More than 40% of all COVID deaths in the U.S. have been in long-term care. In raw numbers, that is about 68,000 people ― which, to use another comparison, is close to what a typical NFL stadium holds.
But COVID’s toll on those in long-term care feels increasingly like an afterthought in politics and media coverage of the pandemic, as if the high death toll were inevitable even though it’s very clearly not.
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“I find it really disheartening that we couldn’t apply the lessons learned from the earlier surges to prevent nursing home deaths now,” R. Tamara Konetzka, a University of Chicago public health professor who testified before Congress in May, told HuffPost this week. “This is a fundamental systemic issue of resources and coordination.”
A Failure To Contain The Pandemic Generally
The U.S. isn’t the only country where COVID has hit these facilities hardest. France, Italy, and Spain are among the European countries where it’s taken a similarly devastating toll on the long-term care population. Canada has struggled with this, as well.
Definitive international comparisons are not really possible, because nations use such different accounting systems, but it’s pretty clear that the U.S. is almost certainly not the worst among developed nations when it comes to limiting COVID-19’s spread among its most vulnerable citizens.
““I find it really disheartening that we couldn’t apply the lessons learned from the earlier surges.” - R. Tamara Konetzka, University of Chicago
But by the same token, the U.S. is clearly far from the best. Deaths in long-term care facilities are not nearly as prevalent in Germany, for example, and they’ve been practically non-existent in South Korea. The single biggest reason is that these are also the countries that have had the most success containing the pandemic more generally. Keeping the virus from spreading in the community is the surest way to keep it from getting into long-term care facilities.
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Sure enough, the latest evidence ― from the AHCA/NCAL report and a previous one from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation ― shows that the spike in nursing home cases is coming from the Sunbelt, which is also where confirmed cases have been on the rise.
To put it differently, the recent rise in nursing home cases and deaths is, first and foremost, an indictment of the national COVID response.
A Failure To Stop The Pandemic In Nursing Homes
But even in places where COVID is circulating widely within the community, there are ways to keep it out of long-term care facilities ― or, at least, contain its spread within.
Take, for example, these places that were able to limit or prevent cases: a small religious facility in Baltimore, a state-run veterans homes in California, and a group of nursing homes in Detroit and western Michigan. Their strategies weren’t identical, but the common elements ― besides attentive, conscientious leadership ― are that they provided enough testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) gear and staff.
This isn’t a brand-new revelation. The need to guarantee more supplies and personnel to long-term care facilities has been obvious for a while, which is what makes the current rise in cases so mystifying and horrifying.
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“We’re doing better not well.” - David Grabowski, Harvard University
It was one thing to watch COVID ravage nursing homes in February and March, when scientists were still trying to understand the virus and long-term care facilities, following decades of neglect, were caught unprepared. But the nursing homes in Georgia are having the same problems that the ones in New Jersey did back in the late winter and early spring, as if the threat was brand new.
And they’re not getting the assistance they need. The Trump administration had made a big deal about providing protective gear and testing to the facilities, but these highly publicized deliveries of masks and gowns were limited in quantity and included batches that staff found unusable.
Mostly the federal response has relied on getting money to the states and facilities, and letting them acquire material ― something many have simply not been able to do on their own. And while testing is certainly more available than it was months ago, facilities are still not testing as regularly as public health officials recommend, with lack of adequate supplies a likely reason.
“We’re doing better, not well,” said David Grabowski, a Harvard University public health professor. “We’re not making that national investment. We’re not giving every facility testing and PPE. We’re not supporting their staff. It’s deja vu all over again.”
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Success Would Require Federal Action
Rectifying the staffing issue in particular would require a large infusion of money ― because, without hazard pay or some other way to boost salaries for underpaid and overworked caregivers, facilities simply can’t recruit the workers they need.
But efforts to include hazard pay in coronavirus relief packages have failed. Democrats pushed for it, as did Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). But the GOP Senate proposal left it out and the Trump administration has not pushed for it.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Trump Attacked Obama's DNC Speech Before It Was Even Over

Former President Barack Obama hadn ’ t even finished his speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention before President Donald Trump attacked him .
Obama offered his toughest criticism of Trump yet in the speech , arguing the current president “ hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t. ” “ The consequences of that failure are severe .
170,000 Americans dead .
Millions of jobs gone , ” Obama said .
“ Our worst impulses unleashed , our proud reputation around the world badly diminished , and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caps ― revisited a criticism he often lobs at his predecessor : HE SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN , AND GOT CAUGHT !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 20 , 2020 He followed that claim , which he ’ s made many times despite there being no evidence anything like that occurred , with another all-caps tweet criticizing Biden .
WHY DID HE REFUSE TO ENDORSE SLOW JOE UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER , AND EVEN THEN WAS VERY LATE ?
WHY DID HE TRY TO GET HIM NOT TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realDonaldTrump ) August 20 , 2020 Several reports published during the Democratic primary that cited sources close to Obama said he purposefully stayed out of the race .
Biden told reporters in April he ’ d asked Obama not to endorse him in the race , saying “ whoever wins this nomination should win it on their own merits.
” Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Former President Barack Obama hadn’t even finished his speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention before President Donald Trump attacked him.
Obama offered his toughest criticism of Trump yet in the speech, arguing the current president “hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t.”
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“The consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone,” Obama said. “Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.”
In response, Trump ― in all caps ― revisited a criticism he often lobs at his predecessor:
HE SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN, AND GOT CAUGHT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2020
He followed that claim, which he’s made many times despite there being no evidence anything like that occurred, with another all-caps tweet criticizing Biden.
WHY DID HE REFUSE TO ENDORSE SLOW JOE UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER, AND EVEN THEN WAS VERY LATE? WHY DID HE TRY TO GET HIM NOT TO RUN? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Twitter Users Mock ‘Seriously Triggered’ Trump After All-Caps Obama Meltdown

Obama , who has rarely used Trump ’ s name in public , took on his successor directly , saying @ @ @ @ @ grown into the job because he can ’ t. ” “ This president and those @ @ @ @ @ benefit from keeping things the way they are , they are counting on your cynicism @ @ @ @ @ “ Do not let them take away your power .
Don ’ t let them @ @ @ @ @ ”

Obama, who has rarely used Trump’s name in public, took on his successor directly, saying he “hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t.”
Then Obama urged Americans to vote.
“This president and those in power, those who benefit from keeping things the way they are, they are counting on your cynicism,” he said. “Do not let them take away your power. Don’t let them take away your democracy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Barack Obama Gives Blistering Critique Of Trump’s Presidency In DNC Speech

Former President Barack Obama , on the third and penultimate night of the Democratic National Convention , delivered a speech skewering the job Donald Trump has done as president ― and lauding his “ brother ” Joe Biden for his character and political experience .
Trump has “ shown no interest in putting in the work , no interest in finding common ground , no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends , no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Obama said Wednesday night from Philadelphia .
Obama has , over the past four years , largely refrained from criticizing his successor , but he minced no words in his lambaste of the president during his DNC address .
“ Donald Trump hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t , ” the former president said .
“ And the consequences of that failure are severe : 170,000 Americans dead , millions of jobs gone , our worst impulses unleashed , our proud reputation around the world badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like never before.
” Obama urged Americans to consider voting for Biden , his former vice president , who he said “ made me a better president ” and who has “ got the character and the experience to make us a better country.
” “ Twelve years ago , when I began my search for a vice president , I didn ’ t know I ’ d end up finding a brother , ” Obama said .
“ Joe and I came from different places and different generations .
But what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his resilience , born of too much struggle ; his empathy , born of too much grief .
Joe ’ s a man who learned early on to treat every person he meets with respect and dignity , living by the words his parents taught him : ‘ No one ’ s better than you , but you ’ re better than nobody.
’ ” “ This President and those in power , those who benefit from keeping things the way they are , they are counting on your cynicism , ” former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let them take away your power .
Do not let them take away your democracy.
” https : //t.co/EWD6B86mfO # DemConvention pic.twitter.com/wxOD7mONNw — Anderson Cooper 360° ( @ AC360 ) August 20 , 2020 Obama ― who officially endorsed Biden back in April ― also praised his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , for being “ an ideal partner who ’ s more than prepared for the job , someone who knows what it ’ s like to overcome barriers and who ’ s made a career fighting to help others live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tonight , I am asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala ’ s ability to lead this country out of these dark times and build it back better , ” Obama said , adding that democracy was “ at stake ” in November .
“ This president and those in power , those who benefit from keeping things the way they are , they are counting on your cynicism , ” he said .
“ Do not let them take away your power .
Don ’ t let them take away your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( Calif. ) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , were among the other notable speakers Wednesday at the convention , which is being held virtually this week due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden is expected to accept the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday at the Chase Center in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , as well as former presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) , are among the luminaries slated @ @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former President Barack Obama, on the third and penultimate night of the Democratic National Convention, delivered a speech skewering the job Donald Trump has done as president ― and lauding his “brother” Joe Biden for his character and political experience.
Trump has “shown no interest in putting in the work, no interest in finding common ground, no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends, no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves,” Obama said Wednesday night from Philadelphia.
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Obama has, over the past four years, largely refrained from criticizing his successor, but he minced no words in his lambaste of the president during his DNC address.
“Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t,” the former president said. “And the consequences of that failure are severe: 170,000 Americans dead, millions of jobs gone, our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.”
Barack Obama: “Donald Trump hasn’t grown into this job because he can’t and the consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead, millions of jobs gone … our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished.” https://t.co/PPXl9Fh6pU pic.twitter.com/BkJu8Jk5dz — ABC News (@ABC) August 20, 2020
Obama urged Americans to consider voting for Biden, his former vice president, who he said “made me a better president” and who has “got the character and the experience to make us a better country.”
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“Twelve years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I didn’t know I’d end up finding a brother,” Obama said. “Joe and I came from different places and different generations. But what I quickly came to admire about him is his resilience, born of too much struggle; his empathy, born of too much grief. Joe’s a man who learned early on to treat every person he meets with respect and dignity, living by the words his parents taught him: ‘No one’s better than you, but you’re better than nobody.’”
“This President and those in power, those who benefit from keeping things the way they are, they are counting on your cynicism,” former President Obama says.
“Do not let them take away your power. Do not let them take away your democracy.” https://t.co/EWD6B86mfO #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/wxOD7mONNw — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) August 20, 2020
Obama ― who officially endorsed Biden back in April ― also praised his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, for being “an ideal partner who’s more than prepared for the job, someone who knows what it’s like to overcome barriers and who’s made a career fighting to help others live out their own American dream.”
“Tonight, I am asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala’s ability to lead this country out of these dark times and build it back better,” Obama said, adding that democracy was “at stake” in November.
“This president and those in power, those who benefit from keeping things the way they are, they are counting on your cynicism,” he said. “Do not let them take away your power. Don’t let them take away your democracy.”
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Other than Obama, Harris, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were among the other notable speakers Wednesday at the convention, which is being held virtually this week due to the coronavirus pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Latest Praise Of Trump Leads To Some Painful Home Truths

Sarah Huckabee Sanders drew swift condemnation Wednesday for her latest praise of President Donald Trump .
Sanders , the former White House press secretary , claimed on Twitter that Democrats at the Democratic National Convention “ have spent all week talking about how much they hate ” Trump .
Trump “ should spend next week talking about how much he loves and is fighting for the American people , ” she suggested .
Democrats have spent all week talking about how much they hate President @ realDonaldTrump .
The President should spend next week talking about how much he loves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders ( @ SarahHuckabee ) August 20 , 2020 Speakers , including former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama , have railed against Trump in their speeches for the event , which this year is being held largely online because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Republican National Convention takes place next week .
Critics of Sanders ’ post doubted that Trump would take her advice .
Many reminded Sanders of Trump ’ s apparent lack of compassion for those affected by the soaring death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed more than 170,000 people nationwide .
“ It is what it is , ” Trump said about the devastation caused by the virus in a recent interview with Jonathan Swan of Axios .
Others pointed to the thousands of lies Trump has told during his time in office .
Well that 's not going to happen because the only one he cares about is himself .
— Debbie Woodruff ( @ CoachDebbieRuns ) August 20 , 2020 Is `` the American people '' the name of one of his golf courses ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 20 , 2020 Here is a novel idea : Instead of the President `` talking about how much he loves and is fighting for the American people '' -- why not actually do it ?
Why not actually DEAL the pandemic , instead of sitting back and watching 170,000 Americans die while he brags about himself ?
— Mrs. Betty Bowers ( @ BettyBowers ) August 20 , 2020 But he does n't .
So how will that work ?
— Vicki The Bipartison Hack ( @ Lilyframe ) August 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you know it , Sarah .
https : //t.co/M44uUKwFUL — Kαɾҽɳ Sαɱρʂσɳ Hυԃʂσɳ ( @ KarenSHudson ) August 20 , 2020 Yeah because telling lies is what he does best .
Give his people what they want .
pic.twitter.com/daXYzuTbtK — Norm Bond ( @ normbond ) August 20 , 2020 You know as well as anyone that he is utterly unable to even pretend he cares about the American people .
And you were n't very good at it either , as I recall .
— crunchyrugger ( @ crunchyrugger ) August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TALKING about how much he `` loves '' the American people , but talk is cheap !
We see what he does , not what he says !
— I.R .
Cohen ( @ IRCards3 ) August 20 , 2020

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Sarah Huckabee Sanders drew swift condemnation Wednesday for her latest praise of President Donald Trump.
Sanders, the former White House press secretary, claimed on Twitter that Democrats at the Democratic National Convention “have spent all week talking about how much they hate” Trump.
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Trump “should spend next week talking about how much he loves and is fighting for the American people,” she suggested.
Democrats have spent all week talking about how much they hate President @realDonaldTrump.
The President should spend next week talking about how much he loves and is fighting for the American people. — Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) August 20, 2020
The Democratic National Convention ends Thursday.
Speakers, including former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, have railed against Trump in their speeches for the event, which this year is being held largely online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican National Convention takes place next week. Critics of Sanders’ post doubted that Trump would take her advice.
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Many reminded Sanders of Trump’s apparent lack of compassion for those affected by the soaring death toll from the coronavirus crisis. COVID-19 has killed more than 170,000 people nationwide.
“It is what it is,” Trump said about the devastation caused by the virus in a recent interview with Jonathan Swan of Axios.
Others pointed to the thousands of lies Trump has told during his time in office.
Well that's not going to happen because the only one he cares about is himself. — Debbie Woodruff (@CoachDebbieRuns) August 20, 2020
Is "the American people" the name of one of his golf courses? — Noah Finneburgh (@NoahFinneburgh) August 20, 2020
Here is a novel idea: Instead of the President "talking about how much he loves and is fighting for the American people" -- why not actually do it?
Why not actually DEAL the pandemic, instead of sitting back and watching 170,000 Americans die while he brags about himself? — Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) August 20, 2020
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But he doesn't. So how will that work? — Vicki The Bipartison Hack (@Lilyframe) August 20, 2020
What a joke that is, and you know it, Sarah. https://t.co/M44uUKwFUL — Kαɾҽɳ Sαɱρʂσɳ Hυԃʂσɳ (@KarenSHudson) August 20, 2020
Like the 170,000+ who died on his watch? https://t.co/9pdkvlirL1 — Veronica McDonald🗣 (@Purify_toast17) August 20, 2020
Yeah because telling lies is what he does best. Give his people what they want. pic.twitter.com/daXYzuTbtK — Norm Bond (@normbond) August 20, 2020
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You know as well as anyone that he is utterly unable to even pretend he cares about the American people. And you weren't very good at it either, as I recall. — crunchyrugger (@crunchyrugger) August 20, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Elizabeth Warren's DNC Speech Included A Hidden Message

But Warren , who ended her own presidential campaign in March , didn ’ t explicitly address the Black Lives Matter movement during her convention speech .
Instead , her speech was focused on the coronavirus pandemic and how the Trump administration has failed to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
“ COVID-19 was Trump ’ s biggest test .
He failed miserably , ” Warren said Wednesday night .
“ Millions out of work .
Millions more trapped in cycles of poverty .
Millions on the brink of losing their homes .
Millions of restaurants and stores hanging by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad — and didn ’ t have to be this way , ” Warren said .
“ This crisis is on Donald Trump and the Republicans who enable him .
On Nov. 3 , we hold them all accountable.
” Warren ’ s remarks also included another hidden Easter Egg in the background that referenced her own presidential campaign , which she ended in early March .
In a photo taken behind the scenes of her filmed speech , the letters “ DBFH ” were spelled out in green letters , representing her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hard .
”

But Warren, who ended her own presidential campaign in March, didn’t explicitly address the Black Lives Matter movement during her convention speech.
Instead, her speech was focused on the coronavirus pandemic and how the Trump administration has failed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“COVID-19 was Trump’s biggest test. He failed miserably,” Warren said Wednesday night. “Millions out of work. Millions more trapped in cycles of poverty. Millions on the brink of losing their homes. Millions of restaurants and stores hanging by a thread.”
“This crisis is bad — and didn’t have to be this way,” Warren said. “This crisis is on Donald Trump and the Republicans who enable him. On Nov. 3, we hold them all accountable.”
Warren’s remarks also included another hidden Easter Egg in the background that referenced her own presidential campaign, which she ended in early March.
In a photo taken behind the scenes of her filmed speech, the letters “DBFH” were spelled out in green letters, representing her campaign slogan: “Dream Big Fight Hard.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--'Now That's What We Call Presidential': Twitter Praises Obama's DNC Speech

Barack Obama ’ s Wednesday night speech at the Democratic National Convention immediately spurred a deluge of reactions across social media , with many praising the former president ’ s rhetoric and calling it a marked difference from that of the current commander-in-chief .
Celebrated journalist Dan Rather called Obama ’ s speech an “ inspiring vision of the American story , ” while others complimented everything from Obama ’ s suit to his “ heartfelt and urgent plea for our democracy.
” Obama .
Powerful .
Moving .
He demonstrates once again why he was twice elected President .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , there is no denying that he can summon forth an inspiring vision of the American story .
— Dan Rather ( @ DanRather ) August 20 , 2020 .
@ BarackObama has given so many moving , meaningful speeches but perhaps none more than his message tonight .
It will be reported as an assault on his successor .
It will be remembered as a heartfelt and urgent plea for our democracy from a POTUS who palpably loves and values it .
— David Axelrod ( @ davidaxelrod ) August 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say that Obama has opened up a big can of Whoop-Ass ?
— Jeff Greenfield ( @ greenfield64 ) August 20 , 2020 Obama was on 🔥🔥🔥 I ’ ve never agreed with an entire Barack Obama speech in my life .
I did tonight .
# DNCConvention2020 # WeWillVote # CountryOverParty https : //t.co/qCBDCsr4Mx — Tara Setmayer ( @ TaraSetmayer ) August 20 , 2020 Other voices zeroed in on the graveness of Obama ’ s words , pointing out that his direct usage of Trump ’ s name and harsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood in marked contrast from the tradition of former presidents engaging in , at best , subdued criticisms of those who follow them in the White House .
Trump , in character , midway through Obama ’ s speech begin live-tweeting in all caps false attacks on his predecessor .
The contrast between the two leaders was also highlighted on Twitter .
That ’ s the darkest Barack Obama we ’ ve ever seen .
The message was clear : vote now or let democracy die .
— Mara Gay ( @ MaraGay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just called out Donald Trump by name twice and didn ’ t use the title of president .
— Scott Dworkin ( @ funder ) August 20 , 2020 No former President has ever attacked his incumbent successor at a convention like Barack Obama tonight , or even come close .
— Michael Beschloss ( @ BeschlossDC ) August 20 , 2020 President Obama talking about the north star of the Constitution and a president ’ s duty to be custodian of this document .
But then there ’ s the man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gupta ( @ vanitaguptaCR ) August 20 , 2020 President Obama delivered a speech that said President Trump is incapable of growing into the job of the presidency , has used it to his own benefit and treated it like one big reality TV show .
In response , President Trump anger tweeted his speech .
https : //t.co/x7cpWxZpH7 — Yamiche Alcindor ( @ Yamiche ) August 20 , 2020 Not all voices were positive .
Fox News host Laura Inghram called the speech the “ same type of anti-Trump diatribe that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Obama ’ s administration of illegally spying on Trump ’ s campaign ― echoing the baseless assertion that Trump has called “ Obamagate , ” which was also in one of the president ’ s Wednesday night tweets .
They wasted Obama .
They had him deliver exactly the same type of anti-Trump diatribe that we 've been hearing for five years .
— Laura Ingraham ( @ IngrahamAngle ) August 20 , 2020 President Obama ’ s rhetoric about democracy would carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t illegally spied on the Trump campaign and tried to overturn the results of the 2016 election .
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders ( @ SarahHuckabee ) August 20 , 2020 A myriad of voices , however , characterized the 44th commander-in-chief ’ s words as downright “ presidential , ” and even reminiscent of an certain Greek god .
“ Do not let them take away your power .
Do not let them take away your democracy.
” Now that ’ s what we call ... Presidential .
Thank you , @ BarackObama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GavinNewsom ) August 20 , 2020

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Barack Obama’s Wednesday night speech at the Democratic National Convention immediately spurred a deluge of reactions across social media, with many praising the former president’s rhetoric and calling it a marked difference from that of the current commander-in-chief.
Celebrated journalist Dan Rather called Obama’s speech an “inspiring vision of the American story,” while others complimented everything from Obama’s suit to his “heartfelt and urgent plea for our democracy.”
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Obama. Powerful. Moving. He demonstrates once again why he was twice elected President. Whatever you thought of his tenure in office, there is no denying that he can summon forth an inspiring vision of the American story. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 20, 2020
.@BarackObama has given so many moving, meaningful speeches but perhaps none more than his message tonight.
It will be reported as an assault on his successor.
It will be remembered as a heartfelt and urgent plea for our democracy from a POTUS who palpably loves and values it. — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 20, 2020
What an incredible, moving and inspiring call to action by #Obama. — Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) August 20, 2020
What's the circumspect way to say that Obama has opened up a big can of Whoop-Ass? — Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) August 20, 2020
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I really missed seeing my president in a good fitting suit. #petty 🤣 — Kimberly Bryant (@6Gems) August 20, 2020
Obama was on 🔥🔥🔥
I’ve never agreed with an entire Barack Obama speech in my life.
I did tonight. #DNCConvention2020 #WeWillVote #CountryOverParty https://t.co/qCBDCsr4Mx — Tara Setmayer (@TaraSetmayer) August 20, 2020
Other voices zeroed in on the graveness of Obama’s words, pointing out that his direct usage of Trump’s name and harsh critique of his successor’s record stood in marked contrast from the tradition of former presidents engaging in, at best, subdued criticisms of those who follow them in the White House.
Trump, in character, midway through Obama’s speech begin live-tweeting in all caps false attacks on his predecessor. The contrast between the two leaders was also highlighted on Twitter.
That’s the darkest Barack Obama we’ve ever seen. The message was clear: vote now or let democracy die. — Mara Gay (@MaraGay) August 20, 2020
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President Obama just called out Donald Trump by name twice and didn’t use the title of president. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 20, 2020
No former President has ever attacked his incumbent successor at a convention like Barack Obama tonight, or even come close. — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) August 20, 2020
President Obama talking about the north star of the Constitution and a president’s duty to be custodian of this document. But then there’s the man in the White House right now — Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) August 20, 2020
President Obama delivered a speech that said President Trump is incapable of growing into the job of the presidency, has used it to his own benefit and treated it like one big reality TV show.
In response, President Trump anger tweeted his speech. https://t.co/x7cpWxZpH7 — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 20, 2020
Not all voices were positive. Fox News host Laura Inghram called the speech the “same type of anti-Trump diatribe that we’ve been hearing for five years.” Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Obama’s administration of illegally spying on Trump’s campaign ― echoing the baseless assertion that Trump has called “Obamagate,” which was also in one of the president’s Wednesday night tweets.
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They wasted Obama. They had him deliver exactly the same type of anti-Trump diatribe that we've been hearing for five years. — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) August 20, 2020
President Obama’s rhetoric about democracy would carry more weight if his administration hadn’t illegally spied on the Trump campaign and tried to overturn the results of the 2016 election. — Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) August 20, 2020
A myriad of voices, however, characterized the 44th commander-in-chief’s words as downright “presidential,” and even reminiscent of an certain Greek god.
“Do not let them take away your power. Do not let them take away your democracy.”
Now that’s what we call...Presidential. Thank you, @BarackObama. pic.twitter.com/DYPCwzAiqi — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 20, 2020
Watching President Obama right now is like watching Zeus come down from Mount Olympus to try to fix things — Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) August 20, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Susan B. Anthony Museum Rejects Trump Pardon, Tells How He Can Really Honor Her

The museum dedicated to the memory of Susan B. Anthony has on her behalf declined President Donald Trump ’ s pardon of the late women ’ s suffrage leader .
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester , New York , explained in a Twitter thread Tuesday why it objected to Trump ’ s pardon for Anthony , who was charged in 1872 with voting illegally .
It also suggested ways the president could truly honor the women ’ s rights pioneer .
Trump announced the pardon Tuesday on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Critics accused Trump of performing an empty gesture with the pardon , given his relentless attacks on mail-in voting and baseless allegations of fraud in the 2020 election .
The president has repeatedly said he could only lose to Democratic nominee Joe Biden if the vote is “ rigged.
” The museum , where Anthony ( who is now regarded as a divisive figure ) lived and was arrested , noted she was “ outraged to be denied a trial by jury ” and thought paying a fine would validate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B. Anthony does the same , ” the museum wrote .
It added : “ If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today , a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome.
” “ Support for the Equal Rights Amendment would be well received , ” it continued .
“ Advocacy for human rights for all would be splendid.
” “ Anthony was also a strong proponent of sex education , fair labor practices , excellent public education , equal pay for equal work , and elimination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum said .
Anthony wrote in her diary in 1873 that her trial for voting was “ The greatest outrage History ever witnessed.
” She was not allowed to speak as a witness in her own defense , because she was a woman .
Judge Hunt dismissed the jury and pronounced her guilty .
— S. B. Anthony Museum ( @ SusanBHouse ) August 18 , 2020 She was outraged to be denied a trial by jury .
She proclaimed , “ I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SusanBHouse ) August 18 , 2020 To pay would have been to validate the proceedings .
To pardon Susan B. Anthony does the same .
— S. B. Anthony Museum ( @ SusanBHouse ) August 18 , 2020 If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today , a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome .
Enforcement and expansion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be celebrated .
— S. B. Anthony Museum ( @ SusanBHouse ) August 18 , 2020 As the National Historic Landmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and work for seventy-five years from her home and headquarters , we would be delighted to share more .
# susanb200 # susanbrocs # WomensVote100 # womenssuffrage @ lynnsherr @ AnnDGordon — S. B. Anthony Museum ( @ SusanBHouse ) August 18 , 2020

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The museum dedicated to the memory of Susan B. Anthony has on her behalf declined President Donald Trump’s pardon of the late women’s suffrage leader.
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester, New York, explained in a Twitter thread Tuesday why it objected to Trump’s pardon for Anthony, who was charged in 1872 with voting illegally.
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It also suggested ways the president could truly honor the women’s rights pioneer.
Trump announced the pardon Tuesday on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
Critics accused Trump of performing an empty gesture with the pardon, given his relentless attacks on mail-in voting and baseless allegations of fraud in the 2020 election. The president has repeatedly said he could only lose to Democratic nominee Joe Biden if the vote is “rigged.”
The museum, where Anthony (who is now regarded as a divisive figure) lived and was arrested, noted she was “outraged to be denied a trial by jury” and thought paying a fine would validate the unfair trial. “To pardon Susan B. Anthony does the same,” the museum wrote.
It added: “If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today, a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome.”
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“Support for the Equal Rights Amendment would be well received,” it continued. “Advocacy for human rights for all would be splendid.”
“Anthony was also a strong proponent of sex education, fair labor practices, excellent public education, equal pay for equal work, and elimination of all forms of discrimination,” the museum said.
Check out the museum’s full thread here:
On news of a presidential pardon for Susan B. Anthony on August 18, 2020: Objection! Mr. President, Susan B. Anthony must decline your offer of a pardon today! — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
Anthony wrote in her diary in 1873 that her trial for voting was “The greatest outrage History ever witnessed.” She was not allowed to speak as a witness in her own defense, because she was a woman. Judge Hunt dismissed the jury and pronounced her guilty. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
She was outraged to be denied a trial by jury. She proclaimed, “I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.” — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
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To pay would have been to validate the proceedings. To pardon Susan B. Anthony does the same. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
If one wants to honor Susan B. Anthony today, a clear stance against any form of voter suppression would be welcome. Enforcement and expansion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be celebrated. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
We must assure that states respect the 14th, 15th, and 19th Amendments to the United States Constitution. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
Support for the Equal Rights Amendment would be well received. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
Advocacy for human rights for all would be splendid. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020
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Anthony was also a strong proponent of sex education, fair labor practices, excellent public education, equal pay for equal work, and elimination of all forms of discrimination. — S. B. Anthony Museum (@SusanBHouse) August 18, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Gabrielle Giffords: 'I Struggle With Speech. But I Have Not Lost My Voice'

Nine years after being shot in the head while meeting with constituents , former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords ( D-Ariz. ) delivered an emotional speech Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention , urging Americans to address gun violence by voting for Joe Biden .
“ I ’ ve known the darkest of days , days of pain and uncertain recovery .
But confronted by despair , I ’ ve summoned hope , ” Giffords said in a recorded speech that played after a clip of her playing the French horn aired .
“ Confronted by paralysis and aphasia , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the former congresswoman said .
“ I put one foot in front of the other .
I found one word and then I found another .
My recovery is a daily fight , but fighting makes me stronger .
Words once came easily ; today I struggle with speech .
But I have not lost my voice.
” Wednesday ’ s speech was the longest Giffords has given since she became a victim of a mass shooting in 2011 , according to The New York Times .
Giffords was shot after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was holding at a grocery store in Arizona .
The shooting left six people dead , including one of Giffords ’ staff members , and wounded more than a dozen others .
Giffords suffered a brain injury and has been recovering and advocating for better gun laws ever since .
Her plea to Americans moved many who still remembered the day the shooting occurred .
“ America needs all of us to speak out , even when you have to fight to find the words , ” Giffords said Wednesday night .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can let the shooting continue or we can act .
We can protect our families , our future .
We can vote.
” Every time I see Gabrielle Giffords I 'm in awe of her improbable recovery .
To see her playing the French horn , and showing what she must go through just to give a brief speech was incredible .
— Nick Weig ( @ tbweig ) August 20 , 2020

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Nine years after being shot in the head while meeting with constituents, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) delivered an emotional speech Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention, urging Americans to address gun violence by voting for Joe Biden.
“I’ve known the darkest of days, days of pain and uncertain recovery. But confronted by despair, I’ve summoned hope,” Giffords said in a recorded speech that played after a clip of her playing the French horn aired.
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“Confronted by paralysis and aphasia, I’ve responded with grit and determination,” the former congresswoman said.
“I put one foot in front of the other. I found one word and then I found another. My recovery is a daily fight, but fighting makes me stronger. Words once came easily; today I struggle with speech. But I have not lost my voice.”
Wednesday’s speech was the longest Giffords has given since she became a victim of a mass shooting in 2011, according to The New York Times.
Quite the speech by Gabby Giffords. "I put one foot in front of another, I found one word and then I found another." Full clip: pic.twitter.com/OxZ1Pg9bvK — Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) August 20, 2020
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Giffords was shot after a gunman opened fire at an event she was holding at a grocery store in Arizona. The shooting left six people dead, including one of Giffords’ staff members, and wounded more than a dozen others.
Giffords suffered a brain injury and has been recovering and advocating for better gun laws ever since.
Convention organizers said that Giffords worked “intensely” to deliver her speech, NBS News reported.
Her plea to Americans moved many who still remembered the day the shooting occurred.
“America needs all of us to speak out, even when you have to fight to find the words,” Giffords said Wednesday night. “We are at a crossroads. We can let the shooting continue or we can act. We can protect our families, our future. We can vote.”
I remember the day Gabby Giffords was shot in the head so vividly. She's now in a video at the DNC playing the french horn and delivering a speech. — Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) August 20, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--CNN Hosts Rip ‘Biggest Snowflake’ Trump: ‘One Of The Founders Of Cancel Culture’

CNN hosts Anderson Cooper and Don Lemon accused President Donald Trump of hypocrisy after he called for a boycott against tire company Goodyear over a perceived personal slight .
Trump was reacting to reports that Goodyear had banned his signature “ MAGA ” hats in its workplace .
In reality , the company said it does not allow campaigning of any kind , for any candidate , in the workplace .
But the news triggered Trump , who threatened to replace the Goodyear tires on the presidential limo and tweeted : Don ’ t buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better tires for far less !
( This is what the Radical Left Democrats do .
Two can play the same game , and we have to start playing it now ! )
.
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 19 , 2020 Shares in Goodyear , an American company with more than 60,000 employees ― many in Ohio ― fell after Trump ’ s attack .
As the CNN hosts pointed out , Trump has a long history of calling for boycotts of companies over perceived slights .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cancel culture , ” Cooper said .
“ Look at some of the companies he ’ s called to boycott over the years.
” Cooper then went through a long list of the companies and people Trump has tried to boycott or cancel .
“ He ’ s called to fire everyone from the NFL players to Debra Messing , ” Cooper said .
“ He ’ s also threatened big brands Macy ’ s , Apple , Harley-Davidson , even called on Scots to boycott a whiskey brand because he wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scot of the Year.
’ ” Lemon suggested there might be a reason Trump was obsessed with cancel culture .
“ He ’ s afraid , Anderson , that he ’ s about to be canceled , and canceled by the voting public , the American people , ” Lemon said .

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CNN hosts Anderson Cooper and Don Lemon accused President Donald Trump of hypocrisy after he called for a boycott against tire company Goodyear over a perceived personal slight.
“He’s the biggest snowflake of them all,” Lemon said.
Trump was reacting to reports that Goodyear had banned his signature “MAGA” hats in its workplace. In reality, the company said it does not allow campaigning of any kind, for any candidate, in the workplace. But the news triggered Trump, who threatened to replace the Goodyear tires on the presidential limo and tweeted:
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Don’t buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!). — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020
Shares in Goodyear, an American company with more than 60,000 employees ― many in Ohio ― fell after Trump’s attack.
As the CNN hosts pointed out, Trump has a long history of calling for boycotts of companies over perceived slights.
“He’s one of the founders of cancel culture,” Cooper said. “Look at some of the companies he’s called to boycott over the years.”
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Cooper then went through a long list of the companies and people Trump has tried to boycott or cancel.
“He’s called to fire everyone from the NFL players to Debra Messing,” Cooper said. “He’s also threatened big brands Macy’s, Apple, Harley-Davidson, even called on Scots to boycott a whiskey brand because he wasn’t chosen as the ‘Top Scot of the Year.’”
Lemon suggested there might be a reason Trump was obsessed with cancel culture.
“He’s afraid, Anderson, that he’s about to be canceled, and canceled by the voting public, the American people,” Lemon said.
See their full conversation below: