thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--GOP Pol 'Will Celebrate Thanksgiving With As Many Family And Friends As I Can Find'

An incoming Oregon GOP county commissioner is getting roasted for her Thanksgiving defiance of new coronavirus safety measures announced by Gov .
Kate Brown .
Tootie Smith , the incoming chair of the Clackamas Board of County Commissioners , brazenly boasted she was defying Brown ’ s partial lockdown order , imposed last week , that limits social gatherings to six people .
Violators face fines and even jail time .
“ My family will celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with as many family and friends as I can find .
Gov Brown is WRONG to order otherwise , ” Smith wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , imposed new coronavirus restrictions as Oregon topped 1,000 cases in a day twice this month .
The state has now surpassed 56,000 COVID-19 cases and 760 deaths .
The virus , now raging out of control with record hospitalizations in much of the U.S. , has killed 245,000 Americans and infected 11 million .
New York City Council member Joe Borelli got similar reaction when he tweeted he would disobey New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s limit of 10 people for home gatherings .
“ I ’ ll be having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thanksgiving .
My address is public record .
Some family will come from ( gasp ! )
New Jersey , ” wrote Borelli , a Republican .
“ Kids will see their grandparents , cousins will play in the yard .
”

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An incoming Oregon GOP county commissioner is getting roasted for her Thanksgiving defiance of new coronavirus safety measures announced by Gov. Kate Brown.
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“My family will celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with as many family and friends as I can find. Gov Brown is WRONG to order otherwise,” Smith wrote on Facebook.
Brown, a Democrat, imposed new coronavirus restrictions as Oregon topped 1,000 cases in a day twice this month. The state has now surpassed 56,000 COVID-19 cases and 760 deaths. The virus, now raging out of control with record hospitalizations in much of the U.S., has killed 245,000 Americans and infected 11 million.
Commenters on social media called Smith’s disobedience “selfish” and “reckless.”
New York City Council member Joe Borelli got similar reaction when he tweeted he would disobey New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s limit of 10 people for home gatherings.
“I’ll be having more than 10 ppl at my house on Thanksgiving. My address is public record. Some family will come from (gasp!) New Jersey,” wrote Borelli, a Republican. “Kids will see their grandparents, cousins will play in the yard.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Trump's Midnight Twitter Scream Causes 3 Honest Words To Trend In Response

President Donald Trump fired off another all-caps false claim about the election during a late-night Twitter rant on Sunday .
Just minutes before midnight , the president claimed he won the election ―despite the fact that he lost to President-elect Joe Biden : Trump ’ s all-caps scream caused three words to trend in response : “ NO YOU DIDN ’ T. ” Biden defeated Trump by an Electoral College vote of 306-232 , the same margin that Trump called a “ landslide ” in 2016 .
Biden also won the popular vote by more than 5.5 million .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics made quick work of his latest attempt to undermine the election .
Some used variations on “ NO YOU DIDN ’ T , ” while others put their own spin on it ― with many responding to Trump ’ s lies with some very obvious falsehoods of their own : Sir , this is an Arby ’ s and also no the fuck you didn ’ t pic.twitter.com/3V2GRjepNk — Amber Sparks ( @ ambernoelle ) November 16 , 2020 It 's hard to get more pathetic than this Republican fascist.
# TrumpConceded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day spinning that while playing golf .
Now he 's in fantasy land and making `` No you did n't '' and `` I won the lottery trend '' by tweeting lies at midnight .
SAD .
pic.twitter.com/2Vd8dZVrwO — Grant Stern ( @ grantstern ) November 16 , 2020

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President Donald Trump fired off another all-caps false claim about the election during a late-night Twitter rant on Sunday.
Just minutes before midnight, the president claimed he won the election ―despite the fact that he lost to President-elect Joe Biden:
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Trump Tweet HuffPost
Twitter users weren’t having it.
Trump’s all-caps scream caused three words to trend in response: “NO YOU DIDN’T.”
Biden defeated Trump by an Electoral College vote of 306-232, the same margin that Trump called a “landslide” in 2016. Biden also won the popular vote by more than 5.5 million.
As a result, the president’s critics made quick work of his latest attempt to undermine the election. Some used variations on “NO YOU DIDN’T,” while others put their own spin on it ― with many responding to Trump’s lies with some very obvious falsehoods of their own:
I AM MARK RUFFALO! https://t.co/8mD9MwE7oW — Richard Marx (@richardmarx) November 16, 2020
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Trump: I WON THE ELECTION!
American voters: NO YOU DIDN'T — Melissa Blake (@melissablake) November 16, 2020
YOU WON AN EJECTION! https://t.co/dR8kAN1Ayn — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 16, 2020
Joe Biden won the election.
You lost the election. https://t.co/S5HQQ8ka1d — Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) November 16, 2020
I am the Batman. https://t.co/5vssfi8VQ0 — Justin Amash (@justinamash) November 16, 2020
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Sir, this is an Arby’s and also no the fuck you didn’t pic.twitter.com/3V2GRjepNk — Amber Sparks (@ambernoelle) November 16, 2020
I WON THE BATTLE OF ENDOR! pic.twitter.com/iiBHCk3t5C — Death Star PR (@DeathStarPR) November 16, 2020
I also won the election. — Christopher Moore (@TheAuthorGuy) November 16, 2020
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NO YOU DIDN’T.
FIXED YOUR TWEET. pic.twitter.com/f7l2QlrYLU — Linda Childers (@lindarchilders) November 16, 2020
I CAN DUNK! — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) November 16, 2020
It's hard to get more pathetic than this Republican fascist.#TrumpConceded this morning, then spent the rest of the day spinning that while playing golf.
Now he's in fantasy land and making "No you didn't" and "I won the lottery trend" by tweeting lies at midnight.
SAD. pic.twitter.com/2Vd8dZVrwO — Grant Stern (@grantstern) November 16, 2020
No you didn’t, you delusional pathetic fraction of a man! — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) November 16, 2020
I WON THE SANDBOX! pic.twitter.com/C6FqpdI8CA — Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) November 16, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Election Updates: Trump Continues To Claim He Won (He Didn't)

President Donald Trump tweeted several times over the weekend that he “ won the election , ” despite the fact @ @ @ @ @ also keeps pushing baseless claims of voter fraud more than one week after President-elect Joe @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020 election .
For the latest results , maps and more , check @ @ @ @ @ Hub .
Several world leaders congratulated Biden on his win , and several GOP lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ .
But some Republicans have echoed Trump ’ s rhetoric , floating the idea that @ @ @ @ @ at a second term in office .
Read live updates on the election below .
@ @ @ @ @ blocker may prevent you from seeing the blog , so if you ’ re using @ @ @ @ @ turn it off . )

President Donald Trump tweeted several times over the weekend that he “won the election,” despite the fact that he lost.
Trump also keeps pushing baseless claims of voter fraud more than one week after President-elect Joe Biden was projected the winner of the 2020 election.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Trump Campaign Retreats From Key Claim In Pennsylvania Suit

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is withdrawing a central part of its lawsuit seeking to stop the certification of the election results in Pennsylvania , where Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump to capture the state and help win the White House .
Ahead of a Tuesday hearing in the case , Trump ’ s campaign dropped the allegation that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots — 682,479 , to be precise — were illegally processed without its representatives watching .
The campaign ’ s slimmed-down lawsuit , filed in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of blocking Pennsylvania from certifying a victory for Biden in the state , and it maintains its claim that Democratic voters were treated more favorably than Republican voters .
The Associated Press on Nov. 7 called the presidential contest for former Vice President Joe Biden , after determining that the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up .
Trump has refused to concede .
The remaining claim in the lawsuit centers on disqualifying ballots cast by voters who were given an opportunity to fix mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a technicality .
The lawsuit charges that “ Democratic-heavy counties ” violated the law by identifying mail-in ballots before Election Day that had defects — such as lacking an inner “ secrecy envelope ” or lacking a voter ’ s signature on the outside envelope — so that the voter could fix it and ensure that their vote would count , called “ curing.
” Cliff Levine , a lawyer representing the Democratic National Committee , which is seeking to intervene , said it isn ’ t clear how many voters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , he said , it is minimal and certainly fewer than the margin — almost 70,000 — that separates Biden and Trump .
In any case , there is no provision in state law preventing counties from helping voters to fix a ballot that contains a technical deficiency .
Levine said the lawsuit does not contain any allegation that somebody voted illegally .
“ They really should be suing the counties that didn ’ t allow ( voters ) to make corrections , ” Levine said .
“ The goal should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania ’ s top election official , Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar , a Democrat , responded in court on Sunday , asking the judge to dismiss the case .
State courts are the proper jurisdiction for the subject , and the lawsuit contains no “ plausible claim for relief on any legal theory , ” the state ’ s lawyers wrote .
More than 2.6 million mail-in ballots were reported received by counties , and there has been no report by state or county election officials or a prosecutor of fraud or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the count .
A key theme of Trump and his supporters has been their claim that Philadelphia — a Democratic bastion where Trump lost badly — had not allowed Trump ’ s campaign representatives to watch mail-in and absentee ballots processed and tabulated .
However , Republican lawyers have acknowledged in a separate federal court proceeding that they had certified observers watching mail-in ballots being processed in Philadelphia .
Gov .
Tom Wolf ’ s administration has said that ballot watchers from all parties had observers throughout the process and that “ any @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign is withdrawing a central part of its lawsuit seeking to stop the certification of the election results in Pennsylvania, where Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump to capture the state and help win the White House.
Ahead of a Tuesday hearing in the case, Trump’s campaign dropped the allegation that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots — 682,479, to be precise — were illegally processed without its representatives watching.
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The campaign’s slimmed-down lawsuit, filed in federal court on Sunday, maintains the aim of blocking Pennsylvania from certifying a victory for Biden in the state, and it maintains its claim that Democratic voters were treated more favorably than Republican voters.
The Associated Press on Nov. 7 called the presidential contest for former Vice President Joe Biden, after determining that the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up. Trump has refused to concede.
The remaining claim in the lawsuit centers on disqualifying ballots cast by voters who were given an opportunity to fix mail-in ballots that were going to be disqualified for a technicality.
The lawsuit charges that “Democratic-heavy counties” violated the law by identifying mail-in ballots before Election Day that had defects — such as lacking an inner “secrecy envelope” or lacking a voter’s signature on the outside envelope — so that the voter could fix it and ensure that their vote would count, called “curing.”
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Republican-heavy counties “followed the law and did not provide a notice and cure process, disenfranchising many,” the lawsuit said.
Cliff Levine, a lawyer representing the Democratic National Committee, which is seeking to intervene, said it isn’t clear how many voters were given the chance to fix their ballot.
But, he said, it is minimal and certainly fewer than the margin — almost 70,000 — that separates Biden and Trump.
“The numbers aren’t even close to the margin between the two candidates, not even close,” Levine said.
In any case, there is no provision in state law preventing counties from helping voters to fix a ballot that contains a technical deficiency. Levine said the lawsuit does not contain any allegation that somebody voted illegally.
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“They really should be suing the counties that didn’t allow (voters) to make corrections,” Levine said. “The goal should be making sure every vote counts.”
Pennsylvania’s top election official, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, responded in court on Sunday, asking the judge to dismiss the case. State courts are the proper jurisdiction for the subject, and the lawsuit contains no “plausible claim for relief on any legal theory,” the state’s lawyers wrote.
More than 2.6 million mail-in ballots were reported received by counties, and there has been no report by state or county election officials or a prosecutor of fraud or any other problem with the accuracy of the count.
A key theme of Trump and his supporters has been their claim that Philadelphia — a Democratic bastion where Trump lost badly — had not allowed Trump’s campaign representatives to watch mail-in and absentee ballots processed and tabulated.
However, Republican lawyers have acknowledged in a separate federal court proceeding that they had certified observers watching mail-in ballots being processed in Philadelphia. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has said that ballot watchers from all parties had observers throughout the process and that “any insinuation otherwise is a lie.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-15--Trump’s COVID-19 Adviser Tells Michigan To 'Rise Up' Over Whitmer's New Restrictions

The remarks by Atlas , who is a neuroradiologist with no formal training in treating infectious diseases , came in response to the Democratic governor announcing an epidemic order starting Wednesday for at least three weeks .
The new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regulations halt in-person learning for high schools and colleges , indoor dining , theaters , stadiums , organized sports , casinos and group exercise classes .
“ The only way this stops is if people rise up , ” the Trump adviser tweeted in response to the new regulations .
“ You get what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The tweet is in line with Atlas ’ past comments about the pandemic .
The Trump adviser , who was appointed in August , had alleged that stay-at-home orders “ kill people , ” when in fact the orders help protect Americans from the virus , which kills people .
He has promoted herd immunity ― the idea that the virus will only be manageable once more people contract it and develop antibodies ― as a solution to the pandemic .
That plan has been widely debunked by the American Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s widely respected top infectious disease expert .
Last month , Twitter removed a tweet from Atlas that falsely said masks don ’ t help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
Earlier this month , Atlas called Fauci a “ political animal ” for saying in October that the country “ could not be positioned more poorly ” heading into the winter , and then more recently praising Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine ― which was not researched and developed using federal funding from President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the White House likes to single us out here in Michigan , me out in particular , ” Whitmer told CNN ’ s Wolf Blitzer in response to Atlas ’ tweet .
“ I ’ m not going to be bullied into not following reputable scientists and medical professionals .
...
I listen to people who have actually studied and are well-respected worldwide on these issues , not the individual that is doing the president ’ s bidding on this one.
” Michigan saw its worst seven-day stretch of infections so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new COVID-19 cases and 416 deaths .
About 85 % of Michigan ’ s adult intensive care unit beds were in use as of Friday , and hospitalizations and ICU admissions lag well behind the skyrocketing new cases , according to state data .
Whitmer at the time had implemented a stay-at-home order , which led angry right-wing Michiganders to go on social media and promise violence and “ bloodshed ” in the near future and threaten to assassinate Whitmer .
Trump himself has constantly gone after Whitmer on Twitter ― at one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ― and during campaign rallies , encouraging his supporters to not be silenced by her safety protocols that are informed by science and public health experts .
Nearly a dozen Trump supporters heard the president loud and clear , creating an alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer for implementing COVID-19 restrictions .
Six men involved with a far-right paramilitary group called Wolverine Watchmen face federal charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping , and an additional seven people face state charges in connection with the alleged scheme .
Whitmer said Oct. 8 that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , and she linked the plot to Trump ’ s rhetoric encouraging hate groups to take action .
The new regulations announced Sunday also come less than two months after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945 — the law Whitmer used to issue pandemic-related emergency orders in the summer and fall after the GOP-controlled state Legislature refused to extend existing declarations .
The governor has since relied on the state ’ s Public Health Code to continue implementing pandemic-related safety protocols and restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to public health experts , stomped the curve , and saved thousands of lives together , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
“ Now , we must channel that same energy and join forces again to protect our families , front-line workers and small businesses .
”

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Dr. Scott Atlas, the White House’s controversial coronavirus adviser, encouraged an insurrection on Sunday against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) over Michigan’s new COVID-19 safety protocols meant to curb the state’s skyrocketing infection rates.
The remarks by Atlas, who is a neuroradiologist with no formal training in treating infectious diseases, came in response to the Democratic governor announcing an epidemic order starting Wednesday for at least three weeks. The new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regulations halt in-person learning for high schools and colleges, indoor dining, theaters, stadiums, organized sports, casinos and group exercise classes.
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“The only way this stops is if people rise up,” the Trump adviser tweeted in response to the new regulations. “You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp”
The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp https://t.co/8QKBszgKTM — Scott W. Atlas (@SWAtlasHoover) November 15, 2020
The tweet is in line with Atlas’ past comments about the pandemic. The Trump adviser, who was appointed in August, had alleged that stay-at-home orders “kill people,” when in fact the orders help protect Americans from the virus, which kills people. He has promoted herd immunity ― the idea that the virus will only be manageable once more people contract it and develop antibodies ― as a solution to the pandemic. That plan has been widely debunked by the American Public Health Association, the World Health Organization and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s widely respected top infectious disease expert.
Last month, Twitter removed a tweet from Atlas that falsely said masks don’t help stop the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this month, Atlas called Fauci a “political animal” for saying in October that the country “could not be positioned more poorly” heading into the winter, and then more recently praising Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine ― which was not researched and developed using federal funding from President Donald Trump.
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“Well, we know that the White House likes to single us out here in Michigan, me out in particular,” Whitmer told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in response to Atlas’ tweet. “I’m not going to be bullied into not following reputable scientists and medical professionals. ... I listen to people who have actually studied and are well-respected worldwide on these issues, not the individual that is doing the president’s bidding on this one.”
Tonight, @MichiganHHS issued an emergency order that enacts a three-week pause, targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities to curb our state’s rising #COVID19 infection rates. pic.twitter.com/yEc0enVPBX — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) November 16, 2020
Michigan saw its worst seven-day stretch of infections so far last week, with more than 44,000 new COVID-19 cases and 416 deaths. About 85% of Michigan’s adult intensive care unit beds were in use as of Friday, and hospitalizations and ICU admissions lag well behind the skyrocketing new cases, according to state data.
Whitmer at the time had implemented a stay-at-home order, which led angry right-wing Michiganders to go on social media and promise violence and “bloodshed” in the near future and threaten to assassinate Whitmer. Trump himself has constantly gone after Whitmer on Twitter ― at one point tweeting, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” ― and during campaign rallies, encouraging his supporters to not be silenced by her safety protocols that are informed by science and public health experts.
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Nearly a dozen Trump supporters heard the president loud and clear, creating an alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer for implementing COVID-19 restrictions. Six men involved with a far-right paramilitary group called Wolverine Watchmen face federal charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and an additional seven people face state charges in connection with the alleged scheme. Whitmer said Oct. 8 that the suspects wanted to “possibly kill” her, and she linked the plot to Trump’s rhetoric encouraging hate groups to take action.
The new regulations announced Sunday also come less than two months after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945 — the law Whitmer used to issue pandemic-related emergency orders in the summer and fall after the GOP-controlled state Legislature refused to extend existing declarations. The governor has since relied on the state’s Public Health Code to continue implementing pandemic-related safety protocols and restrictions.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Obama Says Trump Has Accelerated 'Truth Decay' In America

“ It ’ ll take more than one election to reverse those trends , ” he said .
In Sunday ’ s interview , Obama also reflected on Trump ’ s refusal to accept his election loss , his persistent and baseless attacks on the electoral process , and the failure of many GOP officials to condemn it .
“ I ’ m more troubled by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this , are humoring him in this fashion , ” he said .
“ It is one more step in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but democracy generally .
“ And that ’ s a dangerous path .
We would never accept that out of our own kids behaving that way if they lost , right ?
I mean , if my daughters , in any kinda competition , pouted and ― and then accused the other side of cheating when they lost , when there was no evidence of it , we ’ d scold ’ em .
I think that there has been this sense over the last several years that literally anything goes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

“It’ll take more than one election to reverse those trends,” he said.
In Sunday’s interview, Obama also reflected on Trump’s refusal to accept his election loss, his persistent and baseless attacks on the electoral process, and the failure of many GOP officials to condemn it.
“I’m more troubled by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this, are humoring him in this fashion,” he said. “It is one more step in delegitimizing not just the incoming Biden administration, but democracy generally.
“And that’s a dangerous path. We would never accept that out of our own kids behaving that way if they lost, right? I mean, if my daughters, in any kinda competition, pouted and ― and then accused the other side of cheating when they lost, when there was no evidence of it, we’d scold ’em. I think that there has been this sense over the last several years that literally anything goes and is justified in order to get power.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Barack Obama Recalls Michelle Imploring Him Not To Run For President

Former President Barack Obama described his wife Michelle Obama ’ s resistance to his 2008 presidential run in an interview with “ 60 Minutes.
” In the wide-ranging interview that aired Sunday night , CBS ’ Scott Pelley asked the former president about a passage in his new book , “ A Promised Land , ” that quotes his wife as saying : “ The answer is no .
I do not want you running for president .
God , Barack , when is it going to be enough ?
” “ We had just two years earlier , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an unlikely race , ” Obama said .
“ Two years before that I had run for Congress ...
In a race I lost.
” “ A couple of years before that I had run for the state Senate .
We ’ ve got two young kids .
Michelle ’ s still working , and I ask myself in the book , you know , ‘ How much of this is just megalomania ?
How much of this is vanity ?
How much of this is me trying to prove something to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , former President Barack Obama speaks about Michelle Obama ’ s opposition to his 2008 presidential run .
He writes that she told him , “ I do not want you running for president .
God , Barack , when is it going to be enough ? ''
https : //t.co/w8kYpzvDAX pic.twitter.com/MakyXGg9qJ — 60 Minutes ( @ 60Minutes ) November 16 , 2020 He said Michelle eventually concluded , albeit grudgingly , that she shouldn ’ t stand in the way of his ambitions .
“ The fact that I ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration because the toll it takes on families is real , ” he added .
“ I think it ’ s only after you emerge from an all-consuming job that you realize that everything you hold dear is thanks to the one you love , ” Pelley noted .
Obama said that became apparent to him while he was in the job .
“ The fact that she put up with it and forgave me was an act of grace that I am grateful for and I ’ m not sure I deserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview Sunday morning with CBS ’ Gayle King , the former president said he would not be taking on a Cabinet role in President-elect Joe Biden ’ s administration if it was offered , joking that “ Michelle would leave me.
” The former first lady has spoken in the past about the challenges their marriage faced due to her husband ’ s political ambitions .
“ When you get married and have kids , your whole plan , once again , gets upended , ” she said in an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you get married to somebody who has a career that swallows up everything , which is what politics is .
”

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Former President Barack Obama described his wife Michelle Obama’s resistance to his 2008 presidential run in an interview with “60 Minutes.”
In the wide-ranging interview that aired Sunday night, CBS’ Scott Pelley asked the former president about a passage in his new book, “A Promised Land,” that quotes his wife as saying: “The answer is no. I do not want you running for president. God, Barack, when is it going to be enough?”
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“We had just two years earlier, I had run for the U.S. Senate ― in an unlikely race,” Obama said. “Two years before that I had run for Congress ... In a race I lost.”
“A couple of years before that I had run for the state Senate. We’ve got two young kids. Michelle’s still working, and I ask myself in the book, you know, ‘How much of this is just megalomania? How much of this is vanity? How much of this is me trying to prove something to myself?’”
In his new book, former President Barack Obama speaks about Michelle Obama’s opposition to his 2008 presidential run. He writes that she told him, “I do not want you running for president. God, Barack, when is it going to be enough?" https://t.co/w8kYpzvDAX pic.twitter.com/MakyXGg9qJ — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) November 16, 2020
He said Michelle eventually concluded, albeit grudgingly, that she shouldn’t stand in the way of his ambitions.
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“The fact that I ended up winning didn’t necessarily alleviate her frustration because the toll it takes on families is real,” he added.
“I think it’s only after you emerge from an all-consuming job that you realize that everything you hold dear is thanks to the one you love,” Pelley noted.
Obama said that became apparent to him while he was in the job.
“The fact that she put up with it and forgave me was an act of grace that I am grateful for and I’m not sure I deserved it,” he said.
In an interview Sunday morning with CBS’ Gayle King, the former president said he would not be taking on a Cabinet role in President-elect Joe Biden’s administration if it was offered, joking that “Michelle would leave me.”
The former first lady has spoken in the past about the challenges their marriage faced due to her husband’s political ambitions.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-15--SpaceX Launches 4 Astronauts To The International Space Station

The Falcon rocket thundered into the night from Kennedy Space Center with three Americans and one Japanese , the second crew to be launched by SpaceX .
The Dragon capsule on top — named Resilience by its crew in light of this year ’ s many challenges , most notably COVID-19 — was due to reach the space station late Monday and remain there until spring .
Sidelined by the virus himself , SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk was forced to monitor the action from afar .
He tweeted that he “ most likely ” had a moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy Space Center requires anyone testing positive for coronavirus to quarantine and remain isolated .
Sunday ’ s launch follows by just a few months SpaceX ’ s two-pilot test flight .
It kicks off what NASA hopes will be a long series of crew rotations between the U.S. and the space station , after years of delay .
More people means more science research at the orbiting lab , according to officials .
With COVID-19 still surging , NASA continued the safety precautions put in place for SpaceX ’ s crew launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine with their families in October .
All launch personnel wore masks , and the number of guests at Kennedy was limited .
Even the two astronauts on the first SpaceX crew flight stayed behind at Johnson Space Center in Houston .
The three-men , one-woman crew led by Commander Mike Hopkins , an Air Force colonel , named their capsule Resilience in a nod not only to the pandemic , but also racial injustice and contentious politics .
It ’ s about as diverse as space crews come , including physicist Shannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first Black astronaut on a long-term space station mission , and Japan ’ s Soichi Noguchi , who became the first person in almost 40 years to launch on three types of spacecraft .
They rode out to the launch pad in Teslas — another Musk company — after exchanging high-fives and hand embraces with their children and spouses , who huddled at the open car windows .
Musk was replaced by SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell in bidding the astronauts farewell .
Besides its sleek design and high-tech features , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can carry up to seven people .
Previous space capsules have launched with no more than three .
The extra room in the capsule was used for science experiments and supplies .
The first-stage booster — aiming for an ocean platform several minutes after liftoff — is expected to be recycled by SpaceX for the next crew launch .
That ’ s currently targeted for the end of March , which would set up the newly launched astronauts for a return to Earth in April .
SpaceX would launch yet another crew in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and NASA wanted the booster recovered so badly that they delayed the launch attempt by a day , to give the floating platform time to reach its position in the Atlantic over the weekend following rough seas .
Boeing , NASA ’ s other contracted crew transporter , is trailing by a year .
A repeat of last December ’ s software-plagued test flight without a crew is off until sometime early next year , with the first astronaut flight of the Starliner capsule not expected before summer .
NASA turned to private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space station , after the shuttle fleet retired in 2011 .
SpaceX qualified for both .
With Kennedy back in astronaut-launching action , NASA can stop buying seats on Russian Soyuz rockets .
The last one cost $ 90 million .

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Sunday on the first full-fledged taxi flight for NASA by a private company.
The Falcon rocket thundered into the night from Kennedy Space Center with three Americans and one Japanese, the second crew to be launched by SpaceX. The Dragon capsule on top — named Resilience by its crew in light of this year’s many challenges, most notably COVID-19 — was due to reach the space station late Monday and remain there until spring.
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Sidelined by the virus himself, SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk was forced to monitor the action from afar. He tweeted that he “most likely” had a moderate case of COVID-19. NASA policy at Kennedy Space Center requires anyone testing positive for coronavirus to quarantine and remain isolated.
Sunday’s launch follows by just a few months SpaceX’s two-pilot test flight. It kicks off what NASA hopes will be a long series of crew rotations between the U.S. and the space station, after years of delay. More people means more science research at the orbiting lab, according to officials.
“This is another historic moment,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Friday. But he noted: “Make no mistake: Vigilance is always required on every flight.”
The flight to the space station — 27 1/2 hours door to door — should be entirely automated, although the crew can take control if needed.
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With COVID-19 still surging, NASA continued the safety precautions put in place for SpaceX’s crew launch in May. The astronauts went into quarantine with their families in October. All launch personnel wore masks, and the number of guests at Kennedy was limited. Even the two astronauts on the first SpaceX crew flight stayed behind at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the National Space Council, traveled from Washington to watch the launch.
Outside the space center gates, officials anticipated hundreds of thousands of spectators to jam nearby beaches and towns.
NASA worried a weekend liftoff — coupled with a dramatic nighttime launch — could lead to a superspreader event. They urged the crowds to wear masks and maintain safe distances. Similar pleas for SpaceX’s first crew launch on May 30 went unheeded.
The three-men, one-woman crew led by Commander Mike Hopkins, an Air Force colonel, named their capsule Resilience in a nod not only to the pandemic, but also racial injustice and contentious politics. It’s about as diverse as space crews come, including physicist Shannon Walker, Navy Cmdr. Victor Glover, the first Black astronaut on a long-term space station mission, and Japan’s Soichi Noguchi, who became the first person in almost 40 years to launch on three types of spacecraft.
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They rode out to the launch pad in Teslas — another Musk company — after exchanging high-fives and hand embraces with their children and spouses, who huddled at the open car windows. Musk was replaced by SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell in bidding the astronauts farewell.
Besides its sleek design and high-tech features, the Dragon capsule is quite spacious — it can carry up to seven people. Previous space capsules have launched with no more than three. The extra room in the capsule was used for science experiments and supplies.
The four astronauts will be joining two Russians and one American who flew to the space station last month from Kazakhstan.
The first-stage booster — aiming for an ocean platform several minutes after liftoff — is expected to be recycled by SpaceX for the next crew launch. That’s currently targeted for the end of March, which would set up the newly launched astronauts for a return to Earth in April. SpaceX would launch yet another crew in late summer or early fall.
SpaceX and NASA wanted the booster recovered so badly that they delayed the launch attempt by a day, to give the floating platform time to reach its position in the Atlantic over the weekend following rough seas.
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Boeing, NASA’s other contracted crew transporter, is trailing by a year. A repeat of last December’s software-plagued test flight without a crew is off until sometime early next year, with the first astronaut flight of the Starliner capsule not expected before summer.
NASA turned to private companies to haul cargo and crew to the space station, after the shuttle fleet retired in 2011. SpaceX qualified for both. With Kennedy back in astronaut-launching action, NASA can stop buying seats on Russian Soyuz rockets. The last one cost $90 million.
The commander of SpaceX’s first crew, Doug Hurley, noted it’s not just about saving money or easing the training burdens for crews.
“Bottom line: I think it’s just better for us to be flying from the United States if we can do that,” he told The Associated Press last week.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--'Star Wars' Fans Notice An Adorable Addition To The New Space Station Crew

This is the way ... to the International Space Station .
Eagle-eyed “ Star Wars ” fans spotted an adorable addition to the crew that launched into space on Sunday : The Child , better known as Baby Yoda .
The four astronauts onboard used a plush toy of the beloved character from the Disney+ series “ The Mandalorian ” to determine whether they had reached zero gravity : F9/Crew-1 : No additional word on the propellant line heater issue ; meanwhile , live video from inside the Crew Dragon included a shot of the astronauts ' zero-gravity indicator -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harwood ( @ cbs_spacenews ) November 16 , 2020 Watch the flight video closely and you ’ ll see Baby Yoda make a few cameos , floating among the crew : Views inside the Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft reveal a “ Baby Yoda ” toy joined the astronauts on the launch as their zero G indicator.https : //t.co/baLJVLCH0T pic.twitter.com/wNBNcOCo1m — Spaceflight Now ( @ SpaceflightNow ) November 16 , 2020 SpaceX has a history of using adorable zero-gravity indicators , including a plush anthropomorphic Earth last year and a stuffed dinosaur during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
The Crew Dragon capsule is set to dock with the ISS on Monday .

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This is the way ... to the International Space Station.
Eagle-eyed “Star Wars” fans spotted an adorable addition to the crew that launched into space on Sunday: The Child, better known as Baby Yoda.
The four astronauts onboard used a plush toy of the beloved character from the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian” to determine whether they had reached zero gravity:
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F9/Crew-1: No additional word on the propellant line heater issue; meanwhile, live video from inside the Crew Dragon included a shot of the astronauts' zero-gravity indicator -- a Baby Yoda doll pic.twitter.com/sXEioy6H8v — William Harwood (@cbs_spacenews) November 16, 2020
Watch the flight video closely and you’ll see Baby Yoda make a few cameos, floating among the crew:
Views inside the Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft reveal a “Baby Yoda” toy joined the astronauts on the launch as their zero G indicator.https://t.co/baLJVLCH0T pic.twitter.com/wNBNcOCo1m — Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) November 16, 2020
SpaceX has a history of using adorable zero-gravity indicators, including a plush anthropomorphic Earth last year and a stuffed dinosaur during the company’s first crewed launch earlier this year.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Trump Campaign Attorneys Move To Withdraw From Pennsylvania Election Lawsuit — Again

All three attorneys representing President Donald Trump ’ s campaign in its federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania filed a motion on Monday to withdraw from the case seeking to stop the certification of the state ’ s election results .
Linda Kerns , John Scott and Douglas Bryan Hughes filed the motion the day before a judge is set to hear the case .
Attorney Marc A. Scaringi will now represent the campaign in the case , according to the filing .
Major media outlets called the presidential election for former Vice President Joe Biden on Nov. 7 after determining that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Pennsylvania would not result in Trump catching up .
The president has refused to concede , baselessly accusing states like Pennsylvania , where Biden won , of voter fraud and ballot-counting irregularities .
The new attorney for the case , Scaringi , published a blog post earlier this month on his law firm ’ s website that called Biden “ President-Elect ” and said the Democrat “ has successfully claimed the role of the 46th president of the United States.
” The new attorney for the Trump campaign , Marc Scaringi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his law firm ’ s website .
The post , which appears in a screenshot , calls Joe Biden “ President-Elect ” and says the Democrat “ has successfully claimed the role of the 46th president of the United States.
” Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis told HuffPost in a statement that substituting the attorneys “ is consistent with routine managing of complex litigation.
” The campaign did not answer HuffPost ’ s question about whether it was aware of Scaringi ’ s blog post .
This is now the second set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ’ s Pennsylvania case .
Attorneys Ronald Hicks , Carolyn McGee and firm Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP filed a motion to withdraw on Thursday ― Kerns remained as counsel at the time , but filed a motion to withdraw on Monday .
On Friday , a federal appeals court rejected an effort by the Trump campaign to block about 9,300 mail-ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania .
A Philadelphia judge that same day refused to reject about 8,300 mail-ballots in the area , finding no evidence of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge refused to stop the certification of Detroit-area election results on Friday , rejecting claims by the Trump campaign that the city had committed fraud with how it handled absentee ballots .
On Saturday , Trump announced that he had placed personal attorney Rudy Giuliani in charge of his national legal team and local counsel for the many campaign lawsuits challenging election results .
Sources told The New York Times that Trump advisers were unhappy with the decision , complaining that Giuliani gives the president “ unwarranted optimism ” about his chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed a slimmed-down version of the federal lawsuit on Sunday in Pennsylvania that drops an allegation central to the case : that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots were illegally processed without the campaign ’ s representatives watching .
The remaining claim in the lawsuit focuses on invalidating ballots cast by voters who were given an opportunity to fix mail-in ballots that were going to be disqualified for a technicality .
There is no provision in Pennsylvania law that prevents counties from helping voters fix a ballot that contains a technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania election officials treated Democratic voters more favorably than their Republican counterparts .
Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar ― a Democrat who is the defendant in the case ― responded in court on Sunday asking the judge to dismiss the case .
The state ’ s lawyers say that state courts are the proper jurisdiction for the subject , and that the lawsuit contains no “ plausible claim for relief on any legal theory .
”

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All three attorneys representing President Donald Trump’s campaign in its federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania filed a motion on Monday to withdraw from the case seeking to stop the certification of the state’s election results.
Linda Kerns, John Scott and Douglas Bryan Hughes filed the motion the day before a judge is set to hear the case. Attorney Marc A. Scaringi will now represent the campaign in the case, according to the filing.
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NEW: On the eve of hearing in Trump’s Pennsylvania lawsuit, his lawyers move to withdraw from the casehttps://t.co/Xo4TkjWSFH pic.twitter.com/YckKPguHQt — kadhim (＾ｰ^)ノ (@kadhim) November 16, 2020
Major media outlets called the presidential election for former Vice President Joe Biden on Nov. 7 after determining that the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not result in Trump catching up. The president has refused to concede, baselessly accusing states like Pennsylvania, where Biden won, of voter fraud and ballot-counting irregularities.
The new attorney for the case, Scaringi, published a blog post earlier this month on his law firm’s website that called Biden “President-Elect” and said the Democrat “has successfully claimed the role of the 46th president of the United States.”
The new attorney for the Trump campaign, Marc Scaringi, published a blog post in November on his law firm’s website. The post, which appears in a screenshot, calls Joe Biden “President-Elect” and says the Democrat “has successfully claimed the role of the 46th president of the United States.” Scaringi Law
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Trump campaign legal adviser Jenna Ellis told HuffPost in a statement that substituting the attorneys “is consistent with routine managing of complex litigation.” The campaign did not answer HuffPost’s question about whether it was aware of Scaringi’s blog post.
This is now the second set of lawyers to withdraw from the Trump campaign’s Pennsylvania case. Attorneys Ronald Hicks, Carolyn McGee and firm Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP filed a motion to withdraw on Thursday ― Kerns remained as counsel at the time, but filed a motion to withdraw on Monday.
On Friday, a federal appeals court rejected an effort by the Trump campaign to block about 9,300 mail-ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania. A Philadelphia judge that same day refused to reject about 8,300 mail-ballots in the area, finding no evidence of any widespread voter fraud.
And a Michigan judge refused to stop the certification of Detroit-area election results on Friday, rejecting claims by the Trump campaign that the city had committed fraud with how it handled absentee ballots.
On Saturday, Trump announced that he had placed personal attorney Rudy Giuliani in charge of his national legal team and local counsel for the many campaign lawsuits challenging election results. Sources told The New York Times that Trump advisers were unhappy with the decision, complaining that Giuliani gives the president “unwarranted optimism” about his chances of overturning the election.
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The Trump campaign filed a slimmed-down version of the federal lawsuit on Sunday in Pennsylvania that drops an allegation central to the case: that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots were illegally processed without the campaign’s representatives watching.
The remaining claim in the lawsuit focuses on invalidating ballots cast by voters who were given an opportunity to fix mail-in ballots that were going to be disqualified for a technicality. There is no provision in Pennsylvania law that prevents counties from helping voters fix a ballot that contains a technical deficiency.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--2020 Is Inspiring A Whole Bunch Of New (And Weird) Thanksgiving Traditions

New thanksgiving tradition : just singing some WAP lyrics as if they actually apply to the holiday .
Gobble me @ @ @ @ @ down the side of me ( like gravy ) 🤷🏼♀ lol # NewThanksgivingTraditions

New thanksgiving tradition: just singing some WAP lyrics as if they actually apply to the holiday. Gobble me, swallow me, drip down the side of me (like gravy) 🤷🏼♀ lol #NewThanksgivingTraditions


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Naomi Biden Teases 'Pop' Joe After He Says He's Limiting Thanksgiving Guests

Naomi Biden ’ s got her eye on her granddad after his latest comments about this year ’ s Thanksgiving celebrations .
President-elect Joe Biden said in a news conference Monday that he and his wife , Jill , had narrowed down which family members could attend their holiday gathering this year in line with public health guidance about celebrating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Biden passed on advice from public health experts that gatherings on the Nov. 26 holiday be limited to five people , with an absolute maximum of 10 people , who should socially distance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who come to visit will have been tested within 24 hours of their event .
“ I would strongly urge , not just for your sake but for the sake of your children , your mother , your father , your sister , your brothers ... .
Think about this .
There should be no group more than 10 people , ” he said .
Naomi , the daughter of Hunter and Kathleen Biden , is the eldest of Biden ’ s grandchildren .
She made several appearances during her grandfather ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Convention with her sisters Maisy and Finnegan and cousin Natalie .
The four said they ’ re extremely close with their grandfather , who calls them almost every day .
Apparently , the grandkids were the ones who broke the news to the presidential candidate that he ’ d won the race .
Joe and Jill Biden were sitting on their back patio at home when their grandchildren rushed out to tell him , “ Pop , Pop !
We won !
” according to NBC News .
Naomi Biden shared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .

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Naomi Biden’s got her eye on her granddad after his latest comments about this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations.
President-elect Joe Biden said in a news conference Monday that he and his wife, Jill, had narrowed down which family members could attend their holiday gathering this year in line with public health guidance about celebrating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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His granddaughter caught wind after a reporter tweeted the Democrat’s comments:
Ok I see you, pop!! https://t.co/Lc5dgxAveA — Naomi Biden (@NaomiBiden) November 16, 2020
Biden passed on advice from public health experts that gatherings on the Nov. 26 holiday be limited to five people, with an absolute maximum of 10 people, who should socially distance and wear masks.
He said family members who come to visit will have been tested within 24 hours of their event.
“I would strongly urge, not just for your sake but for the sake of your children, your mother, your father, your sister, your brothers.... Think about this. There should be no group more than 10 people,” he said.
Naomi, the daughter of Hunter and Kathleen Biden, is the eldest of Biden’s grandchildren. She made several appearances during her grandfather’s presidential campaign, including at the Democratic National Convention with her sisters Maisy and Finnegan and cousin Natalie. The four said they’re extremely close with their grandfather, who calls them almost every day.
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Apparently, the grandkids were the ones who broke the news to the presidential candidate that he’d won the race.
Joe and Jill Biden were sitting on their back patio at home when their grandchildren rushed out to tell him, “Pop, Pop! We won!” according to NBC News. Naomi Biden shared a photo of the family embracing over their win.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--Swimming Santa Brings Dead Sea To Life With Christmas Tree

EIN BOKEK , Israel , Nov 15 ( Reuters ) - At the lowest point on earth , in the middle of a giant salt lake where animals and plants have no chance of surviving , a jolly man dressed in red with a flowing white beard stuck a Christmas tree in the ground and went for a swim .
Santa Claus came to the Dead Sea on Sunday ahead of the Christmas season , part of a campaign by Israel ’ s Tourism Ministry to bring some Christmas cheer during a global pandemic that has kept Christian pilgrims away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a paddle board a few hundred meters ( yards ) offshore to a spot where salt has piled up in a massive mushroom shape , allowing him to stand in the middle of the otherwise much deeper lake .
With pomp and circumstance he stuck a decorated Christmas tree in the salty bottom , struck a pose for cameras , and then enjoyed an effortless float in the Dead Sea ’ s famous , saline-rich waters .
Beyond the compelling landscape , Christianity has roots in the Dead Sea , whose surroundings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Christmas tree , however , had no chance of surviving in the salty waters and Santa took it with him when he returned to shore .

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EIN BOKEK, Israel, Nov 15 (Reuters) - At the lowest point on earth, in the middle of a giant salt lake where animals and plants have no chance of surviving, a jolly man dressed in red with a flowing white beard stuck a Christmas tree in the ground and went for a swim.
Santa Claus came to the Dead Sea on Sunday ahead of the Christmas season, part of a campaign by Israel’s Tourism Ministry to bring some Christmas cheer during a global pandemic that has kept Christian pilgrims away from the Holy Land.
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He rode a paddle board a few hundred meters (yards) offshore to a spot where salt has piled up in a massive mushroom shape, allowing him to stand in the middle of the otherwise much deeper lake.
With pomp and circumstance he stuck a decorated Christmas tree in the salty bottom, struck a pose for cameras, and then enjoyed an effortless float in the Dead Sea’s famous, saline-rich waters.
Beyond the compelling landscape, Christianity has roots in the Dead Sea, whose surroundings are abundant with remains of ancient Christian communities.
The Christmas tree, however, had no chance of surviving in the salty waters and Santa took it with him when he returned to shore.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-16--John Oliver Gives ‘This A**hole’ Trump The Post-Election Treatment He Deserves

“ Last Week Tonight ” host John Oliver said President Donald Trump ’ s relentless assault on the election combined @ @ @ @ @ the transition with President-elect Joe Biden in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic is “ @ @ @ @ @ lost this election and he knows it , ” Oliver said on Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ and give the incoming administration the access it needs to begin its preparations , Trump @ @ @ @ @ the election .
It ’ s “ pathetic , dangerous and in many ways an @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s destroyed so many lives , ” Oliver said , adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ the country , Trump is somehow managing to divide us even further while also hobbling @ @ @ @ @ possible time , which is absolutely unforgivable.
” Oliver also dissected Trump ’ s constant @ @ @ @ @ , noting that just about everything alleged by the president , his team and right-wing @ @ @ @ @ has crumbled under even the slightest scrutiny :

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“Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver said President Donald Trump’s relentless assault on the election combined with his refusal to begin the transition with President-elect Joe Biden in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic is “absolutely unforgivable.”
“Trump lost this election and he knows it,” Oliver said on Sunday night.
Yet rather than accept defeat and give the incoming administration the access it needs to begin its preparations, Trump is spouting conspiracy theories about the election.
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It’s “pathetic, dangerous and in many ways an appropriate coda to a presidency that’s destroyed so many lives,” Oliver said, adding: “As a parting gift to the country, Trump is somehow managing to divide us even further while also hobbling his successor at the worst possible time, which is absolutely unforgivable.”
Oliver also dissected Trump’s constant false claims of voter fraud, noting that just about everything alleged by the president, his team and right-wing media such as Fox News has crumbled under even the slightest scrutiny:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-15--Fox News Anchor Thoroughly Debunks Trump's Election Fraud Claims

Fox News anchor Eric Shawn on Sunday debunked claims of widespread electoral fraud pushed by President Donald Trump and some of his allies at the network , calling them an insult to the thousands of election officials across the country who worked to ensure the process was free and fair .
The weekend anchor said on “ America ’ s News Headquarters ” that the baseless and inflammatory claims about a rigged election were disputed by the government , election officials and voting experts and were “ designed to undermine your faith in American democracy.
” He aired video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Election Assistance Commission , who said that the 2020 election was the most secure in history and among the best-run .
“ The American people made their voice heard , and when we spread conspiracy theories and we don ’ t back that up with facts , it has an impact , ” Hovland said .
Shawn also singled out Trump ’ s claim that Republican election observers were blocked from watching vote counts in Pennsylvania and other states .
He aired an excerpt of his Thursday interview with Philadelphia City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims “ totally untrue ” and added that he saw no evidence whatsoever of voter fraud .
Shawn also addressed the conspiracy theory amplified by Trump that Dominion Voting Systems software used by several states deleted millions of Trump votes or switched them to Joe Biden .
“ Election officials across the country insist as of today there is no evidence of any widespread fraud affecting the outcome of the presidential election , that our precious democracy was not tampered with and that such baseless and false claims are an insult to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country who we have seen dedicating themselves 24/7 to ensure a fair and free election for all of us , ” Shawn said .
Shawn ’ s report stood in sharp contrast to that of Fox News personality and staunch Trump defender Maria Bartiromo , who hosted Rudy Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal attorney , and Sidney Powell , another member of his legal team , and allowed them to amplify the baseless claims about Dominion voter fraud .
More than a week since most news outlets projected that result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding up the presidential transition that typically takes place after a winner is called .

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Fox News anchor Eric Shawn on Sunday debunked claims of widespread electoral fraud pushed by President Donald Trump and some of his allies at the network, calling them an insult to the thousands of election officials across the country who worked to ensure the process was free and fair.
The weekend anchor said on “America’s News Headquarters” that the baseless and inflammatory claims about a rigged election were disputed by the government, election officials and voting experts and were “designed to undermine your faith in American democracy.”
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He aired video of Ben Hovland, the Trump-appointed chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, who said that the 2020 election was the most secure in history and among the best-run.
“The American people made their voice heard, and when we spread conspiracy theories and we don’t back that up with facts, it has an impact,” Hovland said.
Shawn also singled out Trump’s claim that Republican election observers were blocked from watching vote counts in Pennsylvania and other states. He aired an excerpt of his Thursday interview with Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt, who called the claims “totally untrue” and added that he saw no evidence whatsoever of voter fraud.
Must watch!
After Maria Bartiromo devoted her entire show this morning to promoting Trump's Dominion conspiracy, Fox News anchor Eric Shawn debunks it and other voter fraud claims, declaring that "such baseless and false claims are an insult" to election officials and workers. pic.twitter.com/ksM2hGIJqn — Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) November 15, 2020
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Shawn also addressed the conspiracy theory amplified by Trump that Dominion Voting Systems software used by several states deleted millions of Trump votes or switched them to Joe Biden.
The Denver-based company, election-technology experts, fact-checking sites and news organizations have all condemned the theory as false.
“Election officials across the country insist as of today there is no evidence of any widespread fraud affecting the outcome of the presidential election, that our precious democracy was not tampered with and that such baseless and false claims are an insult to the thousands of election officials and workers across the country who we have seen dedicating themselves 24/7 to ensure a fair and free election for all of us,” Shawn said.
Shawn’s report stood in sharp contrast to that of Fox News personality and staunch Trump defender Maria Bartiromo, who hosted Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney, and Sidney Powell, another member of his legal team, and allowed them to amplify the baseless claims about Dominion voter fraud.
Sean Hannity and Fox Business’ Lou Dobbs have also given oxygen to the claims.
Shawn joined his colleague, “Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy, in shooting the theories down.
Without evidence, Trump has promoted conspiracy theories about voter fraud and launched legal challenges to undermine the reality that Biden won the presidential election.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-15--Trump Throws Twitter Tantrum As Long-Shot Attempts To Stay In Power Fade Away

The week ended with judges in several states rejecting President Donald Trump ’ s attempts to overturn the election results and the coronavirus pandemic surging , but Trump himself took to Twitter Sunday for one of his now-familiar rants .
Trump admitted defeat to President-elect Joe Biden in one tweet , falsely claimed the election was rigged in another and retweeted a supporter who called Trump ’ s opponents “ anti-American and anti-Christian ” ― all before 10 a.m .
He won because the Election was Rigged .
NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed , vote tabulated by a Radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn ’ t even qualify for Texas ( which I won by a lot ! )
, the Fake & Silent Media , & more !
https : //t.co/Exb3C1mAPg — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 15 , 2020 It ’ s unclear what Trump hoped to gain from the Tweetstorm .
Meanwhile , Biden took steps to staff up his incoming administration while the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation .
The week saw the highest daily number of new coronavirus cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
The daily number of U.S. coronavirus-related deaths rose to a record 1,549 last week .
Biden on Monday announced members of his coronavirus advisory board , led by David Kessler , a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under President Bill Clinton ; Marcella Nunez-Smith , a professor of public health at Yale University ; and Vivek Murthy , who served as surgeon general under President Barack Obama .
Board members gave interviews about what to expect in coming months and to urge Americans to take health safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months are going to be , by far , the darkest of the pandemic , ” said board member Michael Osterholm , an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota .
As news outlets called more states for Biden , Trump supporters gathered in Washington on Saturday in an event they called the “ Million MAGA March.
” Event organizers cribbed the name from the “ Million Man March , ” a 1995 demonstration in support of Black activism that attracted hundreds of thousands of participants .
But the MAGA event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few thousand ” people showed up , including members of extremist groups linked to white supremacist ideology and violence .
Trump on Saturday morning waved at attendees as his motorcade headed to the golf course .
By Saturday night , several Trump supporters clashed violently with counterprotesters , resulting in several arrests .
By Sunday morning , Trump complained that the media failed to cover the “ tens of thousands ” of people who attended the event , an exaggeration of the actual turnout .
The Fake News Media hardly even discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to D.C .
Formed organically , and in many parts of the Country !
https : //t.co/wVsDx6GeGc — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 15 , 2020

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The week ended with judges in several states rejecting President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results and the coronavirus pandemic surging, but Trump himself took to Twitter Sunday for one of his now-familiar rants.
Trump admitted defeat to President-elect Joe Biden in one tweet, falsely claimed the election was rigged in another and retweeted a supporter who called Trump’s opponents “anti-American and anti-Christian” ― all before 10 a.m.
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He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more! https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
It’s unclear what Trump hoped to gain from the Tweetstorm. Meanwhile, Biden took steps to staff up his incoming administration while the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation.
The week saw the highest daily number of new coronavirus cases in the U.S. since the pandemic took off in March. The daily number of U.S. coronavirus-related deaths rose to a record 1,549 last week.
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Biden on Monday announced members of his coronavirus advisory board, led by David Kessler, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under President Bill Clinton; Marcella Nunez-Smith, a professor of public health at Yale University; and Vivek Murthy, who served as surgeon general under President Barack Obama.
Board members gave interviews about what to expect in coming months and to urge Americans to take health safety precautions. “The next three to four months are going to be, by far, the darkest of the pandemic,” said board member Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota.
As news outlets called more states for Biden, Trump supporters gathered in Washington on Saturday in an event they called the “Million MAGA March.”
Event organizers cribbed the name from the “Million Man March,” a 1995 demonstration in support of Black activism that attracted hundreds of thousands of participants. But the MAGA event drew far fewer people: Only “a few thousand” people showed up, including members of extremist groups linked to white supremacist ideology and violence.
Trump on Saturday morning waved at attendees as his motorcade headed to the golf course. By Saturday night, several Trump supporters clashed violently with counterprotesters, resulting in several arrests.
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By Sunday morning, Trump complained that the media failed to cover the “tens of thousands” of people who attended the event, an exaggeration of the actual turnout.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-15--John Bolton Urges Republicans To Publicly Reject Trump's 'Baseless' Voter Fraud Claims

“ I think it ’ s very important for leaders of the Republican Party to explain to our voters ― who are not as stupid as the Democrats think ― that , in fact , Trump has lost the election and that his claims of election fraud are baseless , ” Bolton told ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” Trump has repeatedly declared he won reelection , despite virtually all major media networks projecting Biden as the winner .
Several world leaders and Republican lawmakers have congratulated Biden on his win , but the president and the majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so or remained silent on the matter .
The Trump campaign has filed multiple lawsuits in several states alleging voter fraud and ballot-counting irregularities .
So far , the campaign has produced no evidence of widespread issues .
Multiple judges have dismissed some of the lawsuits .
“ The fact is that we ’ ve seen litigation in all the key battleground states , and it has failed consistently , ” said Bolton , who left the White House in September 2019 after clashing with Trump on foreign policy issues .
“ Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal equivalent of pitching pennies , ” Bolton added .
“ Where are there silver dollars ?
Where is the evidence ?
I think as every day goes by , it ’ s clear and clear there isn ’ t any evidence.
” Thousands of Trump supporters gathered in Washington on Saturday to echo the president ’ s false claims that Democrats “ rigged ” the election .
The rally turned violent when tensions came to a head with counter-demonstrators , leading to at least one stabbing and more than a dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only hearing Donald Trump ’ s misrepresentations , it ’ s not surprising that they believe it , ” Bolton said Sunday .
“ It ’ s critical for other Republican leaders to stand up and explain what actually happened : Donald Trump lost by what ― any evidence we have so far ― was a free and fair election.
” In a tweet earlier Sunday , Trump appeared to publicly acknowledge for the first time that Biden won the election .
He quickly backtracked in a subsequent tweet , stating he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA.
” ″This is a character test for the Republican Party , ” Bolton told ABC .
“ I don ’ t buy the argument that Donald Trump has hypnotized Republican voters or that they ’ re not capable of accepting the truth .
...
But it requires people to explain what happened .
The Trump campaign simply has no evidence.
” Pressed on how few in the Republican party are coming forward and recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect , John Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're getting ready to do it . ''
`` I think this is a character test for the Republican party . ''
https : //t.co/n7MOSxWdol pic.twitter.com/U9jcQFBjMx — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) November 15 , 2020 Trump lashed out at Bolton later Sunday , calling him “ sullen , dull and quiet ” and “ one of the dumbest people ” he ’ s ever worked with in the government .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former national security adviser John Bolton on Sunday called on Republican leaders to publicly reject President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
“I think it’s very important for leaders of the Republican Party to explain to our voters ― who are not as stupid as the Democrats think ― that, in fact, Trump has lost the election and that his claims of election fraud are baseless,” Bolton told ABC’s “This Week.”
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Trump has repeatedly declared he won reelection, despite virtually all major media networks projecting Biden as the winner. Several world leaders and Republican lawmakers have congratulated Biden on his win, but the president and the majority of Republican senators have either refused to do so or remained silent on the matter.
The Trump campaign has filed multiple lawsuits in several states alleging voter fraud and ballot-counting irregularities. So far, the campaign has produced no evidence of widespread issues. Multiple judges have dismissed some of the lawsuits.
“The fact is that we’ve seen litigation in all the key battleground states, and it has failed consistently,” said Bolton, who left the White House in September 2019 after clashing with Trump on foreign policy issues.
“Right now, the Trump campaign is doing the legal equivalent of pitching pennies,” Bolton added. “Where are there silver dollars? Where is the evidence? I think as every day goes by, it’s clear and clear there isn’t any evidence.”
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NEW: Former National Security Adviser John Bolton urges GOP leadership to "explain to our voters... that in fact Trump has lost the election and that these claims of election fraud are baseless." https://t.co/n7MOSxWdol pic.twitter.com/S4eELHLBPX — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 15, 2020
Thousands of Trump supporters gathered in Washington on Saturday to echo the president’s false claims that Democrats “rigged” the election. The rally turned violent when tensions came to a head with counter-demonstrators, leading to at least one stabbing and more than a dozen arrests.
“If the Republican voters are only hearing Donald Trump’s misrepresentations, it’s not surprising that they believe it,” Bolton said Sunday. “It’s critical for other Republican leaders to stand up and explain what actually happened: Donald Trump lost by what ― any evidence we have so far ― was a free and fair election.”
In a tweet earlier Sunday, Trump appeared to publicly acknowledge for the first time that Biden won the election. He quickly backtracked in a subsequent tweet, stating he concedes “NOTHING” and that Biden had “only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA.”
Bolton said Sunday that he believed most Republicans are “getting ready to” recognize Biden as president-elect.
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″This is a character test for the Republican Party,” Bolton told ABC. “I don’t buy the argument that Donald Trump has hypnotized Republican voters or that they’re not capable of accepting the truth. ... But it requires people to explain what happened. The Trump campaign simply has no evidence.”
Pressed on how few in the Republican party are coming forward and recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect, John Bolton tells @MarthaRaddatz he thinks "they're getting ready to do it."
"I think this is a character test for the Republican party." https://t.co/n7MOSxWdol pic.twitter.com/U9jcQFBjMx — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 15, 2020
Trump lashed out at Bolton later Sunday, calling him “sullen, dull and quiet” and “one of the dumbest people” he’s ever worked with in the government.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--A Brain Infection Made Me Forget Nearly Everything. Here's How I Became Myself Again.

The next few days were a blur of emergency rooms , doctor visits and tears .
More needles than I could count pierced my skin with medicine that wouldn ’ t be enough to fix me .
But one memory will always stay with me : my doctor leaning over me as I lay on the exam table and the sadness in her eyes as she said , “ You have severe inflammation in your brain called cerebritis.
” Four years before I forgot how to walk , I ’ d been diagnosed with a chronic illness called lupus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ States ― mostly women of color ― live with lupus .
They are your coworkers , your friends , your sisters .
No one knows why some people develop lupus and others don ’ t , although genetics play a role .
Lupus can be mild or severe , attacking organs such as the kidneys , the lungs or the heart .
In rare cases like mine , lupus causes inflammation in the brain , called lupus cerebritis .
For years , I ’ d lived with the crushing fatigue of lupus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after sleeping for 12 hours .
Still , I pushed myself to smile at work and be the best teacher I could be for my students .
I loved teaching .
I loved the violin .
I didn ’ t want my career to be one more thing lupus stole from me .
But after years of exhaustion and pain , on the day my body forgot how to walk , my body finally said , “ Enough already.
” The inflammation in my brain didn ’ t just make me lose my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term and short-term memory , my vocabulary , my sense of time , my personality and my sense of reality ― everything that made me who I am .
I forgot my parents ’ names and my favorite color .
A family member emailed my students to help them find different violin teachers since I couldn ’ t string a sentence together .
I couldn ’ t process information well enough to make decisions , even small ones , like whether or not I liked yogurt .
I called everything that had happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it was taking my pills an hour ago or going camping as a child .
My short-term memory was bad , so I couldn ’ t read books or understand movies because I couldn ’ t follow even the simplest plot lines .
At night , I would hallucinate bright dots of color on the ceiling or see the air around me ripple like water .
Am I going to die ?
I wondered , trying to push down the fear rising in my chest .
If I lived , would I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been before I got sick ?
Before then , I ’ d known exactly who I was : a determined person who always had a goal to strive for .
A woman who cared about the people around her and who loved her students .
A lover of books , dogs and caramel coffee .
Bedridden and unable to even remember my past experiences and what foods I liked , I didn ’ t know who I was anymore .
I missed work and playing the violin , but mostly , I missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of surviving my illness was to stay positive .
From my bed , I looked at memes on my computer and watched “ Weird Al ” Yankovic videos .
Because my memory was so bad , I could look at the same memes over and over and still laugh .
To cheer me up , my family read me one-liners off the internet .
I clung to the only jokes I could understand .
After I had been bedridden for three months , the emergency infusions from the hospital and the handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
The hallucinations and delusions went away .
I began to remember what day of the week it was and listened to the pop music that I liked before I got sick .
I remembered how I took my coffee and started asking my caretakers for a favorite shirt .
Each memory I gained back filled me with joy .
I was rediscovering pieces of myself that I ’ d thought were gone forever .
But I still had a long way to go before I was myself again .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I began reading , mostly about other survivors of brain trauma .
I read articles about former Rep. Gabby Giffords .
I read Jill Bolte Taylor ’ s “ A Stroke of Insight.
” There wasn ’ t much out there written by brain trauma survivors , but I read everything I could get my hands on .
Often , I would have to read the same paragraphs over and over again to understand , but I kept trying .
Reading about others who had survived what I was going through made me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me the courage to keep focusing on my recovery .
One day , I felt strong enough to leave my bed and shuffle to the living room in my house .
My atrophied muscles felt like limp rubber bands inside my legs .
I was too weak to even lift my feet , so I shuffled for months .
My caretaker hugged me and brought me coffee in my favorite Halloween mug to celebrate .
When I realized I wasn ’ t strong enough to lift the coffee mug , we chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many months drinking my coffee with straws .
I don ’ t know if it was my medicine or all the effort I put into getting better , but I slowly began to come back to myself .
Because my fatigue was constant and unpredictable , I didn ’ t go to physical therapy .
Instead , I relearned to walk on my own when I felt well enough .
My legs grew stronger and started to carry me from my bedroom to the living room to the kitchen , then outside my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just as mental as it was physical .
I started to have conversations that actually made sense with my family and friends .
I wrote thank you notes to my doctors and nurses when my thinking and my memory had improved enough .
The day I unpacked my violin for the first time in many months was one of the happiest days of my life , even if I could only play for five minutes with a long rest after .
While I ’ ve recovered from my brain inflammation , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m still more tired than most people my age .
Because I could develop brain inflammation again , I pay close attention to patterns of forgetfulness and moments when I feel more tired than usual .
Forgetting about a meeting or losing the house keys several times a week might be nothing to worry about for most people , but for me , it can be the beginning of a medical emergency .
Oddly enough , I never felt more human than I did than during the months I spent bedridden and near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be myself again , I learned for the first time how much my friends and family loved me .
I realized how important it is to spend the short time we have on Earth lifting up those around us who are struggling .
When I have challenges in my life now , I remind myself that at least I ’ m myself again and I can handle it .
Because the truth is , any challenge in life can be overcome if you take it step by step .

The author hugs one of her dogs in her apartment. Courtesy of Meghan Beaudry
I’ve forgotten many things in my life: my keys, the answers to test questions, my friend’s birthday. I never imagined I could forget how to walk. But that’s exactly what happened when I was 27 and suddenly got sick with brain inflammation.
The day my legs stopped working, I had just finished teaching a violin lesson. My student packed up his violin. I nodded as he told me the plot of one of his favorite TV shows. When I stood up to walk him to the door, my feet stayed rooted to the ground. My legs didn’t hurt. They simply refused to follow directions. Walking felt foreign, like I was being asked to perform a dance I had never learned.
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My student waved goodbye. My heart pounded in my chest as I fought off panic. I shuffled forward as if I were ice skating, then grabbed my phone to call for help. My fingers trembled as I held the phone to my ear.
The next few days were a blur of emergency rooms, doctor visits and tears. More needles than I could count pierced my skin with medicine that wouldn’t be enough to fix me. But one memory will always stay with me: my doctor leaning over me as I lay on the exam table and the sadness in her eyes as she said, “You have severe inflammation in your brain called cerebritis.”
Then, my doctor turned to my mother standing in the corner of the tiny exam room. In a voice she must have thought I couldn’t hear, my doctor gently told my mother, “This is a bad one. She might not recover.”
I’d forgotten how to walk in just a second. Remembering would take years.
Four years before I forgot how to walk, I’d been diagnosed with a chronic illness called lupus. About 1.5 million people in the United States ― mostly women of color ― live with lupus. They are your coworkers, your friends, your sisters. No one knows why some people develop lupus and others don’t, although genetics play a role. Lupus can be mild or severe, attacking organs such as the kidneys, the lungs or the heart. In rare cases like mine, lupus causes inflammation in the brain, called lupus cerebritis.
Advertisement
For years, I’d lived with the crushing fatigue of lupus. I’d wake up exhausted even after sleeping for 12 hours. Still, I pushed myself to smile at work and be the best teacher I could be for my students. I loved teaching. I loved the violin. I didn’t want my career to be one more thing lupus stole from me. But after years of exhaustion and pain, on the day my body forgot how to walk, my body finally said, “Enough already.”
The inflammation in my brain didn’t just make me lose my ability to walk. It wrecked my long-term and short-term memory, my vocabulary, my sense of time, my personality and my sense of reality ― everything that made me who I am. I forgot my parents’ names and my favorite color. A family member emailed my students to help them find different violin teachers since I couldn’t string a sentence together. I couldn’t process information well enough to make decisions, even small ones, like whether or not I liked yogurt. I called everything that had happened in the past “yesterday,” whether it was taking my pills an hour ago or going camping as a child. My short-term memory was bad, so I couldn’t read books or understand movies because I couldn’t follow even the simplest plot lines.
The author in her wheelchair after a doctor's appointment. Courtesy of Meghan Beaudry
One day, I couldn’t remember the word for “pillow,” so I asked my caretaker for a “head thing.” She smiled and brought me a hairbrush.
I went to bed and didn’t get up until eight months later.
At night, I would hallucinate bright dots of color on the ceiling or see the air around me ripple like water. Am I going to die? I wondered, trying to push down the fear rising in my chest. If I lived, would I still be the same person I had been before I got sick? Before then, I’d known exactly who I was: a determined person who always had a goal to strive for. A woman who cared about the people around her and who loved her students. A lover of books, dogs and caramel coffee. Bedridden and unable to even remember my past experiences and what foods I liked, I didn’t know who I was anymore. I missed work and playing the violin, but mostly, I missed being myself.
Advertisement
I knew my best chance of surviving my illness was to stay positive. From my bed, I looked at memes on my computer and watched “Weird Al” Yankovic videos. Because my memory was so bad, I could look at the same memes over and over and still laugh. To cheer me up, my family read me one-liners off the internet. I clung to the only jokes I could understand.
After I had been bedridden for three months, the emergency infusions from the hospital and the handful of pills I swallowed each night began to work. The hallucinations and delusions went away. I began to remember what day of the week it was and listened to the pop music that I liked before I got sick. I remembered how I took my coffee and started asking my caretakers for a favorite shirt. Each memory I gained back filled me with joy. I was rediscovering pieces of myself that I’d thought were gone forever. But I still had a long way to go before I was myself again.
When my memory started to get better, I began reading, mostly about other survivors of brain trauma. I read articles about former Rep. Gabby Giffords. I read Jill Bolte Taylor’s “A Stroke of Insight.” There wasn’t much out there written by brain trauma survivors, but I read everything I could get my hands on. Often, I would have to read the same paragraphs over and over again to understand, but I kept trying. Reading about others who had survived what I was going through made me feel less alone. Their stories gave me the courage to keep focusing on my recovery.
I taped a list of all the things I wanted to relearn on the headboard of my bed. Vocabulary. Walking. Playing the violin. Telling time. Knowing what I like and dislike. Making decisions. Then, from my bed, I got to work.
I propped my laptop on my stomach with pillows so I could use it lying down. I forced myself to write a paragraph every day on any subject. I often misused words or got the tenses wrong because of my issues with understanding time, but I kept at it.
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One day, I felt strong enough to leave my bed and shuffle to the living room in my house. My atrophied muscles felt like limp rubber bands inside my legs. I was too weak to even lift my feet, so I shuffled for months. My caretaker hugged me and brought me coffee in my favorite Halloween mug to celebrate. When I realized I wasn’t strong enough to lift the coffee mug, we chose to laugh and not cry. I spent many months drinking my coffee with straws.
The author (right) during a trip to Seattle to visit her best friend, Haeyoon, two years after her recovery. Courtesy of Meghan Beaudry
I don’t know if it was my medicine or all the effort I put into getting better, but I slowly began to come back to myself. Because my fatigue was constant and unpredictable, I didn’t go to physical therapy. Instead, I relearned to walk on my own when I felt well enough. My legs grew stronger and started to carry me from my bedroom to the living room to the kitchen, then outside my house. Relearning to be myself again was just as mental as it was physical. I started to have conversations that actually made sense with my family and friends. I wrote thank you notes to my doctors and nurses when my thinking and my memory had improved enough. The day I unpacked my violin for the first time in many months was one of the happiest days of my life, even if I could only play for five minutes with a long rest after.
Some things came back more easily and quicker than others. For years after my inflammation, I struggled with making decisions, especially important life ones. It also took years for walking to feel natural again.
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It’s been six years since the day I forgot how to walk. I’m back to teaching and playing the violin. I live with my two dogs in a second-floor apartment that I’ve decorated in red, my favorite color. I can cook and take care of myself, and I get to drink caramel coffee every day without a straw.
While I’ve recovered from my brain inflammation, I still have lupus, and I’m still more tired than most people my age. Because I could develop brain inflammation again, I pay close attention to patterns of forgetfulness and moments when I feel more tired than usual. Forgetting about a meeting or losing the house keys several times a week might be nothing to worry about for most people, but for me, it can be the beginning of a medical emergency.
I’m fortunate to have a doctor who takes my symptoms seriously. But mostly, I’m just grateful every day to be myself again. Sometimes I still marvel at how normal walking feels, at the magic of putting one foot in front of another to carry me through life.
I also kept up my writing habit, and in the process I gained a piece of myself that hadn’t been there before I got sick. Sometimes, I even published pieces about my experience with brain inflammation. The reality is, many victims of brain trauma are not fortunate enough to recover like I did. I write because I hope that somewhere, someone who’s sick like I was will find the hope they need when they read my words.
Oddly enough, I never felt more human than I did than during the months I spent bedridden and near death. As I rediscovered how to be myself again, I learned for the first time how much my friends and family loved me. I realized how important it is to spend the short time we have on Earth lifting up those around us who are struggling. When I have challenges in my life now, I remind myself that at least I’m myself again and I can handle it. Because the truth is, any challenge in life can be overcome if you take it step by step.
Advertisement
Meghan Bea began writing as part of her rehabilitation from brain trauma in 2014 and simply never stopped. She is working on a collection of fairy tale retellings as well as a memoir about her recovery. When she’s not writing, she can be found cuddling with her rescue dogs, drinking bubble tea and teaching students ages 3 to 92 how to play the violin or viola.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Chris Cuomo Rages At Scott Atlas: 'Shame On You!'

The call was particularly ominous because Whitmer was the target of an alleged kidnapping plot by a right-wing paramilitary crew .
Whitmer linked the plot to Trump ’ s hate rhetoric .
“ Are you kidding me ?
Shame on you !
” the CNN host , who ’ s a COVID-19 survivor , said .
“ What kind of doctor would tell people to rise up and resist the only kind of prophylaxis that can help them ?
What the hell is the matter with this person ?
Rise up ?
You rise up and do your job or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you give this kind of advice ?
” Whitmer said Monday that Atlas ’ comments “ took my breath away.
” She told MSNBC that Michigan was in the “ midst of the worst weeks of this pandemic.
” Cuomo also blasted Atlas ’ lack of experience with infectious diseases or a pandemic and mocked him for encouraging family get-togethers at Thanksgiving — even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended celebrating virtually ― because it could be an elderly relative ’ s “ last Thanksgiving.
” “ What the hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could be their last Thanksgiving if you expose them to people who aren ’ t wearing masks , who aren ’ t socially distancing and haven ’ t been doing so and haven ’ t gotten tested because they somehow think they don ’ t want to get in on the ‘ con ’ of COVID , ” Cuomo said .
Last month , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said Atlas doesn ’ t know what he ’ s doing .
“ I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told The Washington Post .
He ’ s “ talking about things that I believe he doesn ’ t have any real insight or knowledge or experience in .
”

The call was particularly ominous because Whitmer was the target of an alleged kidnapping plot by a right-wing paramilitary crew. Whitmer linked the plot to Trump’s hate rhetoric.
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“Are you kidding me? Shame on you!” the CNN host, who’s a COVID-19 survivor, said. “What kind of doctor would tell people to rise up and resist the only kind of prophylaxis that can help them? What the hell is the matter with this person? Rise up? You rise up and do your job or get the hell out. How could you give this kind of advice?”
Whitmer said Monday that Atlas’ comments “took my breath away.” She told MSNBC that Michigan was in the “midst of the worst weeks of this pandemic.”
Cuomo also blasted Atlas’ lack of experience with infectious diseases or a pandemic and mocked him for encouraging family get-togethers at Thanksgiving — even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended celebrating virtually ― because it could be an elderly relative’s “last Thanksgiving.”
“What the hell are you doing here? Yeah, it could be their last Thanksgiving if you expose them to people who aren’t wearing masks, who aren’t socially distancing and haven’t been doing so and haven’t gotten tested because they somehow think they don’t want to get in on the ‘con’ of COVID,” Cuomo said.
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“I have real problems with that guy,” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told The Washington Post. He’s “talking about things that I believe he doesn’t have any real insight or knowledge or experience in.”
Check out Cuomo’s rant in the video above.
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