thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Amazon Opens Online Pharmacy For Prescription Medication Delivery

The online colossus opened an online pharmacy Tuesday that allows customers to order medication or prescription refills , and have them delivered to their front door in a couple of days .
The big chains rely on their pharmacies for a steady flow of shoppers who may also grab a snack or shampoo or groceries on the way out .
All have upped online services and touted their abilities to deliver prescriptions and other goods as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more consumers to stay home .
But Amazon.com has mastered these things , and its online store is infinitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already buying books , TVs and just about anything else .
Amazon 's pharmacy will offer commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. , as well as those that need to stay refrigerated , like insulin .
“ The news represents a disruption to the system and competitive threat that will likely shift scripts away from the retail channel , ” analysts at Citi Research said in a note .
Amazon has a history of disruption .
Launched in 1995 as an online book store , it pushed other booksellers to sell online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up went out of business , like the Borders bookstore chain , which disappeared in 2011 .
Its purchase of Whole Foods three years ago sent supermarket stocks spiraling , but many have been able to hold their own against Amazon , offering home delivery and curbside pickup of groceries .
Amazon has also become a threat to shipping companies , delivering more than half of its own packages itself .
Vans stamped with the Amazon logo have become as common a sight as the UPS truck .
The company said its online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , including creams , pills , as well as medications that need to stay refrigerated , like insulin .
Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon ’ s website and have their doctors send prescriptions there .
It won ’ t ship medications that have a high risk of being abused , like some opioids .
Amazon two years ago purchased the online pharmacy PillPack , which organizes medication in packets by what time and day they need to be taken .
Most insurance is accepted , Amazon said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have insurance can also buy generic or brand name drugs from Amazon for a discount .
They can also get discounts at 50,000 physical pharmacies around the country at Costco , CVS , Walgreens , Walmart and other stores .
That could be appealing to the uninsured or people who have plans that make them pay a high deductible first before their coverage starts , said John Boylan , an analyst who covers Walgreens for Edward Jones .
He said Amazon ’ s move will mostly affect smaller drugstores that don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s purchasing power or deals that major drugstore chains have with insurers to funnel patients to their stores for prescriptions .
Amazon has eyed the health care industry for some time .
Two years ago , it spent $ 750 million to buy online pharmacy PillPack , which organizes medication in packets by what time and day they need to be taken .
Amazon said that PillPack will continue , focusing on shipping medication to people with chronic conditions .
CVS and Walgreens , which have opened thousands of drugstores nationwide to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to adjust to the rise of online shopping by offering same-day deliveries in many markets .
Walgreens also has a partnership with FedEx for a delivery service that takes a day or two .
Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina told analysts in July that the company has seen “ unprecedented demand ” for both home delivery and online services as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded earlier this year .

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NEW YORK — Now at Amazon.com: insulin and inhalers.
The online colossus opened an online pharmacy Tuesday that allows customers to order medication or prescription refills, and have them delivered to their front door in a couple of days.
The potential impact of Amazon’s arrival in the pharmaceutical space rippled through that sector immediately. The stocks of CVS Health Corp., Walgreens and Rite Aid all tumbled Tuesday.
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The big chains rely on their pharmacies for a steady flow of shoppers who may also grab a snack or shampoo or groceries on the way out. All have upped online services and touted their abilities to deliver prescriptions and other goods as the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more consumers to stay home. But Amazon.com has mastered these things, and its online store is infinitely larger, with millions of loyal shoppers already buying books, TVs and just about anything else.
Amazon's pharmacy will offer commonly prescribed medications in the U.S., as well as those that need to stay refrigerated, like insulin. Sezeryadigar via Getty Images
“The news represents a disruption to the system and competitive threat that will likely shift scripts away from the retail channel,” analysts at Citi Research said in a note.
Amazon has a history of disruption. Launched in 1995 as an online book store, it pushed other booksellers to sell online. But those that couldn’t keep up went out of business, like the Borders bookstore chain, which disappeared in 2011.
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Its purchase of Whole Foods three years ago sent supermarket stocks spiraling, but many have been able to hold their own against Amazon, offering home delivery and curbside pickup of groceries.
Amazon has also become a threat to shipping companies, delivering more than half of its own packages itself. Vans stamped with the Amazon logo have become as common a sight as the UPS truck.
The company said its online pharmacy will offer commonly prescribed medications in the U.S., including creams, pills, as well as medications that need to stay refrigerated, like insulin. Shoppers have to set up a profile on Amazon’s website and have their doctors send prescriptions there. It won’t ship medications that have a high risk of being abused, like some opioids.
Amazon two years ago purchased the online pharmacy PillPack, which organizes medication in packets by what time and day they need to be taken. Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images
Most insurance is accepted, Amazon said. But Prime members who don’t have insurance can also buy generic or brand name drugs from Amazon for a discount. They can also get discounts at 50,000 physical pharmacies around the country at Costco, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and other stores.
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That could be appealing to the uninsured or people who have plans that make them pay a high deductible first before their coverage starts, said John Boylan, an analyst who covers Walgreens for Edward Jones.
He said Amazon’s move will mostly affect smaller drugstores that don’t have either the retail giant’s purchasing power or deals that major drugstore chains have with insurers to funnel patients to their stores for prescriptions.
Amazon has eyed the health care industry for some time. Two years ago, it spent $750 million to buy online pharmacy PillPack, which organizes medication in packets by what time and day they need to be taken. Amazon said that PillPack will continue, focusing on shipping medication to people with chronic conditions.
CVS and Walgreens, which have opened thousands of drugstores nationwide to get closer to customers, have been been trying to adjust to the rise of online shopping by offering same-day deliveries in many markets.
Walgreens also has a partnership with FedEx for a delivery service that takes a day or two. Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina told analysts in July that the company has seen “unprecedented demand” for both home delivery and online services as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded earlier this year.
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CVS and Walgreens did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Building Resilience In The Workplace During The COVID-19 Pandemic

In the age of COVID-19 , an economic crisis , a highly divisive presidential election and a nationwide reckoning with systemic racism , bouncing back from hardships has taken on a whole new meaning this year .
Resilience is defined as “ the process of adapting well in the face of adversity , trauma , tragedy , threats or significant sources of stress , ” according to the American Psychological Association , and showing up at work , in particular , even if it is virtually , takes significant physical , mental and emotional effort .
How do we ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What does work/life balance mean when the two are intertwined now more than ever ?
How do we adjust our expectations at work for ourselves and others ?
What does resilience in the workplace look like when the tough times just keep coming ?
Whether you ’ re in the public or private sector , whether you work the night shift or 8 to 5 , you deserve to give yourself a break given the circumstances we ’ re all living in .
But it ’ s not always easy .
How do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sign of strength , not weakness ?
What can each of us do at an individual level to undo society ’ s mindset that our physical , mental and emotional health determines our worth ?
Join HuffPost editor Wendy Lu , work/life reporter Monica Torres and executive coach Lisa Orbé-Austin on Thursday , Dec. 3 at 7 p.m .
ET for a live discussion and Q & A around the complicated relationship between health , productivity and work .
Orbé-Austin is a licensed psychologist based in New York who focuses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplace transitions and improve their communication skills .
She is also an expert on imposter syndrome and the author of the book “ Own Your Greatness : Overcome Impostor Syndrome , Beat Self-Doubt , and Succeed in Life.
” At this virtual event , Lu , Torres and Orbé-Austin will explore how to be resilient and adaptable when so much of what contributed to our sense of normality — gatherings with friends , family vacations , a sense of safety and well-being — is no longer available , while also acknowledging that for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a choice but an act of survival .
We ’ ll also dispel some myths about productivity and talk about what happens when we downplay our pain in the workplace — and how self-care looks different for everyone .
Go here to sign up for the event .
After the registration , you will get a confirmation email with a link to register on Zoom .
Leave your questions on mental health , building resilience and building a workplace culture during the pandemic in the comments by clicking on the quote icon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re using a HuffPost mobile app , the comments icon should be located at the bottom of your screen ) .
We ’ ll answer as many as we can during our event , and you ’ ll even get a chance to share your experiences in the workplace and ask our panel of speakers your questions live , too .

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In the age of COVID-19, an economic crisis, a highly divisive presidential election and a nationwide reckoning with systemic racism, bouncing back from hardships has taken on a whole new meaning this year. Resilience is defined as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress,” according to the American Psychological Association, and showing up at work, in particular, even if it is virtually, takes significant physical, mental and emotional effort.
How do we ask our bosses for mental health days? What does work/life balance mean when the two are intertwined now more than ever? How do we adjust our expectations at work for ourselves and others? What does resilience in the workplace look like when the tough times just keep coming?
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Whether you’re in the public or private sector, whether you work the night shift or 8 to 5, you deserve to give yourself a break given the circumstances we’re all living in. But it’s not always easy. How do we foster a workplace culture where vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness? What can each of us do at an individual level to undo society’s mindset that our physical, mental and emotional health determines our worth?
Join HuffPost editor Wendy Lu, work/life reporter Monica Torres and executive coach Lisa Orbé-Austin on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. ET for a live discussion and Q&A around the complicated relationship between health, productivity and work. Orbé-Austin is a licensed psychologist based in New York who focuses on helping professionals manage their careers, handle workplace transitions and improve their communication skills. She is also an expert on imposter syndrome and the author of the book “Own Your Greatness: Overcome Impostor Syndrome, Beat Self-Doubt, and Succeed in Life.”
At this virtual event, Lu, Torres and Orbé-Austin will explore how to be resilient and adaptable when so much of what contributed to our sense of normality — gatherings with friends, family vacations, a sense of safety and well-being — is no longer available, while also acknowledging that for many communities, resilience isn’t a choice but an act of survival. We’ll also dispel some myths about productivity and talk about what happens when we downplay our pain in the workplace — and how self-care looks different for everyone.
Advertisement
Go here to sign up for the event. After the registration, you will get a confirmation email with a link to register on Zoom. Live transcription and ASL interpretation will be available for this event.
Leave your questions on mental health, building resilience and building a workplace culture during the pandemic in the comments by clicking on the quote icon to the left of the screen (and if you’re using a HuffPost mobile app, the comments icon should be located at the bottom of your screen). We’ll answer as many as we can during our event, and you’ll even get a chance to share your experiences in the workplace and ask our panel of speakers your questions live, too.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--The Most Common Ways COVID-19 Will Spread During The Holidays

Gatherings where people of all ages come into contact are more likely to be places where COVID-19 can spread .
Indoor restaurants , bars and religious services are also potential superspreader situations .
Sexton is also concerned about the virus spreading in other holiday-adjacent scenarios .
Going to restaurants with family , nights out drinking with loved ones ( Thanksgiving Eve , for example , can be a busy night at local bars ) and religious services can all be prime places for transmission .
Not only are you mingling with people outside of your household , but specific conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , often include singing , which increases the number of respiratory droplets and aerosols in the air that could contain the virus .
Traveling for the holidays during the pandemic can also be risky .
Coronavirus will spread through asymptomatic people who attend holiday functions .
People will assume that the safety measures they are taking in the moment will eliminate all risk .
He added that a lot of people , for example , look at the 6-feet social distancing rule as a set-in-stone guideline that always protects you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality , 6 feet is an estimate and varies in efficacy depending on the amount of time you spend in the same space as someone .
That is , you won ’ t be safe from contracting the coronavirus by just staying more than 6 feet away , if you spend hours with an infected person .
It absolutely helps , but there is still risk .
Holiday guests will follow the lead of those around them , whether that ’ s good or bad .
It all comes down to sociology : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked and a fear of sticking out .
So when it comes to the holidays , guests at family dinners and religious services will likely read the room and do what those around them are doing when it comes to mitigation measures — which means that if you walk into your aunt ’ s living room and everyone is mask-less , you ’ ll likely take off your mask , too .
Bottom line : Everyone needs to be more cautious than they think .

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The COVID-19 pandemic is now at its worst point in the U.S., with daily new coronavirus cases exceeding 150,000, a figure that’s double the — already very high — number of daily cases over the summer.
Because the events associated with major holidays are stacked at the end of the year, there is a high chance that the pandemic will get worse before it gets better, especially if we don’t follow mitigation measures during the festive season.
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Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease physician at Duke University School of Medicine, said the holidays will increase the spread of COVID-19. After the months of sacrifices millions of Americans have made, Wolfe stressed that preparing to safely celebrate the holidays is crucial for the future.
Part of that includes understanding the most likely ways the virus can spread. Below are common scenarios that hold a greater risk of transmission, along with some advice for having a safe holiday season:
Gatherings where people of all ages come into contact are more likely to be places where COVID-19 can spread.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it deserves the top mention. In most of the country, holiday festivities take place inside someone’s home around a food-filled table with lots of family and friends. However, that exact situation is also a major way you can catch and/or spread the coronavirus this holiday season.
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“I think, unfortunately, the most likely way people are going to get COVID during all of these holidays is by having indoor gatherings,” said Marybeth Sexton, assistant professor of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine.
Holidays are basically the perfect setup for infection: People travel from different areas; college students return from communal living set-ups; and people who are older, or who have medical conditions, mingle with those who are at lower risk of suffering from the coronavirus and may not be as stringent about following mitigation measures.
“The holidays are going to be a time when we’re going to mix people in one setting, potentially spread COVID, and then people may go back home and further spread it in their local communities.” - Marybeth Sexton, Emory University School of Medicine
“We know that parties, gatherings, weddings, even funerals have been sources of many outbreaks of COVID that have then gone on to spawn additional cases in local communities when people have returned to them,” Sexton said. “The holidays are going to be a time when we’re going to mix people in one setting, potentially spread COVID, and then people may go back home and further spread it in their local communities.”
Indoor restaurants, bars and religious services are also potential superspreader situations.
Sexton is also concerned about the virus spreading in other holiday-adjacent scenarios. Going to restaurants with family, nights out drinking with loved ones (Thanksgiving Eve, for example, can be a busy night at local bars) and religious services can all be prime places for transmission. Not only are you mingling with people outside of your household, but specific conditions make them especially risky. Religious services, for example, often include singing, which increases the number of respiratory droplets and aerosols in the air that could contain the virus.
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“You are going to get a lot of people together from different exposure risks and backgrounds in indoor spaces that may not be that well ventilated,” Sexton said. “Particularly around the holidays, it’s very unlikely that people are going to be masked because they are going to be eating and drinking as part of some of these celebrations.”
Takeout, delivery and virtual religious services should be prioritized over in-person dining and in-person attendance to help curb the spread. It’s not easy to adjust beloved holiday traditions, but it’s worth it as this pandemic continues to throw unexpected challenges our way almost daily.
Sasha_Suzi via Getty Images
Traveling for the holidays during the pandemic can also be risky.
“What is an airport if not, intentionally, a blend of people from all parts of the country?” Wolfe said.
As the entire country travels to family and friends on public transit, trains and airplanes, there will be strangers — potentially some from coronavirus hot spots — sitting next to each other for long periods of time.
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And while there are mandatory face mask requirements on most airlines and in most public transit settings, social distancing is not always an option and masks do come off when people eat or take a sip of water. Plus, reality tells us that not everyone actually follows guidelines, unfortunately.
There’s also no way to tell if people are sick, due to asymptomatic cases, Wolfe said. Often a person won’t even know they’re infected because of this. That’s why experts stress limiting travel right now.
Coronavirus will spread through asymptomatic people who attend holiday functions.
Wolfe said that asymptomatic carriers will likely be a significant problem during holiday gatherings.
“I can be blissfully unaware that I’m sick and yet liberally transmitting the virus to people,” Wolfe said, adding that people are generally only careful around others who are displaying symptoms. This could result in people thinking they’re “safe,” so they are less strict with measures like masks and physical distancing.
And, on top of that, those with symptoms often don’t attend gatherings. Many people with asymptomatic cases of the virus will likely go to functions because they believe they’re healthy. That’s why the best solution is to not have large, in-person gatherings at all.
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People will assume that the safety measures they are taking in the moment will eliminate all risk.
Between masking, physical distancing, hand washing, monitoring symptoms and testing, we have a number of defenses against contracting and spreading COVID-19. But, it’s crucial to remember that these mitigation techniques ― while they help immensely ― are not fail-safe and are dependent on the behaviors of those in your household or bubble, too.
It’s wrong to “assume that just a little bit of mitigation can make all the difference,” Wolfe said.
“The mistake that some people make is they go and get a test and they say ‘aha, my test is negative — that’s great, I didn’t get exposed,’ and that is not accurate.” - Cameron Wolfe, Duke University School of Medicine
He added that a lot of people, for example, look at the 6-feet social distancing rule as a set-in-stone guideline that always protects you from spreading and catching COVID-19. In reality, 6 feet is an estimate and varies in efficacy depending on the amount of time you spend in the same space as someone. That is, you won’t be safe from contracting the coronavirus by just staying more than 6 feet away, if you spend hours with an infected person. It absolutely helps, but there is still risk.
Wolfe said he is also witnessing more and more people using a negative COVID-19 test result as a green light to engage in risky activities.
“The mistake that some people make is they go and get a test and they say ‘aha, my test is negative — that’s great, I didn’t get exposed,’ and that is not accurate,” Wolfe said. “What that test does is it tells you that you’re negative on that day at that time.”
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Someone who tests negative for the virus could still be incubating their way into an infection that won’t appear for a few days, potentially not until they’re visiting family or friends for a holiday.
skynesher via Getty Images
Holiday guests will follow the lead of those around them, whether that’s good or bad.
Baruch Fischhoff, a professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Institute for Politics and Strategy and Department of Engineering and Public Policy, noted that people may be lax on their health and safety measures if others are, too.
“We tend to do what other people are doing both because we want to be like other people and because we think, ‘Maybe they know something, so I’ll go along with it,’” Fischhoff said.
“We tend to do what other people are doing both because we want to be like other people and because we think, ‘Maybe they know something, so I’ll go along with it.'” - Baruch Fischoff, Carnegie Mellon University
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It all comes down to sociology: There’s a wanting to be liked and a fear of sticking out. So when it comes to the holidays, guests at family dinners and religious services will likely read the room and do what those around them are doing when it comes to mitigation measures — which means that if you walk into your aunt’s living room and everyone is mask-less, you’ll likely take off your mask, too.
Bottom line: Everyone needs to be more cautious than they think.
Sexton stressed that there is no completely safe way to celebrate the holidays if you’re doing so with people from outside of your household. The best way to celebrate this year, unfortunately, is at home.
If for some reason it’s unavoidable, Sexton underscored the importance of risk reduction. She said that those from different households can quarantine individually for two weeks prior to an event and get tested at the end of quarantine.
“That is not completely without risk but that is a fairly low-risk way of doing it,” she said, noting that this type of situation can only work if you truly trust everyone in the bubble to properly quarantine. And even still, the number of people at the in-person gathering should remain low.
Sexton added that if people can’t quarantine and get tested, holiday celebrations should happen outdoors while adhering to mask, hand-washing and distancing rules (and this is a good idea even if you quarantine and get tested).
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Senate Blocks Confirmation Of Trump's Federal Reserve Nominee Judy Shelton

In a procedural vote on whether to end debate on Shelton ’ s nomination and move along to the confirmation vote , all Democrats voted no as well as three Republican senators : Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah .
Three Republican senators were absent and therefore unable to vote .
Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Rick Scott of Florida were self-quarantining after they announced they were exposed to the coronavirus , and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee was out for family matters , according to his office .
Shelton , who advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been an outspoken opponent of the Federal Reserve as an institution .
Her critics have questioned whether Shelton would support the central banking system ’ s independence from the White House .
In a statement released ahead of the vote , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) called Shelton “ without a doubt , one of the least qualified nominees I have ever seen for our nation ’ s central bank.
” “ Ms .
Shelton has shown herself to be an economic weathervane , pointing whichever direction she believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer said in his statement .
Shelton made her career working with right-wing organizations including the Atlas Foundation and the Hoover Institution , where she criticized the very existence of the Federal Reserve and advocated a return to the gold standard ― the monetary system from the late 19th century that was abandoned during the Great Depression .
In a Financial Times interview from May 2019 , she claimed the Fed exercises Soviet control over financial markets and dismissed the very idea that its top officials could perform their jobs effectively .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen , people meeting eight times a year , decide what the cost of capital should be ?
” Shelton asked .
“ We might as well resurrect Gosplan , ” the USSR ’ s economic planning committee .
Shelton has also opposed the government guarantee on bank deposits — a program initiated under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that ensures that ordinary citizens don ’ t lose their money if their bank should fail .
During the early years of the Great Depression , millions of Americans lost their savings through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks failed .
During the crisis of 2008 , nobody did .
Shelton ’ s views have made her a doyen of the far-right fringe , where a return to 19th century economic institutions is viewed as the cure for all that ails the global economy .
But those same ideas have alarmed mainstream economists and financial professionals who believe such programs fueled the Depression and would generate international economic chaos today .
Shelton is also viewed even within her own party as a partisan opportunist .
After advocating the gold standard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she quickly reversed course once Trump announced his intention to nominate her to the Fed .
Trump is an outspoken advocate of low interest rates , believing them to be a source of economic growth .
And prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Fed ’ s commitment to low rates proved an economic boon , helping to drive unemployment to its lowest levels in decades .
With Trump in the White House , Shelton insisted she wanted to keep rates low and distanced herself from her prior comments about the gold standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared by liberal Democrats and otherwise conservative stalwarts in the financial sector alike ― is that Shelton would have encouraged economic contraction under a Democratic president , a scenario that would be bad for Democrats and also bad for bank profits , even as it would spur business failures and corporate concentration .

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The Senate on Tuesday narrowly voted to block the confirmation of Judy Shelton, President Donald Trump’s controversial pick to join the Federal Reserve’s seven-member board of governors.
In a procedural vote on whether to end debate on Shelton’s nomination and move along to the confirmation vote, all Democrats voted no as well as three Republican senators: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah.
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McConnell’s vote against Shelton gives him the option to bring her nomination up again at a later date.
Three Republican senators were absent and therefore unable to vote. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Rick Scott of Florida were self-quarantining after they announced they were exposed to the coronavirus, and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee was out for family matters, according to his office.
Shelton, who advised Trump’s 2016 presidential run, has been an outspoken opponent of the Federal Reserve as an institution. Her critics have questioned whether Shelton would support the central banking system’s independence from the White House.
In a statement released ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Shelton “without a doubt, one of the least qualified nominees I have ever seen for our nation’s central bank.”
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“Ms. Shelton has shown herself to be an economic weathervane, pointing whichever direction she believes the partisan winds are blowing,” Schumer said in his statement.
President Donald Trump's nominee to the Federal Reserve, Judy Shelton, appears before the Senate Banking Committee for a confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shelton made her career working with right-wing organizations including the Atlas Foundation and the Hoover Institution, where she criticized the very existence of the Federal Reserve and advocated a return to the gold standard ― the monetary system from the late 19th century that was abandoned during the Great Depression.
In a Financial Times interview from May 2019, she claimed the Fed exercises Soviet control over financial markets and dismissed the very idea that its top officials could perform their jobs effectively.
“How can a dozen, slightly less than a dozen, people meeting eight times a year, decide what the cost of capital should be?” Shelton asked. “We might as well resurrect Gosplan,” the USSR’s economic planning committee.
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Shelton has also opposed the government guarantee on bank deposits — a program initiated under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that ensures that ordinary citizens don’t lose their money if their bank should fail. During the early years of the Great Depression, millions of Americans lost their savings through no fault of their own when their banks failed. During the crisis of 2008, nobody did.
Shelton’s views have made her a doyen of the far-right fringe, where a return to 19th century economic institutions is viewed as the cure for all that ails the global economy. But those same ideas have alarmed mainstream economists and financial professionals who believe such programs fueled the Depression and would generate international economic chaos today.
Shelton is also viewed even within her own party as a partisan opportunist. After advocating the gold standard and voicing support for high interest rates, she quickly reversed course once Trump announced his intention to nominate her to the Fed. Trump is an outspoken advocate of low interest rates, believing them to be a source of economic growth. And prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fed’s commitment to low rates proved an economic boon, helping to drive unemployment to its lowest levels in decades. With Trump in the White House, Shelton insisted she wanted to keep rates low and distanced herself from her prior comments about the gold standard and deposit insurance.
The fear ― shared by liberal Democrats and otherwise conservative stalwarts in the financial sector alike ― is that Shelton would have encouraged economic contraction under a Democratic president, a scenario that would be bad for Democrats and also bad for bank profits, even as it would spur business failures and corporate concentration.
Igor Bobic contributed reporting.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Trump Says He's Fired Cybersecurity Official Who Dismissed Voting Conspiracy Claims

Trump said Krebs ’ firing is a direct result of CISA issuing a statement that it had found no evidence of votes being deleted , lost , changed or compromised at all in the 2020 election , which Trump lost to Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
Though Trump regularly announces on Twitter that he ’ s firing officials who ’ ve publicly disagreed with him , he is not usually this explicit about the retaliatory nature of their ousters .
Krebs , in releasing a statement about the integrity of the election , threw cold water on Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president baselessly claims is the result of voter fraud and an effort by Democrats to steal the election .
Krebs , whose agency falls under the Department of Homeland Security , also launched a “ Rumor Control ” webpage combating many of Trump ’ s claims about the results of the election , which he has yet to concede , even though President-elect Joe Biden has won the majority of electoral votes and the popular vote .
The page addresses numerous election conspiracy theories being peddled by Trump , Republicans or Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast on behalf of dead people , that results shouldn ’ t take days to process or that election officials are tampering with ballots .
Trump is actually responsible for the launch of CISA almost two years ago to the day when he rebranded it from the National Protection and Programs Directorate and elevated its stature in DHS .
Those who pushed for its development argued it would help attract top cybersecurity talent , such as Krebs .
“ Chris Krebs did a really good job — as state election officials all across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he obviously should not be fired , ” Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-Neb . )
told HuffPost .
“ I ’ m particularly grateful for the work he did on the Cyber [ space ] Solarium Commission to help the nation prepare for the future of war.
” Krebs reportedly told his CISA colleagues recently that he expected the president to fire him .
As Trump disputes his loss to Biden , he reportedly has plans to fire several top officials who ’ ve publicly disagreed with him .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christopher Wray and CIA Director Gina Haspel are reportedly on the chopping block as well .
Michael Gwin , a spokesperson for Biden , said in a statement Tuesday that Krebs “ should be commended for his service in protecting our elections , not fired for telling the truth.
” “ Bipartisan election officials in the administration itself — and around the country — have made clear that Donald Trump ’ s claims of widespread voter fraud are categorically false and Trump ’ s embarrassing refusal to accept that reality lays bare how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gwin said .
“ The President ’ s decision to fire Director Krebs makes America less safe , ” they wrote .
“ We commend Chris Krebs for refusing to cave to political pressure from the White House and instead choosing to uphold his obligations to the American people.
” “ In firing Director Krebs for refusing to lend credibility to his baseless claims and conspiracy theories about voter fraud , the President is telling officials throughout the Administration to put his political interests ahead of their responsibilities to the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is not only disturbing , it is antidemocratic .
”

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President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that he’s fired Chris Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is in charge of keeping voting systems secure.
Trump said Krebs’ firing is a direct result of CISA issuing a statement that it had found no evidence of votes being deleted, lost, changed or compromised at all in the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
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The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud - including dead people voting, Poll Watchers not allowed into polling locations, “glitches” in the voting machines which changed... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020
...votes from Trump to Biden, late voting, and many more. Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020
Though Trump regularly announces on Twitter that he’s firing officials who’ve publicly disagreed with him, he is not usually this explicit about the retaliatory nature of their ousters.
Krebs, in releasing a statement about the integrity of the election, threw cold water on Trump’s crusade against the election outcome, which the president baselessly claims is the result of voter fraud and an effort by Democrats to steal the election.
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Twitter slapped a misinformation warning on Trump’s tweets about Krebs minutes after they were posted.
Krebs, whose agency falls under the Department of Homeland Security, also launched a “Rumor Control” webpage combating many of Trump’s claims about the results of the election, which he has yet to concede, even though President-elect Joe Biden has won the majority of electoral votes and the popular vote. The page addresses numerous election conspiracy theories being peddled by Trump, Republicans or Trump supporters: that officials are counting votes cast on behalf of dead people, that results shouldn’t take days to process or that election officials are tampering with ballots.
Krebs, a former Microsoft executive, has been vocal about dispelling election fraud myths on his personal Twitter account, too.
Trump is actually responsible for the launch of CISA almost two years ago to the day when he rebranded it from the National Protection and Programs Directorate and elevated its stature in DHS. Those who pushed for its development argued it would help attract top cybersecurity talent, such as Krebs.
“Chris Krebs did a really good job — as state election officials all across the nation will tell you — and he obviously should not be fired,” Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) told HuffPost. “I’m particularly grateful for the work he did on the Cyber[space] Solarium Commission to help the nation prepare for the future of war.”
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Krebs reportedly told his CISA colleagues recently that he expected the president to fire him. As Trump disputes his loss to Biden, he reportedly has plans to fire several top officials who’ve publicly disagreed with him. Defense Secretary Mark Esper went last week, and FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director Gina Haspel are reportedly on the chopping block as well.
Michael Gwin, a spokesperson for Biden, said in a statement Tuesday that Krebs “should be commended for his service in protecting our elections, not fired for telling the truth.”
“Bipartisan election officials in the administration itself — and around the country — have made clear that Donald Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud are categorically false and Trump’s embarrassing refusal to accept that reality lays bare how baseless and desperate his flailing is,” Gwin said.
House Homeland Security Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Cybersecurity Subcommittee Chair Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) released a joint statement after Trump fired Krebs.
Joint statement from House Homeland chair Bennie Thompson and cyber subcommittee chair Lauren Underwood: "The President’s decision to fire Director Krebs makes America less safe. ... We commend Chris Krebs for refusing to cave to political pressure from the White House..." pic.twitter.com/7sJlHyWMe4 — Eric Geller (@ericgeller) November 18, 2020
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“The President’s decision to fire Director Krebs makes America less safe,” they wrote. “We commend Chris Krebs for refusing to cave to political pressure from the White House and instead choosing to uphold his obligations to the American people.”
“In firing Director Krebs for refusing to lend credibility to his baseless claims and conspiracy theories about voter fraud, the President is telling officials throughout the Administration to put his political interests ahead of their responsibilities to the American people,” the lawmakers continued. “That is not only disturbing, it is antidemocratic.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Ted Cruz Tweet About Mask-Wearing Senator's 'Fake Virtue' Falls Flat On Its Face

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) chimed in on a now-viral clip showing senators briefly clashing over masks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Monday , quickly attracting ire from Twitter users who called him callous and out of touch .
The incident involved Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-Ohio ) , who asked his colleague Dan Sullivan ( R-Alaska ) to “ please wear a mask ” to keep others from potentially being exposed to COVID-19 .
Sullivan reacted to the suggestion by saying that he didn ’ t need Brown ’ s instructions .
“ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there clearly isn ’ t much interest in this body in public health , ” Sen. Brown replied , before blasting Sullivan for exposing staffers “ who can ’ t say anything.
” Cruz dismissed the entire incident , insisted that Sullivan was sitting over 50 feet away and calling Brown “ a complete ass ” who was parading his mask as “ an ostentatious sign of fake virtue.
” This is idiotic .
@ SherrodBrown is being a complete ass .
He wears a mask to speak—when nobody is remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtue .
@ DanSullivan_AK was over 50 feet away , presiding .
Last I checked 50 feet is more than 6 feet .
https : //t.co/BoIGrAV7T1 — Ted Cruz ( @ tedcruz ) November 17 , 2020 While Sullivan may have been sitting far from Brown , Cruz ’ s analysis of the situation ignores Brown ’ s words about protecting regular workers in the Senate , as well as the fact that these staffers were well within 6 feet of Sullivan ― including a woman who can be seen in the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pretty revealing that you don ’ t consider the staffers right in front of Sullivan as people worth protecting .
Only the senators matter , right ?
pic.twitter.com/oTXoPjE5UT — Kevin M. Kruse ( @ KevinMKruse ) November 17 , 2020 And look at Sherrod Brown , ostentatiously wearing a mask when there ’ s no human ( who counts ) anywhere near him !
All for show !
pic.twitter.com/QadETWxLIC — Kevin M. Kruse ( @ KevinMKruse ) November 17 , 2020 More seriously , all medical advice is that you should wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TIMES .
The Senate chamber is a public gathering by definition .
It 's not fine as long as you 're six feet apart .
— Josh Marshall ( @ joshtpm ) November 17 , 2020 Here is an image from the video clip , how far away is she ?
Also , there is not a magical 6-foot wall that stops everything .
There are still smaller particles that remain in the air longer .
This administration is known to spread COVID .
@ DanSullivan_AK should mask up .
pic.twitter.com/IZLl8NNKjE — Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 Senator Brown was concerned for the staff immediately in front of Sullivan .
But I guess you can ’ t comprehend someone caring about their fellow man .
— Yaz ( @ john_yazek ) November 17 , 2020 Oh , for a Senator as decent as Brown .
1 .
There were others in the room closer to Senator Sullivan , it wasn ’ t solely about him 2 .
He wears a mask because that ’ s advised in indoor spaces and he believes in science 3 .
No one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtuous thing — LauraB ’ sAtHome🏡🖋 ( @ lulujb520 ) November 17 , 2020 While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) has mandated masks since July , there is currently no such rule in the Senate .
There , face coverings are only recommended , according to a Washington Post report which indicates that partisan disagreements over health guidelines in the U.S. Capitol have resulted in congressional leaders unable to “ even agree on what type of thermometer to use to monitor lawmakers and aides for coronavirus symptoms .
”

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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) chimed in on a now-viral clip showing senators briefly clashing over masks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Monday, quickly attracting ire from Twitter users who called him callous and out of touch.
The incident involved Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who asked his colleague Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) to “please wear a mask” to keep others from potentially being exposed to COVID-19. Sullivan reacted to the suggestion by saying that he didn’t need Brown’s instructions.
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“I know you don’t need my instruction, but there clearly isn’t much interest in this body in public health,” Sen. Brown replied, before blasting Sullivan for exposing staffers “who can’t say anything.”
Cruz dismissed the entire incident, insisted that Sullivan was sitting over 50 feet away and calling Brown “a complete ass” who was parading his mask as “an ostentatious sign of fake virtue.”
This is idiotic. @SherrodBrown is being a complete ass. He wears a mask to speak—when nobody is remotely near him—as an ostentatious sign of fake virtue.@DanSullivan_AK was over 50 feet away, presiding. Last I checked 50 feet is more than 6 feet. https://t.co/BoIGrAV7T1 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 17, 2020
While Sullivan may have been sitting far from Brown, Cruz’s analysis of the situation ignores Brown’s words about protecting regular workers in the Senate, as well as the fact that these staffers were well within 6 feet of Sullivan ― including a woman who can be seen in the bottom left of the footage.
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It’s pretty revealing that you don’t consider the staffers right in front of Sullivan as people worth protecting.
Only the senators matter, right? pic.twitter.com/oTXoPjE5UT — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) November 17, 2020
And look at Sherrod Brown, ostentatiously wearing a mask when there’s no human (who counts) anywhere near him! All for show! pic.twitter.com/QadETWxLIC — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) November 17, 2020
More seriously, all medical advice is that you should wear masks indoors in public gatherings AT ALL TIMES. The Senate chamber is a public gathering by definition. It's not fine as long as you're six feet apart. — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) November 17, 2020
The stenographer. It's a woman, so she can't be seen. — Debbie J. (@Lily_61Warren) November 17, 2020
Here is an image from the video clip, how far away is she?
Also, there is not a magical 6-foot wall that stops everything. There are still smaller particles that remain in the air longer.
This administration is known to spread COVID. @DanSullivan_AK should mask up. pic.twitter.com/IZLl8NNKjE — Brian Heagney (@HeagneyBrian) November 17, 2020
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Senator Brown was concerned for the staff immediately in front of Sullivan. But I guess you can’t comprehend someone caring about their fellow man. — Yaz (@john_yazek) November 17, 2020
Oh, for a Senator as decent as Brown.
1. There were others in the room closer to Senator Sullivan, it wasn’t solely about him
2. He wears a mask because that’s advised in indoor spaces and he believes in science
3. No one will ever accuse you of doing the virtuous thing — LauraB’sAtHome🏡🖋 (@lulujb520) November 17, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--GOP Senator Walks Back Strong Push For Joe Biden To Receive Intelligence Briefings

Lankford and Grassley suggested last week that it was an issue of precedent , pointing to the 2000 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ Bush and Al Gore received the briefings until the results were settled that December .
@ @ @ @ @ outlet Newsmax on Saturday , Lankford accused the media of overblowing his comments earlier in @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not in a hurry , necessarily , to get Joe Biden these briefings @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s been interesting how the media ― national media , not this @ @ @ @ @ twisted this term ‘ step in.
’ ” Biden urged the Trump administration on Monday @ @ @ @ @ , calling the stalled process “ embarrassing ” for the United States .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ election and allow for a smooth transition could result in more COVID-19 deaths , the @ @ @

Lankford and Grassley suggested last week that it was an issue of precedent, pointing to the 2000 presidential election, when both George W. Bush and Al Gore received the briefings until the results were settled that December.
During an interview with conservative outlet Newsmax on Saturday, Lankford accused the media of overblowing his comments earlier in the week.
“I’m not in a hurry, necessarily, to get Joe Biden these briefings,” Lankford said. “It’s been interesting how the media ― national media, not this network but others ― have twisted this term ‘step in.’”
Biden urged the Trump administration on Monday to stop delaying the transition, calling the stalled process “embarrassing” for the United States.
Trump’s refusal to concede the election and allow for a smooth transition could result in more COVID-19 deaths, the president-elect said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Head Of Government Agency Under Pressure To Let Biden Transition Proceed

The conversation , set up by mutual friends , was a chance for Barram , 77 , to tell Murphy a little about his torturous experience with “ ascertainment ” — the task of determining the expected winner of the presidential election , which launches the official transition process .
“ I told her , ‘ I ’ m looking at you and I can tell you want to do the right thing , ’ ” recalled Barram , who declined to reveal any details of what Murphy told him .
“ I ’ ll tell you what my mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right thing , then all you have to do is live with the consequences of it.
’ ” It ’ s been 10 days since President-elect Joe Biden crossed the 270 electoral vote mark to defeat President Donald Trump and win the presidency .
Unlike the 2000 election , when the winner of the election was truly unknown for weeks , this time it is clear that Biden won , although Trump is refusing to concede .
But Murphy has yet to certify Biden as the winner , stalling the launch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does ascertain that Biden won , it will free up money for the transition and clear the way for Biden ’ s team to begin placing transition personnel at federal agencies .
Murphy declined to be interviewed for this article .
A GSA spokesperson , who refused to be identified by name because of the sensitivity of the matter , confirmed that Murphy and Barram spoke prior to the election about his experience in the close 2000 election .
On social media and cable , Murphy is being castigated by those on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic transfer of power .
Some Trump backers , for their part , say she ’ s doing right by the Republican president , who has filed a barrage of lawsuits making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud .
The University of Virginia-trained lawyer and self-described “ wonk ” had spent most of the last 20 years honing a specialized knowledge of government procurement through a series of jobs as a Republican congressional staffer and in senior roles at the GSA and the Small Business Administration .
She did shorter stints in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s transition team in 2016 .
“ I am not here to garner headlines or make a name for myself , ” Murphy said at her Senate confirmation hearing in October 2017 .
” My goal is to do my part in making the federal government more efficient , effective and responsive to the American people.
” Murphy took the reins of GSA in late 2017 and soon found herself entangled in a congressional battle over the future of the FBI ’ s crumbling headquarters in downtown Washington .
Trump scrapped a decade-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency outside the capital .
Some House Democrats believed that Trump , who operates a hotel on federally leased property nearby , was worried about competition moving into the FBI site should it be torn down and that he nixed the plan out of personal interest .
Murphy seemed to give a less than precise answer to a lawmaker who asked about conversations with Trump and his team about the FBI headquarters .
The GSA inspector general found that Murphy in a 2018 congressional hearing gave answers that were “ incomplete and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had no discussions with the President or senior White House officials in the decision-making process about the project.
” Murphy , who then held the title of chief acquisitions officer , was one of several political appointees who spoke up in 2007 after a deputy to Karl Rove , then Bush ’ s chief political adviser , gave a briefing to GSA political appointees in which he identified Democrats in Congress whom the Republican Party hoped to unseat in 2008 .
Murphy was among attendees who later told a special counsel that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used “ to help our candidates.
” Murphy left the agency soon after the episode .
Bush forced Doan to resign the following year .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of an obscure federal agency that is holding up the presidential transition knew well before Election Day that she might soon have a messy situation on her hands.
Before Nov. 3, Emily Murphy, the head of the General Services Administration, held a Zoom call with Dave Barram, the man who was in her shoes 20 years earlier.
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The conversation, set up by mutual friends, was a chance for Barram, 77, to tell Murphy a little about his torturous experience with “ascertainment” — the task of determining the expected winner of the presidential election, which launches the official transition process.
Barram led the GSA during the 2000 White House race between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, which was decided by a few hundred votes in Florida after the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in more than a month after Election Day.
“I told her, ‘I’m looking at you and I can tell you want to do the right thing,’” recalled Barram, who declined to reveal any details of what Murphy told him. “I’ll tell you what my mother told me: ‘If you do the right thing, then all you have to do is live with the consequences of it.’”
In this June 21, 2019 file photo, General Services Administration Administrator Emily Murphy speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Department of Homeland Security's St. Elizabeths Campus Center Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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It’s been 10 days since President-elect Joe Biden crossed the 270 electoral vote mark to defeat President Donald Trump and win the presidency. Unlike the 2000 election, when the winner of the election was truly unknown for weeks, this time it is clear that Biden won, although Trump is refusing to concede.
But Murphy has yet to certify Biden as the winner, stalling the launch of the official transition process. When she does ascertain that Biden won, it will free up money for the transition and clear the way for Biden’s team to begin placing transition personnel at federal agencies.
Trump administration officials also say they will not give Biden the classified presidential daily briefing on intelligence matters until the GSA makes the ascertainment official.
Murphy declined to be interviewed for this article. A GSA spokesperson, who refused to be identified by name because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that Murphy and Barram spoke prior to the election about his experience in the close 2000 election.
The White House has not said whether there have been conversations about ascertainment between officials there and at GSA.
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On social media and cable, Murphy is being castigated by those on the left who say she is thwarting the democratic transfer of power. Some Trump backers, for their part, say she’s doing right by the Republican president, who has filed a barrage of lawsuits making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.
Murphy, 47, leads a 12,000-person agency tasked with managing the government’s real estate portfolio and serving as its global supply chain manager. Before last week, she was hardly a household name in politics.
The University of Virginia-trained lawyer and self-described “wonk” had spent most of the last 20 years honing a specialized knowledge of government procurement through a series of jobs as a Republican congressional staffer and in senior roles at the GSA and the Small Business Administration. She did shorter stints in the private sector and volunteered for Trump’s transition team in 2016.
She worked her way up through partisan politics to a position that isn’t in the spotlight, but is undeniably a powerful cog of governance.
“I am not here to garner headlines or make a name for myself,” Murphy said at her Senate confirmation hearing in October 2017. ”My goal is to do my part in making the federal government more efficient, effective and responsive to the American people.”
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Yet, during her time in government, Murphy has also found controversy.
Murphy took the reins of GSA in late 2017 and soon found herself entangled in a congressional battle over the future of the FBI’s crumbling headquarters in downtown Washington. Trump scrapped a decade-old plan to raze the building and move the agency outside the capital.
Some House Democrats believed that Trump, who operates a hotel on federally leased property nearby, was worried about competition moving into the FBI site should it be torn down and that he nixed the plan out of personal interest. Murphy seemed to give a less than precise answer to a lawmaker who asked about conversations with Trump and his team about the FBI headquarters.
The GSA inspector general found that Murphy in a 2018 congressional hearing gave answers that were “incomplete and may have left the misleading impression that she had no discussions with the President or senior White House officials in the decision-making process about the project.”
In an earlier stint at GSA during the George W. Bush administration, Murphy butted heads with GSA Administrator Lurita Doan.
Murphy, who then held the title of chief acquisitions officer, was one of several political appointees who spoke up in 2007 after a deputy to Karl Rove, then Bush’s chief political adviser, gave a briefing to GSA political appointees in which he identified Democrats in Congress whom the Republican Party hoped to unseat in 2008.
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Murphy was among attendees who later told a special counsel that Doan had asked how the GSA could be used “to help our candidates.” Murphy left the agency soon after the episode. Bush forced Doan to resign the following year.
Danielle Brian, executive director of the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight, said the episode had given her hope that Murphy, upon taking over at GSA, would be able to resist pressure from Trump.
“She was essentially a whistleblower,” Brian said. “I really thought she had the potential to stand up to a president. It doesn’t appear to be the case.”
Barram, the Bush-Gore-era GSA administrator, said he felt sympathy for Murphy.
“Republican lawmakers are asking her to be more courageous than they are,” Barram said. “Sure, it’s her decision to make, and she’s going to have to make it one of these days. But they could make it easier if five or 10 of them come out and say: ‘Biden’s won. Let’s congratulate our old Senate colleague.’”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley Tests Positive For COVID-19

Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-Iowa ) announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Grassley , 87 , is the president pro tempore of the Senate and the second oldest member of the upper chamber .
He said in a statement that he was “ feeling good ” and would be quarantining per his doctor ’ s orders .
The senator added that he would continue to work from home .
As president pro tem , Grassley is the third in the line of succession to the presidency following Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for coronavirus .
I ’ ll b following my doctors ’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine .
I ’ m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home .
I appreciate everyone ’ s well wishes + prayers & look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon — ChuckGrassley ( @ ChuckGrassley ) November 17 , 2020 On Monday , Grassley had urged Iowans to do their part to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Although promising vaccines for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is important to stop the surge , ” he said , according to Politico .
“ I ask every Iowan to continue to do their part to keep their family and neighbors safe .
Wash your hands , limit your activity outside your household , social distance , wear a mask.
” Grassley ’ s announcement came just days after Sen. Rick Scott ( R-Fla. ) said he had come into contact with someone who later tested posted for COVID-19 .
On Monday , at least two members of the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Tim Walberg ( R-Mich. ) ― said they had tested positive for the virus .

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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Grassley, 87, is the president pro tempore of the Senate and the second oldest member of the upper chamber.
He said in a statement that he was “feeling good” and would be quarantining per his doctor’s orders. The senator added that he would continue to work from home.
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As president pro tem, Grassley is the third in the line of succession to the presidency following Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
I’ve tested positive for coronavirus. I’ll b following my doctors’ orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I’m feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home. I appreciate everyone’s well wishes + prayers &look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) November 17, 2020
On Monday, Grassley had urged Iowans to do their part to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
“Although promising vaccines for the coronavirus is more important than ever, it is important to stop the surge,” he said, according to Politico. “I ask every Iowan to continue to do their part to keep their family and neighbors safe. Wash your hands, limit your activity outside your household, social distance, wear a mask.”
Grassley’s announcement came just days after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said he had come into contact with someone who later tested posted for COVID-19.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Georgia Secretary of State: Trump Lost State Because He 'Depressed' GOP Vote

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says President Donald Trump could have won the state by 10,000 votes ― if he hadn ’ t discouraged the votes of his own supporters .
Raffensperger , a Republican , ordered a recount .
But he also told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB that the president hurt his own cause by discouraging mail-in voting , which he portrayed as a “ scam.
” Raffensperger told the station that 24,000 Republican voters who voted absentee in the primary did not vote in the general election .
“ Those 24,000 people did not vote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did not vote absentee because they were told by the president , ‘ Don ’ t vote absentee .
It ’ s not secure.
’ But then they did not come out and vote in person.
” “ He actually depressed , suppressed his own voting base , ” he added .
Live exclusive at 4 on @ wsbtv : the typically mild mannered @ GaSecofState comes out swinging in our interview - says Donald Trump cost himself the election by discouraging mail in votes : `` he would have won by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depressed his own voting base '' pic.twitter.com/1mM7Mmf8xi — Justin Gray ( @ JustinGrayWSB ) November 17 , 2020 On Monday , Raffensperger also made news by accusing Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) of pressuring him to find ways to throw out legal ballots .
Graham has denied that he did so .

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Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says President Donald Trump could have won the state by 10,000 votes ― if he hadn’t discouraged the votes of his own supporters.
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Raffensperger, a Republican, ordered a recount. But he also told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB that the president hurt his own cause by discouraging mail-in voting, which he portrayed as a “scam.”
Raffensperger told the station that 24,000 Republican voters who voted absentee in the primary did not vote in the general election.
“Those 24,000 people did not vote in the fall,” Raffensperger said. “They did not vote absentee because they were told by the president, ‘Don’t vote absentee. It’s not secure.’ But then they did not come out and vote in person.”
“He actually depressed, suppressed his own voting base,” he added.
Live exclusive at 4 on @wsbtv: the typically mild mannered @GaSecofState comes out swinging in our interview - says Donald Trump cost himself the election by discouraging mail in votes: "he would have won by 10 thousand votes he actually suppressed, depressed his own voting base" pic.twitter.com/1mM7Mmf8xi — Justin Gray (@JustinGrayWSB) November 17, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Republicans Congratulate Kamala Harris On Senate Floor For Unnamed Reason

Most Republican elected officials have yet to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory over Donald Trump , who has refused to concede while lobbing false claims of widespread vote fraud in the Nov. 3 presidential election .
So it was a bit odd to see Republican senators congratulating ― and even fist-bumping ― Biden ’ s running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) , during a vote Tuesday on Capitol Hill .
The senator is a rare sight in the U.S. Capitol these days , but Democrats needed her present in the chamber on Tuesday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s nominee to the Federal Reserve .
They did so successfully with the help of two GOP senators , preventing Shelton ’ s nomination from advancing in a narrow 47-50 vote .
After voting against the nomination , Harris briefly stopped to say hello to some of her GOP colleagues .
Up in the galleries above the Senate floor , reporters for CNN overheard Sens .
Tim Scott ( S.C. ) , James Lankford ( Okla. ) , Mike Rounds ( S.D . )
and Ben Sasse ( Neb . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ S.C. ) also offered his good wishes to Harris and gave the Californian a fist bump , even though he came under a firestorm of criticism this week when Georgia ’ s secretary of state , also a Republican , accused the out-of-state senator of trying to pressure him to toss out legally cast ballots .
The South Carolina senator , a top ally of Trump , has yet to acknowledge Biden ’ s win .
Like other Republicans , he says Trump ’ s campaign should first get a chance to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any exists .
( There is no evidence of widespread fraud .
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called the 2020 election “ the most secure in American history.
” ) Asked by HuffPost what he told Harris during their exchange on Tuesday , Graham said , “ If it works out , congratulations.
” Lankford , another GOP senator who has yet to publicly acknowledge Biden ’ s win , asked Harris about “ the food fight behind you in California , ” an apparent reference to the frenzied effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacant only by her becoming vice president .
But the Oklahoma Republican downplayed the remark when asked by reporters after the vote , suggesting he was merely being courteous to a Senate colleague .
“ The election ’ s not settled , ” Lankford continued to maintain .
“ You can spin it however you want to , but if someone walks right up to you , you say , ‘ Hello , congratulations.
’ ” He did not say what , exactly , he congratulated Harris on .

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Most Republican elected officials have yet to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump, who has refused to concede while lobbing false claims of widespread vote fraud in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
So it was a bit odd to see Republican senators congratulating ― and even fist-bumping ― Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), during a vote Tuesday on Capitol Hill.
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The senator is a rare sight in the U.S. Capitol these days, but Democrats needed her present in the chamber on Tuesday to block the confirmation of Judy Shelton, Trump’s nominee to the Federal Reserve. They did so successfully with the help of two GOP senators, preventing Shelton’s nomination from advancing in a narrow 47-50 vote.
After voting against the nomination, Harris briefly stopped to say hello to some of her GOP colleagues. Up in the galleries above the Senate floor, reporters for CNN overheard Sens. Tim Scott (S.C.), James Lankford (Okla.), Mike Rounds (S.D.) and Ben Sasse (Neb.) offer congratulations.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) also offered his good wishes to Harris and gave the Californian a fist bump, even though he came under a firestorm of criticism this week when Georgia’s secretary of state, also a Republican, accused the out-of-state senator of trying to pressure him to toss out legally cast ballots.
A Kamala Harris-Lindsey Graham fist bump on the Senate floor. pic.twitter.com/BXlRwkWrNe — Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 17, 2020
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The South Carolina senator, a top ally of Trump, has yet to acknowledge Biden’s win. Like other Republicans, he says Trump’s campaign should first get a chance to present evidence of voter fraud in court if any exists. (There is no evidence of widespread fraud. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called the 2020 election “the most secure in American history.”)
Asked by HuffPost what he told Harris during their exchange on Tuesday, Graham said, “If it works out, congratulations.”
Lankford, another GOP senator who has yet to publicly acknowledge Biden’s win, asked Harris about “the food fight behind you in California,” an apparent reference to the frenzied effort to fill her Senate seat ― one made vacant only by her becoming vice president.
But the Oklahoma Republican downplayed the remark when asked by reporters after the vote, suggesting he was merely being courteous to a Senate colleague.
“The election’s not settled,” Lankford continued to maintain. “You can spin it however you want to, but if someone walks right up to you, you say, ‘Hello, congratulations.’”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Rudy Giuliani Reportedly Demanded A Hefty Price For His Trump Legal Work

Rudy Giuliani is denying he has at least 20,000 daily reasons to oversee all of President Donald Trump ’ s failed court challenges to overturn the election that Joe Biden won two weeks ago .
According to The New York Times , multiple sources say the former New York City mayor asked the Trump campaign to pay him $ 20,000 a day for his legal work .
( It ’ s not clear what they actually agreed on , the Times said . )
The reportedly requested day rate was for Giuliani to , as MSNBC ’ s Kyle Griffin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have no chance of changing the outcome of the election.
” Even if there was a chance of overturning the election , Giuliani denies asking for that much .
“ I never asked for $ 20,000 , ” he told the Times .
“ The arrangement is , we ’ ll work it out at the end.
” Giuliani may regret that decision , considering that Trump has a long history of stiffing workers .
One of Trump ’ s other last-standing attorneys , Marc Scaringi , admitted nine days ago that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal battles won ’ t work .
The president has made numerous unfounded claims of voting irregularities , almost all of which have been thrown out of court .

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Rudy Giuliani is denying he has at least 20,000 daily reasons to oversee all of President Donald Trump’s failed court challenges to overturn the election that Joe Biden won two weeks ago.
According to The New York Times, multiple sources say the former New York City mayor asked the Trump campaign to pay him $20,000 a day for his legal work. (It’s not clear what they actually agreed on, the Times said.)
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The reportedly requested day rate was for Giuliani to, as MSNBC’s Kyle Griffin put it, “oversee legal cases that have no chance of changing the outcome of the election.”
Even if there was a chance of overturning the election, Giuliani denies asking for that much.
“I never asked for $20,000,” he told the Times. “The arrangement is, we’ll work it out at the end.”
Giuliani may regret that decision, considering that Trump has a long history of stiffing workers.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Rudy Giuliani's 'Disgraceful' Arguments To Disenfranchise Pa. Voters Didn't Go So Well

There ’ s an old legal saying : “ If the facts are against you , argue the law .
If the law is against you , argue the facts .
If the law and the facts are against you , pound the table and yell like hell.
” Rudy Giuliani , at a federal court hearing in Pennsylvania as part of outgoing President Donald Trump ’ s long-shot legal crusade to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election , pounded the table and yelled like hell .
Pennsylvania officials , on the other hand , argued both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made absurd and evidence-free claims of mass voter fraud , things haven ’ t been going well for the Trump campaign in courts , where the candidate who told voters that they ’ d win so much they ’ d get “ tired of winning ” has been on a major losing streak .
One of the last remaining battles is in Pennsylvania , which was a must-win state for the Trump campaign .
Trump and Giuliani have said hundreds of thousands of votes should be invalidated in the state because observers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes being counted , although the Trump campaign effectively scrapped that component of the lawsuit .
Biden currently leads in Pennsylvania by more than 73,000 votes .
Giuliani , during Tuesday ’ s hearing , made broad , sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations of “ widespread , nationwide voter fraud.
” Giuliani said that Democrats , during the coronavirus pandemic , “ were not going to let a serious crisis go to waste , ” and decided to use mail-in ballots to steal the election .
He said the “ Democratic machine ” decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand scale.
” At one point , he claimed more than 1.5 million votes were “ entered illegally , ” and the Trump campaign has claimed they should be tossed out .
Mark Aronchick , an attorney for Pennsylvania counties , called Giuliani ’ s arguments “ disgraceful.
” Uzoma Nkwonta , an attorney for the Democratic National Committee , pointed out that ― despite Giuliani ’ s arguments ― Trump campaign lawyers had not actually made substantive claims of voter fraud in court .
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann gave Giuliani a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he later pressed the Trump legal team , which he said was asking the court to invalidate more than 6 million votes and disenfranchise “ every single voter in the commonwealth.
” Giuliani then went on an extended rant about how the votes “ could have been from Mickey Mouse ” and said it was wrong for election officials to give voters a chance to correct their ballots .
The Trump campaign ’ s amended complaint focuses on “ Democratic heavy counties , ” alleging that officials in those jurisdictions did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions of allowing voters to fix , or “ cure , ” problems with their mail-in ballots before Election Day .
The lawsuit claims this alleged disparity denied some Pennsylvanians “ the equal protection of law , ” and seeks to prevent Pennsylvania officials from certifying the results of the election .
Nevertheless , Giuliani used the hearing to talk a lot about the claim that there was no meaningful access for elections observers in Philadelphia .
Unfortunately for Giuliani , the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected that argument in a separate case Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reasonable ” and did in fact allow candidate representatives to observe the board as it counted votes in Philadelphia .
Republican voters have long been primed to subscribe to the false belief that voter fraud is a significant problem in elections .
A number of former Republican-appointed top federal prosecutors spoke out about Trump ’ s “ reckless ” voter fraud comments , with one former Republican-appointed U.S. attorney saying his voter fraud campaign “ smells of desperation.
” Even some longtime proponents of voting restrictions , like conservative activist and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the Trump ’ s effort in Pennsylvania was a long shot , and that legal claims need to be based on “ real evidence , ” not made-up evidence .
“ There ’ s no case that ever says not allowing observers in can overturn an election , ” Adams said on Fox Business .
“ That case doesn ’ t exist .
So it ’ s a heavy-duty ask to ask a federal court to overturn this .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any chance of that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Pennsylvania legislators might seek a “ political solution ” and send Trump electors to the Electoral College , but said there must be a factual predicate that is “ reasonable , sound , credible , voluminous.
” ) There were some big changes to the Trump campaign ’ s legal team in the final hours before the hearing .
Giuliani , who held a press conference to highlight overblown and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in northeast Philadelphia on the day that networks called the election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerns , a Republican divorce and family law attorney associated with the conservative Federalist Society , sought to be removed from the case , but the judge wouldn ’ t let her .
Kerns previously received an award from the Republican National Lawyers Association , where she told the audience that Philadelphians “ treat me like I ’ m the problem ” when she appears in court on elections issues .
“ But I ’ m not the problem , ” Kerns said .

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There’s an old legal saying: “If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell.”
Rudy Giuliani, at a federal court hearing in Pennsylvania as part of outgoing President Donald Trump’s long-shot legal crusade to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, pounded the table and yelled like hell. Pennsylvania officials, on the other hand, argued both the facts and the law.
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While Trump has made absurd and evidence-free claims of mass voter fraud, things haven’t been going well for the Trump campaign in courts, where the candidate who told voters that they’d win so much they’d get “tired of winning” has been on a major losing streak.
One of the last remaining battles is in Pennsylvania, which was a must-win state for the Trump campaign. Trump and Giuliani have said hundreds of thousands of votes should be invalidated in the state because observers were limited in their ability to watch votes being counted, although the Trump campaign effectively scrapped that component of the lawsuit. Biden currently leads in Pennsylvania by more than 73,000 votes.
Giuliani, during Tuesday’s hearing, made broad, sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations of “widespread, nationwide voter fraud.” Giuliani said that Democrats, during the coronavirus pandemic, “were not going to let a serious crisis go to waste,” and decided to use mail-in ballots to steal the election. He said the “Democratic machine” decided to commit voter fraud on a “grand scale.”
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, appears in Philadelphia on Nov. 7 after Democratic nominee Joe Biden was projected as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. Eduardo Munoz / Reuters
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At one point, he claimed more than 1.5 million votes were “entered illegally,” and the Trump campaign has claimed they should be tossed out. Mark Aronchick, an attorney for Pennsylvania counties, called Giuliani’s arguments “disgraceful.” Uzoma Nkwonta, an attorney for the Democratic National Committee, pointed out that ― despite Giuliani’s arguments ― Trump campaign lawyers had not actually made substantive claims of voter fraud in court.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann gave Giuliani a lot of leeway to make his argument. But he later pressed the Trump legal team, which he said was asking the court to invalidate more than 6 million votes and disenfranchise “every single voter in the commonwealth.”
“Can you tell me how this result can possibly be justified?” Brann asked.
Giuliani then went on an extended rant about how the votes “could have been from Mickey Mouse” and said it was wrong for election officials to give voters a chance to correct their ballots.
Brann later got Giuliani to admit that ― despite his claims of mass voter fraud during oral argument ― the Trump campaign’s argument did not “plead fraud with particularity.”
The Trump campaign’s amended complaint focuses on “Democratic heavy counties,” alleging that officials in those jurisdictions did a better job than officials in Republican-heavy jurisdictions of allowing voters to fix, or “cure,” problems with their mail-in ballots before Election Day. The lawsuit claims this alleged disparity denied some Pennsylvanians “the equal protection of law,” and seeks to prevent Pennsylvania officials from certifying the results of the election.
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Nevertheless, Giuliani used the hearing to talk a lot about the claim that there was no meaningful access for elections observers in Philadelphia. Unfortunately for Giuliani, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected that argument in a separate case Tuesday afternoon, ruling that the regulations were “reasonable” and did in fact allow candidate representatives to observe the board as it counted votes in Philadelphia.
Republican voters have long been primed to subscribe to the false belief that voter fraud is a significant problem in elections. A number of former Republican-appointed top federal prosecutors spoke out about Trump’s “reckless” voter fraud comments, with one former Republican-appointed U.S. attorney saying his voter fraud campaign “smells of desperation.”
Even some longtime proponents of voting restrictions, like conservative activist and former Justice Department lawyer J. Christian Adams, said that the Trump’s effort in Pennsylvania was a long shot, and that legal claims need to be based on “real evidence,” not made-up evidence.
“There’s no case that ever says not allowing observers in can overturn an election,” Adams said on Fox Business. “That case doesn’t exist. So it’s a heavy-duty ask to ask a federal court to overturn this. I don’t think there’s any chance of that.” (Even so, Adams suggested that Pennsylvania legislators might seek a “political solution” and send Trump electors to the Electoral College, but said there must be a factual predicate that is “reasonable, sound, credible, voluminous.”)
There were some big changes to the Trump campaign’s legal team in the final hours before the hearing. Giuliani, who held a press conference to highlight overblown and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in northeast Philadelphia on the day that networks called the election for Biden, joined the team.
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Another new member of the team, talk show host and attorney Marc Scaringi, previously told his audience that “litigation will not work” and “will not reverse this election,” as The Washington Post reported.
Linda Kerns, a Republican divorce and family law attorney associated with the conservative Federalist Society, sought to be removed from the case, but the judge wouldn’t let her. Kerns previously received an award from the Republican National Lawyers Association, where she told the audience that Philadelphians “treat me like I’m the problem” when she appears in court on elections issues. “But I’m not the problem,” Kerns said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Trump Asked About Attacking Iran's Nuclear Site: Reports

President Donald Trump asked senior advisers last week about a military strike on Iran ’ s main nuclear site following a report the country was stockpiling material used to build an atomic weapon , according to news reports citing unnamed officials familiar with the meeting .
Trump ’ s advisers cautioned him such strikes could ignite broader conflict in the region , and the president appeared to have been dissuaded from pursuing the idea , The Wall Street Journal and New York Times both reported late Monday .
“ A conflict with Iran ends badly for everyone involved , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Journal .
President Donald Trump last week considered ordering a military strike against Iran 's nuclear site over its reported stockpiling of nuclear material , according to reports .
A strike on Iran in the final weeks of his presidency would conflict with Trump ’ s vow to end the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and withdraw U.S. troops .
An Iranian government spokesman responded to the reports by warning that a U.S. attack “ would certainly face a crushing response , ” Reuters reported .
Trump ’ s request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after international inspectors reported a significant increase in stockpiled nuclear material at Iran ’ s largest uranium enrichment facility in Natanz , about 150 miles south of the capital of Tehran .
The United Nations nuclear watchdog , International Atomic Energy Agency , said on Wednesday that Iran had stockpiled 5,385.7 pounds of low-enriched uranium , up from 4,641.6 pounds reported in August .
An anti-aircraft gun is seen positioned at Iran 's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz , Iran , in 2007. International inspectors reported last week that there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the facility .
The nuclear deal that Iran , the U.S. , and several other world powers signed in 2015 permitted only 447 pounds of uranium .
Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement in 2018 , however , and Iran earlier this year said it would no longer abide by the terms .
The Obama-era deal , known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , required heavy restrictions on Iran ’ s nuclear program in exchange for economic sanctions being lifted .
Trump dismissed the nuclear pact as not tough enough on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve a better deal .
That effort failed to produce anything .
Iran in January said its decision to disregard the agreement was in response to Trump ordering an airstrike in Baghdad that killed its top general , Qassem Soleimani .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the strike was aimed at thwarting “ an imminent attack ” that Soleimani was planning “ in the region.
” Iran promised “ harsh revenge ” for the assassination .

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President Donald Trump asked senior advisers last week about a military strike on Iran’s main nuclear site following a report the country was stockpiling material used to build an atomic weapon, according to news reports citing unnamed officials familiar with the meeting.
Trump’s advisers cautioned him such strikes could ignite broader conflict in the region, and the president appeared to have been dissuaded from pursuing the idea, The Wall Street Journal and New York Times both reported late Monday.
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“A conflict with Iran ends badly for everyone involved,” a U.S. official familiar with the meeting told the Journal.
President Donald Trump last week considered ordering a military strike against Iran's nuclear site over its reported stockpiling of nuclear material, according to reports. ASSOCIATED PRESS
A strike on Iran in the final weeks of his presidency would conflict with Trump’s vow to end the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and withdraw U.S. troops.
An Iranian government spokesman responded to the reports by warning that a U.S. attack “would certainly face a crushing response,” Reuters reported.
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Trump’s request on Thursday for military options came the day after international inspectors reported a significant increase in stockpiled nuclear material at Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, about 150 miles south of the capital of Tehran.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Wednesday that Iran had stockpiled 5,385.7 pounds of low-enriched uranium, up from 4,641.6 pounds reported in August.
An anti-aircraft gun is seen positioned at Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran, in 2007. International inspectors reported last week that there has been a significant increase in stockpiled nuclear material at the facility. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The nuclear deal that Iran, the U.S., and several other world powers signed in 2015 permitted only 447 pounds of uranium. Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement in 2018, however, and Iran earlier this year said it would no longer abide by the terms.
The Obama-era deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, required heavy restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for economic sanctions being lifted.
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Trump dismissed the nuclear pact as not tough enough on Iran and said his administration would work to achieve a better deal. That effort failed to produce anything.
Iran in January said its decision to disregard the agreement was in response to Trump ordering an airstrike in Baghdad that killed its top general, Qassem Soleimani.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-17--Tucker Carlson Tells Viewers He Isn't Leaving Fox News

Fox News host Tucker Carlson reassured viewers Monday that he isn ’ t leaving the right-wing cable channel after a false social media post indicated he was .
( See the video below . )
“ Over the weekend , we got a lot of calls asking if we ’ re leaving Fox News , ” Carlson said on his show , adding that the timing was odd because he ’ s in talks to expand the “ reporting and analysis ” of “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” “ This show isn ’ t going anywhere , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The people who run Fox News want more of it , not less , and we ’ re grateful for that.
” Tucker Carlson addresses recent calls for him to leave Fox News : '' This show is n't going anywhere .
It 's getting bigger .
The people who run Fox News want more of it , not less , and we 're grateful for that . ''
pic.twitter.com/kKMvkKDK42 — Daily Caller ( @ DailyCaller ) November 17 , 2020 The fraudulent post circulated over the weekend , reporting that Carlson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the fledgling Newsmax cable channel .
The host was falsely quoted as saying his values and Fox News ’ no longer “ aligned.
” President Donald Trump , irritated that Fox News called Joe Biden ’ s victory instead of backing the loser ’ s baseless claims the election was rigged , has urged followers on Twitter to try Newsmax , which has been promoting Trump ’ s false allegations .
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that a private equity firm with GOP ties has been in talks about acquiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his allies have been seeking to build a conservative alternative to Fox News , according to the report .
Carlson remains one of Fox News ’ stars despite occasional advertiser boycotts over his racist comments .
Last week Carlson apologized for reporting a fake news story about the ballot of a dead World War II veteran being illegally counted .

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Fox News host Tucker Carlson reassured viewers Monday that he isn’t leaving the right-wing cable channel after a false social media post indicated he was. (See the video below.)
“Over the weekend, we got a lot of calls asking if we’re leaving Fox News,” Carlson said on his show, adding that the timing was odd because he’s in talks to expand the “reporting and analysis” of “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
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“This show isn’t going anywhere,” he said. “It’s getting bigger. The people who run Fox News want more of it, not less, and we’re grateful for that.”
Tucker Carlson addresses recent calls for him to leave Fox News:
"This show isn't going anywhere. It's getting bigger. The people who run Fox News want more of it, not less, and we're grateful for that." pic.twitter.com/kKMvkKDK42 — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 17, 2020
The fraudulent post circulated over the weekend, reporting that Carlson was departing his prime time opinion perch for the fledgling Newsmax cable channel. The host was falsely quoted as saying his values and Fox News’ no longer “aligned.”
President Donald Trump, irritated that Fox News called Joe Biden’s victory instead of backing the loser’s baseless claims the election was rigged, has urged followers on Twitter to try Newsmax, which has been promoting Trump’s false allegations.
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The Wall Street Journal reported this week that a private equity firm with GOP ties has been in talks about acquiring or investing in Newsmax. Trump and his allies have been seeking to build a conservative alternative to Fox News, according to the report.