thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-10--Trump White House Believes 'Defund The Police' Is A Political Gift

WASHINGTON ― While President Donald Trump ’ s unhinged tweets may have already stepped on the message , senior White House aides are betting that his conspiracy theories about a 75-year-old Buffalo , New York , protester will fade quickly while “ defund the police ” could be a key campaign flashpoint for months to come .
The Democrats ’ presidential candidate said he “ hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change , ” but a campaign aide separately clarified that Biden doesn ’ t support defunding the police .
The aide pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plans call for greater funding .
Still , White House strategists seem to believe they can reasonably connect Biden and other Democrats with the “ defund the police ” slogan , which has quickly gained momentum as a response to the police killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans , as well as the systemic racism and excessive violence exhibited by U.S. police departments .
In part , that ’ s because many Democrats have been careful not to completely dismiss the defunding idea , understanding that a large swath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with police violence and targeting of minorities that they are truly willing to live without traditional law enforcement .
Many Democrats have also interpreted “ defund the police ” to mean rebalancing local budgets away from the police and more toward programs that address the root causes of crime ― like poverty , drugs , and underfunded education and social services .
Democrats wonder how potent labeling them as the “ defund the police ” party will really be .
Republicans tried a similar tactic in 2018 by connecting Democrats to calls to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Customs Enforcement agency .
Trump also tried painting a “ caravan ” of immigrants headed to the United States as an invasion .
Neither strategy worked too well , as Democrats picked up 41 seats that year to take control of the House .
“ There haven ’ t been two consecutive weeks in this entire cycle where Republicans have been able to string together a coherent message , ” a national Democratic campaign strategist told HuffPost .
“ Now they ’ re refusing to come to the table while the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system.
” “ The name ID and personal connection to ICE is infinitely low compared to ‘ police , ’ ” the senior White House aide said .
“ Just about every household and community in America has a connection to a police officer .
Even for people who know what ICE is , most see it as some far-off government bureaucracy — not a community embed.
” This aide argued that in 2018 , no narrative was going to overcome the historical tendency that the party not occupying the White House takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And tactics like whipping up fears over the caravan may have helped in a few places , such as Minnesota ’ s 1st Congressional District , where Republican Jim Hagedorn narrowly defeated Democrat Dan Feehan .
Trump and Republicans were also able to make immigration a top issue in the 2018 midterms , with 78 % of respondents in one Gallup poll calling it an extremely or very important issue .
Which is all to say that Trump creating an issue out of thin air with that caravan may have actually had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as he had hoped .
One reason the White House thinks “ defund the police ” could be different from previous campaign issues is that it draws attention away from negative aspects of the Trump presidency ― like the coronavirus pandemic , the state of the economy and the president ’ s personal antics ― and places the political debate where Republicans could have the upper ground : in a culture war .
Another White House aide was clear that opposing calls to “ defund the police ” would definitely be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Democrats didn ’ t come out more forcefully in favor of the idea .
“ There is no greater gift , ” this aide said .
There are slight differences among the press releases , but the essence is the NRCC asking where the candidate stands on the “ party ’ s drive to abolish the police.
” Will that candidate “ bow down ” to the Democrats ’ “ insane base , ” the NRCC typically asks , and if not , what are they doing to “ stop this insanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traction to be gained will depend on how forcefully Democrats distance themselves from these calls ― and how much Trump steps on his own messaging by tweeting offensive conspiracy theories .
The president , never one for subtlety , has claimed that Biden wants to defund not only the police but also the military .
And he has repeatedly compared his calls for “ law and order ” to those calling to defund the police .

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WASHINGTON ― While President Donald Trump’s unhinged tweets may have already stepped on the message, senior White House aides are betting that his conspiracy theories about a 75-year-old Buffalo, New York, protester will fade quickly while “defund the police” could be a key campaign flashpoint for months to come.
“The Democrats are giving a wink and a nod to the ‘defund the police’ movement all on their own ― even if Biden was hedging all over himself,” a senior White House aide told HuffPost, referring to former Vice President Joe Biden’s careful statement on Monday.
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The Democrats’ presidential candidate said he “hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change,” but a campaign aide separately clarified that Biden doesn’t support defunding the police. The aide pointed out that, in fact, Biden’s plans call for greater funding.
Still, White House strategists seem to believe they can reasonably connect Biden and other Democrats with the “defund the police” slogan, which has quickly gained momentum as a response to the police killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans, as well as the systemic racism and excessive violence exhibited by U.S. police departments.
In part, that’s because many Democrats have been careful not to completely dismiss the defunding idea, understanding that a large swath of liberal voters are so fed up with police violence and targeting of minorities that they are truly willing to live without traditional law enforcement. Many Democrats have also interpreted “defund the police” to mean rebalancing local budgets away from the police and more toward programs that address the root causes of crime ― like poverty, drugs, and underfunded education and social services.
Democrats wonder how potent labeling them as the “defund the police” party will really be. Republicans tried a similar tactic in 2018 by connecting Democrats to calls to “abolish ICE,” the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Trump also tried painting a “caravan” of immigrants headed to the United States as an invasion. Neither strategy worked too well, as Democrats picked up 41 seats that year to take control of the House.
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“There haven’t been two consecutive weeks in this entire cycle where Republicans have been able to string together a coherent message,” a national Democratic campaign strategist told HuffPost. “Now they’re refusing to come to the table while the country calls clearly for reforms in our policing system.”
But the White House seems to think that this time around, “defund the police” could have enough staying power to undercut Democrats’ electoral chances.
“The name ID and personal connection to ICE is infinitely low compared to ‘police,’” the senior White House aide said. “Just about every household and community in America has a connection to a police officer. Even for people who know what ICE is, most see it as some far-off government bureaucracy — not a community embed.”
This aide argued that in 2018, no narrative was going to overcome the historical tendency that the party not occupying the White House takes back congressional seats during a midterm election. And tactics like whipping up fears over the caravan may have helped in a few places, such as Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, where Republican Jim Hagedorn narrowly defeated Democrat Dan Feehan. Trump and Republicans were also able to make immigration a top issue in the 2018 midterms, with 78% of respondents in one Gallup poll calling it an extremely or very important issue.
Which is all to say that Trump creating an issue out of thin air with that caravan may have actually had some effect ― though probably not as much as he had hoped.
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One reason the White House thinks “defund the police” could be different from previous campaign issues is that it draws attention away from negative aspects of the Trump presidency ― like the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy and the president’s personal antics ― and places the political debate where Republicans could have the upper ground: in a culture war.
Another White House aide was clear that opposing calls to “defund the police” would definitely be a centerpiece of Trump’s campaign even if Democrats didn’t come out more forcefully in favor of the idea. “There is no greater gift,” this aide said.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has been issuing press releases all this week asking if such and such Democratic candidate wants to defund the police.
There are slight differences among the press releases, but the essence is the NRCC asking where the candidate stands on the “party’s drive to abolish the police.” Will that candidate “bow down” to the Democrats’ “insane base,” the NRCC typically asks, and if not, what are they doing to “stop this insanity”?
Again, much of the traction to be gained will depend on how forcefully Democrats distance themselves from these calls ― and how much Trump steps on his own messaging by tweeting offensive conspiracy theories.
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The president, never one for subtlety, has claimed that Biden wants to defund not only the police but also the military. And he has repeatedly compared his calls for “law and order” to those calling to defund the police.
“LAW & ORDER, NOT DEFUND AND ABOLISH THE POLICE. The Radical Left Democrats have gone Crazy!” Trump tweeted on June 8.
Initial polling indicates that defunding the police is widely unpopular. A HuffPost/YouGov poll taken this week found that, among registered voters, 14% strongly support, 15% somewhat support, 16% somewhat oppose, 45% strongly oppose and 11% are unsure about the idea.
Even when voters were asked whether they favor budgeting less money for police and more for social workers and mental health professionals, the results were not great: 44% support that policy, while 46% oppose it.
And those numbers may not change much with more information.
In the new poll, 61% said they already understand that defunding the police means reducing the size of the police force and the scope of its work, while only 18% said it means completely abolishing the police force.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-10--Anna Wintour Apologizes For Race-Related 'Mistakes' In Vogue Magazine

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Vogue ’ s Anna Wintour has apologized in an internal email for “ mistakes ” made in her 32-year tenure in not doing enough to elevate black voices on her staff and publishing images and stories that have been racially and culturally “ hurtful or intolerant.
” The magazine ’ s editor in chief , who is also Conde Nast ’ s artistic director and global content adviser , had no further comment Wednesday on the email obtained by The Associated Press .
It was first revealed Tuesday in the New York Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Adam Rapoport , the editor in chief of another Condé Nast title , Bon Appetit , resigned after a photo surfaced of him in brownface , amplifying outrage over how the food magazine treats employees of color .
Meanwhile , Samira Nasr on Wednesday was named the first editor in chief of color in the 153-year history of U.S. Harper ’ s Bazaar .
In her email , Wintour referenced the country ’ s “ historic and heartbreaking moment ” after the death of George Floyd and other people of color at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sparked rage and grief in protests that have played out for more than two weeks around the world .
“ I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through : sadness , hurt , and anger too .
I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team — I can only imagine what these days have been like .
But I also know that the hurt , and violence , and injustice we ’ re seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time .
Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue , ” Wintour told her staff .
She called for the tumult to be a “ time of listening , reflection , and humility for those of us in positions of privilege and authority .
It should also be a time of action and commitments.
” Wintour didn ’ t specify what content she was referring to as offensive , or what steps will be taken to rectify hiring and bring on a new creative approach .
She pledged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being done to support organizations in a real way .
These actions will be announced as soon as possible.
” She wrote : “ Meanwhile , I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors , writers , photographers , designers and other creators .
We have made mistakes too , publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant .
I take full responsibility for those mistakes.
” “ I know that it is not enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will — and please know that I value your voices and responses as we move forward .
”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Vogue’s Anna Wintour has apologized in an internal email for “mistakes” made in her 32-year tenure in not doing enough to elevate black voices on her staff and publishing images and stories that have been racially and culturally “hurtful or intolerant.”
The fashion doyenne wrote in Thursday’s email: “I take full responsibility for those mistakes.”
The magazine’s editor in chief, who is also Conde Nast’s artistic director and global content adviser, had no further comment Wednesday on the email obtained by The Associated Press. It was first revealed Tuesday in the New York Post.
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Wintour’s mea culpa surfaced soon after Adam Rapoport, the editor in chief of another Condé Nast title, Bon Appetit, resigned after a photo surfaced of him in brownface, amplifying outrage over how the food magazine treats employees of color.
On Monday, editor of the lifestyle site Refinery29, Christene Barberich, resigned after reports surfaced of staff members saying they had experienced racial discrimination at the company.
Meanwhile, Samira Nasr on Wednesday was named the first editor in chief of color in the 153-year history of U.S. Harper’s Bazaar.
In her email, Wintour referenced the country’s “historic and heartbreaking moment” after the death of George Floyd and other people of color at the hands of police, events which have sparked rage and grief in protests that have played out for more than two weeks around the world.
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“I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through: sadness, hurt, and anger too. I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team — I can only imagine what these days have been like. But I also know that the hurt, and violence, and injustice we’re seeing and talking about have been around for a long time. Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue,” Wintour told her staff.
She called for the tumult to be a “time of listening, reflection, and humility for those of us in positions of privilege and authority. It should also be a time of action and commitments.”
Wintour didn’t specify what content she was referring to as offensive, or what steps will be taken to rectify hiring and bring on a new creative approach. She pledged, “On a corporate level, work is being done to support organizations in a real way. These actions will be announced as soon as possible.”
She wrote: “Meanwhile, I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators. We have made mistakes too, publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant. I take full responsibility for those mistakes.”
Wintour said her staff includes “too few” black employees. She didn’t say how many.
“I know that it is not enough to say we will do better, but we will — and please know that I value your voices and responses as we move forward.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--'Live PD' Dropped By A&E On Heels Of 'Cops' Cancellation

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — A & E Network has canceled the police reality series “ Live PD ” after weeks of protests inspired by the death of George Floyd and a report that a crew from the show filmed the death of another Black man in police custody .
The cable network announced the move Wednesday , a day after the similar show “ Cops , ” on the air for 33 seasons , was dropped by the Paramount Network .
“ This is a critical time in our nation ’ s history and we have made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” A & E said in a statement .
“ Going forward , we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them .
And with that , we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.
” The cancellation also comes a day after reports from the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV that 40-year-old Javier Ambler , who was Black , died in Texas last year after sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on him , despite his cries for help and pleas that he was sick and couldn ’ t breathe .
Prosecutors who are investigating Ambler ’ s death said the presence of the “ Live PD ” crew made the arrest , which was captured on police body-camera video obtained by the news outlets , particularly troubling .
A & E said in a previous statement that its video never aired because of a policy against showing a death , and it did not keep the footage after it was informed the initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said neither the network nor the show ’ s producers “ were asked for the footage or an interview by investigators from law enforcement or the District Attorney ’ s office.
” Just as Paramount Network did with “ Cops , ” A & E had already ceased airing episodes of “ Live PD ” before announcing Wednesday that it was dropping the show altogether .
“ Live PD , ” which had been on the air since 2016 , had a more news documentary approach than “ Cops , ” which let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Shocked & beyond disappointed about this , ” the show ’ s host , veteran journalist Dan Abrams , said on Twitter .
“ To the loyal # LivePDNation please know I , we , did everything we could to fight for you , and for our continuing effort at transparency in policing .
I was convinced the show would go on .
”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A&E Network has canceled the police reality series “Live PD” after weeks of protests inspired by the death of George Floyd and a report that a crew from the show filmed the death of another Black man in police custody.
The cable network announced the move Wednesday, a day after the similar show “Cops,” on the air for 33 seasons, was dropped by the Paramount Network.
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“This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” A&E said in a statement. “Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”
The cancellation also comes a day after reports from the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV that 40-year-old Javier Ambler, who was Black, died in Texas last year after sheriff’s deputies repeatedly used stun guns on him, despite his cries for help and pleas that he was sick and couldn’t breathe.
Prosecutors who are investigating Ambler’s death said the presence of the “Live PD” crew made the arrest, which was captured on police body-camera video obtained by the news outlets, particularly troubling.
A&E said in a previous statement that its video never aired because of a policy against showing a death, and it did not keep the footage after it was informed the initial investigation had closed. A&E said neither the network nor the show’s producers “were asked for the footage or an interview by investigators from law enforcement or the District Attorney’s office.”
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Just as Paramount Network did with “Cops,” A&E had already ceased airing episodes of “Live PD” before announcing Wednesday that it was dropping the show altogether.
“Live PD,” which had been on the air since 2016, had a more news documentary approach than “Cops,” which let police speak almost entirely for themselves.
“Shocked & beyond disappointed about this,” the show’s host, veteran journalist Dan Abrams, said on Twitter. “To the loyal #LivePDNation please know I, we, did everything we could to fight for you, and for our continuing effort at transparency in policing. I was convinced the show would go on.”
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Trump Administration Refuses To Disclose Which Businesses Received $500 Billion In Government Bailou

Trump Administration Refuses To Disclose Which Businesses Received $500 Billion In Government Bailout

The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it plans to keep the identities of more than 4.5 million businesses that received a government bailout through the Paycheck Protection Program a secret .
The lack of transparency is a stark break from the past .
Normally , the Small Business Administration discloses the names of borrowers from the program on which it based PPP , The Washington Post reports .
But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , in testimony before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship , said his department considered that information “ proprietary ” and “ confidential.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at government oversight .
The Government Accountability Office , which is supposed to brief Congress on whether COVID-19 relief funds are being distributed as intended , says the Treasury has refused to give the agency the names of recipients .
The Paycheck Protection Program has distributed more than $ 500 billion in low-interest and forgivable loans and is part of the gigantic Congressional spending effort to rescue businesses from the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic .
PPP loans are intended for small businesses , many of which scarcely have the savings to weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive the loans have several months to defer payments , and the government will forgive large portions of the loans if a business uses the bulk of the money to keep workers on its payroll .
As the U.S. experiences record unemployment , Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have credited the program with staving off an even worse unemployment crisis .
The program doled out millions of dollars to dozens of large , publicly traded companies that didn ’ t qualify as small businesses or had other avenues for raising capital .
Shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country , received and return a loan worth $ 10 million .
The program also benefitted multiple companies with financial troubles that long predated the pandemic and executives which used the loans to shore up bonuses .
The Small Business Administration left it up to banks to determine who should receive loans , allowing some banks to prioritize their wealthiest clients .
Meanwhile , mom-and-pop stores found themselves in a mad dash to apply before each round of money dried up .
“ I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one hand — the number of businesses in my district who have received assistance , ” Rep. Adriano Espaillat ( D-N.Y. ) , who represents upper Manhattan , complained after the first round of loans .
“ We need to know if there are racial or ethnic or gender implications of who got this money to understand its impact on inequality , ” Amanda Fischer , policy director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth , told HuffPost in April .
But Republicans in Congress have resisted demands from Democrats to show where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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The Trump administration said on Wednesday that it plans to keep the identities of more than 4.5 million businesses that received a government bailout through the Paycheck Protection Program a secret.
The lack of transparency is a stark break from the past. Normally, the Small Business Administration discloses the names of borrowers from the program on which it based PPP, The Washington Post reports.
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But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, said his department considered that information “proprietary” and “confidential.”
That secrecy extends even to internal attempts at government oversight. The Government Accountability Office, which is supposed to brief Congress on whether COVID-19 relief funds are being distributed as intended, says the Treasury has refused to give the agency the names of recipients.
“Unconscionable, jaw-dropping corruption,” tweeted Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, in response to the news.
The Paycheck Protection Program has distributed more than $500 billion in low-interest and forgivable loans and is part of the gigantic Congressional spending effort to rescue businesses from the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.
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PPP loans are intended for small businesses, many of which scarcely have the savings to weather a global economic downturn. Businesses that receive the loans have several months to defer payments, and the government will forgive large portions of the loans if a business uses the bulk of the money to keep workers on its payroll.
As the U.S. experiences record unemployment, Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have credited the program with staving off an even worse unemployment crisis.
But the program has also been plagued by design flaws and accusations of corruption.
The program doled out millions of dollars to dozens of large, publicly traded companies that didn’t qualify as small businesses or had other avenues for raising capital. Shake Shack, which in recent years was one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country, received and returned a loan worth $10 million.
The program also benefitted multiple companies with financial troubles that long predated the pandemic and executives which used the loans to shore up bonuses.
The Small Business Administration left it up to banks to determine who should receive loans, allowing some banks to prioritize their wealthiest clients. Meanwhile, mom-and-pop stores found themselves in a mad dash to apply before each round of money dried up.
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“I can count on one hand — literally on one hand — the number of businesses in my district who have received assistance,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), who represents upper Manhattan, complained after the first round of loans.
Without adequate oversight, public watchdogs have noted, it would be easy for the money to follow existing trends of inequality.
“We need to know if there are racial or ethnic or gender implications of who got this money to understand its impact on inequality,” Amanda Fischer, policy director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, told HuffPost in April.
To give more minority communities access to the loans, secondary rounds of the loan program set aside some money for small community banks.
But Republicans in Congress have resisted demands from Democrats to show where the bulk of the money is going.
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Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) are now calling for all loans made under the program to be made public.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Donald Trump Makes Case For Joe Biden In Crazed All-Caps Tweet

President Donald Trump just dreamed up a campaign slogan that can only be described as “ perfect.
” Perfect for Joe Biden , that is .
On Thursday morning , the president went on a Twitter rampage griping about whatever came to mind .
One tweet ― in all caps , naturally ― seemed to be driven by the public removal of a growing number of Confederate statues and flags amid anti-racism protests sparked by last month ’ s police killing of George Floyd : “ THOSE THAT DENY THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT !
” THOSE THAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) June 11 , 2020 Trump may have been referring to Confederate artifacts , but many Twitter users noted that his admonition could also be taken as a warning against reelecting him .
And they pounced with glee on the president ’ s self-own .
So that 's why you 're repeating the Civil War .
https : //t.co/guXoqEhPpF — Jeff Jarvis ( @ jeffjarvis ) June 11 , 2020 your slogan is `` make america great again , '' denying history is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quint ( @ behindyourback ) June 11 , 2020 Says the guy who just referred to the Secret Service as “ the SS.
” https : //t.co/3ChUPKhI4A — John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳🌈 ( @ aravosis ) June 11 , 2020 Men who grab women by the pussy , are doomed to repeat it .
https : //t.co/IGnLj6qj51 — E. Jean Carroll ( @ ejeancarroll ) June 11 , 2020 did not expect him to be getting on the late 30s bandwagon https : //t.co/BK2swJM3m9 — Josh Marshall ( @ joshtpm ) June 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montoya , I do not think it means what you think it means https : //t.co/i3YtEjSZfL — Susan Glasser ( @ sbg1 ) June 11 , 2020

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President Donald Trump just dreamed up a campaign slogan that can only be described as “perfect.”
Perfect for Joe Biden, that is.
On Thursday morning, the president went on a Twitter rampage griping about whatever came to mind.
One tweet ― in all caps, naturally ― seemed to be driven by the public removal of a growing number of Confederate statues and flags amid anti-racism protests sparked by last month’s police killing of George Floyd:
“THOSE THAT DENY THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!”
THOSE THAT DENY THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
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Trump may have been referring to Confederate artifacts, but many Twitter users noted that his admonition could also be taken as a warning against reelecting him.
And they pounced with glee on the president’s self-own.
So that's why you're repeating the Civil War. https://t.co/guXoqEhPpF — Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) June 11, 2020
your slogan is "make america great again," denying history is your whole deal https://t.co/oJ6Z712PPR — maura quint (@behindyourback) June 11, 2020
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Says the guy who just referred to the Secret Service as “the SS.” https://t.co/3ChUPKhI4A — John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳🌈 (@aravosis) June 11, 2020
Men who grab women by the pussy, are doomed to repeat it. https://t.co/IGnLj6qj51 — E. Jean Carroll (@ejeancarroll) June 11, 2020
did not expect him to be getting on the late 30s bandwagon https://t.co/BK2swJM3m9 — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) June 11, 2020
In the immortal words of Inigo Montoya, I do not think it means what you think it means https://t.co/i3YtEjSZfL — Susan Glasser (@sbg1) June 11, 2020
I'm certain he's talking about the mistake Sony made pricing the PS3 at $599 https://t.co/HGxESkez3Y — Michael Pachter (@michaelpachter) June 11, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--NYPD Cop Who Kneeled At Protest Apologizes To Fellow Officers

A New York Police Department officer who kneeled with protesters at a rally late last month now regrets the decision and apologized to his fellow cops .
Lt. Robert Cattani of the NYPD ’ s Midtown South Precinct was one of four officers who took a knee at a May 30 protest march in Foley Square .
The quartet of cops kneeled as protesters chanted “ NYPD , take a knee !
” and received cheers for the gesture , as this Facebook clip shows .
But while the gesture was interpreted as an olive branch to the community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his “ horrible decision to give into a crowd of protesters ’ demands.
” Cattani sent an apology email to his fellow officers on June 3 in which he said “ the cop in me wants to kick my own ass , ” according to the New York Post .
“ The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting .
“ I know I made the wrong decision .
We didn ’ t know how the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t and were attempting to reduce any extra violence.
” NYPD sources : Last week Chief Robert Cattani sent this e mail to Midtown South Pct .
cops saying his kneeling was a “ horrible decision , ” he ’ s “ shamed and humiliated , ” can not “ eat or sleep , ” and “ threw that all in the garbage ” in terms of his reputation inside the department .
pic.twitter.com/RDer22mpi0 — John Cardillo ( @ johncardillo ) June 11 , 2020 Cattani said at the time he made what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he thought “ maybe that one protestor/rioter who saw it would later think twice about fighting or hurting a cop ” but added , “ I was wrong.
” “ I know that it was wrong and something I will be shamed and humiliated about for the rest of my life , ” he said .
“ I do not place blame on anyone other than myself for not standing my ground.
” Cattani added that his decision to kneel “ goes against every principle and value I stand for ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department .
“ I could not imagine the idea of ever coming back to work and putting on the uniform I so wrongly shamed , ” he wrote .
“ However , I decided that was the easy way out for me and I will continue to come to work every day being there for my personnel.
” Cattani is the latest New York police officer to cry victim as numerous videos showing police violence are making citizens rethink the role of law enforcement in American society .
Earlier this week , Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Police Benevolent Association , went viral in a video in which he demanded that people “ stop treating us like animals and thugs and start treating us with some respect .
”

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A New York Police Department officer who kneeled with protesters at a rally late last month now regrets the decision and apologized to his fellow cops.
Lt. Robert Cattani of the NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct was one of four officers who took a knee at a May 30 protest march in Foley Square.
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The quartet of cops kneeled as protesters chanted “NYPD, take a knee!” and received cheers for the gesture, as this Facebook clip shows.
But while the gesture was interpreted as an olive branch to the community, Cattani told fellow officers that he regrets his “horrible decision to give into a crowd of protesters’ demands.”
Cattani sent an apology email to his fellow officers on June 3 in which he said “the cop in me wants to kick my own ass,” according to the New York Post.
He explained further:
“The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting. “I know I made the wrong decision. We didn’t know how the protesters would have reacted if we didn’t and were attempting to reduce any extra violence.”
Here’s a copy of the letter Cattani sent to fellow officers.
NYPD sources: Last week Chief Robert Cattani sent this e mail to Midtown South Pct. cops saying his kneeling was a “horrible decision,” he’s “shamed and humiliated,” cannot “eat or sleep,” and “threw that all in the garbage” in terms of his reputation inside the department. pic.twitter.com/RDer22mpi0 — John Cardillo (@johncardillo) June 11, 2020
Cattani said at the time he made what he calls his “bad decision,” he thought “maybe that one protestor/rioter who saw it would later think twice about fighting or hurting a cop” but added, “I was wrong.”
“I know that it was wrong and something I will be shamed and humiliated about for the rest of my life,” he said. “I do not place blame on anyone other than myself for not standing my ground.”
Cattani added that his decision to kneel “goes against every principle and value I stand for” and that he’s considered leaving the department.
“I could not imagine the idea of ever coming back to work and putting on the uniform I so wrongly shamed,” he wrote. “However, I decided that was the easy way out for me and I will continue to come to work every day being there for my personnel.”
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Cattani is the latest New York police officer to cry victim as numerous videos showing police violence are making citizens rethink the role of law enforcement in American society.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Tennessee Lawmakers Vote To Keep KKK Leader’s Bust In Capitol, Igniting Protests

ASSOCIATED PRESS Venita Lewis , right , led a demonstration Wednesday in Nashville that demanded the removal of a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from inside the State Capitol .
Protesters rallied outside of the Tennessee state Capitol Wednesday after lawmakers voted to keep a bust of a Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader on full display in the capitol , following arguments that removing it would erase history and could be offensive to some .
A House committee in Nashville voted 11 to 5 Tuesday to continue displaying the bronze bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal since it was erected in 1978 .
Venita Lewis , who helped organize protests outside the Capitol this week , argued that keeping symbols of racism and white supremacy on public display does nothing but hurt current and future generations of Black people .
Demonstrators take part in a protest Wednesday outside of the Tennessee Capitol .
The bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest , a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader , has been the center of controversy for years .
“ Hell , I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t want to tell my children that , ” Lewis , wearing a T-shirt reading “ I will breathe , ” told a crowd on Wednesday .
“ We are generating racism and hate for the next generation .
It ’ s not fair to you , your children and your children ’ s children.
” “ It was not against the law to own slaves back then .
Who knows , maybe some of us will be slaves one of these days .
Laws change , ” Sexton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative panel .
“ But what about the people that I represent , that it will offend them if we move this ?
They ’ ll be offended .
They won ’ t like it .
But it doesn ’ t seem to matter.
” “ Who decides what is ethical , what is right , when we ’ re killing millions of babies every year in this country because of abortion , ” Sexton said .
“ Supporting Nathan Bedford Forrest is supporting racism .
There is no grey area .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re either for it or against it .
Period , ” she tweeted .
“ What if every day you walked into the House or Senate chambers and you saw a bust of Hitler before you entered ?
” he posted on social media .
“ That sickness in the pit of your stomach that you ’ re feeling right now ... that ’ s what we feel everytime we ( African Americans ) enter the capitol of Tennessee.
” There had been a push to honor Forrest in the Capitol as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville Scene .
Talk of erecting a monument in his memory reportedly died down until the 1960s , when the civil rights movement inspired a new wave of Confederate monuments to be erected across the country .
State Democrats did have some success Wednesday in the passage of a bill that would eliminate the governor of having to continue to proclaim Nathan Bedford Forrest Day , an annual state holiday on July 13 .
Democrats had tried to eliminate the holiday altogether but were unsuccessful .
Carmack ’ s editorial work included endorsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were trying to establish a grocery store in the late 1800s .
When Black civil rights pioneer and newspaper writer Ida B .
Wells spoke out against the lynchings , Carmack incited a mob against her and her newspaper office was destroyed .
Carmack went on to become a successful politician and the statue of him was erected on the Capitol ’ s grounds in 1927 , according to the Tennessee State Museum ’ s website .

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Protesters rallied outside of the Tennessee state Capitol Wednesday after lawmakers voted to keep a bust of a Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader on full display in the capitol, following arguments that removing it would erase history and could be offensive to some.
A House committee in Nashville voted 11 to 5 Tuesday to continue displaying the bronze bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest, which has survived public protests and demands for its removal since it was erected in 1978.
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Venita Lewis, right, led a demonstration Wednesday in Nashville that demanded the removal of a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from inside the State Capitol. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Venita Lewis, who helped organize protests outside the Capitol this week, argued that keeping symbols of racism and white supremacy on public display does nothing but hurt current and future generations of Black people.
Demonstrators take part in a protest Wednesday outside of the Tennessee Capitol. The bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader, has been the center of controversy for years. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Hell, I don’t want to be reminded that I was a slave. I don’t want to tell my children that,” Lewis, wearing a T-shirt reading “I will breathe,” told a crowd on Wednesday. “We are generating racism and hate for the next generation. It’s not fair to you, your children and your children’s children.”
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Republican lawmakers argued that removing the bust wasn’t the solution and that it could open the door to other controversial monuments being torn down.
Rep. Jerry Sexton (R), who voted against the bust’s removal, appeared to excuse the state’s history of racism.
The bust has been a controversial addition to the Capitol since it was erected in 1978. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“It was not against the law to own slaves back then. Who knows, maybe some of us will be slaves one of these days. Laws change,” Sexton, who is white, told the legislative panel. “But what about the people that I represent, that it will offend them if we move this? They’ll be offended. They won’t like it. But it doesn’t seem to matter.”
He went on to question House Democrats’ understanding of ethics, since they support abortion.
“Who decides what is ethical, what is right, when we’re killing millions of babies every year in this country because of abortion,” Sexton said.
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🚨MUST-WATCH: “Maybe some of us will be slaves one of these days— what about the people I represent that will be offended if we move this?”
TN GOP Rep. Jerry Sexton’s WILDLY BIZARRE 🤪defense of keeping the KKK GRAND WIZARD BUST in the Capitol... equating it with Abortion. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EHvnYtnIzx — The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) June 9, 2020
Rep. London Lamar, a Black Democrat who represents Memphis, said there is no complexity in this issue.
“Supporting Nathan Bedford Forrest is supporting racism. There is no grey area. There is no way around. You’re either for it or against it. Period,” she tweeted.
Rep. Antonio Parkinson, another Black Democrat from Memphis, likened the public imagery of Forrest to the state displaying Nazi propaganda.
“What if every day you walked into the House or Senate chambers and you saw a bust of Hitler before you entered?” he posted on social media. “That sickness in the pit of your stomach that you’re feeling right now ... that’s what we feel everytime we (African Americans) enter the capitol of Tennessee.”
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Forrest, the first grand wizard of the KKK, amassed a fortune as a plantation owner and slave trader prior to serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Forrest was the first grand wizard of the KKK and a general in the Confederate Army. ASSOCIATED PRESS
There had been a push to honor Forrest in the Capitol as far back as 1901, according to the Nashville Scene. Talk of erecting a monument in his memory reportedly died down until the 1960s, when the civil rights movement inspired a new wave of Confederate monuments to be erected across the country.
State Democrats did have some success Wednesday in the passage of a bill that would eliminate the governor of having to continue to proclaim Nathan Bedford Forrest Day, an annual state holiday on July 13. Democrats had tried to eliminate the holiday altogether but were unsuccessful.
Late last month, a statue of the late Tennessee lawmaker and newspaper publisher Edward Carmack was toppled by anti-racism protesters in front of the state Capitol.
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Edward Carmack statue down at the TN capital. @NC5PhilWilliams pic.twitter.com/CHcZaS5hno — Brian Hallett (@hallettbrian) May 31, 2020
Carmack’s editorial work included endorsing the lynchings of Black men in Memphis who were trying to establish a grocery store in the late 1800s. When Black civil rights pioneer and newspaper writer Ida B. Wells spoke out against the lynchings, Carmack incited a mob against her and her newspaper office was destroyed. Carmack went on to become a successful politician and the statue of him was erected on the Capitol’s grounds in 1927, according to the Tennessee State Museum’s website.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Trump Sanctions War Crimes Court To Silence Investigations Into U.S. Misconduct

President Donald Trump issued an executive order to sanction top officials on an international court responsible for investigating war crimes after the court announced potential investigations into U.S. misconduct during the war in Afghanistan .
During a press conference on Thursday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that top officials on the International Criminal Court could face economic sanctions , to be determined on a case-by-case basis , for investigating the actions of the U.S. and allied forces against the will of those nations .
In addition , the officials , along with their families , will be restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In March , the International Criminal Court , which is based in The Hague , Netherlands , authorized an investigation into possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014 .
The investigation will look into actions taken by the Taliban and troops from multiple countries , including the United States , that may have defied international war crimes law regarding the treatment of civilians and prisoners .
Back in March , Pompeo called the inquiry “ breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body.
” On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s investigation as an “ ideological crusade.
” More than 100 countries count themselves as members of the International Criminal Court , which was created in 2002 to investigate and try “ individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community : genocide , war crimes , crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
” The United States officially opposed the formation of the court and is not one of the member countries , who may choose to defer to it on human rights matters .
The court was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwilling or unable to prosecute them on their own .
“ The United States maintains the sovereign right and obligation to properly investigate and address any of our personnel ’ s alleged violations of the laws of war , ” Esper said on Thursday .
“ We have a proven record of doing just that.
” The Trump administration ’ s announcement of sanctions against war crimes investigators is in line with the president ’ s own support of people who violate human rights .
Trump has repeatedly touted murderous dictators and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; he has downplayed the brutal killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi , which was reportedly authorized by Saudi Arabian leader Mohammed bin Salman ; he has pardoned and saluted U.S. service members accused of war crimes ; and he has publicly threatened to authorize war crimes .

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President Donald Trump issued an executive order to sanction top officials on an international court responsible for investigating war crimes after the court announced potential investigations into U.S. misconduct during the war in Afghanistan.
During a press conference on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that top officials on the International Criminal Court could face economic sanctions, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, for investigating the actions of the U.S. and allied forces against the will of those nations. In addition, the officials, along with their families, will be restricted from traveling to the United States.
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Pompeo was joined at the press conference by Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mike Esper and national security adviser Robert O’Brien.
In March, the International Criminal Court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, authorized an investigation into possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2014. The investigation will look into actions taken by the Taliban and troops from multiple countries, including the United States, that may have defied international war crimes law regarding the treatment of civilians and prisoners. Back in March, Pompeo called the inquiry “breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body.” On Thursday, he referred to the court’s investigation as an “ideological crusade.”
More than 100 countries count themselves as members of the International Criminal Court, which was created in 2002 to investigate and try “individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.”
The United States officially opposed the formation of the court and is not one of the member countries, who may choose to defer to it on human rights matters. The court was established to prosecute these offenses for nations unwilling or unable to prosecute them on their own.
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“The United States maintains the sovereign right and obligation to properly investigate and address any of our personnel’s alleged violations of the laws of war,” Esper said on Thursday. “We have a proven record of doing just that.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Top U.S. Military Official Calls His Appearance In Trump's Church Photo-Op 'A Mistake'

Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said Thursday that it was a “ mistake ” for him to participate in the photo-op President Donald Trump staged outside a church near the White House amid anti-racism protests .
“ I should not have been there , ” Milley said in remarks to a National Defense University commencement ceremony .
“ My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.
” After federal police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump and other high-ranking U.S. officials across Lafayette Square to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
Trump held a Bible ― at times , upside-down ― as he posed for photos in front of the church .
Milley , Defense Secretary Mark Esper , Attorney General William Barr , national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany can also been seen in some photos .
“ When I joined the military , some 50 years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend the Constitution , ” Mattis wrote .
“ Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens — much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief , with military leadership standing alongside.
” The Pentagon has tried to distance itself from the incident .
A spokesperson for the Defense Department said last week that Esper and Milley were “ not aware ” that law enforcement had been ordered to clear the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were walking out of the White House with Trump to “ address the protests , ” the spokesperson said .
Here ’ s the top military official in the U.S. , the chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff , General Mark Milley , saying it was a mistake for him to be seen walking with POTUS , across Lafayette square , for a photo op in front of a D.C. church .
Here he explains why it was a mistake￼ .
pic.twitter.com/Ew7T5wS6LR — David Begnaud ( @ DavidBegnaud ) June 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was a mistake that I have learned from , and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it , ” Milley said Thursday of his participation in the photo-op .
“ We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation.
” He continued : “ We must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic .
And this is not easy .
It takes time and work and effort .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every one of us does every day.
” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , who often acts as one of Trump ’ s loudest cheerleaders in Congress , said Thursday that he supports Milley ’ s comments about the church visit .
Milley ’ s remarks will likely inflame tensions between the White House and the Defense Department .
Trump reportedly wanted to fire Esper after he spoke out against the president ’ s threats to deploy active-duty troops to quell civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , spokespeople for Esper and Milley said the Pentagon would be open to “ bipartisan discussion ” of whether to rename 10 U.S. military bases named for Confederate army officers who fought during the Civil War to preserve the enslavement of Black people .

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Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that it was a “mistake” for him to participate in the photo-op President Donald Trump staged outside a church near the White House amid anti-racism protests.
“I should not have been there,” Milley said in remarks to a National Defense University commencement ceremony. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
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After federal police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of peaceful protesters on June 1, Milley walked with Trump and other high-ranking U.S. officials across Lafayette Square to St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Trump held a Bible ― at times, upside-down ― as he posed for photos in front of the church. Milley, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Attorney General William Barr, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany can also been seen in some photos.
Walking behind President Donald Trump from left are, Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The aggressive crowd-dispersal tactics and Trump’s subsequent photo-op drew intense backlash from activists, Democratic lawmakers, religious leaders and former military officials.
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Former Defense Secretary James Mattis condemned Trump for dividing the country in a searing statement published in The Atlantic last week.
“When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Mattis wrote. “Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens — much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.”
The Pentagon has tried to distance itself from the incident. A spokesperson for the Defense Department said last week that Esper and Milley were “not aware” that law enforcement had been ordered to clear the protesters. The two military officials believed they were walking out of the White House with Trump to “address the protests,” the spokesperson said.
Here’s the top military official in the U.S., the chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, saying it was a mistake for him to be seen walking with POTUS, across Lafayette square, for a photo op in front of a D.C. church. Here he explains why it was a mistake￼. pic.twitter.com/Ew7T5wS6LR — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 11, 2020
“As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it,” Milley said Thursday of his participation in the photo-op. “We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation.”
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He continued: “We must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic. And this is not easy. It takes time and work and effort. But it may be the most important thing each and every one of us does every day.”
The White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who often acts as one of Trump’s loudest cheerleaders in Congress, said Thursday that he supports Milley’s comments about the church visit.
“General Milley is a tremendous military leader who understands the long tradition of maintaining an apolitical, nonpartisan military,” Graham tweeted.
Milley’s remarks will likely inflame tensions between the White House and the Defense Department. Trump reportedly wanted to fire Esper after he spoke out against the president’s threats to deploy active-duty troops to quell civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Earlier this week, spokespeople for Esper and Milley said the Pentagon would be open to “bipartisan discussion” of whether to rename 10 U.S. military bases named for Confederate army officers who fought during the Civil War to preserve the enslavement of Black people.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Former DEA Spokesman Admits To Posing As 'Deep-Cover' CIA Agent In Fraud Scheme

C-SPAN Former DEA spokesman Garrison Courtney pleaded guilty to a massive fraud scheme in which he posed as a covert CIA officer .
WASHINGTON ― A former spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud , admitting that he pretended to be a covert CIA officer and scammed more than a dozen companies out of over $ 4.4 million .
Garrison Courtney , 44 , acknowledged during a federal court hearing in Alexandria , Virginia , that he falsely claimed to be part of a “ task force ” that involved the CIA , other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Department that aimed to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities .
He created a “ commercial cover ” to hide his false affiliation with the CIA , and had companies pay him with the expectation that they ’ d be reimbursed in the future .
Courtney , the government said , “ went to extraordinary lengths to perpetuate the illusion that he was a deep-cover operative ” by , among other things , making people sign fake nondisclosure agreements , searching them for electronic devices , telling them they were under foreign surveillance and threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the revocation of their security clearance .
An official with the U.S. attorney ’ s office said that Courtney had “ masqueraded ” as a covert CIA employee as part of his “ ruse , ” and managed to “ dupe ” both private companies and real public officials whom he ’ d use as “ unwitting props in his fraudulent schemes.
” According to government documents , Courtney was given a conditional offer of employment by the CIA around 2005 , but that offer lapsed in 2007 .
He never worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the DEA in 2009 .
The government indicated that Courtney used a number of aliases , including “ Glenn Nelson , ” “ Glenn Nielson , ” “ Gary Pierson ” and “ Garrison Pierson ” in the course of his scheme .
He referred to the fake task force he claimed to be on as “ Alpha214 ” and “ A214.
” As part of his cover , the government said , Courtney falsely claimed to have been involved in the Gulf War and that he “ had hundreds of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustained injuries to his lungs from smoke caused by fires set to Iraq ’ s oil fields.
” He also claimed that a “ hostile foreign intelligence service attempted to assassinate him by trying to poison him with ricin ” when , in fact , he went to the hospital for ordinary health issues .
One company bilked by Courtney lost $ 1,933,500 to his scheme , according to the filings .
Courtney held his DEA position during President George W. Bush ’ s administration and previously worked for Republican Katherine Harris of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. House .
On LinkedIn , Courtney claimed to have worked for TMZ after he left the government .

Former DEA spokesman Garrison Courtney pleaded guilty to a massive fraud scheme in which he posed as a covert CIA officer. C-SPAN
WASHINGTON ― A former spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud, admitting that he pretended to be a covert CIA officer and scammed more than a dozen companies out of over $4.4 million.
Garrison Courtney, 44, acknowledged during a federal court hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, that he falsely claimed to be part of a “task force” that involved the CIA, other parts of the intelligence community and the Defense Department that aimed to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities. He created a “commercial cover” to hide his false affiliation with the CIA, and had companies pay him with the expectation that they’d be reimbursed in the future.
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Courtney, the government said, “went to extraordinary lengths to perpetuate the illusion that he was a deep-cover operative” by, among other things, making people sign fake nondisclosure agreements, searching them for electronic devices, telling them they were under foreign surveillance and threatening anyone who questioned him with criminal prosecution or the revocation of their security clearance.
An official with the U.S. attorney’s office said that Courtney had “masqueraded” as a covert CIA employee as part of his “ruse,” and managed to “dupe” both private companies and real public officials whom he’d use as “unwitting props in his fraudulent schemes.”
According to government documents, Courtney was given a conditional offer of employment by the CIA around 2005, but that offer lapsed in 2007. He never worked for the federal government after his departure from the DEA in 2009.
The government indicated that Courtney used a number of aliases, including “Glenn Nelson,” “Glenn Nielson,” “Gary Pierson” and “Garrison Pierson” in the course of his scheme. He referred to the fake task force he claimed to be on as “Alpha214” and “A214.”
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As part of his cover, the government said, Courtney falsely claimed to have been involved in the Gulf War and that he “had hundreds of confirmed kills while in combat” and “sustained injuries to his lungs from smoke caused by fires set to Iraq’s oil fields.”
He also claimed that a “hostile foreign intelligence service attempted to assassinate him by trying to poison him with ricin” when, in fact, he went to the hospital for ordinary health issues. One company bilked by Courtney lost $1,933,500 to his scheme, according to the filings.
Courtney held his DEA position during President George W. Bush’s administration and previously worked for Republican Katherine Harris of Florida during part of her 2003-07 stint in the U.S. House. On LinkedIn, Courtney claimed to have worked for TMZ after he left the government.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--GOP State Senator Asks If Black People Get Coronavirus From Lax Handwashing

Ohio state Sen. Steve Huffman ( R ) sparked anger this week as he pondered why “ the colored population ” is more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus .
Huffman , an emergency room physician , asked the offensive question during an Ohio Senate Health Committee hearing on Tuesday to determine whether the state should declare racism a public health crisis .
“ I understand that African Americans have a higher incidence of prior conditions and it makes them more susceptible to death from COVID , ” Huffman said .
“ But why it does not make them more susceptible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued : “ We know it ’ s twice as often .
Correct ?
Could it just be that African Americans or the colored population do not wash their hands as well as other groups ?
Or wear a mask ?
Or do not socially distance themselves ?
Could that just be maybe the explanation of why there ’ s a higher incidence ?
” “ That is not the opinion of leading medical experts in this country , ” responded Angela Dawson , the director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the reasons why some populations are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others would not be found in handwashing data .
Instead , it was preexisting disparities in chronic conditions and health care , she said .
Around 33 % of people who have been hospitalized with the contagion in the United States are Black , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
State Rep. Stephanie Howse ( D ) told the Dayton Daily News that Huffman had highlighted “ what racism is from a systematic perspective.
” State Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ an example of why we have to have this discussion about racism and how it impacts people.
” Huffman later attempted to clarify his comments , reported The Columbus Dispatch , saying he ’ d asked the question “ in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant.
” “ I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons , ” he added .

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Ohio state Sen. Steve Huffman (R) sparked anger this week as he pondered why “the colored population” is more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus.
Huffman, an emergency room physician, asked the offensive question during an Ohio Senate Health Committee hearing on Tuesday to determine whether the state should declare racism a public health crisis.
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“I understand that African Americans have a higher incidence of prior conditions and it makes them more susceptible to death from COVID,” Huffman said. “But why it does not make them more susceptible just to get COVID?”
He continued: “We know it’s twice as often. Correct? Could it just be that African Americans or the colored population do not wash their hands as well as other groups? Or wear a mask? Or do not socially distance themselves? Could that just be maybe the explanation of why there’s a higher incidence?”
Check out Huffman’s comments from the 49:40 mark in the video here.
“That is not the opinion of leading medical experts in this country,” responded Angela Dawson, the director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.
Dawson, who is Black, said the reasons why some populations are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others would not be found in handwashing data. Instead, it was preexisting disparities in chronic conditions and health care, she said.
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Around 33% of people who have been hospitalized with the contagion in the United States are Black, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Current data suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups,” the CDC notes on its website.
Huffman’s comments were fiercely condemned by Ohio Democrats and people on Twitter.
State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D) told the Dayton Daily News that Huffman had highlighted “what racism is from a systematic perspective.” State Sen. Cecil Thomas (D) said Huffman is “an example of why we have to have this discussion about racism and how it impacts people.”
Huffman later attempted to clarify his comments, reported The Columbus Dispatch, saying he’d asked the question “in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant.”
“I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of color at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons,” he added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--In An Election Year, 2 Vulnerable GOP Senators Are Suddenly Conservationists

But anti-federal-land conservatives , appalled at the thought of more money being used to expand and improve the federal estate , have always stood in the way .
The program has been funded at the full $ 900 million allowed by law only twice in its history .
Now two vulnerable Republicans are among those championing a bipartisan conservation bill that would permanently and fully fund the LWCF , as well as allocate $ 9.5 billion to address the mounting maintenance backlog at America ’ s national parks .
Sens .
Steve Daines ( R-Mont . )
and Cory Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , are claiming credit for the win after the bill advanced by an 80-17 vote this week .
A vote on final passage is expected early next week .
In March , Daines and Gardner announced they had secured an about-face from President Donald Trump , a longtime foe of the LWCF who has worked to weaken safeguards for nearly 35 million federal acres .
The Trump administration ’ s budget proposal for 2020 called for all but eliminating funding for the LWCF , from $ 156 million down to just $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House in February , Gardner told Trump that passing a public lands bill would be the biggest conservation win since President Theodore Roosevelt established national parks , refuges and forests across the country in the early 1900s , The New York Times reported this week .
Invoking Roosevelt was apparently all it took to get the president to change his stance .
Trump ’ s Interior Department has said it is creating “ a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt ; ” a bold claim that simply does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Congress to send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks , ” Trump wrote in a March post to Twitter .
“ When I sign it into law , it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands .
ALL thanks to @ SenCoryGardner and @ SteveDaines , two GREAT Conservative Leaders !
” Gardner , while a member of the House of Representatives in 2011 , voted in favor of an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have drastically cut the LWCF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , Daines voted against reauthorizing the program .
And in June 2018 , hours after participating in a press conference calling for full and permanent LWCF funding , they both voted in favor of a spending cuts package that , among other things , would have slashed $ 16 million in LWCF funds from the U.S. Forest Service .
Environmentalists and public lands advocates have applauded the two lawmakers ’ recent work on the LWCF and embraced the opportunity to secure permanent program funding , but it ’ s hard not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more than a gift to two Senate allies facing tough bids for reelection .
Daines is facing Montana ’ s Democratic governor and former 2020 presidential candidate Steve Bullock , and Gardner is likely to square off against former Colorado governor and 2020 presidential contender John Hickenlooper .
Roll Call named Gardner the most vulnerable Republican senator in 2020 .
In a Tuesday speech on the Senate floor , Sen. John Tester ( D-Mont . )
called the LWCF “ the most important conservation tool we have at the federal level ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ballooning outdoor recreation economy .
He also emphasized that he and others ― groups like Montana Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers , and Sens .
Michael Bennet ( D-Colo. ) , Richard Burr ( R-N.C. ) , Maria Cantwell ( D-Wash. ) and Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) ― have been fighting for more than a decade to secure full , permanent funding .
“ These victories did not happen magically overnight , ” he said .
“ The fact is we worked long and hard with local conservation groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build support where it never existed before .
And our years of work finally broke the dam earlier this year when President Trump and Sen. McConnell reversed their opposition to this legislation because of overwhelming bipartisan momentum that we built on the ground .
I welcome their change of heart.
” Sen. Tom Udall ( D-N.M. ) , another longtime champion of the LWCF , told HuffPost this week that many people were surprised by Trump ’ s sudden reversal .
“ But I say let ’ s seize this opportunity ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vision of the LWCF , and we should take it , ” he said in an email .
“ There will be a time and a place for politics and campaigning soon enough , ” he said .
“ We will keep having the conversation about the administration ’ s unending attacks on conservation , our public lands and the environment more broadly .
But right now , let ’ s just get this done for the American people.
” The administration has led the largest rollback of national monuments in U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million acres from a pair of protected national monuments in Utah , and last week opening a 5,000-square-mile marine sanctuary off the East Coast to commercial fishing .
It has weakened key conservation laws that protect land , water and air , including the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act .
And it has repeatedly hosted anti-federal-land advocates and even tapped fierce critics of federal land management for powerful government posts .
Supporting Trump and his anti-conservation agenda at seemingly every turn have been Gardner and Daines .
Daines even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pendley , the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management who has extreme anti-environmental views and spent his career lobbying for the sale of federal lands , if Trump were to officially nominate him for the post .
Gardner has so far avoided taking a stand on Pendley , but touted his relationship with Trump and his own role in the administration ’ s controversial decision to move BLM headquarters to Colorado .
Jessica Goad , deputy director of Conservation Colorado , said she is “ thrilled ” about the public lands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she stressed that environmental leadership requires far more than supporting the LWCF , noting that Gardner has yet to back the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act , or CORE Act , which would protect approximately 400,000 acres of public land in the state .
An analysis by her group last year found that Gardner has voted against the environment 85 % of the time since he became a senator .

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Public lands activists and a handful of lawmakers have long pushed for full, permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program established in 1964 that uses offshore oil and gas revenues to establish and protect parks, wildlife refuges, forests and wildlife habitat.
But anti-federal-land conservatives, appalled at the thought of more money being used to expand and improve the federal estate, have always stood in the way. The program has been funded at the full $900 million allowed by law only twice in its history.
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Now two vulnerable Republicans are among those championing a bipartisan conservation bill that would permanently and fully fund the LWCF, as well as allocate $9.5 billion to address the mounting maintenance backlog at America’s national parks. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), co-sponsors of the bill, are claiming credit for the win after the bill advanced by an 80-17 vote this week. A vote on final passage is expected early next week.
“We are on the cusp of passing the most historic conservation legislation in 50 years,” Daines said during a Tuesday news conference on Capitol Hill. “And isn’t it ironic that it will take public lands to bring a divided government and a divided nation together.”
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) speaks with reporters in the Capitol after a news conference on the Land and Water Conservation Fund on March 4. Caroline Brehman via Getty Images
In March, Daines and Gardner announced they had secured an about-face from President Donald Trump, a longtime foe of the LWCF who has worked to weaken safeguards for nearly 35 million federal acres. The Trump administration’s budget proposal for 2020 called for all but eliminating funding for the LWCF, from $156 million down to just $7.6 million.
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During a meeting at the White House in February, Gardner told Trump that passing a public lands bill would be the biggest conservation win since President Theodore Roosevelt established national parks, refuges and forests across the country in the early 1900s, The New York Times reported this week. Invoking Roosevelt was apparently all it took to get the president to change his stance. Trump’s Interior Department has said it is creating “a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt;” a bold claim that simply does not match reality.
Trump has not been shy about who he thinks should get credit for this moment.
“I am calling on Congress to send me a Bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our National Parks,” Trump wrote in a March post to Twitter. “When I sign it into law, it will be HISTORIC for our beautiful public lands. ALL thanks to @SenCoryGardner and @SteveDaines, two GREAT Conservative Leaders!”
It’s a message he and his team are sure to push between now and November.
As someone who grew up in Rifle Colorado, thank you @SenCoryGardner for your leadership and unwavering support of our public lands and national parks! pic.twitter.com/vLJWPfzP2H — Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 9, 2020
‘These victories did not happen magically overnight’
Both Daines and Gardner are relatively new to the fight to protect the LWCF, and neither have particularly notable environmental records ― earning lifetime scores from the League of Conservation Voters of 6% and 11%, respectively.
Gardner, while a member of the House of Representatives in 2011, voted in favor of an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have drastically cut the LWCF’s already low funding. In 2015, Daines voted against reauthorizing the program. And in June 2018, hours after participating in a press conference calling for full and permanent LWCF funding, they both voted in favor of a spending cuts package that, among other things, would have slashed $16 million in LWCF funds from the U.S. Forest Service.
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Environmentalists and public lands advocates have applauded the two lawmakers’ recent work on the LWCF and embraced the opportunity to secure permanent program funding, but it’s hard not to see Trump’s newfound support as little more than a gift to two Senate allies facing tough bids for reelection. Daines is facing Montana’s Democratic governor and former 2020 presidential candidate Steve Bullock, and Gardner is likely to square off against former Colorado governor and 2020 presidential contender John Hickenlooper. Roll Call named Gardner the most vulnerable Republican senator in 2020.
“It is a desperate attempt to convince their constituents that they aren’t working on behalf of corporations and that they care about what the American people care about,” said Jayson O’Neill, director of public lands watchdog group Western Values Project.
The oil and gas sector has been a top-five contributing industry to both Daines and Gardner over their careers, according to Center for Responsive Politics data.
Sen. Cory Gardner (L) and Sen. Steve Daines (R) face tough roads to reelection in 2020. Zach Gibson via Getty Images
In a Tuesday speech on the Senate floor, Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.) called the LWCF “the most important conservation tool we have at the federal level” and a key driver of Montana’s ballooning outdoor recreation economy. He also emphasized that he and others ― groups like Montana Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) ― have been fighting for more than a decade to secure full, permanent funding.
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“These victories did not happen magically overnight,” he said. “The fact is we worked long and hard with local conservation groups and public land enthusiasts around the country to build support where it never existed before. And our years of work finally broke the dam earlier this year when President Trump and Sen. McConnell reversed their opposition to this legislation because of overwhelming bipartisan momentum that we built on the ground. I welcome their change of heart.”
Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), another longtime champion of the LWCF, told HuffPost this week that many people were surprised by Trump’s sudden reversal. “But I say let’s seize this opportunity ― this is a historic chance to realize the vision of the LWCF, and we should take it,” he said in an email.
Udall added that the LWCF was a bipartisan creation ― his father, former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, played a large role in establishing the program ― and he’s excited to see bipartisan support for it so many years later.
“There will be a time and a place for politics and campaigning soon enough,” he said. “We will keep having the conversation about the administration’s unending attacks on conservation, our public lands and the environment more broadly. But right now, let’s just get this done for the American people.”
Flathead National Forest in western Montana is one of hundreds of projects around the country funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Danita Delimont via Getty Images
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Record vs. rhetoric
Efforts to boost fossil fuel extraction, mining and other development have dominated the Trump administration’s public lands policy, often to the detriment of conservation.
The administration has led the largest rollback of national monuments in U.S. history, carving out more than 2 million acres from a pair of protected national monuments in Utah, and last week opening a 5,000-square-mile marine sanctuary off the East Coast to commercial fishing. It has weakened key conservation laws that protect land, water and air, including the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. And it has repeatedly hosted anti-federal-land advocates and even tapped fierce critics of federal land management for powerful government posts.
Supporting Trump and his anti-conservation agenda at seemingly every turn have been Gardner and Daines. Daines even signaled he’d back William Perry Pendley, the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management who has extreme anti-environmental views and spent his career lobbying for the sale of federal lands, if Trump were to officially nominate him for the post. Gardner has so far avoided taking a stand on Pendley, but touted his relationship with Trump and his own role in the administration’s controversial decision to move BLM headquarters to Colorado.
“These things happen because President Trump and I work together for Colorado,” Gardner said at a Trump rally in February in Colorado Springs.
Protecting public lands and maintaining them under federal control has proven to be a winning platform in Western states. Likewise, the LWCF is extremely popular ― 74% of Americans support fully funding the program, according to a 2018 poll by the National Wildlife Federation.
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Daines and Gardner appear to have realized that they need a conservation victory to point to going into the 2020 election. It remains to be seen if this will give them the boost they need to secure another term.
Jessica Goad, deputy director of Conservation Colorado, said she is “thrilled” about the public lands bill and Gardner and Daines deserve credit. But she stressed that environmental leadership requires far more than supporting the LWCF, noting that Gardner has yet to back the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, or CORE Act, which would protect approximately 400,000 acres of public land in the state. An analysis by her group last year found that Gardner has voted against the environment 85% of the time since he became a senator.
“Colorado voters are really smart,” Goad said. “They are well-informed on the environment, and I think passing LWCF is just the start for voters.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-06-11--Trump Administration Proposes Sweeping Asylum Restrictions

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) — The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed sweeping restrictions on asylum , seeking to align a legal framework with the president ’ s efforts to limit immigration to the United States .
The moves are only the latest in a series of measures that Trump has taken to limit asylum — this time aimed at changing complicated guidelines and procedures governing immigration courts .
The changes , outlined in 150 pages of legalese , aim to redefine how people qualify for asylum and similar forms of protection to prevent them from being persecuted or tortured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to dismiss cases without court hearings if supporting evidence is determined to be too weak .
Rules will define when a claim may be declared “ frivolous ” and raise the threshold for initial screenings under the United Nations Convention Against Torture .
The administration will propose new definitions for some ways people qualify for asylum , specifically “ political opinion ” and membership in a “ particular social group.
” Asylum is for people who face persecution for their race , religion , nationality , political opinion or membership in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may include victims of gang or domestic violence .
Narrowing those ways to qualify would mean more rejected claims .
The Justice and Homeland Security departments said asylum-seekers who clear initial screenings will have claims heard by an immigration judge in “ streamlined proceedings , ” according to a brief press release , replacing longstanding rules in immigration law .
Since the U.S. became the world ’ s top destination for asylum-seekers in 2017 , the Trump administration has made multiple attempts to make it harder to get , asserting that the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Homeland Security departments said the changes would bring more efficiency to a system with an immigration court backlog of more than 1.1 million cases .
The rules will “ more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones , ” the departments said .
“ This would better ensure groundless claims do not delay or divert resources from deserving claims.
” Critics swiftly condemned the measure .
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick , policy counsel for the American Immigration Council , said it was much more far-reaching than Trump ’ s previous attempts to curb asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virtually every claim except a lucky few.
” “ The proposed changes would represent the end of the asylum system as we know it , ” he said .
Details are expected to be published in the Federal Register on Monday with 30 days for public comment before they take effect .
Lawsuits may delay or derail the effort .
The administration effectively put asylum out of reach for many people at the Canadian and Mexican borders in March under a 1944 public health law aimed at preventing spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary .
It allows the government to immediately expel people from Mexico and Central America to Mexico without claiming asylum , usually within two hours .

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed sweeping restrictions on asylum, seeking to align a legal framework with the president’s efforts to limit immigration to the United States.
The moves are only the latest in a series of measures that Trump has taken to limit asylum — this time aimed at changing complicated guidelines and procedures governing immigration courts.
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The changes, outlined in 150 pages of legalese, aim to redefine how people qualify for asylum and similar forms of protection to prevent them from being persecuted or tortured if sent home.
Judges will be allowed to dismiss cases without court hearings if supporting evidence is determined to be too weak. Rules will define when a claim may be declared “frivolous” and raise the threshold for initial screenings under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
The administration will propose new definitions for some ways people qualify for asylum, specifically “political opinion” and membership in a “particular social group.”
Asylum is for people who face persecution for their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group, a loose category that may include victims of gang or domestic violence. Narrowing those ways to qualify would mean more rejected claims.
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The Justice and Homeland Security departments said asylum-seekers who clear initial screenings will have claims heard by an immigration judge in “streamlined proceedings,” according to a brief press release, replacing longstanding rules in immigration law.
Since the U.S. became the world’s top destination for asylum-seekers in 2017, the Trump administration has made multiple attempts to make it harder to get, asserting that the system is rife with abuse.
The Justice and Homeland Security departments said the changes would bring more efficiency to a system with an immigration court backlog of more than 1.1 million cases.
The rules will “more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones,” the departments said. “This would better ensure groundless claims do not delay or divert resources from deserving claims.”
Critics swiftly condemned the measure. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy counsel for the American Immigration Council, said it was much more far-reaching than Trump’s previous attempts to curb asylum and “would lead to the denial of virtually every claim except a lucky few.”
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“The proposed changes would represent the end of the asylum system as we know it,” he said.
Details are expected to be published in the Federal Register on Monday with 30 days for public comment before they take effect. Lawsuits may delay or derail the effort.