thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-16--Fox News Host Blasts 'Incorrect' Coronavirus Models, Claims Reopening Is 'Key'

Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum on Wednesday called for the reopening of the U.S. economy by arguing that models for the coronavirus death toll were wrong and predicting that there may be fewer deaths from the pandemic than from the 2018 flu season .
“ I think we ’ re going to have a long period , obviously a very difficult economic distress , and you can not help but look at the numbers that caused it and the models which were incorrect that really were one of the biggest push points to shut down the United States economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Bill Hemmer Reports.
” Then , rekindling a misleading comparison often made in the early days of the outbreak and frequently peddled by her Fox News colleagues , MacCallum suggested it ’ s “ quite possible ” that fatalities linked to the coronavirus might be “ south of the numbers in the 2018 flu season.
” “ And remember , the losses of 61,000 people in 2018 in the flu season was after vaccinations .
After vaccinations .
That ’ s the number that were lost in America , ” she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get open soon .
That ’ s really the key .
Opening the country back up is the key .
That ’ s what will save these companies , ” she concluded .
Experts have repeatedly explained why these arguments are dangerous and misleading .
Numbers are flattening in some regions because of the strict stay-at-home measures , and models work on the assumption that social distancing is enforced .
As Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , has said , “ models are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into them , and as we get more data , then you put it in and that might change.
” Downward shifts in estimated fatalities reflect positive changes in the numbers reported , but this relationship can also move in the opposite direction if containment efforts are not maintained .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Model ( IHME ) often cited by the White House said it revised its numbers downward based on new data .
Its current projection is 68,841 deaths by Aug. 4 , with the assumption that social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
It also does not account for a likely second wave of infections in the fall .
Last week , New York saw twice as many deaths from Covid-19 as it normally sees from all causes combined .
In a few recent days , it has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the entire United States .
https : //t.co/xAuBUJTMx1 — The New Atlantis ( @ tnajournal ) April 14 , 2020 Looking at data from previous flu seasons , other diseases and car accidents , it showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus nationally outstrips even cancer , and , in New York , surpassed all other causes of death ( including the 2017-2018 flu season . )
Fox News hosts and pundits have reverted to minimizing the threat of the virus in past days , using revised projections to disparage lockdowns as an overreaction from the left and to urge resumption of “ normal ” life .

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Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum on Wednesday called for the reopening of the U.S. economy by arguing that models for the coronavirus death toll were wrong and predicting that there may be fewer deaths from the pandemic than from the 2018 flu season.
“I think we’re going to have a long period, obviously a very difficult economic distress, and you cannot help but look at the numbers that caused it and the models which were incorrect that really were one of the biggest push points to shut down the United States economy,” MacCallum said during an appearance on “Bill Hemmer Reports.”
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Then, rekindling a misleading comparison often made in the early days of the outbreak and frequently peddled by her Fox News colleagues, MacCallum suggested it’s “quite possible” that fatalities linked to the coronavirus might be “south of the numbers in the 2018 flu season.”
“And remember, the losses of 61,000 people in 2018 in the flu season was after vaccinations. After vaccinations. That’s the number that were lost in America,” she added.
“We certainly hope that they can get open soon. That’s really the key. Opening the country back up is the key. That’s what will save these companies,” she concluded.
Experts have repeatedly explained why these arguments are dangerous and misleading. Numbers are flattening in some regions because of the strict stay-at-home measures, and models work on the assumption that social distancing is enforced.
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As Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said, “models are as good as the assumptions you put into them, and as we get more data, then you put it in and that might change.”
Downward shifts in estimated fatalities reflect positive changes in the numbers reported, but this relationship can also move in the opposite direction if containment efforts are not maintained.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Model (IHME) often cited by the White House said it revised its numbers downward based on new data. Its current projection is 68,841 deaths by Aug. 4, with the assumption that social distancing is enforced until the end of May. It also does not account for a likely second wave of infections in the fall.
As for the flu season argument, a recent article published by The New Atlantis demonstrated why this comparison simply doesn’t stand.
Last week, New York saw twice as many deaths from Covid-19 as it normally sees from all causes combined. In a few recent days, it has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the entire United States. https://t.co/xAuBUJTMx1 — The New Atlantis (@tnajournal) April 14, 2020
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Looking at data from previous flu seasons, other diseases and car accidents, it showed how the weekly death toll from the coronavirus nationally outstrips even cancer, and, in New York, surpassed all other causes of death (including the 2017-2018 flu season.)
Fox News hosts and pundits have reverted to minimizing the threat of the virus in past days, using revised projections to disparage lockdowns as an overreaction from the left and to urge resumption of “normal” life.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--San Francisco Launches System To Trace All Coronavirus Patients' Contacts

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , warned Tuesday that the country can not relax social distancing orders until the government is effectively tracking everyone a coronavirus patient came into contact with .
San Francisco officials announced Wednesday that they ’ re getting a head start on that .
The city ’ s new contact tracing program establishes a system for identifying everyone an infected patient interacted with .
Currently in its testing phase , officials say , the program will entail interviewing every newly infected patient in the city to establish the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then informing those people they could be possible carriers ― all without revealing anyone ’ s identity .
Mayor London Breed said the process will be key to controlling the outbreak once she loosens some of the city ’ s social distancing orders .
“ We are committed to doing everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 in San Francisco , ” she said in a statement .
“ At the same time , we need to look ahead and plan for how we will eventually go about easing the Stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
When the time comes to make changes to the Order , we need this contact tracing program in place so that we ’ re equipped to respond to new cases and keep the virus from spreading out of control.
” The program is being conducted in partnership with software company DIMAGI , which has developed technology to streamline the system of contacting people , and the University of California , San Francisco , which has so far trained more than 50 people on how to contact the individuals who may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful example of what we can achieve when we bring together the best minds across our public health system , with the City , academic medical centers and community partners , ” Dr. Sam Hawgood , chancellor of UCSF , said in a statement .
Once a potentially infected person is contacted , they ’ ll be able to text updates about their symptoms to the outreach workers managing their case for the next 14 days .
The system could be especially helpful in identifying asymptomatic carriers who may not otherwise be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guessed Tuesday that at least 25 % of those infected do not show any signs of illness .
“ The most important framework is our capacity to expand our testing , to appropriately address the tracing and tracking of individuals ... using technology and using a workforce that needs to be trained in an infrastructure that needs to be in place in order to begin the process to transition , ” he said .
Authorities in other countries have already deployed aggressive contact tracing .
Health experts hailed South Korea for keeping its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swaths of the population and using people ’ s credit card transactions , smartphone data and security-camera footage to trace their footsteps for them .
But in the U.S. , where there are stricter privacy laws in effect , the Big Brother approach is a harder pill to swallow .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, warned Tuesday that the country cannot relax social distancing orders until the government is effectively tracking everyone a coronavirus patient came into contact with. San Francisco officials announced Wednesday that they’re getting a head start on that.
The city’s new contact tracing program establishes a system for identifying everyone an infected patient interacted with. Currently in its testing phase, officials say, the program will entail interviewing every newly infected patient in the city to establish the network of people they may have infected and then informing those people they could be possible carriers ― all without revealing anyone’s identity.
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Mayor London Breed said the process will be key to controlling the outbreak once she loosens some of the city’s social distancing orders.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 in San Francisco,” she said in a statement. “At the same time, we need to look ahead and plan for how we will eventually go about easing the Stay Home Order while continuing to protect public health. When the time comes to make changes to the Order, we need this contact tracing program in place so that we’re equipped to respond to new cases and keep the virus from spreading out of control.”
The program is being conducted in partnership with software company DIMAGI, which has developed technology to streamline the system of contacting people, and the University of California, San Francisco, which has so far trained more than 50 people on how to contact the individuals who may be infected.
“This collaboration serves as a powerful example of what we can achieve when we bring together the best minds across our public health system, with the City, academic medical centers and community partners,” Dr. Sam Hawgood, chancellor of UCSF, said in a statement.
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Once a potentially infected person is contacted, they’ll be able to text updates about their symptoms to the outreach workers managing their case for the next 14 days.
The system could be especially helpful in identifying asymptomatic carriers who may not otherwise be aware of their COVID-19 status. Fauci guessed Tuesday that at least 25% of those infected do not show any signs of illness.
Effective contact tracing is among the six benchmarks for ending shelter-in-place orders that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) enumerated at a press briefing Tuesday.
“The most important framework is our capacity to expand our testing, to appropriately address the tracing and tracking of individuals ... using technology and using a workforce that needs to be trained in an infrastructure that needs to be in place in order to begin the process to transition,” he said.
Authorities in other countries have already deployed aggressive contact tracing. Health experts hailed South Korea for keeping its death tolls relatively low by testing large swaths of the population and using people’s credit card transactions, smartphone data and security-camera footage to trace their footsteps for them.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-15--Uber, Lyft Drivers Eligible For Unemployment If They Lost Business, Labor Department Says

Drivers who work for Uber or Lyft are eligible for unemployment assistance if they stopped driving because fewer people were requesting rides , Labor Department officials said Wednesday .
That means drivers for ride-hailing services who file for benefits shouldn ’ t need to show that they were unable to work due to a doctor ’ s order or a coronavirus diagnosis , which had seemed like possible requirements under Labor Department guidance to states implementing a wholly new unemployment policy .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act expanded unemployment insurance to cover workers who are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawmakers intended the law to cover Uber and Lyft drivers , but some labor law experts said the department ’ s guidance seemed too narrow .
Democrats said this week in a letter to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia that the department should clarify its guidance , particularly so that ride service drivers will qualify “ when they are forced to suspend their work because there are too few customers seeking rides.
” “ There ’ s a number of criteria that an individual can look at to see if they ’ re eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an individual ’ s place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19 and if there ’ s a significant diminution of their work as a result of COVID-19 , ” said the official , who answered questions on the condition of anonymity .
The Labor Department previously said that if a worker quit or stopped driving as a precaution ― to avoid catching the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as COVID-19 ― the worker wouldn ’ t qualify .
In some situations , like if a person quit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would need to prove a coronavirus diagnosis from a qualified medical professional in order to be eligible for assistance .
With restaurants closed to stop the spread of the virus , it should be easy for most ride-hailing service drivers to point to a lack of demand rather than their personal health concerns .
Most states are still struggling to update their unemployment insurance systems to accommodate a huge influx of claims and the new set of federal rules .
Many Uber drivers have told HuffPost their claims seem to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guidance to states is actually more inclusive of gig workers than Congress had outlined .
“ I used the authority provided to me in the legislation to ensure additional eligibility for rideshare workers , like Uber and Lyft drivers , ” Scalia told reporters on a Wednesday conference call .

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Drivers who work for Uber or Lyft are eligible for unemployment assistance if they stopped driving because fewer people were requesting rides, Labor Department officials said Wednesday.
That means drivers for ride-hailing services who file for benefits shouldn’t need to show that they were unable to work due to a doctor’s order or a coronavirus diagnosis, which had seemed like possible requirements under Labor Department guidance to states implementing a wholly new unemployment policy.
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act expanded unemployment insurance to cover workers who are not traditional employees for the first time. Lawmakers intended the law to cover Uber and Lyft drivers, but some labor law experts said the department’s guidance seemed too narrow.
Democrats said this week in a letter to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia that the department should clarify its guidance, particularly so that ride service drivers will qualify “when they are forced to suspend their work because there are too few customers seeking rides.”
A Labor Department official told HuffPost on Wednesday that drivers would qualify if faced with reduced demand.
“There’s a number of criteria that an individual can look at to see if they’re eligible, and one of those is if an individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19 and if there’s a significant diminution of their work as a result of COVID-19,” said the official, who answered questions on the condition of anonymity.
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The Labor Department previously said that if a worker quit or stopped driving as a precaution ― to avoid catching the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as COVID-19 ― the worker wouldn’t qualify. In some situations, like if a person quit their job, the federal guidance suggests they would need to prove a coronavirus diagnosis from a qualified medical professional in order to be eligible for assistance.
Labor Department officials insisted no doctor’s note would be necessary.
With restaurants closed to stop the spread of the virus, it should be easy for most ride-hailing service drivers to point to a lack of demand rather than their personal health concerns.
Most states are still struggling to update their unemployment insurance systems to accommodate a huge influx of claims and the new set of federal rules. Many Uber drivers have told HuffPost their claims seem to be in limbo.
Scalia said his department’s guidance to states is actually more inclusive of gig workers than Congress had outlined.
“I used the authority provided to me in the legislation to ensure additional eligibility for rideshare workers, like Uber and Lyft drivers,” Scalia told reporters on a Wednesday conference call.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-16--In Australia, Many With Even The 'Mildest Symptoms' Can Get Tested For Coronavirus

SYDNEY — As many Americans still struggle to access tests to determine if they are infected with COVID-19 , health officials across Australia have taken steps to test many residents with even mild flu-like symptoms in their own effort to clamp down on the coronavirus spreading around the globe .
The state of New South Wales , home to Sydney , said this week that residents in hot spots with known community transmission of the virus should come forward and get tested as soon as possible , allowing health officials to quarantine those who test positive and better trace their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody , even if you have the mildest symptoms , to please come forward in those areas and get tested , ” state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said during a press briefing .
“ We ’ re urging anybody in those high-risk categories , anybody who specifically lives in those suburbs that were identified , if you have any symptoms , please come forward and get tested.
” Other states have made similar inroads .
In Victoria , anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is now eligible for a test .
Tasmania announced a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beyond the national guidelines , ” asking anyone with flu symptoms to seek medical attention .
And Western Australia has said that those with high fevers and symptoms of respiratory infections are now eligible even if they haven ’ t come into contact with a known case .
The achievements fall in stark contrast to those in the United States .
President Donald Trump has continued to push for the country to reopen , saying the economy couldn ’ t bear to stay shuttered for the foreseeable future in line with pleas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business executives have pressed the White House for dramatic increases in testing around the country in order to see that happen , noting many Americans are still facing difficulties getting tested even if they have symptoms of the coronavirus .
“ The more testing , the more open the economy .
But there ’ s not enough national capacity to do this , ” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) said Wednesday .
“ We can ’ t do it yet .
That is the unvarnished truth.
” Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most expansive testing system ” in the world , but federal testing guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still prioritize patients presenting with specific symptoms .
Even with those restrictions , the U.S. now leads the world in terms of cases , with more than 629,000 infections and more than 26,700 deaths .
Senate Democrats on Wednesday revealed a $ 30 billion proposal to develop a “ fast , free testing ” network in every community in the country , but it would likely need to be added to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the landmark $ 2 trillion stimulus .
Australia has one great benefit over many other countries : It ’ s an island nation with thousands of miles of ocean between it and its nearest neighbor .
The country effectively shut down all international travel last month , allowing only Australian citizens , permanent residents and their families to enter .
Any traveler now arriving in Australia from overseas is also required to self-isolate at specifically designated facilities like hotels for 14 days at their port of arrival ( some states have similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Domestically , the government has told Australians to avoid all non-essential travel within the country , fining those outside their homes for in violation of stay-at-home measures and various state governments have banned visitors from other locales , including Queensland and Western Australia , with few exemptions .
The measures , as well as strict social distancing guidelines that ban groups of more than 2 people anywhere , have been cautiously seen as successful .
Australia has around 6,500 cases and 63 deaths , but daily infection rates have plummeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has , for now , flattened the curve .
“ This is not a sprint .
This is a marathon , ” the country ’ s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said this week , noting Australia was “ in a much better place than [ he ] thought we would be at this point.
” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday social distancing measures could be lifted in a month should certain requirements be met , far sooner than what health experts predict in America .
But he warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not get complacent until a vaccine is developed .

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SYDNEY — As many Americans still struggle to access tests to determine if they are infected with COVID-19, health officials across Australia have taken steps to test many residents with even mild flu-like symptoms in their own effort to clamp down on the coronavirus spreading around the globe.
The state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, said this week that residents in hot spots with known community transmission of the virus should come forward and get tested as soon as possible, allowing health officials to quarantine those who test positive and better trace their contacts.
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“We’re urging everybody, even if you have the mildest symptoms, to please come forward in those areas and get tested,” state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said during a press briefing. “We’re urging anybody in those high-risk categories, anybody who specifically lives in those suburbs that were identified, if you have any symptoms, please come forward and get tested.”
We’re ramping up testing in COVID-19 hotspots. If you live or work in these areas (https://t.co/rY8PzDU770) & have any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath, pls get tested. Call your GP or healthdirect (1800 022 222) or visit https://t.co/vjhdNiSw6g pic.twitter.com/5tqMBSoWY3 — Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) April 15, 2020
Other states have made similar inroads. In Victoria, anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 is now eligible for a test. Tasmania announced a “testing blitz” on Wednesday “above and beyond the national guidelines,” asking anyone with flu symptoms to seek medical attention. And Western Australia has said that those with high fevers and symptoms of respiratory infections are now eligible even if they haven’t come into contact with a known case.
The achievements fall in stark contrast to those in the United States. President Donald Trump has continued to push for the country to reopen, saying the economy couldn’t bear to stay shuttered for the foreseeable future in line with pleas from health officials. Yet governors and business executives have pressed the White House for dramatic increases in testing around the country in order to see that happen, noting many Americans are still facing difficulties getting tested even if they have symptoms of the coronavirus.
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“The more testing, the more open the economy. But there’s not enough national capacity to do this,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Wednesday. “We can’t do it yet. That is the unvarnished truth.”
Trump has said repeatedly the U.S. has “the most expansive testing system” in the world, but federal testing guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still prioritize patients presenting with specific symptoms. Even with those restrictions, the U.S. now leads the world in terms of cases, with more than 629,000 infections and more than 26,700 deaths.
Senate Democrats on Wednesday revealed a $30 billion proposal to develop a “fast, free testing” network in every community in the country, but it would likely need to be added to any future relief package that followed up on the landmark $2 trillion stimulus.
Australia has one great benefit over many other countries: It’s an island nation with thousands of miles of ocean between it and its nearest neighbor. The country effectively shut down all international travel last month, allowing only Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families to enter. Any traveler now arriving in Australia from overseas is also required to self-isolate at specifically designated facilities like hotels for 14 days at their port of arrival (some states have similar mandates for those arriving from neighboring states).
Domestically, the government has told Australians to avoid all non-essential travel within the country, fining those outside their homes for in violation of stay-at-home measures and various state governments have banned visitors from other locales, including Queensland and Western Australia, with few exemptions.
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The measures, as well as strict social distancing guidelines that ban groups of more than 2 people anywhere, have been cautiously seen as successful. Australia has around 6,500 cases and 63 deaths, but daily infection rates have plummeted, prompting health officials to declare the country has, for now, flattened the curve.
“This is not a sprint. This is a marathon,” the country’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said this week, noting Australia was “in a much better place than [he] thought we would be at this point.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday social distancing measures could be lifted in a month should certain requirements be met, far sooner than what health experts predict in America. But he warned that even if that happens, the country could not get complacent until a vaccine is developed.
“We need an even broader testing regime,” Morrison said during a news conference. “We have one of, if not the most, extensive testing regimes in the world today.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-07--Ex-RNC Chair Warns ‘Republican Party Is Going To Own' Trump's Actions On Iran

Michael Steele , the former chair of the Republican National Committee , has warned the GOP of the possible long-term consequences of backing President Donald Trump over military action against Iran .
“ The Republican Party is going to own this , and they need to be careful , ” Steele told The Washington Post on Monday .
“ You can cheerlead the president , but do you really know what he wants to do here , in the middle of a 17-year narrative , and how it ’ ll play out ?
” Steele added .
“ No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s article detailed how the escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran following Friday ’ s U.S. airstrike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani could affect Trump ’ s reelection .
Steele served as the RNC chair from 2009 to 2011 and in the Trump era has become one of the GOP ’ s staunchest critics .
Last month , he said the current Republican Party is “ somewhat irrelevant in the overall scheme of democracy.
” “ Because we ’ ve taken ourselves so far outside of — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not even near a stream , ” he said .
“ We ’ re just kind of standing in the middle of nowhere with Donald Trump screaming at us.
” He also called the party “ SOBs ” for bulk-buying thousands of copies of Donald Trump Jr. ’ s book “ Triggered ” and described Republican questioning of witnesses in the House ’ s public impeachment hearings against Trump over the Ukraine scandal as “ pathetic .
”

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Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee, has warned the GOP of the possible long-term consequences of backing President Donald Trump over military action against Iran.
“The Republican Party is going to own this, and they need to be careful,” Steele told The Washington Post on Monday.
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“You can cheerlead the president, but do you really know what he wants to do here, in the middle of a 17-year narrative, and how it’ll play out?” Steele added. “No, you don’t.”
The Post’s article detailed how the escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran following Friday’s U.S. airstrike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani could affect Trump’s reelection.
Steele served as the RNC chair from 2009 to 2011 and in the Trump era has become one of the GOP’s staunchest critics. Last month, he said the current Republican Party is “somewhat irrelevant in the overall scheme of democracy.”
“Because we’ve taken ourselves so far outside of — it’s not even mainstream, we’re not even near a stream,” he said. “We’re just kind of standing in the middle of nowhere with Donald Trump screaming at us.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Bernie Sanders Goes After Biden Over His Claims About Opposing The Iraq War

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) escalated his offensive Monday on fellow 2020 candidate Joe Biden , going after the former vice president for his past positions on myriad issues , including the Iraq War .
“ Joe Biden voted and helped lead the effort for the war in Iraq , the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country , ” Sanders told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper .
The remarks by Sanders , who prides himself on being among the few lawmakers who voted against invading Iraq , came just days after Biden falsely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war when it began in 2003 .
An Iowa voter told Biden Friday that he ‘ s with him “ 90 % ” but is concerned about Biden having supported the Iraq War .
In response , Biden suggested , yet again , that he opposed the war from the very “ moment ” it started .
This continues to be not true : https : //t.co/o0yaXoxOPy — Daniel Dale ( @ ddale8 ) January 6 , 2020 “ The president then went ahead with ‘ Shock and Awe , ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very moment he did that , right after that ― I opposed what he was doing and spoke to him , ” Biden told voters in Iowa on Saturday , referring to former President George W. Bush , according to CNN .
Biden has attempted several times to recharacterize his vote on Iraq in an effort to appeal to Democratic voters skeptical of his history of foreign policy decisions .
While Monday was not the first time Sanders has attacked Biden for his stance on the now 17-year war on terrorism , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going after his rival ’ s stances on several additional issues .
“ Joe Biden voted for the disastrous trade agreements like NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations with China , which cost us millions of jobs .
You think that ’ s going to play well in Michigan or Wisconsin or Pennsylvania ?
” Sanders told Cooper .
“ You know , Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid .
Joe Biden pushed a bankruptcy bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working families.
” The 2020 Democrats ’ original positions on the Iraq War are considered especially important now that President Donald Trump is rapidly escalating tensions with Iran , a conflict that stems from the 2003 intervention in the Middle East .
Many Americans fear another war after the Trump administration assassinated Iran ’ s Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week , a move that could further destabilize the region .
On Saturday , Sanders announced a measure he plans to introduce with Rep. Ro Khanna ( D-Calif. ) that would block any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not have congressional authorization .
“ All of that suffering , all of that debt , all of that huge expenditure of money ― for what ?
” Sanders said at an Iowa town hall on Friday of the Iraq War .
“ It gives me no pleasure to tell you that at this moment we face a similar crossroads fraught with danger .
Once again , we must worry about unintended consequences and the impact of unilateral decision-making .
”

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) escalated his offensive Monday on fellow 2020 candidate Joe Biden, going after the former vice president for his past positions on myriad issues, including the Iraq War.
“Joe Biden voted and helped lead the effort for the war in Iraq, the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country,” Sanders told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
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The remarks by Sanders, who prides himself on being among the few lawmakers who voted against invading Iraq, came just days after Biden falsely suggested again to voters that he opposed the war when it began in 2003.
An Iowa voter told Biden Friday that he‘s with him “90%” but is concerned about Biden having supported the Iraq War.
In response, Biden suggested, yet again, that he opposed the war from the very “moment” it started.
This continues to be not true: https://t.co/o0yaXoxOPy — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) January 6, 2020
“The president then went ahead with ‘Shock and Awe,’ and right after that ― and from the very moment he did that, right after that ― I opposed what he was doing and spoke to him,” Biden told voters in Iowa on Saturday, referring to former President George W. Bush, according to CNN.
Biden has attempted several times to recharacterize his vote on Iraq in an effort to appeal to Democratic voters skeptical of his history of foreign policy decisions. While Monday was not the first time Sanders has attacked Biden for his stance on the now 17-year war on terrorism, the senator took it a notch higher by going after his rival’s stances on several additional issues.
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“Joe Biden voted for the disastrous trade agreements like NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations with China, which cost us millions of jobs. You think that’s going to play well in Michigan or Wisconsin or Pennsylvania?” Sanders told Cooper. “You know, Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid. Joe Biden pushed a bankruptcy bill, which has caused enormous financial problems for working families.”
Bernie escalates attacks on Biden tn. Besides Iraq and trade deals, which are usual go-to’s, he adds social security and the 2005 bankruptcy bill (which Warren fought Biden on as a prof).
pic.twitter.com/qkGfRPFA6F — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 7, 2020
The 2020 Democrats’ original positions on the Iraq War are considered especially important now that President Donald Trump is rapidly escalating tensions with Iran, a conflict that stems from the 2003 intervention in the Middle East. Many Americans fear another war after the Trump administration assassinated Iran’s Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week, a move that could further destabilize the region.
On Saturday, Sanders announced a measure he plans to introduce with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would block any funding for a war with Iran that does not have congressional authorization.
“All of that suffering, all of that debt, all of that huge expenditure of money ― for what?” Sanders said at an Iowa town hall on Friday of the Iraq War. “It gives me no pleasure to tell you that at this moment we face a similar crossroads fraught with danger. Once again, we must worry about unintended consequences and the impact of unilateral decision-making.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--GOP Congressman Freaks After People Call Out His Fake Obama Photo

A Republican lawmaker wasn ’ t happy when he was exposed for using a fake photo to spread propaganda .
On Monday , Rep. Paul Gosar ( R-Ariz. ) tweeted a doctored pic that showed former President Barack Obama meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani — an encounter that never happened .
The photo was captioned : “ The world is a better place without these guys in power.
” CNN journalist Andrew Kaczynski noted that Gosar was sharing a misleadingly edited version of a photo that was taken in 2011 — when Obama met not with Rouhani , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Journalist Daniel Medina also pointed out that Rouhani was still in power and condemned Gosar ’ s attempt to spread disinformation .
1 .
This photo is a fake photoshop effort .
Obama never met with @ HassanRouhani .
2 ) Rouhani *is still* president of Iran .
@ DrPaulGosar is a US congressman but yet tweets out this kind of blatant misinformation .
https : //t.co/aRHuJh51vk — Daniel Medina ( @ dmedin11 ) January 6 , 2020 Despite the criticism , Gosar defended his use of the doctored image in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witted reporters like @ dmedin11 : No one said this wasn ’ t photoshopped .
No one said the president of Iran was dead .
No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person .
The tweet says : ‘ the world is a better place without either of them in power.
’ ” 1 .
To the dim witted reporters like @ dmedin11 : no one said this wasn ’ t photoshopped .
No one said the president of Iran was dead .
No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world is a better place without either of them in power ” .
https : //t.co/zwLPPXniQh — Paul Gosar ( @ DrPaulGosar ) January 6 , 2020 Gosar continued to argue that the tweet was truthful , avoiding the fact that the photo wasn ’ t .
2 .
The point remains to all but the dimmest : Obama coddled , appeased , nurtured and protected the worlds No .
1 sponsor of terror .
The world is better without Obama as president .
The world will be better off without Rouhani .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 6 , 2020 But people on Twitter weren ’ t moved by Gosar ’ s logic .
Rep. Sean Casten ( D-Ill. ) tweeted : “ The world would be a better place if elected officials didn ’ t share photoshopped images and take pride in being ignorant.
” The world would be a better place if elected officials did n't share photoshopped images and take pride in being ignorant .
This is irresponsible .
https : //t.co/fT5uwf5FNb — Sean Casten ( @ SeanCasten ) January 6 , 2020 Some people responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos of President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un , who actually met .
You are just an idiot for tweeting it out in the first place .
I hope AZ kicks you to the curbside in November .
You are despicable , & a complete # TrumpChump .
Here is a picture of your master shaking hands w/his hero , a tyrant & a man who kills his own people .
You must be in love !
pic.twitter.com/SKHlmhzm1W — Tiny Dancer ( @ ReelDancing ) January 6 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet was “ only intended to incite fear and hate at a Black Christian man and a Brown Muslim man.
” That was my first thought .
The factual incorrectness of the photo and the half-truth-laden caption together support that this photo is only intended to incite fear and hate at a Black Christian man and a Brown Muslim man .
That 's all .
It 's that simple .
— Papillon Noir ( @ hopeforall ) January 6 , 2020 Of course , tweeting bizarre and inappropriate things is nothing new for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his siblings did campaign ads for his opponent in 2018 .
On Christmas , he tweeted out a strange Christmas message with a video of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton nearly getting hit by a falling studio light during an interview .

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A Republican lawmaker wasn’t happy when he was exposed for using a fake photo to spread propaganda.
On Monday, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) tweeted a doctored pic that showed former President Barack Obama meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani — an encounter that never happened. The photo was captioned: “The world is a better place without these guys in power.”
The world is a better place without these guys in power. pic.twitter.com/gDoXQu9vO5 — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) January 6, 2020
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CNN journalist Andrew Kaczynski noted that Gosar was sharing a misleadingly edited version of a photo that was taken in 2011 — when Obama met not with Rouhani, but with former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
U.S. congressman sharing a fake photo. This photoshopped from Obama meeting India's prime minister. https://t.co/7UMjyPwFDQ pic.twitter.com/ckRZx3ktok — andrew kaczynski🤔 (@KFILE) January 6, 2020
Journalist Daniel Medina also pointed out that Rouhani was still in power and condemned Gosar’s attempt to spread disinformation.
1. This photo is a fake photoshop effort. Obama never met with @HassanRouhani. 2) Rouhani *is still* president of Iran. @DrPaulGosar is a US congressman but yet tweets out this kind of blatant misinformation. https://t.co/aRHuJh51vk — Daniel Medina (@dmedin11) January 6, 2020
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Despite the criticism, Gosar defended his use of the doctored image in a follow-up tweet: “To the dim witted reporters like @dmedin11: No one said this wasn’t photoshopped. No one said the president of Iran was dead. No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person. The tweet says: ‘the world is a better place without either of them in power.’”
1. To the dim witted reporters like @dmedin11: no one said this wasn’t photoshopped. No one said the president of Iran was dead. No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person.
The tweet says: “the world is a better place without either of them in power”. https://t.co/zwLPPXniQh — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) January 6, 2020
Gosar continued to argue that the tweet was truthful, avoiding the fact that the photo wasn’t.
2. The point remains to all but the dimmest: Obama coddled, appeased, nurtured and protected the worlds No. 1 sponsor of terror. The world is better without Obama as president. The world will be better off without Rouhani. — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) January 6, 2020
But people on Twitter weren’t moved by Gosar’s logic. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) tweeted: “The world would be a better place if elected officials didn’t share photoshopped images and take pride in being ignorant.”
The world would be a better place if elected officials didn't share photoshopped images and take pride in being ignorant. This is irresponsible. https://t.co/fT5uwf5FNb — Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) January 6, 2020
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One Twitter user suggested that Gosar had invented a new catchphrase:
"no one said this isn't photoshopped" is the Gettysburg address of modern politics — Sean Morrow (@snmrrw) January 6, 2020
Some people responded to Gosar’s photoshopped pic with photos of President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, who actually met.
You are just an idiot for tweeting it out in the first place. I hope AZ kicks you to the curbside in November. You are despicable, & a complete #TrumpChump. Here is a picture of your master shaking hands w/his hero, a tyrant & a man who kills his own people. You must be in love! pic.twitter.com/SKHlmhzm1W — Tiny Dancer (@ReelDancing) January 6, 2020
Another user observed that Gosar’s tweet was “only intended to incite fear and hate at a Black Christian man and a Brown Muslim man.”
That was my first thought.
The factual incorrectness of the photo and the half-truth-laden caption together support that this photo is only intended to incite fear and hate at a Black Christian man and a Brown Muslim man.
That's all.
It's that simple. — Papillon Noir (@hopeforall) January 6, 2020
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Of course, tweeting bizarre and inappropriate things is nothing new for Gosar, who made news when six of his siblings did campaign ads for his opponent in 2018.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Pentagon Contradicts Trump, Says U.S. Won't Strike Iran's Cultural Sites

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States would not target Iranian cultural sites should tensions with Tehran escalate into an armed conflict , contradicting President Donald Trump ’ s vows to hit the country “ very fast and very hard ” if Iran retaliates for the assassination of one of its military leaders .
“ We will follow the laws of armed conflict , ” Esper said during a news conference at the Pentagon on Monday , according to The New York Times .
In response to a question from a reporter , Esper agreed that such rules barred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments come amid an international outcry over the plan , first touted ( and then repeated ) in a series of tweets by Trump this weekend .
The president said on Saturday that the U.S. had selected 52 sites to target in Iran should the country attack any American assets , including some sites that “ at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture.
” Tensions with Tehran have risen since Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani , one of the most powerful military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drone strike in Iraq .
The killing sparked fury within Iran , which ended its remaining commitments to limit nuclear fuel production that had been negotiated as part of the Iran nuclear deal .
The country has also pledged to respond to the assassination in a “ crushing and powerful manner.
” Trump ’ s calls that cultural sites be targeted also prompted international rebukes as many noted it would constitute a war crime under international law .
But despite that criticism , Trump reiterated his pledges in remarks to reporters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill our people , ” Trump told journalists traveling on Air Force One .
“ They ’ re allowed to torture and maim our people .
They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people .
And we ’ re not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
It doesn ’ t work that way.
” Esper defended the Baghdad drone strike on Monday , saying the U.S. was compelled to respond after the Pentagon learned Soleimani was planning attacks on American forces .
“ How do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been killing our people for 20 years ?
” Esper said .
“ Soleimani alone has the blood of hundreds of Americans ; he ’ s wounded thousands of American coalition partners .
He is a terrorist , a leader of a terrorist organization who ’ s been killing and attacking Americans for 20-some years , and the blood is on his hands.
” White House aides went on the defensive Monday , saying Trump didn ’ t , in fact , say he would target cultural sites despite his repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say he ’ s targeting cultural sites , ” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters , according to The Hill .
“ He said that he was openly asking the question why in the world they ’ re allowed to maim people , put out roadside bombs , kill our people , torture our people ... he said that they identified 52 sites .
”

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Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States would not target Iranian cultural sites should tensions with Tehran escalate into an armed conflict, contradicting President Donald Trump’s vows to hit the country “very fast and very hard” if Iran retaliates for the assassination of one of its military leaders.
“We will follow the laws of armed conflict,” Esper said during a news conference at the Pentagon on Monday, according to The New York Times. In response to a question from a reporter, Esper agreed that such rules barred the targeting of cultural sites.
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His comments come amid an international outcry over the plan, first touted (and then repeated) in a series of tweets by Trump this weekend. The president said on Saturday that the U.S. had selected 52 sites to target in Iran should the country attack any American assets, including some sites that “at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture.”
Tensions with Tehran have risen since Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, one of the most powerful military figures in the Middle East, in a drone strike in Iraq.
The killing sparked fury within Iran, which ended its remaining commitments to limit nuclear fuel production that had been negotiated as part of the Iran nuclear deal. The country has also pledged to respond to the assassination in a “crushing and powerful manner.”
Trump’s calls that cultural sites be targeted also prompted international rebukes as many noted it would constitute a war crime under international law. But despite that criticism, Trump reiterated his pledges in remarks to reporters on Sunday.
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“They’re allowed to kill our people,” Trump told journalists traveling on Air Force One. “They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people. And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn’t work that way.”
Esper defended the Baghdad drone strike on Monday, saying the U.S. was compelled to respond after the Pentagon learned Soleimani was planning attacks on American forces.
“How do you expect us not to respond when they’ve been killing our people for 20 years?” Esper said. “Soleimani alone has the blood of hundreds of Americans; he’s wounded thousands of American coalition partners. He is a terrorist, a leader of a terrorist organization who’s been killing and attacking Americans for 20-some years, and the blood is on his hands.”
White House aides went on the defensive Monday, saying Trump didn’t, in fact, say he would target cultural sites despite his repeated remarks.
“He didn’t say he’s targeting cultural sites,” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters, according to The Hill. “He said that he was openly asking the question why in the world they’re allowed to maim people, put out roadside bombs, kill our people, torture our people ... he said that they identified 52 sites.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-07--Women Aren't Buying Ivanka Trump As Keynote Speaker At Top Electronics Expo

After years of women pounding on the doors of the tech culture bro-hood , the biggest electronics trade show in North America is featuring keynote speaker Ivanka Trump — who has no tech credentials and whose claim to fame was handed to her by her father .
The backlash was so severe that Gary Shapiro , CEO of the Consumer Technology Association , which produces CES , defended the move in an interview Sunday with the BBC .
He said Trump ’ s talk , “ The Path to the Future of Work , ” will explore “ how industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He refused to say if the White House pushed him to choose Ivanka Trump for the event , which is expected to draw about 170,000 people .
“ If they can have a female 007 , they can have equally badass female keynote speakers in the tech sector , ” wrote Cindy Chin , CEO of consulting firm CLC Advisors and founder of Women on the Block , which promotes the empowerment and inclusion of women in technology .
“ It would be better if the background of the keynote speaker actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inspirational rather than talking heads and political.
” This is a terrible choice on so many levels but also - what an insult to the YEARS AND YEARS of protesting how few women were invited to keynote & being told it was a pipeline problem while similarly-situated men were elevated .
There are so many great , qualified women .
Shame .
https : //t.co/nV5wBX31tW — ( ( ( Rachel Sklar ) ) ) ❄ ( @ rachelsklar ) December 30 , 2019 Sklar is still fuming , even after Shapiro ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s particularly upset that CES appears to be presenting Trump ’ s high-profile appearance as the end of the expo ’ s extreme gender imbalance .
“ They seem to have taken the complaints about a wildly disproportionate gender representation in CES keynotes and saying , “ Look !
She ’ s a woman !
” and assuming that ’ s that , ” Sklar told HuffPost on Monday .
“ It ’ s not about ‘ Look !
We have a lady in our lineup now .
We ’ re done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair representation that reflects the larger tech and innovation community .
The organization very clearly operates with a default assumption that their attendees and participants are and should be men.
” Milanesi wrote in a Forbes column last month that she recognized that CES needs to foster its relationship with Washington .
“ And given the pressure of having more women on stage , why not pick a woman and kill two birds with one stone ?
” she asked cynically .
But the “ token woman ” CES chose is unqualified , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more women who are in tech and are entrepreneurs who could run circles around Trump on how technology will impact the future of work , ” she wrote .
Shapiro said Trump is qualified to speak because she is co-chair of two governmental advisory boards on workforce issues .
But she was appointed to those role by her father , President Donald Trump , and had no political experience before that .
CES has long responded to complaints that more women haven ’ t been represented on stage at the expo because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs required .
There is a “ limited pool when it comes to women in these positions , ” CTA Senior Vice President Karen Chupka said last year .
“ We feel your pain .
It bothers us , too.
” “ The invitation of Ivanka Trump exposes how that rationale ” against women “ was always based on an utterly false premise .
CES could invite whomever they wanted and justify it .
And they chose not to , ” Elisa Camahort Page , CEO of Cygnus , told HuffPost .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boycott of CES over the Trump selection .
As for any protest during Trump ’ s talk , Milanesi thinks that ’ s unlikely .
“ The audience will be mostly male , ” she said .

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After years of women pounding on the doors of the tech culture bro-hood, the biggest electronics trade show in North America is featuring keynote speaker Ivanka Trump — who has no tech credentials and whose claim to fame was handed to her by her father.
Women erupted on Twitter when Trump was named a keynote speaker of the Consumer Electronics Show 2020, which kicks off Tuesday in Las Vegas.
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The backlash was so severe that Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which produces CES, defended the move in an interview Sunday with the BBC. He said Trump’s talk, “The Path to the Future of Work,” will explore “how industry is working with government” on employment. He refused to say if the White House pushed him to choose Ivanka Trump for the event, which is expected to draw about 170,000 people.
After Shapiro’s explanation, women were still furious that a female tech executive was not chosen.
“If they can have a female 007, they can have equally badass female keynote speakers in the tech sector,” wrote Cindy Chin, CEO of consulting firm CLC Advisors and founder of Women on the Block, which promotes the empowerment and inclusion of women in technology. “It would be better if the background of the keynote speaker actually fit the industry it is serving, and inspirational rather than talking heads and political.”
After last month’s announcement about Trump, Rachel Sklar, a media commentator and co-founder of the women’s professional network TheLi.st, called it “a terrible choice.”
This is a terrible choice on so many levels but also - what an insult to the YEARS AND YEARS of protesting how few women were invited to keynote & being told it was a pipeline problem while similarly-situated men were elevated. There are so many great, qualified women. Shame. https://t.co/nV5wBX31tW — (((Rachel Sklar))) ❄ (@rachelsklar) December 30, 2019
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Sklar is still fuming, even after Shapiro’s attempt to mend fences. She’s particularly upset that CES appears to be presenting Trump’s high-profile appearance as the end of the expo’s extreme gender imbalance.
“They seem to have taken the complaints about a wildly disproportionate gender representation in CES keynotes and saying, “Look! She’s a woman!” and assuming that’s that,” Sklar told HuffPost on Monday. “It’s not about ‘Look! We have a lady in our lineup now. We’re done!’ — it’s about fair representation that reflects the larger tech and innovation community. The organization very clearly operates with a default assumption that their attendees and participants are and should be men.”
Carolina Milanesi, principal analyst at the consulting company Creative Strategies, dismissed Shapiro’s explanation. Would Trump “have been appointed based on her background and experience? Nepotism was not a part of the decision? I doubt it,” Milanesi told HuffPost.
Milanesi wrote in a Forbes column last month that she recognized that CES needs to foster its relationship with Washington. “And given the pressure of having more women on stage, why not pick a woman and kill two birds with one stone?” she asked cynically.
But the “token woman” CES chose is unqualified, Milanesi complained. “There are many more women who are in tech and are entrepreneurs who could run circles around Trump on how technology will impact the future of work,” she wrote.
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Shapiro said Trump is qualified to speak because she is co-chair of two governmental advisory boards on workforce issues. But she was appointed to those role by her father, President Donald Trump, and had no political experience before that.
CES has long responded to complaints that more women haven’t been represented on stage at the expo because they haven’t held the elevated tech jobs required. There is a “limited pool when it comes to women in these positions,” CTA Senior Vice President Karen Chupka said last year. “We feel your pain. It bothers us, too.”
That went right out the window with Ivanka Trump.
“The invitation of Ivanka Trump exposes how that rationale” against women “was always based on an utterly false premise. CES could invite whomever they wanted and justify it. And they chose not to,” Elisa Camahort Page, CEO of Cygnus, told HuffPost.
There was some chatter on Twitter about organizing a boycott of CES over the Trump selection. As for any protest during Trump’s talk, Milanesi thinks that’s unlikely. “The audience will be mostly male,” she said.
What a sham; a slap in the face of bright, knowledgeable women in the field of consumer-electronics. You would invite Ivanka as a keynote speaker if the conference is on how to use Daddy’s position to walk off with 37 trademarks from China. — Gina Pozzi (@GinaPozzi1) January 2, 2020
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As a past attendee, this is a disgrace. They could not have picked a woman as far removed as a tech champion and participant if they tried. #CES #WomeninSTEM #promotewomen — Ginger Curtis (@G2EGinger) January 3, 2020
What is Ivanka's role in and contribution to Consumer Electronics, exactly? When there are so many women who have done more in a day than she has in her lifetime! — Joe Ortenzi 🇨🇦 🇮🇹 🇦🇺 (@wheelyweb) January 1, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--It Was 'Safer Before Soleimani Was Killed,' Retired Admiral Tells Jake Tapper

America was “ safer ” before Iranian top commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed last week by a U.S. drone strike , retired Adm. James Stavridis told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Monday .
And the disturbing threat to America will likely continue because the Trump administration is too chaotic to carefully plan a strategy , Stavridis warned on “ The Lead.
” A large part of the chaos is caused by constant upheaval in personnel in the administration , he said .
“ This is a tactical move that takes a very dangerous chess piece off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy like you do in a chess match ... to think about the longer term .
How can we leverage the fact that Soleimani is gone and what are our next moves ?
” he said .
America needs to “ get better at launching ideas ; we ’ re really good at launching missiles.
” Stavridis said he doesn ’ t believe the Trump administration is strategic due to the “ turmoil and the change ” of people , and the loss of strategic thinkers .
“ We are on the fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our second State Department in the course of three years .
So there ’ s been no time to develop strategy and think , ” he said .
The admiral said former national security adviser H.R .
McMaster created a “ pretty good ” strategic document while he held his job .
But , “ from all I can see , that is not the course that this ship is being steered on , ” Stavridis said .

And the disturbing threat to America will likely continue because the Trump administration is too chaotic to carefully plan a strategy, Stavridis warned on “The Lead.” A large part of the chaos is caused by constant upheaval in personnel in the administration, he said.
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“This is a tactical move that takes a very dangerous chess piece off of the board — but we need a strategy like you do in a chess match ... to think about the longer term. How can we leverage the fact that Soleimani is gone and what are our next moves?” he said. America needs to “get better at launching ideas; we’re really good at launching missiles.”
Stavridis said he doesn’t believe the Trump administration is strategic due to the “turmoil and the change” of people, and the loss of strategic thinkers.
“We are on the fourth national security adviser, our second CIA, our second State Department in the course of three years. So there’s been no time to develop strategy and think,” he said.
The admiral said former national security adviser H.R. McMaster created a “pretty good” strategic document while he held his job. But, “from all I can see, that is not the course that this ship is being steered on,” Stavridis said.
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Robert O’Brien, the current national security adviser, was appointed in September.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Trump Admin Bars Top Iranian Diplomat From Entering U.S.

Trump on Saturday said the U.S. had selected 52 important sites in Iran that it was willing to strike , @ @ @ @ @ Iran not to retaliate for the killing .
( Under international law , purposely destroying @ @ @ @ @ sites could be considered a war crime . )
Iran , for its part , @ @ @ @ @ the assassination in a “ crushing and powerful manner ” and said Sunday it would @ @ @ @ @ limit nuclear fuel production as part of the Iran nuclear deal .
This story has @ @ @ @ @ from the Iranian mission to the U.N .

Trump on Saturday said the U.S. had selected 52 important sites in Iran that it was willing to strike, including cultural landmarks, warning Iran not to retaliate for the killing. (Under international law, purposely destroying a nation’s cultural sites could be considered a war crime.) Iran, for its part, has vowed to respond to the assassination in a “crushing and powerful manner” and said Sunday it would end all remaining commitments to limit nuclear fuel production as part of the Iran nuclear deal.
This story has been updated with a response from the Iranian mission to the U.N.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Mitt Romney Says He Wants To Hear John Bolton Testify At Trump's Impeachment Trial

WASHINGTON ― Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) says he wants to hear from John Bolton after the former White House national security adviser offered to testify in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial if subpoenaed by the Senate .
“ I ’ d like to hear what he has to say .
He ’ s got firsthand information ; I think that would be helpful , ” Romney said Monday .
Bolton ’ s surprise offer to speak scrambled the political calculus surrounding the impeachment trial on Capitol Hill , where Democrats and Republicans have been unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other rules before the proceedings begin .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) has so far refused to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate , meaning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has not been able to start the trial .
Democrats are hoping Bolton ’ s willingness to come forward with what his lawyer claims is new information about Trump ’ s pressure campaign on Ukraine will encourage moderate Republicans to consider expanding the scope and length of the Senate trial .
Sen. Susan Collins ( R-Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year , reiterated that a decision on witness testimony ought to come after the trial begins and presentation of evidence has been made ― as was the case during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
“ I can ’ t say at this point who the specific witnesses should be , if any , ” Collins told HuffPost on Monday when asked about Bolton ’ s offer to testify , though she previously said in an interview that she is “ open ” to calling witnesses in the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment trial aligns them with McConnell , who has all but promised a swift acquittal of Trump .
McConnell is pushing for following the 1999 framework and did not respond to a question about Bolton ’ s offer to testify on Monday .
“ I know you guys want to have a trial by Twitter , but until she has the articles sent over , there is no trial , ” he said , referring to Pelosi .
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) did not rule out voting to subpoena Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question of witnesses should be left for later in the trial .
“ If 51 senators want to hear from Ambassador Bolton , I think that ’ s fine .
It doesn ’ t have to be live , it could be a deposition , ” Cornyn said , adding that Bolton ’ s testimony may even help the president ’ s case against impeachment .
Other Republicans said they had no interest in hearing about evidence not already presented by the House impeachment investigators .
Sen. Todd Young ( R-Ind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would set a “ bad precedent ” if the Senate “ made it a common practice to improve upon defective articles of impeachment ” by inviting new testimony .
House Democrats decided not to subpoena Bolton while the chamber mulled over whether to draft impeachment articles last year .
They reached the decision after the White House declared it wouldn ’ t cooperate with the hearings and instructed top officials who ’ d already been subpoenaed not to comply .
“ There ’ s still the issue of executive privilege , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s lawyers are going to assert it ...
I don ’ t see why everybody ’ s getting all lubed up about it .
”

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“I’d like to hear what he has to say. He’s got firsthand information; I think that would be helpful,” Romney said Monday.
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But the Utah senator, a frequent Trump critic, stopped short of saying he would support a motion to subpoena Bolton during the trial.
“What the process is to make that happen, I don’t have an answer for you,” Romney said.
Bolton’s surprise offer to speak scrambled the political calculus surrounding the impeachment trial on Capitol Hill, where Democrats and Republicans have been unable to reach an agreement on witness testimony and other rules before the proceedings begin. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has so far refused to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, meaning Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has not been able to start the trial.
Democrats are hoping Bolton’s willingness to come forward with what his lawyer claims is new information about Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine will encourage moderate Republicans to consider expanding the scope and length of the Senate trial.
But other than Romney, no other GOP senators welcomed Bolton’s testimony on Monday.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is up for reelection next year, reiterated that a decision on witness testimony ought to come after the trial begins and presentation of evidence has been made ― as was the case during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
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“I can’t say at this point who the specific witnesses should be, if any,” Collins told HuffPost on Monday when asked about Bolton’s offer to testify, though she previously said in an interview that she is “open” to calling witnesses in the trial.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), another moderate, agreed.
“We’ve got to get to the first place first, which is starting [the trial],” she told reporters.
Their stance on the parameters of the impeachment trial aligns them with McConnell, who has all but promised a swift acquittal of Trump. McConnell is pushing for following the 1999 framework and did not respond to a question about Bolton’s offer to testify on Monday.
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), another vulnerable Republican up for reelection next year, did not say whether he planned to support a motion to subpoena Bolton.
“I know you guys want to have a trial by Twitter, but until she has the articles sent over, there is no trial,” he said, referring to Pelosi.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) did not rule out voting to subpoena Bolton, but he, too, said the question of witnesses should be left for later in the trial.
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“If 51 senators want to hear from Ambassador Bolton, I think that’s fine. It doesn’t have to be live, it could be a deposition,” Cornyn said, adding that Bolton’s testimony may even help the president’s case against impeachment.
Other Republicans said they had no interest in hearing about evidence not already presented by the House impeachment investigators. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.)., for example, argued it would set a “bad precedent” if the Senate “made it a common practice to improve upon defective articles of impeachment” by inviting new testimony.
Three witnesses were subpoenaed during the Clinton trial in 1999, though senators viewed their depositions behind closed doors on videotape.
House Democrats decided not to subpoena Bolton while the chamber mulled over whether to draft impeachment articles last year. They reached the decision after the White House declared it wouldn’t cooperate with the hearings and instructed top officials who’d already been subpoenaed not to comply.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) suggested Bolton’s offer to testify may be moot, given the likelihood of the Trump administration trying to block it by asserting executive privilege.
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“There’s still the issue of executive privilege,” he said. “I think the president’s lawyers are going to assert it ... I don’t see why everybody’s getting all lubed up about it.”
Asked if he was open to subpoenaing Bolton now that he expressed a willingness to speak, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told reporters on Monday he wasn’t ruling it out.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--U.S. Military Letter Announcing Potential Iraq Withdrawal ‘Was A Mistake,’ General Says

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper disputed a U.S. military letter announcing that troops would be repositioned within Iraq in advance of a potential pullout .
Esper claimed he didn ’ t know where the letter came from and that it was “ inconsistent with where we are right now.
” There has been “ no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq , ” Esper told reporters on Monday , responding to a letter suggesting plans to draw down the troop presence in the country .
“ In due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq , and as requested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister , CJTF-OIR will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement , ” Seely wrote , referring to a U.S.-led international task force to fight the so-called Islamic State .
“ Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner.
” The letter was unsigned but U.S. officials confirmed its authenticity and said it had been sent and received by the Iraqis , Washington Post reporter Dan Lamothe wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after Iraq ’ s parliament passed a resolution calling on Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to revoke Iraq ’ s invitation to host U.S. troops , which have helped the country retake control over territory lost to the Islamic State in 2014 .
The U.S. currently has about 5,000 troops in Iraq .
“ The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory , ” the resolution read .
The nonbinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although Sunni and Kurdish members of parliament boycotted the special session .
The vote was a response to the U.S. assassination last week of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani , a top-ranking Iranian military commander who was responsible for Tehran ’ s proxies in Iraq and throughout the Middle East .
The U.S. military targeted Soleimani with airstrikes on Baghdad ’ s airport , a move Shiite politicians in Iraq said violated Iraqi sovereignty .
The vote did not legally require the withdrawal of troops because the parliamentary vote would have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Cabinet , which can not meet because there is currently only an acting prime minister and acting Cabinet .
But the timing and phrasing of Seely ’ s letter seemed to imply an effort by the U.S. military to proactively draw down its presence in Iraq as part of an effort to prevent being forced out entirely .
“ We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure , ” Seely wrote in the now-disputed letter Monday .
The removal of troops affiliated with the anti-ISIS task force would not necessarily mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence in Iraq .
A spokesperson for the joint task force did not immediately respond to a request for more clarification .
After the Iraqi parliament ’ s vote , Trump threatened “ sanctions like they ’ ve never seen before ” against Iraq if the country forced the U.S. to withdraw its troops .
It is not clear how the Pentagon plans to respond — and the botched messaging around Monday ’ s letter suggests military officials haven ’ t yet figured that out .
This article has been updated with statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned in the letter and with more details on the parliament vote .

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Secretary of Defense Mark Esper disputed a U.S. military letter announcing that troops would be repositioned within Iraq in advance of a potential pullout. Esper claimed he didn’t know where the letter came from and that it was “inconsistent with where we are right now.”
There has been “no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq,” Esper told reporters on Monday, responding to a letter suggesting plans to draw down the troop presence in the country.
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The letter “was a mistake,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley told reporters.
The letter was written by Marine Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III and was addressed to an Iraqi defense official.
“In due deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq, and as requested by the Iraqi Parliament and the Prime Minister, CJTF-OIR will be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks to prepare for onward movement,” Seely wrote, referring to a U.S.-led international task force to fight the so-called Islamic State. “Coalition Forces are required to take certain measures to ensure that movement out of Iraq is conducted in a safe and efficient manner.”
The letter was unsigned but U.S. officials confirmed its authenticity and said it had been sent and received by the Iraqis, Washington Post reporter Dan Lamothe wrote on Twitter.
It was written the day after Iraq’s parliament passed a resolution calling on Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to revoke Iraq’s invitation to host U.S. troops, which have helped the country retake control over territory lost to the Islamic State in 2014. The U.S. currently has about 5,000 troops in Iraq.
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“The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory,” the resolution read.
The nonbinding resolution had overwhelming support from Shiite lawmakers, although Sunni and Kurdish members of parliament boycotted the special session. The vote was a response to the U.S. assassination last week of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a top-ranking Iranian military commander who was responsible for Tehran’s proxies in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. The U.S. military targeted Soleimani with airstrikes on Baghdad’s airport, a move Shiite politicians in Iraq said violated Iraqi sovereignty.
The vote did not legally require the withdrawal of troops because the parliamentary vote would have had to trigger a meeting by the country’s Cabinet, which cannot meet because there is currently only an acting prime minister and acting Cabinet.
But the timing and phrasing of Seely’s letter seemed to imply an effort by the U.S. military to proactively draw down its presence in Iraq as part of an effort to prevent being forced out entirely. “We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure,” Seely wrote in the now-disputed letter Monday.
The removal of troops affiliated with the anti-ISIS task force would not necessarily mean the complete end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq. A spokesperson for the joint task force did not immediately respond to a request for more clarification.
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After the Iraqi parliament’s vote, Trump threatened “sanctions like they’ve never seen before” against Iraq if the country forced the U.S. to withdraw its troops.
It is not clear how the Pentagon plans to respond — and the botched messaging around Monday’s letter suggests military officials haven’t yet figured that out.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Donald Trump Jr. Under Fire For Decorating AR-15 With Hillary Clinton Cartoon

Donald Trump Jr. is coming under fire for an Instagram photo that shows an assault-style rifle decorated with a caricature of Hillary Clinton behind bars .
The president ’ s son posted pics of the elaborately decorated AR-15 on Saturday with the caption , “ Nice day at the range.
” Here ’ s a closer look at the magazine , which shows the former Democratic presidential nominee behind bars ― an apparent reference to the “ Lock her up ” chant Trump ’ s father and his followers like to shout at rallies .
The weapon , made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crusader .
It also features an image of a Christian solder ’ s helmet and the Jerusalem cross , a symbol associated with the medieval wars between Christian and Muslim soldiers .
Although many of Trump Jr. ’ s followers liked the jailed Clinton decoration , many people on Twitter fired off very cutting remarks .
Why does n't he just ask his doctor if Viagra is right for him ?
— SuzanneCitere🐝 ( @ SuzanneCitere ) January 6 , 2020 Don Jr. is so sure @ HillaryClinton is going to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ printed on his gun mag .
Dude , she wo n't visit .
pic.twitter.com/rX5xJ3mLaZ — Jeremy Newberger ( @ jeremynewberger ) January 6 , 2020 Some had questions .
Lots of questions .
Hey tough guy @ DonaldJTrumpJr , instead of trying to intimidate a woman , why don ’ t you enlist in the Military so you can fight in your dad ’ s war against Iran .
https : //t.co/ur3gVSnteR — David Weissman ( @ davidmweissman ) January 6 , 2020 Many other people wondered the same thing , despite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the military .
.
@ DonaldJTrumpJr Hey Junior , is this the first step in your enlisting to fight your daddy ’ s war ?
PLEASE be the first with their boots on the ground .
Lead the attack from the front for change .
Show us how it ’ s done , big guy .
Or are hereditary bone spurs keeping you on the bench ?
pic.twitter.com/UF4idxL04m — ( ( ( Neil Kaplan ) ) ) ( @ NeKap ) January 6 , 2020 The good news is that - based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s going to be the first one to enlist .
pic.twitter.com/iSSoSkLbxi — Shannon Watts ( @ shannonrwatts ) January 5 , 2020 One man noted a chilling aspect to the Clinton caricature .
Don Jr posted photos of himself brandishing a modified assault rifle with CRUSADER etched on it , lower receiver modelled after a medieval Crusader hemet & mag printed with Hillary 's face .
Crusader imagery on weapons & propaganda has been used by Far-Right terrorists since Breivik pic.twitter.com/hLdgUAL7au — Akil N Awan ( @ Akil_N_Awan ) January 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way the gun was decorated , comparing to “ wearing suspenders and a fedora ” with a KKK robe .
Aesthetically , this AR is a disaster .
The Ren-Faire white supremacy of the mag well clashes with the cartoonish conspiracy theorism of the mag .
It 's like wearing suspenders and a fedora with you Klan robe , too much .
— Donald Dagon ( @ DonaldDagon ) January 6 , 2020

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Donald Trump Jr. is coming under fire for an Instagram photo that shows an assault-style rifle decorated with a caricature of Hillary Clinton behind bars.
The president’s son posted pics of the elaborately decorated AR-15 on Saturday with the caption, “Nice day at the range.”
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Here’s a closer look at the magazine, which shows the former Democratic presidential nominee behind bars ― an apparent reference to the “Lock her up” chant Trump’s father and his followers like to shout at rallies.
Donald Trump Jr. rifle Instagram
The weapon, made by Texas-based Rare Breed Firearms, is called the Crusader. It also features an image of a Christian solder’s helmet and the Jerusalem cross, a symbol associated with the medieval wars between Christian and Muslim soldiers.
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Although many of Trump Jr.’s followers liked the jailed Clinton decoration, many people on Twitter fired off very cutting remarks.
Why doesn't he just ask his doctor if Viagra is right for him? — SuzanneCitere🐝 (@SuzanneCitere) January 6, 2020
Don Jr. is so sure @HillaryClinton is going to visit his dad in prison he had it printed on his gun mag. Dude, she won't visit. pic.twitter.com/rX5xJ3mLaZ — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) January 6, 2020
Some had questions. Lots of questions.
Is Donald Trump Jr doing OK? pic.twitter.com/ymsYUk6olm — Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) January 6, 2020
Hey tough guy @DonaldJTrumpJr, instead of trying to intimidate a woman, why don’t you enlist in the Military so you can fight in your dad’s war against Iran. https://t.co/ur3gVSnteR — David Weissman (@davidmweissman) January 6, 2020
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Many other people wondered the same thing, despite a Trump family history of unwillingness to serve in the military.
.@DonaldJTrumpJr Hey Junior, is this the first step in your enlisting to fight your daddy’s war?
PLEASE be the first with their boots on the ground. Lead the attack from the front for change. Show us how it’s done, big guy.
Or are hereditary bone spurs keeping you on the bench? pic.twitter.com/UF4idxL04m — (((Neil Kaplan))) (@NeKap) January 6, 2020
The good news is that - based on @DonaldJTrumpJr’s Instagram - he’s going to be the first one to enlist. pic.twitter.com/iSSoSkLbxi — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) January 5, 2020
One man noted a chilling aspect to the Clinton caricature.
Don Jr posted photos of himself brandishing a modified assault rifle with CRUSADER etched on it, lower receiver modelled after a medieval Crusader hemet & mag printed with Hillary's face.
Crusader imagery on weapons & propaganda has been used by Far-Right terrorists since Breivik pic.twitter.com/hLdgUAL7au — Akil N Awan (@Akil_N_Awan) January 6, 2020
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One person shot down the way the gun was decorated, comparing to “wearing suspenders and a fedora” with a KKK robe.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-06--Embattled EPA Workers Say They Need 'Bill Of Rights' Under Trump Administration

Backed by a handful of Democratic lawmakers , the employees are demanding that agency leadership not interfere politically in their enforcement duties or their environmental research .
They ’ re also asking for a beefed-up budget , an end to government shutdowns and a new union contract bargained by both sides .
Bethany Dreyfus , a lawyer working on Superfund enforcement for the EPA in San Francisco , said the agency ’ s offices have been stretched thin by employee attrition and worn down by what she sees as the White House ’ s hostility to the agency ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rights is essentially a symbolic gesture , she said she hopes it reminds leadership of the EPA ’ s stated mission , which is to protect human health and the environment .
“ There ’ s been an attack on the EPA from a lot of directions ― an attack on EPA science , an attack on our regulations , and an attack on the workers who actually do the work , ” said Dreyfus , who is also Local 1236 president for the American Federation of Government Employees , a union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union ’ s efforts , an agency spokesperson said , “ EPA has established , and continues to promote , a culture of scientific integrity for all of its employees .
This policy provides a framework intended to ensure scientific integrity throughout the EPA and promote scientific and ethical standards.
” Career employees at a number of multiple federal agencies doing scientific work have felt squeezed by a White House that ’ s cozy with big business .
Headed by a climate change denier , the Trump administration has sidelined researchers and diluted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prompting many longtime federal workers to quit or retire as their work was undone .
The agency has been trying to spike or delay dozens of environmental regulations , and one of its high-ranking officials gave a presentation at a fringe confab for climate deniers .
Even stocked with Trump appointees , the EPA ’ s science advisory board recently criticized proposals that would weaken stream and wetland protections , saying that what the administration seeks to do “ neglects established science.
” Last summer the EPA unilaterally implemented a union contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telework opportunities and booted union officials from their offices .
The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against agency leadership , claiming they didn ’ t bargain in good faith before forcing the contract on employees .
The Federal Labor Relations Authority , which referees such disputes in the federal government , ultimately determined that the agency had bargained in bad faith .
The American Federation of Government Employees will try to negotiate a new contract covering 7,500 EPA workers starting Tuesday .
Marie Owens Powell , an underground storage tank enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other workers plan to present their bill of rights to the agency to remind the administration of the EPA ’ s mission .
“ We needed some kind of vehicle ... so these employees would feel like they had a voice , ” said Powell , who is a member of the union committee that is bargaining with the agency .
“ As an employee for the past 27 years , I ’ ve never seen staffing levels cut this much , research stalled and morale at an all-time low.
” Powell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s seen is the exit of agency veterans , which has foisted work onto less experienced employees .
“ That institutional knowledge takes a long time to rebuild , ” she said .
“ There are folks feeling so overwhelmed right now.
” Some outside scientists are rallying around workers like Powell .
Andrew A. Rosenberg , director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists , said his group was signing onto their bill of rights because federal employees need “ additional protections ” under the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the EPA and exist “ across agencies , ” including the Energy and Interior departments .
As HuffPost previously reported , the Trump administration has worked hard to weaken federal unions and water down job protections for government employees .
The White House issued sweeping executive orders aimed at peeling back collective bargaining rights and making it easier to fire federal workers .
Once those orders got tied up in court , the administration tried to achieve the same goals at the bargaining table with unions like the American Federation of Government @ @

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Workers at the Environmental Protection Agency say staffing and morale levels have fallen so low that they’re calling for a new “bill of rights” to protect the EPA’s scientific integrity.
Backed by a handful of Democratic lawmakers, the employees are demanding that agency leadership not interfere politically in their enforcement duties or their environmental research. They’re also asking for a beefed-up budget, an end to government shutdowns and a new union contract bargained by both sides.
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Bethany Dreyfus, a lawyer working on Superfund enforcement for the EPA in San Francisco, said the agency’s offices have been stretched thin by employee attrition and worn down by what she sees as the White House’s hostility to the agency’s core work. While the proposed bill of rights is essentially a symbolic gesture, she said she hopes it reminds leadership of the EPA’s stated mission, which is to protect human health and the environment.
“There’s been an attack on the EPA from a lot of directions ― an attack on EPA science, an attack on our regulations, and an attack on the workers who actually do the work,” said Dreyfus, who is also Local 1236 president for the American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing EPA workers.
EPA employees hope a bill of rights reminds leadership of the agency’s stated mission to protect human health and the environment. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
Asked about the union’s efforts, an agency spokesperson said, “EPA has established, and continues to promote, a culture of scientific integrity for all of its employees. This policy provides a framework intended to ensure scientific integrity throughout the EPA and promote scientific and ethical standards.”
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Career employees at a number of multiple federal agencies doing scientific work have felt squeezed by a White House that’s cozy with big business. Headed by a climate change denier, the Trump administration has sidelined researchers and diluted the role of science in writing regulations, prompting many longtime federal workers to quit or retire as their work was undone.
The White House has made some of its most aggressive regulatory rollbacks at the EPA, often in clear conflict with the scientific record.
The agency has been trying to spike or delay dozens of environmental regulations, and one of its high-ranking officials gave a presentation at a fringe confab for climate deniers. Even stocked with Trump appointees, the EPA’s science advisory board recently criticized proposals that would weaken stream and wetland protections, saying that what the administration seeks to do “neglects established science.”
The regulatory rollback has been intertwined with what many agency workers see as an attack on collective bargaining rights.
“I’ve never seen staffing levels cut this much, research stalled and morale at an all-time low.” - Marie Owens Powell, an EPA employee
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Last summer the EPA unilaterally implemented a union contract that cut back on agency employees’ telework opportunities and booted union officials from their offices. The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against agency leadership, claiming they didn’t bargain in good faith before forcing the contract on employees. The Federal Labor Relations Authority, which referees such disputes in the federal government, ultimately determined that the agency had bargained in bad faith.
The American Federation of Government Employees will try to negotiate a new contract covering 7,500 EPA workers starting Tuesday. Marie Owens Powell, an underground storage tank enforcement officer in Philadelphia, said she and other workers plan to present their bill of rights to the agency to remind the administration of the EPA’s mission.
“We needed some kind of vehicle ... so these employees would feel like they had a voice,” said Powell, who is a member of the union committee that is bargaining with the agency. “As an employee for the past 27 years, I’ve never seen staffing levels cut this much, research stalled and morale at an all-time low.”
Powell said one of the biggest problems she’s seen is the exit of agency veterans, which has foisted work onto less experienced employees. “That institutional knowledge takes a long time to rebuild,” she said. “There are folks feeling so overwhelmed right now.”
Some outside scientists are rallying around workers like Powell. Andrew A. Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said his group was signing onto their bill of rights because federal employees need “additional protections” under the current administration. He said the problems go beyond the EPA and exist “across agencies,” including the Energy and Interior departments.
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“We continually hear stories, issues with scientific integrity, with work being suppressed or [censored], or the fact that professional staff are not in the room when a policy proposal is developed,” Rosenberg said.
As HuffPost previously reported, the Trump administration has worked hard to weaken federal unions and water down job protections for government employees. The White House issued sweeping executive orders aimed at peeling back collective bargaining rights and making it easier to fire federal workers. Once those orders got tied up in court, the administration tried to achieve the same goals at the bargaining table with unions like the American Federation of Government Employees.