thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Trump Takes Credit For Stock Market High, Gets Dragged Down On Twitter

President Donald Trump , who repeatedly warned that the stock market would plummet if he lost the election , took credit on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed the 30,000 mark for the first time .
Stocks climbed for the second day in a row .
On Monday , Trump had announced that his administration would cooperate with President-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team , after blocking them for more than two weeks .
Biden also began announcing his Cabinet picks .
The Wall Street Journal reported that the winding up of election uncertainty , coupled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost investor confidence in an economic recovery .
In a one-minute White House press conference Tuesday , Trump praised his administration for getting to the “ sacred ” 30,000 number , citing the vaccine progress , but did not mention that the presidential transition was in motion .
Two of his children , Ivanka and Eric Trump , celebrated the stock market high on Twitter .
But other users of the platform were baffled by the president ’ s readiness to pat himself on the back .
Critics quickly threw back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump predicted without evidence that if Biden were elected , “ the stock market will crash.
” Trump said if Joe Biden is elected “ the stock market will crash ” .
The DOW went over 30K today - for the first time in history - as the Biden transition is officially underway ... pic.twitter.com/Cp2hXoxK9M — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 ( @ RexChapman ) November 24 , 2020 Remember when @ realDonaldTrump warned during the campaign that your 401k 's and stocks would `` disintegrate and disappear '' if @ JoeBiden won ?
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record high of 30,000 points .
And it 's 3 weeks since Election Day .
— Wolf Blitzer ( @ wolfblitzer ) November 24 , 2020 Others nodded to 2016 , when Trump and multiple commentators attributed any market gains post-Election Day to his victory .
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the stock market ’ s performance under his leadership should be judged not from the day of his January 2017 inauguration , but instead from the date of his election the previous November .
Last year he claimed the market soared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euphoria of getting Obama/Biden OUT.
” As President Trump claims credit for the Dow jumping above 30,000 , remember that he repeatedly asserted that he deserved credit for everything the Dow did from Election Day 2016 on .
pic.twitter.com/cH4jz6NCiE — Kevin M. Kruse ( @ KevinMKruse ) November 24 , 2020 Team Trump has insisted , for four years , that he should be credited for all growth in the stock market since *Election Day* 2016 ( rather than his inauguration in Jan 2017 ) -- and now wants credit for market gains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted out of office https : //t.co/3WbD2csiPR — Catherine Rampell ( @ crampell ) November 24 , 2020 Some critics speculated that the markets got a bump in anticipation of more stable leadership amid the COVID-19 pandemic : Not clear if Ivanka understands that this rally is because her father is leaving office and better public health and economic leadership is settling in .
https : //t.co/mcllXbdWrA — Tim O'Brien ( @ TimOBrien ) November 24 , 2020 But most emphatically , commentators were disgusted that the stock market numbers were the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even as the nation sets records in daily new coronavirus cases , hospitalizations and deaths , and many Americans not invested in stocks suffer economic distress awaiting a pandemic relief package that still hasn ’ t come .
It 's been fascinating to watch the Dow Jones climb along with today 's COVID death toll on CNN .
Your father is only responsible for one of them .
https : //t.co/MfrFwVdfhU — Joan Walsh ( @ joanwalsh ) November 24 , 2020 This is 2020 in a nutshell : -Dow hits 30,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since March 23 ) -Meanwhile , thousands wait in line for free food in Houston .
Food banks across the US warn of growing need .
Over 20 million are on unemployment aid ( photo by @ MeridithKohut ) pic.twitter.com/DmA4L9kjpl — Heather Long ( @ byHeatherLong ) November 24 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump, who repeatedly warned that the stock market would plummet if he lost the election, took credit on Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed the 30,000 mark for the first time.
Stocks climbed for the second day in a row. On Monday, Trump had announced that his administration would cooperate with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team, after blocking them for more than two weeks. Biden also began announcing his Cabinet picks. The Wall Street Journal reported that the winding up of election uncertainty, coupled with promising potential coronavirus vaccines, appeared to boost investor confidence in an economic recovery.
Advertisement
In a one-minute White House press conference Tuesday, Trump praised his administration for getting to the “sacred” 30,000 number, citing the vaccine progress, but did not mention that the presidential transition was in motion.
Two of his children, Ivanka and Eric Trump, celebrated the stock market high on Twitter. But other users of the platform were baffled by the president’s readiness to pat himself on the back.
Critics quickly threw back to the final presidential debate in October, when Trump predicted without evidence that if Biden were elected, “the stock market will crash.”
Trump said if Joe Biden is elected “the stock market will crash”.
The DOW went over 30K today - for the first time in history - as the Biden transition is officially underway... pic.twitter.com/Cp2hXoxK9M — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 24, 2020
Advertisement
Remember when @realDonaldTrump warned during the campaign that your 401k's and stocks would "disintegrate and disappear" if @JoeBiden won? Well, the Dow Jones industrial average just reached a record high of 30,000 points. And it's 3 weeks since Election Day. — Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 24, 2020
Others nodded to 2016, when Trump and multiple commentators attributed any market gains post-Election Day to his victory.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the stock market’s performance under his leadership should be judged not from the day of his January 2017 inauguration, but instead from the date of his election the previous November. Last year he claimed the market soared in that period “due to the euphoria of getting Obama/Biden OUT.”
As President Trump claims credit for the Dow jumping above 30,000, remember that he repeatedly asserted that he deserved credit for everything the Dow did from Election Day 2016 on. pic.twitter.com/cH4jz6NCiE — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) November 24, 2020
And a lot of media outlets -- CNN, Fortune, Bloomberg, The Atlantic -- repeated the idea that every bit of good economic news after Election Day 2016 was due to a "Trump Bump" pic.twitter.com/K6uyD4a0Sw — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) November 24, 2020
Advertisement
Team Trump has insisted, for four years, that he should be credited for all growth in the stock market since *Election Day* 2016 (rather than his inauguration in Jan 2017) -- and now wants credit for market gains in the weeks since he's been voted out of office https://t.co/3WbD2csiPR — Catherine Rampell (@crampell) November 24, 2020
Some critics speculated that the markets got a bump in anticipation of more stable leadership amid the COVID-19 pandemic:
Not clear if Ivanka understands that this rally is because her father is leaving office and better public health and economic leadership is settling in. https://t.co/mcllXbdWrA — Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) November 24, 2020
Does she realize the market is celebrating the end of her father's dalliance with power? https://t.co/VGqsvAjO93 — Max Burns (@themaxburns) November 24, 2020
But most emphatically, commentators were disgusted that the stock market numbers were the ones Trump was willing to take credit for, even as the nation sets records in daily new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and many Americans not invested in stocks suffer economic distress awaiting a pandemic relief package that still hasn’t come.
Advertisement
The stock market (Dow) hit 30,000.
The COVID-19 death count in America hit 260,000.
Guess which one Trump takes credit for? — Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 24, 2020
Someone should tell the thousands and thousands of people in lines at food banks that the Dow just hit 30,000 — Ben Wexler (@mrbenwexler) November 24, 2020
It's been fascinating to watch the Dow Jones climb along with today's COVID death toll on CNN. Your father is only responsible for one of them. https://t.co/MfrFwVdfhU — Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) November 24, 2020
Guessing all the people waiting in line at food banks don’t give a fuck about the Dow hitting 30k. — Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) November 24, 2020
If trickle-down economics worked at all, like even a teeny-tiny bit, people wouldn’t be flocking to food banks right as the stock market hit its all-time high. — Adam Best (@adamcbest) November 24, 2020
Advertisement
This is 2020 in a nutshell:
-Dow hits 30,000 for first time ever (+62% since March 23)
-Meanwhile, thousands wait in line for free food in Houston. Food banks across the US warn of growing need. Over 20 million are on unemployment aid
(photo by @MeridithKohut ) pic.twitter.com/DmA4L9kjpl — Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) November 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Trump's Former Ghostwriter Has Four Words Of Post-Presidency Advice

If Donald Trump plans to write his memoirs after he leaves office , he won ’ t be able to @ @ @ @ @ the man who co-wrote his 1987 bestseller “ The Art Of The Deal.
” Schwartz @ @ @ @ @ no uncertain terms on Tuesday not to ask for his help , tweeting : “ @ @ @ @ @ I won ’ t write your next book .
Sorry , knowing that the Art @ @ @ @ @ only successful book you ever published.
” Considering Schwartz has become a big Trump critic @ @ @ @ @ , it is doubtful Trump would ask him to write a book .
Schwartz also @ @ @ @ @ not-so-friendly advice on what to do with his post-White House life .
Dear Donald , @ @ @ @ @ write your next book .
Sorry , knowing that the Art of the Deal was @ @ @ @ @ ever published .
My advice : flee to North Korea .
— Tony Schwartz ( @ @ @ @ @ , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
If Donald Trump plans to write his memoirs after he leaves office, he won’t be able to count on Tony Schwartz, the man who co-wrote his 1987 bestseller “The Art Of The Deal.”
Schwartz let the president know in no uncertain terms on Tuesday not to ask for his help, tweeting: “Dear Donald, No, I won’t write your next book. Sorry, knowing that the Art of the Deal was the only successful book you ever published.”
Advertisement
Considering Schwartz has become a big Trump critic over the last four years, it is doubtful Trump would ask him to write a book.
Schwartz also offered the outgoing president some not-so-friendly advice on what to do with his post-White House life.
Spoiler alert: It involves Kim Jong-Un.
Dear Donald,
No, I won't write your next book. Sorry, knowing that the Art of the Deal was the only successful book you ever published. My advice: flee to North Korea. — Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) November 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Joe Biden Gives First Interview Since Winning Election

President-elect Joe Biden gave his first interview since he won the election earlier this month , speaking to NBC News ’ Lester Holt about the transition of power , COVID-19 and his administration ’ s first priorities .
Asked about the Trump administration finally clearing the way on Monday for the formal transition to his administration to begin , Biden said , “ I must say , the outreach has been sincere .
[ It ] has not been begrudging so far .
And I don ’ t expect it to be.
” In the NBC interview , which aired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re “ already working out ” how he ’ ll get presidential daily briefings and he expects those to begin as soon as Wednesday .
Emily Murphy , head of the General Services Administration , had sparked outrage by declining until this week to find that Biden had won the election .
Without her sign-off , the Biden team could not obtain millions of dollars in transition funds and access to current officials .
Biden told NBC that he has personally “ not heard anything from President Trump ” since the election but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have spoken .
Biden is set to inherit a growing coronavirus crisis , with the number of cases ballooning across the country in recent weeks , reaching over 160,000 confirmed cases per day over the past week .
More than 259,000 people in the U.S. have died from the virus so far .
The president-elect told NBC he expects to meet soon with the coronavirus team at the White House .
On the key matter of distributing a COVID-19 vaccine , he said , “ I think we ’ re going to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought we might be in the past.
” Biden described the pandemic and the related economic crisis as “ causing real mental stress for millions of people , ” adding that it ’ s “ within our power to solve it and to grow the economy.
” Biden listed as one of his top priorities for his first 100 days sending an immigration bill to the Senate with a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented people living in the U.S .
He also said he plans to reverse Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ making the climate worse.
” As his team has indicated before , Biden told NBC that he does not intend to push his Justice Department to investigate Trump , saying : “ I will not do what this president does and use the Justice Department as my vehicle to insist that something happen.
” He ’ s already spoken with several leaders of other countries , the president-elect said .
“ America ’ s back .
We ’ re at the head of the table once again.
” “ This is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a totally different world , ” Biden added .
“ President Trump has changed the landscape .
... We find ourselves in a position where our alliances are being frayed.
” Asked about his developing Cabinet , and whether he planned to appoint former primary rivals Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
to top posts , Biden said that “ taking someone out of the Senate ... is a really difficult decision .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President-elect Joe Biden gave his first interview since he won the election earlier this month, speaking to NBC News’ Lester Holt about the transition of power, COVID-19 and his administration’s first priorities.
Asked about the Trump administration finally clearing the way on Monday for the formal transition to his administration to begin, Biden said, “I must say, the outreach has been sincere. [It] has not been begrudging so far. And I don’t expect it to be.”
Advertisement
In the NBC interview, which aired Tuesday evening, Biden said they’re “already working out” how he’ll get presidential daily briefings and he expects those to begin as soon as Wednesday.
Emily Murphy, head of the General Services Administration, had sparked outrage by declining until this week to find that Biden had won the election. Without her sign-off, the Biden team could not obtain millions of dollars in transition funds and access to current officials.
Biden told NBC that he has personally “not heard anything from President Trump” since the election but that he believes their chiefs of staff have spoken.
Advertisement
President-elect Joe Biden speaks exclusively with @LesterHoltNBC in his first interview since the election.
Click here for more: https://t.co/Ff0LkdQimg pic.twitter.com/eG1VSgD2qd — NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) November 25, 2020
Biden is set to inherit a growing coronavirus crisis, with the number of cases ballooning across the country in recent weeks, reaching over 160,000 confirmed cases per day over the past week. More than 259,000 people in the U.S. have died from the virus so far.
The president-elect told NBC he expects to meet soon with the coronavirus team at the White House. On the key matter of distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, he said, “I think we’re going to not be so far behind the curve as we thought we might be in the past.”
Biden described the pandemic and the related economic crisis as “causing real mental stress for millions of people,” adding that it’s “within our power to solve it and to grow the economy.”
“The words of a president matter,” he said. “I think it’s a patriotic responsibility to wear a mask, to socially distance.”
Advertisement
Biden listed as one of his top priorities for his first 100 days sending an immigration bill to the Senate with a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented people living in the U.S. He also said he plans to reverse Trump’s “very damaging” executive orders “making the climate worse.”
As his team has indicated before, Biden told NBC that he does not intend to push his Justice Department to investigate Trump, saying: “I will not do what this president does and use the Justice Department as my vehicle to insist that something happen.”
He’s already spoken with several leaders of other countries, the president-elect said. “America’s back. We’re at the head of the table once again.”
“This is not a third Obama term, because we face a totally different world,” Biden added. “President Trump has changed the landscape. ... We find ourselves in a position where our alliances are being frayed.”
Advertisement
Asked about his developing Cabinet, and whether he planned to appoint former primary rivals Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to top posts, Biden said that “taking someone out of the Senate ... is a really difficult decision.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Janet Yellen, Biden’s Treasury Pick, Could Be Key To Confronting Climate

“ Although a great many scientists believe that global climate change is already underway , the more serious potential damages associated with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are not predicted to occur for decades , ” said Janet Yellen , then a 51-year-old economist who ’ d previously served on the Federal Reserve ’ s board of governors .
“ This means that the benefits of climate protection are very difficult to quantify.
” Nearly a quarter-century later , fires are scorching the American West , dozens of powerful storms have threatened coastal cities , and flooding regularly inundates once-dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even on days when the sun is shining .
And Yellen , now President-elect Joe Biden ’ s pick to lead the Treasury , will likely soon find herself tasked with quantifying and addressing just how dire that crisis has become .
Biden made climate a cornerstone of his campaign this year , and it was the issue on which voters perceived him to contrast most sharply with President Donald Trump .
His campaign promised a “ whole of government approach ” to slashing planet-heating emissions and adapting to a hotter world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off at the Environmental Protection Agency or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
The Treasury post could prove one of the most active in that new approach .
If the Senate confirms her nomination , Yellen , 74 , would become the nation ’ s chief financial regulator amid a period of new upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic .
And if Congress approves new stimulus funding , she would be in charge of distributing it .
Trump ’ s Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who last January clashed with European Central Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth it to even try to predict the risks climate change posed to the financial sector , directed billions to struggling fossil fuel companies as the pandemic sent oil prices tumbling this year .
Yellen could target that funding at industries and programs the U.S. needs to prop up to hit its climate goals , including clean energy sectors and grants to weatherize low-income homes .
“ There really is a new kind of recognition that you ’ ve got a society where capitalism is beginning to run amok and needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we ’ re doing is sustainable and the benefits of growth are widely shared in ways they haven ’ t been , ” Yellen told Reuters .
“ What I see is a growing recognition on both sides of the aisle that climate change is a very serious concern and that action needs to occur.
” Carbon pricing is widely favored by economists and businesspeople as the most straightforward and predictable way to reduce emissions in a market economy .
But scientists say a market tweak alone can not cut greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming in a safe range .
Increasing prices can also be a political quagmire .
The French government sparked fiery protests in late 2018 against a slight increase in gas prices , meant to help fund climate efforts .
In Canada , right-wing populist Doug Ford won the premiership of Ontario , the country ’ s largest province , by vowing to repeal the federal government ’ s carbon tax .
“ As the former Chair of the Federal Reserve , Yellen was not responsive to grassroots organizers who know the needs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political director of the activist group Action Center on Race and the Economy , said in a statement .
“ We are expecting Yellen as the Treasury Secretary to partner with us to center communities of color in fiscal policymaking , and continue keeping Wall Street ’ s money out of politics.
” Unlike in the past , the climate movement has ramped up its campaign over the past year to target financiers of fossil fuels , and score some early victories .
In January , BlackRock , the world ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to CEOs that it would be “ increasingly disposed to vote against management and board directors when companies are not making sufficient progress on sustainability-related disclosures.
” In July , Citigroup promised to start measuring firms by their compatibility with the warming scenario outlined in the Paris climate accords .
JPMorgan Chase made a similar commitment in October .
It ’ s not hard to see why .
Fossil fuel investments often take decades to yield profits .
To avert climate catastrophe , most of those fuels will need to stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowing to companies promising to turn a profit on oil and coal in the middle of the century is inflating a multi-trillion-dollar bubble .
When the so-called carbon bubble bursts , the effects could be more calamitous to the financial system than the mortgage-backed securities collapse of 2007 .
Yellen has defended the 2011 Dodd-Frank law that reformed financial markets in the Great Recession ’ s wake .
She could soon use it to stave off a carbon contagion in the market .
She could now use the Financial Stability Oversight Council the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and synchronize rule changes to protect against the domino-effect of a market crash .
She could also pressure the World Bank , of which the Treasury is the largest shareholder , to halt new investments in fossil fuels , a sector to which it contributed $ 12 billion since the 2015 Paris Agreement was struck , the German environmental group Urgewald estimated last month .
“ One of the reasons climate activists haven ’ t been singing Yellen ’ s praises is she ’ s said very little about climate change thus far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t been nearly as ambitious as we know is needed for the scale of the crisis , ” said Moira Birss , the climate and finance director at the nonprofit Amazon Watch .
“ But there ’ s also a lot to be optimistic and hopeful about from a Yellen in the Treasury Department.
” Wall Street had been vying for Lael Brainard , a governor on the Federal Reserve board , to get the nomination .
In Yellen , climate progressives see “ a candidate who has shown pretty consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wall Street , that she believes in full employment , and that she ... understands there are clear links between the financial sector and the climate crisis , ” said Evan Weber , the political director of the Green New Deal campaign group Sunrise Movement .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
On July 17, 1997, a day when thermometers in the nation’s capital broke 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers delivered a speech to the Senate about an issue of mounting concern.
“Although a great many scientists believe that global climate change is already underway, the more serious potential damages associated with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are not predicted to occur for decades,” said Janet Yellen, then a 51-year-old economist who’d previously served on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. “This means that the benefits of climate protection are very difficult to quantify.”
Advertisement
Nearly a quarter-century later, fires are scorching the American West, dozens of powerful storms have threatened coastal cities, and flooding regularly inundates once-dry neighborhoods in cities from Miami to Boston even on days when the sun is shining. And Yellen, now President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Treasury, will likely soon find herself tasked with quantifying and addressing just how dire that crisis has become.
Biden made climate a cornerstone of his campaign this year, and it was the issue on which voters perceived him to contrast most sharply with President Donald Trump. His campaign promised a “whole of government approach” to slashing planet-heating emissions and adapting to a hotter world, one where climate policy is not siloed off at the Environmental Protection Agency or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Treasury post could prove one of the most active in that new approach. If the Senate confirms her nomination, Yellen, 74, would become the nation’s chief financial regulator amid a period of new upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic. And if Congress approves new stimulus funding, she would be in charge of distributing it.
If confirmed by the Senate, Janet Yellen, 74, will be the nation's first female Treasury secretary. Alex Wong via Getty Images
Advertisement
Trump’s Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who last January clashed with European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde over whether it was worth it to even try to predict the risks climate change posed to the financial sector, directed billions to struggling fossil fuel companies as the pandemic sent oil prices tumbling this year. Yellen could target that funding at industries and programs the U.S. needs to prop up to hit its climate goals, including clean energy sectors and grants to weatherize low-income homes.
“There’s been tremendous job loss for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and they need targeted relief,” said Bracken Hendricks, a climate policy expert and former senior adviser to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s climate-focused bid for the Democratic nomination last year. “We’ve seen in the Trump administration Mnuchin playing a central role in structuring a strategy for economic relief and recovery. We’d expect a similar role for a Secretary Yellen.”
Yellen’s climate work could go far beyond green stimulus. She’s a founding member of the Climate Leadership Council, a coalition of economists, bipartisan politicians and corporations pushing for a carbon tax to gradually incentivize the shift away from fossil fuels. Last year, she publicly called for a carbon tax, and said in October that Biden could implement one with support from Republicans.
“There really is a new kind of recognition that you’ve got a society where capitalism is beginning to run amok and needs to be readjusted in order to make sure that what we’re doing is sustainable and the benefits of growth are widely shared in ways they haven’t been,” Yellen told Reuters. “What I see is a growing recognition on both sides of the aisle that climate change is a very serious concern and that action needs to occur.”
Carbon pricing is widely favored by economists and businesspeople as the most straightforward and predictable way to reduce emissions in a market economy. But scientists say a market tweak alone cannot cut greenhouse gas output at the rate required to keep warming in a safe range. Increasing prices can also be a political quagmire. The French government sparked fiery protests in late 2018 against a slight increase in gas prices, meant to help fund climate efforts. In Canada, right-wing populist Doug Ford won the premiership of Ontario, the country’s largest province, by vowing to repeal the federal government’s carbon tax.
Advertisement
But a carbon price works best as part of a suite of climate policies such as clean-energy standards and direct investments, said Noah Kaufman, an economist and research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.
“A lot of times, the carbon pricing conversation turns into this debate over other policy tools versus a carbon price by itself,” Kaufman said. “My sense is that someone like Janet Yellen isn’t suggesting anything like that. Like most economists, she probably sees pricing as a really important policy tool to reduce emissions cost effectively.”
In October, Yellen and former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney backed a plan to set up central bank-like councils to manage decarbonization efforts without political interference from governments.
“What I see is a growing recognition on both sides of the aisle that climate change is a very serious concern and that action needs to occur.” - Janet Yellen
A technocratic body insulated from politics may sound appealing after decades of meddling by the fossil fuel industry. But such an entity would also skirt communities who have borne the brunt of pollution.
Advertisement
“As the former Chair of the Federal Reserve, Yellen was not responsive to grassroots organizers who know the needs of the people,” Vasudha Desikan, political director of the activist group Action Center on Race and the Economy, said in a statement. “We are expecting Yellen as the Treasury Secretary to partner with us to center communities of color in fiscal policymaking, and continue keeping Wall Street’s money out of politics.”
Unlike in the past, the climate movement has ramped up its campaign over the past year to target financiers of fossil fuels, and score some early victories. In January, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, wrote in its annual letter to CEOs that it would be “increasingly disposed to vote against management and board directors when companies are not making sufficient progress on sustainability-related disclosures.” In July, Citigroup promised to start measuring firms by their compatibility with the warming scenario outlined in the Paris climate accords. JPMorgan Chase made a similar commitment in October.
It’s not hard to see why. Fossil fuel investments often take decades to yield profits. To avert climate catastrophe, most of those fuels will need to stay in the ground, meaning the money still flowing to companies promising to turn a profit on oil and coal in the middle of the century is inflating a multi-trillion-dollar bubble. When the so-called carbon bubble bursts, the effects could be more calamitous to the financial system than the mortgage-backed securities collapse of 2007.
Yellen has defended the 2011 Dodd-Frank law that reformed financial markets in the Great Recession’s wake. She could soon use it to stave off a carbon contagion in the market. She could now use the Financial Stability Oversight Council the law established to coordinate other financial regulations and synchronize rule changes to protect against the domino-effect of a market crash. She could also pressure the World Bank, of which the Treasury is the largest shareholder, to halt new investments in fossil fuels, a sector to which it contributed $12 billion since the 2015 Paris Agreement was struck, the German environmental group Urgewald estimated last month.
Yellen wasn’t the Treasury secretary climate advocates initially wanted. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who ran against Biden in the presidential primary on a sweeping Green New Deal plan that included new Wall Street regulations, was one top choice. The other was Sarah Bloom Raskin, an Obama-era deputy Treasury secretary who vowed to make climate a top priority as the nation’s chief financial regulator.
Advertisement
“One of the reasons climate activists haven’t been singing Yellen’s praises is she’s said very little about climate change thus far, and the things she has said haven’t been nearly as ambitious as we know is needed for the scale of the crisis,” said Moira Birss, the climate and finance director at the nonprofit Amazon Watch. “But there’s also a lot to be optimistic and hopeful about from a Yellen in the Treasury Department.”
Conservatives see her the same way. John Hart, the co-founder of the Republican climate group C3 Solutions, said Yellen’s past statements of concern over federal debt make him “hopeful” she will “challenge President Biden and members of Congress to set smart priorities in what will be a perilous post-COVID recovery period.”
“The federal budget contains vast amounts of waste in every area that can be recycled to invest in things like R&D while reducing spending overall,” he said. “If the Biden administration really believes climate change is an existential crisis they can prove it by making hard fiscal choices.”
Wall Street had been vying for Lael Brainard, a governor on the Federal Reserve board, to get the nomination. In Yellen, climate progressives see “a candidate who has shown pretty consistently that she is willing to stand up to Wall Street, that she believes in full employment, and that she ... understands there are clear links between the financial sector and the climate crisis,” said Evan Weber, the political director of the Green New Deal campaign group Sunrise Movement.
“We didn’t get one of our dream candidates, necessarily,” he said. “But she’s shown she responds to pressure and she’s willing to move on climate issues. So we can consider this a win.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Biden Pick Antony Blinken Recalls Stepfather’s Holocaust Escape

Antony Blinken spoke of his stepfather ’ s chilling experience during World War II while accepting President-elect Joe Biden ’ s nomination to be secretary of state this week .
Biden introduced Blinken , along with his other choices for top Cabinet posts , at a Wilmington , Delaware , event Tuesday .
In a short speech that followed , Blinken shared how several generations of his Jewish family had come to view the U.S. as “ the last best hope on earth.
” During the remarks , the 58-year-old New York native singled out stepfather Samuel Pisar , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his school in Bialystok , Poland , but the only one to survive the Holocaust after four years in concentration camps.
” He went on to recall Pisar ’ s harrowing escape from a death march in Nazi-controlled Germany , after which the young boy was rescued by a Black U.S. soldier .
Just before being lifted onto a tank by the soldier , Pisar “ fell to his knees , and said the only three words he knew in English that his mother had taught him before the war : ‘ God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s who we are , ” he continued .
“ That ’ s what America represents to the world , however imperfectly.
” As an adult , Pisar became an adviser on foreign economic policy to President John F. Kennedy , and recalled his wartime adolescence in the 1979 memoir , “ Of Blood and Hope.
” He died in 2015 at age 86 .
Biden ’ s nomination of Blinken , who served as deputy secretary of state and deputy national security adviser under former President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration ’ s “ America First ” worldview .
Foreign policy experts say Blinken will guide the country toward rejoining many of the international agreements abandoned during President Donald Trump ’ s tenure , notably the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Antony Blinken spoke of his stepfather’s chilling experience during World War II while accepting President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination to be secretary of state this week.
Biden introduced Blinken, along with his other choices for top Cabinet posts, at a Wilmington, Delaware, event Tuesday. In a short speech that followed, Blinken shared how several generations of his Jewish family had come to view the U.S. as “the last best hope on earth.”
Advertisement
During the remarks, the 58-year-old New York native singled out stepfather Samuel Pisar, who was “one of 900 children in his school in Bialystok, Poland, but the only one to survive the Holocaust after four years in concentration camps.”
He went on to recall Pisar’s harrowing escape from a death march in Nazi-controlled Germany, after which the young boy was rescued by a Black U.S. soldier.
Just before being lifted onto a tank by the soldier, Pisar “fell to his knees, and said the only three words he knew in English that his mother had taught him before the war: ‘God bless America,’” Blinken said.
“That’s who we are,” he continued. “That’s what America represents to the world, however imperfectly.”
Advertisement
As an adult, Pisar became an adviser on foreign economic policy to President John F. Kennedy, and recalled his wartime adolescence in the 1979 memoir, “Of Blood and Hope.” He died in 2015 at age 86.
Biden’s nomination of Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state and deputy national security adviser under former President Barack Obama, signals a marked reversal of the Trump administration’s “America First” worldview.
Foreign policy experts say Blinken will guide the country toward rejoining many of the international agreements abandoned during President Donald Trump’s tenure, notably the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Marco Rubio Gets Ripped For Criticizing Biden's 'Ivy League' Foreign Policy Team

Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) took aim at President-elect Joe Biden ’ s new foreign policy team on Tuesday , claiming that their strong-on-paper résumés and Ivy League diplomas were far too “ normal ” for his liking .
Biden ’ s team includes multiple political veterans who served under former President Barack Obama , including former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken , whom Biden has tapped to be his secretary of state .
In a tweet , Rubio implied that these cabinet picks were typical career politicians who would be “ polite & orderly caretakers of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States dependent on China .
Biden ’ s cabinet picks went to Ivy League schools , have strong resumes , attend all the right conferences & will be polite & orderly caretakers of America ’ s decline I support American greatness And I have no interest in returning to the “ normal ” that left us dependent on China — Marco Rubio ( @ marcorubio ) November 24 , 2020 While Rubio ’ s remarks regarding the education level of those on Biden ’ s team are not inaccurate — Blinken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University and Columbia Law School — many Twitter commentators pointed out that the Trump administration has plenty of Ivy League graduates as well .
This includes both Trump ’ s son-in-law , Jared Kushner — whose father donated $ 2.5 million to Harvard — and the president himself , who frequently reminded whoever would listen during his presidential bid in 2016 that he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Wharton School in 1968 , after transferring there from Fordham University .
Rubio ’ s dig also ignores the notable fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first U.S. president and vice president in 40 years to not have Ivy League degrees themselves .
Biden graduated from the University of Delaware in Newark in 1965 , and Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986 .
For what it 's worth , Biden has only named two Cabinet picks so far .
One went to Harvard , the other to UC-Berkeley .
Yellen , who might be Treasury , went to Yale .
( And , unlike Donald Trump , neither Biden nor Harris went to an Ivy League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zurcher ( @ awzurcher ) November 24 , 2020 Marco Rubio is accusing Biden 's cabinet picks of having `` strong resumes '' and going to Ivy League schools .
As opposed to Betsy DeVos 's 12 yachts , foreclosure criminal and Yale grad Mnuchin and Yale grad and homophobe Ben Carson ?
Biden 's picks are diverse , smart and accomplished — Paul Rudnick ( @ PaulRudnickNY ) November 24 , 2020 Don ’ t be jealous .
You can try to get into an Ivy League school and go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , infected dimple on the ass of competence .
— roxane gay ( @ rgay ) November 24 , 2020 Funny how @ marcorubio had no problems with all the Ivy League educated Bank , Telecom , Energy , Defense & Pharmaceutical executives that Donald Trump selected for *his* cabinet ( and remember Mike Flynn ? )
.
Nice to see hypocrisy is alive and well in the Republican Party .
https : //t.co/hbTd9d4jdG — J .
Dice 🎲 ( @ jdice03 ) November 24 , 2020 Ironically , when trading insults with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee in 2016 , Trump repeatedly ridiculed “ Little Marco Rubio ” for being “ just another Washington D.C. politician that is all talk and no action.
” He also bragged about his Wharton status , claiming that one had to be “ very smart to get into that school.
” “ The Rubios of the world can not get into that school , believe me , ” the president said at the time .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) took aim at President-elect Joe Biden’s new foreign policy team on Tuesday, claiming that their strong-on-paper résumés and Ivy League diplomas were far too “normal” for his liking.
Biden’s team includes multiple political veterans who served under former President Barack Obama, including former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken, whom Biden has tapped to be his secretary of state.
Advertisement
In a tweet, Rubio implied that these cabinet picks were typical career politicians who would be “polite & orderly caretakers of America’s decline,” ultimately leaving the United States dependent on China.
Biden’s cabinet picks went to Ivy League schools,have strong resumes,attend all the right conferences & will be polite & orderly caretakers of America’s decline
I support American greatness
And I have no interest in returning to the “normal” that left us dependent on China — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 24, 2020
While Rubio’s remarks regarding the education level of those on Biden’s team are not inaccurate — Blinken, for instance, graduated from Harvard University and Columbia Law School — many Twitter commentators pointed out that the Trump administration has plenty of Ivy League graduates as well.
This includes both Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner — whose father donated $2.5 million to Harvard — and the president himself, who frequently reminded whoever would listen during his presidential bid in 2016 that he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968, after transferring there from Fordham University.
Advertisement
Rubio’s dig also ignores the notable fact that Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be the first U.S. president and vice president in 40 years to not have Ivy League degrees themselves. Biden graduated from the University of Delaware in Newark in 1965, and Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986.
Dear @marcorubio: FYI, @realDonaldTrump went to an Ivy League school as well as a number of Trump’s cabinet officials and current senior @WhiteHouse staff. https://t.co/kFA3q3BlIO — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) November 24, 2020
Biden graduated from the @UDelaware, a state school. Harris graduated from @HowardU, a historically Black university. Trump graduated from @Penn, an Ivy League school. https://t.co/VBi1RC4uSm — Borzou Daragahi 🖊🗒 (@borzou) November 24, 2020
For what it's worth, Biden has only named two Cabinet picks so far. One went to Harvard, the other to UC-Berkeley. Yellen, who might be Treasury, went to Yale. (And, unlike Donald Trump, neither Biden nor Harris went to an Ivy League school) https://t.co/JNqLwFiiry — Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) November 24, 2020
Advertisement
You confirmed every single one of Trump's cabinet picks, and almost all of them went to Ivy League schools.https://t.co/E6opfCJKsM — Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 24, 2020
Marco Rubio is accusing Biden's cabinet picks of having "strong resumes" and going to Ivy League schools. As opposed to Betsy DeVos's 12 yachts, foreclosure criminal and Yale grad Mnuchin and Yale grad and homophobe Ben Carson? Biden's picks are diverse, smart and accomplished — Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) November 24, 2020
Don’t be jealous. You can try to get into an Ivy League school and go back to college for another degree, you abbreviated, infected dimple on the ass of competence. — roxane gay (@rgay) November 24, 2020
Funny how @marcorubio had no problems with all the Ivy League educated Bank, Telecom, Energy, Defense & Pharmaceutical executives that Donald Trump selected for *his* cabinet (and remember Mike Flynn?).
Nice to see hypocrisy is alive and well in the Republican Party. https://t.co/hbTd9d4jdG — J. Dice 🎲 (@jdice03) November 24, 2020
Ironically, when trading insults with Rubio during the race for Republican presidential nominee in 2016, Trump repeatedly ridiculed “Little Marco Rubio” for being “just another Washington D.C. politician that is all talk and no action.” He also bragged about his Wharton status, claiming that one had to be “very smart to get into that school.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Trump's 2018 Turkey Pardon Bizarrely Foreshadowed 2020 Election

As coincidences go , this one is pretty bird-brained .
Some people who ’ ve witnessed President Donald Trump ’ s recent unwillingness to concede the election to Joe Biden are seeing parallels to Trump ’ s 2018 turkey pardon .
Two Thanksgivings ago , the president pardoned a turkey named “ Carrots ” who had lost “ a fair and open election ” in the form of a White House poll over which of two turkeys should be spared , according to Snopes .
But while “ Carrots ” lost the election to “ Peas , ” Trump claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanded a recount.
” The president then claimed that even though the recount did not change the vote , he was going to pardon both birds .
FLASHBACK : In 2018 , President Trump attacked Carrots the turkey for refusing to concede he had lost the vote on the White House turkey pardon contest .
`` This was a fair election ... unfortunately , Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount . ''
pic.twitter.com/MzcackiDwd — andrew kaczynski🤔 ( @ KFILE ) November 23 , 2020 This year , the president chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turkey named “ Corn , ” and pretty much stuck to the script , according to Reuters .
However , one reporter felt obligated to see if the president was planning to issue any other pardons , mainly to himself .
a reporter at the turkey pardon shouts a question to trump : `` will you be issuing a pardon for yourself ? ''
pic.twitter.com/Mjt8w6kDiv — David Mack ( @ davidmackau ) November 24 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
As coincidences go, this one is pretty bird-brained.
Some people who’ve witnessed President Donald Trump’s recent unwillingness to concede the election to Joe Biden are seeing parallels to Trump’s 2018 turkey pardon.
Two Thanksgivings ago, the president pardoned a turkey named “Carrots” who had lost “a fair and open election” in the form of a White House poll over which of two turkeys should be spared, according to Snopes.
Advertisement
But while “Carrots” lost the election to “Peas,” Trump claimed the turkey “refused to concede and demanded a recount.”
The president then claimed that even though the recount did not change the vote, he was going to pardon both birds.
FLASHBACK: In 2018, President Trump attacked Carrots the turkey for refusing to concede he had lost the vote on the White House turkey pardon contest.
"This was a fair election... unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount."
pic.twitter.com/MzcackiDwd — andrew kaczynski🤔 (@KFILE) November 23, 2020
This year, the president chose to grant a full pardon to a 42-pound turkey named “Corn,” and pretty much stuck to the script, according to Reuters.
Advertisement
However, one reporter felt obligated to see if the president was planning to issue any other pardons, mainly to himself.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Historian Asks Where Trump Library Should Be, Twitter Users Have Ideas

Traditionally , when presidents leave office , they use their newfound free time to build a library to house their @ @ @ @ @ Although President Donald Trump hasn ’ t announced plans to build his library , presidential @ @ @ @ @ ask Twitter followers where it should go .
Most of the people who took the @ @ @ @ @ as the most likely location , but the other responses had their merits as well @

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Biden Win Over Trump In Nevada Made Official By Court

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) — The Nevada Supreme Court made Joe Biden ’ s win in the state official on Tuesday , approving the state ’ s final canvass of the Nov. 3 election .
The unanimous action by the seven nonpartisan justices sends to Democratic Gov .
Steve Sisolak results that will deliver six electoral votes from the western U.S. battleground state to Biden .
The court action drew extra scrutiny amid legal efforts by the state GOP and Trump campaign to prevent sending vote-by-mail ballots to all 1.82 million active registered voters and then to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cast .
Nevada ’ s six Democratic presidential electors are scheduled to meet Dec. 14 in the state capital of Carson City .
Biden won Nevada by 33,596 votes , according to results approved by elected officials in Nevada ’ s 17 counties — including Clark County , which encompasses Las Vegas , and Washoe County , which includes Reno .
Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske , a Republican who has avoided the public eye in recent weeks , presented the results to the court .
She noted the first-ever use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , same-day voter registration and early voting .
“ The result was more of a hybrid model where voters had a choice of how to participate , ” she said , adding that a record number of voters participated .
Certification of the vote does not stop several lawsuits pending in state and federal courts .
They include bids for re-votes by two Republican congressional candidates and a state Senate challenger , an open-records case by the state GOP , and a U.S. District Court action alleging that thousands of ineligible people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case declined a bid for an immediate injunction that would have stopped the use of a signature verification scanner during the vote count .
Turnout among the state ’ s more than 1.8 million active registered voters was almost 77.3 % , including mail , early voting and election-day ballots cast amid the coronavirus pandemic , according to secretary of state data .
That was up from a turnout of 76.8 % during the presidential election in 2016 , when Democrat Hillary Clinton carried Nevada by a little under 2.5 % over Trump @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court made Joe Biden’s win in the state official on Tuesday, approving the state’s final canvass of the Nov. 3 election.
The unanimous action by the seven nonpartisan justices sends to Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak results that will deliver six electoral votes from the western U.S. battleground state to Biden.
Advertisement
The court action drew extra scrutiny amid legal efforts by the state GOP and Trump campaign to prevent sending vote-by-mail ballots to all 1.82 million active registered voters and then to stop the counting of the 1.4 million votes that were cast.
Nevada’s six Democratic presidential electors are scheduled to meet Dec. 14 in the state capital of Carson City.
Biden won Nevada by 33,596 votes, according to results approved by elected officials in Nevada’s 17 counties — including Clark County, which encompasses Las Vegas, and Washoe County, which includes Reno.
Biden got 50.06% of the vote and Trump 47.67%.
Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican who has avoided the public eye in recent weeks, presented the results to the court.
Advertisement
She noted the first-ever use of all-mail balloting statewide in a general election, same-day voter registration and early voting.
“The result was more of a hybrid model where voters had a choice of how to participate,” she said, adding that a record number of voters participated.
Certification of the vote does not stop several lawsuits pending in state and federal courts.
They include bids for re-votes by two Republican congressional candidates and a state Senate challenger, an open-records case by the state GOP, and a U.S. District Court action alleging that thousands of ineligible people voted.
A federal judge in that case declined a bid for an immediate injunction that would have stopped the use of a signature verification scanner during the vote count.
Turnout among the state’s more than 1.8 million active registered voters was almost 77.3%, including mail, early voting and election-day ballots cast amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to secretary of state data.
Advertisement
That was up from a turnout of 76.8% during the presidential election in 2016, when Democrat Hillary Clinton carried Nevada by a little under 2.5% over Trump.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Wisconsin Recount Observers Given Poop Emoji Wristbands — No BS

People observing the Wisconsin recount of presidential votes singled out one detail as pretty crappy : the wristbands .
The recount observers had been given different wristbands each day of the week , ranging from things like “ VIP ” in gold or purple lettering , according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel .
But on Tuesday , the observers were given bands featuring the poop emoji .
On Twitter , talk show host Vicki McKenna wrote , “ Do these people NOT take elections seriously ?
” alongside a photo of the wristband .
A recount volunteer says she and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in recount .
Staff , attorneys and volunteers all wearing them .
Do these people NOT take elections seriously ?
@ WI_Elections , please tell me why this is acceptable ?
@ bobspindell @ empowerwi pic.twitter.com/U42assscjR — Vicki McKenna ( @ VickiMcKenna ) November 24 , 2020 “ I always thought it was chocolate ice cream personally , ” he told the Journal-Sentinel .
“ Wisconsin Center is our vendor .
They handle the logistics .
They are probably just pulling what they have in stock , because this is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open in quite some time due to this pandemic .
So again , it ’ s a non-issue .
Everybody got one.
” Christenson said he thinks the fact people are getting in a tizzy over the wristbands “ shows that some people are just desperate for any controversy that they hope will distract from the fact that the recount is going smoothly and will confirm the results reported on election night.
” According to The Associated Press , Wisconsin ’ s recount got off to a slow start last week as election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from President Donald Trump ’ s attorneys and observers .
But Brian Rothgery , spokesman for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors , told AP that the work was “ very close to being back on schedule ” and could be completed as soon as Wednesday .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
People observing the Wisconsin recount of presidential votes singled out one detail as pretty crappy: the wristbands.
The recount observers had been given different wristbands each day of the week, ranging from things like “VIP” in gold or purple lettering, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Advertisement
But on Tuesday, the observers were given bands featuring the poop emoji.
On Twitter, talk show host Vicki McKenna wrote, “Do these people NOT take elections seriously?” alongside a photo of the wristband.
A recount volunteer says she and others were forced to wear these bracelets to participate in recount. Staff, attorneys and volunteers all wearing them. Do these people NOT take elections seriously? @WI_Elections, please tell me why this is acceptable? @bobspindell @empowerwi pic.twitter.com/U42assscjR — Vicki McKenna (@VickiMcKenna) November 24, 2020
But Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson flushed away concerns about them.
“I always thought it was chocolate ice cream personally,” he told the Journal-Sentinel. “Wisconsin Center is our vendor. They handle the logistics. They are probably just pulling what they have in stock, because this is the first opportunity they’ve had to be open in quite some time due to this pandemic. So again, it’s a non-issue. Everybody got one.”
Christenson said he thinks the fact people are getting in a tizzy over the wristbands “shows that some people are just desperate for any controversy that they hope will distract from the fact that the recount is going smoothly and will confirm the results reported on election night.”
Advertisement
Asked about complaints about the poop emoji wristbands given out to recount observers in Milwaukee, County Clerk George Christenson said, “I always thought it was chocolate ice cream, personally.” pic.twitter.com/tVErpdQzeJ — Mary Spicuzza (@MSpicuzzaMJS) November 24, 2020
According to The Associated Press, Wisconsin’s recount got off to a slow start last week as election officials had to deal with various complaints from President Donald Trump’s attorneys and observers.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--'Beautiful, Sassy, Smart' Honestie Hodges, Handcuffed By Police At 11, Dies At 14

Honestie Hodges , 14 , a “ beautiful , sassy , smart ” teenager , made national news at age 11 after police in Grand Rapids , Michigan , disturbingly handcuffed her outside her home in 2017 .
On Sunday , she died from COVID-19 complications , according to her family .
Alisa Niemeyer , Honestie ’ s grandmother , posted updates about the 14-year-old ’ s health condition on a GoFundMe page she created on Nov. 13 .
On the website , Niemeyer said her granddaughter had been taken to the Helen DeVos Children ’ s Hospital in Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and had tested positive for the coronavirus .
The hospital sent Honestie home , but she was later rushed back and moved to the intensive care unit , Niemeyer said .
Honestie first made national headlines after bodycam footage showed Grand Rapids police officers handcuffing the then-11-year-old Black child with their guns drawn outside her home .
Police said at the time that officers were searching for a suspect accused of stabbing another relative .
The suspect , a white woman in her 40s , was later found at another home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard in the footage screaming in terror .
“ I have a question for the Grand Rapids police : If this happened to a white child , if her mother was screaming , ‘ She ’ s 11 , ’ would you have handcuffed her and put her in the back of a police car ?
” she asked , according to Michigan ’ s MLive .
The Grand Rapids Police Department ’ s actions toward Honestie sparked an internal investigation .
The police chief at the time , David Rahinsky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s frightened reaction in the footage made him nauseous .
But none of the officers involved were disciplined after the investigation found that they did not violate the department ’ s policy .
The department later adopted the “ Honestie Policy ” to improve police interactions with children .
On Honestie ’ s GoFundMe page , Niemeyer listed the medical care that her granddaughter had received during her hospitalization , including an iron transfusion and a blood transfusion .
She then wrote on Nov. 14 that Honestie had been placed on a ventilator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the page : “ It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to tell all of you that my beautiful , sassy , smart loving Granddaughter has gone home to be with Jesus.
” Lynn Sutfin , public information officer for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services , explained in a statement that at least one person younger than 14 has died from COVID-19 in Michigan .
“ MDHHS mourns the loss of every life lost in relation to COVID-19 and continues to work tirelessly to protect all Michiganders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement read .
It later continued , “ There have been less than 6 deaths of individuals 0-19 years old in Michigan.
” The department does not provide the exact number of deaths for an age group if there are less than six deaths , Sutfin said .
Many people on Twitter have responded to news of Honestie ’ s death , analyzing how two pandemics — systemic racism and the coronavirus — impacted her life and how they intersect .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report analyzing data from Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms associated with COVID-19 were milder for children compared to adults , there were racial disparities in the number of coronavirus-related deaths among people under age 21 .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Honestie Hodges, 14, a “beautiful, sassy, smart” teenager, made national news at age 11 after police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, disturbingly handcuffed her outside her home in 2017. On Sunday, she died from COVID-19 complications, according to her family.
Alisa Niemeyer, Honestie’s grandmother, posted updates about the 14-year-old’s health condition on a GoFundMe page she created on Nov. 13. On the website, Niemeyer said her granddaughter had been taken to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids on Nov. 9 — her birthday — and had tested positive for the coronavirus. The hospital sent Honestie home, but she was later rushed back and moved to the intensive care unit, Niemeyer said.
Advertisement
She updated the page on Sunday to say her grandchild had died.
Honestie first made national headlines after bodycam footage showed Grand Rapids police officers handcuffing the then-11-year-old Black child with their guns drawn outside her home. Police said at the time that officers were searching for a suspect accused of stabbing another relative.
The suspect, a white woman in her 40s, was later found at another home and arrested. Honestie, meanwhile, could be heard in the footage screaming in terror.
Many were outraged by how Grand Rapids Police Department officers had treated a frightened child. The incident fueled continued nationwide conversations surrounding police interactions with Black children.
Honestie herself spoke out about the incident at the time.
“I have a question for the Grand Rapids police: If this happened to a white child, if her mother was screaming, ‘She’s 11,’ would you have handcuffed her and put her in the back of a police car?” she asked, according to Michigan’s MLive.
Advertisement
The Grand Rapids Police Department’s actions toward Honestie sparked an internal investigation. The police chief at the time, David Rahinsky, said that listening to the girl’s frightened reaction in the footage made him nauseous.
But none of the officers involved were disciplined after the investigation found that they did not violate the department’s policy. The department later adopted the “Honestie Policy” to improve police interactions with children.
She was abused by police at 11.
She passed away from Covid at 14. America failed this girl.
Her name was Honestie Hodges. https://t.co/sdbgeIvCUE — Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 25, 2020
On Honestie’s GoFundMe page, Niemeyer listed the medical care that her granddaughter had received during her hospitalization, including an iron transfusion and a blood transfusion. She then wrote on Nov. 14 that Honestie had been placed on a ventilator.
On Nov. 22, Niemeyer updated the page: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to tell all of you that my beautiful, sassy, smart loving Granddaughter has gone home to be with Jesus.”
Advertisement
Lynn Sutfin, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, explained in a statement that at least one person younger than 14 has died from COVID-19 in Michigan.
“MDHHS mourns the loss of every life lost in relation to COVID-19 and continues to work tirelessly to protect all Michiganders from this deadly disease,” the statement read. It later continued, “There have been less than 6 deaths of individuals 0-19 years old in Michigan.”
The department does not provide the exact number of deaths for an age group if there are less than six deaths, Sutfin said.
Many people on Twitter have responded to news of Honestie’s death, analyzing how two pandemics — systemic racism and the coronavirus — impacted her life and how they intersect.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report analyzing data from Feb. 12 to July 31 found that while symptoms associated with COVID-19 were milder for children compared to adults, there were racial disparities in the number of coronavirus-related deaths among people under age 21.
Advertisement
The agency found that 121 people under age 21 died during that time period. Of them, 78% were Black, Hispanic or American Indian young people.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay tweeted about Honestie on Tuesday, writing that “America failed this girl.”
Comedian W. Kamau Bell, host of “United Shades of America,” tweeted that the teen had “already experienced police brutality at 11.”
Trump, Christie, Mr. Ben Carson & crew can get admitted to the hospital w/ ZERO symptoms. They get pumped full of experimental drugs & live to be full of shit.
14 y/o Honestie Hodges, who'd already experienced police brutality at 11, was diagnosed w/ Covid & initially sent home. https://t.co/HB8oNQwECS — W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) November 25, 2020
“This story is a haunting reflection of what this country does to black children,” wrote author and columnist Liz Plank on Wednesday. “If the police don’t kill them, the government’s negligence of them does.”
This story is a haunting reflection of what this country does to black children. If the police don't kill them, the government's negligence of them does.https://t.co/kwhX457KWQ — Liz Plank (@feministabulous) November 25, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--UK Judge Denies Johnny Depp Permission To Appeal Libel Ruling

LONDON ( AP ) — A judge has refused Johnny Depp permission to appeal against a British court ’ s ruling that he assaulted ex-wife Amber Heard .
Earlier this month a High Court judge rejected Depp ’ s claim that a newspaper had committed libel when it called him a “ wife-beater.
” Judge Andrew Nicol said the article in The Sun was “ substantially true.
” Depp is seeking to overturn the judgment .
But in a setback for the “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” star , Nicol denied permission to appeal , saying “ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal have a reasonable prospect of success.
” In a ruling made public on Wednesday , the judge also ordered Depp to make an initial payment of almost 630,000 pounds ( $ 840,000 ) to News Group Newspapers , publisher of The Sun , to cover its legal fees .
Depp can still apply directly to the Court of Appeal , and has until Dec. 7 to do so .
The judge ’ s main ruling came after a three-week trial in which Depp and Heard gave conflicting accounts of their brief , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision , Depp said he was leaving the “ Fantastic Beasts ” film franchise after studio Warner Bros. requested his resignation .
Depp is also suing Heard for $ 50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post op-ed essay that she wrote about domestic violence .
The essay talks about her experience being abused but does not name Depp .
The trial is due to be held next year .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
LONDON (AP) — A judge has refused Johnny Depp permission to appeal against a British court’s ruling that he assaulted ex-wife Amber Heard.
Earlier this month a High Court judge rejected Depp’s claim that a newspaper had committed libel when it called him a “wife-beater.” Judge Andrew Nicol said the article in The Sun was “substantially true.”
Advertisement
Depp is seeking to overturn the judgment. But in a setback for the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, Nicol denied permission to appeal, saying “I do not consider that the proposed grounds of appeal have a reasonable prospect of success.”
In a ruling made public on Wednesday, the judge also ordered Depp to make an initial payment of almost 630,000 pounds ($840,000) to News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, to cover its legal fees.
Depp can still apply directly to the Court of Appeal, and has until Dec. 7 to do so.
The judge’s main ruling came after a three-week trial in which Depp and Heard gave conflicting accounts of their brief, tempestuous marriage.
In the wake of the decision, Depp said he was leaving the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise after studio Warner Bros. requested his resignation.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--Americans Risk Traveling Over Thanksgiving Despite Warnings

Millions of Americans took to the skies and the highways ahead of Thanksgiving at the risk of pouring gasoline on the coronavirus fire , disregarding increasingly dire warnings that they stay home and limit their holiday gatherings to members of their own household .
Those who are flying witnessed a distinctly 2020 landscape at the nation ’ s airports during what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year : plexiglass barriers in front of the ID stations , rapid virus testing sites inside terminals , and paperwork asking them to quarantine on arrival at their destination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by air over the past several days was down dramatically from the same time last year , many pressed ahead with their holiday plans amid skyrocketing deaths , hospitalizations and confirmed infections across the U.S. “ I think with the holidays and everything , it ’ s so important right now , especially because people are so bummed out because of the whole pandemic , ” said 25-year-old Cassidy Zerkle of Phoenix , who flew to Kansas City , Missouri , to visit family .
She brought snacks and her own hand sanitizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She had a row of seats to herself .
More than 88,000 people in the U.S. — an all-time high — were in the hospital with COVID-19 as of Tuesday , pushing the health care system in many places to the breaking point , and new cases of the virus have been setting records , soaring to an average of over 174,000 per day .
Deaths have surged to more than 1,600 per day , a mark last seen in May , when the crisis in the New York area was easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention and state and local authorities have begged people not to travel and urged them to keep their Thanksgiving celebrations small .
Around 900,000 to 1 million people per day passed through U.S. airport checkpoints from Friday through Tuesday , a drop-off of around 60 % from the same time a year ago .
Still , those have been some of the biggest crowds since the COVID-19 crisis took hold in the U.S. in March .
More Americans drive than fly during the holiday , but AAA has projected those numbers are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How much lower the auto club has not said .
Many states and cities have adopted precautions .
Travelers to Los Angeles , either by plane or train , were required to fill out an online form acknowledging California ’ s request that people quarantine for two weeks after arrival in the state .
The resurgence of the virus and the refusal of many people to wear masks or keep their distance from others have caused despair among health care officials and front-line workers .
Anne Moore , a 60-year-old woman from Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be with her daughter for the holiday .
Her daughter is a senior at Dartmouth University , and Moore and her husband were worried about her driving back to Illinois by herself .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Millions of Americans took to the skies and the highways ahead of Thanksgiving at the risk of pouring gasoline on the coronavirus fire, disregarding increasingly dire warnings that they stay home and limit their holiday gatherings to members of their own household.
Those who are flying witnessed a distinctly 2020 landscape at the nation’s airports during what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year: plexiglass barriers in front of the ID stations, rapid virus testing sites inside terminals, and paperwork asking them to quarantine on arrival at their destination.
Advertisement
While the number of Americans traveling by air over the past several days was down dramatically from the same time last year, many pressed ahead with their holiday plans amid skyrocketing deaths, hospitalizations and confirmed infections across the U.S.
Some were tired of more than eight months of social distancing and determined to spend time with loved ones.
“I think with the holidays and everything, it’s so important right now, especially because people are so bummed out because of the whole pandemic,” said 25-year-old Cassidy Zerkle of Phoenix, who flew to Kansas City, Missouri, to visit family.
She brought snacks and her own hand sanitizer and said the flight was half full. She had a row of seats to herself.
Advertisement
“As long as you’re maintaining your distance, you’re not touching stuff and you’re sanitizing your hands, people should see their families right now,” she said.
Air travelers line up to go through a security checkpoint at Salt Lake City International Airport Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The coronavirus is blamed for more than 12.6 million confirmed infections and over 269,000 deaths in the U.S.
More than 88,000 people in the U.S. — an all-time high — were in the hospital with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, pushing the health care system in many places to the breaking point, and new cases of the virus have been setting records, soaring to an average of over 174,000 per day.
Deaths have surged to more than 1,600 per day, a mark last seen in May, when the crisis in the New York area was easing.
Advertisement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local authorities have begged people not to travel and urged them to keep their Thanksgiving celebrations small.
“That’ll make sure that your extended family are around to celebrate Christmas and to celebrate the holidays next year,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.
Around 900,000 to 1 million people per day passed through U.S. airport checkpoints from Friday through Tuesday, a drop-off of around 60% from the same time a year ago. Still, those have been some of the biggest crowds since the COVID-19 crisis took hold in the U.S. in March.
Last year, a record 26 million passengers and crew passed through U.S. airport screening in the 11-day period around Thanksgiving.
More Americans drive than fly during the holiday, but AAA has projected those numbers are also likely to be lower this year. How much lower the auto club has not said.
Advertisement
Many states and cities have adopted precautions. Travelers to Los Angeles, either by plane or train, were required to fill out an online form acknowledging California’s request that people quarantine for two weeks after arrival in the state.
The resurgence of the virus and the refusal of many people to wear masks or keep their distance from others have caused despair among health care officials and front-line workers.
“I’ll just to confess to you guys, I’m exhausted trying to convince folks to do stuff. It’s just going nowhere,” said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s state health officer.
Anne Moore, a 60-year-old woman from Chicago, flew to Albany, New York, to be with her daughter for the holiday. Her daughter is a senior at Dartmouth University, and Moore and her husband were worried about her driving back to Illinois by herself.
Before the spike, the family had planned to hold a Thanksgiving gathering of fewer than 10 people. But instead it will be just Moore, her husband and her daughter.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--Rocky The Christmas Tree Stowaway Owl Returns To The Wild

SAUGERTIES , N.Y. ( AP ) — Rocky the stowaway owl is back in the wild .
The tiny Saw-whet owl was named Rockefeller after it was found by a worker setting up the holiday tree Nov. 16 at Manhattan ’ s Rockefeller Center .
The owl was apparently trapped in the 75-foot-tall ( 23-meter-tall ) Norway spruce when it was cut down 170 miles ( 275 kilometers ) north , in upstate New York on Nov. 12 .
The female owl , initially thought to be male , was uninjured but hadn ’ t eaten for at least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties .
There , a rehabilitator nursed her back to health for a week with plenty of mice before Rocky was cleared to continue her migratory journey south .
On Tuesday evening , rehabilitator Ellen Kalish held the winsome raptor aloft in a field against a backdrop of rounded mountains .
In a video posted on Ravensbeard ’ s Facebook page , Rocky sits quietly on Kalish ’ s fingers before winging her way over to a nearby grove of pines .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re happy to see her back in her natural habitat , ” the center wrote on Facebook .
“ We are sure that Rocky will feel your love and support through her journey south.
” This story has been corrected to show the Rockefeller Christmas tree is 75 feet ( 23 meters ) tall , not 71 feet ( 22 meters ) tall .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (AP) — Rocky the stowaway owl is back in the wild.
The tiny Saw-whet owl was named Rockefeller after it was found by a worker setting up the holiday tree Nov. 16 at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center. The owl was apparently trapped in the 75-foot-tall (23-meter-tall) Norway spruce when it was cut down 170 miles (275 kilometers) north, in upstate New York on Nov. 12.
The female owl, initially thought to be male, was uninjured but hadn’t eaten for at least three days when she was discovered and sent to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties. There, a rehabilitator nursed her back to health for a week with plenty of mice before Rocky was cleared to continue her migratory journey south.
Advertisement
On Tuesday evening, rehabilitator Ellen Kalish held the winsome raptor aloft in a field against a backdrop of rounded mountains. In a video posted on Ravensbeard’s Facebook page, Rocky sits quietly on Kalish’s fingers before winging her way over to a nearby grove of pines.
“She is a tough little bird and we’re happy to see her back in her natural habitat,” the center wrote on Facebook. “We are sure that Rocky will feel your love and support through her journey south.”
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--California Unemployment Aid Scheme Approved $140 Million To Prisoners

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) — California ’ s system for paying unemployment benefits is so dysfunctional that the state approved more than $ 140 million for at least 20,000 prisoners , local and federal prosecutors said Tuesday , detailing a scheme that resulted in claims filed in the names of well-known convicted murderers like Scott Peterson and Cary Stayner .
From March to August , more than 35,000 inmates were named in claims filed with the California Employment Development Department , with more than 20,000 being paid , according to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 133 death-row inmates , resulting in more than $ 420,000 in benefits paid The main entryway leading into San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin , California , is seen .
More than 35,000 California inmates were named in unemployment benefit claims filed from March to August .
More than 20,000 of them were paid .
The list includes Peterson , who was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing his pregnant wife following a trial that riveted the nation .
The California Supreme Court recently overturned Peterson ’ s death sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review his murder conviction .
“ This investigation , when it ’ s completed , will show that he had not a thing to do with any kind of scheme to get fraudulent benefits , ” Harris said .
Schubert listed a number of inmates there who had claims filed in their names , including Stayner , convicted of killing four people in or near Yosemite National Park in 1999 ; Susan Eubanks , a San Diego woman convicted of shooting her four sons to death in 1997 ; Isauro Aguirre , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in Los Angeles ; and Wesley Shermantine , part of the duo dubbed the “ Speed Freak Killers ” for their meth-induced killing rampage in the 1980s and ’ 90s .
Prosecutors said they learned of the scheme from listening in on recorded prison phone calls , where inmates would talk about how easy it was for everyone to get paid .
They said the scheme always involved someone on the outside — usually friends or family members of the inmates , who would then receive the benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their real names .
In others , they used fake names and even fake Social Security numbers .
In one instance , an inmate used the name : “ poopy britches , ” Schubert said .
So far , 22 people have been charged in San Mateo County , including six people who were not in prison .
Prosecutors said dozens of other investigations across the state are continuing .
Prosecutors blamed the Employment Development Department , which has been overwhelmed by more than 16.4 million benefit claims since the pandemic began in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one time totaled more than 1.6 million people .
But prosecutors said in its haste to approve benefits , the department did not check unemployment claims against a list of prisoners , as many other states do .
San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said that when he notified the department about inmates fraudulently receiving benefits , they told him they could not cut off the payments until they were formally charged with a crime .
Employment Development Department spokeswoman Loree Levy said the agency has been working with the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on cross-checking claims with inmates , saying they are “ pursuing how to integrate such cross-matches moving forward as part of enhanced prevention efforts during this unprecedented time of pandemic-related unemployment fraud across the country.
” In an email to the AP , Newsom called the fraud “ absolutely unacceptable.
” He said he first learned of the fraud earlier this year , which prompted him to order the department to “ review its practices and take immediate actions to prevent fraud and to hold people accountable .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s system for paying unemployment benefits is so dysfunctional that the state approved more than $140 million for at least 20,000 prisoners, local and federal prosecutors said Tuesday, detailing a scheme that resulted in claims filed in the names of well-known convicted murderers like Scott Peterson and Cary Stayner.
From March to August, more than 35,000 inmates were named in claims filed with the California Employment Development Department, with more than 20,000 being paid, according to Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. At least 158 claims were filed for 133 death-row inmates, resulting in more than $420,000 in benefits paid
Advertisement
“It involves rapists and child molesters, human traffickers and other violent criminals in our state prisons,” Schubert said.
The main entryway leading into San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, California, is seen. More than 35,000 California inmates were named in unemployment benefit claims filed from March to August. More than 20,000 of them were paid. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The list includes Peterson, who was sentenced to death after being convicted of killing his pregnant wife following a trial that riveted the nation. The California Supreme Court recently overturned Peterson’s death sentence and has ordered a lower court to review his murder conviction.
Schubert confirmed there was a claim made in the name of Scott Peterson, but declined to provide further details.
Advertisement
Peterson’s attorney, Pat Harris, said while Peterson’s name surfaced during the investigation, there is no evidence Peterson received unemployment aid from the state.
“This investigation, when it’s completed, will show that he had not a thing to do with any kind of scheme to get fraudulent benefits,” Harris said.
A California prosecutor said someone filed an unemployment claim in the name of convicted murderer Scott Peterson. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Schubert listed a number of inmates there who had claims filed in their names, including Stayner, convicted of killing four people in or near Yosemite National Park in 1999; Susan Eubanks, a San Diego woman convicted of shooting her four sons to death in 1997; Isauro Aguirre, who was sentenced to death for the 2013 murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in Los Angeles; and Wesley Shermantine, part of the duo dubbed the “Speed Freak Killers” for their meth-induced killing rampage in the 1980s and ’90s.
Prosecutors said they learned of the scheme from listening in on recorded prison phone calls, where inmates would talk about how easy it was for everyone to get paid. They said the scheme always involved someone on the outside — usually friends or family members of the inmates, who would then receive the benefits.
Advertisement
In Kern County, home to five state prisons, one address was used to receive benefits for 16 inmates.
“In my nearly four decades as a prosecutor in this state, I have never seen fraud of this magnitude,” Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said.
A guard at San Quentin prison is seen checking doors of cells housing death row inmates. At least 158 claims were filed in California for 133 death-row inmates. Reuters Photographer / Reuters
In some cases, inmates used their real names. In others, they used fake names and even fake Social Security numbers. In one instance, an inmate used the name: “poopy britches,” Schubert said.
“Quite frankly, the inmates are mocking us,” Schubert said.
So far, 22 people have been charged in San Mateo County, including six people who were not in prison. Prosecutors said dozens of other investigations across the state are continuing.
Prosecutors blamed the Employment Development Department, which has been overwhelmed by more than 16.4 million benefit claims since the pandemic began in March, resulting in a backlog that at one time totaled more than 1.6 million people.
Advertisement
But prosecutors said in its haste to approve benefits, the department did not check unemployment claims against a list of prisoners, as many other states do. San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said that when he notified the department about inmates fraudulently receiving benefits, they told him they could not cut off the payments until they were formally charged with a crime.
The problem was so bad that on Monday, nine county district attorneys sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking for him to intervene.
“We face a manifest problem that requires action, not talk,” said McGregor Scott, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California.
Employment Development Department spokeswoman Loree Levy said the agency has been working with the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General on cross-checking claims with inmates, saying they are “pursuing how to integrate such cross-matches moving forward as part of enhanced prevention efforts during this unprecedented time of pandemic-related unemployment fraud across the country.”
In an email to the AP, Newsom called the fraud “absolutely unacceptable.” He said he first learned of the fraud earlier this year, which prompted him to order the department to “review its practices and take immediate actions to prevent fraud and to hold people accountable.”
Advertisement
Newsom said he has ordered the Office of Emergency Services to set up a task force to assist prosecutors with their investigation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--The Killers Turn Grammy Nomination Snub Into Donald Trump-Trolling Gold

Rock band The Killers responded to being snubbed for Grammy Awards nominations with a tweet that mocked President Donald Trump ’ s failing attempts to steal the 2020 election .
After missing out on a nomination for sixth studio album “ Imploding the Mirage , ” the group on Tuesday channeled the president ’ s false conspiracy theories about mass voter fraud with this all-caps tweet : OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS .
WE WON THE GRAMMYS , GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES .
BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE .
NEVER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM !
# RIGGEDGRAMMYS # WEWON — The Killers ( @ thekillers ) November 25 , 2020 “ OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS , ” the group wrote .
“ WE WON THE GRAMMYS , GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES .
“ BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE .
NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE , ” the band added .
“ DOZENS OF BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM !
” The tweet went down well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time the Brandon Flowers-fronted group has used its platform to call out the Trump era .
In January 2019 , The Killers released protest song “ Land of the Free ” that riffed on the themes of institutional racism , immigration and Trump ’ s much-promised wall on the U.S.-Mexico border .
Check out the “ Land of the Free ” music video here :

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Rock band The Killers responded to being snubbed for Grammy Awards nominations with a tweet that mocked President Donald Trump’s failing attempts to steal the 2020 election.
After missing out on a nomination for sixth studio album “Imploding the Mirage,” the group on Tuesday channeled the president’s false conspiracy theories about mass voter fraud with this all-caps tweet:
Advertisement
OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS. WE WON THE GRAMMYS, GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES. BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. DOZENS OF BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM! #RIGGEDGRAMMYS #WEWON — The Killers (@thekillers) November 25, 2020
“OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS,” the group wrote. “WE WON THE GRAMMYS, GOT LOADS OF LEGAL VOTES.
“BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE,” the band added. “DOZENS OF BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM!”
The tweet went down well with fans:
Just when I thought I couldn’t love The Killers more! 😆 — M e L i ♥ (@msmelibby) November 25, 2020
Advertisement
Winning the Internet today 😏😂😆🤣 https://t.co/SaxEesgr6s — Matraca Berg (@matracaberg) November 25, 2020
Injustice that cries out to heaven!!! pic.twitter.com/VpRVo0RyCG — the user formally known as roesti32 (@Roesti32) November 25, 2020
It’s not the first time the Brandon Flowers-fronted group has used its platform to call out the Trump era.
In January 2019, The Killers released protest song “Land of the Free” that riffed on the themes of institutional racism, immigration and Trump’s much-promised wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Check out the “Land of the Free” music video here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--Julia Louis-Dreyfus Swipes At Rudy Giuliani With A Leaky PSA About 'Veep'

The star announced in an Instagram video Tuesday that the cast of HBO ’ s award-winning political comedy will reunite for a live table read next month to support getting out the vote for the January Senate runoff elections in Georgia .
They ’ ll be reading from the 2016 episode “ Mother , ” in which the show ’ s incumbent president demands a recount in a battleground state and then demands that the count be stopped when the numbers begin to swing in an unfavorable way .
The president ends up losing the recount and the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s controversy-plagued personal attorney Rudy Giuliani , Dreyfus had black something-or-other dripping from her hairline as she shared the news , dabbing at the streaks intermittently with a napkin .
Giuliani sported a similar oozy look at a lie-packed news conference last week .
Following the Nov. 3 election and its tumultuous aftermath , “ Mother ” trended as fans compared real life to the fictional limbo in the episode .
Dreyfus told The Hollywood Reporter she and “ Veep ” showrunner David Manel thought this would be a great way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group working to encourage voting , particularly in Black and brown communities , ahead of the Jan. 5 runoff election in Georgia .
Both of Georgia ’ s Senate seats are at stake , and the results will determine whether Democrats take control of the Senate .
“ What better way to do that than with this particular episode ?
” Dreyfus said .
” ‘ Mother ’ has the complete , bipolar political point-of-view of ‘ stop the count ’ and ‘ count every vote ’ happening , which is what everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election.
” She noted that back when they were putting the storyline for the episode together , they thought it was pretty far-fetched .
“ We would talk with our consultants and they said , ‘ Something like this could happen.
’ But they were very quick to say , ‘ But don ’ t worry , it ’ s never going to happen.
’ And now , here we are , ” she said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
This “Veep” announcement is so exciting, it’s got Julia Louis-Dreyfus sweating off her hair dye.
The star announced in an Instagram video Tuesday that the cast of HBO’s award-winning political comedy will reunite for a live table read next month to support getting out the vote for the January Senate runoff elections in Georgia.
They’ll be reading from the 2016 episode “Mother,” in which the show’s incumbent president demands a recount in a battleground state and then demands that the count be stopped when the numbers begin to swing in an unfavorable way. The president ends up losing the recount and the election.
Advertisement
In a cheeky jab at President Donald Trump’s controversy-plagued personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, Dreyfus had black something-or-other dripping from her hairline as she shared the news, dabbing at the streaks intermittently with a napkin. Giuliani sported a similar oozy look at a lie-packed news conference last week.
Following the Nov. 3 election and its tumultuous aftermath, “Mother” trended as fans compared real life to the fictional limbo in the episode.
Dreyfus told The Hollywood Reporter she and “Veep” showrunner David Manel thought this would be a great way to support America Votes, a nonpartisan group working to encourage voting, particularly in Black and brown communities, ahead of the Jan. 5 runoff election in Georgia.
Advertisement
Both of Georgia’s Senate seats are at stake, and the results will determine whether Democrats take control of the Senate.
“What better way to do that than with this particular episode?” Dreyfus said. ”‘Mother’ has the complete, bipolar political point-of-view of ‘stop the count’ and ‘count every vote’ happening, which is what everyone was pointing to during this most recent election.”
She noted that back when they were putting the storyline for the episode together, they thought it was pretty far-fetched.
“We would talk with our consultants and they said, ‘Something like this could happen.’ But they were very quick to say, ‘But don’t worry, it’s never going to happen.’ And now, here we are,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-25--Jimmy Kimmel Has The Perfect Musical Parody To Mock ‘Squatter' Donald Trump

Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday used a musical number to mock “ squattergate ” ― President Donald Trump ’ s reluctance @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump appeared to sing “ And I Am Telling You I ’ m Not @ @ @ @ @ ” in a parody clip edited by the “ Jimmy Kimmel Live !
” team @ @ @ @ @ sounds a lot better when you sing it , ” cracked Kimmel .


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-24--Czech Hunter Reports Rifle-Stealing Deer To Police

Elena Vafina via Getty Images Cervus nippon , flower spotted deer walking and feeds on in forest of National Park @ @ @ @ @ Czech police are seeking help in an unusual case after a deer turned the tables @ @ @ @ @ pursuer ’ s rifle on his antlers before running away .
The deer , frightened @ @ @ @ @ toward one of the hunting party , tore his sleeve and caught a strap of @ @ @ @ @ his antlers , police said on Tuesday .
“ The rifle , which the hunter @ @ @ @ @ arm - fortunately without ammo - slipped on the deer ’ s antlers and disappeared @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Police said another hunter later spotted the deer about a kilometre ( @ @ @ @ @ still carrying the gun .
“ The hunters searched the forest but did not find @ @ @ @ @ no other choice than to report the incident to the police , ” the police @ @ @ @ @ finds the weapon should contact authorities .

Cervus nippon, flower spotted deer walking and feeds on in forest of National Park Elena Vafina via Getty Images
PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech police are seeking help in an unusual case after a deer turned the tables on hunters and snagged a pursuer’s rifle on his antlers before running away.
The deer, frightened by a dog, ran toward one of the hunting party, tore his sleeve and caught a strap of a 0.22 Hornet rifle on his antlers, police said on Tuesday.
Advertisement
“The rifle, which the hunter had slung over his left arm - fortunately without ammo - slipped on the deer’s antlers and disappeared with him,” the police said.
Police said another hunter later spotted the deer about a kilometre (0.6 miles) away, still carrying the gun.