thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Hundreds Of Former Bush Officials Form New Super PAC To Help Elect Joe Biden

Hundreds of Republicans who worked for former President George W. Bush have united to form a political action committee to help Democratic candidate Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump in November .
Karen Kirksey , director of the 43 Alumni for Biden super PAC and former USDA official under Bush , said the Republican Party had ” morphed into a cult of personality that little resembles the Party of Lincoln and Reagan.
” In a news release , she said that the new super PAC was working to elect Biden because of “ the urgent need to restore the soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will include senior aides and former cabinet secretaries , Reuters reported , but it hasn ’ t released the names of all its members or donors yet .
An “ about ” page on its website lists officials who worked in the White House , Treasury , Education and Energy departments , the EPA and on the Bush political campaigns .
Since the organization filed on July 1 , it will not have to make its list of donors public until October , NPR reported .
“ We believe that a Biden administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ensure equal protection for all Americans and restore dignity and integrity to the White House , ” organizing committee member Kristopher Purcell , who worked in the Bush White House and on both election campaigns , said in a statement .
“ This November , we are choosing country over party.
” The organization joins a growing number of conservative groups working against Trump , including The Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump .
These groups have made waves by creating videos that attack Trump .
However , 43 Alumni for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , opting for a pro-Biden message rather than an anti-Trump one .
“ We just want to focus on the positives , and the positive message to us is we need a gentleman who actually acts like a leader and , again , restores dignity , ” committee member Jennifer Millikin , who served in the General Services Administration under Bush , told The Hill .
She also said that some of the names of the group ’ s high-profile members will be made public in the coming weeks .
The 43 Alumni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans to join , saying they don ’ t have to endorse the Democratic platform to help .
“ This campaign is bigger than partisan politics , ” the organization said .
“ We recognize that there may be policy differences among us , but we look forward to a time when civil , honest and robust policy discussions are the order of the day.
” While the group will include hundreds of former Bush officials , aides and others from the administration , the former president himself will not be involved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that Bush does not plan to vote for Trump .
A Bush spokesperson later called the report “ completely made up , ” but stopped short of contradicting it .
“ He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote , ” Freddy Ford told the Texas Tribune .

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Hundreds of Republicans who worked for former President George W. Bush have united to form a political action committee to help Democratic candidate Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump in November.
Karen Kirksey, director of the 43 Alumni for Biden super PAC and former USDA official under Bush, said the Republican Party had ”morphed into a cult of personality that little resembles the Party of Lincoln and Reagan.”
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In a news release, she said that the new super PAC was working to elect Biden because of “the urgent need to restore the soul of this nation.”
The super PAC will include senior aides and former cabinet secretaries, Reuters reported, but it hasn’t released the names of all its members or donors yet. An “about” page on its website lists officials who worked in the White House, Treasury, Education and Energy departments, the EPA and on the Bush political campaigns.
Since the organization filed on July 1, it will not have to make its list of donors public until October, NPR reported.
“We believe that a Biden administration will adhere to the rule of law, ensure equal protection for all Americans and restore dignity and integrity to the White House,” organizing committee member Kristopher Purcell, who worked in the Bush White House and on both election campaigns, said in a statement. “This November, we are choosing country over party.”
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The organization joins a growing number of conservative groups working against Trump, including The Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump. These groups have made waves by creating videos that attack Trump. However, 43 Alumni for Biden plans to take a different approach, opting for a pro-Biden message rather than an anti-Trump one.
“We just want to focus on the positives, and the positive message to us is we need a gentleman who actually acts like a leader and, again, restores dignity,” committee member Jennifer Millikin, who served in the General Services Administration under Bush, told The Hill. She also said that some of the names of the group’s high-profile members will be made public in the coming weeks.
The 43 Alumni for Biden group is calling on other Republicans to join, saying they don’t have to endorse the Democratic platform to help.
“This campaign is bigger than partisan politics,” the organization said. “We recognize that there may be policy differences among us, but we look forward to a time when civil, honest and robust policy discussions are the order of the day.”
While the group will include hundreds of former Bush officials, aides and others from the administration, the former president himself will not be involved. Last month, The New York Times reported that Bush does not plan to vote for Trump. A Bush spokesperson later called the report “completely made up,” but stopped short of contradicting it.
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“He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote,” Freddy Ford told the Texas Tribune.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Joe Biden Raises $141 Million, Topping Trump For Second Straight Month

Former Vice President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised $ 141 million in June , his campaign announced Wednesday night , topping the total haul of President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee for the second straight month .
Both campaigns massively improved upon their fundraising from May , when Biden and the DNC banked $ 80.8 million and Trump raised $ 74 million .
Biden has now outraised Trump in both months since reaching a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC in late April , which allowed him to raise much larger sums from a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a joint fundraising agreement for years .
The Trump campaign , which is trailing by significant margins in public polling , has long planned to have a major financial advantage over the Democratic nominee .
But Biden ’ s fundraising strength , powered by donors large and small , likely means that advantage is smaller than the Republicans would like .
The Trump campaign said it has more than $ 295 million on hand , while the Biden campaign did not release a total .
The Biden campaign ended May with just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign announced its fundraising total with great bombast and confidence earlier Wednesday only to be one-upped by Biden ’ s team Wednesday night .
“ After yet another haul of record-breaking support , the voters are speaking loud and clear ― they support President Trump , ” RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement at the time .
“ As Joe Biden remains hidden in his basement , President Trump is leading this country to a Great American Comeback that will reignite our economy , restore law and order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength.
” “ There ’ s real , grassroots energy for Joe , ” Biden campaign manager Jennifer O ’ Malley Dillon countered on Twitter , noting the Biden campaign ’ s fundraising list had grown by more than 2.6 million people over the past three months .
The Biden campaign ’ s haul was part of an auspicious month for the finances of left-leaning groups and campaigns .
The wave of activism powered by the Black Lives Matter movement and growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic led to a record-shattering $ 392 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital donation processor for Democrats and liberal groups .

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Former Vice President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee raised $141 million in June, his campaign announced Wednesday night, topping the total haul of President Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee for the second straight month.
Trump and the RNC combined to raise $131 million.
Both campaigns massively improved upon their fundraising from May, when Biden and the DNC banked $80.8 million and Trump raised $74 million.
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Biden has now outraised Trump in both months since reaching a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC in late April, which allowed him to raise much larger sums from a single donor. Trump and the RNC have had a joint fundraising agreement for years.
The Trump campaign, which is trailing by significant margins in public polling, has long planned to have a major financial advantage over the Democratic nominee. But Biden’s fundraising strength, powered by donors large and small, likely means that advantage is smaller than the Republicans would like.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event Tuesday at Alexis I. Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware. Alex Wong/Getty Images
The Trump campaign said it has more than $295 million on hand, while the Biden campaign did not release a total. The Biden campaign ended May with just $82 million in the bank.
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The Trump campaign announced its fundraising total with great bombast and confidence earlier Wednesday only to be one-upped by Biden’s team Wednesday night.
“After yet another haul of record-breaking support, the voters are speaking loud and clear ― they support President Trump,” RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement at the time. “As Joe Biden remains hidden in his basement, President Trump is leading this country to a Great American Comeback that will reignite our economy, restore law and order, and usher in a new era of strength.”
“There’s real, grassroots energy for Joe,” Biden campaign manager Jennifer O’Malley Dillon countered on Twitter, noting the Biden campaign’s fundraising list had grown by more than 2.6 million people over the past three months.
The Biden campaign’s haul was part of an auspicious month for the finances of left-leaning groups and campaigns. The wave of activism powered by the Black Lives Matter movement and growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic led to a record-shattering $392 million in payments through ActBlue, a digital donation processor for Democrats and liberal groups.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Tucker Carlson Delivers Yet Another Vitriolic Diatribe Against Black Lives Matter

So why are people attacking Columbus ’ statute ?
Well , who knows ?
You ’ re definitely not allowed @ @ @ @ @ not permitted during hysteria epidemics .
Logic of any kind seems to dramatically increase the @ @ @ @ @ A patient may appear to be recovering from hysteria , speaking in nearly complete sentences @ @ @ @ @ .
But then a single direct question will send him into a tailspin .
A @ @ @ @ @ anarchist graffiti , hours of hostile tweeting .
The disease back in force .
It @ @ @ @ @ say a word .

So why are people attacking Columbus’ statute? Well, who knows? You’re definitely not allowed to ask. Questions are not permitted during hysteria epidemics. Logic of any kind seems to dramatically increase the severity of the symptoms. A patient may appear to be recovering from hysteria, speaking in nearly complete sentences, bathing independently on occasion. But then a single direct question will send him into a tailspin. A renewed attack of slogan-shouting, anarchist graffiti, hours of hostile tweeting. The disease back in force. It’s safer not to say a word.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Families Demand Justice In California Police Killings Of Young Latino Men

The families of two young Latino men , both fatally shot just days apart by law enforcement in the San Francisco Bay Area in June , are demanding justice , including legal consequences for the officers involved .
On Wednesday , the sisters of Sean Monterrosa — a 22-year-old fatally shot by Vallejo police on June 2 — and Erik Salgado — a 23-year-old fatally shot by California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland on June 6 — rallied in Sacramento with other family members of police brutality victims .
Both families are calling for California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to organizers .
And they want the officers involved to be named , fired and charged .
“ We are sick and tired of murderers being on the force and still getting paid , yet no convictions , ” Michelle Monterrosa said in a video after the rally , provided to HuffPost .
She wants police to release footage of the incident and the names of all the officers involved .
( While officials have not released the name of the officer who shot Monterrosa , local media reports identified him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want justice .
We want convictions , too , ” said Amanda Majail-Blanco , Salgado ’ s sister .
She also demanded video of the incident and the names of the CHP officers involved , as well as to know whether they ’ ve been placed on leave or fired .
( CHP told HuffPost that all officers involved were still employed , and that “ per policy , they were placed on administrative time off after the incident and have now returned to their normal duties.
” ) “ These are two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Majail-Blanco said of Salgado and Monterrosa , noting they ’ re both San Francisco Bay Area residents in their 20s .
“ They robbed them of their future.
” On the night Monterrosa was killed , Vallejo police officers were responding to reports of looting , according to the police report , when they saw a man ( later identified as Monterrosa ) outside a Walgreens who “ appeared to be armed ” and who ran toward a car , then turned to face officers and crouched .
Monterrosa , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun — he had a hammer in his sweatshirt pocket , according to the report .
The officers shot at him five times , killing him .
The officer who fired the shots and the other officers present , who have not been named , were placed on paid administrative leave .
None has been fired , arrested or charged .
Becerra ’ s office told HuffPost he has “ confidence ” in the district attorney ’ s “ capabilities to fully and fairly complete the investigation.
” The state Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Vallejo police department ’ s policing policies and practices.
” In Salgado ’ s case , the Oakland Police Department , which took over investigating the incident from CHP , said in a June 9 press release that Salgado had been driving a stolen car .
When the CHP officers conducted a traffic stop , Salgado allegedly “ began ramming ” the car into CHP vehicles .
Officers shot at the car multiple times , killing Salgado and injuring his girlfriend in the passenger seat .
The family ’ s attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salgado was shot first , causing his car to ram into officers ’ vehicles .
The family said his girlfriend was pregnant and miscarried .
Oakland police told HuffPost that its investigators were “ not releasing any additional information ” at this time .
The Alameda County district attorney ’ s office , which is also investigating the incident , said it could not provide more details on “ an ongoing and active investigation.
” The family ’ s call for justice comes as protests against racism and police brutality continue nationwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .

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The families of two young Latino men, both fatally shot just days apart by law enforcement in the San Francisco Bay Area in June, are demanding justice, including legal consequences for the officers involved.
On Wednesday, the sisters of Sean Monterrosa — a 22-year-old fatally shot by Vallejo police on June 2 — and Erik Salgado — a 23-year-old fatally shot by California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland on June 6 — rallied in Sacramento with other family members of police brutality victims.
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On the steps of the state Capitol, activists placed photos of dozens of people killed by law enforcement in California in recent years.
Both families are calling for California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to launch an independent investigation into the shootings, according to organizers. And they want the officers involved to be named, fired and charged.
“We are sick and tired of murderers being on the force and still getting paid, yet no convictions,” Michelle Monterrosa said in a video after the rally, provided to HuffPost. She wants police to release footage of the incident and the names of all the officers involved. (While officials have not released the name of the officer who shot Monterrosa, local media reports identified him as Jarrett Tonn.)
“We want justice. We want convictions, too,” said Amanda Majail-Blanco, Salgado’s sister. She also demanded video of the incident and the names of the CHP officers involved, as well as to know whether they’ve been placed on leave or fired. (CHP told HuffPost that all officers involved were still employed, and that “per policy, they were placed on administrative time off after the incident and have now returned to their normal duties.”)
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“These are two people that were killed four days apart,” Majail-Blanco said of Salgado and Monterrosa, noting they’re both San Francisco Bay Area residents in their 20s. “They robbed them of their future.”
On the night Monterrosa was killed, Vallejo police officers were responding to reports of looting, according to the police report, when they saw a man (later identified as Monterrosa) outside a Walgreens who “appeared to be armed” and who ran toward a car, then turned to face officers and crouched. Monterrosa, it turned out, was not carrying a gun — he had a hammer in his sweatshirt pocket, according to the report. The officers shot at him five times, killing him.
The officer who fired the shots and the other officers present, who have not been named, were placed on paid administrative leave. None has been fired, arrested or charged.
The Solano County district attorney’s office is conducting an investigation.
Becerra’s office told HuffPost he has “confidence” in the district attorney’s “capabilities to fully and fairly complete the investigation.” The state Department of Justice is also conducting a “comprehensive review of the Vallejo police department’s policing policies and practices.”
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In Salgado’s case, the Oakland Police Department, which took over investigating the incident from CHP, said in a June 9 press release that Salgado had been driving a stolen car. When the CHP officers conducted a traffic stop, Salgado allegedly “began ramming” the car into CHP vehicles. Officers shot at the car multiple times, killing Salgado and injuring his girlfriend in the passenger seat. The family’s attorney John Burris told reporters in June that Salgado was shot first, causing his car to ram into officers’ vehicles. The family said his girlfriend was pregnant and miscarried.
Oakland police told HuffPost that its investigators were “not releasing any additional information” at this time. The Alameda County district attorney’s office, which is also investigating the incident, said it could not provide more details on “an ongoing and active investigation.”
Becerra’s office said the attorney general could not comment “on a potential or ongoing investigation.”
“I miss his presence, I miss his warmth, I miss his laugh,” Salgado’s sister Majail-Blanco said Wednesday.
“I miss cooking for him. If only I could make him just one more meal,” Monterrosa’s sister Ashley said, in tears.
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The family’s call for justice comes as protests against racism and police brutality continue nationwide, ongoing for more than a month since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“The timing is beautiful. Black and brown coming together in solidarity. Their fight is our fight,” said Majail-Blanco.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Unemployment Rate Falls To 11.1%, But Job Growth Might Not Last As COVID-19 Cases Rise

The nation has now recovered roughly one-third of the 22 million jobs it lost to the pandemic recession .
And with confirmed coronavirus cases spiking across the Sun Belt states , a range of evidence suggests that a job market recovery may be stalling .
In those states and elsewhere , some restaurants , bars and other retailers that had re-opened are being forced to close again .
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers reduced their spending last week after having increased it steadily in late April and May .
The reversal has occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in COVID-19 and in less affected states , said Jesse Edgerton , an economist at J.P. Morgan .
Economists have long warned that the economic benefits of allowing businesses to reopen would prove short-lived if the virus wasn ’ t brought under control .
Until most Americans feel confident enough to dine out , travel , shop or congregate in groups without fear of infection , restaurants , hotels and retailers will lack enough customer demand to justify rehiring all their previous workers .
Economists have forecast that businesses , governments and nonprofits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high — and that the unemployment rate fell a full percentage point to 12.3 % , according to data provider FactSet .
The predicted hiring gain would be up from 2.5 million jobs in May .
Even so , the combined job growth for May and June would recover only a fraction of the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April , when the virus forced business shutdowns and layoffs across the country .
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers have slowed their spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending had risen steadily in late April and May .
The reversal has occurred both in states that have seen surges in reported COVID cases and in less affected states , said Jesse Edgerton , an economist at J.P. Morgan .
Real-time data from Homebase , a provider of time-tracking software for small businesses , shows that the number of hours worked at its client companies has leveled off after having risen sharply in May and early June .
Business re-openings have also flattened .
The economic bounce produced by the initial lifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course .
Still , Thursday ’ s jobs report will be based on data gathered in the second week of June , so it will still likely reflect an improving hiring trend .
Last week ’ s plateau in hours worked will instead affect the July jobs figures , to be released in early August .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a substantial 4.8 million jobs in June, and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1%, as the job market improved for a second straight month yet still remained far short of regaining the colossal losses it suffered this spring.
The nation has now recovered roughly one-third of the 22 million jobs it lost to the pandemic recession. And with confirmed coronavirus cases spiking across the Sun Belt states, a range of evidence suggests that a job market recovery may be stalling. In those states and elsewhere, some restaurants, bars and other retailers that had re-opened are being forced to close again.
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The re-closings are keeping layoffs elevated: The number of Americans who sought unemployment benefits barely fell last week to 1.47 million. Though that weekly figure has declined steadily since peaking in late March, it’s still more than double the pre-pandemic peak set in 1982. And the total number of people receiving jobless aid remains at a sizable 19 million.
California has re-closed bars, theaters and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state. Florida has also re-closed bars and beaches. Texas has reversed some of its efforts to reopen its economy. New York has paused its plans to allow indoor dining.
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers reduced their spending last week after having increased it steadily in late April and May. The reversal has occurred both in states that have reported surges in COVID-19 and in less affected states, said Jesse Edgerton, an economist at J.P. Morgan.
Nationwide, card spending fell nearly 13% last week compared with a year ago. That’s worse than the previous week, when year-over-year card spending had fallen just under 10%.
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And Kronos, which produces time management software, has found that in the past two weeks, growth in the number of shifts worked has slowed in the Southeast and is now rising at just half the rate of the Northeast.
“The pace of recovery is starting to slow,” said Dave Gilbertson, an executive at Kronos. “We are expecting to see more of a plateauing over the next couple of months.”
Thursday’s jobs report is based on data gathered in the second week of June, which helps explain why the figures reflect an improving trend. Last week’s plateau in work shifts will instead affect the July jobs figures, to be released in early August.
McDonald’s has paused its reopening efforts nationwide, and Apple says it will re-close 30 more of its U.S. stores, on top of 47 that it had already shut down for a second time.
Economists have long warned that the economic benefits of allowing businesses to reopen would prove short-lived if the virus wasn’t brought under control. Until most Americans feel confident enough to dine out, travel, shop or congregate in groups without fear of infection, restaurants, hotels and retailers will lack enough customer demand to justify rehiring all their previous workers.
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Still, some bright spots in the economy have emerged in recent weeks. Manufacturers expanded in June after three months of shrinking, the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group, said Wednesday. New orders are flowing in, and factories are adding more jobs, the ISM said.
And record-low mortgage rates are encouraging more home buyers. Purchases of new homes rose sharply in May. And a measure of signed contracts to buy existing homes soared by a record amount, a sign that sales should rebound after falling for three straight months.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story is below:
U.S. employers likely rehired several million more workers in June, thereby reducing a Depression-level unemployment rate, but the most up-to-date data suggests that a resurgent coronavirus will limit further gains.
Economists have forecast that businesses, governments and nonprofits added 3 million jobs — a record high — and that the unemployment rate fell a full percentage point to 12.3%, according to data provider FactSet. The predicted hiring gain would be up from 2.5 million jobs in May. Even so, the combined job growth for May and June would recover only a fraction of the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April, when the virus forced business shutdowns and layoffs across the country.
And even a jobless rate above 10% wouldn’t fully capture the scope of the pandemic’s damage to the job market and the economy. Millions more people are working part time but would prefer full-time work. And an unusually high proportion of workers have been subject to pay cuts, research has found.
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With confirmed coronavirus cases spiking across the Sun Belt, a range of evidence suggests that a nascent recovery is stalling. In states that are suffering the sharpest spikes in reported virus cases — Texas, Florida, Arizona and others — progress has reversed, with businesses closing again and workers losing jobs, in some cases for a second time.
On Wednesday, California re-closed down bars, theaters and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state. And Arizona’s outbreak grew more severe by nearly every measure. Florida has closed some beaches.
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers have slowed their spending in just the past week, after spending had risen steadily in late April and May. The reversal has occurred both in states that have seen surges in reported COVID cases and in less affected states, said Jesse Edgerton, an economist at J.P. Morgan.
Nationwide, card spending fell nearly 13% last week compared with a year ago. That was worse than the previous week, when year-over-year card spending had declined just under 10%.
Real-time data from Homebase, a provider of time-tracking software for small businesses, shows that the number of hours worked at its client companies has leveled off after having risen sharply in May and early June. Business re-openings have also flattened. The economic bounce produced by the initial lifting of shutdown orders may have run its course.
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Still, Thursday’s jobs report will be based on data gathered in the second week of June, so it will still likely reflect an improving hiring trend. Last week’s plateau in hours worked will instead affect the July jobs figures, to be released in early August.
“Whatever picture the jobs report gives us, things have become worse since then,” said Julia Pollak, a labor economist at ZipRecruiter.
In addition to the renewed shutdowns across the Sun Belt, New York City has postponed plans to reopen indoor seating at restaurants in the face of more confirmed virus cases. Such moves are causing another round of layoffs or will limit future hiring.
McDonald’s has paused its reopening efforts nationwide. And Apple said it will re-close 30 more of its U.S. stores, on top of 47 it had already shut down for a second time.
Economists have long warned that the economic benefits of allowing businesses to reopen would prove short-lived if the virus wasn’t brought under control. Until most Americans feel confident enough to dine out, travel, shop or congregate in groups without fear of infection, restaurants, hotels and retailers won’t have enough demand to justify rehiring all their previous workers.
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“The path forward for the economy is extraordinarily uncertain and will depend in large part on our success in containing the virus,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a House committee this week. “A full recovery is unlikely until people are confident that it is safe to re-engage in a broad range of activities.”
Still, some bright spots in the economy may emerge in Thursday’s jobs report. Manufacturers expanded in June after three months of shrinking, the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group, said Wednesday. New orders are flowing in and factories are adding more jobs, the ISM said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Florida Police Heard In Video Laughing About Shooting Rubber Bullets

ASSOCIATED PRESS LaToya Ratlieff looks at a photograph of herself , Friday , June 12 , 2020 , in Lauderhill , Fla. Ratlieff was hit in the face by a police officer 's rubber bullet during a Fort Lauderdale protest over the death of George Floyd on May 31 .
FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) — Florida police officers can be heard laughing and celebrating after shooting protesters with rubber bullets during a May protest against police brutality , according to newly released body camera footage .
In response to a story by the Miami Herald , Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official YouTube channel Wednesday taken from the body camera of Detective Zachary Baro , who was leading the department ’ s SWAT team unit on May 31 .
( Warning : Video contains graphic content . )
It was less than a week after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody , which sparked protests through the U.S. At one point in the video , Baro can be heard saying , “ Beat it ” and using a profanity , after officers shot less lethal projectiles .
LaToya Ratlieff was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a largely peaceful protest , suffering a fractured skull and requiring 20 stitches .
She couldn ’ t eat for a week and still has trouble seeing out of one eye that is filled with blood .
She has asked to sit down with the police department to discuss ways to change the system and make sure there ’ s accountability going forward .
A Fort Lauderdale police officer was charged for an incident during that same protest after video showed he pushed a kneeling woman to the ground .
Witnesses said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters responded by throwing bottles .
The officer ’ s colleagues quickly pushed him away from the woman and down the street .
During another section of the video , an officer approaches Baro behind the police line and asks if his body camera is off .
After Baro replies incorrectly that his camera is in stand-by mode and not recording , the two officers begin laughing and joking about the people they had shot with rubber bullets .
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said in a statement that the department was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes of body camera footage , with a report to be completed within the next month .
“ The entire video clearly demonstrates our officers were under attack by a group of people who chose to use violence instead of peace to antagonize the situation , ” Maglione said .
“ Although the language is extreme , and offensive to some , our officers were dealing with the chaos of a developing situation .
”

LaToya Ratlieff looks at a photograph of herself, Friday, June 12, 2020, in Lauderhill, Fla. Ratlieff was hit in the face by a police officer's rubber bullet during a Fort Lauderdale protest over the death of George Floyd on May 31. ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida police officers can be heard laughing and celebrating after shooting protesters with rubber bullets during a May protest against police brutality, according to newly released body camera footage.
In response to a story by the Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale police posted a video on its official YouTube channel Wednesday taken from the body camera of Detective Zachary Baro, who was leading the department’s SWAT team unit on May 31. (Warning: Video contains graphic content.) It was less than a week after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, which sparked protests through the U.S.
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At one point in the video, Baro can be heard saying, “Beat it” and using a profanity, after officers shot less lethal projectiles.
LaToya Ratlieff was shot in the face during what had been a largely peaceful protest, suffering a fractured skull and requiring 20 stitches. She couldn’t eat for a week and still has trouble seeing out of one eye that is filled with blood.
She has asked to sit down with the police department to discuss ways to change the system and make sure there’s accountability going forward.
“I’m heartbroken. We deserve better,” she said in response to the video late Wednesday night.
A Fort Lauderdale police officer was charged for an incident during that same protest after video showed he pushed a kneeling woman to the ground. Witnesses said the peaceful gathering turned after that as angry protesters responded by throwing bottles. The officer’s colleagues quickly pushed him away from the woman and down the street.
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During another section of the video, an officer approaches Baro behind the police line and asks if his body camera is off. After Baro replies incorrectly that his camera is in stand-by mode and not recording, the two officers begin laughing and joking about the people they had shot with rubber bullets.
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said in a statement that the department was conducting an exhaustive review of nearly 8,000 minutes of body camera footage, with a report to be completed within the next month.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Samantha Bee Reveals Scariest Part Of Donald Trump’s War On The Press

Samantha Bee picked apart President Donald Trump ’ s ongoing attacks on the media on Wednesday .
And the host of “ Full Frontal ” concluded with some bad news .
“ The scariest part , ” she said , is that Trump is winning .
“ No one ’ s been able to stop his attacks , so we just go about our lives while they run constantly in the background like white noise , which , of course , is Trump ’ s preferred color of noise , ” said Bee .
“ When Trump undermines the free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking journalists ’ right to do their jobs , ” she noted .
“ He ’ s attacking your right to know what ’ s going on in the world .
We need to resist the complacency that normalizes Trump ’ s media-bashing and stand up for the people who bring us the news so we can look forward to the day they bring us news worth celebrating.
” Bee elsewhere in her monologue described Trump as an “ unlovable loser , ” “ an emotional weakling whose entire self-worth is based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a “ bottomless pit of neediness who demands constant validation from the media .
”

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Samantha Bee picked apart President Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on the media on Wednesday.
And the host of “Full Frontal” concluded with some bad news.
“The scariest part,” she said, is that Trump is winning.
“No one’s been able to stop his attacks, so we just go about our lives while they run constantly in the background like white noise, which, of course, is Trump’s preferred color of noise,” said Bee.
“When Trump undermines the free press, he’s not just attacking journalists’ right to do their jobs,” she noted. “He’s attacking your right to know what’s going on in the world. We need to resist the complacency that normalizes Trump’s media-bashing and stand up for the people who bring us the news so we can look forward to the day they bring us news worth celebrating.”
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Bee elsewhere in her monologue described Trump as an “unlovable loser,” “an emotional weakling whose entire self-worth is based on how successful he looks to others” and a “bottomless pit of neediness who demands constant validation from the media.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--BBC News Interview Hilariously Interrupted By Kid With Questions Of Her Own

A BBC News interview about lockdowns in England took a turn on Wednesday , one that involved a unicorn and a very inquisitive little girl .
Dr. Clare Wenham was being interviewed via video link by BBC presenter Christian Fraser when her daughter Scarlett appeared , hellbent on finding the right spot to put her picture of a unicorn .
In a clip that has been viewed over 3 million times , Scarlett can be seen investigating the most suitable location on the bookshelf for the frame as her mom , a global health policy expert , discussed lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eventually , the host offered his two cents : “ Scarlett , I think it looks better on the lower shelf.
” When Wenham attempted to resume the interview , Scarlett decided she had some questions of her own and repeatedly demanded to know the presenter ’ s name .
Fortunately , he was unfazed by the plucky little girl .
“ This is the most informative interview I ’ ve done all day , ” he joked .
Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
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A BBC News interview about lockdowns in England took a turn on Wednesday, one that involved a unicorn and a very inquisitive little girl.
Dr. Clare Wenham was being interviewed via video link by BBC presenter Christian Fraser when her daughter Scarlett appeared, hellbent on finding the right spot to put her picture of a unicorn.
In a clip that has been viewed over 3 million times, Scarlett can be seen investigating the most suitable location on the bookshelf for the frame as her mom, a global health policy expert, discussed lockdown measures imposed to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
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Watch the interview below:
“Mummy, what's his name?”
Dr @clarewenham effortlessly juggled a live interview on national TV with lockdown parenting. 😂pic.twitter.com/kaMDYtFLB6 — BBC (@BBC) July 1, 2020
Eventually, the host offered his two cents: “Scarlett, I think it looks better on the lower shelf.”
When Wenham attempted to resume the interview, Scarlett decided she had some questions of her own and repeatedly demanded to know the presenter’s name. Fortunately, he was unfazed by the plucky little girl.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-01--Stop What You're Doing And Look At All These Baby Animals Just Born At Columbus Zoo

“ We are extremely proud to welcome these babies as they all represent hope for the future of species that are increasingly facing challenges in their native ranges , ” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Stalf in a press release .
“ Additionally , these arrivals are extra special as our Animal Care staff has worked around the clock to ensure the animals continued to receive top quality care during our three-month-long closure to help reduce the spread of coronavirus within the community.
” First , on May 29 , came a siamang gibbon , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby ’ s sex and name are yet to be determined .
Mom , Olga , has been “ very attentive to her little one , ” zoo staff said .
It ’ s the third time the 31-year-old mom ― one of the oldest known siamang mothers ― and dad Rashid have welcomed a baby .
Two red panda cubs , a male and a female , were born on June 13 to 2-year-old mother Kora and 7-year-old father Gen Tso .
Both are first-time parents , and Kora is nursing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marks the first successful births for the endangered species at the zoo since 2015 .
Guests may be able to view the cubs once they ’ re about 4 months old , as they begin to explore outside their nest .
On June 25 , Lovell , a 5-year-old California sea lion , gave birth to the first ever sea lion pup to be born at the facility .
Mom and pup , a female , are bonding in a behind-the-scenes area , zoo staff said .
The pup will need to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swimming , before moving to the bigger habitat .
And last but certainly not least , a Masai giraffe calf was born to 10-year-old mom and dad Zuri and Enzi on June 28 , a welcome addition for the endangered species .
Zuri also gave birth to a calf in October 2018 , but the baby died of viral enteritis at just 17 days old despite aggressive treatment from zoo veterinarians .
The Columbus Zoo ’ s Animal Care team is closely observing Zuri and her calf via camera monitors .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great mom .
The newborn stood and took her first wobbly steps about an hour after she was born ― after many attempts ― and was nursing just over an hour after that .
The sex of the calf hasn ’ t been identified yet , but staff say the little one seems to be healthy .
The Masai giraffe calf at Columbus Zoo is n't ready for visitors just yet , but keepers say the little one is walking and nursing .

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There’s been a baby boom at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
While it’s been closed to visitors, the Ohio zoo welcomed five baby animals in a month: a sea lion pup, giraffe calf, two red panda cubs and a baby siamang gibbon.
“We are extremely proud to welcome these babies as they all represent hope for the future of species that are increasingly facing challenges in their native ranges,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Stalf in a press release. “Additionally, these arrivals are extra special as our Animal Care staff has worked around the clock to ensure the animals continued to receive top quality care during our three-month-long closure to help reduce the spread of coronavirus within the community.”
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First, on May 29, came a siamang gibbon, a win for the endangered species. The baby’s sex and name are yet to be determined. Mom, Olga, has been “very attentive to her little one,” zoo staff said. It’s the third time the 31-year-old mom ― one of the oldest known siamang mothers ― and dad Rashid have welcomed a baby.
Olga is one of the oldest known siamang mothers at age 31. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Two red panda cubs, a male and a female, were born on June 13 to 2-year-old mother Kora and 7-year-old father Gen Tso. Both are first-time parents, and Kora is nursing the cubs in the nest box.
It marks the first successful births for the endangered species at the zoo since 2015. Guests may be able to view the cubs once they’re about 4 months old, as they begin to explore outside their nest.
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Red panda cubs, a male and a female, were born at Columbus Zoo on June 13. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
A red panda cub does a blep. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On June 25, Lovell, a 5-year-old California sea lion, gave birth to the first ever sea lion pup to be born at the facility.
Mom and pup, a female, are bonding in a behind-the-scenes area, zoo staff said. The pup will need to meet important growth and development milestones, including swimming, before moving to the bigger habitat.
California sea lion mom Lovell and her pup. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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Lovell gives a smooch to her little one. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
And last but certainly not least, a Masai giraffe calf was born to 10-year-old mom and dad Zuri and Enzi on June 28, a welcome addition for the endangered species.
Zuri also gave birth to a calf in October 2018, but the baby died of viral enteritis at just 17 days old despite aggressive treatment from zoo veterinarians.
The Columbus Zoo’s Animal Care team is closely observing Zuri and her calf via camera monitors. So far, they said, she’s a great mom. The newborn stood and took her first wobbly steps about an hour after she was born ― after many attempts ― and was nursing just over an hour after that.
The sex of the calf hasn’t been identified yet, but staff say the little one seems to be healthy.
The Masai giraffe calf at Columbus Zoo isn't ready for visitors just yet, but keepers say the little one is walking and nursing. Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--California Man Died From Coronavirus 1 Day After Posting Regret For Attending Party

Thomas “ Tommy ” Macias of Lake Elsinore , California , died June 21 , three days after testing positive for the coronavirus .
Just one day before his death , he posted an emotional note on social media in which he urged others to practice social distancing measures to protect themselves against COVID-19 .
“ Because of my stupidity I put my mom and my sisters and my family ’ s health in jeopardy , ” Macias wrote in a June 20 Facebook post , a screenshot of which was posted by NBC .
“ This has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no joke , ” he added .
“ If you have to go out wear a mask and practice social distancing .
Don ’ t be a fucking idiot like me.
” Niece Danielle Lopez said Macias ― who was diabetic ― took the pandemic seriously in the months leading up to his diagnosis and death .
Her uncle decided to attend the barbecue , which took place a few weeks before his June 20 post , because he was convinced the virus ’ s threat was easing , she added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Valley News in an interview published Monday .
“ He wasn ’ t really going out anywhere , which is why , when everything started becoming more lenient , and he thought it was OK to go out , immediately went to spend time with his friends because he thought it was OK .
But before that , he was only going out when he absolutely needed to ; he wore his mask religiously , and he was taking all the precautions that he could.
” According to Lopez , guests at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wear masks .
He decided to get tested after receiving word from another attendee who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
It ’ s unclear if other party guests have since tested positive .
News of Macias ’ s death comes as California Gov .
Gavin Newsom is reversing his state ’ s course for reopening in the wake of a troubling surge in COVID-19 cases .
On Wednesday , he shut down bars , wineries and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state .
By Thursday afternoon , there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California and 6,192 deaths , according to the Los Angeles Times .

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A California family is grieving the loss of a 51-year-old man who died after contracting COVID-19 at a barbecue in June.
Thomas “Tommy” Macias of Lake Elsinore, California, died June 21, three days after testing positive for the coronavirus. Just one day before his death, he posted an emotional note on social media in which he urged others to practice social distancing measures to protect themselves against COVID-19.
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“Because of my stupidity I put my mom and my sisters and my family’s health in jeopardy,” Macias wrote in a June 20 Facebook post, a screenshot of which was posted by NBC. “This has been a very painful experience.”
Watch NBC L.A.’s report on the case below.
“This is no joke,” he added. “If you have to go out wear a mask and practice social distancing. Don’t be a fucking idiot like me.”
Niece Danielle Lopez said Macias ― who was diabetic ― took the pandemic seriously in the months leading up to his diagnosis and death. Her uncle decided to attend the barbecue, which took place a few weeks before his June 20 post, because he was convinced the virus’s threat was easing, she added.
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“He wore masks,” Lopez told the Valley News in an interview published Monday. “He wasn’t really going out anywhere, which is why, when everything started becoming more lenient, and he thought it was OK to go out, immediately went to spend time with his friends because he thought it was OK. But before that, he was only going out when he absolutely needed to; he wore his mask religiously, and he was taking all the precautions that he could.”
According to Lopez, guests at the party her uncle attended didn’t wear masks. He decided to get tested after receiving word from another attendee who had been diagnosed with COVID-19. It’s unclear if other party guests have since tested positive.
News of Macias’s death comes as California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reversing his state’s course for reopening in the wake of a troubling surge in COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, he shut down bars, wineries and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state.
By Thursday afternoon, there had been more than 241,000 cases of coronavirus in California and 6,192 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Only 14 States Are Seeing Coronavirus Declines

WASHINGTON — As reopening plans either stall or move forward slowly across the country , the vast majority of states have not been able to drive down their infection rates , according to an internal Department of Health and Human Services map obtained by Yahoo News .
The map , which was circulated to federal agencies involved in the coronavirus response on July 1 , shows that 36 out of 50 states have experienced no “ days of decrease in confirmed cases.
” Only 14 states show such decreases according to the graphic , and only nine of those have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of declining numbers of new infections , a critical metric according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The states showing decreases of at least a single day are Oregon , Nebraska , South Dakota , Indiana , North Carolina , New York , New Jersey , Connecticut , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Vermont , New Hampshire , Delaware and Hawaii .
The states with the most sustained caseload drops are Hawaii , Nebraska , South Dakota , New Hampshire , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the epicenter of the outbreak in March and April , but the state has since fought back the disease .
Because of reporting discrepancies , the document obtained by Yahoo News could in some cases contradict state-level data .
A map showing day-over-day infections and reopening phases is disseminated daily through the relevant executive agencies .
Virginia , meanwhile , is moving into the third phase of its reopening , which allows bars , restaurants , stores and farmers ’ markets to reopen , provided that adequate social distancing can still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government ’ s map , has not reached 14 days of downward trajectory .
A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health said it “ has a number of charts that indicate our case averages has been going down for quite a while.
” The department provides data on daily cases by the “ date reported , ” as well as cases from “ the day closest to when symptoms began.
” The averages for cases based on “ date reported ” do not appear to show a decline , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on “ onset of symptoms ” is not yet available online .
The CDC ’ s reopening guidance recommends that states proceed to the next phase of reopening only when they have reached 14 days of declining infections in their current phase .
In recent weeks Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , has warned about states “ leapfrogging ” over the guidance .
The effects of the rush to reopen can now be seen in surging cases .
July 1 saw 52,000 new infections reported across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has some worried that the nation is losing control of the pandemic .
Earlier this week Fauci warned that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 new coronavirus cases daily .

Yahoo News
WASHINGTON — As reopening plans either stall or move forward slowly across the country, the vast majority of states have not been able to drive down their infection rates, according to an internal Department of Health and Human Services map obtained by Yahoo News.
The map, which was circulated to federal agencies involved in the coronavirus response on July 1, shows that 36 out of 50 states have experienced no “days of decrease in confirmed cases.” Only 14 states show such decreases according to the graphic, and only nine of those have reached the critical threshold of 14 consecutive days of declining numbers of new infections, a critical metric according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The states showing decreases of at least a single day are Oregon, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware and Hawaii.
Washington, D.C., which is not a state, is also experiencing a decrease in new infections.
Yahoo News
The states with the most sustained caseload drops are Hawaii, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. New York was the epicenter of the outbreak in March and April, but the state has since fought back the disease.
Because of reporting discrepancies, the document obtained by Yahoo News could in some cases contradict state-level data. A map showing day-over-day infections and reopening phases is disseminated daily through the relevant executive agencies.
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Many states where the virus has recently gained ground, including Texas, California and Arizona, have paused their reopening plans.
Virginia, meanwhile, is moving into the third phase of its reopening, which allows bars, restaurants, stores and farmers’ markets to reopen, provided that adequate social distancing can still be practiced. Yet Virginia, according to the federal government’s map, has not reached 14 days of downward trajectory.
Yahoo News
Source: Virginia Department of Health
A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health said it “has a number of charts that indicate our case averages has been going down for quite a while.”
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The department provides data on daily cases by the “date reported,” as well as cases from “the day closest to when symptoms began.” The averages for cases based on “date reported” do not appear to show a decline, and the most recent averages for cases based on “onset of symptoms” is not yet available online.
The CDC’s reopening guidance recommends that states proceed to the next phase of reopening only when they have reached 14 days of declining infections in their current phase. In recent weeks Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has warned about states “leapfrogging” over the guidance.
The effects of the rush to reopen can now be seen in surging cases.
July 1 saw 52,000 new infections reported across the United States, a record-breaking number that has some worried that the nation is losing control of the pandemic. Earlier this week Fauci warned that the U.S. could see as many as 100,000 new coronavirus cases daily.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--‘Garbage Bag’ Gowns And Flimsy Masks Among Items Given By FEMA, Nursing Homes Say

Plastic gowns without hand holes , masks with breakable straps and child-sized rubber gloves are among the bizarre items that nursing home officials say they are being given by the federal government to help protect them and their residents amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s all so terrible , really , ” Brendan Williams , president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association , told HuffPost about the items his member organizations have received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
“ What has been supplied has been a joke , to put it kindly .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear garbage bags that have been repurposed as protective gowns is quite telling.
” The NHHSA ’ s long-term care providers are among roughly 15,000 nursing homes across the country to which FEMA has supplied personal protective equipment amid ongoing supply shortages that have placed facilities ’ staff and residents at heightened risk of infection and even death .
The “ hodgepodge ” of goods Williams said FEMA has sent his member facilities includes large garbage-bag style plastic gowns , which some staff first mistook as body bags .
The gowns feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one ’ s legs and head , but none for hands .
“ Your arm is kind of bunched up in these kind of arm extensions , and so there are no ways for your hands to get out , and that ’ s a bit of a problem , ” he said .
A batch of disposable surgical masks are too snug for faces and feature elastic ear bands that easily break , he added .
Another batch of cloth masks , produced by underwear manufacturer Hanes , are not authorized for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the masks ’ labels .
“ We appreciate FEMA for the effort to help but what ’ s at question is the usefulness of it .
Most of what we received is unusable , ” she told CBSN .
FEMA announced in May that it would send two-week supplies of PPE to nursing homes in two shipments under the direction of the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
The medical gowns supplied were described by FEMA as “ intended for use in basic care settings for minimal risk situations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 to 50 times.
” For its part , FEMA said it has received complaints from only 1 % of the nursing homes that have received its supplies , a spokesperson told New Hampshire ’ s Concord Monitor this week .
The complaining facilities may just not be used to the kind of items provided , which should meet the certification requirements of the Food and Drug Administration or the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation , she added .
But FEMA has heard the critical feedback and has made changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although more than half of the second round of shipments has already been delivered , a spokesperson told HuffPost in a statement Thursday , “ Based on feedback from the first round of deliveries , changes were made to the subsequent second round to include the face shields and replacing level 3 AAMI blue gowns with a more familiar disposable gown style that also meets AAMI standards , ” the agency said .
Instead of supplying these items , Williams said the federal government can help nursing homes by providing them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Current tests take at least a week for results to come back , giving a test taker ample time to become infected with the virus before receiving an all-clear to return to work .
Thermal screening stations won ’ t detect the virus in someone who is asymptomatic , he added .
For now , Williams said some of the items received may be kept “ as novelties , possibly , ” but will not be used by the staff of his member facilities .
He credited state officials and the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization ’ s facilities so their staff members can get by .

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Plastic gowns without hand holes, masks with breakable straps and child-sized rubber gloves are among the bizarre items that nursing home officials say they are being given by the federal government to help protect them and their residents amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s all so terrible, really,” Brendan Williams, president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, told HuffPost about the items his member organizations have received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “What has been supplied has been a joke, to put it kindly. The fact that they would expect our caregivers to wear garbage bags that have been repurposed as protective gowns is quite telling.”
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The NHHSA’s long-term care providers are among roughly 15,000 nursing homes across the country to which FEMA has supplied personal protective equipment amid ongoing supply shortages that have placed facilities’ staff and residents at heightened risk of infection and even death.
Brendan Williams, president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, wears an isolation gown with no sleeve openings for hands. The gown was provided by the federal government for use at a senior care center. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The “hodgepodge” of goods Williams said FEMA has sent his member facilities includes large garbage-bag style plastic gowns, which some staff first mistook as body bags. The gowns feature two holes on opposite ends, for one’s legs and head, but none for hands.
“Your arm is kind of bunched up in these kind of arm extensions, and so there are no ways for your hands to get out, and that’s a bit of a problem,” he said.
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A batch of disposable surgical masks are too snug for faces and feature elastic ear bands that easily break, he added. Another batch of cloth masks, produced by underwear manufacturer Hanes, are not authorized for use in a health care setting, according to the masks’ labels.
“A cough mask is fine in the community, but it’s just not acceptable in a nursing home setting,” Williams said.
Williams demonstrates the lack of hand holes in a FEMA gown. Facilities are not using the items they received from the agency, he said. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Facilities also received hundreds of extra-small gloves, which “would be suitable for children, possibly, but certainly not adults that work in a health care setting,” Williams said.
Similar supplies were reportedly received by long-term care facilities in Texas and Kansas.
“It’s been nothing short of a disaster,” Katie Sloan, CEO of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit providers of aging services, told CBSN Dallas-Fort Worth. “Nursing homes are certainly not getting what they were promised.”
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Melissa Steffan, Texas regional vice president for the Good Samaritan Society, which has long-term care facilities in more than 20 states, said her staff was more confused than disappointed by the items they received.
“We appreciate FEMA for the effort to help but what’s at question is the usefulness of it. Most of what we received is unusable,” she told CBSN.
This disposable face covering is one of the items that Williams said his facilities were provided by FEMA. The ear loops are extremely fragile and break easily. Brandon Williams/NHHCA
FEMA announced in May that it would send two-week supplies of PPE to nursing homes in two shipments under the direction of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. The medical gowns supplied were described by FEMA as “intended for use in basic care settings for minimal risk situations. The gowns are durable and can be washed 30 to 50 times.”
Data show that New Hampshire’s nursing homes need all the help they can get.
Nearly 82% of the state’s COVID-19-related deaths have been of people in long-term care settings, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
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For its part, FEMA said it has received complaints from only 1% of the nursing homes that have received its supplies, a spokesperson told New Hampshire’s Concord Monitor this week. The complaining facilities may just not be used to the kind of items provided, which should meet the certification requirements of the Food and Drug Administration or the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, she added.
Cloth masks supplied to nursing homes by FEMA are not authorized for use in a health care setting, according to their label. Brendan Williams/NHHCA
But FEMA has heard the critical feedback and has made changes to supplies that remain to be sent out, although more than half of the second round of shipments has already been delivered, a spokesperson told HuffPost in a statement Thursday,
“Based on feedback from the first round of deliveries, changes were made to the subsequent second round to include the face shields and replacing level 3 AAMI blue gowns with a more familiar disposable gown style that also meets AAMI standards,” the agency said.
Spokespersons for the FDA and AAMI did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment about the blue gown’s standards.
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Williams stretches the thin cloth band of a surgical mask, provided by FEMA, over his face. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Instead of supplying these items, Williams said the federal government can help nursing homes by providing them with COVID-19 tests that can provide same-day results. Current tests take at least a week for results to come back, giving a test taker ample time to become infected with the virus before receiving an all-clear to return to work. Thermal screening stations won’t detect the virus in someone who is asymptomatic, he added.
For now, Williams said some of the items received may be kept “as novelties, possibly,” but will not be used by the staff of his member facilities. He credited state officials and the National Guard with supplying usable PPE to his organization’s facilities so their staff members can get by.
“It’s frustrating because somebody in [the Trump] administration is going to declare ‘mission accomplished’ when there’s an absolute failure,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Texas 'Pong Fest' Exposed 300 Teens To COVID-19, Officials Say

Texas officials are urging hundreds of teens who took part in a weekend “ pong fest ” to self-isolate after several attendees tested positive for the coronavirus .
The event attracted a “ large gathering of 300 teenagers ” and took place on June 20 in Lakeway , Texas , about 20 miles northwest of Austin , according to a statement the Austin Public Health Department put out last week .
“ Some attendees reported they were waiting for their COVID-19 test results at the time of the party and have now received positive results , ” the statement read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of significant community spread , our entire community should act as if they have been exposed and take the proper precautions to further prevent spread.
” During a Facebook Live session on June 25 , Lakeway Mayor Sandy Cox said 105 residents of the city had tested positive for COVID-19 so far .
“ Unfortunately , our case load is probably going to increase , and it ’ s because there was a very large party this past Saturday , ” Cox said , as viewable in the clip below .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school students , and there were students in attendance that were positive for COVID-19 .
...
Therein lies an exposure.
” “ We need anyone that went to that party to isolate for 14 days , and if you ’ ve been in contact with anyone else since that party , they need to isolate for 14 days , ” Cox added , noting that the party was a “ pong fest.
” On Thursday afternoon , Gov .
Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
So far , more than 172,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Texas , according to Johns Hopkins University .
At least 2,500 people in the state have died .
The mask measure comes a week after Abbott put his state ’ s reopening plan on a “ temporary pause , ” closing bars and capping restaurants ’ indoor seating capacity at 50 % .
Previously , bars had been allowed to operate at 50 % capacity , and restaurants at 75 % .

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Texas officials are urging hundreds of teens who took part in a weekend “pong fest” to self-isolate after several attendees tested positive for the coronavirus.
The event attracted a “large gathering of 300 teenagers” and took place on June 20 in Lakeway, Texas, about 20 miles northwest of Austin, according to a statement the Austin Public Health Department put out last week.
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“Some attendees reported they were waiting for their COVID-19 test results at the time of the party and have now received positive results,” the statement read. “Since we are in a period of significant community spread, our entire community should act as if they have been exposed and take the proper precautions to further prevent spread.”
During a Facebook Live session on June 25, Lakeway Mayor Sandy Cox said 105 residents of the city had tested positive for COVID-19 so far.
“Unfortunately, our case load is probably going to increase, and it’s because there was a very large party this past Saturday,” Cox said, as viewable in the clip below. “It was with a number of high school students, and there were students in attendance that were positive for COVID-19. ... Therein lies an exposure.”
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“We need anyone that went to that party to isolate for 14 days, and if you’ve been in contact with anyone else since that party, they need to isolate for 14 days,” Cox added, noting that the party was a “pong fest.”
Texas is one of several U.S. states experiencing a major uptick in COVID-19 cases.
On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order requiring residents to wear masks in public spaces in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases. So far, more than 172,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Texas, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 2,500 people in the state have died.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Coronavirus-Stricken Actor Nick Cordero May Need A Double Lung Transplant

Broadway actor Nick Cordero lost his right leg to COVID-19 , and a lot more has to happen before he can get back to where he was physically .
His wife , actor Amanda Kloots , told “ CBS This Morning ” on Thursday that while Cordero no longer has the coronavirus and is no longer in a coma , the long-term prognosis suggests that he might eventually need a double lung transplant .
“ We think that that is most likely the possibility , ” Kloots said .
“ A 99 % chance that he would be needing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life that I know my husband would want to live .
… That is a long road away and a lot of things would have to line up in order for Nick to be a candidate for that.
” Broadway star Nick Cordero is still fighting for his life , after being diagnosed with COVID-19 .
He 's still critically ill , even though he 's now COVID negative & no longer in a coma .
@ GayleKing spoke with Amanda Kloots about her husband 's condition & why she 's holding onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ CBSThisMorning ) July 2 , 2020 Cordero , who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his performance in “ Bullets Over Broadway , ” contracted the coronavirus in early April .
His right leg had to be removed a couple of weeks later due to issues related to clotting .
He was put in a medically induced coma on April 1 but was taken off it about seven weeks later .
Although she is seeing him daily now , Kloots admitted she ’ s had to adjust her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just want to jump in his bed and hug him and grab him and squeeze him , ” she told “ CBS This Morning.
” “ But , you know , you have to be very careful with everything that ’ s going on , so I grab his hand … and I ’ m waiting for the day that he holds my hand back .
”

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Broadway actor Nick Cordero lost his right leg to COVID-19, and a lot more has to happen before he can get back to where he was physically.
His wife, actor Amanda Kloots, told “CBS This Morning” on Thursday that while Cordero no longer has the coronavirus and is no longer in a coma, the long-term prognosis suggests that he might eventually need a double lung transplant.
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“We think that that is most likely the possibility,” Kloots said. “A 99% chance that he would be needing that in order to live the kind of life that I know my husband would want to live. … That is a long road away and a lot of things would have to line up in order for Nick to be a candidate for that.”
Broadway star Nick Cordero is still fighting for his life, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He's still critically ill, even though he's now COVID negative & no longer in a coma.@GayleKing spoke with Amanda Kloots about her husband's condition & why she's holding onto hope. pic.twitter.com/r1yhBuKpua — CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) July 2, 2020
Cordero, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his performance in “Bullets Over Broadway,” contracted the coronavirus in early April. His right leg had to be removed a couple of weeks later due to issues related to clotting.
He was put in a medically induced coma on April 1 but was taken off it about seven weeks later.
Kloots didn’t see her husband for 79 days during the ordeal.
Although she is seeing him daily now, Kloots admitted she’s had to adjust her behavior.
“You know, I just want to jump in his bed and hug him and grab him and squeeze him,” she told “CBS This Morning.” “But, you know, you have to be very careful with everything that’s going on, so I grab his hand … and I’m waiting for the day that he holds my hand back.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Vanilla Ice Gets Burned Over Coronavirus Hot Spot Gig In Austin, Texas [UPDATE]

UPDATE : 3:05 p.m. ― Vanilla Ice announced Thursday he will postpone his Friday show in Austin , Texas , after poor ticket sales and criticism of the rapper for performing during the coronavirus pandemic .
Vanilla Ice is catching heat over his planned gig in a coronavirus hot spot .
The rapper , best known for his ’ 90s hit “ Ice Ice Baby , ” is scheduled to perform in Austin , Texas , on Friday at the Emerald Point Bar & Grill ’ s Independence Day Throwback Beach Party .
But both Austin and Texas this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases of COVID-19 .
Vanilla Ice , real name Robert Van Winkle , has promoted the party on Instagram .
“ Get ready to go back to The 90s , the greatest decade ever , ” he wrote in a since-deleted post .
“ I can ’ t wait to get back to this .
The 90s were the best , ” he said in another post .
“ We didn ’ t have coronavirus , or cell phones , or computers , ” the musician incorrectly reminisced .
Computers and cellphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gig inevitably got the treatment on Twitter .
Some people reimagined the title of , and lyrics to , his most famous track : Will I be immune ?
I dont know Write up a will , and a tombstone To the extreme I rock a flu like paitent zero Get some herbs and remedial candles — VNLA # 805 ( @ CCriticalDev ) July 2 , 2020 If there was a problem Trump won ’ t solve it Check out the Karens scream the masks won ’ t solve it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , 2020 Others poked fun and expressed shock at the idea of the gig going ahead at all : We may never know if this weekend 's Vanilla Ice concert will result in a COVID-19 spike , because no one will admit they went to a Vanilla Ice concert .
https : //t.co/TN7XNJ4RIE — Frank Luntz ( @ FrankLuntz ) July 1 , 2020 The vanilla ice concert may sound dangerous , but how much Covid exposure could reality get during one song ?
— Brian Santa Maria ( @ briansantamaria ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone will have to worry about is a COVID spike due to a massive crowd at a Vanilla Ice show .
https : //t.co/C7E0RAne8A — Sean The Producer ( @ SeanTheProducr ) July 2 , 2020 Every piece of this situation is foolish .
Vanilla Ice .
Performing .
In 2020 .
In the middle of a pandemic .
As cases surge .
https : //t.co/aTxh1rmsk9 — Luvvie is writing book 2 ( @ Luvvie ) July 2 , 2020 Bars across Texas are currently banned from opening , in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has killed almost 130,000 people nationwide .
But the venue on the shore of Lake Travis can remain open and host the Vanilla Ice gig , The Austin Chronicle reported , because it ’ s technically designated as a restaurant .
Capacity for the concert will be limited to 450 people , and staff will take attendees ’ temperatures and request they adhere to social distancing measures and wear face masks , owner Barret Brannam told The Texas Tribune .
Brannam wouldn ’ t enforce the mask policy , however , because “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad , [ and ] I can ’ t make them do it , ” he told the Tribune .

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UPDATE: 3:05 p.m. ― Vanilla Ice announced Thursday he will postpone his Friday show in Austin, Texas, after poor ticket sales and criticism of the rapper for performing during the coronavirus pandemic.
PREVIOUSLY:
Vanilla Ice is catching heat over his planned gig in a coronavirus hot spot.
The rapper, best known for his ’90s hit “Ice Ice Baby,” is scheduled to perform in Austin, Texas, on Friday at the Emerald Point Bar & Grill’s Independence Day Throwback Beach Party.
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But both Austin and Texas this week experienced record spikes in the number of new cases of COVID-19.
Vanilla Ice, real name Robert Van Winkle, has promoted the party on Instagram.
“Get ready to go back to The 90s, the greatest decade ever,” he wrote in a since-deleted post.
“I can’t wait to get back to this. The 90s were the best,” he said in another post.
“We didn’t have coronavirus, or cell phones, or computers,” the musician incorrectly reminisced. Computers and cellphones did indeed exist back then.
News of the gig inevitably got the treatment on Twitter.
Some people reimagined the title of, and lyrics to, his most famous track:
Cough Cough Baby! — The Great Omar (@thegreatomar1) July 2, 2020
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Alright stop, grab a mask and listen
Ice is back with a whole new infection — 𝕬𝖑𝖆𝖉𝖉𝖎𝖓𝕴𝖓𝖘𝖆𝖓𝖊 🌈🌟♿🌊 (@aeirould) July 1, 2020
Something takes a hold of me tightly
chokin on my last breath daily and nightly — DJ Ritty (@The_Ritty) July 2, 2020
COVID, grabs ahold of me tightly
I watch only Fox News both daily and nightly — John Pani (@JohnPani1) July 2, 2020
Will I be immune? I dont know
Write up a will, and a tombstone
To the extreme I rock a flu like paitent zero
Get some herbs and remedial candles — VNLA#805 (@CCriticalDev) July 2, 2020
If there was a problem
Trump won’t solve it
Check out the Karens scream the masks won’t solve it — illrana (@ill_rana) July 2, 2020
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Others poked fun and expressed shock at the idea of the gig going ahead at all:
We may never know if this weekend's Vanilla Ice concert will result in a COVID-19 spike, because no one will admit they went to a Vanilla Ice concert. https://t.co/TN7XNJ4RIE — Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) July 1, 2020
The vanilla ice concert may sound dangerous, but how much Covid exposure could reality get during one song? — Brian Santa Maria (@briansantamaria) July 2, 2020
I wouldn't go to a Vanilla Ice concert if it would CURE coronavirus. https://t.co/jesOuJgKOd — ralphgarman (@RalphGarman) July 2, 2020
The last thing anyone will have to worry about is a COVID spike due to a massive crowd at a Vanilla Ice show. https://t.co/C7E0RAne8A — Sean The Producer (@SeanTheProducr) July 2, 2020
Every piece of this situation is foolish.
Vanilla Ice.
Performing.
In 2020.
In the middle of a pandemic.
As cases surge. https://t.co/aTxh1rmsk9 — Luvvie is writing book 2 (@Luvvie) July 2, 2020
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Bars across Texas are currently banned from opening, in an effort to slow the spread of the virus that has killed almost 130,000 people nationwide.
But the venue on the shore of Lake Travis can remain open and host the Vanilla Ice gig, The Austin Chronicle reported, because it’s technically designated as a restaurant.
Capacity for the concert will be limited to 450 people, and staff will take attendees’ temperatures and request they adhere to social distancing measures and wear face masks, owner Barret Brannam told The Texas Tribune.
Brannam wouldn’t enforce the mask policy, however, because “I’m not their mom and dad, [and] I can’t make them do it,” he told the Tribune.
VIP tickets for Vanilla Ice’s performance, which cost between $160 and $300, have sold out. The venue is also hosting parties on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--Herman Cain Hospitalized For COVID-19 Hours After Condemning Masks

A spokesman confirmed the diagnosis Thursday afternoon , describing the 73-year-old as “ resting comfortably ” at an Atlanta-area hospital after his symptoms became serious enough Wednesday to require care , but not a ventilator .
Cain ’ s positive June 29 test came just over a week after he appeared at Donald Trump ’ s indoor campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Addressing speculation he may have picked it up at Trump ’ s campaign event , Cain ’ s team said in a statement they are unsure how or where he contracted the virus .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” HermanCain.com editor Dan Calabrese wrote on the site .
“ I realize people will speculate about the Tulsa rally , but Herman did a lot of traveling the past week , including to Arizona where cases are spiking .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any way to trace this to the one specific contact that caused him to be infected .
We ’ ll never know.
” Six staffers working at the event tested positive the day of the rally and were sent home , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive , though he ’ s unsure where , exactly , he ’ d come in contact with it .
On Wednesday ― just hours before he required medical intervention because of his worsening condition ― Cain sent a tweet hailing a Trump event in South Dakota where masks wouldn ’ t be mandatory .
“ Masks will not be mandatory for the event , which will be attended by President Trump , ” he said .
“ PEOPLE ARE FED UP !
” Masks will not be mandatory for the event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
PEOPLE ARE FED UP !
https : //t.co/Oykdz4xThD — Herman Cain ( @ THEHermanCain ) July 1 , 2020

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UPDATE: July 30 — Herman Cain has died of COVID-19, roughly four weeks after he was admitted to the hospital for the disease.
PREVIOUSLY:
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has been hospitalized with COVID-19.
A spokesman confirmed the diagnosis Thursday afternoon, describing the 73-year-old as “resting comfortably” at an Atlanta-area hospital after his symptoms became serious enough Wednesday to require care, but not a ventilator.
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Cain’s positive June 29 test came just over a week after he appeared at Donald Trump’s indoor campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Addressing speculation he may have picked it up at Trump’s campaign event, Cain’s team said in a statement they are unsure how or where he contracted the virus.
“We honestly have no idea where he contracted it,” HermanCain.com editor Dan Calabrese wrote on the site. “I realize people will speculate about the Tulsa rally, but Herman did a lot of traveling the past week, including to Arizona where cases are spiking. I don’t think there’s any way to trace this to the one specific contact that caused him to be infected. We’ll never know.”
Cain tweeted a photo of himself attending the event without a mask.
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Six staffers working at the event tested positive the day of the rally and were sent home, and a reporter who covered the event later tested positive, though he’s unsure where, exactly, he’d come in contact with it.
On Wednesday ― just hours before he required medical intervention because of his worsening condition ― Cain sent a tweet hailing a Trump event in South Dakota where masks wouldn’t be mandatory.
“Masks will not be mandatory for the event, which will be attended by President Trump,” he said. “PEOPLE ARE FED UP!”
Herman Cain discourages wearing masks in a tweet sent hours before he was hospitalized for COVID-19 on July 1. The tweet was deleted after he died of COVID-19 July 30. Twitter/THEHermanCain


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-02--A National Guardsman Sent To LA Protests Is Under Investigation For Ties To Proud Boys

Facebook Sgt .
Brian Jackson of the California National Guard posted this Facebook photo on June 2 while deployed to police Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles .
It shows him standing in front of a military vehicle inscribed with a slogan for the Proud Boys , a neo-fascist group .
The California National Guard is investigating a member ’ s possible ties to the Proud Boys , a neo-fascist group , after he posted a photo of himself standing next to a military vehicle inscribed with one of the group ’ s slogans while patrolling anti-racist protests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists shared the photo with HuffPost , which Sgt .
Brian Jackson posted on Facebook last month .
After HuffPost inquired about the image , a spokesperson for the California National Guard confirmed on Wednesday that Jackson , a motor transport operator from Bakersfield , California , is now under investigation for ties to the extremist group .
“ We have initiated an investigation and will take appropriate action in accordance with regulations , ” Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma said in a statement .
“ Any form of hate speech and extremist behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in the California National Guard.
” Jackson was among the roughly 1,000 armed California National Guard troops sent to Los Angeles County in early June to quell the uprising against police brutality , one of many such demonstrations that have swept the country in response to a series of high-profile killings of Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement .
The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Proud Boys as a hate group .
Its members are explicitly anti-feminist , anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant .
While the group publicly claims to reject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black and brown members , its ranks have included many white nationalists and its founder , Gavin McInnes , is deeply racist .
Proud Boys are perhaps best known for violently attacking leftist protesters in the streets , attacks that they discuss and plot in private chat rooms .
McInnes once said members could become a high-ranking , or “ fourth degree , ” Proud Boy if they “ kick the crap out of an antifa.
” Jackson did not respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook on Wednesday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he deleted multiple racist posts and other evidence related to the Proud Boys from his Facebook page .
“ As far as culture is concerned , ” he wrote in a subsequent comment on that post , “ why is America so obsessed with endorsing something that seems contrary to polite society and our American values ( drugs , weak family structures , criminality , glorification of violence , subjugation of their own people to low expectations and political slavery ) ?
” After HuffPost contacted Jackson this week , he replaced his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the words “ ZERO WHITE GUILT ” — with an image of the comedian Will Ferrell .
( Proud Boys often describe themselves as “ anti-white guilt.
” ) The Jackson incident comes amid heightened concern about white supremacists and other extremists within law enforcement and the military , especially as those institutions have been deployed to suppress anti-racist protests .
In many cities , law enforcement has used violent tactics against protests , including tear gas , rubber bullets and pepper spray .
Last month , Right Wing Watch reported that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had been sent to Washington , D.C. , to police protests there , was a white supremacist YouTuber .
“ They activated my unit and we ’ re getting real ammunition to shoot and kill , ” the Ohio guardsman , Shandon Simpson , allegedly wrote on the social media platform Telegram ahead of his deployment .
“ Rahowa , ” Simpson added , using the popular fascist shorthand for “ racial holy war.
” The FBI later said Simpson had been removed from the protests in D.C. and sent home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Ohio National Guard .
Vice News also reported that at least one member of a private chat group for so-called Boogaloo Bois — a far-right movement hoping to hasten a violent civil war in the U.S. — claimed to be a Pennsylvania National Guardsman getting ready to deploy to protests in Philadelphia .

Sgt. Brian Jackson of the California National Guard posted this Facebook photo on June 2 while deployed to police Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles. It shows him standing in front of a military vehicle inscribed with a slogan for the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group. Facebook
The California National Guard is investigating a member’s possible ties to the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group, after he posted a photo of himself standing next to a military vehicle inscribed with one of the group’s slogans while patrolling anti-racist protests in Los Angeles last month.
Anonymous anti-fascist activists shared the photo with HuffPost, which Sgt. Brian Jackson posted on Facebook last month. After HuffPost inquired about the image, a spokesperson for the California National Guard confirmed on Wednesday that Jackson, a motor transport operator from Bakersfield, California, is now under investigation for ties to the extremist group.
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“We have initiated an investigation and will take appropriate action in accordance with regulations,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma said in a statement. “Any form of hate speech and extremist behavior is not tolerated, and has no place in the California National Guard.”
Jackson has not, however, been suspended during the investigation, Shiroma said. It’s unclear how long the investigation will last.
Jackson was among the roughly 1,000 armed California National Guard troops sent to Los Angeles County in early June to quell the uprising against police brutality, one of many such demonstrations that have swept the country in response to a series of high-profile killings of Black Americans at the hands of law enforcement.
“Hopefully a quiet night in Canoga Park,” read the caption Jackson posted with the photo on June 2, referring to the Los Angeles neighborhood.
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The message inscribed on the vehicle, “POYB 2020,” is an acronym for “Proud Of Your Boy,” a Proud Boys slogan derived from a song in Disney’s ”Aladdin.”
Some of Jackson’s Facebook friends wrote “POYB” and “Uhuru” — a common Proud Boys chant — in the comments below his photo.
A protester looks at National Guard troops posted in Los Angeles on June 3. Jackson was among their ranks. Mario Tama via Getty Images
The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Proud Boys as a hate group. Its members are explicitly anti-feminist, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant. While the group publicly claims to reject the so-called alt-right and says it allows Black and brown members, its ranks have included many white nationalists and its founder, Gavin McInnes, is deeply racist.
Proud Boys are perhaps best known for violently attacking leftist protesters in the streets, attacks that they discuss and plot in private chat rooms. McInnes once said members could become a high-ranking, or “fourth degree,” Proud Boy if they “kick the crap out of an antifa.”
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Jackson did not respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook on Wednesday, and soon after HuffPost sent the message, he deleted multiple racist posts and other evidence related to the Proud Boys from his Facebook page.
“Serious question: what is ‘Black culture?’” Jackson wrote in one post that has since been deleted.
“As far as culture is concerned,” he wrote in a subsequent comment on that post, “why is America so obsessed with endorsing something that seems contrary to polite society and our American values (drugs, weak family structures, criminality, glorification of violence, subjugation of their own people to low expectations and political slavery)?”
Another since-deleted post featured an advertisement for an April 25 Proud Boys rally against coronavirus lockdown measures.
Jackson appeared to have attended that April 25 rally, and posted a Facebook Live video from the event. The footage includes a man in the Proud Boy uniform — a black-and-yellow Fred Perry polo shirt — near Jackson.
After HuffPost contacted Jackson this week, he replaced his Facebook profile photo — a graphic with the words “ZERO WHITE GUILT” — with an image of the comedian Will Ferrell. (Proud Boys often describe themselves as “anti-white guilt.”)
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Jackson’s current Facebook banner image shows him and other national guardsmen posing with members of the Los Angeles Police Department during the protests last month.
The Jackson incident comes amid heightened concern about white supremacists and other extremists within law enforcement and the military, especially as those institutions have been deployed to suppress anti-racist protests. In many cities, law enforcement has used violent tactics against protests, including tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray.
Last month, Right Wing Watch reported that a member of the Ohio National Guard, who had been sent to Washington, D.C., to police protests there, was a white supremacist YouTuber. “They activated my unit and we’re getting real ammunition to shoot and kill,” the Ohio guardsman, Shandon Simpson, allegedly wrote on the social media platform Telegram ahead of his deployment.
“Rahowa,” Simpson added, using the popular fascist shorthand for “racial holy war.” The FBI later said Simpson had been removed from the protests in D.C. and sent home. Simpson has since said he was discharged from the Ohio National Guard.
Vice News also reported that at least one member of a private chat group for so-called Boogaloo Bois — a far-right movement hoping to hasten a violent civil war in the U.S. — claimed to be a Pennsylvania National Guardsman getting ready to deploy to protests in Philadelphia.
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And in Wilmington, North Carolina, last month, three white police officers — who haven’t been connected to any extremist groups — were fired after they were caught on a patrol car camera using racial slurs while discussing murdering Black protesters.
“We are just going to go out and start slaughtering them fucking niggers,” one officer said.