thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--NYPD Union Endorses Trump For President

NYPD Union Endorses Trump For President

BEDMINSTER , N.J. ( AP ) — Seeking to amplify his law-and-order message , President Donald Trump on Friday told hundreds of New York Police Department officers that “ no one will be safe in Biden ’ s America ” if the former Democratic vice president defeats him in November .
“ This guy has been taking your dignity away and your respect , ” Trump said of former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ And I ’ m telling you on Nov. 3 you ’ re going to be getting it back.
” Trump spoke to members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the union representing some 24,000 rank-and-file officers as he steps up his attacks on Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris .
The president ’ s campaign is looking to raise doubts about the Biden-Harris ticket ’ s ability to keep the peace in the nation ’ s biggest metropolises .
Trump was formally endorsed by the union during the event at his New Jersey golf course .
Trump is ripping a page out of Richard Nixon ’ s law-and-order campaign playbook from 1968 — when American streets were rife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to crack down and restore order in an appeal tailored to white voters .
At a moment when the nation has been jarred by sometimes violent protests over police brutality , Trump has repeatedly blamed big city mayors in Democratic-strongholds - including New York , Portland , Seattle , Chicago - for undermining police officers .
“ In New York , you have New York ’ s finest , but they ’ ve totally taken away their incentive , ” Trump said earlier this week .
“ They ’ ve taken away their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t allow them to do their job.
” ″ NYPD union endorsed Trump .
I ’ m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan .
Also , does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions - enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons - promoting “ preferred ” candidates for office or is that just me ?
https : //t.co/UlmigAuedh — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) August 15 , 2020 In recent weeks , Trump has repeatedly and falsely asserted that Biden supports defunding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising in battleground states showing a woman calling police for help as an intruder breaks into her home and getting a voice recording informing her that , because the police have been defunded , no one is available to take her call .
Trump has also tweeted warnings to “ Suburban Housewives ” that Biden will shatter their communities by requiring communities to build lower income housing as part of new development .
Trump recently revoked an Obama-era housing regulation designed to eliminate racial disparities in the suburbs .
The president , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Harris , a former California attorney general , as being hostile to police , and suggested that she and Biden were at the center of “ a left wing war on cops ”

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BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Seeking to amplify his law-and-order message, President Donald Trump on Friday told hundreds of New York Police Department officers that “no one will be safe in Biden’s America” if the former Democratic vice president defeats him in November .
“This guy has been taking your dignity away and your respect,” Trump said of former Vice President Joe Biden. “And I’m telling you on Nov. 3 you’re going to be getting it back.”
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The NYC PBA is proud to endorse @realDonaldTrump for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/DpT8v8bJtz — NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) August 15, 2020
Trump spoke to members of the City of New York Police Benevolent Association, the union representing some 24,000 rank-and-file officers as he steps up his attacks on Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris. The president’s campaign is looking to raise doubts about the Biden-Harris ticket’s ability to keep the peace in the nation’s biggest metropolises. Trump was formally endorsed by the union during the event at his New Jersey golf course.
Trump is ripping a page out of Richard Nixon’s law-and-order campaign playbook from 1968 — when American streets were rife with racial protests and Nixon campaigned vowing to crack down and restore order in an appeal tailored to white voters.
At a moment when the nation has been jarred by sometimes violent protests over police brutality, Trump has repeatedly blamed big city mayors in Democratic-strongholds - including New York, Portland, Seattle, Chicago - for undermining police officers.
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“In New York, you have New York’s finest, but they’ve totally taken away their incentive,” Trump said earlier this week. “They’ve taken away their lives, in a sense, because they don’t allow them to do their job.”″
NYPD union endorsed Trump. I’m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan.
Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions - enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons - promoting “preferred” candidates for office or is that just me? https://t.co/UlmigAuedh — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 15, 2020
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly and falsely asserted that Biden supports defunding the police. His campaign has aired advertising in battleground states showing a woman calling police for help as an intruder breaks into her home and getting a voice recording informing her that, because the police have been defunded, no one is available to take her call.
Trump has also tweeted warnings to “Suburban Housewives” that Biden will shatter their communities by requiring communities to build lower income housing as part of new development. Trump recently revoked an Obama-era housing regulation designed to eliminate racial disparities in the suburbs.
The president, in his speech, also took sharp aim at Harris, a former California attorney general, as being hostile to police, and suggested that she and Biden were at the center of “a left wing war on cops”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--Bison Attacks, Rips Pants Off Woman Who Sat In Middle Of Herd To Snap Photos

Videos of the incident posted to Facebook on Thursday show a group of motorcyclists whose ride through South Dakota ’ s Custer State Park was interrupted by a large herd of bison crossing the road .
In one video , you can see a female motorcyclist walking over to a patch of grass occupied by several of the massive mammals .
The motorcyclist , who is an unnamed 54-year-old woman from Iowa , then plops down just feet from the bison and begins to snap photos of a cow and her calf .
According to footage , the woman seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild animals and continues to take pictures until “ a cow bison came from the opposite [ side ] of the road and charged her , ” a representative from Custer State Park told HuffPost in an email .
In the disturbing video , you can see the animal catching her belt by its horn and swinging her around aggressively .
“ She was apparently saved when her pants came off and she fell to the ground unconscious , ” says a report by the Custer County Chronicle that was shared on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page .
The woman was flown to a hospital on a helicopter and “ somehow escaped serious injury , ” according to the report .
Park visitor Jo Reed , who filmed the unsettling footage , said in her Facebook post that she shared the videos on social media to highlight how dangerous it is to interact with wild animals .
“ Thankfully , the ranger did not need to tranquilize the bison , ” she wrote .
Reed also noted that she noticed “ herds and herds ” of bison while driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were frisky and punchy with each other , some trying to mate , ” she wrote .
Reed also described the attack and the events leading up to it as “ tense ” because she didn ’ t feel the bikers were respecting the space of “ these massive beautiful creatures.
” “ This was certainly an unfortunate occurrence , ” the park told HuffPost .
“ We can not caution visitors enough to respect the space of these animals and all the animals they encounter in the park.
” The park also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update on the attacked woman ’ s condition .

A furious bison violently attacked a woman who got a little too comfortable with its herd Wednesday.
Videos of the incident posted to Facebook on Thursday show a group of motorcyclists whose ride through South Dakota’s Custer State Park was interrupted by a large herd of bison crossing the road. In one video, you can see a female motorcyclist walking over to a patch of grass occupied by several of the massive mammals.
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The motorcyclist, who is an unnamed 54-year-old woman from Iowa, then plops down just feet from the bison and begins to snap photos of a cow and her calf.
According to footage, the woman seems confident with her close proximity to the wild animals and continues to take pictures until “a cow bison came from the opposite [side] of the road and charged her,” a representative from Custer State Park told HuffPost in an email.
In the disturbing video, you can see the animal catching her belt by its horn and swinging her around aggressively.
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“She was apparently saved when her pants came off and she fell to the ground unconscious,” says a report by the Custer County Chronicle that was shared on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
The woman was flown to a hospital on a helicopter and “somehow escaped serious injury,” according to the report.
Park visitor Jo Reed, who filmed the unsettling footage, said in her Facebook post that she shared the videos on social media to highlight how dangerous it is to interact with wild animals.
“Thankfully, the ranger did not need to tranquilize the bison,” she wrote.
Reed also noted that she noticed “herds and herds” of bison while driving through the park Wednesday.
“They were frisky and punchy with each other, some trying to mate,” she wrote.
Reed also described the attack and the events leading up to it as “tense” because she didn’t feel the bikers were respecting the space of “these massive beautiful creatures.”
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“This was certainly an unfortunate occurrence,” the park told HuffPost. “We cannot caution visitors enough to respect the space of these animals and all the animals they encounter in the park.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--Meghan Markle Talks 'Clickbait' And 'Toxicity' In The Media

Ramshaw , former editor-in-chief of nonprofit media organization The Texas Tribune , spoke with the duchess about how The 19th* came to be and what a newsroom and can look like with better representation .
Meghan also spoke about the downfalls of clickbait and the “ economy for attention ” in media and what it was like to return to the U.S. after a decade away .
Ramshaw opened with some of the challenges of founding The 19th* , especially in the midst of a global pandemic .
But as she saw how COVID-19 personally affected women in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as the U.S. went through a racial reckoning , she realized her mission was more important than ever .
Ramshaw said she hopes her team , which is 91 % women , will set the “ gold standard for the industry.
” She added that there is a hunger for the kind of coverage The 19th* provides and the outlet has a “ moral obligation to meet women where they are , ” which is one of the reasons it ’ s letting people and organizations republish their stories for free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fascinating ― at least from my standpoint and my personal experience the past couple of years ― is the headline alone , the clickbait alone , makes an imprint , ” the duchess said .
“ That is part of how we start to view the world , how we interact with other people.
” Meghan added that there is “ so much toxicity ” in this “ economy for attention , ” something she and her husband , Prince Harry , often talk about .
“ That is what it monetizable right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the digital space and media .
If you ’ re just trying to grab someone ’ s attention and keep it , you ’ re going for something salacious versus something truthful.
” “ You want to have trust in journalism and you want to have trust in what you ’ re reading and hope that it ’ s fact , ” she later said .
“ We ’ ve been so sadly comfortable with the idea that we are just getting all of this stuff and it becomes noise as opposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think at the onset , if I ’ m being honest , it was just devastating , ” the duchess added .
“ If there ’ s any silver lining in that , I would say that in the weeks after the murder of George Floyd , in the peaceful protests that you were seeing , in the voices that were coming out , in the way that people were actually owning their role and acknowledging their role ...
I can see that the tide is turning.
” “ It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and certainly unconscious bias , but I think to see the changes that are being made right now is something I look forward to being a part of , ” the duchess added .
“ And being a part of using my voice in a way that I haven ’ t been able to of late .
So ― yeah , it ’ s good to be home.
” It gets its name from the 19th Amendment , which , rather than outright giving women right the to vote , guaranteed that states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to their sex .
This provided enough leeway for states to find ways to continue to disenfranchise women after the amendment was ratified .
The asterisk in the newsroom ’ s name is meant to symbolize that , in effect , only white women were ensured the right to vote after the amendment was ratified , while Black women ’ s right to vote wasn ’ t solidified until after the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965 .
And as Ramshaw said during her talk with the duchess , voter suppression is @ @ @ @ @ @

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Meghan Markle just added a new job to her resume: interviewer.
The Duchess of Sussex, who once reportedly thought about becoming a journalist herself, sat down with Emily Ramshaw, co-founder and CEO of The 19th*, on Friday for a candid discussion at The 19th* Represents Summit.
Ramshaw, former editor-in-chief of nonprofit media organization The Texas Tribune, spoke with the duchess about how The 19th* came to be and what a newsroom can look like with better representation. Meghan also spoke about the downfalls of clickbait and the “economy for attention” in media and what it was like to return to the U.S. after a decade away.
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Ramshaw opened with some of the challenges of founding The 19th*, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. But as she saw how COVID-19 personally affected women in terms of issues like job loss and child care and as the U.S. went through a racial reckoning, she realized her mission was more important than ever.
The 19th*/Youtube
The co-founder said The 19th* was really the first national news outlet to elevate the killing of Breonna Taylor after one of Taylor’s family members approached an editor there.
Ramshaw said she hopes her team, which is 91% women, will set the “gold standard for the industry.” She added that there is a hunger for the kind of coverage The 19th* provides and the outlet has a “moral obligation to meet women where they are,” which is one of the reasons it’s letting people and organizations republish their stories for free.
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Ramshaw later switched gears to ask Meghan a few questions about her extremely personal experience with the media and how she thinks coverage would be different with more women and people of color at the helm of news organizations.
“I think what’s so fascinating ― at least from my standpoint and my personal experience the past couple of years ― is the headline alone, the clickbait alone, makes an imprint,” the duchess said. “That is part of how we start to view the world, how we interact with other people.”
Meghan added that there is “so much toxicity” in this “economy for attention,” something she and her husband, Prince Harry, often talk about. “That is what it monetizable right now when you’re looking at the digital space and media. If you’re just trying to grab someone’s attention and keep it, you’re going for something salacious versus something truthful.”
“You want to have trust in journalism and you want to have trust in what you’re reading and hope that it’s fact,” she later said. “We’ve been so sadly comfortable with the idea that we are just getting all of this stuff and it becomes noise as opposed to truth and accurate journalism.”
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Ramshaw also asked Meghan, who moved back to her hometown of Los Angeles after about 10 years away, what it was like to be back in the U.S. at this moment in time.
“It was so sad to see where our country was in that moment,” Meghan said of returning to LA as the country was mourning the deaths of Black Americans like Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery.
“I think at the onset, if I’m being honest, it was just devastating,” the duchess added. “If there’s any silver lining in that, I would say that in the weeks after the murder of George Floyd, in the peaceful protests that you were seeing, in the voices that were coming out, in the way that people were actually owning their role and acknowledging their role ... I can see that the tide is turning.”
“It’s not new to see this undercurrent of racism and certainly unconscious bias, but I think to see the changes that are being made right now is something I look forward to being a part of,” the duchess added. “And being a part of using my voice in a way that I haven’t been able to of late. So ― yeah, it’s good to be home.”
The Duchess of Sussex spoke about the "economy of attention" during her talk with Emily Ramshaw on Friday. Lisa Maree Williams via Getty Images
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The 19th* is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom with a focus on the intersection of gender, politics and policy. The organization’s mission statement is “to empower women — particularly those underserved by and underrepresented in American media — with the information, community and tools they need to be equal participants in our democracy.”
It gets its name from the 19th Amendment, which, rather than outright giving women the right to vote, guaranteed that states couldn’t bar people from voting due to their sex. This provided enough leeway for states to find ways to continue to disenfranchise women after the amendment was ratified.
The asterisk in the newsroom’s name is meant to symbolize that, in effect, only white women were ensured the right to vote after the amendment was ratified, while Black women’s right to vote wasn’t solidified until after the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965. And as Ramshaw said during her talk with the duchess, voter suppression is still very alive and real.
Additional guest speakers at the summit included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democratic vice presidential pick Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), and lawyer and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams, among others.
The duchess told Glamour magazine last week in a statement announcing her role and participation at the summit that she was looking forward to asking Ramshaw about “what it means to build a media outlet with gender equity, diversity, and community at its core.”
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Meghan added that “The 19th*’s commitment to reporting and storytelling that lifts up those who are too often underrepresented in the media has never been more important.”
Ramshaw told CNN that the duchess’s participation in the summit was Meghan’s idea. Ramshaw said she “nearly fell out of my chair” after receiving a call from the Sussex team.
“The duchess basically said that the issues that we care about are issues that she’s really interested in this moment,” Ramshaw told CNN, adding that “those things include super-high-quality media, gender equity, racial justice.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made it clear that they wanted to renegotiate their relationship with the media following their step back as working members of the royal family in January, and they’ve certainly followed through.
In the weeks and months since their momentous announcement, they have spoken and worked with outlets they might not have collaborated with as members of the royal family, who typically engage with members of the Royal Rota, a pool system used by U.K. journalists.
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Prince Harry recently wrote an essay about the divisiveness of social media for Fast Company and spoke to Rashad Robinson, a civil rights activist and president of Color of Change, about systemic racism and online hate in a conversation shared on Instagram.
The Duchess of Sussex shared a powerful graduation address exclusively with Essence following George Floyd’s death at the hands of a white police officer.
Meghan also spoke with Glamour to announce her participation in The 19th* Represents Summit and also participated in a Marie Claire feature that asked women why they’re voting in the upcoming 2020 election.
Omid Scobie, royal editor for Harper’s Bazaar and author of the biography “Finding Freedom,” told HuffPost this week that the Sussexes are able to do more work in certain areas they’re passionate about because they don’t have the boundaries they once did as working royals.
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“People often ask us, ‘Do you think they have freedom?’” Scobie said of the couple’s transition. “And looking at the work that they’re doing, I do think that they are much freer to do the things that mean the most for them.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--Dangerous Wildfire Grows In Los Angeles Amid Statewide Heat Wave

A blistering heat wave across California is forecasted to exacerbate an already explosive blaze in Los Angeles County , fire officials said Friday .
The Lake fire along Lake Hughes now spans more than 11,000 acres since igniting Wednesday .
It had already been growing with the help of other fire-friendly conditions , the U.S. Forest Service and the county fire department reported Friday morning .
“ Poor overnight humidity recovery allowed the fire to remain active ” and was intensified by “ critically dry fuels , ” the agencies said .
Plant life soaked by storms in the spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only get worse with the approaching heat .
Now , the Lake Hughes area is expected to reach temperature highs in the low 100s for the next week .
More than 5,000 structures are threatened by the Lake fire .
“ Warmer and drier conditions are forecasted for today as an excessive heat warning takes effect at 11 a.m. , ” the agencies said .
“ Near critical fire weather conditions could develop this afternoon and evening , as gusty onshore winds could combine with warm and dry conditions in place.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another dangerous fire season in California , which experts have predicted .
The Lake fire threatens more than 5,000 structures and has already destroyed five , authorities said Friday .
So far , only 12 % of the blaze is contained .
This is one of the biggest wildfires to hit during the coronavirus pandemic , which complicates evacuation strategies .
The Red Cross , which is managing an evacuation site in the area , requires all evacuees to stay in their cars .
Anyone who needs a place to stay overnight will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inferno has also contributed to unhealthy air quality throughout the region .
Los Angeles County is urging people to stay indoors in a number of areas affected by the smoke .

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A blistering heat wave across California is forecasted to exacerbate an already explosive blaze in Los Angeles County, fire officials said Friday.
The Lake fire along Lake Hughes now spans more than 11,000 acres since igniting Wednesday. It had already been growing with the help of other fire-friendly conditions, the U.S. Forest Service and the county fire department reported Friday morning.
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“Poor overnight humidity recovery allowed the fire to remain active” and was intensified by “critically dry fuels,” the agencies said. Plant life soaked by storms in the spring is now tinder dry, and that will only get worse with the approaching heat. Now, the Lake Hughes area is expected to reach temperature highs in the low 100s for the next week.
More than 5,000 structures are threatened by the Lake fire. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“Warmer and drier conditions are forecasted for today as an excessive heat warning takes effect at 11 a.m.,” the agencies said. “Near critical fire weather conditions could develop this afternoon and evening, as gusty onshore winds could combine with warm and dry conditions in place.”
This could be the start of yet another dangerous fire season in California, which experts have predicted.
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“We’re getting to the most critical part ... after a long, hot, dry summer,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Darrell Osby told reporters Thursday.
The Lake fire threatens more than 5,000 structures and has already destroyed five, authorities said Friday. So far, only 12% of the blaze is contained.
This is one of the biggest wildfires to hit during the coronavirus pandemic, which complicates evacuation strategies. The Red Cross, which is managing an evacuation site in the area, requires all evacuees to stay in their cars. Anyone who needs a place to stay overnight will be placed in safe housing.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--13 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

13 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

We ’ re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of Aug. 8 to 14 .
Check @ @ @ @ @ : Meteors cross the night sky over a sunflower field in Guadalajara , Spain , @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 12 , 2020. Credit : Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket/Getty Images

We’re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of Aug. 8 to 14. Check them out below.
Above: Meteors cross the night sky over a sunflower field in Guadalajara, Spain, during the Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 12, 2020. Credit: Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket/Getty Images


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--COVID-19 Has 'Taken A Political Tone Like Nothing I've Ever Seen,' Warns Anthony Fauci

The politicization of COVID-19 is the most extreme of any health problem that Dr. Anthony Fauci has seen in his career , the infectious disease expert revealed in his latest review of the coronavirus pandemic .
The animosity and pushback he experienced while battling HIV and AIDS were “ never anything ” as “ serious ” as it is now , when he and his family have been threatened with death as he works to protect public health , Fauci explained .
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases appeared to still be stunned by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain it .
Fauci attributed it to an extreme , disturbing divisiveness in the nation .
“ It seems inconceivable , ” he told interviewer Deborah Roberts of ABC News .
“ Take a deep breath and think about it : When you ’ re trying to promote public health principles to save people ’ s lives ... that there ’ s such divisiveness in the country that [ it ’ s ] interpreted to be so far from your own way of thinking that you actually want to threaten the person.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tough for me to figure that out except to say , ’ Boy , I hope we get past this divisiveness in our country .
... [ There ’ s ] just no way that our society can really function well and go along that way .
We ’ ve got to get past that.
” Fauci said it would be helpful if people would think about health and safety measures not as “ blocking ” a return to more normal times but as “ gateways ” to getting there — one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also seemed to take subtle shots at Donald Trump , who has refused to recommend or mandate national guidelines , such as wearing a mask , to help stem the spread of COVID-19 — and the president ’ s dismissive responses to the death toll .
“ You can ’ t run away from the numbers of people who ’ ve died , the number of people [ who ] are getting hospitalized , the surges we ’ re seeing , ” Fauci said .
Improving the future “ is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ We did not have a universal [ strategy ] in the sense of everybody pulling in the same direction , of the kinds of things that can contain and slow down an outbreak ... distancing , masks , avoiding crowds , outdoors better than indoors , washing hands , doing things like closing bars , where appropriate , because that seems to be a hot spot of transmission , ” he explained .
Areas began relaunching economic activity too soon when case numbers were still very high — and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use their heads about reopening schools , Fauci cautioned .
In-person instruction may be possible in “ green zone ” communities where infection rates are very low .
But in “ red zones , ” where cases are surging , “ local leaders and parents should carefully consider whether they want to put kids back in school under those circumstances.
” Once a successful vaccine is proved to be safe for use in the U.S. , Fauci said , he would “ gladly accept ” one that is 50 % to 75 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t then throw “ caution to the wind.
” Such a vaccination would be a “ very important additional tool ” to public health measures .

The politicization of COVID-19 is the most extreme of any health problem that Dr. Anthony Fauci has experienced in his career, the infectious disease expert revealed in his latest review of the coronavirus pandemic.
The battle against the disease has “taken on a political tone like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Fauci said in an interview Thursday arranged by National Geographic magazine.
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And it’s not helping, he noted. “We certainly are not where I hoped we would be,” Fauci said.
In a separate interview with The Washington Post Thursday, when asked about Tucker Carlson’s attacks on him on Fox News, Fauci responded that Carlson “triggers some of the crazies in society to start threatening me ... which actually happens.”
The animosity and pushback he experienced while battling HIV and AIDS were “never anything” as “serious” as it is now, when he and his family have been threatened with death as he works to protect public health, Fauci explained in the National Geographic interview.
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases appeared to still be stunned by the vicious reaction — and at a loss to explain it. Fauci attributed it to an extreme, disturbing divisiveness in the nation.
“It seems inconceivable,” he told interviewer Deborah Roberts of ABC News. “Take a deep breath and think about it: When you’re trying to promote public health principles to save people’s lives ... that there’s such divisiveness in the country that [it’s] interpreted to be so far from your own way of thinking that you actually want to threaten the person.”
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He added: “It’s tough for me to figure that out except to say, ’Boy, I hope we get past this divisiveness in our country. ... [There’s] just no way that our society can really function well and go along that way. We’ve got to get past that.”
Fauci said it would be helpful if people would think about health and safety measures not as “blocking” a return to more normal times but as “gateways” to getting there — one thoughtful, careful step at a time.
He also seemed to take subtle shots at Donald Trump, who has refused to recommend or mandate national guidelines, such as wearing a mask, to help stem the spread of COVID-19 — and the president’s dismissive responses to the death toll.
“You can’t run away from the numbers of people who’ve died, the number of people [who] are getting hospitalized, the surges we’re seeing,” Fauci said. Improving the future “is going to depend on us,” he added.
Fauci characterized the U.S. approach to dealing with COVID-19 as scattershot — and disappointing. “Bottom line is, I’m not pleased with how things are going,” he told Roberts.
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“We did not have a universal [strategy] in the sense of everybody pulling in the same direction, of the kinds of things that can contain and slow down an outbreak ... distancing, masks, avoiding crowds, outdoors better than indoors, washing hands, doing things like closing bars, where appropriate, because that seems to be a hot spot of transmission,” he explained. Areas began relaunching economic activity too soon when case numbers were still very high — and even surging, he noted.
Leaders need to use their heads about reopening schools, Fauci cautioned. In-person instruction may be possible in “green zone” communities where infection rates are very low. But in “red zones,” where cases are surging, “local leaders and parents should carefully consider whether they want to put kids back in school under those circumstances.”
Fauci also expressed skepticism about a purported COVID-19 vaccine from Russia. “Having a vaccine” and “proving that a vaccine is safe and effective are two different things,” he said.
Once a successful vaccine is proved to be safe for use in the U.S., Fauci said, he would “gladly accept” one that is 50% to 75% effective. But people couldn’t then throw “caution to the wind.” Such a vaccination would be a “very important additional tool” to public health measures.
Check out Fauci’s interview in the video above or in this transcript.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Donald Trump’s Latest Claim About Helping Women Gets Ripped Apart

Donald Trump drew stinging backlash on Friday with his boast on Twitter that he ’ d “ done more for WOMEN than just about any President in HISTORY !
” Trump also proposed in his post — which came ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment passing , which granted women the right to vote — building “ a BEAUTIFUL STATUE in Washington D.C. to honor the many brave women who made this possible for our GREAT COUNTRY.
” I have done more for WOMEN than just about any President in HISTORY !
As we celebrate the 100th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we should build a BEAUTIFUL STATUE in Washington D.C. to honor the many brave women who made this possible for our GREAT COUNTRY ... — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 14 , 2020 ... Congress should send me H.R.473 ASAP and make this happen !
It will INSPIRE all women to continue being bold and brave in achieving their DREAMS !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 14 , 2020 Twitter users doubted the sincerity of Trump ’ s statue suggestion , and some reminded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
Only this week , he called Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) “ nasty ” and a “ mad woman ” after presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden picked her as his running mate in the 2020 election .
Trump has also described Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) as a “ poor student , ” prompting the progressive lawmaker to challenge the president to compare grades .
Critics also noted the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that have been leveled at Trump .
Others highlighted the Trump White House ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defund Planned Parenthood to dissolving the White House Council on Women and Girls .
Speaking on behalf of most women ... you 're full of shit .
— Angela Belcamino ( @ AngelaBelcamino ) August 14 , 2020 Donald Trump on how to treat women : '' You have to treat 'em like shit . ''
https : //t.co/ZltVnhLI3R https : //t.co/2DJUlUKweJ — Kimberley Johnson ( @ AuthorKimberley ) August 14 , 2020 A statue is great and all , but how about funding the Postal Service so that women can actually vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ RepSpeier ) August 14 , 2020 Hoo boy this is just too much for this nasty woman on a Friday afternoon .
https : //t.co/O5Tn7APFsQ — Nicole Schuman🍕 ( @ Buffalogal ) August 14 , 2020 Do you hear that sound ?
?
?
That ’ s the sound of my jaw hitting the floor over this gaslighting nonsense ... https : //t.co/CQZW03xMRD — Melissa Blake ( @ melissablake ) August 15 , 2020 CORRECTION : `` I have done more *to WOMEN ... `` https : //t.co/ayLwtIIsIw — Greg Schindler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Biden is leading 2-1 among female voters and it appears Trump 's plan to remedy that is to build a statue .
https : //t.co/7ElOhbzdnk — Jessica Huseman ( @ JessicaHuseman ) August 14 , 2020 I think you meant , “ more TO women.
” There I fixed that for you .
Also , instead of a statue , let ’ s pass the Equal Rights Amendment .
https : //t.co/V1q6l5wc17 — Dan Rather ( @ DanRather ) August 14 , 2020 “ I just start kissing them .
Just kiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And when you ’ re a star , they let you do it .
You can do anything .
Whatever you want .
Grab them by the covfefe .
You can do anything.
” — Andrea Junker ( @ Strandjunker ) August 14 , 2020 he wants to build a statue of jessica rabbit to honor women 's suffrage , does n't he https : //t.co/CSXS7QkIQl — Emmy Bengtson ( @ EmmyA2 ) August 14 , 2020 If he were at all serious ( which of course he is n't ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of miles from the White House and pay his respects to a brave and pathbreaking woman , educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune , at East Capitol and 12th St .
N.E.
, in D.C. https : //t.co/6AULcuntY8 pic.twitter.com/54rCTXAvNd — Bill Kristol ( @ BillKristol ) August 14 , 2020 On Ivanka Trump , your daughter '' She does have a very nice figure ... if [ she ] were n't my daughter , perhaps I 'd be dating her . ''
-Trump — Justin Pearson ( @ pearson_justin ) August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill , for example ?
https : //t.co/Wy84SSVdsh — Jason Segel ( @ jasonsegel ) August 14 , 2020 How do you commemorate all great women in our history with one statue ?
What are you envisioning ?
A generic vagina ?
— Misha Collins ( @ mishacollins ) August 14 , 2020 ... i do n't even know where to begin with this ... https : //t.co/lJN9HzHt96 — Voto Latino ( @ votolatino ) August 14 , 2020 RIDICULOUS LIE Trump does n't even try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibilities .
Trump has done NOTHING for women apart from subject them to his sexist attitudes & behavior .
Trump 's insecurity is such that women , especially intelligent & strong women , terrify him !
— MURRAY 🗽 ( @ murray_nyc ) August 14 , 2020

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Donald Trump drew stinging backlash on Friday with his boast on Twitter that he’d “done more for WOMEN than just about any President in HISTORY!”
Trump also proposed in his post — which came ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment passing, which granted women the right to vote — building “a BEAUTIFUL STATUE in Washington D.C. to honor the many brave women who made this possible for our GREAT COUNTRY.”
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I have done more for WOMEN than just about any President in HISTORY! As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of women’s voting rights, we should build a BEAUTIFUL STATUE in Washington D.C. to honor the many brave women who made this possible for our GREAT COUNTRY... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
...Congress should send me H.R.473 ASAP and make this happen! It will INSPIRE all women to continue being bold and brave in achieving their DREAMS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
Twitter users doubted the sincerity of Trump’s statue suggestion, and some reminded the president of his past offensive rhetoric against women.
Only this week, he called Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) “nasty” and a “mad woman” after presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden picked her as his running mate in the 2020 election.
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Trump has also described Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) as a “poor student,” prompting the progressive lawmaker to challenge the president to compare grades.
Critics also noted the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that have been leveled at Trump.
Speaking on behalf of most women... you're full of shit. — Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) August 14, 2020
Donald Trump on how to treat women:
"You have to treat 'em like shit." https://t.co/ZltVnhLI3R https://t.co/2DJUlUKweJ — Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) August 14, 2020
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A statue is great and all, but how about funding the Postal Service so that women can actually vote? https://t.co/G8X6F6sbwG — Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) August 14, 2020
Hoo boy this is just too much for this nasty woman on a Friday afternoon. https://t.co/O5Tn7APFsQ — Nicole Schuman🍕 (@Buffalogal) August 14, 2020
Do you hear that sound??? That’s the sound of my jaw hitting the floor over this gaslighting nonsense... https://t.co/CQZW03xMRD — Melissa Blake (@melissablake) August 15, 2020
CORRECTION: "I have done more *to WOMEN ... " https://t.co/ayLwtIIsIw — Greg Schindler (@Schindizzle) August 14, 2020
Biden is leading 2-1 among female voters and it appears Trump's plan to remedy that is to build a statue. https://t.co/7ElOhbzdnk — Jessica Huseman (@JessicaHuseman) August 14, 2020
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I think you meant, “more TO women.” There I fixed that for you. Also, instead of a statue, let’s pass the Equal Rights Amendment. https://t.co/V1q6l5wc17 — Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 14, 2020
“I just start kissing them. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Whatever you want. Grab them by the covfefe. You can do anything.” — Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) August 14, 2020
Here’s an idea: stop opposing putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 https://t.co/YcgoXYxsKo — Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) August 14, 2020
he wants to build a statue of jessica rabbit to honor women's suffrage, doesn't he https://t.co/CSXS7QkIQl — Emmy Bengtson (@EmmyA2) August 14, 2020
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This would make a good statue... pic.twitter.com/c1WhzrumXE — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) August 14, 2020
If he were at all serious (which of course he isn't), Donald Trump could visit this statue only a couple of miles from the White House and pay his respects to a brave and pathbreaking woman, educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune, at East Capitol and 12th St. N.E., in D.C. https://t.co/6AULcuntY8 pic.twitter.com/54rCTXAvNd — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 14, 2020
On Ivanka Trump, your daughter
"She does have a very nice figure ... if [she] weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her." -Trump — Justin Pearson (@pearson_justin) August 14, 2020
Or you could put Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill, for example? https://t.co/Wy84SSVdsh — Jason Segel (@jasonsegel) August 14, 2020
How do you commemorate all great women in our history with one statue?
What are you envisioning? A generic vagina? — Misha Collins (@mishacollins) August 14, 2020
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... i don't even know where to begin with this... https://t.co/lJN9HzHt96 — Voto Latino (@votolatino) August 14, 2020
RIDICULOUS LIE
Trump doesn't even try to keeps his lies within the realm of possibilities. Trump has done NOTHING for women apart from subject them to his sexist attitudes & behavior. Trump's insecurity is such that women, especially intelligent & strong women, terrify him! — MURRAY 🗽 (@murray_nyc) August 14, 2020
You won't even put a woman on money. https://t.co/ECGAMpNECu — Schooley (@Rschooley) August 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Joe Biden Mockingly Urges People To Take Donald Trump's Word On One Specific Issue

Joe Biden exposed the hypocrisy of President Donald Trump ’ s fearmongering about mail-in voting in a tweet on Friday .
Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , assured supporters on Twitter that “ voting by mail is safe and secure.
” “ And don ’ t take my word for it , ” the former vice president continued .
“ Take it from the President , who just requested his mail-in ballot for the Florida primary on Tuesday.
” Voting by mail is safe and secure .
And do n't take my word for it : Take it from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballot for the Florida primary on Tuesday .
— Joe Biden ( @ JoeBiden ) August 14 , 2020 Trump has ramped up his rhetoric on mail-in voting in recent weeks , making unfounded claims that it is ripe for fraud and will throw the result of the election into doubt .
On Thursday , the president seemingly admitted he is blocking funding for the U.S .
Postal Service in an attempt to frustrate its operations ahead of the election in November .
The service is expected to face a tide of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hilary Clinton , Trump ’ s Democratic rival in the 2016 election , also noted the hypocrisy of the president ’ s move .
“ What ’ s good enough for the Trumps should be good enough for the people they work for ― the rest of us , ” tweeted the former Secretary of State : What 's good enough for the Trumps should be good enough for the people they work for—the rest of us .
https : //t.co/axGDB86Qr2 — Hillary Clinton ( @ HillaryClinton ) August 14 , 2020

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Joe Biden highlighted the hypocrisy of President Donald Trump’s fearmongering about mail-in voting in a tweet on Friday.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, assured voters on Twitter that “voting by mail is safe and secure.”
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“And don’t take my word for it,” the former vice president continued. “Take it from the President, who just requested his mail-in ballot for the Florida primary on Tuesday.”
Voting by mail is safe and secure. And don't take my word for it:
Take it from the President, who just requested his mail-in ballot for the Florida primary on Tuesday. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 14, 2020
Trump has ramped up his rhetoric against mail-in voting in recent weeks, making unfounded claims that it is ripe for fraud and will throw the result of the election into doubt.
On Thursday, the president seemingly admitted he is blocking funding for the U.S. Postal Service in an attempt to frustrate its operations ahead of the election in November. The agency is expected to face an unusually high amount of mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Hilary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival in the 2016 election, also noted the hypocrisy of the president’s move.
“What’s good enough for the Trumps should be good enough for the people they work for ― the rest of us,” tweeted the former secretary of state.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--USPS Removes Mailboxes, Shuts Down Letter-Sorting Machines As Mail-In Voting Looms

The U.S .
Postal Service removed mail collection boxes in at least four states and is eliminating automatic letter-sorting machines that speed delivery ahead of an expected surge of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 elections .
As the Postal Service began to dismantle its own process for speedy mail delivery , it sent a letter to 46 states warning that voters could be disenfranchised because their mail-in ballots may not be delivered in time to make vote deadlines , The Washington Post reported Friday .
Some states are quickly moving up deadlines , forcing voters to request or cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailboxes in Oregon , Montana , Indiana and in Manhattan .
Trucks filled with the blue metal boxes alarmed Oregon residents in Portland , where four were removed , and Eugene ( 28 boxes ) this week .
A USPS spokesperson said they ’ re being removed because of “ declining ” mail volume , The Oregonian reported Thursday .
The agency planned to remove 68 of the collection boxes in Montana , but the operation was placed “ on hold ” as of Friday after dozens were taken , following a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint by Sen. Jon Tester ( D-Mont. )
.
The USPS later issued a statement that it would stop removing letter boxes in 16 states and sections of two others in the western region of the agency until after the election , CNN reported .
Cost-cutting moves are already delaying mail delivery by as much as a week , according to The Washington Post .
Some states , meanwhile , are anticipating 10 times the normal volume of election mail as voters seek to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 by voting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 election the “ most corrupt ” in American history because of the anticipated wide use of mail-in ballots , even before any votes have been cast .
He has claimed , without any evidence , that the mail-in ballots will be “ rigged , ” even though he and first lady Melania Trump on Wednesday requested their own mail-in ballots for Tuesday ’ s Florida primary .
“ We have an underfunded state and local election system and a deliberate slowdown in the Postal Service , ” Wendy Fields , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told The New York Times last month .
Trump is “ deliberately orchestrating suppression and using the Post Office as a tool to do it , ” she said .
Vice was the first to report Thursday that 19 mail-sorting machines from five USPS processing facilities had been removed .
The USPS told Vice that the change was part of routine adaptations to mail and package volume .
But both Vice and CNN obtained a report revealing that the USPS is in the process of eliminating about 15 % of the machines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 35,000 pieces of mail an hour , according to Vice .
Loss of the sorters will significantly delay mail processing and delivery .
The changes come on top of an internal memo last month that announced a halt to overtime pay for letter carriers and a new limit on hours when mail can be delivered .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
and eight other lawmakers on Thursday also called on the USPS inspector general to investigate the policy changes — as well as newly revealed ethics issues concerning DeJoy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the USPS , is a prominent Trump donor and the former lead fundraiser for the Republican National Committee .
He stands to profit from an implosion of the Postal Service .
CNN reported earlier this week that DeJoy continues to hold a $ 30 million equity stake in his former company , XPO Logistics , a USPS contractor , which could conceivably partner with a competitor if the agency stumbles .
DeJoy also purchased Amazon stock options after he was appointed postmaster general , giving him the right to buy new shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than their current market price , according to his financial disclosure filings .

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The U.S. Postal Service removed mail collection boxes in at least four states and is eliminating automatic letter-sorting machines that speed delivery ahead of an expected surge of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 elections.
As the Postal Service began to dismantle its own process for speedy mail delivery, it sent a letter to 46 states warning that voters could be disenfranchised because their mail-in ballots may not be delivered in time to make vote deadlines, The Washington Post reported Friday. Some states are quickly moving up deadlines, forcing voters to request or cast ballots sooner.
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The startling actions appear to support accusations by Democratic lawmakers and voting rights groups that Postal Service management — now headed by major Donald Trump contributor Louis DeJoy — is sabotaging mail delivery before Election Day.
Donald Trump isn't *trying* to sabotage our elections. He's doing it right under our noses. This is voter suppression and Senate Republicans are letting him get away with it. https://t.co/scsuKQIRAG — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) August 14, 2020
Delivery times have doubled. Costs are increasing. Sorting machines are being removed. Mail is piling up. Now they're driving around in trucks, removing mailboxes.
Leave it to Trump to quickly destroy an institution that's been around longer than America has existed. pic.twitter.com/WSMCB6BQyE — Ted (@trom771) August 14, 2020
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The agency planned to remove 68 of the collection boxes in Montana, but the operation was placed “on hold” as of Friday after dozens were taken, following a report by a local NBC station and a complaint by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). The USPS later issued a statement that it would stop removing letter boxes in 16 states and sections of two others in the western region of the agency until after the election, CNN reported.
The USPS is also currently eliminating hundreds of mail sorting machines that have significantly speeded up mail processing.
Cost-cutting moves are already delaying mail delivery by as much as a week, according to The Washington Post. Some states, meanwhile, are anticipating 10 times the normal volume of election mail as voters seek to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 by voting in person.
Trump has already declared the Nov. 3 election the “most corrupt” in American history because of the anticipated wide use of mail-in ballots, even before any votes have been cast. He has claimed, without any evidence, that the mail-in ballots will be “rigged,” even though he and first lady Melania Trump on Wednesday requested their own mail-in ballots for Tuesday’s Florida primary.
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Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History! #RIGGEDELECTION — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2020
On Thursday, the president all but admitted he is blocking a desperately needed infusion of funds to the cash-strapped Postal Service, knowing it will hamstring voting by mail.
“We have an underfunded state and local election system and a deliberate slowdown in the Postal Service,” Wendy Fields, the executive director of the nonpartisan Democracy Initiative, told The New York Times last month. Trump is “deliberately orchestrating suppression and using the Post Office as a tool to do it,” she said.
Vanita Gupta, a Justice Department official in the Obama administration and currently president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, characterized the situation as the “weaponization of the U.S. Postal Service for the president’s electoral purposes.”
It’s “completely outrageous that the U.S. Postal Service is in this position,” she told the Post.
Vice was the first to report Thursday that 19 mail-sorting machines from five USPS processing facilities had been removed. The USPS told Vice that the change was part of routine adaptations to mail and package volume.
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But both Vice and CNN obtained a report revealing that the USPS is in the process of eliminating about 15% of the machines, which can each sort as much as 35,000 pieces of mail an hour, according to Vice. Loss of the sorters will significantly delay mail processing and delivery.
CNN reported Thursday that postal officials cited decreased mail volume and a need for efficiency for the removal of the sorting machines.
The changes come on top of an internal memo last month that announced a halt to overtime pay for letter carriers and a new limit on hours when mail can be delivered.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and eight other lawmakers on Thursday also called on the USPS inspector general to investigate the policy changes — as well as newly revealed ethics issues concerning DeJoy.
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DeJoy, who has no experience working in the USPS, is a prominent Trump donor and the former lead fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. He stands to profit from an implosion of the Postal Service. CNN reported earlier this week that DeJoy continues to hold a $30 million equity stake in his former company, XPO Logistics, a USPS contractor, which could conceivably partner with a competitor if the agency stumbles.
DeJoy also purchased Amazon stock options after he was appointed postmaster general, giving him the right to buy new shares of Amazon at a price much lower than their current market price, according to his financial disclosure filings.
CNN reported Friday that the inspector general of the USPS has launched an investigation into DeJoy’s policy changes and potential ethics conflicts.
“We have initiated a body of work to address the concerns raised, but cannot comment on the details,” Agapi Doulaveris, a spokesperson for the USPS watchdog, told CNN in an email. Documents have already been requested, according to CNN.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's investments in @USPS competitors were already deeply problematic. But his purchase of @Amazon stock options after his appointment is inexcusable. The @OIGUSPS must investigate this corruption. https://t.co/Dlmsk25Ul8 — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) August 13, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Twitter Labels Anti-Trump Ad 'Manipulated Media' After Sean Hannity Complains

Sean Hannity on Friday blasted an attack video on Donald Trump that used Hannity ’ s own words to mock the president .
Twitter labeled the video “ manipulated media ” after complaints from the Fox News host .
The video — by MeidasTouch , a super PAC — featured scenes of Hannity talking about Democratic conspiracy theories , and mocking Joe Biden as a “ frail guy ” with questionable “ cognitive fitness.
” Those accusations were spliced with clips of Trump spinning his latest birther conspiracy theory , looking frail and not making sense .
( Check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ attempts to portray Sean Hannity discrediting President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , when in reality the footage shows the commentator highlighting the growing controversies surrounding Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris , ” said the complaint on Hannity ’ s web site .
“ Twitter has since corrected the discredited content.
” The video , which racked up more than 2.2 million views after brought it up , was not “ corrected , ” but rather marked with a “ manipulated media ” label , which links to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context.
” Twitter marked this video as ‘ manipulated ’ because @ SeanHannity whined like a baby .
There ’ s nothing ‘ manipulated ’ about contrasting his words with the reality of his daddy Trump ’ s actions .
Keep retweeting !
# ByeHannity pic.twitter.com/RozY24phsm — MeidasTouch.com ( @ MeidasTouch ) August 15 , 2020 Thanks Sean , I would n't have seen that video without your recommendation .
I sought it out , liked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great are n't they ?
There are 2.2 million views , and your whining about it will only increase the exposure .
— Anonymous Drew ( @ skrymir42 ) August 15 , 2020 Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

Sean Hannity on Friday blasted an attack video on Donald Trump that used Hannity’s own words to mock the president. Twitter labeled the video “manipulated media” after complaints from the Fox News host.
The video — by MeidasTouch, a super PAC — featured scenes of Hannity talking about Democratic conspiracy theories, and mocking Joe Biden as a “frail guy” with questionable “cognitive fitness.” Those accusations were spliced with clips of Trump spinning his latest birther conspiracy theory, looking frail and not making sense. (Check out the video above.)
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The video “attempts to portray Sean Hannity discrediting President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, when in reality the footage shows the commentator highlighting the growing controversies surrounding Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris,” said the complaint on Hannity’s web site. “Twitter has since corrected the discredited content.”
HANNITY SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Another Deceptive, Discredited Video Circulates on Social Media https://t.co/fFXEk4CtbG — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 15, 2020
The video, which racked up more than 2.2 million views after brought it up, was not “corrected,” but rather marked with a “manipulated media” label, which links to a Twitter policy explaining that Twitter “may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context.”
The response from MeidasTouch? “Keep retweeting.”
Twitter marked this video as ‘manipulated’ because @SeanHannity whined like a baby. There’s nothing ‘manipulated’ about contrasting his words with the reality of his daddy Trump’s actions. Keep retweeting! #ByeHannity
pic.twitter.com/RozY24phsm — MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) August 15, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Trump Rips 'Politically Correct' Fox News As No 'Big Deal' For 2020 Election

Donald Trump and Fox News may have been thick as thieves last election , but not this time around , the president grumbled on Twitter .
On Friday , he criticized the right-wing news operation as “ politically correct ” and said it ’ s “ no longer the big deal ” in the upcoming election .
The biggest difference between the Presidential Race in 2020 and that of 2016 is the 2016 candidate , Crooked Hillary Clinton , was much smarter and sharper than Slow Joe , we have even more ENTHUSIASM now , and @ FoxNews has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 14 , 2020 But the biggest difference in 2020 , according to Trump , is that his previous rival Hillary Clinton “ was much smarter and sharper than Slow Joe , ” sharing a new nickname for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
And there ’ s even more “ ENTHUSIASM ” now , Trump insisted .
Twitter critics came up with a few other campaign differences — and had some ideas about “ smart ” candidates and campaign “ enthusiasm.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that as an incumbent “ President ” , you ’ re now DIRECTLY responsible for the destruction , deaths and division in our country .
You can ’ t blame anybody else .
# TrumpFailedAmerica # TrumpVirus — Republicans for Joe Biden ( @ RepsForBiden ) August 14 , 2020 The biggest difference in 2020 is that Trump needs to sabotage the USPS to pull off this election .
# SaveTheUSPS — Angela Belcamino ( @ AngelaBelcamino ) August 14 , 2020 The biggest difference between the Presidential Race in 2020 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed our country , told Americans to inject bleach to kill the coronavirus , and even promoted whacked out doctors preaching about Demon Semen and hydroxychloroquine .
— Eugene Gu , MD ( @ eugenegu ) August 14 , 2020 Important conversations are happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Donald Trump and Fox News may have been thick as thieves last election, but not this time around, the president grumbled on Twitter.
On Friday, he criticized the right-wing news operation as “politically correct” and said it’s “no longer the big deal” in the upcoming election.
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The biggest difference between the Presidential Race in 2020 and that of 2016 is the 2016 candidate, Crooked Hillary Clinton, was much smarter and sharper than Slow Joe, we have even more ENTHUSIASM now, and @FoxNews has become politically correct and no longer the big deal! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2020
But the biggest difference in 2020, according to Trump, is that his previous rival Hillary Clinton “was much smarter and sharper than Slow Joe,” sharing a new nickname for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
And there’s even more “ENTHUSIASM” now, Trump insisted.
Twitter critics came up with a few other campaign differences — and had some ideas about “smart” candidates and campaign “enthusiasm.”
The biggest difference between 2016 and 2020 is that as an incumbent “President”, you’re now DIRECTLY responsible for the destruction, deaths and division in our country. You can’t blame anybody else. #TrumpFailedAmerica #TrumpVirus — Republicans for Joe Biden (@RepsForBiden) August 14, 2020
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The biggest difference in 2020 is that Trump needs to sabotage the USPS to pull off this election. #SaveTheUSPS — Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) August 14, 2020
The biggest difference between the Presidential Race in 2020 and that of 2016 is that Trump completely destroyed our country, told Americans to inject bleach to kill the coronavirus, and even promoted whacked out doctors preaching about Demon Semen and hydroxychloroquine. — Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) August 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--Mitt Romney Doesn't Have A Problem With Mail-In Ballots

Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) again broke out of the Republican pack Friday to challenge President Donald Trump ’ s insistence that mail-in ballots in this election are “ rigged ” — even before a single vote has been cast .
“ I don ’ t know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud , ” Romney responded when asked about the issue during an interview with the Sutherland Institute think tank .
“ That ’ s more important than even the outcome of the vote , ” Romney said .
“ We have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the trend we ’ re on is going to continue to get worse.
” When “ politicians attack a judicial system , attack a voting system ... attack a free press , these things threaten the foundation upon which not only our own democracy rests but democracies around the world rest , ” Romney noted without mentioning Trump ’ s name .
Trump has come under attack by Democrats and voting rights advocates for blasting mail-in voting even as millions of Americans prepare to send in ballots to avoid the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and first lady Melania Trump just requested their own mail-in ballots for Tuesday ’ s Republican primary in Florida .
Critics are now accusing Trump and his recently handpicked postmaster general , Louis DeJoy , of deliberately sabotaging the U.S .
Postal Service to increase the risk that mailed-in ballots won ’ t be delivered in time to be counted — or that the mail-in voting is such a mess that Trump will have an excuse to challenge a loss .
DeJoy has halted letter-carrier overtime and extended mail delivery .
Now letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some communities and some mail-sorting machines are being removed at postal processing facilities .
Even as DeJoy began making changes that impede the USPS process for speedy mail delivery , 46 states were warned in a letter from the Postal Service that many voters could be disenfranchised because their ballots may not be delivered by state deadlines , The Washington Post reported Friday .
Trump essentially said he was blocking additional funding for the cash-strapped USPS knowing it could hamper the Postal Service ’ s ability to handle an expected surge of mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney said that he would “ prefer ” the government provided “ additional funds to states that don ’ t have as effective voting systems as we do here in Utah for voting by mail.
” He also said he ’ s concerned that voting machines could be compromised and that security precautions to guard against that should be taken for the in-person tallies .
“ My biggest concern , frankly , with regards to voting fraud has been that there would be some kind of hacking of our voting electronic systems and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hacked .
”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) again broke out of the Republican pack Friday to challenge President Donald Trump’s insistence that mail-in ballots in this election are “rigged” — even before a single vote has been cast.
“I don’t know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud,” Romney responded when asked about the issue during an interview with the Sutherland Institute think tank.
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He insisted it’s “essential” that Americans’ right to vote be protected.
“That’s more important than even the outcome of the vote,” Romney said. “We have got to preserve the principle of democracy, or the trend we’re on is going to continue to get worse.”
When “politicians attack a judicial system, attack a voting system ... attack a free press, these things threaten the foundation upon which not only our own democracy rests but democracies around the world rest,” Romney noted without mentioning Trump’s name.
Trump has come under attack by Democrats and voting rights advocates for blasting mail-in voting even as millions of Americans prepare to send in ballots to avoid the risk of COVID-19 transmission at polling stations. He and first lady Melania Trump just requested their own mail-in ballots for Tuesday’s Republican primary in Florida.
Critics are now accusing Trump and his recently handpicked postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, of deliberately sabotaging the U.S. Postal Service to increase the risk that mailed-in ballots won’t be delivered in time to be counted — or that the mail-in voting is such a mess that Trump will have an excuse to challenge a loss.
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DeJoy has halted letter-carrier overtime and extended mail delivery. Now letter collection boxes are being taken out in some communities and some mail-sorting machines are being removed at postal processing facilities.
Even as DeJoy began making changes that impede the USPS process for speedy mail delivery, 46 states were warned in a letter from the Postal Service that many voters could be disenfranchised because their ballots may not be delivered by state deadlines, The Washington Post reported Friday.
Trump essentially said he was blocking additional funding for the cash-strapped USPS knowing it could hamper the Postal Service’s ability to handle an expected surge of mail-in votes for the Nov. 3 elections.
Romney said that he would “prefer” the government provided “additional funds to states that don’t have as effective voting systems as we do here in Utah for voting by mail.”
He also said he’s concerned that voting machines could be compromised and that security precautions to guard against that should be taken for the in-person tallies.
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“My biggest concern, frankly, with regards to voting fraud has been that there would be some kind of hacking of our voting electronic systems and that voting machines or tabulating equipment would be hacked.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Senators Sought Justice Department Probe Of Steve Bannon's Testimony On Russia: Report

The Senate Intelligence Committee sent a bipartisan letter last year to the Department of Justice calling for an investigation into possible lying by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon when he testified about Russian interference in the last presidential election , the Los Angeles Times reported Friday .
The letter , sent July 19 , 2019 , has not been released publicly but has been seen by the Times .
It also raised concerns about testimony by family members and other confidants of President Donald Trump .
Their testimony seemed to contradict information provided by former deputy campaign chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller , according to the letter , the Times reported .
“ As you are aware , the Committee is conducting an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election , ” the letter stated , according to the Times .
“ As part of that inquiry , and as a result of witness interviews and document production , we now have reason to believe that the following individuals may have committed a criminal act.
” The letter names Bannon , who served as chief executive of the 2016 Trump campaign .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — and Sam Clovis , who served as co-chair of Trump ’ s campaign , according to the Times .
The committee believed Bannon may have lied about his interactions with Prince , hedge fund manager Rick Gerson and Kirill Dmitriev , the head of a Russian sovereign fund , according to the newspaper ’ s account of the letter .
Investigators suspected that the men may have been working to arrange back-channel communications between the Trump administration and Moscow , the Times reported .
Bannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Seychelles meeting .
Before Trump ’ s inauguration , Prince , the founder of the controversial military contractor Blackwater , said he met Dmitriev by chance on Seychelles and ended up talking with the financier , who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin , according to an April 2019 article in The Washington Post .
Prince later told the Mueller investigation that he briefed Bannon about the meeting and gave him contact information , but Bannon later denied any such meeting took place , according to an article last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Mueller report concluded the meeting had not been happenstance and had been arranged between Prince and Dmitriev .
The Senate committee ’ s letter also referred to concerns about testimony by Donald Trump Jr. , White House senior adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner , former communications director Hope Hicks and former Trump campaign manager and now convicted felon Paul Manafort , according to the newspaper .
Concerns about Trump Jr. involved the nature of his meeting in Trump Tower in Manhattan with a Russian lawyer who promised she had “ dirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president ’ s son claimed the meeting was to discuss American adoptions of Russian children .
The letter was sent to Deborah Curtis , a top prosecutor in the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Washington , D.C. , the Times reported .
The Justice Department declined to comment when contacted by the Times .
The news emerged just as the Senate committee is close to releasing its final report on its investigation into Russian election meddling in the 2016 presidential election .

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The Senate Intelligence Committee sent a bipartisan letter last year to the Department of Justice calling for an investigation into possible lying by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon when he testified about Russian interference in the last presidential election, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
It’s not known what the response was.
The letter, sent July 19, 2019, has not been released publicly but has been seen by the Times. It also raised concerns about testimony by family members and other confidants of President Donald Trump. Their testimony seemed to contradict information provided by former deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates to former special counsel Robert Mueller, according to the letter, the Times reported.
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“As you are aware, the Committee is conducting an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election,” the letter stated, according to the Times. “As part of that inquiry, and as a result of witness interviews and document production, we now have reason to believe that the following individuals may have committed a criminal act.”
The letter names Bannon, who served as chief executive of the 2016 Trump campaign. It also names private security contractor Erik Prince — brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — and Sam Clovis, who served as co-chair of Trump’s campaign, according to the Times.
The committee believed Bannon may have lied about his interactions with Prince, hedge fund manager Rick Gerson and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of a Russian sovereign fund, according to the newspaper’s account of the letter.
All were linked to meetings that took place in Seychelles before Trump’s inauguration.
Investigators suspected that the men may have been working to arrange back-channel communications between the Trump administration and Moscow, the Times reported. Bannon and Prince have told conflicting stories about the Seychelles meeting.
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Bannon’s lawyer William Burck told the Times he never heard from the U.S. attorney’s office about his client. Prince’s lawyer dismissed the report.
Before Trump’s inauguration, Prince, the founder of the controversial military contractor Blackwater, said he met Dmitriev by chance on Seychelles and ended up talking with the financier, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to an April 2019 article in The Washington Post. Prince later told the Mueller investigation that he briefed Bannon about the meeting and gave him contact information, but Bannon later denied any such meeting took place, according to an article last year in U.S. News & World Report. The Mueller report concluded the meeting had not been happenstance and had been arranged between Prince and Dmitriev.
The Senate committee’s letter also referred to concerns about testimony by Donald Trump Jr., White House senior adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, former communications director Hope Hicks and former Trump campaign manager and now convicted felon Paul Manafort, according to the newspaper.
Concerns about Trump Jr. involved the nature of his meeting in Trump Tower in Manhattan with a Russian lawyer who promised she had “dirt” on Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton. The president’s son claimed the meeting was to discuss American adoptions of Russian children.
The letter was sent to Deborah Curtis, a top prosecutor in the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., the Times reported. The Justice Department declined to comment when contacted by the Times.
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Lying to Congress is a felony.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Rihanna Spells Out Exactly What She Thinks Of Donald Trump With Graffiti Photos

Rihanna is counting down the days until the 2020 election .
The pop star — a vocal critic of President Donald Trump — on Friday tweeted images of what appeared to be someone painting the words “ FUCK TRUMP ” on the roof of an out-of-commission vehicle .
It ’ s unclear if Rihanna is the person featured in the pictures , and representatives for the singer did not immediately respond to HuffPost ’ s request for further information .
The exact location of the photos is also unknown , but social media users suggested the photos were taken along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amarillo , Texas .
Rihanna confirmed the post was about the election with this response : Stylist Matthew Mazur dubbed her BadGalBanksy ― in reference to the musician ’ s “ BadGalRiri ” Instagram handle and the anonymous British street artist , Banksy .
Rihanna has previously slammed Trump over his immigration policies , for failing to call mass shootings “ terrorism , ” and his disastrous handling of the federal response to Hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico in 2017 .
In 2018 , she sent Trump a cease-and-desist notice to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallies .

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Rihanna is counting down the days until the 2020 election.
The pop star — a vocal critic of President Donald Trump — on Friday tweeted images of what appeared to be someone painting the words “FUCK TRUMP” on the roof of an out-of-commission vehicle.
She captioned the post: “Art. #81 days.”
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It’s unclear if Rihanna is the person featured in the pictures, and representatives for the singer did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for further information.
The exact location of the photos is also unknown, but social media users suggested the photos were taken along Route 66 at the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas.
Rihanna confirmed the post was about the election with this response:
The singer’s fans lapped up the photos.
Stylist Matthew Mazur dubbed her BadGalBanksy ― in reference to the musician’s “BadGalRiri” Instagram handle and the anonymous British street artist, Banksy.
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Rihanna has previously slammed Trump over his immigration policies, for failing to call mass shootings “terrorism,” and his disastrous handling of the federal response to Hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
In 2018, she sent Trump a cease-and-desist notice to stop him from playing her songs at campaign rallies.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Bull Chases Firefighters Battling California Wildfire

Fire crews tackling a wildfire in California had an additional hazard to contend with — a charging bull .
Firefighters fled the animal in footage that the Ventura County Fire Department shared on social media Friday .
“ Oh my God , ” one firefighter says in the clip filmed from inside a fire truck .
The crews had been clearing access to the so-called Lake Fire , that broke out near Lake Hughes in the Angeles National Forest on Wednesday , when the bull approached .
It “ wasn ’ t clowning around , ” said the department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , later walked away .
No one was injured in the incident .
Check out the video here : # LakeFire ; Ferdinand the Bull wasn ’ t clowning around when he chased FF ’ s down the road .
Crews were clearing the road so the engines could get to a clearing when they were chased out .
Luckily no one was injured and # Ferdinand went about his day .
@ VCPFA # vcfd pic.twitter.com/vxdOTFoEB7 — Ventura County Fire ( @ VCFD ) August 15 , 2020 The blaze has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Forest Service .
It is only 12 % contained .
Deputies from Palmdale , Santa Clarita , Lancaster , Crescenta Vlly , Altadena & Malibu are out in full force helping residents of # LakeFire evacuate to safety .
Thank you to our partners @ LACOFD @ Angeles_NF pic.twitter.com/bk9HoseWlK — LA County Sheriffs ( @ LASDHQ ) August 13 , 2020 Evacuation orders have been issued to multiple communities in the area , some 60 miles north of Los Angeles , as a heatwave continues to grip the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Fire crews tackling a wildfire in California had an additional hazard to contend with — a charging bull.
Footage shared by the Ventura County Fire Department on Friday shows firefighters fleeing the animal.
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“Oh my God,” one firefighter says in the clip filmed from inside a fire truck.
The crews had been clearing access to the Lake Fire that broke out near Lake Hughes in the Angeles National Forest on Wednesday, when the bull approached.
It “wasn’t clowning around,” said the department.
The bull, who firefighters named Ferdinand, later walked away.
No one was injured in the incident.
Check out the video here:
#LakeFire; Ferdinand the Bull wasn’t clowning around when he chased FF’s down the road. Crews were clearing the road so the engines could get to a clearing when they were chased out. Luckily no one was injured and #Ferdinand went about his day. @VCPFA #vcfd pic.twitter.com/vxdOTFoEB7 — Ventura County Fire (@VCFD) August 15, 2020
The blaze has now covered more than 17,000 acres, according to the National Forest Service. It is only 12% contained.
Deputies from Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Crescenta Vlly, Altadena & Malibu are out in full force helping residents of #LakeFire evacuate to safety.
Thank you to our partners @LACOFD @Angeles_NF pic.twitter.com/bk9HoseWlK — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) August 13, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Bad Lip Reading Spoof Of Donald Trump's Axios Interview Is As Bonkers As The Real Thing

YouTube channel Bad Lip Reading on Friday released its spoof take on President Donald Trump ’ s Axios interview with @ @ @ @ @ parody version is as bonkers as the real chat that HBO aired Monday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ that , ” Swan appears to tell the president at one point , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ work .
Check out the Bad Lip Reading video here : And Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ : Bad Lip Reading ’ s last video , released in February , centered on @ @ @ @ @ the Union address — and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s ( D-Calif. ) ripping @ @ @ @ @ happening now .
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Join HuffPost Today !

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-14--California Wildfires Burn Amid High Risk Of Brutal Blazes

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — Bone-dry vegetation fueled three wildfires near Los Angeles amid warnings Friday that the risk of new blazes erupting was high as temperatures spike and humidity levels drop during a statewide heat wave .
A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles flared up Friday afternoon , sending up an enormous cloud of smoke as it headed toward the California aqueduct in the Antelope Valley .
However , fire crews quickly managed to stop its movement there .
The so-called Lake Fire was just 12 % contained , and after threatening more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 18 square miles ( 46.6 square kilometers ) of brush and trees .
Cooler overnight temperatures helped firefighters increase containment .
But the temperature hit 100 degrees ( 38 Celsius ) Friday in the area , and the forecast called for continuing hot , dry weather with dangerous fire conditions because of possible gusty winds .
“ The heat , the weather , that ’ s what made this fire go , ” Nathan Judy of the U.S. Forest Service told KABC-TV .
Record-breaking heat is possible through the weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many parts of the state .
Preliminary damage assessments found that at least five buildings burned in the Lake Hughes area north of Los Angeles , but authorities said they believed more had been damaged or destroyed .
There was no containment of a blaze that blackened foothills above the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa .
It churned through 2.3 square miles ( 5.96 square kilometers ) of brush on Thursday and was moving away from homes .
Evacuation orders issued to residents were lifted early Friday .
Another blaze came dangerously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Corona , east of Los Angeles , before crews controlled it .
And a Northern California fire in the community of Sloughhouse , near Sacramento , burned about 500 acres ( 202 hectares ) before firefighters stopped its forward spread .

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bone-dry vegetation fueled three wildfires near Los Angeles amid warnings Friday that the risk of new blazes erupting was high as temperatures spike and humidity levels drop during a statewide heat wave.
A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles flared up Friday afternoon, sending up an enormous cloud of smoke as it headed toward the California aqueduct in the Antelope Valley. However, fire crews quickly managed to stop its movement there.
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The so-called Lake Fire was just 12% contained, and after threatening more than 5,400 homes, it had charred more than 18 square miles (46.6 square kilometers) of brush and trees.
Cooler overnight temperatures helped firefighters increase containment. But the temperature hit 100 degrees (38 Celsius) Friday in the area, and the forecast called for continuing hot, dry weather with dangerous fire conditions because of possible gusty winds.
“The heat, the weather, that’s what made this fire go,” Nathan Judy of the U.S. Forest Service told KABC-TV.
Record-breaking heat is possible through the weekend, with triple-digit temperatures and unhealthy air predicted for many parts of the state.
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Preliminary damage assessments found that at least five buildings burned in the Lake Hughes area north of Los Angeles, but authorities said they believed more had been damaged or destroyed.
There was no containment of a blaze that blackened foothills above the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa. It churned through 2.3 square miles (5.96 square kilometers) of brush on Thursday and was moving away from homes. Evacuation orders issued to residents were lifted early Friday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Fla. High School Football Kicking Off; Rubio Jokes About How To Silence Critics

Despite concerns of health experts about the spread of COVID-19 , Florida high school athletes will be playing football in just weeks .
Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-Fla. ) stunned the community when he joked about the decision , saying that if teams wore antifa protest “ uniforms , ” critics would shut up about the risky move .
The state ’ s high school athletic board voted Friday to begin football and other sports practices August 24 — and games less than two weeks later .
The board ’ s own panel of medical experts warned against the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not begin at least until September 28 because of the risk of COVID-19 , the Associated Press reported .
“ Until this virus is given the respect it deserves to quiet down , introducing sports adds fuel to the fire , ” warned Dr. Jennifer Maynard , head of the athletic board ’ s medical advisory committee .
A high school in Georgia where photos of packed hallways made headlines had to close after reopening when 35 students and teachers tested positive .
The first cases reported by the school before the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
Florida is one of the nation ’ s COVID-19 hot spots .
The state reported 6,300 new cases and 204 deaths Friday .
Florida has more that 560,000 confirmed cases and a total of 9,300 deaths from COVID-19 since March .
Rubio shrugged off concerns about spreading COVID-19 among children at schools in his state .
He quipped that people would be fine with teens suiting up for football if teams made a “ few equipment & uniform changes ” so athletes resembled antifa protesters .
The dig was that large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests — but not on a playing field featuring teenage athletes .
I think I found a way to get some of the people who want to cancel football this year to change their minds , but we will have to make a few equipment & uniform changes .
Apparently this new equipment makes Covid a non-issue .
pic.twitter.com/chGVAvA4VS — Marco Rubio ( @ marcorubio ) August 15 , 2020 I return to work under a hybrid plan on August 24 .
You know what 'equipment ' we had to buy for ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer & face masks .
But , here you are , making light of the danger we 're putting ourselves in while trying to keep our students safe .
— D Villella ❄ ( @ dvillella ) August 15 , 2020 On behalf of the people who have suffered and died , and who will suffer and die , I hope the conscience and judgment you pretend to have nag at you for this .
— Elizabeth Picciuto 🌱 ( @ epicciuto ) August 15 , 2020 Florida has almost 10,000 dead and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t wait until you are voted out in 2022 .
— Adam Best ( @ adamcbest ) August 15 , 2020 I do n't want to cancel football .
I just do n't want players , coaches , trainers , assistants , the TV crew , the stadium crew and yes even the referees to get forced into an unsafe situation just so a president running for reelection can pretend everything is normal .
Whew !
— Glenn Ferrara ( @ GlennFerrara ) August 15 , 2020 Nobody wants to cancel football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel football because , unlike other countries , the virus is still out of control due to the Trump administration 's incompetence .
— Paul 👻 ( @ pablo_honey1 ) August 15 , 2020 Ezekiel 34:3-4 The weak you have not strengthened , the sick you have not healed , the injured you have not bound up , the strayed you have not brought back , the lost you have not sought , and with force and harshness you have ruled them Would you really risk their lives for a game — Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ axidentaliberal ) August 15 , 2020

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Despite concerns of health experts about the spread of COVID-19, Florida high school athletes will be playing football in just weeks.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) stunned the community when he joked about the decision, saying that if teams wore antifa protest “uniforms,” critics would shut up about the risky move.
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The state’s high school athletic board voted Friday to begin football and other sports practices Aug. 24 — and games less than two weeks later. The board’s own panel of medical experts warned against the decision, and urged that practices should not begin at least until Sept. 28 because of the risk of COVID-19, The Associated Press reported.
“Until this virus is given the respect it deserves to quiet down, introducing sports adds fuel to the fire,” warned Dr. Jennifer Maynard, head of the athletic board’s medical advisory committee.
Florida is one of the nation’s COVID-19 hot spots. The state reported 6,300 new cases and 204 deaths Friday. Florida has more than 560,000 confirmed cases and a total of 9,300 deaths from COVID-19 since March.
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Rubio shrugged off concerns about spreading COVID-19 among children at schools in his state. He quipped that people would be fine with teens suiting up for football if teams made a “few equipment & uniform changes” so athletes resembled antifa protesters. The dig was that large gatherings are apparently acceptable to many for protests — but not on a playing field featuring teenage athletes.
I think I found a way to get some of the people who want to cancel football this year to change their minds,but we will have to make a few equipment & uniform changes. Apparently this new equipment makes Covid a non-issue. pic.twitter.com/chGVAvA4VS — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 15, 2020
Rubio got sacked on Twitter for making light of a potentially fatal danger.
But go ahead and joke about it. You’re a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/8OycJ8kiv1 — GiGi 🦋 (@gigiwarriorgirl) August 15, 2020
I return to work under a hybrid plan on August 24. You know what 'equipment' we had to buy for ourselves & our students? Mass quantities of sanitizer & face masks.
But, here you are, making light of the danger we're putting ourselves in while trying to keep our students safe. — D Villella ❄ (@dvillella) August 15, 2020
On behalf of the people who have suffered and died, and who will suffer and die, I hope the conscience and judgment you pretend to have nag at you for this. — Elizabeth Picciuto 🌱 (@epicciuto) August 15, 2020
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Florida has almost 10,000 dead and you are cracking COVID jokes. Can’t wait until you are voted out in 2022. — Adam Best (@adamcbest) August 15, 2020
I don't want to cancel football.
I just don't want players, coaches, trainers, assistants, the TV crew, the stadium crew and yes even the referees to get forced into an unsafe situation just so a president running for reelection can pretend everything is normal.
Whew! — Glenn Ferrara (@GlennFerrara) August 15, 2020
Almost 170K deaths and Lil Marco wants to make jokes. — Andrew Goss 👊USAF👊 (@Goss30Goss) August 15, 2020
Nobody wants to cancel football, Marco. We're forced to cancel football because, unlike other countries, the virus is still out of control due to the Trump administration's incompetence. — Paul 👻 (@pablo_honey1) August 15, 2020
Ezekiel 34:3-4
The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them
Would you really risk their lives for a game — Adam Cohen Lawyers for Good Government #DemCast (@axidentaliberal) August 15, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--'Noise Demonstration' Held Outside Home Of U.S. Postmaster General

“ Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of @ @ @ @ @ ballots , ” Trump said Thursday in an interview on Fox Business .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ get those two items , that means you can ’ t have universal mail-in voting.
@ @ @ @ @ 46 states earlier this week that the slowdown of service may make it harder for @ @ @ @ @ in time for the election .
The inspector general of the Postal Service launched an @ @ @ @ @ policy changes and his potential conflicts of interest , CNN reported Friday. HuffPost reached out @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy for comment

“Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,” Trump said Thursday in an interview on Fox Business. “But if they don’t get those two items, that means you can’t have universal mail-in voting.”
Some protesters were seen stuffing fake absentee ballots into DeJoy’s apartment lobby door during Saturday’s protest, WUSA9 reported.
The Postal Service warned 46 states earlier this week that the slowdown of service may make it harder for mail-in votes to be counted in time for the election.
The inspector general of the Postal Service launched an investigation into DeJoy’s policy changes and his potential conflicts of interest, CNN reported Friday.
HuffPost reached out to the Postal Service and DeJoy for comment


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-15--Georgia's Stone Mountain Park Shutting Down Ahead Of Militia Rally

Georgia is shutting down Stone Mountain Park Saturday to block an anti-government militia rally planned for the site , which is home to a famous Confederate memorial .
Officials made the decision to avoid a confrontation between the Three Percenters — a right-wing militia — and a large crowd of counter-protesters .
The Stone Mountain Memorial Association , the state agency that runs the park , issued a statement Friday evening citing “ security concerns ” that “ are being addressed by state and local law enforcement.
” Last month , members of the Three Percenters were denied a permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protect our history and Second Amendment rights ” at the park northeast of Atlanta .
Right-wing protesters have frequently demonstrated at the mountain , the face of which bears an etching of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson , and Confederate President Jefferson Davis , all on horseback with hats over their hearts .
Saturday ’ s rally was planned in response to a July 4 march on the park by a Black militia .
“ The city of Stone Mountain is anticipating and preparing for at least two opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrate at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday .
Stone Mountain Park has made the decision to close the park on this day , ” said a city statement posted on Facebook .
“ While the city has little information of what to expect ... out of the abundance of caution we are asking the General Public to avoid the City ... specifically the downtown area.
” It added : “ Please know the City ’ s local law enforcement agency is managing the situation and has devised a plan for the protection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event called Rock Stone Mountain drew a handful of white supremacists , who were confined to a small area , and counter protesters , who clashed with police , the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported .

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Georgia is shutting down Stone Mountain Park Saturday to block an anti-government militia rally planned for the site, which is home to a famous Confederate memorial.
Officials made the decision to avoid a confrontation between the Three Percenters — a right-wing militia — and a large crowd of counter-protesters. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association, the state agency that runs the park, issued a statement Friday evening citing “security concerns” that “are being addressed by state and local law enforcement.”
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Last month, members of the Three Percenters were denied a permit to hold a rally “to defend and protect our history and Second Amendment rights” at the park northeast of Atlanta.
Right-wing protesters have frequently demonstrated at the mountain, the face of which bears an etching of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, all on horseback with hats over their hearts.
Saturday’s rally was planned in response to a July 4 march on the park by a Black militia.
“The city of Stone Mountain is anticipating and preparing for at least two opposing groups of protesters whose intentions are to demonstrate at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday. Stone Mountain Park has made the decision to close the park on this day,” said a city statement posted on Facebook.
“While the city has little information of what to expect ... out of the abundance of caution we are asking the General Public to avoid the City ... specifically the downtown area.” It added: “Please know the City’s local law enforcement agency is managing the situation and has devised a plan for the protection of life and property.”
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In 2016, an event called Rock Stone Mountain drew a handful of white supremacists, who were confined to a small area, and counter protesters, who clashed with police, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.