thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--For Those With Social Anxiety, Holidays During COVID-19 May Be A Relief

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year ’ s Day is typically peppered with social gatherings galore : family get-togethers , gift exchanges with friends and office holiday parties , to name a few .
In 2020 , however , the worsening pandemic has cleared most of these events from our calendars .
Many people understandably bemoan the cancellation of these celebrations — especially in a year when so much has been lost .
But for people with social anxiety — a mental health condition that affects 15 million American adults — a quieter holiday season may come as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has social anxiety , said her feelings about the holidays this year are mixed : On the one hand , she ’ s bummed to miss out on beloved traditions such as seeing “ The Nutcracker ” ballet and spending Christmas Eve with her parents .
On the other hand , she can breathe a little easier knowing that she ’ s not expected to show up at parties or other social functions .
“ The holidays always felt chaotic and overwhelming .
There were parties to attend , presents to exchange and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , ” Wilson — the woman behind the Instagram account Introvert Doodles — told HuffPost .
“ There were a couple of events every week in December , and attending all of them caused my anxiety levels to skyrocket.
” Social anxiety refers to an overwhelming and persistent fear of being judged or rejected in social situations that disrupts a person ’ s daily functioning , said clinical psychologist Aarti Gupta , founder and director of TherapyNest .
In other words , the anxiety around these interactions may be intense enough that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , relationships and other aspects of life .
While it ’ s possible to be both socially anxious and an introvert ( like Wilson ) , the two terms are not synonymous and don ’ t necessarily go hand in hand .
“ Introversion is a comparatively lower tolerance for social stimulation and drawing energy from blissful solitude or smaller-scale socializing ― there ’ s no avoidance , dread or fear , ” said clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen , author of “ How to Be Yourself : Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by contrast , is a mistaken perception that we have a fatal flaw — like , I ’ m awkward , I blush , I ’ m weird , I don ’ t have anything to say — that , unless we work hard to conceal it , will become obvious to others , and we ’ ll be judged or rejected for it , ” she added .
Many social events crammed into the span of a few weeks bring the potential to be judged by co-workers or relatives the socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to often .
This can lead to excessive worry about how they ’ ll be perceived and a sense of dread during what ’ s billed as a joyful time of year .
“ For people who experience social phobia , these gatherings may feel like a place they will be judged or scrutinized by family members and acquaintances with whom they meet infrequently , causing a sense of doom as November rolls around , ” Gupta said .
What ’ s especially challenging about holiday gatherings is their unstructured nature .
Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are casually mingling .
That adds uncertainty and ambiguity to the situation , Hendriksen said .
A socially anxious person may wonder : Who should I talk to ?
What am I supposed to say ?
Am I being awkward or boring ?
Some of Gupta ’ s clients have expressed relief over the reduced number of social obligations this year .
They ’ re content to spend the time at home or with a couple very close friends or relatives they feel most comfortable around .
As for Wilson , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this holiday season — something she usually craves in other , busier years .
And with fewer social encounters this winter — and throughout 2020 as a whole — she ’ s noticed her overall anxiety levels have decreased .
If you ’ re someone with social anxiety , it ’ s OK to sit back and enjoy elements of a calmer holiday season .
That said , you don ’ t want to let yourself become completely isolated .
Consider taking whatever extra time you may have in light of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward staying connected ( even virtually ) to the loved ones who matter most to you , Hendriksen suggested .
“ While it ’ s totally fine to revel in the cancellation of your dreaded company holiday party , even the most introverted introvert is still a social animal who needs love , belonging and connection , ” she said .
“ While this year you don ’ t have to use your energy on Bill from accounting , it ’ s still worth it to use it to connect with the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this holiday season .
”

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The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is typically peppered with social gatherings galore: family get-togethers, gift exchanges with friends and office holiday parties, to name a few. In 2020, however, the worsening pandemic has cleared most of these events from our calendars.
Many people understandably bemoan the cancellation of these celebrations — especially in a year when so much has been lost. But for people with social anxiety — a mental health condition that affects 15 million American adults — a quieter holiday season may come as a relief.
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Illustrator Marzi Wilson, who has social anxiety, said her feelings about the holidays this year are mixed: On the one hand, she’s bummed to miss out on beloved traditions such as seeing “The Nutcracker” ballet and spending Christmas Eve with her parents. On the other hand, she can breathe a little easier knowing that she’s not expected to show up at parties or other social functions.
“The holidays always felt chaotic and overwhelming. There were parties to attend, presents to exchange and annual traditions I was expected to participate in,” Wilson — the woman behind the Instagram account Introvert Doodles — told HuffPost. “There were a couple of events every week in December, and attending all of them caused my anxiety levels to skyrocket.”
“There were a couple of events every week in December, and attending all of them caused my anxiety levels to skyrocket.” - Marzi Wilson, illustrator
Social anxiety refers to an overwhelming and persistent fear of being judged or rejected in social situations that disrupts a person’s daily functioning, said clinical psychologist Aarti Gupta, founder and director of TherapyNest. In other words, the anxiety around these interactions may be intense enough that it interferes with school or job performance, relationships and other aspects of life.
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While it’s possible to be both socially anxious and an introvert (like Wilson), the two terms are not synonymous and don’t necessarily go hand in hand.
“Introversion is a comparatively lower tolerance for social stimulation and drawing energy from blissful solitude or smaller-scale socializing ― there’s no avoidance, dread or fear,” said clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, author of “How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety.”
“Social anxiety, by contrast, is a mistaken perception that we have a fatal flaw — like, I’m awkward, I blush, I’m weird, I don’t have anything to say — that, unless we work hard to conceal it, will become obvious to others, and we’ll be judged or rejected for it,” she added.
Bundit Binsuk / EyeEm via Getty Images The cancellation of social obligations this holiday season means fewer social anxiety triggers.
Many social events crammed into the span of a few weeks bring the potential to be judged by co-workers or relatives the socially anxious don’t see or talk to often. This can lead to excessive worry about how they’ll be perceived and a sense of dread during what’s billed as a joyful time of year.
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“For people who experience social phobia, these gatherings may feel like a place they will be judged or scrutinized by family members and acquaintances with whom they meet infrequently, causing a sense of doom as November rolls around,” Gupta said.
What’s especially challenging about holiday gatherings is their unstructured nature. Think: a work cocktail party where people are casually mingling. That adds uncertainty and ambiguity to the situation, Hendriksen said. A socially anxious person may wonder: Who should I talk to? What am I supposed to say? Am I being awkward or boring?
“Many individuals with social anxiety shine when they have a structured role to play, from performing onstage to giving a scripted presentation,” Hendriksen said. “But when there is no script, the resulting uncertainty drives anxiety.”
“Declining an invitation used to be perceived as selfish. Now it’s considered selfless.” - Marzi Wilson, illustrator
Some of Gupta’s clients have expressed relief over the reduced number of social obligations this year. They’re content to spend the time at home or with a couple very close friends or relatives they feel most comfortable around.
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As for Wilson, she said she plans to enjoy the quiet solitude of this holiday season — something she usually craves in other, busier years. And with fewer social encounters this winter — and throughout 2020 as a whole — she’s noticed her overall anxiety levels have decreased.
“Declining an invitation used to be perceived as selfish. Now it’s considered selfless. It’s a welcome relief from the guilt I sometimes felt when I chose to stay home,” she said.
If you’re someone with social anxiety, it’s OK to sit back and enjoy elements of a calmer holiday season. That said, you don’t want to let yourself become completely isolated. Consider taking whatever extra time you may have in light of your normal plans being canceled and channel it toward staying connected (even virtually) to the loved ones who matter most to you, Hendriksen suggested.
“While it’s totally fine to revel in the cancellation of your dreaded company holiday party, even the most introverted introvert is still a social animal who needs love, belonging and connection,” she said. “While this year you don’t have to use your energy on Bill from accounting, it’s still worth it to use it to connect with the people, near and far, you care about this holiday season.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--The Psychology Behind Not Wanting To Get Tested For COVID-19

“ Test avoidance appears to be a growing problem , at least anecdotally , ” wrote Rita Rubin in a November issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association .
“ Many of the same people who dismiss the need to test feel the same way about wearing a mask , in part because they think no one has the right to tell them to do either.
” “ There are a lot of emotions one might feel surrounding getting tested for COVID-19 , ” said Sherry Benton , a psychologist and the founder and chief science officer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people die from COVID-19 complications either in the news or their own personal lives , and the fear of those same outcomes may hold someone back from getting a confirmed diagnosis.
” “ It is not uncommon for people to avoid tests or doctor ’ s visits out of fear that they might find out some terrible news about their health , ” said Melissa L. Whitson , an associate professor of psychology at the University of New Haven .
“ In the past , some individuals have avoided going to a doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thought of confirming an illness or diagnosis that they fear is almost worse than dealing with the symptoms.
” Contracting COVID-19 can have long- and short-term consequences , both when it comes to health and also regarding pragmatic concerns like child care .
Rather than face the scary possibility of having COVID-19 , many people find it easier to brush off symptoms as something more mild , even if they know they ’ ve been exposed .
Meanwhile others simply feel too paralyzed by fear to take the responsible step of getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implications They don ’ t want to feel guilty “ Anxiety and anticipating guilt about possibly infecting other people in your life may feel overwhelming for some at times , ” Aase said .
“ Moreover , while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently relaxed their quarantine guidelines , fears related to having to miss work , not being able to look for work , child care complications , or negative economic consequences for other close contacts in your life are powerful and real .
The fact that a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but can impact others ’ health and livelihood may make the decision to get tested seem more complicated than it is.
” Much like the fear of short- and long-term health consequences , this apprehension about guilt could contribute to avoidant behaviors and make someone less likely get a COVID-19 test , even when they learn of possible exposure or develop symptoms .
This avoidance does not provide extended relief and may actually make you feel worse emotionally ― in addition to potentially contributing to the further spread of disease .
They don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a stigma associated with the virus “ There are many diseases or diagnoses that have stigma associated with them , but because COVID has become so political , and because it is so contagious , the stigma of having COVID is fraught with both fear and guilt , ” she added .
Public scrutiny may cause people to blame themselves for testing positive and feel a sense of shame about their behavior , even if they followed public health guidelines fairly well .
There are concerns that others may blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less of them .
They deny the reality of COVID-19 Even beyond COVID-19 deniers , many people are simply misinformed about the importance of getting tested and quarantining after exposure or even the risk factors for serious illness and complications from the disease .

Paul Biris via Getty Images
Odds are you’ve had your nose or mouth swabbed for a COVID-19 diagnostic test at some point in 2020.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 217 million tests have been performed in the U.S. this year. Recently, demand for testing has gotten so high that labs and testing centers are reporting long lines and major backlogs.
At the same time, however, many people are actually refusing to get tested for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, even in cases when they know they’ve been exposed.
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“Test avoidance appears to be a growing problem, at least anecdotally,” wrote Rita Rubin in a November issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Many of the same people who dismiss the need to test feel the same way about wearing a mask, in part because they think no one has the right to tell them to do either.”
Each individual may have their own reasons for not wanting to be tested, but there are some common explanations for this phenomenon. Below, behavioral psychology experts share some of the reasons people may hesitate to take a COVID-19 test.
It’s an emotional topic
The topic of COVID-19 is fraught with emotions for many people. As a result, it may be tempting to avoid thinking about the pandemic or the possibility of contracting the disease.
“There are a lot of emotions one might feel surrounding getting tested for COVID-19,” said Sherry Benton, a psychologist and the founder and chief science officer of TAO Connect. “Many have seen people die from COVID-19 complications either in the news or their own personal lives, and the fear of those same outcomes may hold someone back from getting a confirmed diagnosis.”
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There’s a lot of fear
“It is not uncommon for people to avoid tests or doctor’s visits out of fear that they might find out some terrible news about their health,” said Melissa L. Whitson, an associate professor of psychology at the University of New Haven. “In the past, some individuals have avoided going to a doctor even when they have serious symptoms because the thought of confirming an illness or diagnosis that they fear is almost worse than dealing with the symptoms.”
This is avoidant behavior, which delays having to process any potential bad news, even when you are aware that delaying could make the situation worse. It’s an example of what therapists call “maladaptive” coping mechanisms.
Contracting COVID-19 can have long- and short-term consequences, both when it comes to health and also regarding pragmatic concerns like child care. Rather than face the scary possibility of having COVID-19, many people find it easier to brush off symptoms as something more mild, even if they know they’ve been exposed. Meanwhile others simply feel too paralyzed by fear to take the responsible step of getting tested.
“The fear of going to get tested can lead to sleep disturbances, lack of appetite and other somatic symptoms,” said Tameka Brewington, a psychotherapist and owner of Real Talk Counseling. “In some cases, people have even had panic attacks when discovering exposure.”
It also doesn’t help that the testing procedure can be uncomfortable or unexpected, which adds another layer of anxiety.
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“On the other hand, being tested can alleviate negative emotions by providing clarity, and people may experience relief from ambiguity and feel that they can move on with their lives,” said Darrin M. Aase, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The result may have financial implications
Not everyone has a job that allows them to work from home or take time off when they’re sick. The pandemic has highlighted the lack of adequate sick leave for workers, which can contribute to the spread of disease.
In the absence of paid sick leave, many people cannot afford to miss paychecks, which has created dangerous situations as some workers continue to report for duty even after they’ve been infected.
“Those who are unable to work from home may worry about their jobs, a potential two-week loss of pay and the consequence of a positive test,” Benton said. “If someone does not have health insurance, they may worry about the potential cost of care associated with having or being tested for COVID-19 if free tests are not available or accessible.”
They don’t want to feel guilty
Beyond concerns about someone’s own health, a positive test result can also have implications for their close contacts.
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“Anxiety and anticipating guilt about possibly infecting other people in your life may feel overwhelming for some at times,” Aase said. “Moreover, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently relaxed their quarantine guidelines, fears related to having to miss work, not being able to look for work, child care complications, or negative economic consequences for other close contacts in your life are powerful and real. The fact that a positive test does not just impact you, but can impact others’ health and livelihood may make the decision to get tested seem more complicated than it is.”
Much like the fear of short- and long-term health consequences, this apprehension about guilt could contribute to avoidant behaviors and make someone less likely get a COVID-19 test, even when they learn of possible exposure or develop symptoms. This avoidance does not provide extended relief and may actually make you feel worse emotionally ― in addition to potentially contributing to the further spread of disease.
They don’t want to have to isolate
“A confirmed COVID-19 case would mean a quarantine period,” Benton noted. “The thought of being isolated for 14 days may be scary to some. We are naturally social creatures, so it is normal to want to avoid being removed from our friends and family.”
In the year 2020, when social interactions have been so scarce, the thought of needing to isolate yourself even from members of your household due to a positive test result may seem unbearable to some people.
“One might even feel anger at the thought of how a positive test might impact their life ― both their health and their social life,” Benton added. “It could mean disruption in routine, work and social life.”
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There’s a stigma associated with the virus
“With COVID, these fears and tendency to avoid hearing negative information may be exacerbated because of the deadliness of the disease, but also because the stigma associated with having COVID is a lot more complex,” Whitson said.
“There are many diseases or diagnoses that have stigma associated with them, but because COVID has become so political, and because it is so contagious, the stigma of having COVID is fraught with both fear and guilt,” she added.
Public scrutiny may cause people to blame themselves for testing positive and feel a sense of shame about their behavior, even if they followed public health guidelines fairly well. There are concerns that others may blame them for contracting the virus or think less of them.
“This stigma is strong, and therefore can make anyone hesitant to get a test, even when they know it is by far the best and most responsible course of action,” Whitson said.
They deny the reality of COVID-19
“There is a group of people who do not believe that COVID is real,” Brewington noted. “If it is not real, there is no reason to take a test.”
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There’s a lot of misinformation about the coronavirus, especially on social media. Many people latch onto false narratives, picking and choosing which public health guidelines to follow ― or opting to ignore them altogether.
“This group also does not feel like they should be mandated to do anything that they don’t want to do,” Brewington added.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Joe Biden Says Lindsey Graham Has Been A 'Personal Disappointment'

“ Lindsey [ Graham ] ’ s been a personal disappointment because I was a personal friend of his , ” Biden told Stephen Colbert when asked about GOP lawmakers who had dragged their heels in accepting the election results .
Graham threw his support behind President Donald Trump ’ s unsubstantiated theories about voter fraud , arguing that “ a lot of shenanigans ” had occurred during the election and that the president needed to “ take all of this to court.
” He changed his tune after the Electoral College confirmed Biden ’ s win , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Biden about working together .
Biden stressed that he understood that many GOP members of Congress were “ in a tough spot.
” He said several Republicans had sent him messages last month saying , “ Give me time , Joe .
Give me some time.
” Biden did not specify if Graham was one of those Republicans .
The president-elect added that he felt he could embody the spirit of bipartisan cooperation and “ get things done ” once he was officially in the White House .
“ And I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , I think you ’ re going to see his impact on the body politic fade , and a lot of these Republicans are going to feel they ’ ve got much more room to run and cooperate , ” Biden said , adding that Trump was a “ president who ’ s decided that the way he succeeds is by dividing us.
” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) during the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in October .
He used to be close with Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported President Donald Trump 's baseless claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election .
Biden and Graham once had a strong friendship , with Graham even calling Biden “ the nicest person I think I ’ ve ever met in politics ” during a 2015 interview .
“ If you can ’ t admire Joe Biden as a person , then probably you ’ ve got a problem , ” the senator said at the time .
“ You need to do some self-evaluation .
...
He is as good a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later call for Senate investigations into both Biden and his son Hunter , supporting unsubstantiated right-wing theories that connected the father and son duo with Ukrainian corruption .
Biden expressed disappointment and anger at Graham ’ s actions .
His wife , Jill Biden , told CNN in February that Graham was no longer a family friend .
The year before Trump became president , Graham condemned him as a “ race-baiting , xenophobic , religious bigot ” — but then went on to be one of the president ’ s staunchest defenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ever-shifting political views in his new memoir , “ A Promised Land , ” writing they were reminiscent of a spy movie character “ who double-crosses everyone to save his own skin .
”

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President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday expressed dismay that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was so slow to accept his victory in the Nov. 3 election.
“Lindsey [Graham]’s been a personal disappointment because I was a personal friend of his,” Biden told Stephen Colbert when asked about GOP lawmakers who had dragged their heels in accepting the election results.
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Graham threw his support behind President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated theories about voter fraud, arguing that “a lot of shenanigans” had occurred during the election and that the president needed to “take all of this to court.”
He changed his tune after the Electoral College confirmed Biden’s win, and said he had a “pleasant conversation” with Biden about working together.
Biden stressed that he understood that many GOP members of Congress were “in a tough spot.” He said several Republicans had sent him messages last month saying, “Give me time, Joe. Give me some time.” Biden did not specify if Graham was one of those Republicans.
“It’s fine by me,” Biden said. “We won. We won Georgia three times.”
The president-elect added that he felt he could embody the spirit of bipartisan cooperation and “get things done” once he was officially in the White House.
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“And I think once this president is no longer in office, I think you’re going to see his impact on the body politic fade, and a lot of these Republicans are going to feel they’ve got much more room to run and cooperate,” Biden said, adding that Trump was a “president who’s decided that the way he succeeds is by dividing us.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) during the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in October. He used to be close with Joe Biden, who is now president-elect, but supported President Donald Trump's baseless claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election. SUSAN WALSH via Getty Images
Biden and Graham once had a strong friendship, with Graham even calling Biden “the nicest person I think I’ve ever met in politics” during a 2015 interview.
“If you can’t admire Joe Biden as a person, then probably you’ve got a problem,” the senator said at the time. “You need to do some self-evaluation. ... He is as good a man as God ever created.”
Graham would later call for Senate investigations into both Biden and his son Hunter, supporting unsubstantiated right-wing theories that connected the father and son duo with Ukrainian corruption. Biden expressed disappointment and anger at Graham’s actions. His wife, Jill Biden, told CNN in February that Graham was no longer a family friend.
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The year before Trump became president, Graham condemned him as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” — but then went on to be one of the president’s staunchest defenders.
Former President Barack Obama addressed Graham’s ever-shifting political views in his new memoir, “A Promised Land,” writing they were reminiscent of a spy movie character “who double-crosses everyone to save his own skin.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--COVID-19 Relief Talks Hit An 11th-Hour Snag

Hannah Mckay / Reuters House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) speak to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12 , 2020 .
Days of disagreements and drafting hiccups have suddenly threatened the fragile relief bill , with some Republicans opposed to the structure of stimulus checks and looking to constrain the Federal Reserve ’ s lending power .
New restrictions on the Fed could hamper the incoming Biden administration ’ s ability to respond to financial challenges and could lead to a further economic downturn .
Republicans are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a backdoor for state aid , after Democratic leaders agreed to hold back on state and local funding in exchange for Republicans dropping their liability shield for businesses bringing employees back during the pandemic .
Leaders from both parties have tried , to no avail , to assure the other side that they ’ re not trying to pull a fast one .
Negotiators had settled on $ 600 in direct payments , but Democrats have said all along that they ’ d be happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers had to stop President Donald Trump this week from inserting himself into the negotiations and advocating for checks of up to $ 2,000 .
Johnson , who has dismissed concern about the coronavirus as “ mass hysteria ” and baselessly promoted unproven and potentially dangerous treatments for the virus , cited the ballooning deficit in his stand against Hawley ’ s proposal .
The deficit has become the GOP ’ s go-to excuse for denying additional relief to unemployed and struggling Americans , despite having approved a massive pot of money that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
“ It takes our debt from $ 27.4 trillion to $ 28.4 trillion in a couple months with doing virtually no revisions , no improvements , ” Johnson said of Hawley ’ s proposal , calling instead for additional funds to go to small businesses .
The current proposal would add more than $ 250 billion in small business loans , though lawmakers are still divided on setting an eligibility criteria for those loans .
“ We ’ re getting ready to spend apparently another $ 1 trillion more , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be last — if they get relief at all , ” Hawley , who has partnered with Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) to lobby for the checks , said in response to Johnson on the Senate floor .
“ I ’ m not willing to just sit by and be told nothing and be given no information and just be asked to do as you ’ re told , ” Hawley told reporters hours before the spending bill passed .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) railed against Republicans and the emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats need to be more forceful in pointing out who ’ s standing in the way of a bill that would deliver larger stimulus checks and more money in unemployment benefits .
“ Mitch McConnell is willing to let people starve , ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ He ’ s willing to let people get evicted .
He ’ s willing to let states allow COVID cases to get out of control and for hospitals to be overrun .
He is willing to do all of those things.
” “ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And , you know , I ’ ve heard murmurs that Mitch McConnell is actually sweating behind the scenes because he wants to protect [ Georgia Sens .
Kelly ] Loeffler and [ David ] Perdue .
But it ’ s like , if he is actually sweating , then they need to cash in real checks.
” Republican leaders negotiating the COVID-19 relief bill have been adamant about keeping it under $ 1 trillion — an arbitrary cap that Democratic and Republican lawmakers agreed to earlier this month .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that funding for provisions like the checks and unemployment insurance aren ’ t the only issues .
Republicans are also pushing for language that Democrats say will make additional relief next year more difficult .
Democrats made a show Friday of complaining that Republicans are insisting on disallowing the Federal Reserve from making the kind of loans that lawmakers authorized in March as part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
Democrats say the Republican measure , by Sen. Pat Toomey ( R-Pa. ) , has far wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs that were supposed to end this year anyway .
The Federal Reserve isn ’ t the only sticking point .
Lawmakers are still hashing out smaller details , including on unemployment insurance .
An earlier iteration of the deal would have extended federal unemployment insurance programs for 16 weeks , though that got shortened to 10 weeks as of Wednesday , in order to offset the cost of another round of stimulus checks .
Kevin Shaquann Richardson of Washington , D.C. , said that except for a brief period over the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his job with a catering company since the pandemic started .
He doesn ’ t think business will pick up enough for his employer to call him back until next fall .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speak to reporters at the Capitol on Nov. 12,. Hannah Mckay / Reuters
WASHINGTON ― Congress passed another short-term funding extension on Friday to give lawmakers more time to finish a coronavirus deal.
Days of disagreements and drafting hiccups have suddenly threatened the fragile relief bill, with some Republicans opposed to the structure of stimulus checks and looking to constrain the Federal Reserve’s lending power. New restrictions on the Fed could hamper the incoming Biden administration’s ability to respond to financial challenges and could lead to a further economic downturn.
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Republicans are also concerned that Democrats are trying to use money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a backdoor for state aid, after Democratic leaders agreed to hold back on state and local funding in exchange for Republicans dropping their liability shield for businesses bringing employees back during the pandemic. Leaders from both parties have tried, to no avail, to assure the other side that they’re not trying to pull a fast one.
But by late Friday afternoon, it was clear lawmakers wouldn’t be able to deliver legislative text of the compromise in time to avert a government shutdown, prompting Congress to move forward with a two-day continuing resolution.
Negotiators had settled on $600 in direct payments, but Democrats have said all along that they’d be happy to include more. And White House advisers had to stop President Donald Trump this week from inserting himself into the negotiations and advocating for checks of up to $2,000.
On Friday, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the lone Republican senator pushing for more robust stimulus checks, tried and failed to force a Senate vote on another round of $1,200 direct payments.
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Objecting to Hawley’s request was his own GOP colleague, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
Johnson, who has dismissed concern about the coronavirus as “mass hysteria” and baselessly promoted unproven and potentially dangerous treatments for the virus, cited the ballooning deficit in his stand against Hawley’s proposal. The deficit has become the GOP’s go-to excuse for denying additional relief to unemployed and struggling Americans, despite having approved a massive pot of money that primarily went to large businesses earlier this year.
“It takes our debt from $27.4 trillion to $28.4 trillion in a couple months with doing virtually no revisions, no improvements,” Johnson said of Hawley’s proposal, calling instead for additional funds to go to small businesses. The current proposal would add more than $250 billion in small business loans, though lawmakers are still divided on setting an eligibility criteria for those loans.
“We’re getting ready to spend apparently another $1 trillion more, and yet working people are told they may be last — if they get relief at all,” Hawley, who has partnered with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to lobby for the checks, said in response to Johnson on the Senate floor.
The infighting between Johnson and Hawley could have had bigger implications. A frustrated Hawley earlier threatened to block the temporary spending bill meant to keep the government open over the weekend.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) threatened to block a short-term government spending bill on Friday if he doesn't see progress on larger stimulus checks. Joshua Roberts / Reuters
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“I’m not willing to just sit by and be told nothing and be given no information and just be asked to do as you’re told,” Hawley told reporters hours before the spending bill passed.
On the House side, progressives seem to be preparing to vote against the relief bill as they push Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to demand more from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) railed against Republicans and the emerging deal on Friday, telling HuffPost that Democrats need to be more forceful in pointing out who’s standing in the way of a bill that would deliver larger stimulus checks and more money in unemployment benefits.
“Mitch McConnell is willing to let people starve,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “He’s willing to let people get evicted. He’s willing to let states allow COVID cases to get out of control and for hospitals to be overrun. He is willing to do all of those things.”
Ocasio-Cortez added that Democrats need to push back against “this ‘both sides’ bullshit.”
“Ron Johnson just blocked $1,200 checks,” she said. “We got to get out there and we need to say, Republicans have blocked $400 checks. Republicans have blocked retroactive benefits. Republicans are blocking teacher salaries, school funding, hospital funding, subway systems, mass transit ― straight up.”
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Ocasio-Cortez added that she thinks Democratic leaders aren’t putting enough pressure on McConnell and Republicans.
“There’s a window here,” she said. “And, you know, I’ve heard murmurs that Mitch McConnell is actually sweating behind the scenes because he wants to protect [Georgia Sens. Kelly] Loeffler and [David] Perdue. But it’s like, if he is actually sweating, then they need to cash in real checks.”
Presented with Ocasio-Cortez’s comments, McConnell’s office did not have an on-the-record response.
Republican leaders negotiating the COVID-19 relief bill have been adamant about keeping it under $1 trillion — an arbitrary cap that Democratic and Republican lawmakers agreed to earlier this month. But as negotiations continue, it’s clear that funding for provisions like the checks and unemployment insurance aren’t the only issues. Republicans are also pushing for language that Democrats say will make additional relief next year more difficult.
“We got to get out there and we need to say, Republicans have blocked $400 checks. Republicans have blocked retroactive benefits. Republicans are blocking teacher salaries, school funding, hospital funding, subway systems, mass transit ― straight up.” - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)
Democrats made a show Friday of complaining that Republicans are insisting on disallowing the Federal Reserve from making the kind of loans that lawmakers authorized in March as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Democrats say the Republican measure, by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), has far wider implications than just winding down CARES Act programs that were supposed to end this year anyway.
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“Proposals to sabotage President Biden and our nation’s economy are reckless, they’re wrong, and they have no place in this legislation,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said, in one of a flurry of statements from Democrats.
But as of mid-November, the Fed’s emergency programs had used only 1% of their lending capacity after Congress ponied up $454 billion to leverage nearly $2 trillion worth of loans, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office.
The Federal Reserve isn’t the only sticking point. Lawmakers are still hashing out smaller details, including on unemployment insurance. An earlier iteration of the deal would have extended federal unemployment insurance programs for 16 weeks, though that got shortened to 10 weeks as of Wednesday, in order to offset the cost of another round of stimulus checks.
Republicans are also pushing for the benefits to phase out gradually, as McConnell proposed earlier this month, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
McConnell’s measure would have extended benefits for one month, then disallowed new recipients while remaining ones would continue to draw benefits for two more months. Such a gradual phaseout would eliminate the kind of “cliff” scenario that pressures lawmakers to act to continue the benefits — that is, if they don’t pass a bill before the end of this month, 12 million unemployed workers will lose their income.
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Kevin Shaquann Richardson of Washington, D.C., said that except for a brief period over the summer, he’s been furloughed from his job with a catering company since the pandemic started. He doesn’t think business will pick up enough for his employer to call him back until next fall.
Richardson, 50, will lose his income if Congress can’t reach an agreement. The current deal would reauthorize the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which is scheduled to expire on Dec. 26. With the reauthorization, Richardson would receive benefits for another seven weeks. Lawmakers have indicated they’ll add the 10 weeks and increase payments by $300.
But Richardson has no idea if he’ll be able to return to work before his benefits run out, even with the extension. He thinks Congress should make the supplemental $300 retroactive, so unemployed people would receive a lump-sum check for the weeks they went without a supplement. He’s behind on his rent, and he’s disgusted with Congress.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Supreme Court Rules Challenge To Trump's Census Plan Is Premature

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Supreme Court has dismissed as premature a challenge to President Donald Trump ’ s plan to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to allot states ’ seats in the House of Representatives .
But the court ’ s decision Friday is not a final ruling on the matter and it ’ s not clear whether Trump will receive final numbers from the Census Bureau before he leaves office next month .
The high court said it was too soon to rule on the legality of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear how many people he would seek to exclude and whether the division of House seats would be affected .
“ Consistent with our determination that standing has not been shown and that the case is not ripe , we express no view on the merits of the constitutional and related statutory claims presented .
We hold only that they are not suitable for adjudication at this time , ” the court said in an unsigned opinion .
The three liberal justices dissented , saying the effort to exclude people in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats is unlawful .
It ’ s not clear that Friday ’ s decision will have much practical effect .
Documents leaked to the House committee that oversees the Census Bureau suggest the apportionment numbers won ’ t be ready until after Jan. 20 , when Trump leaves office and Joe Biden becomes president .
The Census Bureau has acknowledged the discovery of data irregularities in recent weeks that put the Dec. 31 deadline in jeopardy .
Dale Ho , the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who argued the case for the challengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing of the case , not whether the plan complies with federal law .
“ This ruling does not authorize President Trump ’ s goal of excluding undocumented immigrants from the census count used to apportion the House of Representatives .
The legal mandate is clear — every single person counts in the census , and every single person is represented in Congress .
If this policy is ever actually implemented , we ’ ll be right back in court challenging it , ” Ho said .
No president has tried to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July — remove millions of noncitizens from the once-a-decade headcount of the U.S. population that determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives , as well as the allocation of some federal funding .
His administration has defended his authority to exclude at least some people living in the country illegally , including perhaps people who are in immigration detention or those who have been ordered to leave the country .
But during arguments last month , acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall , Trump ’ s top Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories of immigrants , including those who have protection from deportation under the DACA program .
“ We can ’ t be certain at this point , and we don ’ t know what the president will decide to do with respect to that , ” Wall said .
The census case likely is the last of several major cases involving immigrants during Trump ’ s presidency , which has been notable for its hard line on immigrants .
The president has a mixed record at the high court on immigration .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. by residents of some largely Muslim countries .
But the court shot down his attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs and blocked his bid to add a citizenship question to the census for the first time in 70 years .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has dismissed as premature a challenge to President Donald Trump’s plan to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to allot states’ seats in the House of Representatives.
But the court’s decision Friday is not a final ruling on the matter and it’s not clear whether Trump will receive final numbers from the Census Bureau before he leaves office next month.
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The high court said it was too soon to rule on the legality of Trump’s plan because it’s not yet clear how many people he would seek to exclude and whether the division of House seats would be affected.
“Consistent with our determination that standing has not been shown and that the case is not ripe, we express no view on the merits of the constitutional and related statutory claims presented. We hold only that they are not suitable for adjudication at this time,” the court said in an unsigned opinion.
The three liberal justices dissented, saying the effort to exclude people in the country from the population for divvying up House seats is unlawful.
“I believe this Court should say so,” Justice Stephen Breyer wrote, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.
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An American flag waves in front of the Supreme Court building, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ASSOCIATED PRESS
It’s not clear that Friday’s decision will have much practical effect. Documents leaked to the House committee that oversees the Census Bureau suggest the apportionment numbers won’t be ready until after Jan. 20, when Trump leaves office and Joe Biden becomes president. The Census Bureau has acknowledged the discovery of data irregularities in recent weeks that put the Dec. 31 deadline in jeopardy.
Dale Ho, the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who argued the case for the challengers, said the decision was about the timing of the case, not whether the plan complies with federal law.
“This ruling does not authorize President Trump’s goal of excluding undocumented immigrants from the census count used to apportion the House of Representatives. The legal mandate is clear — every single person counts in the census, and every single person is represented in Congress. If this policy is ever actually implemented, we’ll be right back in court challenging it,” Ho said.
No president has tried to do what Trump outlined in a memo in July — remove millions of noncitizens from the once-a-decade headcount of the U.S. population that determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, as well as the allocation of some federal funding.
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His administration has defended his authority to exclude at least some people living in the country illegally, including perhaps people who are in immigration detention or those who have been ordered to leave the country.
But during arguments last month, acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, Trump’s top Supreme Court lawyer, would not rule out larger categories of immigrants, including those who have protection from deportation under the DACA program.
“We can’t be certain at this point, and we don’t know what the president will decide to do with respect to that,” Wall said.
The census case likely is the last of several major cases involving immigrants during Trump’s presidency, which has been notable for its hard line on immigrants.
The president has a mixed record at the high court on immigration. The justices upheld his ban on travel to the U.S. by residents of some largely Muslim countries. But the court shot down his attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs and blocked his bid to add a citizenship question to the census for the first time in 70 years.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Twitter Users Can't Believe What Space Force Members Will Be Called

The U.S. Space Force celebrated its first anniversary by announcing what its members will be called ― and Twitter users were spaced out .
The newest branch of the military announced Friday in a series of tweets that Space Force members will henceforth be known as “ guardians.
” Vice President Mike Pence officially announced the new name , according to The Associated Press .
Today , after a yearlong process that produced hundreds of submissions and research involving space professionals and members of the general public , we can finally share with you the name by which we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States Space Force ( @ SpaceForceDoD ) December 18 , 2020 The agency explained there was a long history associated the name “ guardians.
” The opportunity to name a force is a momentous responsibility .
Guardians is a name with a long history in space operations , tracing back to the original command motto of Air Force Space Command in 1983 , “ Guardians of the High Frontier.
” — United States Space Force ( @ SpaceForceDoD ) December 18 , 2020 The name Guardians connects our proud heritage and culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protecting the people and interest of the U.S. and its allies .
— United States Space Force ( @ SpaceForceDoD ) December 18 , 2020 Still , Twitter users thought the name was pretty loony , mainly because they associated the word “ guardians ” with a different galaxy .
To mark the one year anniversary of its founding , VP Pence announces that the men and women of the United States Space Force !
will be known as `` Guardians '' pic.twitter.com/0RrnUlpfhF — Jonathan Lemire ( @ JonLemire ) December 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Marvel Universe , not Star Trek or Star Wars .
https : //t.co/SPT2TqJYEM — Anthony Zurcher ( @ awzurcher ) December 18 , 2020 Others had a different type of guardian in mind , like the bodyguards in the dystopian world of novelist Margaret Atwood ( a place Pence himself might recognize ) .
Some people had questions .
Lots of questions .
How long until we have to endure bumper stickers that say “ Proud Parent of a Space Force Guardian ” https : //t.co/77ENeGGKkD — Ben Kesling ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were OK with calling the Space Force members “ guardians , ” with certain caveats .
Okay .
But then they need to grant flag officer rank to at least one raccoon .
https : //t.co/JvakUdvmtZ — Ankit Panda ( @ nktpnd ) December 18 , 2020 the first space dude who puts groot on a challenge coin is getting court-martialed https : //t.co/kaXnDItUe3 — Noah Shachtman ( @ NoahShachtman ) December 18 , 2020 A couple of people held out hope for the next administration .
Good lord fucking please Joe BIden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your first act .
https : //t.co/IdWkBbA4U0 — Ross A. Lincoln , a Space Professional ( @ Rossalincoln ) December 18 , 2020 But one person was happy to imagine all the possibilities of a Space Force future .

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The U.S. Space Force celebrated its first anniversary by announcing what its members will be called ― and Twitter users were spaced out.
The newest branch of the military announced Friday in a series of tweets that Space Force members will henceforth be known as “guardians.” Vice President Mike Pence officially announced the new name, according to The Associated Press.
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Today, after a yearlong process that produced hundreds of submissions and research involving space professionals and members of the general public, we can finally share with you the name by which we will be known: Guardians. pic.twitter.com/Tmlff4LKW6 — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) December 18, 2020
The agency explained there was a long history associated the name “guardians.”
The opportunity to name a force is a momentous responsibility. Guardians is a name with a long history in space operations, tracing back to the original command motto of Air Force Space Command in 1983, “Guardians of the High Frontier.” — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) December 18, 2020
The name Guardians connects our proud heritage and culture to the important mission we execute 24/7, protecting the people and interest of the U.S. and its allies. — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) December 18, 2020
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Still, Twitter users thought the name was pretty loony, mainly because they associated the word “guardians” with a different galaxy.
To mark the one year anniversary of its founding, VP Pence announces that the men and women of the United States Space Force! will be known as "Guardians" pic.twitter.com/0RrnUlpfhF — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 18, 2020
I see we're opting for the Marvel Universe, not Star Trek or Star Wars. https://t.co/SPT2TqJYEM — Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) December 18, 2020
Others had a different type of guardian in mind, like the bodyguards in the dystopian world of novelist Margaret Atwood (a place Pence himself might recognize).
Let the Handmaid's Tale snark begin. https://t.co/TW7xmqVWov — Sharon Weinberger (@weinbergersa) December 18, 2020
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Some people had questions. Lots of questions.
is this a joke tweet https://t.co/DT1l961J5g — Terminal Lance (@TerminalLance) December 18, 2020
Shouldn't they have been Enforcers? — Noell Scovell (@NellSco) December 18, 2020
How long until we have to endure bumper stickers that say “Proud Parent of a Space Force Guardian” https://t.co/77ENeGGKkD — Ben Kesling (@bkesling) December 18, 2020
That is so effing pathetic. Is the Coast Guard Coast Guardians? — Tom Mallory (@tom_mallory) December 18, 2020
Others were OK with calling the Space Force members “guardians,” with certain caveats.
Okay. But then they need to grant flag officer rank to at least one raccoon. https://t.co/JvakUdvmtZ — Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) December 18, 2020
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the first space dude who puts groot on a challenge coin is getting court-martialed https://t.co/kaXnDItUe3 — Noah Shachtman (@NoahShachtman) December 18, 2020
A couple of people held out hope for the next administration.
Good lord fucking please Joe BIden please undo this nationally humiliating nonsense as your first act. https://t.co/IdWkBbA4U0 — Ross A. Lincoln, a Space Professional (@Rossalincoln) December 18, 2020
Hopefully, Biden and Co. will shut this stupid shit down ASAP. https://t.co/z9kyztS3oK — Dr Arnold T Blumberg (@DoctoroftheDead) December 18, 2020
But one person was happy to imagine all the possibilities of a Space Force future.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Barack Obama Adds A Twist To His Annual Year-End Favorites List For 2020

Former President Barack Obama on Friday added a twist to his annual favorites list this year , expanding his recommendations to recognize how viewing habits have changed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Obama explained that the list was influenced by the rise of streaming content available as movie theaters across the world have faced shutdowns .
“ Like everyone else , we were stuck inside a lot this year , and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features , I ’ ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ format , ” the former president tweeted .
Obama ’ s favorite movies included “ Lovers Rock , ” an installment from Steve McQueen ’ s anthology series “ Small Axe , ” which is streaming on Amazon Prime ; George C. Wolfe ’ s “ Ma Rainey ’ s Black Bottom , ” which is streaming on Netflix ; and Thomas Bezucha ’ s “ Let Him Go , ” which hit select theaters last month .
“ Let Him Go ” had the highest-earning box office weekend of any film released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The movie theater industry continues to struggle as the pandemic keeps theaters closed or at reduced capacity .
Aside from films like “ Let Him Go , ” a number of new movies this year skipped theatrical releases altogether and hit streaming services instead .
Like everyone else , we were stuck inside a lot this year , and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features , I ’ ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I ’ ve enjoyed this year , regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BarackObama ) December 18 , 2020 With more streaming happening at home in 2020 , Obama seemed to give more attention to TV shows than he did on previous lists .
He included projects like “ Better Call Saul , ” which is streaming on Netflix ; “ The Queen ’ s Gambit , ” which is also streaming on the service ; and “ The Last Dance , ” which premiered on ESPN and is now streaming on Netflix .
Last year , Obama shared his favorite books and movies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― he called it a “ quick list ” ― that he thought were as powerful as movies .
Those shows were “ Fleabag ” Season 2 , “ Unbelievable ” and “ Watchmen.
” The former president on Thursday also shared his favorite books of 2020 , which notably did not include his new memoir that he ’ s been promoting .
“ I ’ ll start by sharing my favorite books this year , deliberately omitting what I think is a pretty good book ― A Promised Land ― by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As 2020 comes to a close , I wanted to share my annual lists of favorites .
I ’ ll start by sharing my favorite books this year , deliberately omitting what I think is a pretty good book – A Promised Land – by a certain 44th president .
I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did .
pic.twitter.com/UHk4RA9dow — Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) December 17 , 2020

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Former President Barack Obama on Friday added a twist to his annual favorites list this year, expanding his recommendations to recognize how viewing habits have changed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Obama explained that the list was influenced by the rise of streaming content available as movie theaters across the world have faced shutdowns.
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“Like everyone else, we were stuck inside a lot this year, and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format,” the former president tweeted.
Obama’s favorite movies included “Lovers Rock,” an installment from Steve McQueen’s anthology series “Small Axe,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime; George C. Wolfe’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which is streaming on Netflix; and Thomas Bezucha’s “Let Him Go,” which hit select theaters last month.
“Let Him Go” had the highest-earning box office weekend of any film released in over a month at that time. The movie theater industry continues to struggle as the pandemic keeps theaters closed or at reduced capacity.
Aside from films like “Let Him Go,” a number of new movies this year skipped theatrical releases altogether and hit streaming services instead.
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Like everyone else, we were stuck inside a lot this year, and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format. pic.twitter.com/a8BS8jDkSs — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 18, 2020
With more streaming happening at home in 2020, Obama seemed to give more attention to TV shows than he did on previous lists.
He included projects like “Better Call Saul,” which is streaming on Netflix; “The Queen’s Gambit,” which is also streaming on the service; and “The Last Dance,” which premiered on ESPN and is now streaming on Netflix.
Last year, Obama shared his favorite books and movies of 2019, including only three TV shows ― he called it a “quick list” ― that he thought were as powerful as movies. Those shows were “Fleabag” Season 2, “Unbelievable” and “Watchmen.”
The former president on Thursday also shared his favorite books of 2020, which notably did not include his new memoir that he’s been promoting.
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“I’ll start by sharing my favorite books this year, deliberately omitting what I think is a pretty good book ― A Promised Land ― by a certain 44th president,” he wrote


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Anthony Scaramucci: Donald Trump 'Does Not Care About His Legacy'

Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN on Wednesday that , unlike most presidents , Donald Trump was not particularly concerned with his legacy .
“ The president wants to transact , ” Scaramucci told CNN ’ s Chris Cuomo .
“ He wants to make money .
He does not care about his legacy .
He ’ s told people privately , ‘ Why do I care about my legacy ?
I ’ ll be dead .
Why would I need or care about my legacy ?
’ ” Scaramucci , who worked in the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly slammed Trump since resigning , said the president would coast through his final weeks with a few key questions on his mind : “ How am I going to make money off this ?
How is this going to be good for me , post-presidency ?
Is there a chance I could still stay in the presidency ?
” Pointing fingers at GOP figures like Sen. Ron Johnson ( Wis. ) and Sen. Rand Paul ( Ky. ) , who continue to support Trump ’ s unsubstantiated theories of voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relying on them to help him commit a “ grift ” that would last until he exited the Oval Office .
Rumors have swirled around the president ’ s plans upon leaving the White House , with speculation ranging from Trump starting his own conservative media network to preparing for another presidential run in 2024 .
According to Reuters , sources close to him have said that he has avoided the topic in recent days and “ wants no conversation about what he ’ s going to do when he leaves the building.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ columnist Max Boot and storied broadcaster Dan Rather have offered their own take on Trump ’ s legacy , however .
In a November column , Boot argued that the Trump era had left a stain on the GOP , and might “ represent only a middle chapter in the Republican Party ’ s transformation ” into authoritarianism .
Rather has likewise said that history would likely be “ exceptionally harsh ” on Trump , who would be remembered for doing “ immense damage to the institutions ” of America .

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Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN on Wednesday that, unlike most presidents, Donald Trump was not particularly concerned with his legacy.
“The president wants to transact,” Scaramucci told CNN’s Chris Cuomo. “He wants to make money. He does not care about his legacy. He’s told people privately, ‘Why do I care about my legacy? I’ll be dead. Why would I need or care about my legacy?’”
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Scaramucci, who worked in the White House for only 10 days in 2017 and has repeatedly slammed Trump since resigning, said the president would coast through his final weeks with a few key questions on his mind: “How am I going to make money off this? How is this going to be good for me, post-presidency? Is there a chance I could still stay in the presidency?”
Pointing fingers at GOP figures like Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), who continue to support Trump’s unsubstantiated theories of voter fraud, Scaramucci said that the president was relying on them to help him commit a “grift” that would last until he exited the Oval Office.
Rumors have swirled around the president’s plans upon leaving the White House, with speculation ranging from Trump starting his own conservative media network to preparing for another presidential run in 2024.
According to Reuters, sources close to him have said that he has avoided the topic in recent days and “wants no conversation about what he’s going to do when he leaves the building.”
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Media voices like conservative Washington Post columnist Max Boot and storied broadcaster Dan Rather have offered their own take on Trump’s legacy, however.
In a November column, Boot argued that the Trump era had left a stain on the GOP, and might “represent only a middle chapter in the Republican Party’s transformation” into authoritarianism. Rather has likewise said that history would likely be “exceptionally harsh” on Trump, who would be remembered for doing “immense damage to the institutions” of America.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Snags On COVID-19 Relief Package Could Force Weekend Sessions

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — It ’ s a hurry up and wait moment on Capitol Hill as congressional negotiators on a must-pass , almost $ 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggled through a handful of remaining snags .
The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain , and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can ’ t be ruled out .
All sides appeared hopeful that the wrangling wouldn ’ t derail the legislation , even as the chances for announcing a deal Thursday slipped away .
After being bogged down for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind-the-scenes progress Thursday night .
But a temporary funding bill runs out Friday at midnight , and the Senate ’ s No .
2 Republican , Sen. John Thune , said if there isn ’ t a deal by then , some Republicans might block a temporary funding bill — causing a low-impact partial weekend shutdown — as a means to keep the pressure on .
“ We must not slide into treating these talks like routine negotiations to be conducted at Congress ’ routine pace , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate is not going anywhere until we have COVID relief out the door.
” The CARES legislation passed at a moment of great uncertainty and unprecedented shutdowns in a failed attempt to stymie the coronavirus , but after that , many Republicans focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded aid .
Now , Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits and provide money for schools and vaccines .
Democrats have focused on bigger economic stimulus measures and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers , which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week , the highest weekly total since September .
The emerging package falls well short of the $ 2 trillion-plus Democrats were demanding this fall before the election , but President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and help the jobless and hungry .
While Biden says more economic stimulus will be needed early next year , some Republicans say the current package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we address the critical needs right now , and things improve next year as the vaccine gets out there and the economy starts to pick up again , you know , there may be less of a need , ” Thune said .
The details were still being worked out , but the measure includes a second round of “ paycheck protection ” payments to especially hard-hit businesses , $ 25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments , $ 45 billion for airlines and transit systems , a temporary 15 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , additional farm subsidies , and a $ 10 billion bailout for the Postal Service .
Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $ 500 million aid package to help states run their elections .
The money was seen as urgent this summer to help states more safely administer their elections in the middle of the pandemic .
But with the election over , momentum for the money has gone away .
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items , and the two sides continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown .
That was likely to pass easily , though possibly not until the last minute .
The addition of the $ 600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , along with ambitious GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri .
The idea isn ’ t very popular in other corners since it ’ s extremely costly and would give money to millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it has enormous political appeal and proved difficult to stop .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a hurry up and wait moment on Capitol Hill as congressional negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggled through a handful of remaining snags. The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain, and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can’t be ruled out.
All sides appeared hopeful that the wrangling wouldn’t derail the legislation, even as the chances for announcing a deal Thursday slipped away. After being bogged down for much of the day, negotiators reported behind-the-scenes progress Thursday night.
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The central elements of a hard-fought compromise appeared in place: more than $300 billion in aid to businesses; a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit and renewal of soon-to-expire state benefits; $600 direct payments to individuals; vaccine distribution funds and money for renters, schools, the Postal Service and people needing food aid.
But a temporary funding bill runs out Friday at midnight, and the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, Sen. John Thune, said if there isn’t a deal by then, some Republicans might block a temporary funding bill — causing a low-impact partial weekend shutdown — as a means to keep the pressure on.
Lawmakers were told to expect to be in session and voting this weekend.
“We must not slide into treating these talks like routine negotiations to be conducted at Congress’ routine pace,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. “The Senate is not going anywhere until we have COVID relief out the door.”
The hangups involved an effort by GOP conservatives to curb emergency lending programs by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, a Democratic demand to eliminate local government matching requirements for COVID-19-related disaster grants, and myriad smaller disagreements over non-pandemic add-ons, lawmakers and aides said.
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The delays weren’t unusual for legislation of this size and importance, but lawmakers are eager to leave Washington for the holidays and are getting antsy.
The pending bill is the first significant legislative response to the pandemic since the landmark CARES Act passed virtually unanimously in March, delivering $1.8 trillion in aid and more generous $600 per week bonus jobless benefits and $1,200 direct payments to individuals.
The CARES legislation passed at a moment of great uncertainty and unprecedented shutdowns in a failed attempt to stymie the coronavirus, but after that, many Republicans focused more on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded aid.
Now, Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits and provide money for schools and vaccines. Democrats have focused on bigger economic stimulus measures and more help for those struggling economically during the pandemic. The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers, which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week, the highest weekly total since September.
The emerging package falls well short of the $2 trillion-plus Democrats were demanding this fall before the election, but President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and help the jobless and hungry. While Biden says more economic stimulus will be needed early next year, some Republicans say the current package may be the last.
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“If we address the critical needs right now, and things improve next year as the vaccine gets out there and the economy starts to pick up again, you know, there may be less of a need,” Thune said.
The details were still being worked out, but the measure includes a second round of “paycheck protection” payments to especially hard-hit businesses, $25 billion to help struggling renters with their payments, $45 billion for airlines and transit systems, a temporary 15% or so increase in food stamp benefits, additional farm subsidies, and a $10 billion bailout for the Postal Service.
Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $500 million aid package to help states run their elections. The money was seen as urgent this summer to help states more safely administer their elections in the middle of the pandemic. But with the election over, momentum for the money has gone away.
The emerging package was serving as a magnet for adding on other items, and the two sides continued to swap offers. It was apparent that another temporary spending bill would be needed to prevent a government shutdown. That was likely to pass easily, though possibly not until the last minute.
The emerging package would combine the $900 billion in COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding bill. Then there are numerous unrelated add-ons that are catching a ride, known as “ash and trash” in appropriations panel shorthand.
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One leading candidate is an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental, and coastal protection projects. Another potential addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks, including one for craft brewers, wineries, and distillers.
The end-of-session rush also promises relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills, a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks.
“It’s been very thoroughly vetted,” said retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., of the surprise medical billing measure. That measure, combined with an assortment of other health policy provisions, generates savings for federal funding for community health centers.
A key breakthrough occurred earlier this week when Democrats agreed to drop their much-sought $160 billion state and local government aid package in exchange for McConnell abandoning a key priority of his own — a liability shield for businesses and other institutions like universities fearing COVID-19 lawsuits.
The addition of the $600 direct payments came after recent endorsements from both President Donald Trump and progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., along with ambitious GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. The idea isn’t very popular in other corners since it’s extremely costly and would give money to millions of people who may not need it, but it has enormous political appeal and proved difficult to stop.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Trump Gets Burned For Praising UPS, FedEx After Undermining USPS During Election

Donald Trump ’ s tweeted praise of two private sector delivery companies didn ’ t get the reaction he might have expected .
On Friday , the president praised employees at FedEx and UPS for driving through storms to deliver millions of doses of Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 vaccine .
THANK YOU to the GREAT men and women of @ FedEx and @ UPS for driving through the storms this week to deliver millions of doses of the vaccine across the country .
Two Great American Companies !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) December 18 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate the president ’ s message .
Instead , they used the president ’ s tweet as an opportunity to lambaste him for attempting to slow down the United States Postal Service to help his reelection chances amid a massive push for mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
No thanks to the US Post Office ?
Oh that ’ s right , they delivered all of those mail in ballots that made sure you were defeated .
😂 https : //t.co/DLT9jOBIzD — Bishop Talbert Swan ( @ TalbertSwan ) December 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t use the postal service because your boy Louis DeJoy gummed up its works to sabotage the election for you .
— Walter Shaub ( @ waltshaub ) December 18 , 2020 Do you realize that your abject failure to deal with cybersecurity issues means great american companies like @ FedEx and @ UPS could be brought to their knees any day now by foreign adversaries who think you are weak , ignorant , and have no spine ?
# SolarWindsHack https : //t.co/ZVubmaZcN8 — Stephen Cobb ( @ zcobb ) December 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president by praising President-elect Joe Biden instead .
Sir , So many wonderful things are happening now that Joseph R Biden of Delaware has been allowed as true and disputed President of America !
— Josh Marshall ( @ joshtpm ) December 18 , 2020 Thanks President Elect @ JoeBiden who has done MORE for American in the first month since he was elected to the @ WhiteHouse than what @ realDonaldTrump did in FOUR years # TrumpIsACompleteFailure # TrumpIsANationalDisgrace https : //t.co/neqQHzAIrI pic.twitter.com/66ouHT6VJu — Nestor `` the boss '' Gomez ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others questioned Trump ’ s priorities , and wondered why he hasn ’ t commented on the recent cyberattack of various U.S. government agencies .

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Donald Trump’s tweeted praise of two private sector delivery companies didn’t get the reaction he might have expected.
On Friday, the president praised employees at FedEx and UPS for driving through storms to deliver millions of doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
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THANK YOU to the GREAT men and women of @FedEx and @UPS for driving through the storms this week to deliver millions of doses of the vaccine across the country. Two Great American Companies! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2020
But some Twitter users didn’t appreciate the president’s message.
Instead, they used the president’s tweet as an opportunity to lambaste him for attempting to slow down the United States Postal Service to help his reelection chances amid a massive push for mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No thanks to the US Post Office?
Oh that’s right, they delivered all of those mail in ballots that made sure you were defeated. 😂 https://t.co/DLT9jOBIzD — Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) December 18, 2020
I guess you couldn’t use the postal service because your boy Louis DeJoy gummed up its works to sabotage the election for you. — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 18, 2020
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Do you realize that your abject failure to deal with cybersecurity issues means great american companies like @FedEx and @UPS could be brought to their knees any day now by foreign adversaries who think you are weak, ignorant, and have no spine? #SolarWindsHack https://t.co/ZVubmaZcN8 — Stephen Cobb (@zcobb) December 18, 2020
Some people chose to needle the president by praising President-elect Joe Biden instead.
Sir, So many wonderful things are happening now that Joseph R Biden of Delaware has been allowed as true and disputed President of America! — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) December 18, 2020
Thanks President Elect @JoeBiden who has done MORE for American in the first month since he was elected to the @WhiteHouse than what @realDonaldTrump did in FOUR years#TrumpIsACompleteFailure #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace https://t.co/neqQHzAIrI pic.twitter.com/66ouHT6VJu — Nestor "the boss" Gomez (@soloyochapin) December 18, 2020
Others questioned Trump’s priorities, and wondered why he hasn’t commented on the recent cyberattack of various U.S. government agencies.
And not a word on the hack. https://t.co/KwsrXjDt6H — Tommy Campbell (@MrTommyCampbell) December 18, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Meet The Progressives Joe Biden Could Put In Key Foreign Policy Jobs

President-elect Joe Biden has now tapped his most important deputies on foreign policy : Tony Blinken for the State Department , Lloyd Austin for the Pentagon , Avril Haines as his director of national intelligence , and Jake Sullivan as his national security adviser at the White House .
Next comes the crucial question of who their deputies will be , a matter that is almost as important as Biden ’ s Cabinet-level choices because of how many decisions at key agencies are made below the level of the top boss .
Those selections will also provide another important sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to craft a more progressive approach to global affairs , as Biden has repeatedly promised to do ― one that prioritizes diplomacy , rejects interventionism and uses U.S. global influence toward priorities like fighting climate change and protecting human rights .
On Friday , a coalition of left-leaning activists working on global affairs sent Biden a list of 100 potential appointees they hope he chooses from for these positions .
The dossier was organized by Yasmine Taeb , the senior fellow on Congress and foreign policy at the Center for International Policy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Common Defense , and supported by the Progressive Change Institute , the Project on Government Oversight , the Quincy Institute , Win Without War and other groups .
HuffPost viewed the document just before it was sent to the transition team .
The goal is twofold : to ensure critical posts are filled with qualified people who have Washington ’ s respect but are willing to challenge national security orthodoxy , and to make it more likely powerful government jobs go to people who represent modern America more than the historic foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of a “ pale , male and Yale ” State Department .
More than 65 % of people on the list , termed a “ Progressive Foreign Policy Talent Pipeline , ” are women and people of color .
Additionally , it promises none have corporate ties that could create conflicts of interest .
Ethics watchdogs and liberal critics have raised that concern about many of Biden ’ s nominees , including for foreign policy jobs ; opponents of his onetime favorite for defense secretary , Michèle Flournoy , highlighted her links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ultimately didn ’ t get the offer from Biden .
( Still , Austin , who beat out Flournoy , sits on the board of directors of the defense contractor Raytheon . )
Most of the suggested appointees fall into one of three categories : figures who have previously worked in government but could take on bigger roles ; people who have built influence in Congress , where progressives have made significant headway on foreign policy ; and prominent experts who haven ’ t yet served as U.S. officials .
That first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naval Reserve officer who worked in the State Department under President Barack Obama and now runs an organization called Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security ; Obama-era Middle East official Rob Malley ; and two well-respected State Department officials who were targeted by President Donald Trump , Iran analyst Sahar Nowrouzzadeh and China hand Susan Thornton .
The second category comprises foreign policy advisers to lawmakers who have pushed high-profile efforts to question and reform America ’ s role in the world : Sasha Baker and Matt Duss , who respectively work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , as well as Cole Bockenfeld and Jessica Elledge in the office of Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) , and Kate Gould , an aide to Rep. Ro Khanna ( D-Calif. ) .
Such staffers rarely get much public attention , but it ’ s their work and choices that drive shifts on issues like U.S. participation in the vicious Saudi-led intervention in Yemen , and many entered those congressional positions after developing significant experience lobbying Capitol Hill , which could be particularly useful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third set are veterans of major Washington policy debates who would bring the new administration a deep understanding of pushing the U.S. government to change from the outside , like Suzanne DiMaggio , a prominent Carnegie Endowment fellow who helped develop unprecedented diplomacy with Iran and North Korea , and Noah Gottschalk , a well-connected humanitarian advocate at Oxfam America .
The briefing for the Biden team includes suggestions of the little-noticed but vital positions where these people could have the greatest impact , like tapping Gould for a United Nations policy job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the State Department .
The activists behind the push want Biden ’ s circle to seize the moment to enact change ― as they take their own chance to push back against the common argument that progressives spend too much time condemning the foreign policy status quo without outlining what to do differently .
“ President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris have an opportunity to change course and deploy a fresh , innovative policy playbook , ” said Alexander Main , the director of international policy at the Center for Economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this they ’ ll need a team of smart , creative people with bold ideas , a deep understanding of and respect for other cultures , and a record of thinking outside of the box .
And that ’ s exactly the kind of candidates that are being proposed in this book .
”

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President-elect Joe Biden has now tapped his most important deputies on foreign policy: Tony Blinken for the State Department, Lloyd Austin for the Pentagon, Avril Haines as his director of national intelligence, and Jake Sullivan as his national security adviser at the White House. Next comes the crucial question of who their deputies will be, a matter that is almost as important as Biden’s Cabinet-level choices because of how many decisions at key agencies are made below the level of the top boss.
Those selections will also provide another important sign of how likely the new administration is to craft a more progressive approach to global affairs, as Biden has repeatedly promised to do ― one that prioritizes diplomacy, rejects interventionism and uses U.S. global influence toward priorities like fighting climate change and protecting human rights.
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On Friday, a coalition of left-leaning activists working on global affairs sent Biden a list of 100 potential appointees they hope he chooses from for these positions. The dossier was organized by Yasmine Taeb, the senior fellow on Congress and foreign policy at the Center for International Policy, and Alex McCoy, political director at Common Defense, and supported by the Progressive Change Institute, the Project on Government Oversight, the Quincy Institute, Win Without War and other groups. HuffPost viewed the document just before it was sent to the transition team.
The goal is twofold: to ensure critical posts are filled with qualified people who have Washington’s respect but are willing to challenge national security orthodoxy, and to make it more likely powerful government jobs go to people who represent modern America more than the historic foreign policy establishment ― breaking with stereotypes like the idea of a “pale, male and Yale” State Department.
More than 65% of people on the list, termed a “Progressive Foreign Policy Talent Pipeline,” are women and people of color. Additionally, it promises none have corporate ties that could create conflicts of interest. Ethics watchdogs and liberal critics have raised that concern about many of Biden’s nominees, including for foreign policy jobs; opponents of his onetime favorite for defense secretary, Michèle Flournoy, highlighted her links to defense contractors for months, and she ultimately didn’t get the offer from Biden. (Still, Austin, who beat out Flournoy, sits on the board of directors of the defense contractor Raytheon.)
Stephanie Taylor, the co-founder of the Progressive Change Institute, said the effort would help ensure “well-credentialed, diverse, progressive leadership is represented in the next administration.”
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When asked about the list, a Biden transition official suggested their team had common ground with the activists.
“President-elect Biden’s transition and administration will prioritize the following core values: diversity of ideology and background; talent to address society’s most complex challenges; integrity and the highest ethical standards to serve the American people and not special interests; and transparency to garner trust at every stage,” the official wrote in an email to HuffPost.
Most of the suggested appointees fall into one of three categories: figures who have previously worked in government but could take on bigger roles; people who have built influence in Congress, where progressives have made significant headway on foreign policy; and prominent experts who haven’t yet served as U.S. officials.
That first group includes Bonnie Jenkins, a retired Naval Reserve officer who worked in the State Department under President Barack Obama and now runs an organization called Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security; Obama-era Middle East official Rob Malley; and two well-respected State Department officials who were targeted by President Donald Trump, Iran analyst Sahar Nowrouzzadeh and China hand Susan Thornton.
The second category comprises foreign policy advisers to lawmakers who have pushed high-profile efforts to question and reform America’s role in the world: Sasha Baker and Matt Duss, who respectively work for Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), as well as Cole Bockenfeld and Jessica Elledge in the office of Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Kate Gould, an aide to Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). Such staffers rarely get much public attention, but it’s their work and choices that drive shifts on issues like U.S. participation in the vicious Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, and many entered those congressional positions after developing significant experience lobbying Capitol Hill, which could be particularly useful for the Biden administration.
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In the third set are veterans of major Washington policy debates who would bring the new administration a deep understanding of pushing the U.S. government to change from the outside, like Suzanne DiMaggio, a prominent Carnegie Endowment fellow who helped develop unprecedented diplomacy with Iran and North Korea, and Noah Gottschalk, a well-connected humanitarian advocate at Oxfam America.
The briefing for the Biden team includes suggestions of the little-noticed but vital positions where these people could have the greatest impact, like tapping Gould for a United Nations policy job or Gottschalk to help run refugee issues at the State Department.
The activists behind the push want Biden’s circle to seize the moment to enact change ― as they take their own chance to push back against the common argument that progressives spend too much time condemning the foreign policy status quo without outlining what to do differently.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-12-18--Joe Biden: Pope Francis Has Been 'Very Generous' To My Family

President-elect Joe Biden — who is preparing to become America ’ s second Catholic president — is reflecting on his years-long relationship with Pope Francis .
Biden spoke to “ The Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert , who is also Catholic , about a moment when Francis set aside his “ pontiff ” hat to take on the role of a pastor for Biden and his family .
He said that during Francis ’ 2015 visit to the U.S. , which took place months after Biden ’ s son Beau Biden died of brain cancer , the pope carved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and 15 members of his extended family .
“ He asked to meet with the family at the hangar in the airport as he was leaving ” in Philadelphia , Biden said .
“ He didn ’ t just speak about Beau , he spoke in detail about Beau , about who he was and about family values and about forgiveness and decency.
” Biden has received fierce backlash from some of his fellow Catholics for his political views , especially his support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a priest denied him Holy Communion at a church .
“ It creates confusion with the faithful about what the church actually teaches on these questions , ” Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez , president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops , said last month .
Progressive Catholics are hoping that Biden ’ s time at the White House will showcase a different side of their religion ― one that focuses on caring for the poor , immigrants and the environment .
Francis himself has cautioned against Catholics becoming “ obsessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay marriage and contraception , urging his flock to focus on serving the poor and oppressed .
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington , D.C. , whom Francis recently elevated to a cardinal , has signaled he won ’ t deny communion to Biden .
The president-elect is a regular church-goer .
Biden told Colbert just sent him a book he signed that was delivered by for him by the pope by Gregory , who been in Rome .
The first Catholic U.S. president , John .
F. Kennedy , had to contend with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential campaign , particularly the notion that Catholics couldn ’ t be trusted as loyal American citizens because they owed fealty to the pope .
Even after his election , Kennedy had to carefully navigate his relationship with then-Pope Paul VI .
Sixty years later , Catholics have attained positions of political power in Congress , as state governors , and on the Supreme Court ( six of the nine justices are practicing Catholics ) .

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President-elect Joe Biden — who is preparing to become America’s second Catholic president — is reflecting on his yearslong relationship with Pope Francis.
Biden spoke to “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert, who is also Catholic, about a moment when Francis set aside his “pontiff” hat to take on the role of pastor for Biden and his family.
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He said that during Francis’ 2015 visit to the U.S., which took place months after Biden’s son Beau Biden died of brain cancer, the pope carved out time to speak with the then-vice president and 15 members of his extended family.
“The pope’s been incredibly generous to our family,” Biden told Colbert in a clip published Friday.
“He asked to meet with the family at the hangar in the airport as he was leaving” in Philadelphia, Biden said. “He didn’t just speak about Beau, he spoke in detail about Beau, about who he was and about family values and about forgiveness and decency.”
“I am a great admirer of His Holiness. I really am,” Biden added.
Biden has received fierce backlash from some of his fellow Catholics for his political views, especially his support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Last year, as Biden campaigned in South Carolina, a priest denied him Holy Communion at a church.
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“It creates confusion with the faithful about what the church actually teaches on these questions,” Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said last month.
Progressive Catholics are hoping that Biden’s time at the White House will showcase a different side of their religion ― one that focuses on caring for the poor, immigrants and the environment. Francis himself has cautioned against Catholics becoming “obsessed” with issues such as abortion, gay marriage and contraception, urging his flock to focus on serving the poor and oppressed.
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., whom Francis recently elevated to cardinal, has signaled he won’t deny communion to Biden. The president-elect is a regular church-goer.
Then-Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Pope Francis during a conference in April 2016 on cancer research at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
The first Catholic U.S. president, John. F. Kennedy, had to contend with prejudice against his religion during his 1960 presidential campaign, particularly the notion that Catholics couldn’t be trusted as loyal American citizens because they owed fealty to the pope. Even after his election, Kennedy had to carefully navigate his relationship with then-Pope Paul VI.
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