thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--WHO Seeks $76 Million For Lebanon After Beirut Blast, Concerned About Coronavirus

CAIRO ( Reuters ) - The World Health Organization ( WHO ) said on Wednesday it had appealed for $ 76 million in aid for Lebanon after last week ’ s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals , clinics and medical supplies .
Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the Aug. 4 explosion in the capital ’ s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000 .
The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600 , WHO officials told an online press conference .
“ A week after the blast , the World Health Organization is still concerned about the health and wellbeing of people who were injured , lost loved ones , or became homeless , and it ’ s expected ( that ) recovery from the psychological pain from the blast will last much longer , ” said Rana Hajjeh , WHO ’ s regional programme director .
“ In particular , we are concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have launched an appeal for $ 76 million , and ask the international community to support the Lebanese people and show solidarity with them in every way possible.
” The loss of hospital beds had “ clear implications for the management of COVID as well as other medical conditions ” , said Richard Brennan , WHO ’ s regional emergency director .
Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning , with the remainder functioning at varying levels , Brennan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals , and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas , officials said .

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CAIRO (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it had appealed for $76 million in aid for Lebanon after last week’s massive explosion in Beirut destroyed or damaged hospitals, clinics and medical supplies.
Lebanon was already struggling with a financial crisis and a rise in the number of new coronavirus cases before the Aug. 4 explosion in the capital’s port area that left at least 171 dead and injured some 6,000.
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The blast put three hospitals out of operation and has left three others working at partial capacity, reducing the number of beds in public and private hospitals by 500-600, WHO officials told an online press conference.
“A week after the blast, the World Health Organization is still concerned about the health and wellbeing of people who were injured, lost loved ones, or became homeless, and it’s expected (that) recovery from the psychological pain from the blast will last much longer,” said Rana Hajjeh, WHO’s regional programme director.
“In particular, we are concerned about the return of COVID-19 in Lebanon. We have launched an appeal for $76 million, and ask the international community to support the Lebanese people and show solidarity with them in every way possible.”
The loss of hospital beds had “clear implications for the management of COVID as well as other medical conditions”, said Richard Brennan, WHO’s regional emergency director.
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Initial results from an assessment of 55 primary healthcare clinics and centres across Beirut showed just over half are not functioning, with the remainder functioning at varying levels, Brennan said.
The WHO has so far brought in 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE), distributed trauma and surgical supplies to 2,000 patients at 10 hospitals, and is working with at least 11 emergency medical teams that have arrived from overseas, officials said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Stevie Nicks Fears She'll 'Never Sing Again' If She Contracts COVID-19

With her ability to hit the road curtailed , Stevie Nicks is urging her fans to comply with mask rules so that her performing career has a future .
The Fleetwood Mac chanteuse this week published a lengthy note on Facebook in which she criticized those who “ still aren ’ t taking the wearing of a simple mask ” and other social distance measures seriously and , as such , continue to put the health of others at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ The masks and the distancing have now become a political statement , ” Nicks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is a silent killer hiding in the shadows .
It is stalking you .
It doesn ’ t care who you are… It ’ s just looking for a victim.
” The two-time Grammy winner is slated to return to the concert stage in September 2021 at Colorado ’ s Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival .
However , she fears she won ’ t get that opportunity if she contracts the coronavirus , which has been known to have lingering side effects .
“ If I get it , I will probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Put me on a ventilator and I will be hoarse for the rest of my life.
” “ What ’ s going on in our country now , is a real ‘ American Horror Story.
’ Nobody is leading us , ” she wrote .
“ Nobody has a plan .
...
This virus can kill you .
It can kill me .
Kill my chances of pulling on those boots and hitting the road .
Kill the chances that any of us in the music community will ever get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never put you in danger.
” Nicks , 72 , has been staying connected with fans during the pandemic by posting semi-regular journal entries to her social media accounts .
“ If we don ’ t get ahead of this now , we will live with such guilt and regret it will destroy us , ” she wrote on Instagram .
“ You can ’ t go back .
You can ’ t push rewind.
” In March , she said she ’ d been using her time in what was then the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and music .
Many of those creative pursuits , she said , were inspired by Harry Styles ’ 2019 album , “ Fine Line , ” which she likened to Fleetwood Mac ’ s 1977 masterpiece , “ Rumours .
”

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With her ability to hit the road curtailed, Stevie Nicks is urging her fans to comply with mask rules so that her performing career has a future.
The Fleetwood Mac chanteuse this week published a lengthy note on Facebook in which she criticized those who “still aren’t taking the wearing of a simple mask” and other social distance measures seriously and, as such, continue to put the health of others at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“The masks and the distancing have now become a political statement,” Nicks wrote. “It is not political. It is a silent killer hiding in the shadows. It is stalking you. It doesn’t care who you are… It’s just looking for a victim.”
The two-time Grammy winner is slated to return to the concert stage in September 2021 at Colorado’s Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival. However, she fears she won’t get that opportunity if she contracts the coronavirus, which has been known to have lingering side effects.
“If I get it, I will probably never sing again,” she wrote. “Put me on a ventilator and I will be hoarse for the rest of my life.”
Nicks, who had memorable guest spots on “American Horror Story: Coven” and “American Horror Story: Apocalypse,” compared the ongoing, real-life crisis to a storyline on Ryan Murphy’s bloody anthology series.
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“What’s going on in our country now, is a real ‘American Horror Story.’ Nobody is leading us,” she wrote. “Nobody has a plan. ...This virus can kill you. It can kill me. Kill my chances of pulling on those boots and hitting the road. Kill the chances that any of us in the music community will ever get back to the stage, because we would never put you in danger.”
Nicks, 72, has been staying connected with fans during the pandemic by posting semi-regular journal entries to her social media accounts.
Last month, she urged her followers to become “spiritual warriors” in efforts to combat COVID-19.
“If we don’t get ahead of this now, we will live with such guilt and regret it will destroy us,” she wrote on Instagram. “You can’t go back. You can’t push rewind.”
In March, she said she’d been using her time in what was then the start of self-isolation to write new poems and music. Many of those creative pursuits, she said, were inspired by Harry Styles’ 2019 album, “Fine Line,” which she likened to Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 masterpiece, “Rumours.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Pediatricians Reveal If They Want Their Kids’ Schools To Reopen This Fall

Of course , it ’ s also understandable why a parent would want their children to head back to traditional school .
In June ― which feels like a lifetime ago ― doctors with the American Academy of Pediatrics said they were “ strongly ” in favor of in-person learning , while acknowledging that universal mask-wearing among kids may not be realistic .
The group noted that the “ negative impacts ” on children of school closures in the spring are already evident .
One research paper estimates that the 55 million U.S. students who were out of school due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly a third of the last academic year ’ s usual progress in reading and as much as half of their usual progress in math .
( And then , of course , there ’ s the lack of socializing that comes with remote learning . )
It ’ s a complicated situation ― even pediatricians will admit as much .
As districts navigate and potentially reconsider their reopening plans , we decided to ask pediatricians across the country what they want for their kids this school year .
The question we asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your child ’ s school to reopen in the fall ?
” Here ’ s what they had to say .
( Some doctors asked to remain anonymous . )
“ It ’ s my job to protect my children ’ s health and I intend to do just that by keeping my kids home from school.
” “ I do not want my kids returning to school as my children ’ s school is not planning to follow the CDC guidelines for reopening .
They ’ re 15 and 17 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids to return to school ( and I really do ! )
, I don ’ t want them to go at the cost of their safety .
In my opinion , if a school isn ’ t social distancing or requiring masks when social distancing isn ’ t possible , then that school is not safe for children .
It ’ s my job to protect my children ’ s health and I intend to do just that by keeping my kids home from school .
I am aware that not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice and I am fighting for schools to do the right thing and open safely so all parents can keep their children safe from COVID-19.
” ― Joanna Dolgoff , a pediatrician who ’ s been in practice for 17 years and works in Georgia ( Dolgoff is also a spokesperson for the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics . )
“ I would love for school to feel more normal but as a pediatrician and a mom , I am torn.
” “ I have two children , ages 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering kindergarten this fall .
I value the social interactions , relationship building and education that comes with in-person learning that just can not occur in the same way from distance learning .
I would love for school to feel more normal but as a pediatrician and a mom , I am torn .
Children can get COVID .
They are not immune to the disease .
Some experience long-lasting outcomes that we are just beginning to understand as a medical community .
And , tragically , some children die from COVID .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID .
I can ’ t imagine how my sensitive kindergartener would feel if he brought home the infection that made someone in our family critically ill. “ As it is , my children ’ s schools will place them into smaller groups this year rather than fit all of them into a single larger class .
Masks are required .
Social distancing will be attempted .
Hopefully , staff and families will be screened daily for symptoms prior to arrival , ventilation will be maximized , classes will be held outdoors for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes readily available .
“ Emotionally , I believe that these layers of defense will help .
But I needed more data , so I did some math .
For me , I would comfortably send my child to school with these safety protocols if the risk that someone had COVID in his smaller pod was less than 5 % .
In San Francisco , where I live , a group of 10 people has a 9 % to 17 % chance that someone in the group has COVID .
If this holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I plan to knowingly send my child anywhere where there is a 9 % chance of COVID ?
For me , no way .
Until the rates of COVID decrease to a lower level or we have an effective vaccine or treatment , we will keep our children out of school .
An acceptable level of risk is going to be different for every family and every circumstance .
Splitting my time between work and supporting my boys throughout the day will be difficult , but I am hoping we can lower the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID for our students , staff and teachers.
” ― Natasha Agbai , a pediatrician who ’ s been in practice for 12 years and works at Discover Health Medical Group in San Francisco “ The situation is not that straightforward so I think it will have to be left up to each parent.
” “ School potentially starting in one month feels like a lifetime in a pandemic .
I ’ ve been a pediatrician practicing for almost 15 years and I will have a 13-year-old starting high school in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mother , I feel like it ’ s all what our acceptable level of risk is .
Many parents need to get back to work in order to feed their families .
The situation is not that straightforward so I think it will have to be left up to each parent .
Having a child entering high school , although her social-emotional needs are extremely important , I just feel like it would be so much safer if I could keep her home and that would be my preference .
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things play out as the flu season enters.
” ― A New York-based pediatrician who ’ s been in practice for almost 15 years

Of course, it’s also understandable why a parent would want their children to head back to traditional school. In June ― which feels like a lifetime ago ― doctors with the American Academy of Pediatrics said they were “strongly” in favor of in-person learning, while acknowledging that universal mask-wearing among kids may not be realistic.
The group noted that the “negative impacts” on children of school closures in the spring are already evident. One research paper estimates that the 55 million U.S. students who were out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic may have lost roughly a third of the last academic year’s usual progress in reading and as much as half of their usual progress in math. (And then, of course, there’s the lack of socializing that comes with remote learning.)
It’s a complicated situation ― even pediatricians will admit as much. As districts navigate and potentially reconsider their reopening plans, we decided to ask pediatricians across the country what they want for their kids this school year.
The question we asked was simple: “Do you want your child’s school to reopen in the fall?” Here’s what they had to say. (Some doctors asked to remain anonymous.)
“It’s my job to protect my children’s health and I intend to do just that by keeping my kids home from school.”
“I do not want my kids returning to school as my children’s school is not planning to follow the CDC guidelines for reopening. They’re 15 and 17. As much as I would like for my kids to return to school (and I really do!), I don’t want them to go at the cost of their safety. In my opinion, if a school isn’t social distancing or requiring masks when social distancing isn’t possible, then that school is not safe for children. It’s my job to protect my children’s health and I intend to do just that by keeping my kids home from school. I am aware that not all parents have the luxury of making that choice and I am fighting for schools to do the right thing and open safely so all parents can keep their children safe from COVID-19.” ― Joanna Dolgoff, a pediatrician who’s been in practice for 17 years and works in Georgia (Dolgoff is also a spokesperson for the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.)
“I would love for school to feel more normal but as a pediatrician and a mom, I am torn.”
“I have two children, ages 4 and 6. My 6-year-old will be entering kindergarten this fall. I value the social interactions, relationship building and education that comes with in-person learning that just cannot occur in the same way from distance learning. I would love for school to feel more normal but as a pediatrician and a mom, I am torn. Children can get COVID. They are not immune to the disease. Some experience long-lasting outcomes that we are just beginning to understand as a medical community. And, tragically, some children die from COVID. We also know that children can spread COVID. I can’t imagine how my sensitive kindergartener would feel if he brought home the infection that made someone in our family critically ill.
“As it is, my children’s schools will place them into smaller groups this year rather than fit all of them into a single larger class. Masks are required. Social distancing will be attempted. Hopefully, staff and families will be screened daily for symptoms prior to arrival, ventilation will be maximized, classes will be held outdoors for as long as reasonable, and testing becomes readily available.
“Emotionally, I believe that these layers of defense will help. But I needed more data, so I did some math. For me, I would comfortably send my child to school with these safety protocols if the risk that someone had COVID in his smaller pod was less than 5%. In San Francisco, where I live, a group of 10 people has a 9% to 17% chance that someone in the group has COVID. If this holds true for children in schools, do I plan to knowingly send my child anywhere where there is a 9% chance of COVID? For me, no way. Until the rates of COVID decrease to a lower level or we have an effective vaccine or treatment, we will keep our children out of school. An acceptable level of risk is going to be different for every family and every circumstance. Splitting my time between work and supporting my boys throughout the day will be difficult, but I am hoping we can lower the rate of COVID and lower the risk of COVID for our students, staff and teachers.” ― Natasha Agbai, a pediatrician who’s been in practice for 12 years and works at Discover Health Medical Group in San Francisco
“The situation is not that straightforward so I think it will have to be left up to each parent.”
“School potentially starting in one month feels like a lifetime in a pandemic. I’ve been a pediatrician practicing for almost 15 years and I will have a 13-year-old starting high school in the fall. As a pediatrician and as a mother, I feel like it’s all what our acceptable level of risk is. Many parents need to get back to work in order to feed their families. The situation is not that straightforward so I think it will have to be left up to each parent. Having a child entering high school, although her social-emotional needs are extremely important, I just feel like it would be so much safer if I could keep her home and that would be my preference. At least I’d like to see how things play out as the flu season enters.” ― A New York-based pediatrician who’s been in practice for almost 15 years


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--The Dismantling Of Abortion Rights Has Already Begun

But it wasn ’ t all good news .
Roberts , who wrote a separate concurring opinion , left the door open for states to enact other onerous anti-abortion laws that could harm patients .
And it ’ s already happening : On Friday , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled to allow four previously blocked abortion restrictions to go into effect in Arkansas , citing Roberts ’ opinion in the Louisiana case .
Other states could be next .
While the decision in the Louisiana case looked on its face like a victory , Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in effect for anti-abortion laws to survive court challenges .
And people who are dealing with unwanted pregnancies will be the ones to suffer the consequences .
“ When the government takes an active role in trying to prevent people from getting abortions , it has serious consequences for their lives ― for their physical health , for their economic well being and for their life trajectory , ” said Diana Greene Foster , a researcher who studies what happens to women who are unable to get an abortion they want .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that the Louisiana law had to be struck down because it was identical to a Texas statute the court had struck down four years earlier .
Under precedent , it could not stand .
However , he roundly rejected the framework used by his liberal colleagues to determine the constitutionality of abortion laws .
Instead of having to weigh the benefits of a law against the burden on abortion access ― as the Supreme Court said in the 2016 case Whole Woman ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt ― courts need only consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstacle ” to those seeking abortions , Roberts wrote .
In 1992 , the Supreme Court ruled that states can regulate abortion as long as they don ’ t impose an “ undue burden ” on those seeking the procedure .
An undue burden was defined as a state regulation that “ has the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion , ” the court explained in Planned Parenthood v. Casey .
In Whole Woman ’ s Health v. Hellerstedt , the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires courts to balance the law ’ s asserted benefits against the burdens it imposes on abortion access .
If the burdens outweigh the benefits , the law must be found unconstitutional .
The court rejected a Texas law mandating that abortion providers have admitting privileges at local hospitals ― a medically unnecessary and often impossible-to-meet requirement ― as it provided scant benefits to patients but posed a significant obstacle .
Roberts voted in dissent .
At the time , abortion rights groups celebrated the ruling as a significant victory .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws that claimed to protect women ’ s health but in practice yielded few if any benefits .
If a law did not advance any legitimate benefits for patients but did make it that much harder to get an abortion , it would likely fail the test .
“ It gives the green light to states to pass laws and say ‘ this is for women ’ s health , ’ but not really have to prove that there ’ s any benefit whatsoever , while adding a whole host of burdens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us were worried that Roberts ’ concurrence was going to be a tool to dismantle abortion rights and abortion access more broadly , and the Eighth Circuit decision is really illustrative of that.
” “ Before , you could have a law that was not incredibly burdensome but it had no valid purpose , and the court might strike it down saying this law is creating some burdens and it isn ’ t benefiting anybody , ” Ziegler said .
“ That ’ s out the window now.
” The first law bans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second requires patients to notify their sexual partner or other family members of their abortion beforehand , interfering with patient privacy .
The third requires clinics to report a patient ’ s abortion to local police if the patient is under 17 and preserve all embryonic or fetal tissue from her abortion as potential “ evidence.
” The fourth compels doctors to request all records involving the patient ’ s past pregnancies before performing the procedure , a time-intensive process that could delay care for weeks and may violate the patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , the 8th Circuit reversed the district court ’ s ruling in light of Roberts ’ opinion in June Medical .
“ According to Chief Justice Roberts , the appropriate inquiry under Casey is whether the law poses ‘ a substantial obstacle ’ or ‘ substantial burden , ’ not whether benefits outweighed burdens , ” the appeals court wrote , sending the case back to the lower court for further consideration .

Chief Justice John Roberts' opinion in June Medical Services v. Russo gives lower courts the argument to roll back protection of abortion rights. Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: AP
Earlier this summer, reproductive rights groups breathed a collective sigh of relief when Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the Supreme Court’s liberal justices to find that a Louisiana law that would have left the state with a single abortion clinic was unconstitutional.
But it wasn’t all good news. Roberts, who wrote a separate concurring opinion, left the door open for states to enact other onerous anti-abortion laws that could harm patients. And it’s already happening: On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled to allow four previously blocked abortion restrictions to go into effect in Arkansas, citing Roberts’ opinion in the Louisiana case.
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Other states could be next. While the decision in the Louisiana case looked on its face like a victory, Robert’s opinion could make it easier in effect for anti-abortion laws to survive court challenges. And people who are dealing with unwanted pregnancies will be the ones to suffer the consequences.
“When the government takes an active role in trying to prevent people from getting abortions, it has serious consequences for their lives ― for their physical health, for their economic well being and for their life trajectory,” said Diana Greene Foster, a researcher who studies what happens to women who are unable to get an abortion they want.
In June Medical Services v. Russo, Roberts wrote that the Louisiana law had to be struck down because it was identical to a Texas statute the court had struck down four years earlier. Under precedent, it could not stand. However, he roundly rejected the framework used by his liberal colleagues to determine the constitutionality of abortion laws.
Instead of having to weigh the benefits of a law against the burden on abortion access ― as the Supreme Court said in the 2016 case Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt ― courts need only consider whether the law presents a “substantial obstacle” to those seeking abortions, Roberts wrote.
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At the time of the June 29 decision, some legal experts warned that the chief justice’s opinion weakened protections for abortion, as it loosened the standard used to judge laws that restrict the procedure. Now, their fears are coming true.
An Evolving Test For Abortion Laws
The Supreme Court first recognized a constitutional right to abortion in the 1973 decision Roe v. Wade. Ever since, lawmakers have chipped away at abortion access by passing laws making it harder for patients to obtain care and for physicians to provide it.
In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that states can regulate abortion as long as they don’t impose an “undue burden” on those seeking the procedure. An undue burden was defined as a state regulation that “has the purpose or effect of placing a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion,” the court explained in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
But exactly what constituted a “substantial obstacle” was left up to the lower courts to determine; the justices offered little guidance on how the legal standard should be applied.
“You would see one circuit upholding a law and other circuits striking it down,” said Heather Shumaker, director of state abortion access at the National Women’s Law Center. “It created a lot of chaos in the courts.”
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That ambiguity was finally put to rest in 2016.
In Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court clarified that the undue burden standard requires courts to balance the law’s asserted benefits against the burdens it imposes on abortion access. If the burdens outweigh the benefits, the law must be found unconstitutional. The court rejected a Texas law mandating that abortion providers have admitting privileges at local hospitals ― a medically unnecessary and often impossible-to-meet requirement ― as it provided scant benefits to patients but posed a significant obstacle. Roberts voted in dissent.
At the time, abortion rights groups celebrated the ruling as a significant victory. The new balancing test would bring additional scrutiny to laws that claimed to protect women’s health but in practice yielded few if any benefits. If a law did not advance any legitimate benefits for patients but did make it that much harder to get an abortion, it would likely fail the test.
Now, in the wake of June Medical, the balancing test is effectively moot. Under Roberts’ opinion, courts can return to the original Casey framework, only looking to determine if a law places a substantial obstacle in the path of abortion access.
That standard is far less protective of abortion rights than the balancing test, Shumaker said.
“It gives the green light to states to pass laws and say ‘this is for women’s health,’ but not really have to prove that there’s any benefit whatsoever, while adding a whole host of burdens,” she said. “Many of us were worried that Roberts’ concurrence was going to be a tool to dismantle abortion rights and abortion access more broadly, and the Eighth Circuit decision is really illustrative of that.”
Laws with specious justifications won’t get as hard a look in the courts, added Mary Ziegler, a professor at Florida State University and author of ”Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v. Wade to the Present.”
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“Before, you could have a law that was not incredibly burdensome but it had no valid purpose, and the court might strike it down saying this law is creating some burdens and it isn’t benefiting anybody,” Ziegler said. “That’s out the window now.”
Rolling Back Abortion Care
The consequences of Roberts’ opinion are already being felt in Arkansas, one of the states in which it’s most difficult to obtain an abortion.
In 2017, Arkansas passed four abortion restrictions that were challenged in court by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Arkansas.
The first law bans the most common method of second-trimester abortions. The second requires patients to notify their sexual partner or other family members of their abortion beforehand, interfering with patient privacy. The third requires clinics to report a patient’s abortion to local police if the patient is under 17 and preserve all embryonic or fetal tissue from her abortion as potential “evidence.” The fourth compels doctors to request all records involving the patient’s past pregnancies before performing the procedure, a time-intensive process that could delay care for weeks and may violate the patient’s right to confidentiality.
The four restrictions were preliminarily blocked in 2017 by a federal district court, which applied the balancing test expressed in Whole Woman’s Health.
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On Friday, the 8th Circuit reversed the district court’s ruling in light of Roberts’ opinion in June Medical. “According to Chief Justice Roberts, the appropriate inquiry under Casey is whether the law poses ‘a substantial obstacle’ or ‘substantial burden,’ not whether benefits outweighed burdens,” the appeals court wrote, sending the case back to the lower court for further consideration.
The 8th Circuit ruling does not take effect until Aug. 28, which means the abortion restrictions are still blocked until then.
Arkansas already has the fourth-highest number of abortion laws in the U.S. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the state enacted 57 restrictions between 1973 to 2019. Only two abortion clinics are currently operating in the state, and both are located in Little Rock, the capital.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--How The South Botched Spanish-Language Outreach On COVID-19

“ I don ’ t know how I ’ m going to do this , ” the man on the phone stammered in Spanish , his voice cracking .
“ I ’ m asking you , please .
Whatever you can ...
I ’ m desperate for me and my family .
I can not help them .
Please help us.
” María Cruz was already stretched thin .
On that June morning , the community organizer had two laptops open and a phone ringing every few minutes with new callers seeking COVID-19 information in Spanish .
Her employer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , set up the hotline to supplement the lack of translated public health materials in a state with a Latino population of nearly 200,000 .
The man on the phone told her that he , his wife , and their three children , all Mexican immigrants like Cruz , were exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 .
The man had it the worst .
His feverish body ached .
He could barely move .
He didn ’ t have a car , but told her he was was willing to walk 20 miles to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montgomery .
But he needed Cruz ’ s help ensuring that he would have appointments for all five of them once the family arrived .
No one at the testing site spoke Spanish , and he didn ’ t speak English .
He also had questions : Did it cost anything ?
If so , he hadn ’ t worked in weeks , so would they take a payment plan ?
Do they require identification ?
He ’ s undocumented .
Could getting tested lead to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocates say state officials are routinely failing to provide services and public health information in Spanish , the United States ’ second-most common language and the primary tongue of millions of people across the region .
That failure has proven disastrous in a community that disproportionately works essential jobs , lives in multigenerational households and , in many cases , fears seeking medical care could jeopardize legal status or expose undocumented people to ICE .
‘ No Se Habla ’ Is Nothing New Between 2007 and 2014 , counties in Alabama , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s highest upticks in Latino population , according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census data .
Large percentages of those communities are foreign-born , including nearly half of Hispanics in Florida , 44 % in Georgia and 37 % in Alabama .
Alabama passed one of the nation ’ s most restrictive anti-immigrant laws in 2011 , giving police vast leeway to interrogate any suspect ’ s legal status and barring the undocumented from using any state or local public services .
Florida last year banned so-called “ sanctuary cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Republican-dominated legislature , meanwhile , passed a bill last year forcing all county sheriffs to assist in ICE efforts to detain or deport immigrants .
The United States has no official language .
But 29 states have enacted laws or constitutional amendments making English the official language , according to a tally by language policy expert James Crawford .
Of those , at least 10 are states in the Southeast , including Alabama , Georgia and the Carolinas .
The lack of outreach in Spanish has contributed to huge infection rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , North Carolina , the Hispanic population ’ s share of overall COVID-19 infections increased from 7 % in March to 15 % in April to 70 % in May before peaking at 75 % in June , said Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi , the director for health equity at Duke University ’ s community health department .
Those figures demonstrated a disastrous cycle , she said .
Latinos working essential jobs faced greater exposure to the virus early on , then came home to households where children , grandparents and cousins may live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where some family members fear any interaction with law enforcement could risk arrest and deportation , going to a testing site where a local sheriff was directing traffic or seeking help at a hospital seemed like a threat .
That not only hastened the virus ’ s spread , but caused in many cases deadly delays in treatment .
Cruz said the risk of ICE arrest remains one of the most commonly asked questions she gets on the hotline .
She ’ s done her best to ease those worries .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some places where written Spanish information is provided , the language is too complex and requires a baseline understanding of health science to make sense to the average reader .
Many immigrants from Central and South America who have called the hotline , speak indigenous dialects as their primary language , and can not read or communicate easily in Spanish or English .
The lack of Spanish speakers at testing sites also leaves advocates like her in the awkward position of trying to translate by phone when they get to the appointments she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case with the man who walked 20 miles to get to a testing site .
He kept her on the line to translate the entire interaction .

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“I don’t know how I’m going to do this,” the man on the phone stammered in Spanish, his voice cracking. “I’m asking you, please. Whatever you can ... I’m desperate for me and my family. I cannot help them. Please help us.”
María Cruz was already stretched thin. On that June morning, the community organizer had two laptops open and a phone ringing every few minutes with new callers seeking COVID-19 information in Spanish. Her employer, the nonprofit Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, set up the hotline to supplement the lack of translated public health materials in a state with a Latino population of nearly 200,000.
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The man on the phone told her that he, his wife, and their three children, all Mexican immigrants like Cruz, were exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. The man had it the worst. His feverish body ached. He could barely move. He didn’t have a car, but told her he was was willing to walk 20 miles to the nearest testing site, which was near Montgomery.
But he needed Cruz’s help ensuring that he would have appointments for all five of them once the family arrived. No one at the testing site spoke Spanish, and he didn’t speak English. He also had questions: Did it cost anything? If so, he hadn’t worked in weeks, so would they take a payment plan? Do they require identification? He’s undocumented. Could getting tested lead to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at their home?
“I’ve never heard a man cry like that,” Cruz said.
Across the South, advocates say state officials are routinely failing to provide services and public health information in Spanish, the United States’ second-most common language and the primary tongue of millions of people across the region. That failure has proven disastrous in a community that disproportionately works essential jobs, lives in multigenerational households and, in many cases, fears seeking medical care could jeopardize legal status or expose undocumented people to ICE.
Tennessee, home to 322,000 Hispanic people, confirmed its first coronavirus case on March 5, but the state Department of Health didn’t roll out a Spanish-language website until July 22.
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A sign is visible outside of Jim R. Miller Park during the first day of drive-thru coronavirus testing in Marietta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images
North Carolina waited until July 16 to launch a Spanish COVID-19 website, despite a Hispanic population topping 1 million and Latinos suffering the highest infection rate of any minority in the state.
Even Florida ― where Spanish predates English, more than one-quarter of the population is Latino and nearly 30% of the population speaks a language other than English at home ― offered scant Spanish-language materials as the virus spread across the state.
‘No Se Habla’ Is Nothing New
Latino immigration to the Deep South soared in the 1990s, and has continued to grow since. The Latino population in Alabama has, by the state’s own estimate, increased 208% in the past three decades.
Between 2007 and 2014, counties in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana experienced some of the country’s highest upticks in Latino population, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census data. Large percentages of those communities are foreign-born, including nearly half of Hispanics in Florida, 44% in Georgia and 37% in Alabama.
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Yet while some counties have expanded language services to accommodate those communities, many statewide efforts have focused on limiting undocumented immigrants’ access to public benefits.
Alabama passed one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-immigrant laws in 2011, giving police vast leeway to interrogate any suspect’s legal status and barring the undocumented from using any state or local public services. Florida last year banned so-called “sanctuary cities” for undocumented immigrants. North Carolina’s Republican-dominated legislature, meanwhile, passed a bill last year forcing all county sheriffs to assist in ICE efforts to detain or deport immigrants.
The United States has no official language. But 29 states have enacted laws or constitutional amendments making English the official language, according to a tally by language policy expert James Crawford. Of those, at least 10 are states in the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.
The threat of ICE arrest deters some sick immigrants from getting tested or seeking help. Handout / Reuters
That rigid, ideological objection to accommodating the existing populations of the states left public officials unprepared to provide crisis information to residents in those communities, said Genesis Castro, a program manager at the Latino Community Fund of Georgia.
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“If the governments were already doing the outreach they needed before COVID, if they already did outreach with immigrants in mind, we wouldn’t be where we are,” Castro said by phone.
Some Georgia counties, such as DeKalb and Fulton, have provided adequate information and translation at testing sites, she said, but the state effort is “very decentralized.”
“We need to make sure there is more information available to all community members and provide translation services, whether it’s English to Spanish, Creole, Mandarin or Korean,” said Genny Castillo, a regional director at the nonprofit Southern Economic Advancement Project.
The lack of outreach in Spanish has contributed to huge infection rates in many states. In Durham County, North Carolina, the Hispanic population’s share of overall COVID-19 infections increased from 7% in March to 15% in April to 70% in May before peaking at 75% in June, said Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, the director for health equity at Duke University’s community health department.
Those figures demonstrated a disastrous cycle, she said. Latinos working essential jobs faced greater exposure to the virus early on, then came home to households where children, grandparents and cousins may live under one roof. In mixed-status households, where some family members fear any interaction with law enforcement could risk arrest and deportation, going to a testing site where a local sheriff was directing traffic or seeking help at a hospital seemed like a threat. That not only hastened the virus’s spread, but caused in many cases deadly delays in treatment.
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“People are still arriving too late, when the disease is too advanced,” Martinez-Bianchi said.
“People are still arriving too late, when the disease is too advanced.” - Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, Duke University
Public service announcements that allayed those concerns and communicated what to do in plain, spoken Spanish could dispel those rumors and make clear that immigration status would not be checked at testing sites or hospitals.
Not Just Spanish
Cruz said the risk of ICE arrest remains one of the most commonly asked questions she gets on the hotline. She’s done her best to ease those worries. But there are more troubling problems.
In some places where written Spanish information is provided, the language is too complex and requires a baseline understanding of health science to make sense to the average reader. Many immigrants from Central and South America who have called the hotline, speak indigenous dialects as their primary language, and cannot read or communicate easily in Spanish or English.
The lack of Spanish speakers at testing sites also leaves advocates like her in the awkward position of trying to translate by phone when they get to the appointments she helped them set up. That was the case with the man who walked 20 miles to get to a testing site. He kept her on the line to translate the entire interaction.
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It’s a heavy burden for volunteer hotline operators and organizations whose budgets are already stretched thin providing services amid an economic depression.
Cruz’s group, the ACIJ, has spent its entire $50,000 emergency fund ― normally reserved for helping families separated by ICE raids ― on food and emergency financial aid to those in need. She said it expects the fund to be depleted this week. The group is now holding fundraisers and applying for grants.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Right-Wing Media Is Already Hurling Racist, Misogynist Fire At Kamala Harris

Within minutes of Joe Biden ’ s announcement that Kamala Harris would be his running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket , prominent voices in the right-wing media and the Trump administration started pushing the narrative that Harris is the one who ’ s really in charge .
This was not some sudden recognition of female empowerment or a nod to just how historic the pick is ; rather it was a deliberate prelude to launch misogynistic and racist gutter attacks that the right has been unable to make against Biden .
Donald Trump Jr. immediately tweeted out the hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Democratic senator with the line : “ Might as well switch the hashtag to # HarrisBiden2020 , ” adding that she will be calling all the shots , “ not slow Joe !
” Fox News ’ Greg Gutfeld even posited that Biden will drop out soon to make way for Harris .
“ When he drops out , does she move to become the ‘ P ’ ?
Or does she stay at VP , or they put something else in there ?
” he asked Tuesday .
Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to fuel fears of a radical left agenda taking over the Democratic ticket .
But these attacks also opened the floodgates to a deluge of racism and misogyny , two hallmarks of President Donald Trump ’ s campaign style .
Unfortunately , it works : Trump launched his career on birtherism , and sexism was one of the key factors that helped him win the 2016 presidential election .
Trump was wildly misogynistic throughout that cycle ’ s campaign , infamously calling Hillary Clinton “ a nasty woman ” during a debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was heard on leaked 2005 audio admitting to grabbing women “ by the pussy ” ― just one example of his long history of sexist remarks .
Conservative media has jumped on the bandwagon that Harris is meritless and chosen for the ticket because of her race and gender ; chalking up the pick as a typical affirmative action hire .
“ [ Biden ] viewed the whole thing as a box-checking exercise for the ‘ woke ’ crowd .
He should have made his choice just on merit but now he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham said .
Gutfeld took a similar approach , complaining that people won ’ t be allowed to criticize Harris because it will be seen as racist or sexist .
“ Any criticism that will be leveled at [ Harris ] will be viewed as sexist or racist .
She ’ s got the bi-fecta going , ” Gutfield said during a Fox News segment .
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum said that focusing the running mate search on women of color “ takes away ” from the selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson lamented , “ Wouldn ’ t it be nice to focus just on qualifications instead of identity politics ?
” “ Kamala Harris is not an African American , ” Levin said in a bizarre video , citing that because her ancestry does not allegedly go back to American slavery , she is not African American .
“ I only point that out because if you dare raise that you ’ re attacked , but the truth is that she ’ s not .
I just wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not go back to American slavery .
To the best of my knowledge , her ancestry doesn ’ t go back to slavery at all.
” The Trump world ’ s approach to Harris was somewhat scattershot , with the Biden campaign counting at least 20 lines of attack the president ’ s campaign used against her .
Apparently it ’ s still trying to figure out how to best smear her .
But racism and misogyny were central to the attacks .
Harris ’ aggressive questioning of Brett Kavanaugh during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fodder for criticism , as well .
Trump called Harris “ very , very nasty , ” adding that as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee , she was “ extraordinarily nasty ” to Kavanaugh during the hearing .
He added that Trump he “ won ’ t forget ” anytime soon .
Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on a Fox & Friends segment that Harris was “ cruel ” to Kavanaugh , calling him “ a good and decent person ” who Harris attempted to “ destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-wing media outlet Breitbart already ran a full article claiming that Harris led a “ smear campaign ” against Kavanaugh as the now-high court justice was questioned about accusations that he sexually assaulted an acquaintance during his high school years .
Less than 24 hours later , Trump tweeted that the Biden-Harris ticket would be bad for the “ suburban housewife ” because , if elected , Biden would reinstate low-income housing programs that would create “ safety ” concerns in suburban communities .
And ― to top it off ― Trump warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) , who is Black , would be in charge of housing policy .

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Within minutes of Joe Biden’s announcement that Kamala Harris would be his running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket, prominent voices in the right-wing media and the Trump administration started pushing the narrative that Harris is the one who’s really in charge. This was not some sudden recognition of female empowerment or a nod to just how historic the pick is; rather it was a deliberate prelude to launch misogynistic and racist gutter attacks that the right has been unable to make against Biden.
Donald Trump Jr. immediately tweeted out the hit video from father’s reelection campaign on the Democratic senator with the line: “Might as well switch the hashtag to #HarrisBiden2020,” adding that she will be calling all the shots, “not slow Joe!”
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Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld even posited that Biden will drop out soon to make way for Harris. “When he drops out, does she move to become the ‘P’? Or does she stay at VP, or they put something else in there?” he asked Tuesday.
Biden is more moderate than Harris, allowing the right to fuel fears of a radical left agenda taking over the Democratic ticket. But these attacks also opened the floodgates to a deluge of racism and misogyny, two hallmarks of President Donald Trump’s campaign style.
Unfortunately, it works: Trump launched his career on birtherism, and sexism was one of the key factors that helped him win the 2016 presidential election. Trump was wildly misogynistic throughout that cycle’s campaign, infamously calling Hillary Clinton “a nasty woman” during a debate. Nor was his campaign derailed when he was heard on leaked 2005 audio admitting to grabbing women “by the pussy” ― just one example of his long history of sexist remarks.
Trump and the right-wing media are already employing these tactics now that there’s a woman of color in the race.
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Conservative media has jumped on the bandwagon that Harris is meritless and chosen for the ticket because of her race and gender; chalking up the pick as a typical affirmative action hire. “[Biden] viewed the whole thing as a box-checking exercise for the ‘woke’ crowd. He should have made his choice just on merit but now he’s stuck with Harris,” Fox News’ Laura Ingraham said.
Gutfeld took a similar approach, complaining that people won’t be allowed to criticize Harris because it will be seen as racist or sexist. “Any criticism that will be leveled at [Harris] will be viewed as sexist or racist. She’s got the bi-fecta going,” Gutfield said during a Fox News segment.
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum said that focusing the running mate search on women of color “takes away” from the selection process. In the same segment, senior Trump campaign adviser Katrina Pierson lamented, “Wouldn’t it be nice to focus just on qualifications instead of identity politics?”
“Kamala Harris is not an African American.” - Right-wing media host Mark Levin
Conservative media host Mark Levin and far-right conspiracy theorist Dinesh D’Souza both immediately launched into a perverse new birtherism claim, declaring that Harris ― who is half Indian and half Jamaican ― is not actually Black.
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“Kamala Harris is not an African American,” Levin said in a bizarre video, citing that because her ancestry does not allegedly go back to American slavery, she is not African American. “I only point that out because if you dare raise that you’re attacked, but the truth is that she’s not. I just wanted to make that clear. Her ancestry does not go back to American slavery. To the best of my knowledge, her ancestry doesn’t go back to slavery at all.”
D’Souza also questioned if Harris is Black, citing that her Jamaican father apparently traced his ancestry back to a prominent slave owner.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson made headlines for deliberately mispronouncing Harris’ first name while criticizing her on his Tuesday evening show. When a guest attempted to correct him, Carlson blew up and complained, “You’re not allowed to criticize Kamala Harris or Kamala Harris or whatever!”
In the same segment, Carlson brought up Harris’ dating history and suggested that an ex-boyfriend, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, “launched” her political career.
The Trump world’s approach to Harris was somewhat scattershot, with the Biden campaign counting at least 20 lines of attack the president’s campaign used against her. Apparently it’s still trying to figure out how to best smear her. But racism and misogyny were central to the attacks.
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Harris’ aggressive questioning of Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearing in 2018 was fodder for criticism, as well. Trump called Harris “very, very nasty,” adding that as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, she was “extraordinarily nasty” to Kavanaugh during the hearing. He added that Trump he “won’t forget” anytime soon.
Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on a Fox & Friends segment that Harris was “cruel” to Kavanaugh, calling him “a good and decent person” who Harris attempted to “destroy” with “malicious lies.” And right-wing media outlet Breitbart already ran a full article claiming that Harris led a “smear campaign” against Kavanaugh as the now-high court justice was questioned about accusations that he sexually assaulted an acquaintance during his high school years.
Trump himself ― as well as his daughter, Ivanka ― have actually donated money to Harris. He donated a total of $6,000 to her campaign for California attorney general in 2011 and 2013.
According to Pierson, these old donations are definitive proof that Trump is not racist.
“The president, as a private businessman, donated to candidates across all aisles,” she told reporters on Tuesday, “and I’ll note that Kamala Harris is a Black woman and he donated to her campaign, so I hope we can squash this racism argument now.”
Less than 24 hours later, Trump tweeted that the Biden-Harris ticket would be bad for the “suburban housewife” because, if elected, Biden would reinstate low-income housing programs that would create “safety” concerns in suburban communities. And ― to top it off ― Trump warned that in a Biden administration, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who is Black, would be in charge of housing policy.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Bill Maher Has Perfectly Reasonable Response To Trump's Insulting Tweet

President Donald Trump went after Bill Maher Wednesday on Twitter , but the comedian refused to take the bait .
The president railed about the way the host looked on the most recent episode of his HBO show , “ Real Time With Bill Maher.
” Watched @ billmaher last week for the first time in a long time .
He ’ s totally SHOT , looks terrible , exhausted , gaunt , and weak .
If there was ever a good reason for no shutdown , check out this jerk .
He never had much going for him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in action !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 12 , 2020 It ’ s possible that Trump ’ s true ire was raised not by Maher ’ s appearance but by a particular skit on the show .
During the episode , Maher conducted a mock eulogy for the president after noting that Trump hasn ’ t attended funerals for famous and admired politicians like Rep. John Lewis ( D-Ga. ) and Sen. John McCain ( R-Ariz. ) .
“ What kind of spectacular prick do you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ‘ Make sure that asshole isn ’ t at my funeral ’ ?
” Maher said .
If Trump was hoping to anger the comedian with his tweet , it didn ’ t seem to work .
Maher responded to the president ’ s angry message in the manner of any reasonable person .
Really ?
This is what the president of the United States does with his time ?
https : //t.co/owPEVeeUzj — Bill Maher ( @ billmaher ) August 12 , 2020 Trump ’ s tweet inspired even more clapback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like you 're upset about @ billmaher 's # TrumpEulogy , which most of us thought was hilarious.https : //t.co/8QXgRh797X https : //t.co/Z37iHcfJpt — Brett Gursky ( @ BrettGursky ) August 12 , 2020 Imagine if FDR had wasted his time criticizing some vaudeville comedian instead of addressing the 1917 flu pandemic .
WWII would have lasted another 30 years .
https : //t.co/ntG4hkxGrg — Ben Finfer ( @ BenFinfer ) August 12 , 2020 Lots of reasons to end the shutdown .
'Bill Maher looks tired ' was not in my Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying focused https : //t.co/zOw6oZgYNl — Gerry Callahan ( @ GerryCallahan ) August 12 , 2020

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President Donald Trump went after Bill Maher Wednesday on Twitter, but the comedian refused to take the bait.
The president railed about the way the host looked on the most recent episode of his HBO show, “Real Time With Bill Maher.”
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Watched @billmaher last week for the first time in a long time. He’s totally SHOT, looks terrible, exhausted, gaunt, and weak. If there was ever a good reason for no shutdown, check out this jerk. He never had much going for him, but whatever he did have is missing in action! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2020
It’s possible that Trump’s true ire was raised not by Maher’s appearance but by a particular skit on the show.
During the episode, Maher conducted a mock eulogy for the president after noting that Trump hasn’t attended funerals for famous and admired politicians like Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
“What kind of spectacular prick do you have to be that everyone’s last request is ‘Make sure that asshole isn’t at my funeral’?” Maher said.
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If Trump was hoping to anger the comedian with his tweet, it didn’t seem to work.
Maher responded to the president’s angry message in the manner of any reasonable person.
Really? This is what the president of the United States does with his time? https://t.co/owPEVeeUzj — Bill Maher (@billmaher) August 12, 2020
Trump’s tweet inspired even more clapback from other Twitter users.
Imagine looking like a bloated yam and criticizing other people's appearances. https://t.co/mC83bJxeEp — Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) August 12, 2020
Do you ever work? https://t.co/aLh5ZahfxT — Aly Walansky (@alywalansky) August 12, 2020
Imagine if FDR had wasted his time criticizing some vaudeville comedian instead of addressing the 1917 flu pandemic. WWII would have lasted another 30 years. https://t.co/ntG4hkxGrg — Ben Finfer (@BenFinfer) August 12, 2020
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Something about the pot and the kettle... https://t.co/0CRwE0I6BA — Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 12, 2020
Lots of reasons to end the shutdown. 'Bill Maher looks tired' was not in my Top 10.
Good to see @POTUS staying focused https://t.co/zOw6oZgYNl — Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) August 12, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Trump Applauds Racist QAnon Supporter For Georgia GOP Congressional Win

President Donald Trump expressed support on Wednesday for Marjorie Taylor Greene , the racist QAnon follower who just won the GOP primary runoff for Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional District .
“ Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER !
” Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives up - a real WINNER !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 12 , 2020 Greene overwhelmingly defeated opponent John Cowan in the runoff on Tuesday , receiving what The New York Times reported was 60 % of the vote in the district northwest of Atlanta .
The businesswoman will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal in November ’ s general election ― though with the district being heavily Republican , Greene has a strong chance of taking the seat .
In a 2017 YouTube video , Greene voiced her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsupported , far-right conspiracy theories with the belief that Trump is dismantling a “ deep state ” cabal of liberal elites who love Satan and pedophilia .
QAnon followers believe that a high-ranking government official only known as “ Q ” is posting mysterious clues about such elites on online message boards , in hopes of rounding up and imprisoning or killing them .
The FBI considers the movement a potential domestic terrorism threat .
Greene is also not the only conspiracy theorist that Trump has endorsed in Georgia ― in fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for QAnon .
Rich McCormick won the GOP nomination in June for an open seat in the state ’ s 7th Congressional District , and has received glowing reviews on the president ’ s Twitter .
Congratulations to Dr. Rich McCormick ( @ RichforGA ) on a BIG WIN in Georgia last night !
We need you in Washington , D.C. badly .
You have my Complete and Total Endorsement !
# MAGA # GA07 https : //t.co/5lvlSoaoU2 — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) June 10 , 2020 “ Rich McCormick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same cloth , ” said Carolyn Bourdeaux , McCormick ’ s Democratic opponent , in a statement .
“ This November , Rich McCormick will have to answer for his party ’ s bigoted , anti-Semitic rhetoric at the ballot box .
Georgians deserve a leader who will bring people together to get us through this crisis ― not someone who parrots dangerous conspiracy theories.
” Scott Hogan , executive director of Georgia ’ s Democratic Party , said Tuesday in a statement that far-right extremism “ is on the ballot across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s win represents “ exactly what ’ s wrong with today ’ s GOP.
” “ Georgia Republicans own this crisis and their mealy-mouthed statements can ’ t hide the fact that Marjorie Taylor Green ’ s nomination is a stain on their party , ” Hogan said .

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President Donald Trump expressed support on Wednesday for Marjorie Taylor Greene, the racist QAnon follower who just won the GOP primary runoff for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.
“Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent,” Trump tweeted. “Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER!”
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Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent. Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2020
Greene overwhelmingly defeated opponent John Cowan in the runoff on Tuesday, receiving what The New York Times reported was 60% of the vote in the district northwest of Atlanta. The businesswoman will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal in November’s general election ― though with the district being heavily Republican, Greene has a strong chance of taking the seat.
In a 2017 YouTube video, Greene voiced her following of QAnon ― a movement of unsupported, far-right conspiracy theories with the belief that Trump is dismantling a “deep state” cabal of liberal elites who love Satan and pedophilia. QAnon followers believe that a high-ranking government official only known as “Q” is posting mysterious clues about such elites on online message boards, in hopes of rounding up and imprisoning or killing them. The FBI considers the movement a potential domestic terrorism threat.
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Greene is also not the only conspiracy theorist that Trump has endorsed in Georgia ― in fact, several GOP congressional candidates have expressed support for QAnon. Rich McCormick won the GOP nomination in June for an open seat in the state’s 7th Congressional District, and has received glowing reviews on the president’s Twitter.
Congratulations to Dr. Rich McCormick (@RichforGA) on a BIG WIN in Georgia last night! We need you in Washington, D.C. badly. You have my Complete and Total Endorsement! #MAGA #GA07 https://t.co/5lvlSoaoU2 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 10, 2020
“Rich McCormick and Marjorie Taylor Greene are cut from the same cloth,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, McCormick’s Democratic opponent, in a statement. “This November, Rich McCormick will have to answer for his party’s bigoted, anti-Semitic rhetoric at the ballot box. Georgians deserve a leader who will bring people together to get us through this crisis ― not someone who parrots dangerous conspiracy theories.”
Scott Hogan, executive director of Georgia’s Democratic Party, said Tuesday in a statement that far-right extremism “is on the ballot across Georgia,” and that Greene’s win represents “exactly what’s wrong with today’s GOP.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Biden, Harris Make Unusual Campaign Debut In Coronavirus Era

The former primary rivals will appear at a high school near Biden ’ s Delaware home to discuss their shared vision for how to defeat Trump and then lead the country through a pandemic , its economic fallout and a long-simmering reckoning with systemic racism .
Harris and Biden then will sit down together for an online fundraiser designed to let even small donors get a fresh glimpse of what the Democratic presidential ticket will look like together .
A reflection of coronavirus guidelines , there will be no adoring throngs that would greet a new running mate in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ historical significance .
The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants , she is the first Black woman and first person of Asian descent to join a major party presidential ticket .
But the 55-year-old former prosecutor will have to put her animated public style – often a contrast to the folksier 77-year-old Biden – to use in television and online streaming formats without voter interaction or feedback .
The Biden campaign has said it plans a rollout that blends the historic nature of Harris ’ selection with the realities of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s circumstances .
“ I need someone who understands the pain that so many people in our nation are suffering .
Whether they ’ ve lost their job , their business , a loved one to this virus , ” Biden continued .
“ This president says he doesn ’ t want to be distracted by it .
He doesn ’ t understand that taking care of the people of this nation – all the people – isn ’ t a distraction ; it ’ s the job .
Kamala understands that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s search .
She ’ d been a regular surrogate for him for months , with the pair appearing at ease during online fundraisers together and the senator appearing on her own as a surrogate for campaign events and on television .
They ’ ll nonetheless have to paper over some differences exposed during the early primary campaign , from Harris ’ initial support for a single-payer health insurance system and the Green New Deal to her deeply personal debate-stage broadside against Biden over his opposition to federally mandated busing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s campaign immediately seized on those circumstances , with the president tagging Harris as “ Phony Kamala ” and casting her as the latest evidence that Biden , a five-decade veteran of the Democratic establishment , is captive to “ the radical-left.
” Biden ’ s campaign seemed prepared for the counteroffensive on Wednesday , noting that just weeks ago , Trump told reporters that Harris would be a “ fine ” choice .
Campaign finance records show that before he ran for president , Trump contributed to Harris ’ campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Biden , doesn ’ t support a single-payer health insurance system , and the two are broadly considered part of the Democratic Party ’ s mainstream .
But Harris memorably raised her hand during one Democratic primary debate when candidates were asked whether they could back a system that scrapped private health insurance altogether .
She has broadly endorsed the Green New Deal , progressives ’ most ambitious set of proposals to combat the climate crisis , but she didn ’ t make that an anchor of her presidential bid .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the 2020 campaign but has not fully embraced the Green New Deal .
In Washington , Harris has advocated overhauling the criminal justice system , intensifying her efforts since George Floyd ’ s killing by a white Minneapolis officer in May .
And she ’ s called for sweeping domestic programs to benefit the working and middle class .
But she taken heat for some of her aggressive stances as local prosecutor in the San Francisco area and for not prosecuting bank executives in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris has broad appeal that will shore up any weaknesses with Black women , an anchor of the Democratic Party , and other voters of colors , while juicing turnout among white liberals and coaxing support from independents and Republican-leaning white voters who have soured on Trump .
Karen Finney , a prominent Black strategist in the Democratic Party , pointed to immediate fundraising success as evidence that Biden ’ s take on Harris is better than Trump ’ s .
The Biden campaign hauled in almost $ 11 million in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ticket , she said , “ makes clear that Biden is serious about having people who like the diversity of our country and our future at the highest decision-making tables .
That gives people hope .
”

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WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden is making his first appearance with newly chosen running mate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, betting that the California senator’s historic profile and confrontational style against President Donald Trump will boost Democrats’ efforts to oust the Republican president amid cascading national crises.
The former primary rivals will appear at a high school near Biden’s Delaware home to discuss their shared vision for how to defeat Trump and then lead the country through a pandemic, its economic fallout and a long-simmering reckoning with systemic racism. Harris and Biden then will sit down together for an online fundraiser designed to let even small donors get a fresh glimpse of what the Democratic presidential ticket will look like together.
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A reflection of coronavirus guidelines, there will be no adoring throngs that would greet a new running mate in a routine campaign and certainly one with Harris’ historical significance. The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, she is the first Black woman and first person of Asian descent to join a major party presidential ticket.
But the 55-year-old former prosecutor will have to put her animated public style – often a contrast to the folksier 77-year-old Biden – to use in television and online streaming formats without voter interaction or feedback.
The Biden campaign has said it plans a rollout that blends the historic nature of Harris’ selection with the realities of the 2020 campaign and the gravity of the nation’s circumstances.
“I need someone working alongside me who is smart, tough and ready to lead. Kamala is that person,” Biden told his supporters in an email explaining his running mate choice.
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“I need someone who understands the pain that so many people in our nation are suffering. Whether they’ve lost their job, their business, a loved one to this virus,” Biden continued. “This president says he doesn’t want to be distracted by it. He doesn’t understand that taking care of the people of this nation – all the people – isn’t a distraction; it’s the job. Kamala understands that.”
Harris was considered a favorite throughout Biden’s search. She’d been a regular surrogate for him for months, with the pair appearing at ease during online fundraisers together and the senator appearing on her own as a surrogate for campaign events and on television.
They’ll nonetheless have to paper over some differences exposed during the early primary campaign, from Harris’ initial support for a single-payer health insurance system and the Green New Deal to her deeply personal debate-stage broadside against Biden over his opposition to federally mandated busing to integrate public schools in the 1970s.
Trump’s campaign immediately seized on those circumstances, with the president tagging Harris as “Phony Kamala” and casting her as the latest evidence that Biden, a five-decade veteran of the Democratic establishment, is captive to “the radical-left.”
Biden’s campaign seemed prepared for the counteroffensive on Wednesday, noting that just weeks ago, Trump told reporters that Harris would be a “fine” choice. Campaign finance records show that before he ran for president, Trump contributed to Harris’ campaigns in California.
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And perhaps further confusing the GOP messaging, national Republican Party operatives on Wednesday highlighted progressives’ criticism of Harris’ record as a prosecutor and California attorney general.
Indeed, Harris, like Biden, doesn’t support a single-payer health insurance system, and the two are broadly considered part of the Democratic Party’s mainstream. But Harris memorably raised her hand during one Democratic primary debate when candidates were asked whether they could back a system that scrapped private health insurance altogether.
She has broadly endorsed the Green New Deal, progressives’ most ambitious set of proposals to combat the climate crisis, but she didn’t make that an anchor of her presidential bid. Biden has moved left on his climate proposals during the 2020 campaign but has not fully embraced the Green New Deal.
In Washington, Harris has advocated overhauling the criminal justice system, intensifying her efforts since George Floyd’s killing by a white Minneapolis officer in May. And she’s called for sweeping domestic programs to benefit the working and middle class. But she taken heat for some of her aggressive stances as local prosecutor in the San Francisco area and for not prosecuting bank executives in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse.
That mixed record could have unpredictable effects in a national campaign.
Biden bets that, on balance, Harris has broad appeal that will shore up any weaknesses with Black women, an anchor of the Democratic Party, and other voters of colors, while juicing turnout among white liberals and coaxing support from independents and Republican-leaning white voters who have soured on Trump.
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Karen Finney, a prominent Black strategist in the Democratic Party, pointed to immediate fundraising success as evidence that Biden’s take on Harris is better than Trump’s. The Biden campaign hauled in almost $11 million in the first four hours after Biden announced his pick.
“We won’t get the visual,” Finney said, referring to the realities of a coronavirus-era campaign. “But you can already feel the energy and excitement.”
The ticket, she said, “makes clear that Biden is serious about having people who like the diversity of our country and our future at the highest decision-making tables. That gives people hope.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Trump Rewrites Rules On Showerheads Amid Growing Water Crisis

The plan essentially seeks to change the federal definition of a showerhead to allow manufacturers to dramatically increase water use .
Under rules Congress passed in 1992 in response to severe droughts , water flow from an entire showerhead is limited to 2.5 gallons per minute .
The proposed change would allow manufacturers to apply that restriction to each nozzle on a showerhead .
The proposal would reverse 2011 guidance from the Department of Energy that determined that when Congress used the term “ showerhead , ” it “ actually meant ‘ any showerhead ’ ― and that a showerhead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for purposes of [ the ] water conservation standard.
” The Energy Department has for nearly 30 years interpreted each of these devices as a showerhead .
Under the Trump administration 's proposal , each nozzle would count as its own showerhead , allowing manufacturers to dramatically increase water use .
“ The new multi-nozzle showerheads would not only needlessly waste water , exacerbating shortages caused by drought , but also boost the carbon pollution that has made long-term droughts worse , ” Andrew deLaski , the executive director of the Appliance Standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post on Wednesday .
“ No one benefits from this gimmick.
” Bloomberg first reported the proposed rule .
The plan came the same day Energy Department regulators proposed new clothes washers and dryers to use virtually unlimited amounts of energy and water .
Trump has long complained that efficiency standards on showers , toilets and washers make using the devices less satisfying , and last month he vowed to “ bring back consumer choice in home appliances.
” “ Showerheads — you take a shower , the water doesn ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , the water doesn ’ t come out .
So what do you do ?
” he said during a July 16 speech at the White House .
“ You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer ?
Because my hair — I don ’ t know about you , but it has to be perfect .
Perfect.
” Roughly three-quarters of shower head models for sale use at least 20 % less water than the legal limit , according to deLaski ’ s analysis of federal data .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wirecutter used 1.75 gallons of water per minute .
Increasing water use would add new stress to the environment and ratepayers at a moment when both are under severe and mounting pressure .
Three entire U.S. states ― Colorado , Nevada and New Mexico ― are in a drought , according to the U.S. Drought Monitor .
In Puerto Rico , the largest U.S. overseas territory , the government implemented water rationing throughout 26 % of the island as drought yet again caused severe reservoir shortages .

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The Energy Department proposed rolling back three-decade-old efficiency standards for showerheads Wednesday following President Donald Trump’s repeated gripes about subpar water pressure while bathing.
The plan essentially seeks to change the federal definition of a showerhead to allow manufacturers to dramatically increase water use.
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Under rules Congress passed in 1992 in response to severe droughts, water flow from an entire showerhead is limited to 2.5 gallons per minute. The proposed change would allow manufacturers to apply that restriction to each nozzle on a showerhead.
The proposal would reverse 2011 guidance from the Department of Energy that determined that when Congress used the term “showerhead,” it “actually meant ‘any showerhead’ ― and that a showerhead with multiple nozzles constitutes a single showerhead for purposes of [the] water conservation standard.”
The Energy Department has for nearly 30 years interpreted each of these devices as a showerhead. Under the Trump administration's proposal, each nozzle would count as its own showerhead, allowing manufacturers to dramatically increase water use. Energy Department
Conservation advocates called the proposal a “gimmick in search of a problem” and likened the complaint to a 1996 “Seinfeld” episode about low-flow showerheads.
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“The new multi-nozzle showerheads would not only needlessly waste water, exacerbating shortages caused by drought, but also boost the carbon pollution that has made long-term droughts worse,” Andrew deLaski, the executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, said in a blog post on Wednesday. “No one benefits from this gimmick.”
Bloomberg first reported the proposed rule. The plan came the same day Energy Department regulators proposed new clothes washers and dryers to use virtually unlimited amounts of energy and water.
Trump has long complained that efficiency standards on showers, toilets and washers make using the devices less satisfying, and last month he vowed to “bring back consumer choice in home appliances.”
“Showerheads — you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do?” he said during a July 16 speech at the White House. “You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.”
“You turn on the shower, if you’re like me you can’t wash your beautiful hair properly ... I got rid of that,” Trump has said. Joshua Roberts / reuters
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Both rollbacks are likely to face legal challenges.
Roughly three-quarters of shower head models for sale use at least 20% less water than the legal limit, according to deLaski’s analysis of federal data. The top-rated showerheads on the product-review site Wirecutter used 1.75 gallons of water per minute.
Increasing water use would add new stress to the environment and ratepayers at a moment when both are under severe and mounting pressure.
Three entire U.S. states ― Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico ― are in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In Puerto Rico, the largest U.S. overseas territory, the government implemented water rationing throughout 26% of the island as drought yet again caused severe reservoir shortages.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-12--Twitter Users Suspect Biden And Harris Dissed Kanye West With Walkout Song

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris may be running against President Donald Trump , but they may also be throwing a little shade toward an ostensible presidential contender : Kanye West .
The Democratic candidates for president and vice-president , after their first rally as a newly minted ticket , walked off the stage in Delaware to the strains of “ Move On Up , ” a 1970 song by soul legend Curtis Mayfield .
That caused some Twitter users to suspect a hidden reason for the song choice beyond its aspirational title .
Since West sampled “ Move On Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Sky , ” many Twitter users wondered if the track was chosen to purposely diss the rapper ― widely seen as running for White House in fits and starts just to siphon support from Biden .
Did # BidenHarris2020 use “ move on up ” -Curtis mayfield.. knowing Kanye west used it for “ touch the sky ” ?
!
I thought it was Kanye playing at first and almost fell over !
I wish I could get this answer !
# BidenHarris2020Landslide # KanyeConJob — Quinny Quinn Quinn ( @ QuinnyquinQuinn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using Curtis Mayfield 's `` Move On Up , '' as the closing song of @ JoeBiden officially introducing @ KamalaHarris as his running mate was a subtle dig at supposed POTUS candidate @ kanyewest , who sampled the song for his hit `` Touch The Sky ? ''
— Terry Collins ( @ terryscollins ) August 12 , 2020 If I believed in conspiracies , I would think that the Biden campaign playing Curtis Mayfield 's `` Move On Up '' before and after today 's speeches was a nod to Kanye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Touch the Sky . ''
you know , if i believed in conspiracies .
— Kyle Feldscher ( @ Kyle_Feldscher ) August 12 , 2020 So , @ SenKamalaHarris closed her speech with “ Move on Up ” by Curtis Mayfield…this was sampled in “ Touch the Sky ” by Kanye West , who made the news today by missing the Wisconsin ballot deadline by 14 secs .
Subtle jab or am I reading too deep into this ?
— ♠philly.blunt ♍ ( @ phACEs ) August 12 , 2020 A parting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris by having Kamala exit with the sounds of Curtis Mayfield ’ s Move On Up ?
The song Kanye sampled for Touch the Sky 🧐 # BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/mGYUWbaCzH — 🏁Sim , Esq .
( dj Sim ) 🏁 ( @ SimShady1 ) August 12 , 2020 So Biden & Harris walk out to Curtis Mayfield ’ s “ Move on Up ” which was sampled in “ Touch the Sky ” ... by Kanye West .
I ’ m not sure if that was trolling or not , but interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bangers .
— Billy Howell ( @ CoachBilly1 ) August 12 , 2020 Some conceded the song choice may not have been intentionally targeting West , but still found it funny .
I also think that it ’ s interesting that the Kamala and Biden walk off song was “ move on up ” by Curtis mayfield - which was also sampled by Kanye West for “ Touch The Sky.
” Who some have called Trump ’ s shadow running mate .
I don ’ t think it ’ s intentional but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ CJLawrenceEsq ) August 12 , 2020 So Biden & Harris walk out to Curtis Mayfield ’ s “ Move on Up ” which was sampled in “ Touch the Sky ” ... by Kanye West .
I ’ m not sure if that was trolling or not , but interesting .
By the way , both songs are bangers .
— Billy Howell ( @ CoachBilly1 ) August 12 , 2020 At least one person suggested that the choice of “ Move On Up ” set up a huge challenge for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This election will be a referendum on Curtis Mayfield 's `` Move on Up '' vs. the Stones ' `` You Ca n't Always Get What You Want '' — John Schwartz ( @ jswatz ) August 12 , 2020

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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris may be running against President Donald Trump, but they may also be throwing a little shade toward an ostensible presidential contender: Kanye West.
The Democratic candidates for president and vice-president, after their first rally as a newly minted ticket, walked off the stage in Delaware to the strains of “Move On Up,” a 1970 song by soul legend Curtis Mayfield. That caused some Twitter users to suspect a hidden reason for the song choice beyond its aspirational title.
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Since West sampled “Move On Up” in his hit, “Touch The Sky,” many Twitter users wondered if the track was chosen to purposely diss the rapper ― widely seen as running for White House in fits and starts just to siphon support from Biden.
Did #BidenHarris2020 use “move on up” -Curtis mayfield.. knowing Kanye west used it for “touch the sky” ?! I thought it was Kanye playing at first and almost fell over! I wish I could get this answer ! #BidenHarris2020Landslide #KanyeConJob — Quinny Quinn Quinn (@QuinnyquinQuinn) August 12, 2020
Wondering if using Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up," as the closing song of @JoeBiden officially introducing @KamalaHarris as his running mate was a subtle dig at supposed POTUS candidate @kanyewest, who sampled the song for his hit "Touch The Sky?" — Terry Collins (@terryscollins) August 12, 2020
If I believed in conspiracies, I would think that the Biden campaign playing Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" before and after today's speeches was a nod to Kanye West, who sampled that song for "Touch the Sky."
you know, if i believed in conspiracies. — Kyle Feldscher (@Kyle_Feldscher) August 12, 2020
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So, @SenKamalaHarris closed her speech with “Move on Up” by Curtis Mayfield…this was sampled in “Touch the Sky” by Kanye West, who made the news today by missing the Wisconsin ballot deadline by 14 secs. Subtle jab or am I reading too deep into this? — ♠philly.blunt ♍ (@phACEs) August 12, 2020
A parting shot against Kanye West by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris by having Kamala exit with the sounds of Curtis Mayfield’s Move On Up? The song Kanye sampled for Touch the Sky 🧐 #BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/mGYUWbaCzH — 🏁Sim, Esq. (dj Sim)🏁 (@SimShady1) August 12, 2020
So Biden & Harris walk out to Curtis Mayfield’s “Move on Up” which was sampled in “Touch the Sky”...by Kanye West.
I’m not sure if that was trolling or not, but interesting. By the way, both songs are bangers. — Billy Howell (@CoachBilly1) August 12, 2020
Some conceded the song choice may not have been intentionally targeting West, but still found it funny.
I also think that it’s interesting that the Kamala and Biden walk off song was “move on up” by Curtis mayfield - which was also sampled by Kanye West for “Touch The Sky.” Who some have called Trump’s shadow running mate. I don’t think it’s intentional but still funny. — C.J. Lawrence (@CJLawrenceEsq) August 12, 2020
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So Biden & Harris walk out to Curtis Mayfield’s “Move on Up” which was sampled in “Touch the Sky”...by Kanye West.
I’m not sure if that was trolling or not, but interesting. By the way, both songs are bangers. — Billy Howell (@CoachBilly1) August 12, 2020
At least one person suggested that the choice of “Move On Up” set up a huge challenge for the Trump campaign in the fall.