thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Cincinnati’s Bold New Law Could Help Renters Survive The Eviction Crisis

But Cincinnati is trying to do something to ease the burden .
In April this year , it became the first city in the U.S. to require landlords to accept alternatives to a security deposit .
Cincinnati ’ s bold move has been hailed as a way to disrupt a broken system for renters .
Other cities and states are now also offering deposit alternatives to make housing more accessible to low-income renters .
Cincinnati resident Seth Weber lost his job in March when the restaurant he worked at was shuttered due to COVID-19 .
He got work at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August .
He ’ ll be counting on unemployment benefits to make his monthly rent of $ 700 .
But Cincinnati is looking at an eviction crisis , and he ’ s aware that this fate could be just around the corner for him .
In 2019 , New York state passed a law to cap security deposits to one month ’ s rent and require deposit return within 14 days .
In March of this year , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s pandemic-related executive order required landlords to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deposits to pay rent that is in arrears or due and to replenish the security deposit over time or “ retain insurance that provides relief for the landlord in lieu of the monthly security deposit replenishment.
” Some landlords argue that an insurance-based system would create more problems since they ’ d have to extract funds from an insurer rather than having cash in hand to make any repairs necessary at the end of the lease .
Charles Tassell , chief operating officer of the National Real Estate Investors Association , commented recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with an insurance claim and get my attorneys involved .
And they ’ ve got their high-priced attorneys in-house .
”

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Cincinnati native and resident Jeneya Lawrence dreams of living in a house with a garden big enough to fit a trampoline for her two young children, on a street with neighbors from diverse communities.
The 28-year-old community health worker and single mom is determined to stay in Cincinnati, near family and friends, despite gentrification and seeing average rents double over the past decade. When Lawrence found a rental unit earlier this year with separate bedrooms for her 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, close to good schools and her work, she couldn’t believe her luck. Then the landlord asked for a $1,300 security deposit in advance.
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“I just did not have that. I asked him if I could split it over two payments but he said no,” explained Lawrence, who then had to wait another six months to find a rental in a less-convenient location where she could afford the deposit.
Lawrence’s story is a familiar one for many lower-income renters across the U.S., who have found it increasingly difficult to find homes as the housing crisis tightens its grip on cities across the country.
But Cincinnati is trying to do something to ease the burden. In April this year, it became the first city in the U.S. to require landlords to accept alternatives to a security deposit. Cincinnati’s bold move has been hailed as a way to disrupt a broken system for renters. Other cities and states are now also offering deposit alternatives to make housing more accessible to low-income renters.
The new program, dubbed “renters’ choice,” came into effect too late for Lawrence to benefit from it when she was last looking to move. But she hopes it will make it easier for her and other lower-income renters to find homes in the future.
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A pedestrian walks past a mural showing the skyline and several landmark buildings of Cincinnati. The city faces a housing shortage as well as a wave of pandemic-related evictions. AP Photo/Al Behrman
The program could also level the playing field for the city’s homeless population, said Kevin Finn, president and CEO of Strategies To End Homelessness.
“On any given day, we have 200 families that have a first month’s rent but they still can’t find an apartment,” he said. “Having a more realistic arrangement for what the deposit looks like will make it much easier to get those households into an apartment.”
Homelessness in Cincinnati disproportionately affects the city’s Black community (62% of the homeless population) and people under the age of 35 (55% of the homeless population). And the number of unhoused people is expected to increase this year and next due to the effects of COVID-19 on job losses and evictions.
Even before COVID-19 hit the U.S., millions of low-income renters were struggling. Nationwide, there should be at least 7 million more homes for those who earn the least. “For every 10 of the lowest-income renters, there are fewer than four apartments that are affordable and available to them,” Diane Yentel, president and CEO at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, told HuffPost.
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The pandemic has exacerbated the situation. More than 40% of low- and moderate-income households in the U.S. said they had no emergency savings, while over 12% would not be able to pay for a $400 emergency expense, according to an April survey published by Brookings.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March, added a weekly $600 federal supplement to unemployment payments and implemented a federal eviction moratorium. But both provisions expired in July.
“When you have such limited income, any extra expense ― such as security deposits or requirements to pay the first and last month’s rent upfront ― can be an insurmountable hurdle to finding an apartment you can afford.” - Diane Yentel, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Cincinnati resident Seth Weber lost his job in March when the restaurant he worked at was shuttered due to COVID-19. He got work at a bakery — but the bakery burned down in August. He’ll be counting on unemployment benefits to make his monthly rent of $700. But Cincinnati is looking at an eviction crisis, and he’s aware that this fate could be just around the corner for him.
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“That’s the worst thing a tenant can face,” said Weber, a volunteer for Cincinnati Tenants’ Union. “Once you have an eviction on your record, you’re only going to be able to get into substandard housing.”
Many renters avoid getting an eviction on their records by downgrading their housing ― perhaps moving from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom ― but doing so requires having enough money saved to put down a security deposit. “The new legislation will help them be able to get into less-expensive housing and avoid getting an eviction on their record,” said Finn.
The new legislation could come in handy if Weber has to move soon to avoid eviction.
Councilmember P.G. Sittenfeld (D) introduced the legislation last November after reaching out to local tenants and landlords to address the city’s need for more affordable homes. He says renters’ choice will give low-income renters greater access to housing in a city where median household monthly income is around $2,800, and a two- or three-bedroom apartment can cost $1,000 or more.
“The ‘north star’ for me throughout the crafting of this legislation was how can we remove an upfront barrier that is the traditional, steep, cash security deposit?” he said. “And can we replace it with something that lets people get into the housing they desire, while also still giving landlords the protection they need?”
Jeneya Lawrence with her son, Jy’aire. Lawrence lost out on a rental home for her family because she couldn't afford to pay a security deposit up front. Jeneya Lawrence
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For many people, especially those on limited incomes, it has long been all but impossible to find the cash for security deposits — often, one or even two months’ rent — that landlords require upfront but which aren’t covered by a tenant’s Section 8 housing support voucher.
“When you have such limited income, any extra expense ― such as security deposits or requirements to pay the first and last month’s rent upfront ― can be an insurmountable hurdle to finding an apartment you can afford,” said Yentel.
Cincinnati’s renters’ choice legislation applies to all landlords with 25 units or more and offers three options: an insurance premium, in which the tenant pays a small monthly, nonrefundable fee instead of an upfront deposit; an installment plan to spread the deposit equally over six months (or more if the landlord agrees); or a reduced security deposit, paid upfront, of no more than half the monthly rent.
Sittenfeld says security deposit insurance could mean a tenant paying just $5 a month to protect the landlord against damages or rent default, instead of a $1,000 security deposit. “I don’t pay $100,000 a year in health insurance premiums anticipating that I’m going to have a catastrophic heart attack. You pay a little bit each month, then it’s pooled risk.”
The “ongoing economic repercussions” of the pandemic — with thousands out of work or underemployed — only serve to highlight the need for renters’ choice legislation in Cincinnati, and across the country, says Sittenfeld.
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Elected officials, nonprofits, and landlord groups are collaborating to publicize the new rules. “While it is still early on, we’re optimistic that the legislation will be successful in ensuring renters have the ability to secure an apartment without a large upfront cash security deposit,” said Sittenfeld, “and look forward to seeing the legislation expand across the country to help renters in cities large and small.”
Cincinnati’s legislation is part of a wider movement to disrupt what is arguably an outdated system, particularly where low-income housing is scarce.
New legislation in Virginia allows landlords to accept damage insurance in lieu of a security deposit. In Pennsylvania, a proposed amendment would require landlords to offer security deposit alternatives such as installment payments or insurance. (Both laws cap the sum of deposits and insurance at two months’ rent.) Representatives from several other cities and states including Alabama and North Carolina have committed to introducing renters’ choice legislation.
In 2019, New York state passed a law to cap security deposits to one month’s rent and require deposit return within 14 days. In March of this year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic-related executive order required landlords to allow certain tenants to use their security deposits to pay rent that is in arrears or due and to replenish the security deposit over time or “retain insurance that provides relief for the landlord in lieu of the monthly security deposit replenishment.”
Protesters call for rent relief during the economic slowdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic on Aug. 20, 2020, in New York City. STRF/STAR MAX/IPx
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Some landlords argue that an insurance-based system would create more problems since they’d have to extract funds from an insurer rather than having cash in hand to make any repairs necessary at the end of the lease. Charles Tassell, chief operating officer of the National Real Estate Investors Association, commented recently: “I’ve got to deal with an insurance claim and get my attorneys involved. And they’ve got their high-priced attorneys in-house.”
And others warn that over a year or more, the total paid in nonrefundable insurance premiums could exceed the upfront security deposit and that renters may be unaware that such insurance does not cover them against damages or repairs that exceed the policy’s coverage.
Weber worries that because the policy only applies to landlords with more than 25 units, it limits choices for tenants.
Finn adds that while tenants are learning of their options from housing nonprofits, landlords may still be in the dark, so cities and states need to do more to educate them about their new responsibilities.
Yentel says alternatives to security deposits provide creative and much-needed additional assistance to get families into homes. However, she argues that there is an urgent need to tackle the underlying issues contributing to the housing crisis. Solutions include more sustained, substantial federal investment in the Section 8 voucher program so all those in need receive help, and building more housing for low-income people through programs such as the National Housing Trust Fund.
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In Cincinnati, where there is a 40,000-unit housing deficit, the city is hoping to help low-income renters with several new building projects. These include the Willkommen and Perseverance developments supported by the nonprofit Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, which is working in partnership with the city to set aside 101 affordable rental units for those making 50-80% of the Cincinnati area median income.
Lawrence — who is still seeking out a rental that checks all the boxes — is optimistic that Cincinnati’s recent renters’ choice legislation will offer renters like her access to homes like these next time they need to move.
“I’m happy that we can pick where we want to stay but also have three options on the money side,” she said. “This time, I will look at places where I have the stores I need, the schools convenient for my children. As long as property owners are open-minded and not money-hungry, it won’t be hard.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer Resigns After Spending Less Than 4 Months On The Job

HONG KONG ( AP ) — TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer resigned Thursday amid U.S. pressure for its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app , which the White House says is a security risk .
In a letter to employees , Mayer said that his decision to leave comes after the “ political environment has sharply changed.
” His resignation follows President Donald Trump ’ s order to ban TikTok unless its parent company , ByteDance , sells its U.S. operations to an American company within 90 days .
TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has quit the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months on the job .
“ I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require , and what it means for the global role I signed up for , ” he said in the letter .
“ Against this backdrop , and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon , it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.
” Bytedance is currently in talks with Microsoft for the U.S. firm to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin ’ s role would be going forward , and fully respect his decision , ” the company said in a statement .
ByteDance launched TikTok in 2017 , then bought Musical.ly , a video service popular with teens in the U.S. and Europe , and combined the two .
A twin service , Douyin , is available for Chinese users .
TikTok gained immense popularity via its fun , goofy videos and ease of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of users globally .
But its Chinese ownership has raised concerns about potential censorship of videos , including those critical of the Chinese government , and the risk Beijing may access user data .
Earlier this month , Trump ordered a sweeping but unspecified ban on dealings with the Chinese owners of consumer apps TikTok and WeChat as the U.S. heightens scrutiny of Chinese technology companies , citing concerns that they may pose a threat to national security .

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HONG KONG (AP) — TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer resigned Thursday amid U.S. pressure for its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app, which the White House says is a security risk.
In a letter to employees, Mayer said that his decision to leave comes after the “political environment has sharply changed.”
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His resignation follows President Donald Trump’s order to ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells its U.S. operations to an American company within 90 days.
TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has quit the world’s largest short video app after less than four months on the job. Beck Starr via Getty Images
“I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” he said in the letter. “Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”
Here’s the memo Kevin Mayer sent to staff announcing his resignation as TikTok CEO after Trump threatened to ban the app. pic.twitter.com/BGYUV2MLFQ — Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) August 27, 2020
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Bytedance is currently in talks with Microsoft for the U.S. firm to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Mayer, a former Disney executive, joined TikTok as CEO in May.
TikTok thanked Mayer.
“We appreciate that the political dynamics of the last few months have significantly changed what the scope of Kevin’s role would be going forward, and fully respect his decision,” the company said in a statement.
ByteDance launched TikTok in 2017, then bought Musical.ly, a video service popular with teens in the U.S. and Europe, and combined the two. A twin service, Douyin, is available for Chinese users.
TikTok gained immense popularity via its fun, goofy videos and ease of use, and has hundreds of millions of users globally.
But its Chinese ownership has raised concerns about potential censorship of videos, including those critical of the Chinese government, and the risk Beijing may access user data.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Weather Channel Offers Terrifying Look At Hurricane Laura’s ‘Unsurvivable Surge’

The National Weather Service issued a chilling warning for those in the path of Hurricane Laura as it headed toward battering the Gulf Coast on Thursday .
“ Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage , ” across a 150-mile stretch of Texas and Louisiana , the agency said in a public advisory issued on Wednesday .
That had many wondering : What does it take for a storm surge to be “ unsurvivable ?
” The Weather Channel stepped in with some answers via its computer simulation .
“ When you have that storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s too late to evacuate , ” the network ’ s hurricane specialist , Greg Postel , said early in the demonstration .
“ You need to shelter in place.
” And it only gets worse from there : The network also showed what it would look like on a more suburban street : The National Hurricane Center has forecasted `` unsurvivable storm surge '' from Hurricane # Laura in parts of Louisiana and Texas .
Do NOT underestimate this storm .
This is what that kind of water height looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ weatherchannel ) August 26 , 2020 As the storm hits land , the National Weather Service is continuing to urge those in its path to take immediate precautions , warning of high winds akin to a tornado in addition to the storm surge : An extreme wind warning is in effect for Beaumont TX , Lake Charles LA , Port Arthur TX until 1:00 AM CDT for extremely dangerous hurricane winds .
Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Charles ( @ NWSLakeCharles ) August 27 , 2020 Officials also warned those sheltering at home to have tools in the attic in case they need to break out through the roof in the event of a flood .
“ If you do need to get to higher ground , you may want to consider tools in the event that you have to get in your attic , and you may have to cut your way out of there before we can get to you the next day , ” Louisiana National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weather Channel .

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The National Weather Service issued a chilling warning for those in the path of Hurricane Laura as it headed toward battering the Gulf Coast on Thursday.
“Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage,” across a 150-mile stretch of Texas and Louisiana, the agency said in a public advisory issued on Wednesday.
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That had many wondering: What does it take for a storm surge to be “unsurvivable?”
The Weather Channel stepped in with some answers via its computer simulation.
“When you have that storm surge rise up to three feet, it’s too late to evacuate,” the network’s hurricane specialist, Greg Postel, said early in the demonstration. “You need to shelter in place.”
And it only gets worse from there:
The network also showed what it would look like on a more suburban street:
The National Hurricane Center has forecasted "unsurvivable storm surge" from Hurricane #Laura in parts of Louisiana and Texas. Do NOT underestimate this storm.
This is what that kind of water height looks like: pic.twitter.com/ik7EtpFTzn — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 26, 2020
As the storm hits land, the National Weather Service is continuing to urge those in its path to take immediate precautions, warning of high winds akin to a tornado in addition to the storm surge:
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An extreme wind warning is in effect for Beaumont TX, Lake Charles LA, Port Arthur TX until 1:00 AM CDT for extremely dangerous hurricane winds. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW!. pic.twitter.com/Kepii38Fff — NWS Lake Charles (@NWSLakeCharles) August 27, 2020
Officials also warned those sheltering at home to have tools in the attic in case they need to break out through the roof in the event of a flood.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Naomi Osaka Withdraws From Tennis Tournament: 'Sick To My Stomach' Over Police Shootings

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament on Wednesday , which organizers later announced would be paused for one day , after a wave of protests in other sports over the police shooting of Jacob Blake and other Black men and women .
The two-time Grand Slam winner was slated to play in the semifinals in New York City on Thursday against Belgium ’ s Elise Mertens .
Following the lead of players in the NBA , WNBA and on some Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer teams , Osaka said she would not play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence against Black people .
The WTA later announced that the tournament would be paused on Thursday to recognize the moment .
“ Before I am an athlete , I am a black woman , ” Osaka wrote in a statement posted on social media in both English and Japanese .
“ And as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention , rather than watching me play tennis.
” Osaka , who is ranked No .
10 in the world in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that , although she didn ’ t expect drastic results from her decision not to play , if she could kickstart a conversation in a largely white sport , she would consider that a “ step in the right direction.
” “ Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of police is honestly making me sick to my stomach , ” she wrote .
“ I ’ m exhausted of having a new hashtag pop up every few days and I ’ m extremely tired of having this same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will it ever be enough ?
” Western & Southern Open organizers said in a statement that , “ as a sport , tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States.
” Play would resume on Friday , organizers said .
The tennis star ’ s decision comes amid an unprecedented wave of athlete protests set off by the Milwaukee Bucks .
The NBA team , based not far from Kenosha , Wisconsin , where police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , staged a walkout of Wednesday ’ s game against the Orlando Magic , prompting the NBA to also postpone the night ’ s other two playoff games .
The WNBA subsequently canceled its games for the evening , too , as did the MLS for its remaining matches and some baseball teams .
Blake has been left paralyzed from the waist down , according to his attorney .
Protests and unrest have broken out in Kenosha and around the country this week as demonstrators call for the police involved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly on Tuesday night when armed white vigilantes arrived in Kenosha to “ protect ” property , leaving two people fatally shot and another wounded .

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Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, which organizers later announced would be paused for one day, after a wave of protests in other sports over the police shooting of Jacob Blake and other Black men and women.
The two-time Grand Slam winner was slated to play in the semifinals in New York City on Thursday against Belgium’s Elise Mertens. Following the lead of players in the NBA, WNBA and on some Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer teams, Osaka said she would not play as a protest against the continued police violence against Black people. The WTA later announced that the tournament would be paused on Thursday to recognize the moment.
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“Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman,” Osaka wrote in a statement posted on social media in both English and Japanese. “And as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis.”
Osaka, who is ranked No. 10 in the world in the Women’s Tennis Association, said that, although she didn’t expect drastic results from her decision not to play, if she could kickstart a conversation in a largely white sport, she would consider that a “step in the right direction.”
“Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of police is honestly making me sick to my stomach,” she wrote. “I’m exhausted of having a new hashtag pop up every few days and I’m extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again. When will it ever be enough?”
Western & Southern Open organizers said in a statement that, “as a sport, tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice that once again has been thrust to the forefront in the United States.” Play would resume on Friday, organizers said.
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The tennis star’s decision comes amid an unprecedented wave of athlete protests set off by the Milwaukee Bucks. The NBA team, based not far from Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police shot Blake seven times in the back on Sunday, staged a walkout of Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic, prompting the NBA to also postpone the night’s other two playoff games. The WNBA subsequently canceled its games for the evening, too, as did the MLS for its remaining matches and some baseball teams.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--WNBA Players Wear Shirts With 'Bullet Holes,' Games Canceled In Protest

WNBA players joined NBA players and other athletes on Wednesday in protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake , with the women ’ s basketball league ’ s players announcing all three of the night ’ s games were canceled .
The Washington Mystics made a powerful statement ahead of their scheduled game against the Atlanta Dream .
Team members wore white shirts with a letter each to spell out Blake ’ s name .
On the backs , the shirts had seven bullet holes , representing each time the 29-year-old Black man was shot by police in Kenosha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Mystics , Dream , Minnesota Lynx , Connecticut Sun , Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks all took a knee and linked arms on the court during the national anthem in Bradenton , Florida , where the teams are staying in a “ bubble ” to prevent coronavirus infections .
After the anthem played , they walked off .
The move came amid a wave of unrest and protests in Kenosha and other cities over the shooting , which doctors have said left Blake paralyzed from the waist down .
Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all WNBA players that they had decided not to go ahead with the night ’ s games hours after the NBA ’ s Milwaukee Bucks set off a wave of demonstrations across sports by staging a walkout of their playoff game against the Orlando Magic .
The Bucks ’ decision prompted the NBA to postpone all of Wednesday ’ s games .
The Milwaukee Brewers baseball team also announced it would postpone Wednesday ’ s game against the Cincinnati Reds .
“ We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action , ” said Williams .
“ What we have seen over the last few months , and most recently with the brutal police shooting of Jacob Blake , is overwhelming .
And while we hurt for Jacob and his community , we also have an opportunity to keep the focus on the issues and demand change .
Mystics guard Ariel Atkins said in a statement with her team on the court that “ this isn ’ t just about basketball.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we still are Black , ” she said .
“ We ’ re not just basketball players .
If you think we are , then don ’ t watch us , you ’ re watching the wrong sport , because we ’ re so much more than that.
” “ If we do this unified as a league , it looks different .
Because this league is close to if not over 80 % Black women .
We have cousins , we have brothers , we have sisters , mothers , everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of telling people that.
” Attorneys for Blake ’ s family have said he was trying to deescalate a domestic situation when he walked away from police and back to his car , where his three children were inside waiting for him .

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WNBA players joined NBA players and other athletes on Wednesday in protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake, with the women’s basketball league’s players announcing all three of the night’s games were canceled.
The Washington Mystics made a powerful statement ahead of their scheduled game against the Atlanta Dream. Team members wore white shirts with a letter each to spell out Blake’s name. On the backs, the shirts had seven bullet holes, representing each time the 29-year-old Black man was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday night.
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Players from the Mystics, Dream, Minnesota Lynx, Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks all took a knee and linked arms on the court during the national anthem in Bradenton, Florida, where the teams are staying in a “bubble” to prevent coronavirus infections. After the anthem played, they walked off.
The move came amid a wave of unrest and protests in Kenosha and other cities over the shooting, which doctors have said left Blake paralyzed from the waist down.
“We absolutely support them,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said of the players’ decision.
"We're not just basketball players. We're so much more than that."
Ariel Atkins with a powerful statement on the unified decision to not play tonight. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Eg96KMqsFh — Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) August 26, 2020
WNBA players from the Mystics, Dream, Lynx, Sun, Mercury and Sparks take a knee and lock arms while wearing shirts that spell out Jacob Blake
No WNBA games will be played tonight. pic.twitter.com/MkdApV31Bu — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 26, 2020
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Atlanta Dream player Elizabeth Williams announced on behalf of all WNBA players that they had decided not to go ahead with the night’s games hours after the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks set off a wave of demonstrations across sports by staging a walkout of their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The Bucks’ decision prompted the NBA to postpone all of Wednesday’s games. The Milwaukee Brewers baseball team also announced it would postpone Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA and will continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action,” said Williams. “What we have seen over the last few months, and most recently with the brutal police shooting of Jacob Blake, is overwhelming. And while we hurt for Jacob and his community, we also have an opportunity to keep the focus on the issues and demand change.
Center @E_Williams_1 reads statement on @espn as the representative for all @WNBA players. Tonight's games have been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/xDz4uCQSiD — Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 26, 2020
Mystics guard Ariel Atkins said in a statement with her team on the court that “this isn’t just about basketball.”
“When most of us go home, we still are Black,” she said. “We’re not just basketball players. If you think we are, then don’t watch us, you’re watching the wrong sport, because we’re so much more than that.”
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“If we do this unified as a league, it looks different. Because this league is close to if not over 80% Black women. We have cousins, we have brothers, we have sisters, mothers, everyone. We matter ... I’m tired of telling people that.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-26--Steven Spielberg's Dad, Computer Pioneer Arnold Spielberg, Dies At 103

Spielberg died of natural causes while surrounded by his family in Los Angeles on Tuesday , according to a statement from his four children .
Spielberg and Charles Propster designed the GE-225 mainframe computer in the late 1950s while working for General Electric .
The machine allowed computer scientists at Dartmouth College to develop the programming language BASIC , which would be essential to the rise of personal computers in the 1970s and ’ 80s .
“ Dad explained how his computer was expected to perform , but the language of computer science in those days was like Greek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Electric publication GE Reports .
“ It all seemed very exciting , but it was very much out of my reach.
” “ When I see a PlayStation , when I look at a cellphone — from the smallest calculator to an iPad — I look at my dad and I say , ‘ My dad and a team of geniuses started that , ’ ” Spielberg said in the family statement .
Arnold Spielberg said of his son in a 2016 interview with GE Reports , “ I tried to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart was in movies .
At first I was disappointed , but then I saw how good he was in moviemaking.
” “ The story was a forerunner to Steven ’ s ‘ Close Encounters of the Third Kind , ’ with aliens landing on Earth , and I built the special effects , ” Spielberg told the Jewish Journal in 2012 .
“ But while Steven would ask for my advice , the ideas were always his own.
” The son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants , Arnold Spielberg was born in Cincinnati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gadgetry from the start , building his own crystal radio at age 9 and a ham radio at 15 , developing skills he would use during World War II as a radio operator and chief communications man for the 490th Bomb Squadron , also known as the “ Burma Bridge Busters.
” Arnold Spielberg graduated from the University of Cincinnati and went to work in computer research for RCA , where he helped develop the first point-of-sale computerized cash register , before moving on to GE .
Late in life he worked on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shoah Foundation , an organization founded by his son to preserve personal histories of the Holocaust .
All four children were with his first wife , Leah Spielberg Adler , who died in 2017 .
The two had divorced in 1965 , and the issues the split brought up for Steven Spielberg were explored in his 1982 film , “ E.T .
”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Arnold Spielberg, father of filmmaker Steven Spielberg and an innovating engineer whose work helped make the personal computer possible, has died at 103.
Spielberg died of natural causes while surrounded by his family in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to a statement from his four children.
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Spielberg and Charles Propster designed the GE-225 mainframe computer in the late 1950s while working for General Electric. The machine allowed computer scientists at Dartmouth College to develop the programming language BASIC, which would be essential to the rise of personal computers in the 1970s and ’80s.
“Dad explained how his computer was expected to perform, but the language of computer science in those days was like Greek to me,” Steven Spielberg told the General Electric publication GE Reports. “It all seemed very exciting, but it was very much out of my reach.”
Later on he understood.
“When I see a PlayStation, when I look at a cellphone — from the smallest calculator to an iPad — I look at my dad and I say, ‘My dad and a team of geniuses started that,’” Spielberg said in the family statement.
Arnold Spielberg said of his son in a 2016 interview with GE Reports, “I tried to get him interested in engineering, but his heart was in movies. At first I was disappointed, but then I saw how good he was in moviemaking.”
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Arnold helped Steven produce his first full-fledged movie, “Firelight,” made in 1963 when the budding director was 16.
“The story was a forerunner to Steven’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ with aliens landing on Earth, and I built the special effects,” Spielberg told the Jewish Journal in 2012. “But while Steven would ask for my advice, the ideas were always his own.”
The son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Arnold Spielberg was born in Cincinnati in 1917. He was obsessed with gadgetry from the start, building his own crystal radio at age 9 and a ham radio at 15, developing skills he would use during World War II as a radio operator and chief communications man for the 490th Bomb Squadron, also known as the “Burma Bridge Busters.”
His experiences during the war were part of the inspiration for his son’s 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan.”
Arnold Spielberg graduated from the University of Cincinnati and went to work in computer research for RCA, where he helped develop the first point-of-sale computerized cash register, before moving on to GE.
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Late in life he worked on the archiving technology used by the USC Shoah Foundation, an organization founded by his son to preserve personal histories of the Holocaust.
Steven Spielberg, 73, was Arnold Spielberg’s firstborn child. He also had three daughters: screenwriter Anne Spielberg, producer Nancy Spielberg and marketing executive Sue Spielberg.
All four children were with his first wife, Leah Spielberg Adler, who died in 2017. The two had divorced in 1965, and the issues the split brought up for Steven Spielberg were explored in his 1982 film, “E.T.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-28--Kevin Curry: Here's What Men Need To Understand About Nutrition

When Kevin Curry started his blog Fit Men Cook , he had no idea his personal quest toward improved health through nutrition would not only help him radically transform his life , but would also become a platform where he could help other people .
Since then , the author and entrepreneur has written cookbooks , created a top-ranking food and drink app , produced an original spice line and built a base of over 1.5 million followers on social media .
In this Voices in Food story , as told to K. Astre , he talks about his approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad idea to jump on fad diets and how The Rock could change the way men look at salads .
On why he felt his voice was needed When I started my blog back in 2012 , I was at a place in my life where I was looking for solutions to my own diet and a lot of the information out there just didn ’ t resonate with me .
At the time , I didn ’ t see a lot of men sharing food content that was nutritious .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook , it was a way for me to crowdsource my own diet .
There was a lot of granola , parfait and salad recipes .
And I don ’ t want to gender stereotype certain foods , but as a man , that didn ’ t really make me enthusiastic or want to get into the kitchen .
But what I was interested in was to make something like steak and potatoes healthier .
I didn ’ t start out trying to do what I am doing today .
When I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours a day for a year , I didn ’ t see any changes and then one day in the gym , a trainer asked me what I was eating and a lightbulb finally went off .
Once I changed my diet , the weight began to fall off me .
On what ’ s missing in the conversation about men ’ s nutrition Right now , I think a really big thing that we ’ re missing across the board is the over-reliance on animal products and supplements .
We live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , so you can ’ t even look at information about working out without running into a gimmick like “ six pack in five days !
” We want everything instantly .
On finding balance in your approach to nutrition There ’ s the extreme side that preaches that you have to go vegan and that doesn ’ t resonate with people , either .
I think what we have to do is educate people on that but also how much better you can feel with balance .
We need to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get people to adopt a more sensible lifestyle .
People need to know that they have more options than all meat or all vegetables .
That ’ s where I found the most happiness and the most success .
What if we start to think about food differently ?
What if we made vegetables and legumes and grains the star of the meal and if we wanted to , we treat the meat like a side ?
I encourage my followers not to make meat the star of their dish , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their dish and complement it with meat .
Everyone has to get to a point where we have to find balance in eating .
If you are following a plan that is so restrictive that it interrupts your social life or the normal way that you function , where you have to make special plans to eat , I have noticed that over time people have less long-term success with that approach .
It becomes so hard to keep up that they ’ ll fall off their routine completely and have to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s nothing wrong with experimenting with different diets to educate yourself on different ways of eating that may benefit you personally , so that you can incorporate them into your normal day-to-day diet .
But moderation is really the key when it comes to being consistent .
On when you should be counting calories I don ’ t count my calories because I don ’ t have to anymore .
But I think it makes sense to count calories when you want to be more efficient with your weight loss goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their diets , I recommend everyone counts their calories , but only because it ’ s helpful to have an idea of the amount of food you ’ re regularly eating .
It ’ s not to shame yourself .
It ’ s just useful information you can use to start implementing changes because many of us are just simply not aware of the caloric content of what we are eating .
When we eat without truly thinking about what we are putting into our bodies , it ’ s difficult to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t recommend counting your calories all the time .
On why cheat days should be canceled I used to be a part of the “ cheat day ” culture , but now I talk about it in a different way .
We need to graduate out of the mindset of moralizing food by labeling them “ good ” or “ bad.
” That just isn ’ t a real thing and it does no good for how people learn how to approach food as nutrition .
It makes people afraid of food .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as cheat meals to seeing them as treat meals .
You can have a brownie fudge sundae without going off of your diet if you learn to embrace food in moderation .
Cheating means you ’ re doing something wrong and that type of language makes it hard to embrace all foods .
If you feel like you ’ re doing something wrong , you ’ re not going to just fall off the wagon , you ’ re going to be under the wheel .
When you reframe it , you remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be careful about things like cheat days because that was created by the bodybuilding community because their diets are so strict that they can ’ t accommodate for anything outside of their regimen .
Unless you are competing then that type of mindset is not practical for the average man .
It ’ s just food .
On why men need to have realistic goals For many men , the bodybuilding approach is offered as a normal way to live and that just doesn ’ t make sense to me .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community of athletes because of what they put their bodies through .
But as I frequently tell my followers , if you are frustrated because it ’ s extremely difficult for you to adhere to a diet similar to a professional model who is paid to look that way — that ’ s completely normal !
On how cooking can help you through the pandemic There ’ s no better time than right now to reimagine our relationship with food .
We ’ re all dealing with so much right now from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
The weight of all this can affect our food choices .
Cooking for yourself can be very therapeutic .
Aside from getting that serotonin boost from finishing a task from start to finish and the feeling of accomplishment from preparing yourself this beautiful meal , eating foods that are efficient for our bodies can help us to feel and function our best .
On where to start if you want to change your diet Always start small .
Don ’ t try to overhaul your entire diet in one day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to do that but I caution against it because over time you get burned out much faster .
Give yourself some grace , understand that you got to where you are today after years of eating habits you would like to change and that 30 days of strict meal prepping will not reverse that .
I would advise people to change one thing about their diet at a time .
If you drink soda every single day , start cutting down to one every other day .
Then once a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much takeout you have and cooking more meals at home .
Whatever it is , it ’ s important to build a habit that becomes automatic before you start to add more changes .
If you want to run a marathon , you take it mile by mile until you can run the whole thing .
That ’ s how you build up confidence in yourself .
It ’ s the same with changing your relationship with food .

ILLUSTRATION: YENWEI LIU/HUFFPOST; PHOTO: COURTESY OF KEVIN CURRY
When Kevin Curry started his blog Fit Men Cook, he had no idea his personal quest toward improved health through nutrition would not only help him radically transform his life, but would also become a platform where he could help other people. Since then, the author and entrepreneur has written cookbooks, created a top-ranking food and drink app, produced an original spice line and built a base of over 1.5 million followers on social media. In this Voices in Food story, as told to K. Astre, he talks about his approach to nutrition, why it’s a bad idea to jump on fad diets and how The Rock could change the way men look at salads.
On why he felt his voice was needed
When I started my blog back in 2012, I was at a place in my life where I was looking for solutions to my own diet and a lot of the information out there just didn’t resonate with me. At the time, I didn’t see a lot of men sharing food content that was nutritious. So when I started out with Fit Men Cook, it was a way for me to crowdsource my own diet. There was a lot of granola, parfait and salad recipes. And I don’t want to gender stereotype certain foods, but as a man, that didn’t really make me enthusiastic or want to get into the kitchen.
Advertisement
“I used to be a part of the 'cheat day' culture, but now I talk about it in a different way. We need to graduate out of the mindset of moralizing food by labeling them 'good' or 'bad.'”
But what I was interested in was to make something like steak and potatoes healthier. I didn’t start out trying to do what I am doing today. When I was overweight and I was working out three hours a day for a year, I didn’t see any changes and then one day in the gym, a trainer asked me what I was eating and a lightbulb finally went off. Once I changed my diet, the weight began to fall off me.
On what’s missing in the conversation about men’s nutrition
Right now, I think a really big thing that we’re missing across the board is the over-reliance on animal products and supplements. We live in a society where we want everything right now, so you can’t even look at information about working out without running into a gimmick like “six pack in five days!” We want everything instantly.
A lot of fitness nutrition focuses on protein, so many people fall back on filling their plates with meat. Protein doesn’t just have to come from animals, it can come from vegetables. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of mainstream marketing aimed toward men and plant-based diets. If The Rock made an announcement that he ate a salad once a day, do you know how many men would start eating salads?
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On finding balance in your approach to nutrition
There’s the extreme side that preaches that you have to go vegan and that doesn’t resonate with people, either. I think what we have to do is educate people on that but also how much better you can feel with balance. We need to find some place in the middle where we can get people to adopt a more sensible lifestyle. People need to know that they have more options than all meat or all vegetables. That’s where I found the most happiness and the most success. What if we start to think about food differently? What if we made vegetables and legumes and grains the star of the meal and if we wanted to, we treat the meat like a side? I encourage my followers not to make meat the star of their dish, but to make a vegetable the star of their dish and complement it with meat.
On why restrictive diets don’t work
Everyone has to get to a point where we have to find balance in eating. If you are following a plan that is so restrictive that it interrupts your social life or the normal way that you function, where you have to make special plans to eat, I have noticed that over time people have less long-term success with that approach. It becomes so hard to keep up that they’ll fall off their routine completely and have to start back at square one. Now, there’s nothing wrong with experimenting with different diets to educate yourself on different ways of eating that may benefit you personally, so that you can incorporate them into your normal day-to-day diet. But moderation is really the key when it comes to being consistent.
On when you should be counting calories
I don’t count my calories because I don’t have to anymore. But I think it makes sense to count calories when you want to be more efficient with your weight loss goals. For people just getting into changing their diets, I recommend everyone counts their calories, but only because it’s helpful to have an idea of the amount of food you’re regularly eating. It’s not to shame yourself. It’s just useful information you can use to start implementing changes because many of us are just simply not aware of the caloric content of what we are eating. When we eat without truly thinking about what we are putting into our bodies, it’s difficult to make informed decisions. But I don’t recommend counting your calories all the time.
On why cheat days should be canceled
I used to be a part of the “cheat day” culture, but now I talk about it in a different way. We need to graduate out of the mindset of moralizing food by labeling them “good” or “bad.” That just isn’t a real thing and it does no good for how people learn how to approach food as nutrition. It makes people afraid of food. I have shifted from looking at them as cheat meals to seeing them as treat meals.
Advertisement
“There was a lot of granola, parfait and salad recipes. And I don’t want to gender stereotype certain foods, but as a man, that didn’t really make me enthusiastic or want to get into the kitchen.”
You can have a brownie fudge sundae without going off of your diet if you learn to embrace food in moderation. Cheating means you’re doing something wrong and that type of language makes it hard to embrace all foods. If you feel like you’re doing something wrong, you’re not going to just fall off the wagon, you’re going to be under the wheel. When you reframe it, you remove the stigma from food. We have to be careful about things like cheat days because that was created by the bodybuilding community because their diets are so strict that they can’t accommodate for anything outside of their regimen. Unless you are competing then that type of mindset is not practical for the average man. It’s just food.
On why men need to have realistic goals
For many men, the bodybuilding approach is offered as a normal way to live and that just doesn’t make sense to me. I have tremendous respect for that industry and the community of athletes because of what they put their bodies through. But as I frequently tell my followers, if you are frustrated because it’s extremely difficult for you to adhere to a diet similar to a professional model who is paid to look that way — that’s completely normal!
On how cooking can help you through the pandemic
There’s no better time than right now to reimagine our relationship with food. We’re all dealing with so much right now from the pandemic to the racial injustice in America. The weight of all this can affect our food choices. Cooking for yourself can be very therapeutic. Aside from getting that serotonin boost from finishing a task from start to finish and the feeling of accomplishment from preparing yourself this beautiful meal, eating foods that are efficient for our bodies can help us to feel and function our best.
On where to start if you want to change your diet
Always start small. Don’t try to overhaul your entire diet in one day. Yes, many people have and will continue to do that but I caution against it because over time you get burned out much faster. Give yourself some grace, understand that you got to where you are today after years of eating habits you would like to change and that 30 days of strict meal prepping will not reverse that.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-28--Melania Trump Wore A 'Green Screen Dress' And It Played Out Just As You'd Expect

Repeat after me : Bright green clothing is not safe for the internet .
First lady Melania Trump learned that the hard way when she wore a lime green dress to the closing night of the Republican National Convention , which was held , in an unprecedented move , on the White House South Lawn Thursday .
The moment she emerged from the building , internet pranksters knew they had their work cut out for them : According to CNN ’ s Kate Bennett , the dress appeared to be a Valentino , but to the hooligans online , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Video editors immediately had at it , using the dress as an opportunity to draw attention to some of the issues that were hardly referenced by Republicans during the four-day convention .
The coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests were common themes overlaid on the dress .
Here ’ s one edited to show the current case count and death toll from the virus in the U.S. : Some toilet humor was also featured , due to the accusations about the first lady made in a new book authored by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump should ’ ve learned from Queen Elizabeth ’ s foray into the world of lime green in 2016 : That color is outright dangerous .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Repeat after me: Bright green clothing is not safe for the internet.
First lady Melania Trump learned that the hard way when she wore a lime green dress to the closing night of the Republican National Convention, which was held, in an unprecedented move, on the White House South Lawn Thursday.
The moment she emerged from the building, internet pranksters knew they had their work cut out for them:
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The internet looking an Melania's green screen dress pic.twitter.com/dmqwJpMFdp — Adam Sheehan 🔜 V-CRX (@neumaverick) August 28, 2020
According to CNN’s Kate Bennett, the dress appeared to be a Valentino, but to the hooligans online, it was nothing more than a blank canvas. Video editors immediately had at it, using the dress as an opportunity to draw attention to some of the issues that were hardly referenced by Republicans during the four-day convention. The coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests were common themes overlaid on the dress.
Here’s one edited to show the current case count and death toll from the virus in the U.S.:
Some toilet humor was also featured, due to the accusations about the first lady made in a new book authored by her former adviser Stephanie Winston Wolkoff:
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What’s that? Melania allegedly refused to move to the White House until they replaced Obama’s toilets? https://t.co/IUH5V1vewM pic.twitter.com/PuwTcJUgAN — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) August 28, 2020
As was Trump hanging out with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein:
Melania's fashion choices always send a message pic.twitter.com/FvriwnX0fR — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) August 28, 2020
There were strong words from his Democratic rival Joe Biden:
And other editing shenanigans:
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Melania Trump should’ve learned from Queen Elizabeth’s foray into the world of lime green in 2016: That color is outright dangerous.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--President Trump Ends RNC 2020 With Divisive Rhetoric Emblematic Of His Tenure

“ Joe Biden is not a savior of America ’ s soul ― he is the destroyer of America ’ s jobs .
And if given the chance , he will be the destroyer of American greatness , ” he said .
“ From the moment I left my former life behind , and a good life it was , I have done nothing but fight for you , ” he said .
“ I did what our political establishment never expected and could never forgive — breaking the cardinal rule of Washington politics — I kept my promise.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour to a crowd of more than a thousand people at the White House , raising concerns not only about the ethics of using such a storied government building for a political campaign but also the threat of spreading the coronavirus .
Trump , like others in his administration this week , made it seem like the United States had already moved past the pandemic , despite the fact that more than 40,000 people are testing positive for COVID-19 each day and hundreds are dying .
“ In recent months , our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been struck by a new and powerful invisible enemy , ” the president said .
“ Like those brave Americans before us , we are meeting this challenge .
We are delivering lifesaving therapies , and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year , or maybe even sooner.
” Trump misleadingly said the U.S. had a low fatality rate despite the country having the highest rate of infection and highest number of deaths anywhere in the world .
More than 180,000 people have now died of COVID-19 in America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the nation to address police brutality and systemic racism , which flared again this week following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
An apparent white vigilante was arrested for murdering two people and shooting another during protests this week , but Trump instead cast demonstrators as the problem , declaring once again that he would be the nation ’ s “ law and order ” president .
“ When there is police misconduct , the justice system must hold wrongdoers fully and completely accountable , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can never have a situation where things are going on as they are today .
We must never allow mob rule .
The president also spoke about his notable yet controversial achievements during his first term , namely his hard-line immigration policies and efforts to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico .
He pointed to the appointment of many conservative judges to the federal bench , including two Supreme Court justices , and championed the approval of controversial oil pipelines approved by his administration .
The speech capped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden accept the Democratic nomination in hopes of unseating Trump in November .
The election season will now enter a new and deeply expensive period as both parties spend tens of millions of dollars in advertising in an effort to court voters .
“ In the left ’ s backward view , they do not see America as the most free , just and exceptional nation on earth , ” the president said .
“ Instead , they see a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.
” The event closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Monument .
Fireworks spelled out Trump ’ s name in blazing color several times .
The New York Times reported the Trump campaign paid for the display and said the RNC got permits to set them off on federal property .
Trump ’ s use of buildings like the White House and official government events such as a naturalization ceremony to campaign have drawn condemnation this week .
While the president himself is exempt from the Hatch Act , the federal law that prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said that the convention spectacle was an open violation of the provision .

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President Donald Trump capped the Republican National Convention on Thursday with an ominous speech warning of an end to American exceptionalism in an effort to unite the fervent base that helped propel him to victory four years ago.
“Your vote will decide whether we protect law-abiding Americans, or whether we give free rein to violent anarchists, agitators and criminals who threaten our citizens,” Trump said, calling his competitor, former Vice President Joe Biden, a “Trojan horse” for socialism.
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“Joe Biden is not a savior of America’s soul ― he is the destroyer of America’s jobs. And if given the chance, he will be the destroyer of American greatness,” he said.
Trump cast his first term as a success for those hoping to see a political outsider in the White House and said he has spent four years fighting Washington’s elite.
“From the moment I left my former life behind, and a good life it was, I have done nothing but fight for you,” he said. “I did what our political establishment never expected and could never forgive — breaking the cardinal rule of Washington politics — I kept my promise.”
The president spoke for more than an hour to a crowd of more than a thousand people at the White House, raising concerns not only about the ethics of using such a storied government building for a political campaign but also the threat of spreading the coronavirus.
Advertisement
President Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House in front of more than 1,000 invited guests. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Few attendees were seen wearing face masks in the tightly packed crowd.
Trump, like others in his administration this week, made it seem like the United States had already moved past the pandemic, despite the fact that more than 40,000 people are testing positive for COVID-19 each day and hundreds are dying.
“In recent months, our nation, and the entire planet, has been struck by a new and powerful invisible enemy,” the president said. “Like those brave Americans before us, we are meeting this challenge. We are delivering lifesaving therapies, and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year, or maybe even sooner.”
Trump misleadingly said the U.S. had a low fatality rate despite the country having the highest rate of infection and highest number of deaths anywhere in the world. More than 180,000 people have now died of COVID-19 in America.
He also railed against an ongoing movement across the nation to address police brutality and systemic racism, which flared again this week following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. An apparent white vigilante was arrested for murdering two people and shooting another during protests this week, but Trump instead cast demonstrators as the problem, declaring once again that he would be the nation’s “law and order” president.
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“When there is police misconduct, the justice system must hold wrongdoers fully and completely accountable, and it will,” Trump said. “We can never have a situation where things are going on as they are today. We must never allow mob rule.
In Trump's remarks Thursday night, the president made it seem like the United States had already moved past the coronavirus pandemic, despite thousands of people testing positive for COVID-19 each day and hundreds dying. Alex Brandon/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The president also spoke about his notable yet controversial achievements during his first term, namely his hard-line immigration policies and efforts to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico. He pointed to the appointment of many conservative judges to the federal bench, including two Supreme Court justices, and championed the approval of controversial oil pipelines approved by his administration.
The speech capped the two-week political coronation circuit that also saw Biden accept the Democratic nomination in hopes of unseating Trump in November. The election season will now enter a new and deeply expensive period as both parties spend tens of millions of dollars in advertising in an effort to court voters.
On Thursday, Trump took direct aim at his competitor, claiming that a vote for Biden would be catastrophic for the country.
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“In the left’s backward view, they do not see America as the most free, just and exceptional nation on earth,” the president said. “Instead, they see a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins.”
The event closed with an elaborate fireworks spectacle framing the Washington Monument. Fireworks spelled out Trump’s name in blazing color several times. The New York Times reported the Trump campaign paid for the display and said the RNC got permits to set them off on federal property.
Post-speech fireworks that say “Trump 2020” pic.twitter.com/KKyLHqE6Ay — Peter Stevenson (@PeterStevenson) August 28, 2020
Trump and Biden are scheduled to debate for the first time on Sept. 29. The showdown between their deputies, Vice President Mike Pence and California Sen. Kamala Harris, will take place on Oct. 7.
Trump’s use of buildings like the White House and official government events such as a naturalization ceremony to campaign have drawn condemnation this week. While the president himself is exempt from the Hatch Act, the federal law that prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities while on the job, many government watchdogs have said that the convention spectacle was an open violation of the provision.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-28--Fox News' Chris Wallace Trashes Trump's 'Surprisingly Flat' RNC Speech

The Fox News host , who has drawn Trump ’ s ire for sometimes delivering less-than-favorable critiques on his preferred network , had some positive notes but seemed largely unimpressed by the address .
It was held , in an unprecedented move , on the White House South Lawn , in front of a crowd of supporters with few masks being worn and no social distancing .
It lasted for over an hour .
“ There were impressive fireworks on the Mall .
But I have to say I was surprised at the lack of fireworks in the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fox News ’ panel after the convention .
“ First of all , it was far too long .
Seventy minutes exactly .
And I thought at times it felt like more a State of the Union speech , like a campaign speech.
” Wallace said that Trump went through his “ considerable ” accomplishments from his first term and had “ some good lines ” about his opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , but overall was “ surprisingly flat ” and “ didn ’ t seem to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Trump laid out an ambitious plan for his second term , referencing promises on job growth , the return of medical supply chains to the U.S. and coverage of preexisting conditions , but noted , “ though , we have to point out he hasn ’ t done that in his first term.
” “ The fact that there were 2,000 people in close quarters , on the South Lawn there with seemingly very few with masks , no social distancing , ignoring all of the public health recommendations , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slew of outraged tweets from Fox News viewers , some of whom said he “ shouldn ’ t work for Fox ” and “ might as well go to CNN.
” But Wallace was not alone in his analysis .
Conservative commentator and political analyst Brit Hume , too , said it was “ very , very long.
” “ I don ’ t know that any speech that is an hour and 10 minutes uninterrupted by anything visual can work very well , ” he said .
He said the president does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it tonight , and made it , and made it and made it.
” “ He was , as Chris suggests , a little flat , ” he said .
“ He ’ s done very good speeches before .
But tonight he seemed to miss the excitement that he generates in himself when he ’ s ad-libbing.
” Last week , Biden ’ s closing speech when he accepted his party ’ s nomination at the Democratic National Convention got a different reception from the same panel .
Wallace said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that put attacks on Biden ’ s mental acuity to rest .
And Hume said it was “ a very good speech , delivered with force and clarity.
” The rave review was surprising given the network ’ s persistent attacks on Biden ’ s cognitive abilities .

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Chris Wallace angered some of his Fox News viewers on Thursday night when he panned President Donald Trump’s Republican National Convention speech as “surprisingly flat” and “far too long.”
The Fox News host, who has drawn Trump’s ire for sometimes delivering less-than-favorable critiques on his preferred network, had some positive notes but seemed largely unimpressed by the address. It was held, in an unprecedented move, on the White House South Lawn, in front of a crowd of supporters with few masks being worn and no social distancing. It lasted for over an hour.
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“There were impressive fireworks on the Mall. But I have to say I was surprised at the lack of fireworks in the president’s speech tonight,” Wallace said on Fox News’ panel after the convention. “First of all, it was far too long. Seventy minutes exactly. And I thought at times it felt like more a State of the Union speech, like a campaign speech.”
Wallace said that Trump went through his “considerable” accomplishments from his first term and had “some good lines” about his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, but overall was “surprisingly flat” and “didn’t seem to have the bite that he usually does.”
He said that Trump laid out an ambitious plan for his second term, referencing promises on job growth, the return of medical supply chains to the U.S. and coverage of preexisting conditions, but noted, “though, we have to point out he hasn’t done that in his first term.”
Wallace also called out the event’s failure to follow coronavirus safety guidelines.
Wallace: There certainly was impressive fireworks on the mall but I have to say I was surprised by the lack of fireworks in the President’s speech tonight pic.twitter.com/fR4aAo0Xnj — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) August 28, 2020
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“The fact that there were 2,000 people in close quarters, on the South Lawn there with seemingly very few with masks, no social distancing, ignoring all of the public health recommendations,” he said.
His comments prompted a slew of outraged tweets from Fox News viewers, some of whom said he “shouldn’t work for Fox” and “might as well go to CNN.”
But Wallace was not alone in his analysis. Conservative commentator and political analyst Brit Hume, too, said it was “very, very long.”
“I don’t know that any speech that is an hour and 10 minutes uninterrupted by anything visual can work very well,” he said.
He said the president does have a case, and he “made it tonight, and made it, and made it and made it.”
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“He was, as Chris suggests, a little flat,” he said. “He’s done very good speeches before. But tonight he seemed to miss the excitement that he generates in himself when he’s ad-libbing.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--‘Abomination’: Critics Rip Trump For 'Desecrating' White House With RNC Speech

Critics slammed President Donald Trump ’ s use of the White House for a political stunt on Thursday as both unethical and illegal .
Trump spoke to a crowd on the South Lawn as he accepted his party ’ s nomination at the Republican National Convention , one of several purely political events done on government property lately .
Earlier this week , Trump turned a naturalization ceremony at the White House into a televised spectacle during the RNC .
And on Thursday , for Trump ’ s speech , the White House was festooned with campaign signs and logos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaub , who served for six months under Trump and six under President Barack Obama , said the South Lawn speech wasn ’ t just an ethical lapse but “ the breach of a sacred trust.
” This abomination may be the most visible misuse of official position for private gain in America ’ s history .
It is an abuse of the power entrusted to this man , the breach of a sacred trust .
It is the civic equivalent of a mortal sin—maybe a religious one too .
And it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waltshaub ) August 28 , 2020 The RNC was initially scheduled for Charlotte , North Carolina , but Trump was unhappy with the state ’ s limitations on gatherings intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
The event was moved to Jacksonville , Florida .
But when the virus spiked in Florida , the RNC moved the event to Washington ― with several key moments taking place in the White House itself .
Others joined Shaub to condemn the use of the White House for partisan political purposes : This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal and a violation of the Hatch Act .
The fact that no one will be arrested for this is indicative of how close we are to an autocratic dictatorship already — Jason Johnson ( @ DrJasonJohnson ) August 28 , 2020 Answer : Almost the entire RNC convention was a Hatch Act violation .
Did Trump Officials Commit Violations of the Hatch Act during the RNC ?
An Explainer .
- The Dispatch https : //t.co/9i0Avn8FSY — Richard W. Painter ( @ RWPUSA ) August 27 , 2020 It was an honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Turning it into a backdrop for a vulgar display of allegiance to a party leader , a kind of dime store American Nuremberg , is sickening .
https : //t.co/yyhysaQYjk — Bill Kristol ( @ BillKristol ) August 27 , 2020 Seeing the Trumps use the White House in such a blatantly political way for propaganda purposes makes me scared for our country .
Feels like I 'm living in Orwell 's 1984 .
# VoteEarly # VoteOutRacism — Jazmín Ortega ( @ Jazmin_Ortega ) August 28 , 2020 Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the White House , dancing down a red carpet to Elton John , for a campaign spectacle on the WH lawn ?
Sickening.
# RepublicanConvention @ ProjectLincoln — Jennifer Horn ( @ NHJennifer ) August 28 , 2020 The Trump Crime Family has no shame .
Our tax dollars pay for the White House .
They 've turned it into a propaganda prop.
# RNC2020 — Andrea Chalupa ( @ AndreaChalupa ) August 28 , 2020 He might as well address the nation from a balcony in full military dress brandishing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
pic.twitter.com/cnBPJlLGOW — Scott Linnen ( @ ScottLinnen ) August 27 , 2020 The more norms we let him smash the more empowered trump is to continue criming .
Using the White House for a campaign speech is not okay .
pic.twitter.com/YfwHLvoebU — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 ( @ MollyJongFast ) August 27 , 2020 This looks like some movie where a frat guy is accidentally elected President and throws a kegger on the White House lawn .
pic.twitter.com/1f5fdk0jBj — Schooley ( @ Rschooley ) August 28 , 2020 I ca n't describe how sickened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawn of the White House .
Absolutely sickening .
— Chris D. Jackson ( @ ChrisDJackson ) August 27 , 2020 And that ’ s disturbing — but also how is it legal to hold the RNC on the White House lawn ?
?
Does he think the WH is just Trump Tower now ?
— Kirsten Alana 😷 Travel Photographer ( @ KirstenAlana ) August 28 , 2020 Let 's not forget that every second they are on this stage in front of Our House they are breaking the law in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MeidasTouch ) August 28 , 2020

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Critics slammed President Donald Trump’s use of the White House for a political stunt on Thursday as both unethical and illegal.
Trump spoke to a crowd on the South Lawn as he accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention, one of several purely political events done on government property lately.
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Earlier this week, Trump turned a naturalization ceremony at the White House into a televised spectacle during the RNC. And on Thursday, for Trump’s speech, the White House was festooned with campaign signs and logos.
Former White House ethics chief Walter Shaub, who served for six months under Trump and six under President Barack Obama, said the South Lawn speech wasn’t just an ethical lapse but “the breach of a sacred trust.”
This abomination may be the most visible misuse of official position for private gain in America’s history. It is an abuse of the power entrusted to this man, the breach of a sacred trust. It is the civic equivalent of a mortal sin—maybe a religious one too. And it is a harbinger pic.twitter.com/UryxiQTyv0 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 28, 2020
The RNC was initially scheduled for Charlotte, North Carolina, but Trump was unhappy with the state’s limitations on gatherings intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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The event was moved to Jacksonville, Florida. But when the virus spiked in Florida, the RNC moved the event to Washington ― with several key moments taking place in the White House itself.
Others joined Shaub to condemn the use of the White House for partisan political purposes:
This is a desecration of The People’s House. — Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) August 28, 2020
This entire night of the #RNC2020 is illegal and a violation of the Hatch Act. The fact that no one will be arrested for this is indicative of how close we are to an autocratic dictatorship already — Jason Johnson (@DrJasonJohnson) August 28, 2020
Answer: Almost the entire RNC convention was a Hatch Act violation.
Did Trump Officials Commit Violations of the Hatch Act during the RNC? An Explainer. - The Dispatch https://t.co/9i0Avn8FSY — Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) August 27, 2020
It was an honor to work as a staffer in the White House. Turning it into a backdrop for a vulgar display of allegiance to a party leader, a kind of dime store American Nuremberg, is sickening. https://t.co/yyhysaQYjk — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 27, 2020
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Seeing the Trumps use the White House in such a blatantly political way for propaganda purposes makes me scared for our country. Feels like I'm living in Orwell's 1984. #VoteEarly #VoteOutRacism — Jazmín Ortega (@Jazmin_Ortega) August 28, 2020
Is this real?
Ivanka Trump dipping out from the White House, dancing down a red carpet to Elton John, for a campaign spectacle on the WH lawn?
Sickening.#RepublicanConvention @ProjectLincoln — Jennifer Horn (@NHJennifer) August 28, 2020
The Trump Crime Family has no shame. Our tax dollars pay for the White House. They've turned it into a propaganda prop.#RNC2020 — Andrea Chalupa (@AndreaChalupa) August 28, 2020
He might as well address the nation from a balcony in full military dress brandishing a long gun. We’re there. pic.twitter.com/cnBPJlLGOW — Scott Linnen (@ScottLinnen) August 27, 2020
Trump’s use of the White House for Convention propaganda is disgusting. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) August 26, 2020
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Fascism has indeed arrived draped in a flag. pic.twitter.com/B3cf65V7nz — Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) August 28, 2020
The more norms we let him smash the more empowered trump is to continue criming. Using the White House for a campaign speech is not okay.
pic.twitter.com/YfwHLvoebU — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) August 27, 2020
This looks like some movie where a frat guy is accidentally elected President and throws a kegger on the White House lawn. pic.twitter.com/1f5fdk0jBj — Schooley (@Rschooley) August 28, 2020
I can't describe how sickened I am to see campaign billboards on the lawn of the White House.
Absolutely sickening. — Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) August 27, 2020
And that’s disturbing — but also how is it legal to hold the RNC on the White House lawn??
Does he think the WH is just Trump Tower now? — Kirsten Alana 😷 Travel Photographer (@KirstenAlana) August 28, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--RNC Speakers: Sure, Trump Can Be A Jerk. But He's Not That Bad. Really.

One of the main jobs of the Republican National Convention this week was to make President Donald Trump appear more palatable to skeptical voters ― especially women and minorities ― who may be turned off by his abrasive personality , racist Twitter outbursts , and appeals to fringe conspiracy theorists .
That ’ s why the four-day event featured speaker after speaker testifying that Trump shows a softer , kinder side behind closed doors , something he has somehow been unable to do in public .
“ If there is one thing I hope you will hear from me tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a kind and decent man .
I wish you could be at his side with me to see his endless kindness to everyone he meets , ” White House communications aide Dan Scavino said in his convention speech Thursday .
But there was also another kind of convention speech that implicitly and somewhat awkwardly acknowledged Trump is not particularly soft or kind ― while making the case for his reelection anyway .
It ’ s a refrain commonly repeated by supporters at his campaign rallies who enthusiastically back the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less .
“ I recognize that my dad ’ s communication style is not to everyone ’ s taste .
And I know his tweets can feel a bit unfiltered .
But the results speak for themselves , ” Ivanka Trump , the president ’ s daughter and senior adviser , said Thursday as she introduced her father from the South Lawn of the White House .
Addressing the convention earlier this week , Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-Fla. ) , one of Trump ’ s top allies on Capitol Hill , made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the president ’ s reelection .
“ President Trump sometimes raises his voice ― and a ruckus , ” Gaetz said .
“ He knows that ’ s what it takes to raise an army of patriots who love America and will protect her.
” “ He leaves nothing on the field .
Some people don ’ t like his style , the way he knocks down obstacles that get in the way of his goals , ” Walker said .
“ People on opposing teams didn ’ t like it when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that ’ s how you get the job done.
” Walker also said he felt offended as a Black man by people calling Trump a racist .
“ He works night and day ” to improve the lives of African Americans , ” Walker said .

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One of the main jobs of the Republican National Convention this week was to make President Donald Trump appear more palatable to skeptical voters ― especially women and minorities ― who may be turned off by his abrasive personality, racist Twitter outbursts, and appeals to fringe conspiracy theorists.
That’s why the four-day event featured speaker after speaker testifying that Trump shows a softer, kinder side behind closed doors, something he has somehow been unable to do in public.
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“If there is one thing I hope you will hear from me tonight, it is this ― President Trump is a kind and decent man. I wish you could be at his side with me to see his endless kindness to everyone he meets,” White House communications aide Dan Scavino said in his convention speech Thursday.
But there was also another kind of convention speech that implicitly and somewhat awkwardly acknowledged Trump is not particularly soft or kind ― while making the case for his reelection anyway. It’s a refrain commonly repeated by supporters at his campaign rallies who enthusiastically back the president’s agenda and just wish he would tweet less.
“I recognize that my dad’s communication style is not to everyone’s taste. And I know his tweets can feel a bit unfiltered. But the results speak for themselves,” Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, said Thursday as she introduced her father from the South Lawn of the White House.
Trump’s “communication style” also includes racist attacks against members of Congress, grievances, boasts, patently false claims, misinformation and retweets of conspiracy theorists.
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Addressing the convention earlier this week, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of Trump’s top allies on Capitol Hill, made a similar point while urging voters to support the president’s reelection.
“President Trump sometimes raises his voice ― and a ruckus,” Gaetz said. “He knows that’s what it takes to raise an army of patriots who love America and will protect her.”
Retired NFL star Hershel Walker, a longtime friend of Trump, employed a football metaphor in describing “knocking down” opponents.
“He leaves nothing on the field. Some people don’t like his style, the way he knocks down obstacles that get in the way of his goals,” Walker said. “People on opposing teams didn’t like it when I ran right over them either. But that’s how you get the job done.”
Walker also said he felt offended as a Black man by people calling Trump a racist. “He works night and day” to improve the lives of African Americans,” Walker said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-27--Rudy Giuliani Pushes Racist Message At RNC As Anti-Racism Protests Continue

Rudy Giuliani appropriated the “ Black lives matter ” message to proclaim that “ all lives matter ” during the Republican National Convention , even as protests continue in cities across the country in response to yet another shooting of a Black man in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
In his prepared remarks aired Thursday , President Donald Trump ’ s personal attorney attempted to smear the Black Lives Matter movement and the racial justice protests , claiming that they were just an attempt to undermine the Trump administration ’ s policies .
Without proof , Giuliani accused Democrats and progressives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the May 25 police killing of George Floyd to stop a “ bipartisan coalition ” in Congress from taking action on police reform because it would make “ President Trump appear to be an effective leader.
” “ BLM and antifa sprang into action and in a flash hijacked the protests into vicious , brutal riots , ” Giuliani said Thursday night , referring to anti-fascist counterprotesters .
“ The single biggest signal to encourage wanton lawlessness was surrendering a police headquarters to criminals in Minneapolis , ” the city where Floyd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then on BLM , antifa and their criminal co-conspirators were in charge.
” The final night of the Republican convention took place five days after police in Kenosha shot Jacob Blake , a 29-year-old Black man , at least seven times in the back as he walked to his car , where his three young sons were .
The shooting prompted protests and have caused civil unrest in cities that have had ongoing demonstrations since late May to bring attention to the police killings of Floyd , Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Elijah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani used the names of two Black children and a teen who have died because of gun violence to discredit the larger Black Lives Matter movement .
“ For President Trump , and for us Republicans , all Black lives matter , and the lives of LeGend , Brandon and Davell matter to us , ” he said , making note of 4-year-old LeGen Taliferro in Kansas City , and 17-year-old Brandon Hendricks and 1-year-old Davell Gardner Jr. in New York City .

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Rudy Giuliani appropriated the “Black lives matter” message to proclaim that “all lives matter” during the Republican National Convention, even as protests continue in cities across the country in response to yet another shooting of a Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In his prepared remarks aired Thursday, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney attempted to smear the Black Lives Matter movement and the racial justice protests, claiming that they were just an attempt to undermine the Trump administration’s policies.
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Without proof, Giuliani accused Democrats and progressives of starting the violence amid protests over the May 25 police killing of George Floyd to stop a “bipartisan coalition” in Congress from taking action on police reform because it would make “President Trump appear to be an effective leader.”
“BLM and antifa sprang into action and in a flash hijacked the protests into vicious, brutal riots,” Giuliani said Thursday night, referring to anti-fascist counterprotesters.
“The single biggest signal to encourage wanton lawlessness was surrendering a police headquarters to criminals in Minneapolis,” the city where Floyd was killed, he added. “From then on BLM, antifa and their criminal co-conspirators were in charge.”
The final night of the Republican convention took place five days after police in Kenosha shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, at least seven times in the back as he walked to his car, where his three young sons were.
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The shooting prompted protests and have caused civil unrest in cities that have had ongoing demonstrations since late May to bring attention to the police killings of Floyd, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Elijah McClain in Colorado.
On Thursday, Giuliani used the names of two Black children and a teen who have died because of gun violence to discredit the larger Black Lives Matter movement.
“For President Trump, and for us Republicans, all Black lives matter, and the lives of LeGend, Brandon and Davell matter to us,” he said, making note of 4-year-old LeGen Taliferro in Kansas City, and 17-year-old Brandon Hendricks and 1-year-old Davell Gardner Jr. in New York City.