thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Trump, Biden Set For First Debate As Tax Story Shadows President

WASHINGTON/WILMINGTON , Del .
( Reuters ) - Joe Biden ’ s campaign seized on a fresh line of attack on the eve of the Democratic presidential nominee ’ s first debate with President Donald Trump , accusing the Republican incumbent of gaming the system to avoid paying his fair share of taxes .
Trump , a self-proclaimed billionaire who is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3 vote , paid only $ 750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017 , after years of reporting heavy losses from his businesses to offset hundreds of millions of dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , citing tax-return data .
The Times also reported that Trump paid no federal income tax in 10 of the previous 15 years through 2017 , despite receiving $ 427.4 million through 2018 from his reality television program and other endorsement and licensing deals .
“ The vast majority of us pay taxes and get on with life .
But the richer you are , the more tax lawyers you employ , the more complex you can make your holdings - all of this can , as the piece shows reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernstein said on Twitter .
Within hours of the report , Biden ’ s campaign had released a video listing the thousands of dollars in income tax typically paid by an elementary school teacher , firefighter , construction manager and registered nurse , before contrasting Trump ’ s reported $ 750 bill in 2017 .
The campaign also started selling stickers that say , “ I Paid More In Taxes Than Donald Trump.
” Trump has dismissed the report as “ fake news.
” On Monday , he tweeted that he had paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but was entitled to depreciation and tax credits and was “ extremely under-leveraged ” in terms of his debt and assets .
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany described the report as a hit job that was straight out of the Democratic playbook .
“ We ’ ve seen this play out before ... purported tax information dropping the eve of a debate .
They tried this in 2016 - it didn ’ t work , ” she told Fox Business Network .
Trump and Biden will square off in their first debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five weeks before the election .
Polls show Biden leading Trump nationally and in a number of key battleground states .
The 90-minute televised debate is likely to focus in part on Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 200,000 Americans , and his push to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat on the high court .
The former vice president is trying to turn the tables on Trump , who ran successfully as an economic populist four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as having an edge among voters on the issue of who would best manage the economy .
In recent days , Biden has characterized the race as a clash between Scranton , the working-class Pennsylvania city where he spent part of his childhood , and Park Avenue .
Trump Tower , which serves as headquarters for the Trump Organization , is located near that tony boulevard in Manhattan .
Trump has painted his economic record in glowing terms , saying his policies were responsible for boosting growth and reducing U.S. unemployment to near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
His message , however , has been badly dented by the virus-triggered recession , which has put millions of Americans out of work .
Democrats say Trump has mishandled the U.S. response and embraced policies that favored corporations and the rich .
Trump has said since the 2016 campaign that his refusal to release his federal income tax returns is because he is under audit by the Internal Revenue Service , but the agency has said there is no reason he can not release his taxes while under audit .

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WASHINGTON/WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - Joe Biden’s campaign seized on a fresh line of attack on the eve of the Democratic presidential nominee’s first debate with President Donald Trump, accusing the Republican incumbent of gaming the system to avoid paying his fair share of taxes.
Trump, a self-proclaimed billionaire who is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3 vote, paid only $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017, after years of reporting heavy losses from his businesses to offset hundreds of millions of dollars in income, the New York Times reported on Sunday, citing tax-return data.
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The Times also reported that Trump paid no federal income tax in 10 of the previous 15 years through 2017, despite receiving $427.4 million through 2018 from his reality television program and other endorsement and licensing deals.
Jared Bernstein, one of Biden’s top economic advisers, said the report highlighted the need to simplify the tax code and make people like Trump pay their fair share.
“The vast majority of us pay taxes and get on with life. But the richer you are, the more tax lawyers you employ, the more complex you can make your holdings - all of this can, as the piece shows reduce your tax liability to zero,” Bernstein said on Twitter.
Within hours of the report, Biden’s campaign had released a video listing the thousands of dollars in income tax typically paid by an elementary school teacher, firefighter, construction manager and registered nurse, before contrasting Trump’s reported $750 bill in 2017. The campaign also started selling stickers that say, “I Paid More In Taxes Than Donald Trump.”
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Trump has dismissed the report as “fake news.” On Monday, he tweeted that he had paid “many millions of dollars in taxes” but was entitled to depreciation and tax credits and was “extremely under-leveraged” in terms of his debt and assets.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany described the report as a hit job that was straight out of the Democratic playbook. “We’ve seen this play out before ... purported tax information dropping the eve of a debate. They tried this in 2016 - it didn’t work,” she told Fox Business Network.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, told MSNBC the president’s reported debts raised questions of national security.
President Donald Trump speaks about coronavirus testing strategy, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ASSOCIATED PRESS
FIRST DEBATE
Trump and Biden will square off in their first debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday, five weeks before the election. Polls show Biden leading Trump nationally and in a number of key battleground states.
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“I am looking very forward to the debate,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.
The 90-minute televised debate is likely to focus in part on Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans, and his push to fill the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the high court.
The re-emergence of Trump’s tax history as an election issue - in 2016 he broke a decades-old tradition of presidential nominees releasing their tax returns when seeking the White House - offers Biden another avenue of attack Tuesday evening.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden gives a speech on the Supreme Court at The Queen Theater, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The former vice president is trying to turn the tables on Trump, who ran successfully as an economic populist four years ago and is regarded by some observers as having an edge among voters on the issue of who would best manage the economy.
In recent days, Biden has characterized the race as a clash between Scranton, the working-class Pennsylvania city where he spent part of his childhood, and Park Avenue. Trump Tower, which serves as headquarters for the Trump Organization, is located near that tony boulevard in Manhattan.
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Trump has painted his economic record in glowing terms, saying his policies were responsible for boosting growth and reducing U.S. unemployment to near 50-year lows prior to the outbreak of the pandemic.
His message, however, has been badly dented by the virus-triggered recession, which has put millions of Americans out of work. Democrats say Trump has mishandled the U.S. response and embraced policies that favored corporations and the rich.
Biden is proposing to hike the corporate income tax and raise taxes on people making more than $400,000 if elected.
Trump, who signed a $1.5 trillion Republican-sponsored package of tax cuts in late 2017, accuses his opponent of pushing a far-left agenda that will destroy the economy.
Trump has said since the 2016 campaign that his refusal to release his federal income tax returns is because he is under audit by the Internal Revenue Service, but the agency has said there is no reason he cannot release his taxes while under audit.
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Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters on Capitol Hill that it suggested the tax audits were taking too long. “I want to wait until the IRS gets done, so I know how much he (Trump) owes,” said Grassley, an Iowa Republican who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Democrats To Unveil Bill Addressing Government's Cultural Genocide Of Native Americans

Bill Clark via Getty Images Rep. Deb Haaland ( D-N.M. ) , one of two Native American female lawmakers to have ever served in Congress , is introducing a bill holding the U.S. government accountable for its Indian boarding school policy .
Rep. Deb Haaland ( D-N.M. ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
will introduce legislation Tuesday to make the federal government address the “ intergenerational trauma ” it has caused for Native Americans with its former Indian boarding school policy , a nearly century-long policy of forcibly removing Indigenous children from tribal lands and putting them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white culture .
Their bill , the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy Act , would create a first-of-its-kind U.S. commission to document and acknowledge the past injustices of the government ’ s “ cultural genocide and assimilation practices.
” The commission would enlist Congress to come up with recommendations for improving public awareness and education on the government ’ s former policy .
The issue is personal for Haaland , who is one of just two Native American women to ever serve in Congress .
Her grandparents were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Native people are resilient and strong , but the painful and traumatic history of genocide and forced assimilation by the federal government lives on in our communities and our people have never been able to fully heal , ” Haaland said in a statement .
“ I know not many people are aware of the history of Indian boarding schools , and I know it ’ s not taught in schools ― but our country must do better to acknowledge our real history and push for truth and reconciliation.
” The timing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It is in response to President Donald Trump announcing this month that he would sign an executive order encouraging schools to give students a “ patriotic education , ” one that doesn ’ t teach “ lies ” about the country being “ plagued with racism.
” It was an entirely political move on Trump ’ s part ; the federal government does not control local school curriculums .
He announced his executive action after a decision by some school districts to teach history in a more honest and even-handed way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ 1619 Project , which reframes the narrative of U.S. history in the context of slavery and contributions of Black Americans .
The boarding school policy , which the federal government funded from 1869 into the 1960s , forcibly removed nearly 83 % of Native children from their families and enrolled them in one of 367 boarding schools across 30 states .
The schools were designed to assimilate the children , as young as 5 years old , into white culture by stripping them of their cultural identities , often leading to physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were banned from visiting or speaking to them , and refusals to comply led to a loss of food rations and clothing and sometimes to incarceration .
Haaland and Warren say their bill is a starting point for improving public awareness and education of the policy , which the vast majority of Americans never learned about in school .
Native communities still experience trauma from the policy , and there is a general lack of public understanding of the government ’ s cultural genocide of Native Americans , according to a 2018 U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject .
“ The Indian Boarding School Policy is a stain in America ’ s history , ” Warren said in a statement .
“ It ’ s long overdue that justice is sought for victims of this policy who suffered unimaginable harm and thousands of Native families who remain impacted by this policy.
” It ’ s not clear whether the legislation will go anywhere .
The bill has bipartisan support in the House , including two Republican co-sponsors , Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin .
But in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the 2020 elections and running short on time .
Lawmakers will be leaving town soon to focus on their reelection campaigns .

Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), one of two Native American female lawmakers to have ever served in Congress, is introducing a bill holding the U.S. government accountable for its Indian boarding school policy. Bill Clark via Getty Images
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will introduce legislation Tuesday to make the federal government address the “intergenerational trauma” it has caused for Native Americans with its former Indian boarding school policy, a nearly century-long policy of forcibly removing Indigenous children from tribal lands and putting them into boarding schools to be assimilated into white culture.
Their bill, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policy Act, would create a first-of-its-kind U.S. commission to document and acknowledge the past injustices of the government’s “cultural genocide and assimilation practices.” The commission would enlist Congress to come up with recommendations for improving public awareness and education on the government’s former policy.
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The issue is personal for Haaland, who is one of just two Native American women to ever serve in Congress. Her grandparents were taken away to attend boarding schools.
“Native people are resilient and strong, but the painful and traumatic history of genocide and forced assimilation by the federal government lives on in our communities and our people have never been able to fully heal,” Haaland said in a statement. “I know not many people are aware of the history of Indian boarding schools, and I know it’s not taught in schools ― but our country must do better to acknowledge our real history and push for truth and reconciliation.”
Here’s the text of the bill:
The timing of the bill’s introduction is intentional: It is in response to President Donald Trump announcing this month that he would sign an executive order encouraging schools to give students a “patriotic education,” one that doesn’t teach “lies” about the country being “plagued with racism.”
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It was an entirely political move on Trump’s part; the federal government does not control local school curriculums. He announced his executive action after a decision by some school districts to teach history in a more honest and even-handed way, as outlined by The New York Times’ 1619 Project, which reframes the narrative of U.S. history in the context of slavery and contributions of Black Americans.
The boarding school policy, which the federal government funded from 1869 into the 1960s, forcibly removed nearly 83% of Native children from their families and enrolled them in one of 367 boarding schools across 30 states. The schools were designed to assimilate the children, as young as 5 years old, into white culture by stripping them of their cultural identities, often leading to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Parents were banned from visiting or speaking to them, and refusals to comply led to a loss of food rations and clothing and sometimes to incarceration.
Haaland and Warren say their bill is a starting point for improving public awareness and education of the policy, which the vast majority of Americans never learned about in school. Native communities still experience trauma from the policy, and there is a general lack of public understanding of the government’s cultural genocide of Native Americans, according to a 2018 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report on the subject.
“The Indian Boarding School Policy is a stain in America’s history,” Warren said in a statement. “It’s long overdue that justice is sought for victims of this policy who suffered unimaginable harm and thousands of Native families who remain impacted by this policy.”
It’s not clear whether the legislation will go anywhere. The bill has bipartisan support in the House, including two Republican co-sponsors, Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin. But in addition to being painfully polarized, Congress is increasingly focused on the 2020 elections and running short on time. Lawmakers will be leaving town soon to focus on their reelection campaigns.
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Haaland spokeswoman Felicia Salazar said it’s not clear yet whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will give the bill a vote this year.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Read Live Updates On The First 2020 Presidential Debate

The debate is taking place at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland .
It starts at 9 p.m .
ET @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
The debate is being moderated by Fox News ’ Chris Wallace , who @ @ @ @ @ to be “ as invisible as possible ” and likely won ’ t fact-check the @ @

The debate is taking place at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. It starts at 9 p.m. ET and will last for 90 minutes. The debate is being moderated by Fox News’ Chris Wallace, who has said he will try to be “as invisible as possible” and likely won’t fact-check the candidates.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Trump Campaign Sends 'I Finished Debating Joe Biden' Email Hours Before Debate

Donald Trump ’ s campaign sent out a message saying the president had “ finished debating Joe Biden ” and that the event would “ go down in history ” ― hours before the first presidential debate actually started .
The Trump campaign mailed out its victory note and fundraising plea at roughly 6:30 p.m. Eastern time , ahead of the debate ’ s 9 p.m. start , according to Politico .
“ This debate will go down in HISTORY , ” the email declared .
“ I showed the American people that I will ALWAYS fight to put America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will NEVER stop working to Make America Great Again.
” His debate opponent had a similar snafu last year .
Biden ’ s campaign fired off its post-debate fundraising email about six hours before the fifth Democratic primary debate began .
“ I ’ m leaving the fifth Democratic debate now .
I hope I made you proud out there , and I hope I made it clear to the world why our campaign is so important , ” the email began .
It ’ s not surprising , though , that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a distinctly bullish tone ( and put any negative coverage down to the “ Fake News media ” before it even happens ) .
Trump and his allies have prepared excuses that cover all the bases going in to Tuesday ’ s debate .
His surrogates alternated between their go-to attacks on Biden ’ s competence and mental acuity while also preemptively ― and baselessly ― dismissing any positive showing from the Democrat as the result of cheating .
Trump has for weeks suggested that if his opponent outperforms him , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance-enhancing drugs .
On Tuesday , right-wing operatives and , subsequently , the Trump campaign , threw hidden earpieces into the mix , suggesting , again without evidence , that Biden would have help during the debate .
Other conservatives claimed Biden would receive the debate questions beforehand ― a surprising accusation considering the debate will be hosted by the conservative Fox News cable channel .
`` There is too much fake news ! ''
proclaims the President of the United States , in an email about having finished a debate that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Paul Fairie ( @ paulisci ) September 29 , 2020

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Donald Trump’s campaign sent out a message saying the president had “finished debating Joe Biden” and that the event would “go down in history” ― hours before the first presidential debate actually started.
The Trump campaign mailed out its victory note and fundraising plea at roughly 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, ahead of the debate’s 9 p.m. start, according to Politico.
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“This debate will go down in HISTORY,” the email declared. “I showed the American people that I will ALWAYS fight to put America First no matter what and that I will NEVER stop working to Make America Great Again.”
His debate opponent had a similar snafu last year. Biden’s campaign fired off its post-debate fundraising email about six hours before the fifth Democratic primary debate began. “I’m leaving the fifth Democratic debate now. I hope I made you proud out there, and I hope I made it clear to the world why our campaign is so important,” the email began.
Hours before the debate, a Trump camp email goes out: "I just finished debating Joe Biden." pic.twitter.com/4OHQLmLDv9 — Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 29, 2020
It’s not surprising, though, that the Trump campaign would prepare an email with such a distinctly bullish tone (and put any negative coverage down to the “Fake News media” before it even happens). Trump and his allies have prepared excuses that cover all the bases going in to Tuesday’s debate.
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His surrogates alternated between their go-to attacks on Biden’s competence and mental acuity while also preemptively ― and baselessly ― dismissing any positive showing from the Democrat as the result of cheating. Trump has for weeks suggested that if his opponent outperforms him, it will be because he’s taking performance-enhancing drugs. On Tuesday, right-wing operatives and, subsequently, the Trump campaign, threw hidden earpieces into the mix, suggesting, again without evidence, that Biden would have help during the debate. Other conservatives claimed Biden would receive the debate questions beforehand ― a surprising accusation considering the debate will be hosted by the conservative Fox News cable channel.
The campaign’s trigger-happy email got the treatment on Twitter.
"There is too much fake news!" proclaims the President of the United States, in an email about having finished a debate that had not yet occurred. https://t.co/FeOgfc7L9j — Paul Fairie (@paulisci) September 29, 2020
Their whole thing is smoke and mirrors. Clowns — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 29, 2020
Someone’s gonna be getting out the TV guide and a sharpie — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) September 29, 2020
He's going to email them that he won the election on November 2, too. https://t.co/uY6nOVHTL1 — Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) September 29, 2020
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Join us tonight to watch the live debate Trump won hours ago. https://t.co/WDxOx0N4MC https://t.co/HhwlN8wm13 — Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) September 29, 2020
Does that mean they're going to claim the debate is pre-taped and edited by the liberal media? — Niels Lesniewski (@nielslesniewski) September 29, 2020
These guys are a well-oiled machine! — Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) September 29, 2020
I mean, he could just not show up, tell his supporters he won, and they’d prob buy it. — Brendan Spiegel (@brendanspiegel) September 29, 2020
They are just so bad at this. https://t.co/Z4gHp00Ev1 — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 29, 2020
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It always comes back to e-mails. — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 29, 2020
There's a good chance the president just spent an hour and a half yelling at a coatrack outside the Oval Office. https://t.co/SxQfheC0Oi — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) September 29, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Joe Biden Comes Clean About His Favorite 'Performance Enhancers'

Joe Biden has answered baseless accusations that he would use performance enhancers for Tuesday ’ s presidential debate in Cleveland .
And he did it with a “ dad joke.
” On Tuesday , a conspiracy theory among President Donald Trump ’ s supporters sprouted suggesting that the former vice president would wear an electronic device in his ear during the first presidential debate .
According to the theory that NBC News said was pushed in a text message sent by the Trump campaign , Biden also declined to “ undergo inspection for electronic ear pieces before debate.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came just days after the president suggested drug tests to make sure Biden wasn ’ t using “ performance enhancing drugs ” for the debate .
But Biden did come clean on Tuesday afternoon on Twitter with a photo showing exactly which “ performance enhancers ” he used .
Some said the choice of ice cream was no coincidence .
There is a zero percent chance that Joe Biden wrote this tweet , or that he knows what the headphones pictured even are .
https : //t.co/LefDecWLYA — Chicks On The Right ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others thought Biden ’ s tweet did what it was designed to do .
Others were resigned to the fact that it wouldn ’ t stop the disinformation campaign .

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Joe Biden has answered baseless accusations that he would use performance enhancers for Tuesday’s presidential debate in Cleveland.
And he did it with a “dad joke.”
On Tuesday, a conspiracy theory among President Donald Trump’s supporters sprouted suggesting that the former vice president would wear an electronic device in his ear during the first presidential debate.
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According to the theory that NBC News said was pushed in a text message sent by the Trump campaign, Biden also declined to “undergo inspection for electronic ear pieces before debate.”
The Biden campaign denied the disinformation, which came just days after the president suggested drug tests to make sure Biden wasn’t using “performance enhancing drugs” for the debate.
But Biden did come clean on Tuesday afternoon on Twitter with a photo showing exactly which “performance enhancers” he used.
It’s debate night, so I’ve got my earpiece and performance enhancers ready. pic.twitter.com/EhOiWdjh1b — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 29, 2020
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Naturally, Twitter users had their own thoughts.
Some said the choice of ice cream was no coincidence.
Jeni's Ice Creams is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, for all the Republicans attacking Biden's ice cream choice (yes, that's a thing). https://t.co/e0MIqDX4wk — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 29, 2020
That Jeni's is some real quality Ohio pandering https://t.co/nxWr0WfbiG — Theydy Doyle (@sadydoyle) September 29, 2020
Others weren’t impressed by the earphones.
we need to get joe some airpods. https://t.co/wBnu44Cd3B — Rogue P. Bigham (@jeffbigham) September 30, 2020
Some people cried conspiracy.....
There is a zero percent chance that Joe Biden wrote this tweet, or that he knows what the headphones pictured even are. https://t.co/LefDecWLYA — Chicks On The Right (@chicksonright) September 29, 2020
Others thought Biden’s tweet did what it was designed to do.
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Others were resigned to the fact that it wouldn’t stop the disinformation campaign.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Ann Arbor, Michigan, Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelic Plants

ANN ARBOR , Mich. ( AP ) — The city of Ann Arbor has decriminalized psychedelic plants and fungi , @ @ @ @ @ police officers will no longer make them an enforcement focus .
City Council voted unanimously @ @ @ @ @ a resolution declaring it the city ’ s lowest law enforcement priority , MLive.com reported @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t investigate and arrest anyone for planting , cultivating , buying , transporting @ @ @ @ @ practices with or possessing “ entheogenic plants ” or plant compounds .
The resolution defines @ @ @ @ @ fungi that contain indole amines , tryptamines and phenethylamines “ that can benefit psychological and @ @ @ @ @ enhance religious and spiritual practices , and can reestablish human ’ s inalienable and direct @ @ @ @ @ move applies to ayahuasca , ibogaine , mescaline , peyote , psilocybin mushrooms and other @ @ @ @ @ illegal under state and federal law .

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The city of Ann Arbor has decriminalized psychedelic plants and fungi, including magic mushrooms, and police officers will no longer make them an enforcement focus.
City Council voted unanimously Sept. 21 in favor of a resolution declaring it the city’s lowest law enforcement priority, MLive.com reported. It means that authorities won’t investigate and arrest anyone for planting, cultivating, buying, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with or possessing “entheogenic plants” or plant compounds.
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The resolution defines entheogenic plants as plants and fungi that contain indole amines, tryptamines and phenethylamines “that can benefit psychological and physical wellness, support and enhance religious and spiritual practices, and can reestablish human’s inalienable and direct relationship to nature.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Salty Lake, Ponds May Be Gurgling Beneath Mars' South Pole

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. ( AP ) — A network of salty ponds may be gurgling beneath Mars ’ South Pole alongside a large underground lake , raising the prospect of tiny , swimming Martian life .
Italian scientists reported their findings Monday , two years after identifying what they believed to be a large buried lake .
They widened their coverage area by a couple hundred miles , using even more data from a radar sounder on the European Space Agency ’ s Mars Express orbiter .
In the latest study appearing in the journal Nature Astronomy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underground lake , estimated to be 12 miles to 18 miles ( 20 kilometers to 30 kilometers ) across and buried 1 mile ( 1.5 kilometers ) beneath the icy surface .
Even more tantalizing , they ’ ve also identified three smaller bodies of water surrounding the lake .
These ponds appear to be of various sizes and are separate from the main lake .
Roughly 4 billion years ago , Mars was warm and wet , like Earth .
But the red planet eventually morphed into the barren , dry world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by Roma Tre University ’ s Sebastian Emanuel Lauro used a method similar to what ’ s been used on Earth to detect buried lakes in the Antarctic and Canadian Arctic .
They based their findings on more than 100 radar observations by Mars Express from 2010 to 2019 ; the spacecraft was launched in 2003 .
All this potential water raises the possibility of microbial life on — or inside — Mars .
High concentrations of salt are likely keeping the water from freezing at this frigid location , the scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Pole is an estimated minus 172 degrees Fahrenheit ( minus 113 degrees Celsius ) , and gets gradually warmer with depth .
These bodies of water are potentially interesting biologically and “ future missions to Mars should target this region , ” the researchers wrote .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A network of salty ponds may be gurgling beneath Mars’ South Pole alongside a large underground lake, raising the prospect of tiny, swimming Martian life.
Italian scientists reported their findings Monday, two years after identifying what they believed to be a large buried lake. They widened their coverage area by a couple hundred miles, using even more data from a radar sounder on the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter.
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In the latest study appearing in the journal Nature Astronomy, the scientists provide further evidence of this salty underground lake, estimated to be 12 miles to 18 miles (20 kilometers to 30 kilometers) across and buried 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) beneath the icy surface.
Even more tantalizing, they’ve also identified three smaller bodies of water surrounding the lake. These ponds appear to be of various sizes and are separate from the main lake.
Roughly 4 billion years ago, Mars was warm and wet, like Earth. But the red planet eventually morphed into the barren, dry world it remains today.
The research team led by Roma Tre University’s Sebastian Emanuel Lauro used a method similar to what’s been used on Earth to detect buried lakes in the Antarctic and Canadian Arctic. They based their findings on more than 100 radar observations by Mars Express from 2010 to 2019; the spacecraft was launched in 2003.
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All this potential water raises the possibility of microbial life on — or inside — Mars. High concentrations of salt are likely keeping the water from freezing at this frigid location, the scientists noted. The surface temperature at the South Pole is an estimated minus 172 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 113 degrees Celsius), and gets gradually warmer with depth.
These bodies of water are potentially interesting biologically and “future missions to Mars should target this region,” the researchers wrote.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Joe Biden Tears Into Donald Trump For Debate Interruptions: 'Will You Shut Up, Man?'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden implored President Donald Trump to just “ shut up ” after Trump continued to talk over him during the presidential debate on Tuesday .
The debate ’ s moderator , Fox News ’ Chris Wallace , had asked Biden whether he would end the filibuster or expand the number of seats on the Supreme Court if he were elected in November .
“ Are you going to pack the court ?
” Trump said over Biden .
“ Are you going to pack the court ?
He doesn ’ t want to answer the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer that question ?
” After trying several times to answer the question , an exasperated Biden said : “ Will you shut up , man ?
This is so unpresidential.
” Wallace then ended the segment and moved on to another topic .
Wallace had repeatedly asked Trump to stop speaking over others during the 20 minutes leading up to Biden ’ s outburst .
Trump interrupted Biden 10 times in less than three minutes at one point , according to a Washington Post tally .
Earlier in the debate , Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him ask his question .
“ Let me ask my question , ” Wallace said at one point , and then finally : “ Mr .
President , I ’ m the moderator of this debate , I ’ d like you to let me ask my question and then you can answer .
… My question , sir , is what is the Trump health care plan ?
” Trump fired back : “ Well , first of all , I guess I ’ m debating you not him .
But that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not surprised.
” “ It ’ s hard to get any word in with this clown ― excuse me , this person , ” the former vice president said at one point .
During a testy exchange about the The New York Times report that Trump paid just $ 750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017 , Biden called Trump “ the worst president America has ever had .
”

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden implored President Donald Trump to just “shut up” after Trump continued to talk over him during the presidential debate on Tuesday.
The debate’s moderator, Fox News’ Chris Wallace, had asked Biden whether he would end the filibuster or expand the number of seats on the Supreme Court if he were elected in November.
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As Biden attempted to respond, Trump incessantly interrupted him.
“Are you going to pack the court?” Trump said over Biden. “Are you going to pack the court? He doesn’t want to answer the question. ... Why won’t you answer that question?”
After trying several times to answer the question, an exasperated Biden said: “Will you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential.”
Wallace then ended the segment and moved on to another topic.
As Pres. Trump repeatedly interrupts Joe Biden, Biden says, "Will you shut up, man?"
"That was really a productive segment, wasn't it?" Biden says sarcastically. "Keep yappin', man." https://t.co/5Bl4Ob3O2t #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/XvNahLC1Rm — ABC News (@ABC) September 30, 2020
Wallace had repeatedly asked Trump to stop speaking over others during the 20 minutes leading up to Biden’s outburst.
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Trump interrupted Biden 10 times in less than three minutes at one point, according to a Washington Post tally.
Earlier in the debate, Wallace had to plead with Trump to let him ask his question.
“Let me ask my question,” Wallace said at one point, and then finally: “Mr. President, I’m the moderator of this debate, I’d like you to let me ask my question and then you can answer. … My question, sir, is what is the Trump health care plan?”
Trump fired back: “Well, first of all, I guess I’m debating you not him. But that’s OK, I’m not surprised.”
Biden continued to express frustration with Trump’s frequent interruptions throughout the debate.
“It’s hard to get any word in with this clown ― excuse me, this person,” the former vice president said at one point.
During a testy exchange about The New York Times report that Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017, Biden called Trump “the worst president America has ever had.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Greek Orthodox Petition UN Over Turkey's Decision To Turn Hagia Sophia Into A Mosque

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) — The Greek Orthodox Church of the United States said Tuesday it is petitioning United Nations experts to coerce Turkey into protecting Orthodox Christianity ’ s cultural heritage following the Turkish government ’ s conversion of Istanbul ’ s landmark Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque .
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said it was pressing U.N. special rapporteurs in the areas of cultural rights , minority rights , freedom of religion and beliefs to hold Turkey accountable “ for its deliberate policies to erase the cultural heritage of Orthodox Christians.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Muslim faithful and widespread international opposition , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree in July that turned Hagia Sophia back into a Muslim house of prayer .
The structure , a UNESCO world heritage site , had served as one of Christendom most important cathedrals and a mosque for centuries , as well as a museum for 86 years .
Erdogan announced a decision last month to transform the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora , another Byzantine-era church in Istanbul , into a mosque as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure and name of these UNESCO sites , with particular significance to Orthodox Christians , Turkey is in violation of its obligations under international law to preserve cultural heritage and to respect the political , cultural and religious freedoms of Orthodox Christians in Turkey and abroad , ” Archdiocese of America counsel Christina Hioureas told The Associated Press in an emailed statement .
The Greek Orthodox archdiocese “ hopes that international pressure from the United Nations , its bodies – including UNESCO , and its member states will motivate Turkey to reverse its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites ) into mosques.
” There was no immediate comment from the Turkish government , which has vowed to protect Hagia Sophia and to keep it open to visitors outside of prayer hours .
Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 , Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque with the 1453 Ottoman conquest of Istanbul .
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the founding leader of the secular Turkish republic converted the structure into a museum in 1934 .
Erdogan , a pious Muslim whose ruling party has roots in Turkey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mosque despite calls for it to be kept as a museum in recognition of Istanbul ’ s multi-faith heritage .
The move was largely seen as being geared toward consolidating the ruling party ’ s conservative and religious support base at a time when its popularity is sagging amid an economic downturn .
“ The Hagia Sophia was built 15-hundred years ago to be the cathedral and first church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate , ” Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said .
“ Today , with a heavy heart , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orthodox Christian cultural heritage of Turkey being misappropriated , with the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque , ” he told the AP .
” To do so is to start down a path toward denial of history , a path that denies the future as well .
”

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Greek Orthodox Church of the United States said Tuesday it is petitioning United Nations experts to coerce Turkey into protecting Orthodox Christianity’s cultural heritage following the Turkish government’s conversion of Istanbul’s landmark Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said it was pressing U.N. special rapporteurs in the areas of cultural rights, minority rights, freedom of religion and beliefs to hold Turkey accountable “for its deliberate policies to erase the cultural heritage of Orthodox Christians.”
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In a move that drew praise from the Muslim faithful and widespread international opposition, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree in July that turned Hagia Sophia back into a Muslim house of prayer. The structure, a UNESCO world heritage site, had served as one of Christendom most important cathedrals and a mosque for centuries, as well as a museum for 86 years.
Erdogan announced a decision last month to transform the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, another Byzantine-era church in Istanbul, into a mosque as well.
Muslims offer prayers during Eid al-Adha near the Hagia Sophia, recently converted back to a mosque, in Istanbul on July 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Mehmet Guzel)
“By unilaterally changing the status, structure and name of these UNESCO sites, with particular significance to Orthodox Christians, Turkey is in violation of its obligations under international law to preserve cultural heritage and to respect the political, cultural and religious freedoms of Orthodox Christians in Turkey and abroad,” Archdiocese of America counsel Christina Hioureas told The Associated Press in an emailed statement.
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The Greek Orthodox archdiocese “hopes that international pressure from the United Nations, its bodies – including UNESCO, and its member states will motivate Turkey to reverse its decision to convert (the world heritage sites) into mosques.”
There was no immediate comment from the Turkish government, which has vowed to protect Hagia Sophia and to keep it open to visitors outside of prayer hours.
The full moon rises behind the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia, in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, early Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537, Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque with the 1453 Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding leader of the secular Turkish republic converted the structure into a museum in 1934.
Erdogan, a pious Muslim whose ruling party has roots in Turkey’s Islamic movement, re-converted the building into a mosque despite calls for it to be kept as a museum in recognition of Istanbul’s multi-faith heritage.
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The move was largely seen as being geared toward consolidating the ruling party’s conservative and religious support base at a time when its popularity is sagging amid an economic downturn.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, takes part in Friday prayers inside the Hagia Sophia on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. (Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool)
“The Hagia Sophia was built 15-hundred years ago to be the cathedral and first church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said.
“Today, with a heavy heart, we behold the historic and indeed essential Greek Orthodox Christian cultural heritage of Turkey being misappropriated, with the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque,” he told the AP. ” To do so is to start down a path toward denial of history, a path that denies the future as well.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--California Fires Have 'Broken Almost Every Record' This Year

Fires continue to grow in Northern California , continuing the state ’ s historic , devastating fire season after record-breaking blazes swept the state in August .
California ’ s fires this year have “ broken almost every record there is to break , ” the state ’ s firefighting agency , Cal Fire , tweeted on Tuesday .
Fires have burned more than 3.8 million acres so far this year , more than five times the average of 740,000 acres burned by this time in the past five years , according to the agency .
Five of the six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
As of Tuesday , there were over 18,700 firefighters battling 27 major fires across the state .
One of the major blazes currently burning , the Zogg fire in Northern California ’ s Shasta County , has killed at least three people , destroyed over 140 homes and other structures , and is currently 0 % contained .
Another big blaze , the Glass fire in Napa and Sonoma counties , has torched over 42,000 acres , destroying dozens of homes and spurring evacuations for the entire city of Calistoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in wine country .
That fire is also 0 % contained .
Some of the homes threatened and people forced to flee are in Santa Rosa , a community devastated by deadly wildfires just three years ago .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) declared a state of emergency for Sonoma , Napa and Shasta counties over the weekend .
“ New wildfires have exploded in Northern California over the weekend , ” Sen. Kamala Harris ( Calif. ) , who is the Democratic vice presidential nominee , tweeted Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t close to being over .
”

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Fires continue to grow in Northern California, continuing the state’s historic, devastating fire season after record-breaking blazes swept the state in August.
California’s fires this year have “broken almost every record there is to break,” the state’s firefighting agency, Cal Fire, tweeted on Tuesday. Fires have burned more than 3.8 million acres so far this year, more than five times the average of 740,000 acres burned by this time in the past five years, according to the agency.
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Five of the six largest fires in California history have occurred this year.
As of Tuesday, there were over 18,700 firefighters battling 27 major fires across the state.
One of the major blazes currently burning, the Zogg fire in Northern California’s Shasta County, has killed at least three people, destroyed over 140 homes and other structures, and is currently 0% contained.
Another big blaze, the Glass fire in Napa and Sonoma counties, has torched over 42,000 acres, destroying dozens of homes and spurring evacuations for the entire city of Calistoga, part of St. Helena and other areas in wine country. That fire is also 0% contained. Some of the homes threatened and people forced to flee are in Santa Rosa, a community devastated by deadly wildfires just three years ago.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency for Sonoma, Napa and Shasta counties over the weekend.
“New wildfires have exploded in Northern California over the weekend,” Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), who is the Democratic vice presidential nominee, tweeted Monday. “This historic wildfire season isn’t close to being over.”
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Parts of Foothills Elementary in Deer Park community destroyed during #GlassFire in Napa County @kcranews pic.twitter.com/InLXagxtQK — Vicki Gonzalez (@VickiGonzaleztv) September 28, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Nearly 3 Years Since The Me Too Reckoning, Progress Has Been Slow, Reports Find

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most U.S. cities and states , disgraced Hollywood producer and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on March 11 to 23 years behind bars , a landmark moment for survivors of sexual assault .
Yet , almost three years after the Me Too movement catalyzed a sea change in societal awareness of sexual misconduct and abuse , a new report from a commission chaired by Anita Hill shows how that change has been more limited when it comes to systemic reforms and accountability .
Last fall , the Hollywood Commission for Eliminating Sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nearly 10,000 workers in various parts of the entertainment industry .
The findings , released Tuesday , demonstrate that many are skeptical that Hollywood has made significant strides in addressing sexual misconduct .
Just 35 % of the survey ’ s respondents said they believed “ a powerful individual ” would “ somewhat likely ” or “ very likely ” face accountability for harassing someone in a less powerful position .
Only 48 % said they “ saw progress since the # MeToo movement in addressing power abuses ” and the inequity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times high level folks get huge paydays to leave — seems like they ’ re rewarded for bad behavior , ” one respondent wrote .
“ # MeToo seems to have stalled while offenders are still at it.
” And only 28 % of respondents who said they had experienced workplace sexual misconduct felt comfortable reporting it .
Many respondents cited a fear of not being believed , or a fear of retaliation or professional consequences , such as being labeled “ difficult to work with ” or being forced out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to a supervisor , or even tell the harasser off , but if they ’ re somebody who ’ s talented or otherwise valuable , or they bring in a lot of revenue , they have staying power , ” one respondent wrote .
“ Instead word goes around that the little guy ( victim ) is the problem.
” Formed in 2017 , the commission involves various entertainment industry leaders and institutions , including studios , networks , unions and talent agencies .
It is led by Hill , a law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on workplace sexual harassment and gender inequality .
Hill ’ s 1991 Senate testimony against now-Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas helped bring national attention to these issues .
In addition to the study , the commission plans to create resources based on its findings and recommendations .
The first is a new digital platform for reporting “ sexual misconduct , discrimination , harassment , bullying or microaggressions , ” launching in 2021 .
The platform will notify both users and participating organizations if more than one report is filed involving the same perpetrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often serial abusers .
Progress has also been mixed on the legislative front , according to a separate report released Tuesday by the National Women ’ s Law Center .
Many lawmakers on the national , state and local levels had pledged to pass new laws to reform practices involving sexual misconduct , such as making it easier for individuals to report incidents or leveling the power differential between the perpetrator and accuser .
The researchers found that since October 2017 , more than 230 such bills have been introduced across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of legislation .
For example , 15 states now limit or bar companies from making employees sign nondisclosure agreements .
Such legal documents are often used to force sexual assault accusers into silence , sometimes by paying them private settlements .
Similarly , seven states now limit companies from using forced arbitration , which reduces transparency by forcing accusers to settle their cases privately and restricting their legal options .
Moreover , 11 states and New York City now mandate or recommend that employers hold anti-harassment and anti-discrimination trainings , and six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be covered under workplace harassment protections .
But in many other states , progress has been much slower .
Crucially , many reforms on workplace sexual misconduct have not reached those who are most vulnerable and marginalized , such as workers of color and low-income workers in low-wage jobs , where the power differential between perpetrator and accuser is often even wider .

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Just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most U.S. cities and states, disgraced Hollywood producer and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on March 11 to 23 years behind bars, a landmark moment for survivors of sexual assault.
Yet, almost three years after the Me Too movement catalyzed a sea change in societal awareness of sexual misconduct and abuse, a new report from a commission chaired by Anita Hill shows how that change has been more limited when it comes to systemic reforms and accountability.
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Last fall, the Hollywood Commission for Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality conducted a survey of nearly 10,000 workers in various parts of the entertainment industry. The findings, released Tuesday, demonstrate that many are skeptical that Hollywood has made significant strides in addressing sexual misconduct.
Just 35% of the survey’s respondents said they believed “a powerful individual” would “somewhat likely” or “very likely” face accountability for harassing someone in a less powerful position. Only 48% said they “saw progress since the #MeToo movement in addressing power abuses” and the inequity between perpetrator and accuser.
“Many times high level folks get huge paydays to leave — seems like they’re rewarded for bad behavior,” one respondent wrote. “#MeToo seems to have stalled while offenders are still at it.”
And only 28% of respondents who said they had experienced workplace sexual misconduct felt comfortable reporting it. Many respondents cited a fear of not being believed, or a fear of retaliation or professional consequences, such as being labeled “difficult to work with” or being forced out of the industry altogether.
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“We might report something to a supervisor, or even tell the harasser off, but if they’re somebody who’s talented or otherwise valuable, or they bring in a lot of revenue, they have staying power,” one respondent wrote. “Instead word goes around that the little guy (victim) is the problem.”
Formed in 2017, the commission involves various entertainment industry leaders and institutions, including studios, networks, unions and talent agencies. It is led by Hill, a law professor at Brandeis University and a scholar on workplace sexual harassment and gender inequality. Hill’s 1991 Senate testimony against now-Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas helped bring national attention to these issues.
In addition to the study, the commission plans to create resources based on its findings and recommendations. The first is a new digital platform for reporting “sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, bullying or microaggressions,” launching in 2021. The platform will notify both users and participating organizations if more than one report is filed involving the same perpetrator, since perpetrators of sexual misconduct are often serial abusers.
Anita Hill leads the Hollywood Commission for Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality, which plans to create resources based on the findings and recommendations of its recent survey. Phillip Faraone via Getty Images
Progress has also been mixed on the legislative front, according to a separate report released Tuesday by the National Women’s Law Center. Many lawmakers on the national, state and local levels had pledged to pass new laws to reform practices involving sexual misconduct, such as making it easier for individuals to report incidents or leveling the power differential between the perpetrator and accuser. The researchers found that since October 2017, more than 230 such bills have been introduced across the country, and 19 states have passed some form of legislation.
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For example, 15 states now limit or bar companies from making employees sign nondisclosure agreements. Such legal documents are often used to force sexual assault accusers into silence, sometimes by paying them private settlements. Similarly, seven states now limit companies from using forced arbitration, which reduces transparency by forcing accusers to settle their cases privately and restricting their legal options.
Moreover, 11 states and New York City now mandate or recommend that employers hold anti-harassment and anti-discrimination trainings, and six states now allow independent contractors and/or interns to be covered under workplace harassment protections.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Disney To Lay Off 28,000 Workers From Theme Parks, Cruise Lines

Disney announced Tuesday that it plans to lay off 28,000 employees from its Parks , Experiences and Products segment ― which includes Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida ― as the coronavirus crisis continues to wreak economic havoc nationwide .
About 67 % of the layoffs will affect part-time employees , Disney Parks Chairman Josh D ’ Amaro said in a statement .
Those affected range from salaried employees to nonunion hourly workers within the company ’ s theme parks , resorts , cruise ships , vacation experiences and consumer products divisions .
A Disney spokeswoman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the layoffs across each Disney Parks division at this time .
“ Over the past several months , we ’ ve been forced to make a number of necessary adjustments to our business , ” D ’ Amaro said in his statement , “ and as difficult as this decision is today , we believe that the steps we are taking will enable us to emerge a more effective and efficient operation when we return to normal.
” Disney furloughed roughly 100,000 employees in the spring when it closed its parks due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , but Disneyland has not yet reopened due to stricter measures California officials have adopted to stem the transmission of the virus .
D ’ Amaro blamed California officials for refusing to “ lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen.
” The office of California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) said it is working on new guidelines that would allow the state ’ s theme parks to reopen but hasn ’ t yet provided a timeline , The Los Angeles Times reported last week .
In March , Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have their paychecks reduced while the theme parks were closed due to the pandemic .
But roughly a month ago , Disney announced that senior executives would have their pay restored to pre-coronavirus levels .
Disney ’ s parks typically generate billions of dollars annually for the U.S. economy .
As of March , Disney World employed more than 75,000 people , making it the largest single-site employer in the country .
Disneyland is the largest employer in California ’ s Orange County , with nearly 30,000 workers .
Although Florida and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early summer , both states have seen sharp declines in new cases in recent weeks .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) signed an executive order last week to allow bars and restaurants to fully reopen across his state , despite warnings from some public health officials who fear the move could lead to a fresh spike in cases .
Meanwhile , bars and entertainment venues such as movie theaters and bowling alleys remain closed in California as state officials seek to balance reopening the economy with preventing another wave @ @ @

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Disney announced Tuesday that it plans to lay off 28,000 employees from its Parks, Experiences and Products segment ― which includes Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida ― as the coronavirus crisis continues to wreak economic havoc nationwide.
About 67% of the layoffs will affect part-time employees, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro said in a statement. Those affected range from salaried employees to nonunion hourly workers within the company’s theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, vacation experiences and consumer products divisions.
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A Disney spokeswoman said the company did not have a breakdown of the layoffs across each Disney Parks division at this time.
“Over the past several months, we’ve been forced to make a number of necessary adjustments to our business,” D’Amaro said in his statement, “and as difficult as this decision is today, we believe that the steps we are taking will enable us to emerge a more effective and efficient operation when we return to normal.”
BREAKING: Disney Parks announces layoffs.
28,000 domestic employees, of which 67% are part-time. pic.twitter.com/Vq4Ve4fh4f — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 29, 2020
Disney furloughed roughly 100,000 employees in the spring when it closed its parks due to the pandemic. Disney World reopened in July, but Disneyland has not yet reopened due to stricter measures California officials have adopted to stem the transmission of the virus.
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D’Amaro blamed California officials for refusing to “lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen.” The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said it is working on new guidelines that would allow the state’s theme parks to reopen but hasn’t yet provided a timeline, The Los Angeles Times reported last week.
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In March, Disney CEO Bob Chapek ordered all senior executives to have their paychecks reduced while the theme parks were closed due to the pandemic. But roughly a month ago, Disney announced that senior executives would have their pay restored to pre-coronavirus levels.
Disney’s parks typically generate billions of dollars annually for the U.S. economy. As of March, Disney World employed more than 75,000 people, making it the largest single-site employer in the country. Disneyland is the largest employer in California’s Orange County, with nearly 30,000 workers.
Although Florida and California were hot spots for coronavirus during the early summer, both states have seen sharp declines in new cases in recent weeks.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed an executive order last week to allow bars and restaurants to fully reopen across his state, despite warnings from some public health officials who fear the move could lead to a fresh spike in cases.
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Meanwhile, bars and entertainment venues such as movie theaters and bowling alleys remain closed in California as state officials seek to balance reopening the economy with preventing another wave of infections.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Baby Yoda Brings The Force To Firefighters In Oregon And Beyond

A plush toy of Baby Yoda ― formally known as “ The Child ” on the “ Star Wars ” spinoff “ The Mandalorian ” ― has become an unlikely fixture among firefighting squads across the country .
The doll was originally donated to fire crews in Scappoose , Oregon , by Sasha Tinning and her 5-year-old grandson , Carver , who found it at a local store and decided that firefighters needed it more than him .
“ I have always wanted to help and uplift anyone that ’ s around me , ” Carver told news outlet KSAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright spot in a dark time I wanted to share with everyone.
” Carver and his grandmother donated Baby Yoda in early September , attaching the doll with a tender note that read : “ Thank you firefighters .
Here is a friend in case you get lonely.
” Over the course of the last month , Baby Yoda has been passed around , traveling a remarkable road not dissimilar to his space-faring expeditions on Disney+ .
The doll has appeared at the sites of multiple blazes burning within both California and Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farm fire and Riverside fire ― and posed in photos with Oregon National Guard personnel and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
On Monday , The Child arrived in Colorado to assist with the Cameron Peak fire in Larimer County .
Since Sept. 15 , the adventures of Baby Yoda have been documented on a Facebook page set up by Scappoose resident Tyler Eubanks , who coordinated the donation that gave the alien his new home among firefighters .
The page ― which had over 24,000 likes as of Tuesday ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news articles and TikToks showing Baby Yoda ’ s popularity .
Commenting on the doll ’ s appeal among fire crews , Tinning told CNN , “ To have a little bit of sunshine during such a dark time ... [ is ] really special for them.
” Wildfires across California , Oregon and Washington have swept over millions of acres this year , and over 16,600 firefighters have been deployed across California alone to subdue the blazes .

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A plush toy of Baby Yoda ― formally known as “The Child” on the “Star Wars” spinoff “The Mandalorian” ― has become an unlikely fixture among firefighting squads across the country.
The doll was originally donated to fire crews in Scappoose, Oregon, by Sasha Tinning and her 5-year-old grandson, Carver, who found it at a local store and decided that firefighters needed it more than him.
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“I have always wanted to help and uplift anyone that’s around me,” Carver told news outlet KSAT. “And this really was a bright spot in a dark time I wanted to share with everyone.”
Carver and his grandmother donated Baby Yoda in early September, attaching the doll with a tender note that read: “Thank you firefighters. Here is a friend in case you get lonely.”
Over the course of the last month, Baby Yoda has been passed around, traveling a remarkable road not dissimilar to his space-faring expeditions on Disney+. The doll has appeared at the sites of multiple blazes burning within both California and Oregon ― including the Lionshead fire, Holiday Farm fire and Riverside fire ― and posed in photos with Oregon National Guard personnel and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On Monday, The Child arrived in Colorado to assist with the Cameron Peak fire in Larimer County.
Since Sept. 15, the adventures of Baby Yoda have been documented on a Facebook page set up by Scappoose resident Tyler Eubanks, who coordinated the donation that gave the alien his new home among firefighters.
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The page ― which had over 24,000 likes as of Tuesday ― has become the home of images, news articles and TikToks showing Baby Yoda’s popularity.
Commenting on the doll’s appeal among fire crews, Tinning told CNN, “To have a little bit of sunshine during such a dark time ... [is] really special for them.”
THE CHILD! This is the way! Thank you everyone this has been so fun to be apart of and watch the joy he brings. Posted by Baby yoda fights fires on Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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National guard needed all the force they could get! Posted by Baby yoda fights fires on Monday, September 21, 2020
He’s busy busy! Joined Crew of helicopter 2WY also today! He’s had a lot of air time! 🚁🚁🚁 Posted by Baby yoda fights fires on Monday, September 21, 2020


Trump’s Manufactured Success

Donald Trump touted his business savvy as his qualification to be both host of “ The Apprentice ” and president @ @ @ @ @ Now , The New York Times has revealed he ’ s debt-ridden and hemorrhaging cash @

Trump’s Manufactured Success
Donald Trump touted his business savvy as his qualification to be both host of “The Apprentice” and president of the United States. Now, The New York Times has revealed he’s debt-ridden and hemorrhaging cash.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Titans Have NFL’s First COVID-19 Outbreak, With 8 Positives

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) — The Tennessee Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five other personnel tested positive for the coronavirus .
The NFL issued a statement Tuesday saying both the Titans and Minnesota Vikings suspended in-person activities following the test results .
The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minneapolis on Sunday .
“ Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA , including our infectious disease experts , to evaluate close contacts , perform additional testing and monitor developments , ” the NFL said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press the eight test results were all confirmed positives , making this the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4 .
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of health privacy regulations .
The Vikings released a statement saying they had not received any positive results from their testing after Sunday ’ s game against the Titans .
They also said they followed NFL protocol by closing their facility immediately and are working to determine when they can reopen .
The Titans ( 3-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steelers ( 3-0 ) on Sunday in a matchup of two of the league ’ s seven remaining undefeated teams .
With the Titans not able to practice until Saturday at the earliest , when that game might be played is unknown .
“ All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration , ” the NFL said .
“ We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
” The Titans initially announced Tuesday morning that they would be working remotely “ out of an abundance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came back positive .
They beat the Vikings in Minneapolis without outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen , who did not travel with the Titans following a test result Saturday .
Coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that Bowen was not with the team .
Rookie offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson , their top draft pick out of Georgia , also has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the Titans since Sept. 6 .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five other personnel tested positive for the coronavirus.
The NFL issued a statement Tuesday saying both the Titans and Minnesota Vikings suspended in-person activities following the test results. The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minneapolis on Sunday.
“Both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA, including our infectious disease experts, to evaluate close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments,” the NFL said.
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A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the eight test results were all confirmed positives, making this the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of health privacy regulations.
The Vikings released a statement saying they had not received any positive results from their testing after Sunday’s game against the Titans. They also said they followed NFL protocol by closing their facility immediately and are working to determine when they can reopen.
The Titans (3-0) are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) on Sunday in a matchup of two of the league’s seven remaining undefeated teams. With the Titans not able to practice until Saturday at the earliest, when that game might be played is unknown.
“All decisions will be made with health and safety as our primary consideration,” the NFL said. “We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.”
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The Titans initially announced Tuesday morning that they would be working remotely “out of an abundance of caution” after several test results came back positive. They beat the Vikings in Minneapolis without outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen, who did not travel with the Titans following a test result Saturday.
Coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that Bowen was not with the team. Rookie offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson, their top draft pick out of Georgia, also has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the Titans since Sept. 6.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--The Big Health Care Lie You Could Barely Hear In The First Presidential Debate

Health care was the first big flash point in Tuesday night ’ s presidential debate , although it was hard to follow because it played out like every other exchange in the 90-minute event : with interruptions , non sequiturs and over-talk from President Donald Trump .
Behind that cacophony , however , was a real and urgent issue : the future of the Affordable Care Act and what will happen to the millions of people who depend upon it .
Trump has repeatedly tried to take away the Affordable Care Act ’ s guarantees of coverage for people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered the Justice Department to endorse a lawsuit challenging the law ’ s constitutionality ― a lawsuit whose outcome is a lot more uncertain now that Trump has nominated arch-conservative Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
Polls have shown , consistently and conclusively , that the public does not want the Affordable Care Act thrown out .
Whatever their thoughts about “ Obamacare , ” voters want its expansions of insurance and protections for preexisting conditions to stay in place .
Trump knows that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps insisting he wouldn ’ t take that coverage and those protections away ― and , presumably , why he kept interrupting Biden .
But the record is clear .
That bill would have reduced government spending , freeing up money for tax cuts , thus fulfilling longtime Republican goals .
But it proposed to do so by taking huge sums out of Medicaid and reducing spending on subsidies for people buying private insurance .
The House bill also proposed to let states waive rules on how insurers sell and price their policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gone back to charging higher premiums to people with serious medical conditions ― to the point of making coverage unavailable .
The number of people without insurance would have ultimately increased by 23 million , the Congressional Budget Office predicted .
( The number may have been too high , but there ’ s no question the bill would have led to significant coverage losses . )
As for people with preexisting conditions , here ’ s what CBO predicted would happen , word for word : “ People who are less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly acquired medical conditions ) would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive non-group health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law , if they could purchase it at all.
” To be clear , some people would have saved some money .
In particular , those in relatively good health or willing to take their chances with thinner coverage would see their premiums come down , sometimes dramatically .
But some people with serious medical conditions or looking to keep comprehensive coverage would have owed more ― so much more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get insurance at all .
Trump Is Backing The Lawsuit Before The Supreme Court The other telling detail about Trump ’ s intentions is the one in the news now : the new lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act ’ s constitutionality .
Conservative state officials filed the lawsuit two years ago .
Its core arguments are so weak that even lawyers , activists and writers who supported previous legal challenges to the law have urged courts to reject it .
But a federal district judge ruled in its favor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circuit court panel upheld the underlying argument .
The Court rejected two previous challenges to the Affordable Care Act , but in both cases it was Chief Justice John Roberts joining the four liberals .
Saving the law now would require at least one more conservative to join him , and the potential vote of Barrett , who criticized earlier decisions upholding the law , is hard to predict .
Trump appointed Barrett , well aware of her record , and said just last week that he hopes the court rules against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department to file a brief in favor of the challenge was an especially unusual move , given that the administration in power usually defends federal laws , even those it doesn ’ t like .
One widely respected career lawyer at the Justice Department actually resigned from his post over it .

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Health care was the first big flash point in Tuesday night’s presidential debate, although it was hard to follow because it played out like every other exchange in the 90-minute event: with interruptions, non sequiturs and over-talk from President Donald Trump.
Behind that cacophony, however, was a real and urgent issue: the future of the Affordable Care Act and what will happen to the millions of people who depend upon it.
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Former Vice President Joe Biden accused Trump of undermining protections for people with preexisting conditions. Trump responded by insisting “we guaranteed preexisting conditions” ― a brazen, if familiar, lie.
Trump has repeatedly tried to take away the Affordable Care Act’s guarantees of coverage for people with preexisting conditions. Most recently, he ordered the Justice Department to endorse a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality ― a lawsuit whose outcome is a lot more uncertain now that Trump has nominated arch-conservative Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.
That possibility is why health care is suddenly getting a lot more attention in the campaign, and undoubtedly why Biden kept bringing it up on Tuesday.
Polls have shown, consistently and conclusively, that the public does not want the Affordable Care Act thrown out. Whatever their thoughts about “Obamacare,” voters want its expansions of insurance and protections for preexisting conditions to stay in place.
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Trump knows that, too. It’s why he keeps insisting he wouldn’t take that coverage and those protections away ― and, presumably, why he kept interrupting Biden. But the record is clear.
Trump Backed And Celebrated The 2017 GOP Repeal Bill
Trump spent the first few months of his presidency urging the Republican Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In May 2017, after weeks of back-and-forth, the House passed a repeal bill called the American Health Care Act.
Trump famously celebrated that vote in the Rose Garden, with House Republicans as his guests. “This is a great plan,” he said.
That bill would have reduced government spending, freeing up money for tax cuts, thus fulfilling longtime Republican goals. But it proposed to do so by taking huge sums out of Medicaid and reducing spending on subsidies for people buying private insurance.
The House bill also proposed to let states waive rules on how insurers sell and price their policies. With state approval, insurers could have gone back to charging higher premiums to people with serious medical conditions ― to the point of making coverage unavailable.
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The number of people without insurance would have ultimately increased by 23 million, the Congressional Budget Office predicted. (The number may have been too high, but there’s no question the bill would have led to significant coverage losses.)
As for people with preexisting conditions, here’s what CBO predicted would happen, word for word: “People who are less healthy (including those with preexisting or newly acquired medical conditions) would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive non-group health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law, if they could purchase it at all.”
To be clear, some people would have saved some money. In particular, those in relatively good health or willing to take their chances with thinner coverage would see their premiums come down, sometimes dramatically.
But some people with serious medical conditions or looking to keep comprehensive coverage would have owed more ― so much more, in some instances, that they couldn’t get insurance at all.
That’s the opposite of protecting people with preexisting conditions.
Trump Is Backing The Lawsuit Before The Supreme Court
The other telling detail about Trump’s intentions is the one in the news now: the new lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act’s constitutionality. Conservative state officials filed the lawsuit two years ago. Its core arguments are so weak that even lawyers, activists and writers who supported previous legal challenges to the law have urged courts to reject it. But a federal district judge ruled in its favor and, by a 2-to-1 vote, a circuit court panel upheld the underlying argument.
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The Supreme Court plans to hear the case on Nov. 10.
The Court rejected two previous challenges to the Affordable Care Act, but in both cases it was Chief Justice John Roberts joining the four liberals. Saving the law now would require at least one more conservative to join him, and the potential vote of Barrett, who criticized earlier decisions upholding the law, is hard to predict. Trump appointed Barrett, well aware of her record, and said just last week that he hopes the court rules against the Affordable Care Act this time.
Instructing the Justice Department to file a brief in favor of the challenge was an especially unusual move, given that the administration in power usually defends federal laws, even those it doesn’t like. One widely respected career lawyer at the Justice Department actually resigned from his post over it.
Trump’s latest effort to wipe out the Affordable Care Act might very well fail, simply because even judges with previously expressed animus to the law may have little tolerance for such a shoddy argument.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Hillary Clinton Responds To Biden-Trump Debate Line With A Zinger Of Her Own

Former Vice President Joe Biden seemed to deliver the most memorable line of Tuesday night ’ s debate with President @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2016 debate rival , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , delivered a @ @ @ @ @ response .
Trump on Tuesday ― as he did with Clinton in 2016 ― repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ leading Biden to finally interject : “ Will you shut up , man ?
” @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter :

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Lying, Cheating, Barking, Bullying: Donald Trump Hijacked The First Presidential Debate

It took only minutes into the first presidential debate for Joe Biden to snap at Donald Trump in response to the president ’ s interruptions during a question about the Supreme Court .
But the heated exchange was only a precursor to the ugly night ahead in what was perhaps the most chaotic and toxic presidential debate in modern history .
The debate in Cleveland , Ohio , was meant to cover the Supreme Court , health care , the coronavirus pandemic , law and order and police brutality .
But Trump attempted a high-speed highjacking of the debate by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently talked over both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News — and by telling ostentatious lies in every segment .
Trump falsely claimed he had enacted a comprehensive health care plan , launched personal attacks about Biden ’ s son Hunter , and advanced disinformation about mail-in voting .
Although his performance was typical for Trump , it ’ s not clear the president did anything to sway the millions of suburban and women voters who say they are turned off by his behavior after nearly four years in office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are down in the polls might provide a sugar rush on the similarly combative Fox News , but will likely be a poor long-term strategy for the incumbent president .
It was , however , an apt demonstration of how Trump won the White House and governed as president : by trammeling unwritten political rules about mutual respect for the process and your opponents .
An irritated Biden — who in addition to telling Trump to “ shut up ” also called him a “ clown ” ― could only stand by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that didn ’ t work , ultimately shouted at Trump to stand down .
“ Let me ask my question , ” Wallace said at one point , and then finally : “ Mr .
President , I ’ m the moderator of this debate , I ’ d like you to let me ask my question and then you can answer .
… My question , sir , is what is the Trump health care plan ?
” At another point in the debate , Wallace tried to rein Trump in after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a jab about Biden ’ s son ’ s past work in Ukraine .
The former vice president defended Hunter Biden , saying he did nothing wrong by serving on the board of a Ukranian energy company .
At an auditorium that just months ago served as an emergency pop-up hospital for COVID-19 patients , some of the biggest issues facing the United States loomed large .
To date , the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 200,000 American lives , and cases continue to rise , outpacing nations around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain unemployed and with dwindling federal assistance .
But the exchange between Trump and Biden did not expand on how to address these struggles .
Trump repeatedly claimed the American death toll would have been higher under a Biden administration , defended holding massive rallies during the pandemic and downplayed the utility of wearing a mask .
Biden , in some rare moments where he could talk at length , was able to accomplish what his campaign said he would attempt to do : speak directly to the voters .
Looking straight into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have an empty seat at their table after losing a loved one to the pandemic .
He asked working-class Americans how they were really doing during the current economic climate .
And in a final plea , he called on Americans to vote however they felt comfortable .
When put on the spot about his record , Trump resorted to denials : He claimed to have paid “ millions ” in taxes in 2016 and 2017 , refuting a New York Times report that he only paid $ 750 in each of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-coronavirus numbers on the economy , inflating how the manufacturing industry was doing even before the pandemic .
And in one of the most notable moments of the night , Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and militia groups .
Instead , he said the Proud Boys , a neo-fascist group , should “ stand back and stand by.
” The negative tone between the two campaigns was set early .
In advance of the debate , the Trump campaign circulated a series of baseless conspiracies that the Biden campaign had backed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The claims were part of a continued attack , often pushed through doctored videos , that Biden has cognitive decline .
Biden ’ s campaign denied that it had ever agreed to an earpiece check .

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“Will you shut up, man?”
It took only minutes into the first presidential debate for Joe Biden to snap at Donald Trump in response to the president’s interruptions during a question about the Supreme Court. But the heated exchange was only a precursor to the ugly night ahead in what was perhaps the most chaotic and toxic presidential debate in modern history.
The debate in Cleveland, Ohio, was meant to cover the Supreme Court, health care, the coronavirus pandemic, law and order and police brutality. But Trump attempted a high-speed highjacking of the debate by relentlessly disrespecting the debate rules — he frequently talked over both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News — and by telling ostentatious lies in every segment. Trump falsely claimed he had enacted a comprehensive health care plan, launched personal attacks about Biden’s son Hunter, and advanced disinformation about mail-in voting.
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Although his performance was typical for Trump, it’s not clear the president did anything to sway the millions of suburban and women voters who say they are turned off by his behavior after nearly four years in office. Throwing a presidential debate into chaos when you are down in the polls might provide a sugar rush on the similarly combative Fox News, but will likely be a poor long-term strategy for the incumbent president.
It was, however, an apt demonstration of how Trump won the White House and governed as president: by trammeling unwritten political rules about mutual respect for the process and your opponents. An irritated Biden — who in addition to telling Trump to “shut up” also called him a “clown” ― could only stand by as Wallace pleaded with and, when that didn’t work, ultimately shouted at Trump to stand down.
“Let me ask my question,” Wallace said at one point, and then finally: “Mr. President, I’m the moderator of this debate, I’d like you to let me ask my question and then you can answer. … My question, sir, is what is the Trump health care plan?”
Trump fired back: “Well, first of all, I guess I’m debating you not him. But that’s OK, I’m not surprised.”
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At another point in the debate, Wallace tried to rein Trump in after the president refused to allow Biden to respond to a jab about Biden’s son’s past work in Ukraine. The former vice president defended Hunter Biden, saying he did nothing wrong by serving on the board of a Ukranian energy company.
“Mr. President, let him answer!” Wallace said. “Mr. President, please stop.”
A frustrated Biden responded, “It’s hard to get any word in with this clown.” He added, “Excuse me, this person.”
At an auditorium that just months ago served as an emergency pop-up hospital for COVID-19 patients, some of the biggest issues facing the United States loomed large. To date, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 200,000 American lives, and cases continue to rise, outpacing nations around the world. Meanwhile, millions of Americans remain unemployed and with dwindling federal assistance.
But the exchange between Trump and Biden did not expand on how to address these struggles. Trump repeatedly claimed the American death toll would have been higher under a Biden administration, defended holding massive rallies during the pandemic and downplayed the utility of wearing a mask.
Biden, in some rare moments where he could talk at length, was able to accomplish what his campaign said he would attempt to do: speak directly to the voters. Looking straight into the camera, Biden asked how many Americans have an empty seat at their table after losing a loved one to the pandemic. He asked working-class Americans how they were really doing during the current economic climate. And in a final plea, he called on Americans to vote however they felt comfortable.
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Those moments were followed by Trump’s bluster.
When put on the spot about his record, Trump resorted to denials: He claimed to have paid “millions” in taxes in 2016 and 2017, refuting a New York Times report that he only paid $750 in each of those years. He hung on to pre-coronavirus numbers on the economy, inflating how the manufacturing industry was doing even before the pandemic.
And in one of the most notable moments of the night, Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and militia groups. Instead, he said the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group, should “stand back and stand by.”
Tuesday’s debate comes as Trump trails in national polls and in surveys of key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump won all three Rust Belt states in 2016 over then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to clinch the presidency.
The negative tone between the two campaigns was set early. In advance of the debate, the Trump campaign circulated a series of baseless conspiracies that the Biden campaign had backed out of an inspection for earpiece devices. The claims were part of a continued attack, often pushed through doctored videos, that Biden has cognitive decline. Biden’s campaign denied that it had ever agreed to an earpiece check.
CNN political commentator and former Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorum, who often defends Trump, said the president did poorly on Tuesday.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-29--Trump Refuses To Condemn White Supremacists — Tells Proud Boys To 'Stand By'

During the first presidential debate , moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News asked Trump if he was willing to condemn “ white supremacists and militia groups ” and tell them to “ stand down ” in places like Kenosha , Wisconsin , and Portland , Oregon — cities where heavily armed far-right extremists have shown up to anti-racism demonstrations as counterprotesters .
“ Sure , I ’ m willing to do that , ” Trump said , “ but I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing , not from the right wing.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to see peace , ” Trump said .
“ What do you want to call them ?
” Trump asked .
“ Give me a name , go ahead , who would you like me to condemn ?
Wallace again asked Trump to condemn white supremacists and right-wing militias .
Biden told Trump to condemn the Proud Boys , a violent neo-fascist street gang .
At this point , Trump demurred .
“ But I tell you what , somebody has got to do something about antifa and the left because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a left-wing problem , ” Trump added , referring to a loosely organized group of anti-fascist activists .
At an official Trump campaign debate watch party on a farm in Lititz , Pennsyvania , a Proud Boys member reacted with glee when the president mentioned the group .
“ Uhuru !
” the Proud Boys member — who wore the group ’ s signature black and yellow polo shirt and would identify himself to HuffPost only as O.J .
from West Virginia — shouted at the TV screen while laughing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proud Boys chant .
Proud Boys members celebrated Trump ’ s response as a directive from above .
“ Trump basically said to go fuck them up !
this makes me so happy , ” Proud Boys member Joe Biggs posted on Parler , a right-wing social media site .
“ Standing down and standing by sir , ” the group wrote on Telegram , an encrypted messaging platform .
Federal law enforcement officials have repeatedly cited white supremacist violence as the top terror threat to the U.S .
But for years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacists .
During the 2016 presidential campaign , he refused several times to disavow the endorsement from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke .
When white supremacists organized a deadly rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , the following year , Trump responded by insisting there were “ very fine people on both sides ” of the event .
Trump has defended 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse , who killed two Black Lives Matter protesters , by saying he acted in self-defense .

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President Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacist violence on Tuesday night, insisting without evidence that violence is a left-wing problem.
During the first presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News asked Trump if he was willing to condemn “white supremacists and militia groups” and tell them to “stand down” in places like Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon — cities where heavily armed far-right extremists have shown up to anti-racism demonstrations as counterprotesters.
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“Sure, I’m willing to do that,” Trump said, “but I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing.”
“What are you saying?” Wallace asked.
“I’m willing to do anything. I want to see peace,” Trump said.
“Well, then do it, sir,” Wallace pressed.
“Say it. Do it,” Democratic nominee Joe Biden added.
“What do you want to call them?” Trump asked. “Give me a name, go ahead, who would you like me to condemn?”
Wallace again asked Trump to condemn white supremacists and right-wing militias. Biden told Trump to condemn the Proud Boys, a violent neo-fascist street gang. At this point, Trump demurred.
“Proud Boys? Stand back and stand by,” Trump said before changing the subject.
“But I tell you what, somebody has got to do something about antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem, this is a left-wing problem,” Trump added, referring to a loosely organized group of anti-fascist activists.
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At an official Trump campaign debate watch party on a farm in Lititz, Pennsyvania, a Proud Boys member reacted with glee when the president mentioned the group.
“Uhuru!” the Proud Boys member — who wore the group’s signature black and yellow polo shirt and would identify himself to HuffPost only as O.J. from West Virginia — shouted at the TV screen while laughing. “Uhuru” is a common Proud Boys chant.
Proud Boys members celebrated Trump’s response as a directive from above. “Trump basically said to go fuck them up! this makes me so happy,” Proud Boys member Joe Biggs posted on Parler, a right-wing social media site. “Standing down and standing by sir,” the group wrote on Telegram, an encrypted messaging platform.
Federal law enforcement officials have repeatedly cited white supremacist violence as the top terror threat to the U.S. But for years, Trump has downplayed the threat posed by white supremacists. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he refused several times to disavow the endorsement from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. When white supremacists organized a deadly rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the following year, Trump responded by insisting there were “very fine people on both sides” of the event. Trump has defended 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who killed two Black Lives Matter protesters, by saying he acted in self-defense.