thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Another Prosecutor Quits Trump's Policing Task Force, Worried It Will Cause Further Division

A Kansas prosecutor working with President Donald Trump ’ s controversial law enforcement task force resigned from his role , telling Attorney General William Barr in a letter that he was “ deeply offended by a political agenda to divide rather than build ” and worried that the commission wouldn ’ t “ acknowledge the systemic racism in our justice system.
” Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree , the first and only Black elected district attorney in Kansas , said he joined the commission ’ s working group on reentry programs and initiatives in the hope of bringing together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between communities and law enforcement .
“ Unfortunately , that excitement and joy was replaced with disappointment and concern with a process that left too many important voices out and one that completely lacked transparency , ” Dupree wrote .
“ I have yet to hear whether the Commission ’ s final report intends to adequately address the racial equity issues millions are pleading with us to reckon with , nor am I confident that the Commission ’ s recommendations will acknowledge the systemic racism in our justice system — these issues are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color in this country , ” Dupree wrote .
“ Instead , and more troubling , the Commission appears to be intent on exploiting the divisions that exist in this country .
Other commission members and I were not given access to read the full report and final recommendations .
I can not in good faith sign my name to a document if I have no idea what the final document actually advocates , ” Dupree wrote .
“ As the first and only African American elected District Attorney in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform-minded prosecutor who focuses on being smart on crime and using a holistic approach to justice , I am deeply offended by a political agenda to divide rather than build .
This report will perpetuate the harms of the war on drugs , which was a war on people of color , rather than move our country toward equity , ” he wrote .
A federal judge temporarily halted the commission ’ s work last month , ruling that it violated the law by excluding a number of voices and that any report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning .
The commission was supposed to issue its report in October , just ahead of the presidential election .
A Justice Department spokesperson said they had received Mr. Dupree ’ s letter and respected his request .
“ He was a valuable member of the working group on Reentry Programs and Initiatives and made important contributions to the Commission ’ s work , ” the spokesperson said .
The spokesperson did not say when the report would be issued .
Miriam Krinsky , the executive director of the progressive prosecutors ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dupree ’ s decision and said the commission “ missed a vital and timely opportunity to bring new thinking to the vision of policing ” in America .
“ Members were not selected through a bipartisan process , and civil rights experts , defense lawyers , formerly incarcerated individuals , researchers and scholars were all glaringly absent from the commission and its working groups , ” Krinsky said .
“ At a time when trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low , this commission and any questionable report it issues will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Michael Horowitz said that figuring out how to “ most effectively work to strengthen public confidence in law enforcement and protect individuals ’ civil liberties ” was one of the “ most pressing challenges ” facing the Justice Department in the wake of the high-profile deaths of several Black Americans at the hands of police officers .

A Kansas prosecutor working with President Donald Trump’s controversial law enforcement task force resigned from his role, telling Attorney General William Barr in a letter that he was “deeply offended by a political agenda to divide rather than build” and worried that the commission wouldn’t “acknowledge the systemic racism in our justice system.”
Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree, the first and only Black elected district attorney in Kansas, said he joined the commission’s working group on reentry programs and initiatives in the hope of bringing together different perspectives to positively affect the relationship between communities and law enforcement.
“Unfortunately, that excitement and joy was replaced with disappointment and concern with a process that left too many important voices out and one that completely lacked transparency,” Dupree wrote.
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“I have yet to hear whether the Commission’s final report intends to adequately address the racial equity issues millions are pleading with us to reckon with, nor am I confident that the Commission’s recommendations will acknowledge the systemic racism in our justice system — these issues are fundamental to earning the trust of people of color in this country,” Dupree wrote.
Mark Dupree, an elected prosecutor in Kansas, resigned from a working group on President Donald Trump's law enforcement commission. Mark Dupress campaign
“Instead, and more troubling, the Commission appears to be intent on exploiting the divisions that exist in this country. Other commission members and I were not given access to read the full report and final recommendations. I cannot in good faith sign my name to a document if I have no idea what the final document actually advocates,” Dupree wrote.
“As the first and only African American elected District Attorney in the state of Kansas, as well as a reform-minded prosecutor who focuses on being smart on crime and using a holistic approach to justice, I am deeply offended by a political agenda to divide rather than build. This report will perpetuate the harms of the war on drugs, which was a war on people of color, rather than move our country toward equity,” he wrote.
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A federal judge temporarily halted the commission’s work last month, ruling that it violated the law by excluding a number of voices and that any report released by the commission must come with a warning. The commission was supposed to issue its report in October, just ahead of the presidential election.
A Justice Department spokesperson said they had received Mr. Dupree’s letter and respected his request. “He was a valuable member of the working group on Reentry Programs and Initiatives and made important contributions to the Commission’s work,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson did not say when the report would be issued.
Prosecutor John Choi quit a commission task force earlier this year, voicing similar concerns about the Trump commission’s agenda.
Miriam Krinsky, the executive director of the progressive prosecutors’ group Fair and Just Prosecution, applauded Dupree’s decision and said the commission “missed a vital and timely opportunity to bring new thinking to the vision of policing” in America.
“Members were not selected through a bipartisan process, and civil rights experts, defense lawyers, formerly incarcerated individuals, researchers and scholars were all glaringly absent from the commission and its working groups,” Krinsky said. “At a time when trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low, this commission and any questionable report it issues will only further divide our country.”
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The Justice Department’s inspector general, in a report issued this week, wrote that public criticism of the commission by members, outside groups and a federal judge “may undermine public confidence” in the commission’s work.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Dozens Of Lawmakers Urge Biden To Pick Deb Haaland For Interior Secretary

Haaland , the chair of House Natural Resources subcommittee with oversight authority for the Interior Department , made history in 2018 as one of just two Native American women ever elected to Congress .
If Biden tapped her for the Interior Secretary post , it would be the first time the country has ever had a Native American serve in any Cabinet position .
“ We greatly appreciate your commitment to building a Cabinet that reflects the diversity of America , and we strongly recommend that you nominate our colleague Representative Deb Haaland , a congresswoman from New Mexico and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laguna , as to serve as your Secretary of the Interior , ” reads a letter to Biden that was sent Monday and signed by more than 50 House Democrats .
“ She has been a champion for our environment and public lands and has worked tirelessly to improve the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and Indian tribes , ” continues the letter , led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva ( D-Ariz. ) .
“ By selecting her to be your Secretary of the Interior , you can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Cabinet table for the first time.
” “ Since joining Congress and our coalition , Congresswoman Haaland has demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting public lands , addressing the climate crisis , and serving the needs of Indigenous communities across the country , ” they wrote .
“ As an Indigenous woman , her nomination would be historically important , and she would bring perspective and direct experience to the work of serving Tribal communities in a way no office holder has before her.
” Even some Republicans are speaking up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Okla. ) , who co-chairs the Congressional Native American Caucus with Haaland , raved about his bipartisan work with her .
“ While we belong to different parties , I consider Congresswoman Deb Haaland a valued colleague and a good friend , ” Cole told HuffPost in a Friday statement .
“ Congresswoman Haaland and I not only share a special bond through our tribal heritage and extensive knowledge of tribal history in the United States , but we have a shared understanding when it comes to advancing policies for the good of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Native American issues are not a matter of conservative versus liberal , we have accomplished a great deal together , including helping secure substantial federal funding to aid tribal governments in their response to the coronavirus crisis and shedding greater light on the heartbreaking epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women , ” he added .
“ As Secretary of the Interior , [ Rep. Haaland ] would not only make history as the first Native American to serve in that role , but would pour her passion into the job every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Julian Brave NoiseCat on Wednesday .
The Interior Department is responsible for managing the country ’ s natural resources and honoring the federal government ’ s commitments to Native American tribes , which it has failed to do time and time again .
It also oversees the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs , the latter of which manages over 55 million acres of land held in trust for Native Americans by the government .
Both agencies are notoriously underfunded and have failed to adequately serve Indigenous communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American woman in charge of the department with oversight of public lands ― from which Indigenous people were forcibly removed by the U.S. government ― is not lost on Haaland .
Haaland said “ of course ” she would be interested in the post of it were offered to her .
She emphasized that people are advocating for her to get it , but that she did not know what was happening with the appointment process .

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Dozens of members of Congress, including some Republicans, are urging President-elect Joe Biden to pick Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be his Interior Secretary ― and make some history in the process.
Haaland, the chair of House Natural Resources subcommittee with oversight authority for the Interior Department, made history in 2018 as one of just two Native American women ever elected to Congress. If Biden tapped her for the Interior Secretary post, it would be the first time the country has ever had a Native American serve as any Cabinet secretary.
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“We greatly appreciate your commitment to building a Cabinet that reflects the diversity of America, and we strongly recommend that you nominate our colleague Representative Deb Haaland, a congresswoman from New Mexico and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, as to serve as your Secretary of the Interior,” reads a letter to Biden that was sent Monday and signed by more than 50 House Democrats.
“She has been a champion for our environment and public lands and has worked tirelessly to improve the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and Indian tribes,” continues the letter, led by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). “By selecting her to be your Secretary of the Interior, you can make history by giving Native Americans a seat at the Cabinet table for the first time.”
Here’s a copy of their letter:
On Friday, Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Paul Tonko (N.Y.), co-chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, similarly wrote to Biden rallying behind Haaland for the job.
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“Since joining Congress and our coalition, Congresswoman Haaland has demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting public lands, addressing the climate crisis, and serving the needs of Indigenous communities across the country,” they wrote. “As an Indigenous woman, her nomination would be historically important, and she would bring perspective and direct experience to the work of serving Tribal communities in a way no office holder has before her.”
Even some Republicans are speaking up on her behalf. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who co-chairs the Congressional Native American Caucus with Haaland, raved about his bipartisan work with her.
“While we belong to different parties, I consider Congresswoman Deb Haaland a valued colleague and a good friend,” Cole told HuffPost in a Friday statement. “Congresswoman Haaland and I not only share a special bond through our tribal heritage and extensive knowledge of tribal history in the United States, but we have a shared understanding when it comes to advancing policies for the good of Indian Country.”
“Because we understand that Native American issues are not a matter of conservative versus liberal, we have accomplished a great deal together, including helping secure substantial federal funding to aid tribal governments in their response to the coronavirus crisis and shedding greater light on the heartbreaking epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women,” he added.
“Because we understand that Native American issues are not a matter of conservative versus liberal, we have accomplished a great deal together.” - Republican Rep. Tom Cole
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Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the ranking member on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, which Haaland chairs, explicitly endorsed Haaland for Interior Secretary.
“As Secretary of the Interior, [Rep. Haaland] would not only make history as the first Native American to serve in that role, but would pour her passion into the job every single day,” Young told reporter Julian Brave NoiseCat on Wednesday.
A Young spokesman did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The Interior Department is responsible for managing the country’s natural resources and honoring the federal government’s commitments to Native American tribes, which it has failed to do time and time again. It also oversees the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the latter of which manages over 55 million acres of land held in trust for Native Americans by the government. Both agencies are notoriously underfunded and have failed to adequately serve Indigenous communities.
The seismic shift of putting a Native American woman in charge of the department with oversight of public lands ― from which Indigenous people were forcibly removed by the U.S. government ― is not lost on Haaland.
“The symbolism alone, yes, it’s profound,” she told HuffPost last week.
Haaland said “of course” she would be interested in the post of it were offered to her. She emphasized that people are advocating for her to get it, but that she did not know what was happening with the appointment process.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Roughly 9 Out Of 10 Black Women Voted For Democrats This Election

Approximately nine in 10 Black women who voted cast ballots for Democrats , according to a report from the Center for American Women and Politics , a part of Rutgers University ’ s Eagleton Institute of Politics .
Black women ’ s support for Democrats ― in both the presidential and down-ballot races ― was greater than among any other group of women voters .
“ Black women have been the most reliable group of voters , at least if you look at voters by race and gender , over time , ” said Kelly Dittmar , CAWP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not new to this cycle , in fact , the rates of Black women support have been this high or even higher in previous presidential elections.
” Latinx women also powered the vote for Biden and Harris : Between 64 % and 73 % cast their ballots for the ticket .
Both Latinx and Black women ’ s support for Democrats was greater than the backing the party got from their respective male counterparts .
CAWP ’ s report examined data from four sources : Edison Research exit polls , the firm Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and polling from the Cooperative Election Study .
All four sources came to roughly the same conclusion on the majority of data points .
The majority of white women who voted apparently supported President Donald Trump , although those numbers are less clear because exit polling is ongoing .
From 46 % to 55 % of white women voted for Trump , according to the four data sources CAWP used .
White women gained special attention as a voter group after the majority of them voted for Trump in 2016 , helping him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate .
In this year ’ s election , white women ’ s votes varied depending on their education level .
The report found that the majority of college-educated white women voted for Biden ( between 54 % -65 % ) , while the majority of non-college-educated white women voted for Trump ( between 54 % -63 % ) .
Unsurprisingly , Evangelical women skewed heavily toward the Trump/Mike Pence ticket , with around seven in 10 voting for it .
While many were shocked by the turnout of white women for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not among them .
Much of the academic research done after the 2016 presidential election showed that certain groups of white women are more likely to vote by their race instead of their gender , she said .
“ That ’ s not new to U.S. history , ” Dittmer said .
“ But I think the Donald Trump case brought it to light in a more explicit way for many people because there was an assumption that if somebody was blatantly misogynistic that women would reject him .
But we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women have different definitions and criteria for what they deem to be misogynistic.
” The high turnout of Black women voters for Democrats is especially notable because it helped elect Harris , the first Black and first East Asian American woman to serve in the White House .
Biden and Harris emphasized outreach to Black communities throughout their campaign , especially in critical swing states .
Support from Black voters of both genders proved especially pivotal to the ticket carrying the battleground states of Georgia , Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During their victory speeches , both Biden and Harris thanked Black voters for turning out for them .
In one poignant moment , Harris thanked her late mother , who was East Asian , and all of the other women “ who fought and sacrificed so much for equality , liberty , and justice for all , including the Black women , who are too often overlooked , but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy .
”

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Women played a critical role in President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris winning the White House, but one group in particular stands out.
Approximately nine in 10 Black women who voted cast ballots for Democrats, according to a report from the Center for American Women and Politics, a part of Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics. Black women’s support for Democrats ― in both the presidential and down-ballot races ― was greater than among any other group of women voters.
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Also, consistent with data from past elections, Black women were the most likely voters to turn out for the election, CAWP found.
“Black women have been the most reliable group of voters, at least if you look at voters by race and gender, over time,” said Kelly Dittmar, CAWP’s director of research. “This is not new to this cycle, in fact, the rates of Black women support have been this high or even higher in previous presidential elections.”
Latinx women also powered the vote for Biden and Harris: Between 64% and 73% cast their ballots for the ticket. Both Latinx and Black women’s support for Democrats was greater than the backing the party got from their respective male counterparts.
CAWP’s report examined data from four sources: Edison Research exit polls, the firm Latino Decisions, Associated Press’s VoteCast and polling from the Cooperative Election Study. All four sources came to roughly the same conclusion on the majority of data points.
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The majority of white women who voted apparently supported President Donald Trump, although those numbers are less clear because exit polling is ongoing. From 46% to 55% of white women voted for Trump, according to the four data sources CAWP used. White women gained special attention as a voter group after the majority of them voted for Trump in 2016, helping him defeat Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential candidate.
In this year’s election, white women’s votes varied depending on their education level. The report found that the majority of college-educated white women voted for Biden (between 54%-65%), while the majority of non-college-educated white women voted for Trump (between 54%-63%). Unsurprisingly, Evangelical women skewed heavily toward the Trump/Mike Pence ticket, with around seven in 10 voting for it.
While many were shocked by the turnout of white women for Trump the second time around, Dittmer was not among them. Much of the academic research done after the 2016 presidential election showed that certain groups of white women are more likely to vote by their race instead of their gender, she said.
“That’s not new to U.S. history,” Dittmer said. “But I think the Donald Trump case brought it to light in a more explicit way for many people because there was an assumption that if somebody was blatantly misogynistic that women would reject him. But we know that’s not the calculation, and women have different definitions and criteria for what they deem to be misogynistic.”
The high turnout of Black women voters for Democrats is especially notable because it helped elect Harris, the first Black and first South Asian American woman to serve in the White House. Biden and Harris emphasized outreach to Black communities throughout their campaign, especially in critical swing states. Support from Black voters of both genders proved especially pivotal to the ticket carrying the battleground states of Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania ― all of which Trump won in 2016.
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During their victory speeches, both Biden and Harris thanked Black voters for turning out for them. In one poignant moment, Harris thanked her late mother, who was South Asian, and all of the other women “who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, liberty, and justice for all, including the Black women, who are too often overlooked, but so often prove that they are the backbone of our democracy.”
Biden won 306 electoral votes, to 232 for Trump. In the nationwide popular vote, with the count continuing, Biden leads Trump by close to 6 million votes, out of more than 153 million cast.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Trump Fails To Convince Michigan Lawmakers That Joe Biden Didn't Win The Election

President Donald Trump failed to convince Michigan lawmakers in a White House meeting that Joe Biden fraudulently won the presidential election in their state , they said in a statement .
“ We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan , and as legislative leaders , we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan ’ s electors , ” state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the Michigan House Lee Chatfield , both Republicans , said in a joint statement .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be taken seriously , thoroughly investigated , and if proven , prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
” But they also emphasized that “ candidates who win the most votes win elections and Michigan ’ s electoral votes .
These are simple truths that should provide confidence in our elections.
” Biden leads Trump by more than 140,000 votes in Michigan , which Trump carried in 2016 by about 11,000 votes .
Trump has not yet conceded the election to his rival , making unsubstantiated claims of mass voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Observers suspected Trump ’ s meeting with the legislative leaders was a long-shot bid to convince them to wield their power to sway electoral votes for him , despite the wishes of Michigan voters .
The president invited the men to Washington after reaching out Tuesday to GOP officials in Detroit ’ s Wayne County who had tried to block the certification of votes there before reversing following a furious response from the public .
Axios reported Friday that Shirkey and Chatfield were supposed to meet with the Trump campaign ’ s legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani .
But the meeting was called off due to the lawyers ’ likely exposure to COVID-19 .
Giuliani ’ s son , Andrew , who had been present during a meeting with the lawyers , announced Friday morning that he had tested positive for the virus .
He had also attended his father ’ s press conference Thursday .
Shirkey said earlier this week that an electoral coup in Michigan is “ not going to happen.
” Onlookers demanded that he “ certify the vote ” when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The Michigan lawmakers said their colleagues supported their statement .
They took the meeting as an opportunity to present Trump with a letter pressing for congressional aid to help the state deal with the coronavirus pandemic .
Chatfield said on Twitter that “ of course ” you take any opportunity to meet a president of the United States , “ no matter the party.
” He added : “ I won ’ t apologize for that .
In fact , I ’ m honored to speak with POTUS and proud to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States , of course you take it .
I won ’ t apologize for that .
In fact , I ’ m honored to speak with POTUS and proud to meet with him .
And I look forward to our conversation .
🇺🇸 — Lee Chatfield ( @ LeeChatfield ) November 20 , 2020

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President Donald Trump failed to convince Michigan lawmakers in a White House meeting that Joe Biden fraudulently won the presidential election in their state, they said in a statement.
“We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan, and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors,” state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the Michigan House Lee Chatfield, both Republicans, said in a joint statement.
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“Michigan’s certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation,” they added.
They noted that “allegations of fraudulent behavior should be taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and if proven, prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” But they also emphasized that “candidates who win the most votes win elections and Michigan’s electoral votes. These are simple truths that should provide confidence in our elections.”
Biden leads Trump by more than 140,000 votes in Michigan, which Trump carried in 2016 by about 11,000 votes. Trump has not yet conceded the election to his rival, making unsubstantiated claims of mass voter fraud that many Republican politicians have parroted.
My statement on our meeting with the President today: pic.twitter.com/npKXVFI60x — Sen. Mike Shirkey (@SenMikeShirkey) November 20, 2020
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Observers suspected Trump’s meeting with the legislative leaders was a long-shot bid to convince them to wield their power to sway electoral votes for him, despite the wishes of Michigan voters. The president invited the men to Washington after reaching out Tuesday to GOP officials in Detroit’s Wayne County who had tried to block the certification of votes there before reversing following a furious response from the public.
Axios reported Friday that Shirkey and Chatfield were supposed to meet with the Trump campaign’s legal team, now headed by the president’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.
But the meeting was called off due to the lawyers’ likely exposure to COVID-19. Giuliani’s son, Andrew, who had been present during a meeting with the lawyers, announced Friday morning that he had tested positive for the virus. He had also attended his father’s press conference Thursday.
Shirkey said earlier this week that an electoral coup in Michigan is “not going to happen.” Onlookers demanded that he “certify the vote” when he landed at Reagan National Airport Friday morning.
The Michigan lawmakers said their colleagues supported their statement. They took the meeting as an opportunity to present Trump with a letter pressing for congressional aid to help the state deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
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Chatfield said on Twitter that “of course” you take any opportunity to meet a president of the United States, “no matter the party.” He added: “I won’t apologize for that. In fact, I’m honored to speak with POTUS and proud to meet with him.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--'Wipeout' Contestant Dies After Completing Show's Obstacle Course

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — A contestant on “ Wipeout ” has died after completing the game show ’ s obstacle course , authorities and sources close to the production said Friday .
The man in his 30s was declared dead at a hospital shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday , Los Angeles County coroner ’ s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said .
The cause of death has not been released , and the man ’ s name was being withheld until relatives could be notified .
The reality competition show , in which contestants navigate an extreme obstacle course featuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spectacular crashes , ran on ABC from 2008 until 2014 and is being rebooted by TBS and production company Endemol Shine North America .
Two people close to the production said the man had completed the course on the show ’ s set in Santa Clarita , California , when he needed medical attention .
He was helped by on-site medical staff until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital .
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly .
The show stopped production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week off next week , they said .
Its contestants undergo a medical exam before competing .
“ We are devastated to have learned of his passing and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family.
” TBS said in a statement .
Endemol Shine released a statement saying , “ We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time.
” TBS announced in April that the show would be returning , and it said in September said its new hosts would be John Cena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been set yet .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A contestant on “Wipeout” has died after completing the game show’s obstacle course, authorities and sources close to the production said Friday.
The man in his 30s was declared dead at a hospital shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles County coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said. The cause of death has not been released, and the man’s name was being withheld until relatives could be notified.
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The reality competition show, in which contestants navigate an extreme obstacle course featuring giant balls and pitfalls that often result in spectacular crashes, ran on ABC from 2008 until 2014 and is being rebooted by TBS and production company Endemol Shine North America.
Two people close to the production said the man had completed the course on the show’s set in Santa Clarita, California, when he needed medical attention. He was helped by on-site medical staff until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The show stopped production Thursday and Friday and has a planned week off next week, they said. Its contestants undergo a medical exam before competing.
“We are devastated to have learned of his passing and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family.” TBS said in a statement.
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Endemol Shine released a statement saying, “We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time.”
TBS announced in April that the show would be returning, and it said in September said its new hosts would be John Cena and Nicole Byer. No premiere date had been set yet.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Kyle Rittenhouse Released From Custody After Posting $2 Million Bond

Kyle Rittenhouse , the teenager who shot and killed two people during a protest in Kenosha , Wisconsin , this summer has been released from jail after posting a $ 2 million bond .
The 17-year-old was released from custody Friday afternoon from the Kenosha County Detention Center , Kenosha News reported .
Rittenhouse was arrested in August after he killed two people during a protest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
Rittenhouse , who is from Antioch , Illinois , showed up with an AR-15-style rifle and told The Daily Caller he was there to “ help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night of Aug. 25 , Rittenhouse fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 , and Anthony Huber , 26 .
Cellphone video captured the moment he fatally shot Huber and injured a volunteer medic , 26-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz , who was shot in the arm .
Authorities charged Rittenhouse with murder , attempted murder and weapons and endangerment offenses ; he claims he acted in self-defense .
Rittenhouse allegedly got his gun from 19-year-old Dominick David Black , who was charged last week with two counts of intentionally giving a dangerous weapon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting , Rittenhouse has seen an outpouring of support from Republicans , including President Donald Trump , who claimed the teen was protecting himself .
His lawyers and evangelical groups have raised millions of dollars for his defense .

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Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who shot and killed two people during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this summer has been released from jail after posting a $2 million bond.
The 17-year-old was released from custody Friday afternoon from the Kenosha County Detention Center, Kenosha News reported. Rittenhouse was arrested in August after he killed two people during a protest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, who is from Antioch, Illinois, showed up with an AR-15-style rifle and told The Daily Caller he was there to “help people” and protect property.
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Later the night of Aug. 25, Rittenhouse fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26. Cellphone video captured the moment he fatally shot Huber and injured a volunteer medic, 26-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz, who was shot in the arm.
Authorities charged Rittenhouse with murder, attempted murder and weapons and endangerment offenses; he claims he acted in self-defense.
Rittenhouse allegedly got his gun from 19-year-old Dominick David Black, who was charged last week with two counts of intentionally giving a dangerous weapon to a minor causing death.
Since the shooting, Rittenhouse has seen an outpouring of support from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, who claimed the teen was protecting himself. His lawyers and evangelical groups have raised millions of dollars for his defense.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--12 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

12 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

We ’ re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week that just ended .
Check them out @ @ @ @ @ Spray holds one of her many poinsettia plants ready to be dispatched for the Christmas @ @ @ @ @ garden center on Nov. 14 , 2020 , in Loanhead , Scotland .
Credit : @ @ @ @

We’re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week that just ended. Check them out below.
Above: Carolyn Spray holds one of her many poinsettia plants ready to be dispatched for the Christmas season at the Pentland Plants garden center on Nov. 14, 2020, in Loanhead, Scotland. Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Court Upholds Verdict That Smithfield Must Pay For Making Life Near Hog Operation Miserable

The decisions by the 4th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond , Virginia , came hours before Smithfield Foods said it had put an end to this and similar nuisance cases filed by North Carolina residents either already on appeal that went against the company or hadn ’ t gone to trial .
“ We have resolved these cases through a settlement that will take into account the divided decision of the court , ” Smithfield Foods Chief Administrative Officer Keira Lombardo said in a statement .
The company won ’ t disclose financial terms .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first that went to trial among dozens of lawsuits filed by more than 500 neighbors complaining about hog operations .
Five that went to trial went against Smithfield , leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in punitive damages , which were later reduced because of state law capping such awards .
While one lawsuit still resulted in $ 94 million in damages , more recent verdicts led to much lower compensation .
A majority of the three-judge panel rejected Thursday the arguments of attorneys for Murphy-Brown LLC that a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subsidiary of Smithfield , which is owned by Hong Kong-based WH Group Limited .
The jurors found the company liable for the nuisance conditions at a Bladen County farm in eastern North Carolina that raised 15,000 hogs annually for the company and disposed of massive amounts of feces and urine there .
The neighbors of Kinlaw Farms had filed suit , complaining they had suffered for years from intense , putrid smells coming from open-air hog waste lagoons .
They alleged that Smithfield Foods refused to spend money on technology that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy-Brown interfered with the enjoyment of the residents ’ property .
The 10 neighbors received a total of $ 750,000 in compensation , plus $ 50 million in damages designed to punish Smithfield and WH Group .
North Carolina state law forced U.S. District Judge Earl Britt to cut the punitive damages to $ 2.5 million .
Still , the initial award total worried the hog industry and state agriculture leaders , even causing the North Carolina legislature to pass a law further restricting such litigation .
Lombardo said the lawsuits were part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ attorneys and their allies aimed at dismantling our safe , reliable and modern system of food production.
” She said in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic , it ’ s better to focus on producing good food instead of returning to “ ongoing and distracting litigation.
” Writing the prevailing opinion , U.S .
Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker rejected several arguments from Smithfield ’ s lawyers where they said Britt erred , including whether the issue of punitive damages should even have been put to the jury .
Thacker said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company “ persisted in its chosen farming practices despite its knowledge of the harms to its neighbors.
” She mentioned piles of hog carcasses in dumpsters on the farm , extensive summer spraying of hog waste from lagoons onto fields , and trucks running at all hours .
Smithfield ultimately removed its hogs from Kinlaw Farms .
The court “ recognized that the jury was right — Smithfield willfully and wantonly interfered with our clients ’ ability to live comfortably in their own homes , ” said Tillman Breckenridge , a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for jurors to consider the large bank accounts and executives ’ salaries at Smithfield and WH Group in determining whether it could have paid to improve technology and other conditions at Kinlaw Farms , Thacker wrote .
But she said it was wrong for Britt to allow jurors to consider the same information in determining the size of punitive damages , citing “ the particular ability of potentially inflammatory evidence to sway a jury ’ s calculation.
” The court vacated the punitive award and will return the case to the trial court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t changed the dominant method of hog waste disposal since intensive hog operations multiplied in North Carolina in the 1980s and ’ 90s .
The practice involves housing thousands of hogs together , flushing their waste into holding pits and allowing bacteria to break down the material , which is ultimately sprayed onto fields .

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a 2018 jury verdict that led to awarding monetary damages to neighbors of a North Carolina industrial hog operation for smells and noise they said made living nearby unbearable.
But judges ruled the jurors’ multimillion-dollar awards — intended to penalize a subsidiary of the world’s largest pork producer for wrongdoing — were unfairly weighed against its corporate assets and must be reconsidered.
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The decisions by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, came hours before Smithfield Foods said it had put an end to this and similar nuisance cases filed by North Carolina residents either already on appeal that went against the company or hadn’t gone to trial.
“We have resolved these cases through a settlement that will take into account the divided decision of the court,” Smithfield Foods Chief Administrative Officer Keira Lombardo said in a statement. The company won’t disclose financial terms.
Young pigs owned by Smithfield Foods gather around a water source at a farm in Farmville, North Carolina in July 2017. AP Photo/Gerry Broome
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs and those in other cases neither confirmed nor mentioned a settlement late Thursday. A statement from lawyers involved in the appeal praised the court’s decision to affirm the verdict.
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The case ruled upon Thursday by the appeals panel was the first that went to trial among dozens of lawsuits filed by more than 500 neighbors complaining about hog operations. Five that went to trial went against Smithfield, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in punitive damages, which were later reduced because of state law capping such awards. While one lawsuit still resulted in $94 million in damages, more recent verdicts led to much lower compensation.
A majority of the three-judge panel rejected Thursday the arguments of attorneys for Murphy-Brown LLC that a new trial should be ordered. Murphy-Brown is a subsidiary of Smithfield, which is owned by Hong Kong-based WH Group Limited.
The jurors found the company liable for the nuisance conditions at a Bladen County farm in eastern North Carolina that raised 15,000 hogs annually for the company and disposed of massive amounts of feces and urine there. The neighbors of Kinlaw Farms had filed suit, complaining they had suffered for years from intense, putrid smells coming from open-air hog waste lagoons. They alleged that Smithfield Foods refused to spend money on technology that could address these problems.
The jurors declared Murphy-Brown interfered with the enjoyment of the residents’ property. The 10 neighbors received a total of $750,000 in compensation, plus $50 million in damages designed to punish Smithfield and WH Group. North Carolina state law forced U.S. District Judge Earl Britt to cut the punitive damages to $2.5 million. Still, the initial award total worried the hog industry and state agriculture leaders, even causing the North Carolina legislature to pass a law further restricting such litigation.
Lombardo said the lawsuits were part of a “coordinated effort by plaintiffs’ attorneys and their allies aimed at dismantling our safe, reliable and modern system of food production.” She said in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s better to focus on producing good food instead of returning to “ongoing and distracting litigation.”
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Writing the prevailing opinion, U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker rejected several arguments from Smithfield’s lawyers where they said Britt erred, including whether the issue of punitive damages should even have been put to the jury.
Thacker said there was ample evidence for jurors to conclude the company “persisted in its chosen farming practices despite its knowledge of the harms to its neighbors.” She mentioned piles of hog carcasses in dumpsters on the farm, extensive summer spraying of hog waste from lagoons onto fields, and trucks running at all hours. Smithfield ultimately removed its hogs from Kinlaw Farms.
The court “recognized that the jury was right — Smithfield willfully and wantonly interfered with our clients’ ability to live comfortably in their own homes,” said Tillman Breckenridge, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.
A July 2017 photo shows hog waste flowing into the waste pond at a farm that has hogs owned by Smithfield Foods in Farmville, N.C. AP Photo/Gerry Broome
It was appropriate for jurors to consider the large bank accounts and executives’ salaries at Smithfield and WH Group in determining whether it could have paid to improve technology and other conditions at Kinlaw Farms, Thacker wrote. But she said it was wrong for Britt to allow jurors to consider the same information in determining the size of punitive damages, citing “the particular ability of potentially inflammatory evidence to sway a jury’s calculation.” The court vacated the punitive award and will return the case to the trial court to determine appropriate damages.
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Smithfield Foods hasn’t changed the dominant method of hog waste disposal since intensive hog operations multiplied in North Carolina in the 1980s and ’90s. The practice involves housing thousands of hogs together, flushing their waste into holding pits and allowing bacteria to break down the material, which is ultimately sprayed onto fields.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--I'm A Doctor, And I'm Failing My Patients. Here's What Forced Me To Recognize That.

gorodenkoff via Getty Images `` Obstetricians are far from alone in failing our patients — many other specialties are also guilty . ''
I decided to become a doctor because of one basic assumption : it meant helping people every day .
And I ’ m not alone — most physicians consider their profession to be a noble one .
The nobility of medicine is reinforced in every aspect of the training doctors go through .
We work hard to recognize illness when we see it , and to memorize the right lab tests to order and medications to prescribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re told that when we ’ re done , we ’ ll be authority figures in our specialties and that our patients will be able to rely on us to guide them and keep them safe .
But what happens when that ’ s not true ?
When evidence suggests that the treatments we ’ ve been proposing and procedures we ’ ve been performing might actually be doing more harm than good ?
You would think that physicians would follow the data and immediately change their practice because that ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , we ’ re not always as noble as we ought to be .
As an obstetrician , I realized my own culpability early one morning , when I was just starting a 24-hour call shift in the hospital .
All was quiet on the birth unit .
Patients had labored overnight and were snuggled in their beds with their newborns , enjoying that blissful — and temporary — slumber that follows giving your all and getting the ultimate reward in return .
But doctors know that just thinking things are quiet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word out loud , can be a curse .
Sure enough , the phone nestled on my hip started to ring .
It was a local midwife calling , hoping our team could turn her patient ’ s baby from breech to head-down .
She had been planning on a home birth and a breech baby would mean just the opposite : a C-section .
I invited them in for the procedure and they arrived an hour later .
The midwife had been in practice for many years , and I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had collaborated in the past .
She embraced me warmly and introduced me to her patient , who was pregnant with her first child and looked as though she was brimming with anticipation .
If we were successful , this would bring her one step closer to the birth she had been envisioning .
I got them settled into a hospital room and walked them through what to expect .
Turning a baby can feel intense and occasionally painful .
Sometimes , no matter how hard we try , we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
Complications like breaking the bag of water early or fetal distress can arise , but they ’ re rare enough that I ’ d never actually seen them happen .
I put my hands on her belly and felt that her baby was already on the larger side and was firmly lodged in her pelvis .
After a few minutes of effort , I was able to sneak two fingers under him and lift him just enough to get some wiggle room .
Our patient gritted her teeth but nodded at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With my other hand guiding the baby ’ s head , I incrementally rotated him clockwise , bit by bit .
After only a quarter turn , however , he started to resist me and popped right back to breech position .
The second attempt was far easier .
I only had to move his head downward several inches before he took over .
It was as if he suddenly realized that was where he was supposed to go and swam the rest of the way himself .
As soon as I heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very wrong .
It was far too slow — less than half of what it should have been .
Thump…thump…thump .
A sign of severe distress .
Her midwife and I sprang into action , helping her roll to her left side , then onto hands and knees , hoping we could find a position that would be less stressful for her baby .
Her nurse simultaneously started an IV fluid bolus .
He was a little pale when I pulled him out seconds later , but he took one look at me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fists punching the air .
He was tangled in his umbilical cord , but there was no bleeding and everything else looked normal , so it wasn ’ t clear what had caused his heart rate to drop so dangerously .
The American medical system has a problem , and it ’ s that we simply aren ’ t adapting our practice habits fast enough to match what research tells us is best .
Physicians tend to cling to outdated treatments and procedures , relying on our own experiences , rather than trusting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to being paid for those services , which just reinforces bad habits .
In obstetrics , doctors intervene in birth too often , in spite of studies telling us to back off .
We ’ re so used to dealing with the rare emergency , like the one I described above , that we see risk even where there isn ’ t any .
As much as I would like to believe I haven ’ t harmed patients in that manner , years of adrenaline-fueled C-sections probably do cloud my judgement about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs that up .
Every physician has a responsibility to help change these patterns .
I ’ ve taken this to heart and have stopped attending low-risk births .
The future of obstetrics is caring for higher risk pregnancies and dealing with the emergencies we ’ re so well trained to manage .
That ’ s the best use of our skill set — a skill set honed to recognize and treat illness rather than normal physiologic processes .
The cultural change that ’ s required in obstetrics , just like the cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t happen instantaneously .
But we can take a step in the right direction now by recognizing that we don ’ t become medical authorities when we finish our training — the pursuit of nobility is a journey that never stops .
We must constantly learn and evolve to serve our patients better .

"Obstetricians are far from alone in failing our patients — many other specialties are also guilty." gorodenkoff via Getty Images
I decided to become a doctor because of one basic assumption: it meant helping people every day. And I’m not alone — most physicians consider their profession to be a noble one. The nobility of medicine is reinforced in every aspect of the training doctors go through. We work hard to recognize illness when we see it, and to memorize the right lab tests to order and medications to prescribe to treat those illnesses. We’re told that when we’re done, we’ll be authority figures in our specialties and that our patients will be able to rely on us to guide them and keep them safe.
But what happens when that’s not true? When evidence suggests that the treatments we’ve been proposing and procedures we’ve been performing might actually be doing more harm than good? You would think that physicians would follow the data and immediately change their practice because that’s what’s right for their patients. Unfortunately, we’re not always as noble as we ought to be.
Advertisement
As an obstetrician, I realized my own culpability early one morning, when I was just starting a 24-hour call shift in the hospital. All was quiet on the birth unit. Patients had labored overnight and were snuggled in their beds with their newborns, enjoying that blissful — and temporary — slumber that follows giving your all and getting the ultimate reward in return. But doctors know that just thinking things are quiet, even if no one actually says the word out loud, can be a curse. Sure enough, the phone nestled on my hip started to ring.
It was a local midwife calling, hoping our team could turn her patient’s baby from breech to head-down. She had been planning on a home birth and a breech baby would mean just the opposite: a C-section. I invited them in for the procedure and they arrived an hour later. The midwife had been in practice for many years, and I had grown to respect her judgement when we had collaborated in the past. She embraced me warmly and introduced me to her patient, who was pregnant with her first child and looked as though she was brimming with anticipation. If we were successful, this would bring her one step closer to the birth she had been envisioning.
I got them settled into a hospital room and walked them through what to expect. Turning a baby can feel intense and occasionally painful. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can’t coax the baby to change position at all. Complications like breaking the bag of water early or fetal distress can arise, but they’re rare enough that I’d never actually seen them happen.
Our patient accepted all this with perfect calm, her hands cradling her stomach. She glanced at her midwife, then smiled at me.
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“I really think this kiddo wants to turn. It feels like he’s been trying for weeks. He just needs a little help,” she said.
“Exactly. He wants to meet you in the tub at home, not in the operating room,” her midwife chimed in, winking at me. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I laughed. “Water births are lovely.”
I put my hands on her belly and felt that her baby was already on the larger side and was firmly lodged in her pelvis. After a few minutes of effort, I was able to sneak two fingers under him and lift him just enough to get some wiggle room. Our patient gritted her teeth but nodded at me to continue despite her discomfort. With my other hand guiding the baby’s head, I incrementally rotated him clockwise, bit by bit. After only a quarter turn, however, he started to resist me and popped right back to breech position. The second attempt was far easier. I only had to move his head downward several inches before he took over. It was as if he suddenly realized that was where he was supposed to go and swam the rest of the way himself.
“He did it, didn’t he?” our patient gasped, her pain forgotten and her eyes now wide with delight.
“Sure did!”I replied, leaping up to return her high-five, the slap ringing out triumphantly in the room.
“What happens next?” she asked, a grin still spread across her face.
“We’ll put him on the heart monitor to make sure he’s adjusting to his new position, then you can go home and wait for labor,” I explained, wheeling over the monitor and placing it on her abdomen.
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As soon as I heard his heartbeat, I knew something was very wrong. It was far too slow — less than half of what it should have been. Thump…thump…thump. A sign of severe distress. Her midwife and I sprang into action, helping her roll to her left side, then onto hands and knees, hoping we could find a position that would be less stressful for her baby. Her nurse simultaneously started an IV fluid bolus.
We all wordlessly concentrated on her baby’s heartbeat as the minutes ticked by, willing it to increase. But it didn’t. It was actually slowing even more. I nodded at her nurse, who pressed the emergency button, alerting the rest of the staff to come assist us.
“As soon as I heard his heartbeat, I knew something was very wrong. It was far too slow — less than half of what it should have been. Thump…thump…thump. A sign of severe distress.”
“I’m so sorry,” I told our patient, who had reached out and grabbed my wrist so tightly it hurt. “None of what we’re doing seems to be making a difference. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I do know your baby is telling us he needs to be born ― right now.”
I silently wondered whether the procedure had caused her placenta to separate from her uterus. Was she bleeding internally? Was her baby deprived of oxygen? I could feel my palms start to sweat.
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“So, after all that, I’ll need a C-section anyway?” she started to sob, her previous calmness evaporating, as extra nurses rushed into the room.
“Yes, and we don’t have a moment to waste,” I said, explaining that the choice was hers, but that I didn’t see another safe path forward.
She gave her consent and as I started the surgery, I had to fight to keep the scalpel in my hand steady. Although I perform C-sections frequently, and I’m no stranger to the adrenaline of emergency surgery, it never seems to get easier. Please let this baby be healthy. Please.
He was a little pale when I pulled him out seconds later, but he took one look at me and started to scream, his small fists punching the air. He was tangled in his umbilical cord, but there was no bleeding and everything else looked normal, so it wasn’t clear what had caused his heart rate to drop so dangerously.
After we had finished up in the operating room, and I had updated our patient’s family, I found myself walking to the hospital’s coffee shop with the midwife.
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“I feel bad things worked out this way,” I said to her, shaking my head.
“Don’t,” she replied. “You just did your job. In fact, you did exactly what we need obstetricians to do: deal with rare emergencies.”
“Sure, but there’s nothing better than an uncomplicated birth, where everyone sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to the baby and counts fingers and toes, right?” I asked wistfully.
“Of course, but we don’t need doctors for that,” she said, winking at me once more.
Her words stopped me cold. Attending uncomplicated, healthy births was the biggest part of my job and my most favorite, full of so much joy and promise. But that didn’t mean she was wrong.
Unfortunately, there are too many similar examples to list here. In Washington state alone, we know that over 600,000 patients undergo unnecessary treatments of various kinds every year.
The American medical system has a problem, and it’s that we simply aren’t adapting our practice habits fast enough to match what research tells us is best. Physicians tend to cling to outdated treatments and procedures, relying on our own experiences, rather than trusting data. We’ve also gotten used to being paid for those services, which just reinforces bad habits. In obstetrics, doctors intervene in birth too often, in spite of studies telling us to back off. We’re so used to dealing with the rare emergency, like the one I described above, that we see risk even where there isn’t any. As much as I would like to believe I haven’t harmed patients in that manner, years of adrenaline-fueled C-sections probably do cloud my judgement about managing normal birth. And the data backs that up.
Every physician has a responsibility to help change these patterns. I’ve taken this to heart and have stopped attending low-risk births. The future of obstetrics is caring for higher risk pregnancies and dealing with the emergencies we’re so well trained to manage. That’s the best use of our skill set — a skill set honed to recognize and treat illness rather than normal physiologic processes. The cultural change that’s required in obstetrics, just like the cultural changes needed in cardiology and orthopedics, won’t happen instantaneously. But we can take a step in the right direction now by recognizing that we don’t become medical authorities when we finish our training — the pursuit of nobility is a journey that never stops. We must constantly learn and evolve to serve our patients better.
Kate McLean is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Seattle. She’s working on a memoir about practicing medicine in the U.S. and abroad in Tanzania.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--'Lie' Told By Pizza Worker Led To One Of Australia's Harshest COVID-19 Lockdowns Yet

SYDNEY , Nov 20 ( Reuters ) - South Australia officials said on Friday a “ lie ” led to the harshest coronavirus lockdown yet in the state as contact tracers were initially led to believe a man was infected with a highly contagious strain of the virus with a much shorter incubation period .
In a shock announcement on Friday , South Australia state Premier Steven Marshall said the six-day strict lockdown would be lifted earlier-than-expected , at midnight on Saturday , as the virus was not as contagious as initially thought .
A security guard at a quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pizza parlor , in the state capital of Adelaide , the Woodville Pizza Bar , was infected through a returned traveler from the UK .
A second worker , not identified by the authorities by name , at another quarantine hotel in the city also became infected .
Authorities said the man told contact tracers that he had only purchased a pizza from the same bar , when in fact they later discovered he worked several shifts there .
Authorities worked on the premise that the man had contracted the virus from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading them to believe he must have been exposed to a highly contagious strain .
“ Had this person been truthful to the contact tracing teams , we would not have gone into a six-day lockdown , ” Marshall told a news conference in Adelaide on Friday .
A second consequence is that contact tracers now need to find and isolate a whole new group of people who have had contact with the man .
“ There is an absolute need for us to move quickly over the next 24-36 hours to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know we have eliminated the risk of this particular strain spreading further into the community , ” Marshall added .
The contact tracing team sat down and interviewed the worker .
Another team reviewed the information obtained in the interview , but wasn ’ t satisfied with “ the feeling they got from this , ” South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said , speaking at the conference .
The review team went back to re-interview the man , who finally disclosed he worked several shifts at the pizza bar .
Premier Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many motivation was .
“ There is simply no mechanism for us to actually take any further action , ” Marshall said .
The state ’ s chief public health officer , Nicola Spurrier , also warned that the number of cases in South Australia would rise over the next couple of days , though those individuals are already in isolation and are not a threat to the wider community .

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SYDNEY, Nov 20 (Reuters) - South Australia officials said on Friday a “lie” led to the harshest coronavirus lockdown yet in the state as contact tracers were initially led to believe a man was infected with a highly contagious strain of the virus with a much shorter incubation period.
In a shock announcement on Friday, South Australia state Premier Steven Marshall said the six-day strict lockdown would be lifted earlier-than-expected, at midnight on Saturday, as the virus was not as contagious as initially thought.
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Marshall reiterated it was still a “dangerous” cluster with 25 infections and about 4,500 close contacts in quarantine.
HOW DID THE INFECTIONS BEGIN IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA?
A security guard at a quarantine hotel, who also worked part-time at a pizza parlor, in the state capital of Adelaide, the Woodville Pizza Bar, was infected through a returned traveler from the UK.
A second worker, not identified by the authorities by name, at another quarantine hotel in the city also became infected.
Authorities said the man told contact tracers that he had only purchased a pizza from the same bar, when in fact they later discovered he worked several shifts there.
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Authorities worked on the premise that the man had contracted the virus from a very short exposure while buying pizza, leading them to believe he must have been exposed to a highly contagious strain.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS?
“Had this person been truthful to the contact tracing teams, we would not have gone into a six-day lockdown,” Marshall told a news conference in Adelaide on Friday.
A second consequence is that contact tracers now need to find and isolate a whole new group of people who have had contact with the man.
“There is an absolute need for us to move quickly over the next 24-36 hours to identify and locate these people so we know we have eliminated the risk of this particular strain spreading further into the community,” Marshall added.
HOW DID AUTHORITIES FIND OUT?
The contact tracing team sat down and interviewed the worker. Another team reviewed the information obtained in the interview, but wasn’t satisfied with “the feeling they got from this,” South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said, speaking at the conference.
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The review team went back to re-interview the man, who finally disclosed he worked several shifts at the pizza bar.
Premier Marshall said it was not yet clear what the many motivation was.
ARE THERE ANY PENALTIES FOR THOSE MISLEADING CONTACT TRACERS?
No, though the current law would likely be reviewed.
“There is simply no mechanism for us to actually take any further action,” Marshall said.
IS SOUTH AUSTRALIA OUT OF THE WOODS YET?
No. Authorities are still trying to locate thousands of people who may have had “dangerous contact” at the Woodville Pizza Bar.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Daily COVID-19 Deaths In U.S. Reach Highest Level Since May

The surging coronavirus is taking an increasingly dire toll across the U.S. just as a vaccine appears close at hand , with the country now averaging over 1,300 COVID-19 deaths per day — the highest level since the calamitous spring in and around New York City .
The overall U.S. death toll has reached about 254,000 , by far the most in the world .
Confirmed infections have eclipsed more than 11.8 million , after the biggest one-day gain on record Thursday — almost 188,000 .
And the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 hit another all-time high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border county of El Paso , where more than 300 people have died from COVID-19 since October , is advertising jobs for morgue workers capable of lifting bodies weighing 175 pounds ( 79 kilograms ) or more .
Officials are offering more than $ 27 an hour for work described as not only physically arduous but “ emotionally taxing as well.
” COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are at their highest level since late May , when the Northeast was emerging from the first wave of the crisis .
They peaked at about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when New York City was the epicenter and bodies were being loaded onto refrigerated trucks by forklift .
Amid the bleak new statistics , Pfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine , setting in motion a process that could make the first , limited shots available as early as next month , with health care workers and other high-risk groups likely to get priority .
In Texas , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has ruled out another shutdown and singled out El Paso county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
The state ’ s attorney general , Ken Paxton , likened the county ’ s chief administrator to a “ tyrant ” after Paxton won an appeals court ruling blocking local leaders from shutting down gyms and other nonessential businesses .
At issue is a Senate bill that would ban the state health department from issuing mandatory quarantine orders enforced against people who are not sick or exposed to disease — such as the order announced by the governor Tuesday setting a 10 p.m. curfew .
DeWine said he will veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republicans in both the House and Senate have enough votes to override the veto if they choose .
In California , the curfew affects 41 of the state ’ s 58 counties .
Its impact will depend heavily on voluntary compliance .
Some county sheriffs said they won ’ t enforce it the rules for people not on essential errands to stay home after 10 p.m. Rocco Temasamani , who was selling jewelry Friday at San Diego ’ s Ocean Beach , said the curfew will do little to curb the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it government overreach .
Michael Maring , an auto mechanic from El Centro , California , who was visiting San Diego , said he will obey the curfew , despite his fondness for 2 a.m. bike rides , because he doesn ’ t want trouble with police .
Like Temasamani , he thinks authorities will be reluctant to enforce the new measure .
He said nurses had to make multiple calls this week before the University of Kansas Hospital , about 360 miles ( 580 kilometers ) away in Kansas City , Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients whose oxygen levels were falling .
Then several more calls were needed to find an air transport company that could fly her there .

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The surging coronavirus is taking an increasingly dire toll across the U.S. just as a vaccine appears close at hand, with the country now averaging over 1,300 COVID-19 deaths per day — the highest level since the calamitous spring in and around New York City.
The overall U.S. death toll has reached about 254,000, by far the most in the world. Confirmed infections have eclipsed more than 11.8 million, after the biggest one-day gain on record Thursday — almost 188,000. And the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 hit another all-time high at more than 80,000.
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With health experts deeply afraid Thanksgiving travel and holiday gatherings next week will fuel the spread of the virus, many states and cities are imposing near-lockdowns or other restrictions. California ordered a 10 p.m.-to 5-a.m. curfew starting Saturday, covering 94% of the state’s 40 million residents.
The Texas border county of El Paso, where more than 300 people have died from COVID-19 since October, is advertising jobs for morgue workers capable of lifting bodies weighing 175 pounds (79 kilograms) or more. Officials are offering more than $27 an hour for work described as not only physically arduous but “emotionally taxing as well.”
The county had already begun paying jail inmates $2 an hour to help move corpses and has ordered at least 10 refrigerated trucks as morgues run out of room.
COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are at their highest level since late May, when the Northeast was emerging from the first wave of the crisis. They peaked at about 2,200 a day in late April, when New York City was the epicenter and bodies were being loaded onto refrigerated trucks by forklift.
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Among the newly infected was President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who a spokesman said Friday has no symptoms and has been quarantining since learning of his diagnosis earlier this week.
Amid the bleak new statistics, Pfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, setting in motion a process that could make the first, limited shots available as early as next month, with health care workers and other high-risk groups likely to get priority.
But it could take months before the vaccine becomes widely available. Pfizer has said the vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing the disease.
In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ruled out another shutdown and singled out El Paso county leaders for not enforcing restrictions already in place. The state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, likened the county’s chief administrator to a “tyrant” after Paxton won an appeals court ruling blocking local leaders from shutting down gyms and other nonessential businesses.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, also a Republican, failed to persuade leaders of the GOP-controlled legislature to reject a bill that would limit his administration’s power to deal with the crisis.
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At issue is a Senate bill that would ban the state health department from issuing mandatory quarantine orders enforced against people who are not sick or exposed to disease — such as the order announced by the governor Tuesday setting a 10 p.m. curfew.
DeWine said he will veto the bill when it reaches his desk. Republicans in both the House and Senate have enough votes to override the veto if they choose.
“This bill is a disaster,” DeWine said Thursday. “This is not a bill that can become law.”
In California, the curfew affects 41 of the state’s 58 counties. Its impact will depend heavily on voluntary compliance. Some county sheriffs said they won’t enforce it the rules for people not on essential errands to stay home after 10 p.m.
The curfew is less strict than the near-total ban on nonessential business and travel that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom imposed in March, which he credited with flattening the rate of COVID-19 cases.
Rocco Temasamani, who was selling jewelry Friday at San Diego’s Ocean Beach, said the curfew will do little to curb the coronavirus and will instead anger people who consider it government overreach.
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He thinks the order will rankle supporters of President Donald Trump who are already agitated by the president’s claims of election fraud and back his hands-off approach to regulating behavior during the pandemic.
“It’s really, really throwing gasoline on a fire,” said Temasamani, who was skeptical that police will enforce the curfew.
Michael Maring, an auto mechanic from El Centro, California, who was visiting San Diego, said he will obey the curfew, despite his fondness for 2 a.m. bike rides, because he doesn’t want trouble with police. Like Temasamani, he thinks authorities will be reluctant to enforce the new measure.
In Kansas, new cases have risen to an average of over 2,700 per day, nearly four times higher than a month ago.
“Our hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. Health care workers are burned out,” Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday.
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In rural western Kansas, the number of people seeking testing at a Kearny County clinic doubled over the past week to about 80 per day, said Dr. Lane Olson, a family practice doctor.
He said nurses had to make multiple calls this week before the University of Kansas Hospital, about 360 miles (580 kilometers) away in Kansas City, Kansas, agreed to take one of his coronavirus patients whose oxygen levels were falling. Then several more calls were needed to find an air transport company that could fly her there.
In the state capital, Topeka, the emergency department at Stormont Vail Hospital has taken over a back hallway and a waiting room, with some patients waiting hours to be moved to a regular room. The crunch has area officials considering opening a field hospital.
In Arizona, four Democratic mayors urged Republican Gov. Doug Ducey to impose a statewide requirement for people to wear masks in public. The move came as health officials reported more than 4,000 additional COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day.
Ducey’s chief of staff, Daniel Scarpinato, pushed back on the request, saying the mayors are doing little to enforce their own mask ordinances or ensure that existing safety measures put in place by the governor are being enforced.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--Kayleigh McEnany’s Latest Trump Lie Is Firmly Debunked In Viral Video

A video going viral on Twitter proves otherwise .
The NowThis clip begins with McEnany making her latest baseless claim @ @ @ @ @ footage of Trump , during his inauguration in January 2017 , actually thanking former President @ @ @ @ @ lady Michelle Obama “ for their gracious aid throughout this transition.
” The video later @ @ @ @ @ sought to facilitate the transfer of power to Trump with Trump ’ s ongoing and @ @ @ @ @ the election from President-elect Joe Biden .
Check out the video here : Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ not receive ‘ an orderly transition of power ’ ROLL 🗣 THE 🗣 TAPE 🗣 @ @ @ @ @ nowthisnews ) November 20 , 2020 A shorter version of the video has garnered more @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .

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A video going viral on Twitter proves otherwise.
The NowThis clip begins with McEnany making her latest baseless claim.
It then cuts to footage of Trump, during his inauguration in January 2017, actually thanking former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama “for their gracious aid throughout this transition.”
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“They have been magnificent,” Trump declares.
The video later contrasts how the Obama administration sought to facilitate the transfer of power to Trump with Trump’s ongoing and increasingly unhinged attempts at stealing the election from President-elect Joe Biden.
Check out the video here:
Kayleigh McEnany claims Pres. Trump did not receive ‘an orderly transition of power’
ROLL 🗣 THE 🗣 TAPE 🗣 pic.twitter.com/KBSrZWxmPp — NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 20, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--Conservative News Site Warns Donald Trump: 'Concede And Move On'

The Washington Examiner urged President Donald Trump to “ move on ” and accept defeat in the 2020 election in an editorial published Friday .
The conservative news outlet warned that Trump ’ s ongoing attempts to overturn President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory could jeopardize the GOP candidates running for Georgia ’ s two Senate seats in January runoff elections , and thus cost the Republican Party its control of the Senate .
The site has called out Trump before , but often strikes a friendly tone on the president .
The editorial argues that Trump had the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mistakes , fraud , or all three , ” but that Trump ’ s legal team has failed to prove the allegations and now “ increasingly looks as though it is flinging mud to see what sticks , rather than pursuing a coherent course of litigation.
” The newspaper said Trump ’ s desperate bid for a second term will fail and is distracting “ from the really important task of keeping the Senate in Republican hands.
” “ If Trump wishes people to believe he has the good of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , the president should concede that he lost and should do all he can to help his party win the two Senate battles in which it is still engaged , ” it concluded .

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The conservative news outlet warned that Trump’s ongoing attempts to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory could jeopardize the GOP candidates running for Georgia’s two Senate seats in January runoff elections, and thus cost the Republican Party its control of the Senate.
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The site has called out Trump before, but often strikes a friendly tone on the president.
The editorial argues that Trump had the right to legally challenge alleged election “irregularities, mistakes, fraud, or all three,” but that Trump’s legal team has failed to prove the allegations and now “increasingly looks as though it is flinging mud to see what sticks, rather than pursuing a coherent course of litigation.”
The newspaper said Trump’s desperate bid for a second term will fail and is distracting “from the really important task of keeping the Senate in Republican hands.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--People Think Mnuchin Accidentally Said Trump Admin’s Most Honest Thing About COVID-19

People think Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin ’ s slip of the tongue on Friday could be the most honest thing ever said by someone in President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
During a telephone interview for CNBC ’ s “ Squawk Box , ” Mnuchin said “ we ’ re working on mass distribution of the virus.
” He presumably meant to say the Trump White House was working on the mass distribution of a vaccine to combat the spread of COVID-19 .
`` We 're working on mass distribution of the virus . ''
— Treasury Sec .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on mass distribution of the ~vaccine~ and not the virus .
pic.twitter.com/DqaTC1ZTmD — The Recount ( @ therecount ) November 20 , 2020 But folks on Twitter thought it was a Freudian slip , seeing how Trump ’ s mishandling of the pandemic has allowed the coronavirus to ravage the country , killing more than 250,000 Americans to date .
Trump intentionally misled citizens for months by downplaying the threat of the contagion in public , while in private acknowledging its dangers .
The outgoing president also ignored his own government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , hosted crowded campaign rallies for maskless supporters and ended up being hospitalized for three days after contracting it himself .
I mean they are working on mass distribution of the virus .
https : //t.co/fXfr6AnAph — Kendra `` Gloom is My Beat '' Pierre-Louis ( @ KendraWrites ) November 20 , 2020 When trump says `` I 've been loyal to the special interests '' and Steve Mnuchin says `` we 're working on mass distribution of the virus , '' those are n't Freudian slips .
Those are FACTS .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 20 , 2020 They already succeeded with mass distribution of the virus .
It 's the worst in the world , largely because of their anti-science attitude .
— Jeanthejust ( @ Jeanthejust ) November 20 , 2020 Steve Mnuchin just said `` ... we 're working on mass distribution of the virus . ''
Quite possibly the most honest thing ever said by the Trump administration .
— Rob Szczerba ( @ RJSzczerba ) November 20 , 2020 They already did the mass distribution of the virus part .
— Slade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 I 'd say they 've got that whole `` mass distribution of the virus '' thing pretty much down to a science ( no pun intended ) .
— Edna K - Deep State Sharpie™ Inspector ( @ EdnaK_ ) November 20 , 2020 Actually , they do seem to be working on mass distribution of the virus ... — Jamie Schler ( @ lifesafeast ) November 20 , 2020 No , he did n't misspeak , they have done everything possible to enable mass distribution of the virus .
The incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine .
— Ready to Build Back Better ( @ TLee_is_me ) November 20 , 2020 '' We 're working on mass distribution of the virus . ''
You have to admit that they ’ re doing a wonderful job ... — diego bravo ( @ diegobravo67 ) November 20 , 2020 They have already succeeded in mass distribution of the virus , no need for more work on that front .
— Kevin Gromley 🇺🇸 ( @ KevinGromley ) November 20 , 2020 No one paying attention thinks @ stevenmnuchin1 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're working on mass distribution of the virus . ''
That 's been the Trump/GOP plan from day one : kill off as many people as possible and tank the economy so they can swoop in and get even richer .
pic.twitter.com/tznN7L2P3S — Johnny Akzam ( @ JohnnyAkzam ) November 20 , 2020

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People think Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s slip of the tongue on Friday could be the most honest thing ever said by someone in President Donald Trump’s administration.
During a telephone interview for CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Mnuchin said, “We’re working on mass distribution of the virus.” He presumably meant to say the Trump White House was working on the mass distribution of a vaccine to combat the spread of COVID-19.
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Check out the clip here:
"We're working on mass distribution of the virus." — Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin, who we hope is working on mass distribution of the ~vaccine~ and not the virus. pic.twitter.com/DqaTC1ZTmD — The Recount (@therecount) November 20, 2020
But folks on Twitter took it as a Freudian slip, seeing how Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic has allowed the coronavirus to ravage the country, killing more than 250,000 Americans to date and infecting nearly 12 million.
Trump intentionally misled citizens for months by downplaying the threat of the virus in public, while in private acknowledging its dangers.
The outgoing president also ignored his own government’s advice on how to mitigate its spread and hosted multiple crowded campaign rallies attended by maskless supporters.
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I mean they are working on mass distribution of the virus. https://t.co/fXfr6AnAph — Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis (@KendraWrites) November 20, 2020
When trump says "I've been loyal to the special interests" and Steve Mnuchin says "we're working on mass distribution of the virus," those aren't Freudian slips.
Those are FACTS. — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) November 20, 2020
Honesty is always the best policy. https://t.co/OAUd18Tbd1 — Wajahat "Wears a Mask Because of a Pandemic" Ali (@WajahatAli) November 20, 2020
They already succeeded with mass distribution of the virus. It's the worst in the world, largely because of their anti-science attitude. — Jeanthejust (@Jeanthejust) November 20, 2020
Steve Mnuchin just said "... we're working on mass distribution of the virus."
Quite possibly the most honest thing ever said by the Trump administration. — Rob Szczerba (@RJSzczerba) November 20, 2020
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They already did the mass distribution of the virus part. — Slade (@Slade) November 20, 2020
I'd say they've got that whole "mass distribution of the virus" thing pretty much down to a science (no pun intended). — Edna K - Deep State Sharpie™ Inspector (@EdnaK_) November 20, 2020
Actually, they do seem to be working on mass distribution of the virus... — Jamie Schler (@lifesafeast) November 20, 2020
No, he didn't misspeak, they have done everything possible to enable mass distribution of the virus. The incoming administration will work to effectively mass distribute the vaccine. — Ready to Build Back Better (@TLee_is_me) November 20, 2020
"We're working on mass distribution of the virus." You have to admit that they’re doing a wonderful job... — diego bravo (@diegobravo67) November 20, 2020
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Sadly this is an accurate statement https://t.co/hTfRAP2Lkd — March For Science 😷 (@MarchForScience) November 20, 2020
They have already succeeded in mass distribution of the virus, no need for more work on that front. — Kevin Gromley 🇺🇸 (@KevinGromley) November 20, 2020
No one paying attention thinks @stevenmnuchin1 was misspeaking when he said, "We're working on mass distribution of the virus."
That's been the Trump/GOP plan from day one: kill off as many people as possible and tank the economy so they can swoop in and get even richer. pic.twitter.com/tznN7L2P3S — Johnny Akzam (@JohnnyAkzam) November 20, 2020
Well, they are doing an absolutely amazing job at that. https://t.co/7r4dxFOnvc pic.twitter.com/ms4yebmCSo — Chris O’Coin (@OCOIN) November 20, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-21--Trump Fooled By Twitter Account Pretending To Be His Sister

President Donald Trump on Friday shared tweets praising him that he thought were from his sister — but were actually from a fake account .
Trump retweeted an article from conservative talk show host Wayne Dupree ’ s website , which appeared to buy that @ thebettytrump was actually run by the president ’ s older sister , Elizabeth Trump Grau .
The tweets were gushingly positive about her brother , praising him for being the true winner of the election , and hailing him for fighting to overturn the results .
“ This election inspired me to break my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family , ” one of the tweets read .
“ My brother Don won this election and will fight this to the very end .
We ’ ve always been a family of fighters.
” The parody account , which first tweeted this week , has been suspended by Twitter for violating its policies against platform manipulation and spam .
The article Trump retweeted has been updated to say that the tweets were made by an “ alleged sister.
” Whoever started the parody account also fessed up in a tweet on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner that I was a parody but I certainly didn ’ t anticipate Trump himself taking notice of the account !
” @ thebettytrump said .
The president ’ s eldest sister , Maryanne Trump Barry , is a retired federal judge who has publicly kept quiet about her brother .
But in a series of audio clips released by her niece Mary Trump in August , she called her brother a liar with “ no principles ” whom you “ can ’ t trust.
” Mary Trump released the clips , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aunt , following the publication of her book about her uncle , “ Too Much and Never Enough .
”

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President Donald Trump on Friday shared tweets praising him that he thought were from his sister — but were actually from a fake account.
Trump retweeted an article from conservative talk show host Wayne Dupree’s website, which appeared to buy that @thebettytrump was actually run by the president’s older sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau.
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The tweets were gushingly positive about her brother, praising him for being the true winner of the election, and hailing him for fighting to overturn the results.
(Trump did not win the election; President-elect Joe Biden did.)
“This election inspired me to break my silence and speak out on behalf of my family,” one of the tweets read. “My brother Don won this election and will fight this to the very end. We’ve always been a family of fighters.”
Trump responded to the article about the tweets, writing, “Thank you Elizabeth! LOVE!”
The parody account, which first tweeted this week, has been suspended by Twitter for violating its policies against platform manipulation and spam.
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The article Trump retweeted has been updated to say that the tweets were made by an “alleged sister.”
Whoever started the parody account also fessed up in a tweet on Friday. “I would have clarified sooner that I was a parody but I certainly didn’t anticipate Trump himself taking notice of the account!” @thebettytrump said.
Here’s the answer — it’s not really the president’s sister pic.twitter.com/ZaJj8YeIna — Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) November 20, 2020
The president’s eldest sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, is a retired federal judge who has publicly kept quiet about her brother. But in a series of audio clips released by her niece Mary Trump in August, she called her brother a liar with “no principles” whom you “can’t trust.”
Mary Trump released the clips, which were short segments of interviews with her aunt, following the publication of her book about her uncle, “Too Much and Never Enough.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-20--Honeymoon Already Shaky: Joe Biden Hits A Nerve On Twitter With Money Plea

President-elect Joe Biden , hat in hand , appealed to voters Friday for funding for his administration ’ s transition into the White House .
“ Here ’ s the deal , ” Biden tweeted .
“ Because President Trump refuses to concede and is delaying the transition , we have to fund it ourselves and need your help , ” asking supporters to “ chip in.
” Here 's the deal : Because President Trump refuses to concede and is delaying the transition , we have to fund it ourselves and need your help .
If you 're able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden-Harris transition .
https : //t.co/apJMrdpoSS — Joe Biden ( @ JoeBiden ) November 20 , 2020 Though followers on Twitter were definitely not willing to “ chip in , ” they had lots of ideas about how Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris could economize — like “ skipping Coachella this year.
” People responding were amused — but also annoyed that the president-elect of the world ’ s wealthiest nation , which has handed massive tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy , now has his hand out to the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
have you considered -- getting a roommate -- skipping the morning latte at the coffee shop -- getting a second job -- cutting out the avocado toast for a sack lunch PB & J -- putting on a sweater instead of turning up the heat https : //t.co/zapcJ3wBJ2 — BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL ( @ edsbs ) November 20 , 2020 - move in with family - skip coachella this year - do n't upgrade your iPhone for once — Colin Burns ( @ clnbrns ) November 20 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund it with taxes .
Come on with this .
— Ed DeRosa ( @ EJXD2 ) November 21 , 2020 Man , we ’ re the ones who need *your* help .
— Axelle Carolyn ( @ AxelleCarolyn ) November 21 , 2020 Nope .
This country had plenty of money .
We have miles of people waiting in lines who aren ’ t eating .
We are not paying for it and don ’ t ask again .
I thought you were different — Jeannette Sarpola ( @ zsazu ) November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 186 billionaires who funded your campaign instead of people who ca n't afford rent this month .
https : //t.co/x9o5nWbWMT — Gravel Institute ( @ GravelInstitute ) November 20 , 2020 I tell you what , you get me some stimulus , I send a lil somethin your way — Kyle 🌱 ( @ KylePlantEmoji ) November 20 , 2020 Lmao can you imagine asking millions of unemployed people for donations to uphold a system that oppresses them 🥴 — Barbancourt Papi ( @ Tedket ) November 20 , 2020 Did n't you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all gone ?
Will you be reimbursed once Trump 's stunt ends ?
Will you pay donors back ?
Do you take us for fools ?
C'mon man !
— Margaret Kimberley ( @ freedomrideblog ) November 20 , 2020 Hey , chief .
Congrats .
Excited to see whatcha got in ya .
Anyway per this request , feels like a rich people problem .
— Contact Tracy Chapman™ ( @ TimDuffy ) November 21 , 2020

President-elect Joe Biden, hat in hand, appealed to voters Friday for funding for his administration’s transition into the White House.
Ah, nope would be Twitter followers’ stunned response.
“Here’s the deal,” Biden tweeted. “Because President Trump refuses to concede and is delaying the transition, we have to fund it ourselves and need your help,” asking supporters to “chip in.”
Here's the deal: Because President Trump refuses to concede and is delaying the transition, we have to fund it ourselves and need your help.
If you're able, chip in to help fund the Biden-Harris transition. https://t.co/apJMrdpoSS — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 20, 2020
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Though followers on Twitter were definitely not willing to “chip in,” they had lots of ideas about how Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris could economize — like “skipping Coachella this year.”
People responding were amused — but also annoyed that the president-elect of the world’s wealthiest nation, which has handed massive tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy, now has his hand out to the average American struggling with tough economic times just now.
have you considered
--getting a roommate
--skipping the morning latte at the coffee shop
--getting a second job
--cutting out the avocado toast for a sack lunch PB&J
--putting on a sweater instead of turning up the heat https://t.co/zapcJ3wBJ2 — BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) November 20, 2020
- move in with family
- skip coachella this year
- don't upgrade your iPhone for once — Colin Burns (@clnbrns) November 20, 2020
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Yikes. Hard pass. We already fund it with taxes. Come on with this. — Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) November 21, 2020
Man, we’re the ones who need *your* help. — Axelle Carolyn (@AxelleCarolyn) November 21, 2020
Nope. This country had plenty of money. We have miles of people waiting in lines who aren’t eating. We are not paying for it and don’t ask again. I thought you were different — Jeannette Sarpola (@zsazu) November 21, 2020
Ask one of the 186 billionaires who funded your campaign instead of people who can't afford rent this month. https://t.co/x9o5nWbWMT — Gravel Institute (@GravelInstitute) November 20, 2020
I tell you what, you get me some stimulus, I send a lil somethin your way — Kyle 🌱 (@KylePlantEmoji) November 20, 2020
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Lmao can you imagine asking millions of unemployed people for donations to uphold a system that oppresses them 🥴 — Barbancourt Papi (@Tedket) November 20, 2020
Didn't you raise $1 billion? Is it all gone? Will you be reimbursed once Trump's stunt ends? Will you pay donors back? Do you take us for fools?
C'mon man! — Margaret Kimberley (@freedomrideblog) November 20, 2020
Borrow the money.
The average American can’t afford it. — Kirk Acevedo🇺🇸 (@kirkacevedo) November 20, 2020
Hey, chief. Congrats. Excited to see whatcha got in ya. Anyway per this request, feels like a rich people problem. — Contact Tracy Chapman™ (@TimDuffy) November 21, 2020
🤦🏾♀ we. are. broke. No jobs. No aid. FOR MONTHS!!! — MrsBundrige (@MrsBundrige) November 20, 2020
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Australians: receive $1,993 a month
Canadians: receive $1,433 a month
Germans: receive up to $7,326 a month
Americans: can c͟l͟i͟c͟k͟ ͟h͟e͟r͟e͟ ͟t͟o͟ ͟d͟o͟n͟a͟t͟e͟ ͟n͟o͟w͟! — Jeff Kasanoff (@JeffKasanoff) November 20, 2020