thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Biden: Ending Election Security Briefings Is 'Shameless Partisan Manipulation'

Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed the national intelligence director ’ s office on Saturday for its abrupt decision to halt in-person congressional election security briefings amid reports concluding that Russia is trying to interfere in the 2020 presidential race .
The Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement that the move by the national intelligence director , John Ratcliffe , “ is nothing less than a shameless partisan manipulation ” to protect President Donald Trump ’ s personal interests and is “ how American national security and sovereignty are violated.
” “ The tools of our government are meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system of governance against all enemies , foreign and domestic , ” Biden said .
“ And yet , at a moment when we know that our elections are under threat from foreign interference ― and when the President of the United States has invited interference from Russia and China ― the director of national intelligence is failing to provide full information about the danger.
” Ratcliffe told Congress earlier Saturday that his office will no longer give in-person election security briefings on Capitol Hill , raising concern among lawmakers about the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign interference in the upcoming presidential election .
Trump said that Ratcliffe made the decision because the administration “ got tired ” of election security intelligence reportedly leaking from Congress .
As usual , President Trump is lying and projecting .
Trump fired the last DNI for briefing Congress on Russian efforts to help his campaign .
Now he ’ s ending briefings altogether .
Trump doesn ’ t want the American people to know about Russia ’ s efforts to aid his re-election .
https : //t.co/bERk44WcvQ — Adam Schiff ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will supposedly continue to receive written briefings , a move Ratcliffe said “ helps ensure … that the information [ the national intelligence director ’ s office ] provides the Congress in support of your oversight responsibilities on election security , foreign malign influence and election interference is not misunderstood nor politicized.
” The decision came soon after counterintelligence chief William Evanina announced that U.S. intelligence officials determined that the Kremlin is trying to smear Biden in order to sway the election in Trump ’ s favor , which intelligence officials said also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that China would prefer Trump not be reelected , particularly in the wake of the Trump administration ’ s response to COVID-19 , closure of China ’ s Houston consulate and attacks on TikTok .
Ratcliffe defended his decision Sunday , downplaying Russian interference while saying that China “ is the greatest threat we face ” ahead of the elections .
But Democrats erupted in outrage over Ratcliffe ’ s efforts to decrease transparency in election security information .
“ There can be only one conclusion : President Trump is hoping Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cover his horrific failures to lead our country through the multiple crises we are facing , ” Biden said in his statement .
“ And he does not want the American people to know the steps Vladimir Putin is taking to help Trump get reelected or why Putin is eager to intervene , because Donald Trump ’ s foreign policy has been a gift to the Kremlin .
”

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Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed the national intelligence director’s office on Saturday for its abrupt decision to halt in-person congressional election security briefings amid reports concluding that Russia is trying to interfere in the 2020 presidential race.
The Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement that the move by the national intelligence director, John Ratcliffe, “is nothing less than a shameless partisan manipulation” to protect President Donald Trump’s personal interests and is “how American national security and sovereignty are violated.”
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“The tools of our government are meant to defend the American people and our system of governance against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Biden said. “And yet, at a moment when we know that our elections are under threat from foreign interference ― and when the President of the United States has invited interference from Russia and China ― the director of national intelligence is failing to provide full information about the danger.”
Ratcliffe told Congress earlier Saturday that his office will no longer give in-person election security briefings on Capitol Hill, raising concern among lawmakers about the public’s right to know about any foreign interference in the upcoming presidential election. Trump said that Ratcliffe made the decision because the administration “got tired” of election security intelligence reportedly leaking from Congress.
As usual, President Trump is lying and projecting.
Trump fired the last DNI for briefing Congress on Russian efforts to help his campaign.
Now he’s ending briefings altogether.
Trump doesn’t want the American people to know about Russia’s efforts to aid his re-election. https://t.co/bERk44WcvQ — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) August 29, 2020
Lawmakers will supposedly continue to receive written briefings, a move Ratcliffe said “helps ensure … that the information [the national intelligence director’s office] provides the Congress in support of your oversight responsibilities on election security, foreign malign influence and election interference is not misunderstood nor politicized.”
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The decision came soon after counterintelligence chief William Evanina announced that U.S. intelligence officials determined that the Kremlin is trying to smear Biden in order to sway the election in Trump’s favor, which intelligence officials said also happened in the 2016 election.
Evanina added that China would prefer Trump not be reelected, particularly in the wake of the Trump administration’s response to COVID-19, closure of China’s Houston consulate and attacks on TikTok.
Ratcliffe defended his decision Sunday, downplaying Russian interference while saying that China “is the greatest threat we face” ahead of the elections. But Democrats erupted in outrage over Ratcliffe’s efforts to decrease transparency in election security information.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Democratic Lawmakers Erupt After Election Security Briefings Are Terminated

The sudden decision by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to cut off congressional briefings on election security is a “ shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility ” and a “ betrayal of the public ’ s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy , ” said a stinging statement Saturday from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) and Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) .
“ This intelligence belongs to the American people .
...
The American people have both the right and the need to know that another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help decide who their president should be , ” the statement added .
The lawmakers fired back after National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe alerted Senate and House leaders Friday that in-person briefings will no longer be provided to lawmakers .
They will be given written updates , but that eliminates the opportunity to ask questions and to obtain real-time clarifications about information .
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence ’ s decision to cancel all election security briefings for the Congress is a shocking abdication of its responsibility to keep Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpeakerPelosi ) August 29 , 2020 Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) accused Ratcliffe , a former Republican congressman , of being in his job “ only to protect Trump from democracy , not democracy from Trump.
” President Donald Trump claimed the change was made because his administration got “ tired ” of leaks , and pointed a finger at Schiff , whom he referred to as “ Shifty Schiff.
” Schiff called Trump a liar in a tweet and charged that the president has a vested interest in hiding Russian help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump is lying and projecting .
Trump fired the last DNI for briefing Congress on Russian efforts to help his campaign .
Now he ’ s ending briefings altogether .
Trump doesn ’ t want the American people to know about Russia ’ s efforts to aid his re-election .
https : //t.co/bERk44WcvQ — Adam Schiff ( @ RepAdamSchiff ) August 29 , 2020 The Trump administration blocked my bipartisan election security bill .
Now they are denying me the information I need to do my job .
Why ?
This plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Speaker Pelosi once said , with President Trump , “ all roads lead to Putin.
” https : //t.co/cjuYNVuQOx — Amy Klobuchar ( @ amyklobuchar ) August 29 , 2020 Sen. Angus King ( I-Maine ) called the move an “ outrage , ” telling The New York Times it “ smacks of a cover-up of information about foreign interference in our election.
” America ’ s election – the foundation of Democracy itself – is in grave peril as we face disinformation from global adversaries around the planet , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress on foreign threats to our election is an outrage .
My full statement : pic.twitter.com/dqxKUXI9fA — Senator Angus King ( @ SenAngusKing ) August 29 , 2020 Earlier this month , counterintelligence chief William Evanina issued a statement saying U.S. intelligence officials had determined that the Kremlin is trying to smear Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to sway the election in Trump ’ s favor .

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The sudden decision by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to cut off congressional briefings on election security is a “shocking abdication of its lawful responsibility” and a “betrayal of the public’s right to know how foreign powers are trying to subvert our democracy,” said a stinging statement Saturday from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
“This intelligence belongs to the American people. ... The American people have both the right and the need to know that another nation,Russia, is trying to help decide who their president should be,” the statement added.
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The lawmakers fired back after National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe alerted Senate and House leaders Friday that in-person briefings will no longer be provided to lawmakers. They will be given written updates, but that eliminates the opportunity to ask questions and to obtain real-time clarifications about information.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s decision to cancel all election security briefings for the Congress is a shocking abdication of its responsibility to keep Congress informed. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 29, 2020
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman, of being in his job “only to protect Trump from democracy, not democracy from Trump.”
President Donald Trump claimed the change was made because his administration got “tired” of leaks, and pointed a finger at Schiff, whom he referred to as “Shifty Schiff.”
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Schiff called Trump a liar in a tweet and charged that the president has a vested interest in hiding Russian help in the election.
As usual, President Trump is lying and projecting.
Trump fired the last DNI for briefing Congress on Russian efforts to help his campaign.
Now he’s ending briefings altogether.
Trump doesn’t want the American people to know about Russia’s efforts to aid his re-election. https://t.co/bERk44WcvQ — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) August 29, 2020
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) scoffed that “with President Trump, all roads lead” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Trump administration blocked my bipartisan election security bill. Now they are denying me the information I need to do my job.
Why? This plays right into Russia’s hands. As Speaker Pelosi once said, with President Trump, “all roads lead to Putin.” https://t.co/cjuYNVuQOx — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 29, 2020
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) called the move an “outrage,” telling The New York Times it “smacks of a cover-up of information about foreign interference in our election.”
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America’s election – the foundation of Democracy itself – is in grave peril as we face disinformation from global adversaries around the planet, and @DNI_Ratcliffe’s move to stop briefing Congress on foreign threats to our election is an outrage. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/dqxKUXI9fA — Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) August 29, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--How A Massachusetts Primary Could Affect The Puerto Rican Debt Crisis

Spencer Platt/Getty Images Puerto Rican protesters march on Wall Street in New York City in 2015 , which activists blame for worsening the island 's debt crisis .
“ Alex understands the urgency of this moment for Puerto Rico , having served people migrating from the Island to Holyoke searching for economic stability , ” Morse campaign manager Max Clermont told HuffPost in a statement .
“ We can ’ t expect to trust Neal to act with urgency on this issue when he ’ s failed to use his accumulated power through a quarter century to fix a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor when he ’ s had a shared agenda with Wall Street.
” At least one Puerto Rican Morse supporter said his stance on Puerto Rico was a motivating factor for her .
Morse “ understands the need for Puerto Ricans to determine our own destiny , and that starts with abolishing La Junta , followed by canceling the debt , and entrusting working committees composed of on the ground grassroots organizations , community and municipal leaders to move the nation forward , ” said Gladys Franco , a school administrator from Springfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the law also created a seven-person , unelected fiscal oversight board that must approve any write-downs of the debt .
Critics charge that the panel , which is stacked with fiscal conservatives like Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute and corporate executives like José Carrión III , has proved far more willing to keep the burden of fiscal austerity on the island ’ s most vulnerable residents , rather than the bondholders who own Puerto Rico ’ s debt .
Under the board ’ s watchful eye , the island has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university tuition and public employee pensions .
Those cuts , the continued economic stagnation on the island , and Hurricane Maria in 2017 , have accelerated an exodus of working- and middle-class families to the mainland U.S. Due to the hurricane alone , an estimated 100,000 Puerto Ricans migrated to the mainland , including a significant number who have arrived in Holyoke and Springfield .
What ’ s more , some of the bondholders to whom Puerto Rico is indebted are “ vulture capitalists ” who purchased the debt from other creditors at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep-pocketed political influence to ensure they are repaid at the original dollar value of the debt .
“ Massachusetts is going to play a great role in Puerto Rico ’ s development , ” said Gutiérrez , who moved to Puerto Rico after leaving Congress .
“ Let me tell you why : There is no one who was clearer on reducing the debt in Puerto Rico and dismantling this terrible fiscal control board than Richie Neal.
” Asked how Gutiérrez reconciled his confidence in Neal with Neal ’ s vote for PROMESA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with whom he works closely voted for the bill at the time , including fellow Puerto Rican lawmakers Nydia Velazquez and José Serrano of New York and Darren Soto of Florida .
( Another Massachusetts Democrat facing a tough reelection battle , Sen. Ed Markey , voted against the bill ; his challenger , Rep. Joe Kennedy III , voted for it . )
“ It ’ s time to eliminate the PROMESA and eliminate the debt that Puerto Rico has acquired because of vulture capitalists .
… That ’ s an issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressman as well , ” González said , though he conceded he had not received any assurances on the matter yet from Neal .

Puerto Rican protesters march on Wall Street in New York City in 2015, which activists blame for worsening the island's debt crisis. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Puerto Rican voters stand to play a critical role in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District, where progressive Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is hoping to unseat Rep. Richard Neal, one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress.
Nearly one in five residents of the vast House district, which encompasses parts of central and Western Massachusetts, is Latino, the overwhelming majority of whom are Puerto Rican.
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But who wins the race could also have an effect on the lives of Puerto Ricans who remain on the island.
That’s because Morse and Neal have staked out starkly different stances on how the United States should respond to Puerto Rico’s decadeslong debt crisis, compounded by a series of deadly hurricanes in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic.
On his campaign website, Morse declares his support for getting rid of the U.S.-run fiscal oversight board (known in Puerto Rico as “La Junta”) that has veto power over Puerto Rico’s budget, canceling Puerto Rico’s debt, and giving the people of the U.S. commonwealth full “self determination” to decide their status vis-a-vis the mainland United States.
“Alex understands the urgency of this moment for Puerto Rico, having served people migrating from the Island to Holyoke searching for economic stability,” Morse campaign manager Max Clermont told HuffPost in a statement. “We can’t expect to trust Neal to act with urgency on this issue when he’s failed to use his accumulated power through a quarter century to fix a crisis that he’s helped create, nor when he’s had a shared agenda with Wall Street.”
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At least one Puerto Rican Morse supporter said his stance on Puerto Rico was a motivating factor for her. Morse “understands the need for Puerto Ricans to determine our own destiny, and that starts with abolishing La Junta, followed by canceling the debt, and entrusting working committees composed of on the ground grassroots organizations, community and municipal leaders to move the nation forward,” said Gladys Franco, a school administrator from Springfield who supports Morse.
Neal’s campaign website has a far glossier section on Puerto Rico, complete with photos of Neal attending Puerto Rican parades in the district.
But while it notes Neal’s efforts to secure additional aid for victims of Hurricane Maria, and his efforts to celebrate Puerto Rican culture through the creation of a Hispanic Heritage Month and the construction of the National Museum of the American Latino, it does not reference the debt crisis directly.
Asked what Neal thought about the fiscal oversight board and restructuring Puerto Rican debt, his campaign spokesperson Kate Norton responded with a statement that did not explicitly address either topic.
“Richie Neal believes that the fundamental issue of rebuilding and stabilizing the economy must be the highest priority, and without this resolved the debt will only grow exponentially without any hope for a sustainable future for Puerto Rico,” Norton said.
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At the heart of the discussion over how the U.S. government should proceed in Puerto Rico is a debate about the effectiveness of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), a bipartisan bill enacted in June 2016.
The bill’s proponents cast it as a positive, if imperfect, source of relief for Puerto Rico, which suffers under a $74 billion public debt burden that most experts believe the island will never be able to pay down.
On paper, the bill created a path for Puerto Rico to discharge debt that it was previously unable to write off. Unlike municipalities and public corporations on the mainland, Puerto Rico’s indebted public entities do not have the authority to declare bankruptcy to restructure their debts.
“Massachusetts is going to play a great role in Puerto Rico’s development.” - Former Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.)
The problem is that the law also created a seven-person, unelected fiscal oversight board that must approve any write-downs of the debt. Critics charge that the panel, which is stacked with fiscal conservatives like Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute and corporate executives like José Carrión III, has proved far more willing to keep the burden of fiscal austerity on the island’s most vulnerable residents, rather than the bondholders who own Puerto Rico’s debt.
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Under the board’s watchful eye, the island has been forced to slash spending on public university tuition and public employee pensions. Those cuts, the continued economic stagnation on the island, and Hurricane Maria in 2017, have accelerated an exodus of working- and middle-class families to the mainland U.S. Due to the hurricane alone, an estimated 100,000 Puerto Ricans migrated to the mainland, including a significant number who have arrived in Holyoke and Springfield.
What’s more, some of the bondholders to whom Puerto Rico is indebted are “vulture capitalists” who purchased the debt from other creditors at a discount and are now using their deep-pocketed political influence to ensure they are repaid at the original dollar value of the debt.
PROMESA, passed by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed by then-President Barack Obama, had the support of the vast majority of congressional Democrats. Just 12 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted against the bill, and 24 Democrats in the House. Neal was not among the two dozen “no” votes.
Former Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, a Chicago Democrat from Puerto Rico who served with Neal for 26 years, told HuffPost unprompted that reelecting Neal is an important step in the fight to restructure Puerto Rico’s debt on more favorable terms. (Gutiérrez, who retired at the beginning of 2019, voted against PROMESA.)
“Massachusetts is going to play a great role in Puerto Rico’s development,” said Gutiérrez, who moved to Puerto Rico after leaving Congress. “Let me tell you why: There is no one who was clearer on reducing the debt in Puerto Rico and dismantling this terrible fiscal control board than Richie Neal.”
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“We’ve not seen this level of air war": Holyoke, Massachusetts, Mayor Alex Morse (left) is challenging House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, which has prompted millions of dollars in campaign spending. Getty Images
Asked how Gutiérrez reconciled his confidence in Neal with Neal’s vote for PROMESA, Gutiérrez responded that many progressive lawmakers with whom he works closely voted for the bill at the time, including fellow Puerto Rican lawmakers Nydia Velazquez and José Serrano of New York. (Another Massachusetts Democrat facing a tough reelection battle, Sen. Ed Markey, voted against the bill; his challenger, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, voted for it.)
“Now a lot of people see the damage that [PROMESA] is causing,” Gutiérrez said.
Massachusetts state Rep. Carlos González, another Puerto Rican who has endorsed Neal, had a similar defense of Neal’s vote for the bill, claiming that many Puerto Ricans in Western Massachusetts supported the bill at the time.
Four years after its passage, though, Puerto Ricans in Massachusetts’ 1st District have turned against the law, and González expressed confidence that Neal would hear them out.
“It’s time to eliminate the PROMESA and eliminate the debt that Puerto Rico has acquired because of vulture capitalists. … That’s an issue that we will be addressing with the congressman as well,” González said, though he conceded he had not received any assurances on the matter yet from Neal.
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As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Neal does not have direct jurisdiction over Puerto Rico. U.S. policy for the island is usually under the purview of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
But as Neal is fond of noting, his nearly 32 years in Congress have afforded him influence that extends far beyond the boundaries of his committee. He has, for instance, the ear of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who starred in one of the Neal campaign’s TV ads.
Morse’s Puerto Rican backers are skeptical, though, that Neal would ever be inclined to side with Puerto Rico against the island’s creditors given the massive sums of campaign cash that Neal receives from Wall Street. Executives at BlackRock, an asset management fund that holds over $110 million in Puerto Rican debt, contributed $10,000 to Neal’s reelection campaign this cycle through the firm’s political action committee.
Neal “can be trusted to do what the bondholders tell him to do,” said San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, who is supporting Morse. “He cannot ― he absolutely cannot ― be trusted to fight for the best interests of the Puerto Rican people.”
Neal has said that his policy positions are not influenced by donors.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Inciter-In-Chief: Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler Calls Out Trump For Stoking Violence

“ Do you seriously wonder , Mr. President , why this is the first time in decades that America has @ @ @ @ @ ?
It ’ s you who have created the hate and division .
...
It @ @ @ @ @ white supremacists are good people , ” Wheeler said .
Wheeler spoke after the fatal @ @ @ @ @ member of the far-right Patriot Prayer group , who died after Trump supporters drove a @ @ @ @ @ Portland .
Passengers in the convoy shot paintball guns at and pepper-sprayed protesters and pedestrians @ @ @ @ @ not yet been officially identified .
Black Lives Matter protests have taken place daily in @ @ @ @ @ police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .

“Do you seriously wonder, Mr. President, why this is the first time in decades that America has seen this level of violence? It’s you who have created the hate and division. ... It’s you who claimed white supremacists are good people,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler spoke after the fatal shooting Saturday night of a member of the far-right Patriot Prayer group, who died after Trump supporters drove a convoy of pickup trucks through Portland. Passengers in the convoy shot paintball guns at and pepper-sprayed protesters and pedestrians.
The shooting victim has not yet been officially identified.
Black Lives Matter protests have taken place daily in the city since the May police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Chadwick Boseman's Last Post Becomes Most-Liked In Twitter History

A tweet posted to Chadwick Boseman ’ s account announcing the actor ’ s death is now the most-liked post in Twitter ’ s history , surpassing a 2017 tweet from former President Barack Obama .
“ A tribute fit for a King , ” Twitter said in an announcement on Saturday , referring to Boseman ’ s iconic role as King T ’ Challa in the groundbreaking Marvel superhero film “ The Black Panther.
” The tweet announcing Boseman ’ s death had been liked more than 7.2 million times as of Sunday evening .
Boseman , who aso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player Jackie Robinson , singer James Brown and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall , died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday after a private four-year battle with colon cancer , according to the statement his representative and family posted Friday .
“ A true fighter , Chadwick persevered through it all , and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much , ” the statement said .
“ From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods , August Wilson ’ s Ma Rainey ’ s Black Bottom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy .
It was the honor of his career to bring King T ’ Challa to life in Black Panther.
” Obama ’ s 2017 tweet in the wake of the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , was liked over 4.3 million times .
In it , he quoted a remarkable passage from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela , the first Black president of South Africa .
`` No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) August 13 , 2017 Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama were among the thousands of people who paid tribute to Boseman over the weekend .
They hosted the actor at the White House in 2013 , where he met with students and discussed his role as Robinson in the biopic “ 42.
” “ To be young , gifted , and Black ; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to ; to do it all while in pain – what a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama wrote .
Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson .
You could tell right away that he was blessed .
To be young , gifted , and Black ; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to ; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years .
https : //t.co/KazXV1e7l7 — Barack Obama ( @ BarackObama ) August 29 , 2020 Only Chadwick could embody Jackie Robinson , Thurgood Marshall , and T @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what it meant to persevere .
To summon real strength .
And he belongs right there with them as a hero—for Black kids and for all our kids .
There ’ s no better gift to give our world .
❤ pic.twitter.com/t2tjZDMxNT — Michelle Obama ( @ MichelleObama ) August 29 , 2020

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A tweet posted to Chadwick Boseman’s account announcing the actor’s death is now the most-liked post in Twitter’s history, surpassing a 2017 tweet from former President Barack Obama.
“A tribute fit for a King,” Twitter said in an announcement on Saturday, referring to Boseman’s iconic role as King T’Challa in the groundbreaking Marvel superhero film “The Black Panther.”
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The tweet announcing Boseman’s death had been liked more than 7.2 million times as of Sunday evening.
Most liked Tweet ever.
A tribute fit for a King. #WakandaForever https://t.co/lpyzmnIVoP — Twitter (@Twitter) August 29, 2020
Boseman, who aso played pioneering Black figures such as baseball player Jackie Robinson, singer James Brown and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, died at his home in Los Angeles on Friday after a private four-year battle with colon cancer, according to the statement his representative and family posted Friday.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” the statement said. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more - all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
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Obama’s 2017 tweet in the wake of the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was liked over 4.3 million times. In it, he quoted a remarkable passage from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa.
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion..." pic.twitter.com/InZ58zkoAm — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017
Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama were among the thousands of people who paid tribute to Boseman over the weekend. They hosted the actor at the White House in 2013, where he met with students and discussed his role as Robinson in the biopic “42.”
“To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years,” Barack Obama wrote.
Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years. https://t.co/KazXV1e7l7 — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 29, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Pro-Cop Rally Draws Scores To Kenosha Amid Protests Against Police Violence

KENOSHA , Wis. ( AP ) — Scores of police supporters gathered Sunday in downtown Kenosha where protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality since the shooting of Jacob Blake last weekend .
“ With the things that they face on a daily basis , they need that little extra push of love and to show that they are needed , ” said Jennifer Peyton , 44 , who attended the rally .
“ I mean , if you went in to work every day , and you were told that you were bad or had things thrown at you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your psyche a little bit , too.
” Protesters have marched in Kenosha every night since Blake ’ s shooting , with some protests devolving into unrest that damaged buildings and vehicles .
Authorities say a teenager from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters in Kenosha on Tuesday night .
A 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. state of emergency curfew that was set to expire Sunday has been extended through 7 a.m. Wednesday , the Kenosha County sheriff ’ s office said .
In cellphone video recorded by a bystander , Blake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him .
As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV , an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire .
Three of Blake ’ s children were in the vehicle .
The Kenosha police union said Blake had a knife and fought with officers .
State investigators have said only that officers found a knife on the floor of the car .
Ben Crump , an attorney for the family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on Sunday that the younger Blake suffered “ catastrophic injuries ” that include a pierced spinal cord and shattered vertebrae .
He has lost his colon and most of his intestine , Crump said .
Some people at Sunday ’ s rally signed petitions urging the recall of Gov .
Tony Evers and Lt. Gov .
Mandela Barnes , both Democrats , and added messages of support on handwritten posters thanking police as heroes .
The city ’ s mayor , John Antaramian , said Sunday that he will ask the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kenosha destroyed or damaged by the violence , according to the Kenosha News .
President Donald Trump has spoken out against the summer-long protests .
He is expected to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey damage from the demonstrations .
Barnes indicated that Trump may not be welcome .
“ I don ’ t know how , given any of the previous statements that the president made , that he intends to come here to be helpful and we absolutely don ’ t need that right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Sunday , some Kenosha residents gathered around a Family Dollar as volunteers passed out donations and painted messages of peace on boarded up buildings .
A DJ played house music and hip-hop while volunteers danced , wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus .
“ I needed this today , ” said David Sanchez , 66 , who is retired .
“ I went to church this morning and it was all about Jacob Blake and his family .
It ’ s 100 % positive .
”

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KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Scores of police supporters gathered Sunday in downtown Kenosha where protesters have been demonstrating against police brutality since the shooting of Jacob Blake last weekend.
Some attending the rally in the Wisconsin city wore “back the blue” shirts. Others carried American flags. They applauded when law enforcement vehicles rolled by.
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“With the things that they face on a daily basis, they need that little extra push of love and to show that they are needed,” said Jennifer Peyton, 44, who attended the rally. “I mean, if you went in to work every day, and you were told that you were bad or had things thrown at you, I think it would weigh on your psyche a little bit, too.”
A Kenosha police officer shot Blake in the back Aug. 23, leaving the 29-year-old Black man paralyzed.
Protesters have marched in Kenosha every night since Blake’s shooting, with some protests devolving into unrest that damaged buildings and vehicles. Authorities say a teenager from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters in Kenosha on Tuesday night.
A 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. state of emergency curfew that was set to expire Sunday has been extended through 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Kenosha County sheriff’s office said.
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Blake’s shooting sparked renewed protests against racial injustice and police brutality several months after George Floyd’s May 25 death touched off a wider reckoning on race.
Floyd, another Black man, was handcuffed and died after a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck.
Blake was shot after three Kenosha officers responded to a domestic dispute call.
In cellphone video recorded by a bystander, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of an SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire. Three of Blake’s children were in the vehicle.
City officials have identified Rusten Sheskey as the officer who shot Blake.
The Kenosha police union said Blake had a knife and fought with officers. State investigators have said only that officers found a knife on the floor of the car.
Blake is being treated in a hospital. His father, Jacob Blake Sr., said he’s paralyzed from the waist down.
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Ben Crump, an attorney for the family, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the younger Blake suffered “catastrophic injuries” that include a pierced spinal cord and shattered vertebrae. He has lost his colon and most of his intestine, Crump said.
Like Floyd’s death, Blake’s shooting has fueled a national movement against police brutality and the slayings of Black people by law enforcement officers.
The movement has further exposed deep divisions in the country.
Some people at Sunday’s rally signed petitions urging the recall of Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, both Democrats, and added messages of support on handwritten posters thanking police as heroes.
Jennifer Payton participates in a Blue Lives Matter rally Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. MORRY GASH/ASSOCIATED PRESS
About 1,000 people attended a rally to protest police violence Saturday.
The city’s mayor, John Antaramian, said Sunday that he will ask the state for $30 million to rebuild parts of Kenosha destroyed or damaged by the violence, according to the Kenosha News.
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President Donald Trump has spoken out against the summer-long protests. He is expected to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey damage from the demonstrations. Barnes indicated that Trump may not be welcome.
“I don’t know how, given any of the previous statements that the president made, that he intends to come here to be helpful and we absolutely don’t need that right now,” Barnes told CNN on Sunday.
Crump said the Blake family “has not been contacted at this time” by Trump.
On Sunday, some Kenosha residents gathered around a Family Dollar as volunteers passed out donations and painted messages of peace on boarded up buildings. A DJ played house music and hip-hop while volunteers danced, wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus.
“I needed this today,” said David Sanchez, 66, who is retired. “I went to church this morning and it was all about Jacob Blake and his family. It’s 100% positive.”
Sanchez said the Blake shooting forced Kenosha to “come out of the closet.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-30--Dem Rep Warns Trump's Kenosha Visit Is Meant To 'Agitate' And 'Make Things Worse'

Jim Vondruska/Reuters Jacob Blake 's father speaks to a crowd gathered at Civic Center Park , in Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Aug. 29 .
President Donald Trump is expected to visit the city this week .
President Donald Trump ’ s motives for a planned visit to Kenosha , Wisconsin , this week are already being called into question .
The White House announced Saturday that the president intends to visit Wisconsin following the police shooting of a Black man , Jacob Blake , and the filing of charges against a Trump supporter suspected of killing two protesters who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , California Rep. Karen Bass ( D ) said Trump ’ s plan to visit Kenosha on Tuesday serves “ one purpose and one purpose only , and that is to agitate things and to make things worse.
” The state attorney general on Wednesday identified the officer who shot Blake as Rusten Sheskey .
Blake , 29 , was shot in the back at least seven times as he walked away from police and tried to enter his car .
Blake ’ s children were in the back seat when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down .
Blake ’ s shooting ignited protests for racial justice in Wisconsin , much like similar protests that have been smoldering around the United States following the widely publicized police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor months ago .
On Tuesday , Gov .
Tony Evers ( D ) declared a state of emergency as protesters clashed with police through the night and armed vigilantes with assault rifles arrived on the scene , characterizing themselves as a pro-police presence .
That night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Illinois has been charged in the deaths .
The suspected shooter has been celebrated by prominent conservative figures , including Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson .
On Sunday , the president liked a tweet celebrating the teen ― who was once pictured in the front row of a Trump rally ― and justifying why people like him vote for Trump .
The president was far more reserved in discussing Blake ’ s shooting by police , saying Friday he will “ pretty soon ” announce whether he thinks police were justified in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the White House said Trump plans to speak with law enforcement and survey property damage during his visit to Kenosha .
Blake ’ s family members said Friday they had not heard from the White House and didn ’ t know of any plans for Trump to meet them .
Trump ’ s hypocrisy when it comes to violence isn ’ t new .
He has eagerly stoked and celebrated racist violence when it has served him politically .
Before this week , the most glaring example of such allyship was , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the white supremacists who gathered in Charlottesville , Virginia , in 2017 were “ very fine people.
” But Trump has leaned more heavily into white grievance politics since then .
Particularly , as polls have continued to show him trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race , Trump has used the levers of government more overtly to incite and inflict fear and violence on his political rivals .
As protests against police violence toward Blake were ramping up this week , Trump was accepting the Republican Party ’ s nomination for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a convention designed to inflame white anxiety over racial justice movements .
Throughout the week , prominent GOP politicians touted Trump ’ s respect for “ law and order , ” but others highlighted during the Republican National Convention revealed the racist contradiction in their message .
Mark and Patricia McCloskey hold firearms as they stand in front of their house along Portland Place , confronting protesters marching to the St. Louis mayor 's house in June .
The couple spoke during the Republican National Convention last week .
“ They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence into our communities .
They want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning , ” Patricia McCloskey said during a video she filmed with her husband , Mark .
“ These are the policies that are coming to a neighborhood near you .
So make no mistake : No matter where you live , your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats ’ America , ” she added .

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President Donald Trump’s motives for a planned visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, this week are already being called into question. The White House announced Saturday that the president intends to visit Wisconsin following the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, and the filing of charges against a Trump supporter suspected of killing two protesters who gathered on Blake’s behalf.
On Sunday, California Rep. Karen Bass (D) said Trump’s plan to visit Kenosha on Tuesday serves “one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to agitate things and to make things worse.”
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Democratic Rep. Karen Bass says she thinks President Trump's upcoming visit to Kenosha has "one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to agitate things and to make things worse" https://t.co/ePZIUOxylr #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/PvZyeJWk95 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 30, 2020
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes also commented Sunday about the pending visit, saying the people of the state “don’t need that right now.”
The state attorney general on Wednesday identified the officer who shot Blake as Rusten Sheskey. Blake, 29, was shot in the back at least seven times as he walked away from police and tried to enter his car. Blake’s children were in the back seat when he was shot, and his attorney says Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Blake’s shooting ignited protests for racial justice in Wisconsin, much like similar protests that have been smoldering around the United States following the widely publicized police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor months ago. On Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers (D) declared a state of emergency as protesters clashed with police through the night and armed vigilantes with assault rifles arrived on the scene, characterizing themselves as a pro-police presence. That night, two protesters were killed. A 17-year-old from Illinois has been charged in the deaths.
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On Saturday, the White House said Trump plans to speak with law enforcement and survey property damage during his visit to Kenosha. Blake’s family members said Friday they had not heard from the White House and didn’t know of any plans for Trump to meet them.
Trump’s hypocrisy when it comes to violence isn’t new. He has eagerly stoked and celebrated racist violence when it has served him politically. Before this week, the most glaring example of such allyship was, perhaps, his claim that some of the white supremacists who gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 were “very fine people.”
But Trump has leaned more heavily into white grievance politics since then. Particularly, as polls have continued to show him trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race, Trump has used the levers of government more overtly to incite and inflict fear and violence on his political rivals.
As protests against police violence toward Blake were ramping up this week, Trump was accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for president on the White House lawn, during a convention designed to inflame white anxiety over racial justice movements. Throughout the week, prominent GOP politicians touted Trump’s respect for “law and order,” but others highlighted during the Republican National Convention revealed the racist contradiction in their message.
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Mark and Patricia McCloskey hold firearms as they stand in front of their house along Portland Place, confronting protesters marching to the St. Louis mayor's house in June. The couple spoke during the Republican National Convention last week. Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Getty Images
Two featured speakers were a white couple charged with unlawful gun use after aiming weapons at racial justice protesters in their neighborhood in St. Louis.
“They are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into our communities. They want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning,” Patricia McCloskey said during a video she filmed with her husband, Mark.
“These are the policies that are coming to a neighborhood near you. So make no mistake: No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats’ America,” she added.
During his closing RNC speech on Thursday, Trump used similar language to instill fear in Americans over movements for racial justice in cities across the U.S.
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“In the strongest possible terms, the Republican Party condemns the rioting, looting, arson and violence we have seen in Democrat-run cities like Kenosha, Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago and New York,” he said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--Bestselling Author’s ‘Open Letter To Republicans’ Gives Trump Voters A Way Out

Author Don Winslow has a suggestion for Republicans who are uncomfortable with President Donald Trump but don ’ t want to admit that they ’ re voting for former Vice President Joe Biden .
Winslow ’ s new video , “ An Open Letter To Republicans , ” calls out party members who continue to support the president in spite of the scandals , lies and botched response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ How many times does a person have to lie to you before you stop listening to them ?
” the video asks .
“ On Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the video suggests .
“ You can tell your friends and family that you voted for Trump even when you voted for Joe Biden .
No one will ever know.
” Winslow , a former private investigator and the author of multiple bestselling crime novels , has been a persistent Trump critic these past four years .
After the release in 2019 of his novel “ The Border , ” Winslow challenged Trump to a debate on the border wall .
Winslow also marked the release of his 2017 book “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacking Trump and then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for their “ War on Drugs ” -type policies , which he argued had disproportionately impacted people of color .
In more recent months , Winslow has stepped up his criticism with a series of videos aimed at helping to undermine Trump ’ s reelection efforts .

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Author Don Winslow has a suggestion for Republicans who are uncomfortable with President Donald Trump but don’t want to admit that they’re voting for former Vice President Joe Biden.
Just don’t tell anyone.
Winslow’s new video, “An Open Letter To Republicans,” calls out party members who continue to support the president in spite of the scandals, lies and botched response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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“How many times does a person have to lie to you before you stop listening to them?” the video asks.
Then, Winslow offers a way out.
“On Nov. 3, you could end the chaos,” the video suggests. “You can tell your friends and family that you voted for Trump even when you voted for Joe Biden. No one will ever know.”
Winslow, a former private investigator and the author of multiple bestselling crime novels, has been a persistent Trump critic these past four years. After the release in 2019 of his novel “The Border,” Winslow challenged Trump to a debate on the border wall.
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Trump did not respond.
Winslow also marked the release of his 2017 book “The Force” with a full-page ad attacking Trump and then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions for their “War on Drugs”-type policies, which he argued had disproportionately impacted people of color.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--'Zombie' Herman Cain Tweets That Coronavirus 'Not As Deadly' As Media Said

EFFING IRONIC : a person ( Herman Cain ) who died of # COVID19 tweets from the dead to tell @ @ @ @ @ as deadly as it is made out to be .
P.s .
bonus for also @ @ @ @ @ % ” conspiracy theory .
➡ Please report this account below for “ fake ” @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/c9X3tk3ms8

EFFING IRONIC: a person (Herman Cain) who died of #COVID19 tweets from the dead to tell us that COVID is not as deadly as it is made out to be.
P.s. bonus for also tweeting a false “6%” conspiracy theory.
➡ Please report this account below for “fake” name. Cain passed away. https://t.co/c9X3tk3ms8


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Asks Trump To Stay Away From State After Jacob Blake Shooting

Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers urged President Donald Trump to reconsider a planned trip to the state following the police shooting of Jacob Blake , saying such a visit may only “ delay our work to overcome division and move forward.
” Evers , a Democrat , sent the missive after the White House said the president would travel to Kenosha , Wisconsin on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey the damage following demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism .
Blake , a Black man , was left paralyzed after the police shooting ; two protesters at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just days later .
Kyle Rittenhouse , a 17-year-old from Illinois , was arrested and charged with the second shooting .
The officer who shot Blake in the back seven times has not been charged .
“ Kenosha and communities across Wisconsin are enduring extraordinary grief , grappling with a Black man being shot seven times and the loss of two additional lives on Tuesday night at the hands of an out-of-state armed militant , ” Evers wrote to the president .
“ I , along with other community leaders who have reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence will mean for Kenosha and our state.
” “ I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing , ” Evers continued .
“ I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.
” Trump ’ s visit could exacerbate tensions in the city as the president continues to use such visits to amp up his image as a “ law and order ” leader .
During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention , Trump painted a grim image of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of office , saying : “ We must never allow mob rule.
” In his letter , Evers also urged Trump to contribute to the state ’ s healing process and support efforts to increase police accountability and transparency reform rather than stoke division .
“ It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting , mourning and trying to cope with trauma , ” Evers wrote .
“ Now is not the time for divisiveness .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ignore armed militants and out-of-state instigators who want to contribute to our anguish.
” “ The White House has been humbled by the outreach of individuals from Kenosha who have welcomed the President ’ s visit and are longing for leadership to support local law enforcement and businesses that have been vandalized , ” a White House spokesperson told CNN .
“ President Trump looks forward to visiting on Tuesday and helping this great city heal and rebuild .
”

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers urged President Donald Trump to reconsider a planned trip to the state following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, saying such a visit may only “delay our work to overcome division and move forward.”
Evers, a Democrat, sent the missive after the White House said the president would travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement and survey the damage following demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism.
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Blake, a Black man, was left paralyzed after the police shooting; two protesters at a subsequent demonstration were shot and killed just days later. Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Illinois, was arrested and charged with the second shooting. The officer who shot Blake in the back seven times has not been charged.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is urging President Donald Trump to reconsider a planned trip to the state this week. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Kenosha and communities across Wisconsin are enduring extraordinary grief, grappling with a Black man being shot seven times and the loss of two additional lives on Tuesday night at the hands of an out-of-state armed militant,” Evers wrote to the president. “I, along with other community leaders who have reached out, are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state.”
“I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing,” Evers continued. “I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.”
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Trump’s visit could exacerbate tensions in the city as the president continues to use such visits to amp up his image as a “law and order” leader. During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Trump painted a grim image of the country if he should be voted out of office, saying: “We must never allow mob rule.”
In his letter, Evers also urged Trump to contribute to the state’s healing process and support efforts to increase police accountability and transparency reform rather than stoke division.
“It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting, mourning and trying to cope with trauma,” Evers wrote. “Now is not the time for divisiveness. Now is not the time for elected officials to ignore armed militants and out-of-state instigators who want to contribute to our anguish.”
On Sunday night, the White House said Trump still plans to go to Kenosha despite Evers’ letter.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--State Police Will Return To Portland Following Deadly Shooting

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) — Oregon State Police will return to Portland to help local authorities after the fatal shooting of a man following clashes between President Donald Trump supporters and counter-protesters that led to an argument between the president and the city ’ s mayor over who was to blame for the violence .
After Trump called Ted Wheeler , a Democrat , a “ fool ” and faulted him for allowing mayhem to proliferate in the liberal city , the visibly angry mayor lashed out at the president during a Sunday news conference , addressing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras .
“ That ’ s classic Trump .
Mr. President , how can you think that a comment like that , if you ’ re watching this , is in any way helpful ?
It ’ s an aggressive stance , it is not collaborative .
I certainly reached out , I believe in a collaborative manner , by saying earlier that you need to do your part and I need to do my part and then we both need to be held accountable , ” Wheeler said .
The testy news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland that began when Saturday evening when a caravan of about 600 vehicles packed with Trump supporters drove through the liberal city and was met with counterprotesters .
Skirmishes broke out between the groups and , about 15 minutes after the caravan left the city , a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer was fatally shot .
Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson identified the victim as Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson .
He called the victim a “ good friend , ” but provided no further details .
Danielson apparently also went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Patriot Prayer ’ s Facebook page .
It wasn ’ t clear if the shooting was related to the clashes in Portland , which has become a flashpoint in the national Black Lives Matter protests since George Floyd was killed in May and an increasing centerpiece in Trump ’ s law-and-order re-election campaign theme .
Late Sunday Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown released details of a plan to address the violence in Portland while protecting free speech .
She said the district attorney ’ s office in Multnomah County , which includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the sheriff ’ s office will work with other agencies to hold people arrested for violent behavior and ensure there is adequate jail space .
Trump and other speakers at last week ’ s Republican National Convention evoked a violent , dystopian future if Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale for what would be in store for Americans .
A man is being treated after being shot Saturday , Aug. 29 , 2020 , in Portland , Ore. Fights broke out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caravan of supporters of President Donald Trump drove through the city , clashing with counter-protesters .
( AP Photo/Paula Bronstein ) Police have released little information about the fatal shooting and Chief Chuck Lovell said Sunday that investigators are still gathering evidence , including surveillance video from area businesses .
Earlier , the agency released a plea for any information related to the killing , including videos , photos or eyewitness accounts .
Patriot Prayer is based in Washington state and was founded in 2016 .
Since early 2017 , its supporters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallies for Trump , ratcheting up tensions long before the national outrage over Floyd ’ s death sparked more than three months of protests here .
Portland has seen nearly 100 consecutive nights of Black Lives Matter protests and many have ended with vandalism to federal and city property , including police precincts , a county jail , the federal courthouse and City Hall .
In July , Trump sent more than 100 federal agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to safeguard federal property — a move that instead reinvigorated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal agents each night for two weeks , as agents lobbed tear gas canisters and pepper spray at the crowds and some protesters tossed fireworks at the agents and shined lasers in their eyes .
Trump earlier Sunday appeared to be encouraging his supporters to move into Portland in the wake of the shooting .
After the shooting , the president shared a video of his supporters driving into Portland and called those in Saturday ’ s caravan “ GREAT PATRIOTS !
” “ If you ’ re from out of town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media — if you ’ re reading any facts on social media — they ’ re probably wrong because we don ’ t have all the facts yet , ” Wheeler said .
“ This is not the time to get hotheaded because you read something on Twitter that some guy made up in his mother ’ s basement .
”

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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — State Police will return to Portland to help local authorities after the fatal shooting of a man following clashes between President Donald Trump supporters and counter-protesters that led to an argument between the president and the mayor over who was to blame for the violence.
Protesters were back on the streets for a demonstration Sunday night outside a public safety building. Police declared an unlawful assembly and arrested 29 people. Two of those arrested had handguns and others had knives and at least one had an expandable baton, police said.
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Many in the group wore helmets, gas masks, goggles, and external armor. They said some carried shields and reflective squares. The reflective squares were used to reflect police lights back toward officers. Some threw rocks, eggs, and other items at officers and police vehicles.
After Trump called Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, a “fool” and faulted him for allowing mayhem to proliferate in the liberal city, the visibly angry mayor lashed out during a Sunday news conference, addressing the president in the first person.
“That’s classic Trump. Mr. President, how can you think that a comment like that, if you’re watching this, is in any way helpful? It’s an aggressive stance, it is not collaborative. I certainly reached out, I believe in a collaborative manner, by saying earlier that you need to do your part and I need to do my part and then we both need to be held accountable,” Wheeler said.
“Let’s work together...Why don’t we try that for a change?”
Portland is a mess, and it has been for many years. If this joke of a mayor doesn’t clean it up, we will go in and do it for them! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020
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Trump on Monday tweeted: “Portland is a mess, and it has been for many years. If this joke of a mayor doesn’t clean it up, we will go in and do it for them!” He did not describe any specifics on how that would happen.
The testy news conference followed a chaotic 24 hours that began Saturday evening when a caravan of about 600 vehicles packed with Trump supporters drove through the liberal city and was met with counterprotesters. Skirmishes broke out minutes later a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer was fatally shot.
A man is being treated after being shot Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Portland, Ore. Fights broke out in downtown Portland Saturday night as a large caravan of supporters of President Donald Trump drove through the city, clashing with counter-protesters. (AP Photo/Paula Bronstein) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson identified the victim as Aaron “Jay” Danielson. He called the victim a “good friend,” but provided no further details. Danielson apparently also went by the name Jay Bishop, according to Patriot Prayer’s Facebook page.
“We love Jay and he had such a huge heart. God bless him and the life he lived,” Gibson said in a Facebook post. Trump retweeted the victim’s name and wrote, “Rest in peace Jay!”
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It wasn’t clear if the shooting was related to the clashes, which have become a flashpoint in the national Black Lives Matter protests since George Floyd was killed in May and an increasing centerpiece in Trump’s law-and-order re-election campaign theme.
Police have released little information about the fatal shooting and Chief Chuck Lovell said Sunday that investigators are still gathering evidence. Earlier, the agency released a plea for any information related to the killing, including videos, photos or eyewitness accounts.
Late Sunday, Gov. Kate Brown released details of a plan to address the violence while protecting free speech. She said the district attorney’s office will prosecute serious criminal offenses and the sheriff’s office will work with other agencies to hold people arrested for violent behavior and ensure there is adequate jail space.
Also, Brown said State Police will return to Portland to help local police, and nearby law enforcement agencies will also be asked to assist.
“We all must come together—elected officials, community leaders, all of us—to stop the cycle of violence,” the Democrat said in a statement.
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Trump and other speakers at last week’s Republican National Convention evoked a violent, dystopian future if Democrat Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale.
Patriot Prayer is based in Washington state and was founded in 2016. Since early 2017, its supporters have been periodically coming to Portland to hold rallies for Trump, ratcheting up tensions long before the national outrage over Floyd’s death.
Portland has seen nearly 100 consecutive nights of Black Lives Matter protests and many have ended with vandalism to federal and city property, including the federal courthouse and City Hall. In July, Trump sent more than 100 federal agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to safeguard federal property — a move that instead reinvigorated the protests.
Thousands of people clashed with the federal agents each night for two weeks.
Those agents withdrew July 31 but smaller nightly protests have continued in pockets of the city. More than 600 people have been arrested since late May.
On Sunday, Portland authorities urged people to stay away from the downtown.
Trump earlier Sunday appeared to be encouraging his supporters to move into Portland in the wake of the shooting. After the shooting, the president shared a video of his supporters driving into Portland and called those in Saturday’s caravan “GREAT PATRIOTS!”
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Wheeler begged those who wanted to come to Portland to “seek retribution” to stay away.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--Hurricane Laura Leaves Louisiana Residents With Damaged Homes, Fears About Future Help

LAKE CHARLES , La .
( AP ) — In a matter of hours last week , Hurricane Laura tore through the tire shop Layla Winbush ’ s family started just under a year ago , reducing most of it to rubble and scattering hundreds of tires across the lot .
The storm also damaged her home , which now reeks of mold .
Federal and state officials are now on the ground to help residents with home repairs and hotel stays .
But Winbush said she feels alone , particularly after seeing a video of President Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Gulf Coast officials that they could sell copies of his signature for $ 10,000 .
As evacuated Lake Charles residents began returning home , many worried that they wouldn ’ t have enough support from the both the federal and state governments as they face a rebuilding process certain to take several months , if not longer .
“ We ’ re going to be working really , really hard on the power outages , on the water systems , on the housing , ” he said at a news conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be easy .
It ’ s not going to happen as quickly as most people would like for sure.
” Crews were starting to take chain saws to fallen trees and patch roofs , but most homes in Lake Charles wrecked by the storm were still untouched .
The Category 4 hurricane , which made landfall Thursday just south of Lake Charles near Cameron , Louisiana , before abating nearly 12 hours later , packed 150-mph ( 240-kph ) winds and a storm surge that officials said was as high as 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent hundreds of workers to the region to help with search and rescue and other efforts .
As of Sunday , more than 52,500 people had applied for FEMA assistance , and the agency had conducted over 200 home inspections and distributed more than $ 650,000 in assistance , said Tony Robinson , FEMA ’ s administrator for the region .
The Louisiana National Guard , meanwhile , had handed out hundreds of thousands of bottles of water and meals and about 14,000 tarps , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial .
In hard-hit Calcasieu Parish , some waited hours in line for tarps , water and other supplies at distribution sites , said parish spokesperson Tom Hoefer .
The entire parish had been without power , and in many areas , including the parish seat of Lake Charles that ’ s home to more than 78,000 people , water had not been flowing from taps , he said .
Several residents Sunday said the water supply was still intermittent .
Crews will have to rebuild hundreds of transmission towers along with resetting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debris and assessing damage , said Scott Aaronson , vice president of security and preparedness for the Edison Electric Institute , the association of investor-owned electric companies in the U.S .
The association said roughly 409,000 customers were still without power late Sunday as a result of the storm .
Townley lay on a sofa in front of a fan — connected to a neighbor ’ s generator — circulating hot , humid air .
The 56-year-old ’ s shirt was off , revealing scars from the open-heart surgery he had several years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medication for his heart and kidneys and had requested aid from FEMA — but not heard back .
One silver pickup truck winding through Lake Charles ’ streets carried four generations of a single family — six people inside the cab and three riding on the flatbed along with suitcases and bags filled with belongings .
The family was visiting the homes where they each lived for the first time since the storm , assessing what they had lost and what had been spared .
The pecan tree that long shaded her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of the front door .
Insulation had burst through the ceiling and fallen in tufts over one bedroom .
In another room , she pulled out two drawers filled with neatly folded clothes saved for her daughter ’ s child , due in January .
She wiped a mix of sweat and tears with her shirt .

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — In a matter of hours last week, Hurricane Laura tore through the tire shop Layla Winbush’s family started just under a year ago, reducing most of it to rubble and scattering hundreds of tires across the lot. The storm also damaged her home, which now reeks of mold.
Federal and state officials are now on the ground to help residents with home repairs and hotel stays. But Winbush said she feels alone, particularly after seeing a video of President Donald Trump, who visited the area Saturday, joking with Gulf Coast officials that they could sell copies of his signature for $10,000.
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“We can’t depend on the president. We can’t depend on nobody,” she said. “We’ll just take what we have and get it done.”
As evacuated Lake Charles residents began returning home, many worried that they wouldn’t have enough support from the both the federal and state governments as they face a rebuilding process certain to take several months, if not longer.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Sunday warned that residents were in for a long recovery.
“We’re going to be working really, really hard on the power outages, on the water systems, on the housing,” he said at a news conference. “But none of this is going to be easy. It’s not going to happen as quickly as most people would like for sure.”
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Crews were starting to take chain saws to fallen trees and patch roofs, but most homes in Lake Charles wrecked by the storm were still untouched. The Category 4 hurricane, which made landfall Thursday just south of Lake Charles near Cameron, Louisiana, before abating nearly 12 hours later, packed 150-mph (240-kph) winds and a storm surge that officials said was as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters) in some areas.
Men work on a damaged home in Lake Charles, Louisiana as the motorcade for President Donald Trump passes by. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
So far 18 deaths in Texas and Louisiana have been attributed to the storm; more than half of those people were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from the unsafe operation of generators.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency sent hundreds of workers to the region to help with search and rescue and other efforts. As of Sunday, more than 52,500 people had applied for FEMA assistance, and the agency had conducted over 200 home inspections and distributed more than $650,000 in assistance, said Tony Robinson, FEMA’s administrator for the region. The Louisiana National Guard, meanwhile, had handed out hundreds of thousands of bottles of water and meals and about 14,000 tarps, the governor said.
But the needs were substantial. In hard-hit Calcasieu Parish, some waited hours in line for tarps, water and other supplies at distribution sites, said parish spokesperson Tom Hoefer. The entire parish had been without power, and in many areas, including the parish seat of Lake Charles that’s home to more than 78,000 people, water had not been flowing from taps, he said. Several residents Sunday said the water supply was still intermittent.
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Crews will have to rebuild hundreds of transmission towers along with resetting downed power poles and lines, clearing debris and assessing damage, said Scott Aaronson, vice president of security and preparedness for the Edison Electric Institute, the association of investor-owned electric companies in the U.S. The association said roughly 409,000 customers were still without power late Sunday as a result of the storm.
A view of the damage around Lake Charles, Louisiana after Hurricane Laura blew through last week. Dave Creaney/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Many people in Lake Charles were still staying outside town, but James Townley said he would remain in his home, as he did during the storm.
The front of his trailer had been blown away, leaving a single toilet exposed to the elements.
Townley lay on a sofa in front of a fan — connected to a neighbor’s generator — circulating hot, humid air. The 56-year-old’s shirt was off, revealing scars from the open-heart surgery he had several years ago. He said he was out of medication for his heart and kidneys and had requested aid from FEMA — but not heard back.
“I’m just going to sit here and do what I can do,” he said. “Maybe I’ll make it, maybe I won’t.”
One silver pickup truck winding through Lake Charles’ streets carried four generations of a single family — six people inside the cab and three riding on the flatbed along with suitcases and bags filled with belongings. The family was visiting the homes where they each lived for the first time since the storm, assessing what they had lost and what had been spared.
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Driving the pickup was 53-year-old Patricia Mingo Lavergne. She was worried about how her home had fared, but also where everyone would sleep Sunday night.
When Lavergne parked outside the house she shares with her husband, a duplex just north of the train tracks bisecting the city, several family members began to pray and wipe away tears.
The pecan tree that long shaded her front yard had cracked and fallen in front of the front door. Insulation had burst through the ceiling and fallen in tufts over one bedroom. In another room, she pulled out two drawers filled with neatly folded clothes saved for her daughter’s child, due in January. She wiped a mix of sweat and tears with her shirt.
Eventually, everyone in the family was able to find a place to stay. They have requested help from FEMA, but Lavergne said she didn’t have a checking account in which to receive federal money.
“It’s frustrating,” she said. “I’ve already been going through a lot and this is a lot more on my shoulders.”
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Winbush, 19, and her family were staying with relatives in Beaumont, Texas, over an hour’s drive away. Her mother, Monique Benjamin, stood with Winbush and two of her siblings in front of what was left of the tire shop.
Benjamin and Winbush stayed cheerful as they described all the services the shop offered and the successes they had building it. The business is insured.
“Even though we may cry in the restroom and wipe our faces later, we got to stay strong,” Benjamin said.
___


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--'Get F**ked, Jared!': John Oliver Unloads On Kushner's Clueless Comments

Blake , a Black man , was left paralyzed after a Kenosha , Wisconsin police officer shot him seven times in the back .
The incident was caught on video and shared widely on social media .
To date , the cop has not been charged .
In response , the players walked out rather than play post-season games and spent the time off the court calling for change and taking action , including persuading NBA ownership to convert arenas into voting sites for the coming presidential election .
But Kushner dismissed those efforts .
Or , as Oliver put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of his mouth ” : “ I think that the NBA players are very fortunate that they have the financial position where they ’ re able to take a night off from work without having to have the consequences to themselves financially , ” Kushner said on CNBC .
Kushner also said the athletes “ put a lot of slogans out ” rather than take “ actual action.
” “ First , get fucked , Jared , you ‘ Welcome to Marwen ’ reject , ” he declared , referring to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They are not taking a night off from work , ” Oliver added .
“ The emotional toll of being Black in America , combined with the pressure to perform at an elite level during a global pandemic , is , I ’ m guessing , pretty taxing .
So by not playing , they ’ re not exactly taking a spa day.
” Then , Oliver mused about who “ America ’ s most laminated prince ” thought should be allowed to protest , if not NBA players .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again that wealth and fame absolutely do not protect you as a Black athlete , ” Oliver said , then pointed to multiple high-profile examples , such as Bucks guard Sterling Brown .
See Oliver ’ s full segment , which includes his response to last week ’ s Republican National Convention , below :

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Blake, a Black man, was left paralyzed after a Kenosha, Wisconsin police officer shot him seven times in the back. The incident was caught on video and shared widely on social media. To date, the cop has not been charged.
In response, the players walked out rather than play post-season games and spent the time off the court calling for change and taking action, including persuading NBA ownership to convert arenas into voting sites for the coming presidential election.
But Kushner dismissed those efforts. Or, as Oliver put it, “this is what fell out of his mouth”:
“I think that the NBA players are very fortunate that they have the financial position where they’re able to take a night off from work without having to have the consequences to themselves financially,” Kushner said on CNBC.
Kushner also said the athletes “put a lot of slogans out” rather than take “actual action.”
Oliver wasn’t having it.
“First, get fucked, Jared, you ‘Welcome to Marwen’ reject,” he declared, referring to a film centered around a village of doll-people.
“They are not taking a night off from work,” Oliver added. “The emotional toll of being Black in America, combined with the pressure to perform at an elite level during a global pandemic, is, I’m guessing, pretty taxing. So by not playing, they’re not exactly taking a spa day.”
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Then, Oliver mused about who “America’s most laminated prince” thought should be allowed to protest, if not NBA players.
“We’ve seen time and time again that wealth and fame absolutely do not protect you as a Black athlete,” Oliver said, then pointed to multiple high-profile examples, such as Bucks guard Sterling Brown.
See Oliver’s full segment, which includes his response to last week’s Republican National Convention, below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--Comic Jim Gaffigan Strikes Back With 1 Simple Test For Trump Voters

Comic Jim Gaffigan is explaining his surprising Twitter rant against President Donald Trump that went viral last week ― and he ’ s not backing down .
“ Honestly , I feel I had no choice at this point , ” Gaffigan wrote in a lengthy Facebook post .
“ I think Trump is ruining and possibly has already ruined my country.
” As the Republican National Convention concluded last Thursday with a marathon acceptance speech by the president , Gaffigan spent an hour firing off tweets aimed at Trump supporters .
He urged voters to “ wake up ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ con man and thief ” that he is .
“ It felt liberating , ” Gaffigan wrote , saying he was tired of censoring himself for the pro-Trump crowd , and believes many others hold their tongue for the same reason .
“ It ’ s like after Thanksgiving 2016 we all decided to let the crazy relative decide the discourse and context of every argument , ” he wrote .
“ It was refreshing to let four years of frustration boil over and offer some straight talk on what Trump has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaffigan also revealed that he found a lot of bots in his replies , that even Trump ’ s “ ridiculous ” talking points work on his supporters and that many people believe the QAnon conspiracy theory .
“ That isn ’ t as much of a fringe belief as you might think , ” he wrote .
“ Pizzagate wasn ’ t a one-off .
It was the tip of the iceberg.
” “ It doesn ’ t matter that Trump and his folks are breaking laws , trying to kill Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic was disastrous , ” he wrote .
“ To Trump voters he is THEIR guy .
More importantly he ’ s ‘ THEIR president ’ and disagreeing with them is a personal insult.
” Gaffigan called the notion “ not only weird but kind of scary.
” Gaffigan wrote about the responsibility he feels to his children as well as to future generations .
“ I didn ’ t want to explain to my grandchildren that I didn ’ t fight to stop Trump , ” he wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for decency , rule of law and equality.
” Gaffigan also urged Trump voters to apply that same test to their own actions ― specifically to who they vote for in the coming presidential election .
“ If you are still on the fence I encourage you to vote not for who I want you to vote for but for who your grandchildren would be proud you fucking voted for , ” he wrote , followed by an apology to his wife , Jeannie Gaffigan , for his use of profanity .

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Comic Jim Gaffigan is explaining his surprising Twitter rant against President Donald Trump that went viral last week ― and he’s not backing down.
“Honestly, I feel I had no choice at this point,” Gaffigan wrote in a lengthy Facebook post. “I think Trump is ruining and possibly has already ruined my country.”
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As the Republican National Convention concluded last Thursday with a marathon acceptance speech by the president, Gaffigan spent an hour firing off tweets aimed at Trump supporters. He urged voters to “wake up” and call out Trump for the “con man and thief” that he is.
Gaffigan, known as a clean comic, even dropped some choice four-letter words.
After spending a few days collecting his thoughts, Gaffigan said he has no regrets.
“It felt liberating,” Gaffigan wrote, saying he was tired of censoring himself for the pro-Trump crowd, and believes many others hold their tongue for the same reason.
“It’s like after Thanksgiving 2016 we all decided to let the crazy relative decide the discourse and context of every argument,” he wrote. “It was refreshing to let four years of frustration boil over and offer some straight talk on what Trump has done to our country or our democracy.”
Gaffigan also revealed that he found a lot of bots in his replies, that even Trump’s “ridiculous” talking points work on his supporters and that many people believe the QAnon conspiracy theory.
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“That isn’t as much of a fringe belief as you might think,” he wrote. “Pizzagate wasn’t a one-off. It was the tip of the iceberg.”
And, Gaffigan said, Trump supporters were all about Trump.
“It doesn’t matter that Trump and his folks are breaking laws, trying to kill Obamacare, pre-existing conditions or that his handling of the pandemic was disastrous,” he wrote. “To Trump voters he is THEIR guy. More importantly he’s ‘THEIR president’ and disagreeing with them is a personal insult.” Gaffigan called the notion “not only weird but kind of scary.”
Gaffigan wrote about the responsibility he feels to his children as well as to future generations.
“I didn’t want to explain to my grandchildren that I didn’t fight to stop Trump,” he wrote. “Maybe they will see that I stood up for decency, rule of law and equality.”
Gaffigan also urged Trump voters to apply that same test to their own actions ― specifically to who they vote for in the coming presidential election.
“If you are still on the fence I encourage you to vote not for who I want you to vote for but for who your grandchildren would be proud you fucking voted for,” he wrote, followed by an apology to his wife, Jeannie Gaffigan, for his use of profanity.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--Petitions Call For Chadwick Boseman Memorial To Replace Confederate Statue

Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for a Confederate monument in Chadwick Boseman ’ s hometown to be replaced with a memorial for the late actor .
In the wake of the “ Black Panther ” star ’ s death on Friday , a Change.org appeal appeared , urging the city of Anderson , South Carolina and state lawmakers to remove the Confederate monument in the city ’ s downtown area and erect a statue to Boseman .
The original monument , dedicated to Confederate veterans , is a likeness of Maj. William Wirt Humphreys , the editor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slavery who fought in the Civil War .
At the time of this writing , the petition had been signed by more than 8,000 people .
A similar petition addressed to Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts had been signed by more than 2,000 people .
DeAndre Weaver , the author of the larger petition , said Boseman “ spent his life uplifting the stories of Black Americans both real and fictional ” and thus was a fitting successor to the divisive monument .
He recalled when Boseman rented a movie theater in Anderson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after its release “ so that young boys and girls could be inspired by the film without the financial barrier.
” “ His legacy was one of excellence and equality , ” Weaver wrote .
“ As fellow citizens go about their day they should have a face that sees all people as equal.
” The other petition , authored by an anonymous user identifying themselves as an Anderson citizen , stated that Boseman was a “ true local legend ” who broke barriers for Black people with his portrayals of pioneering Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court Justice Thurgood Marshall , singer James Brown and baseball player Jackie Robinson .
“ It is only natural that his hometown honors what he did , ” the petition stated .
“ There is no need for political controversy in this decision.
” The petition also suggested that the old statue be displayed at the Anderson County Museum and accompanied by a description of its history that did not honor the ideals of the Confederacy .
Chadwick Boseman , who was known for his compelling performances as historic Black figures , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with colon cancer .
“ We need to memorialize people who contribute to society , not those who wanted to control and oppress it , ” wrote one signatory , Jennifer Baughman .
“ A man who brought greater understanding and representation to an underserved population sure deserves a spot on his hometown more than a traitor who supported that same population ’ s enslavement , ” wrote David Hitchcock , another person who signed the petition .
In June , someone vandalized the Confederate statue during the nationwide anti-racism upheaval over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in police custody .
Proponents for the Confederate statue ’ s removal pointed to its painful reminder of Black oppression and slavery ; opponents said removing it would erase history .
At the time , Roberts said the city was discussing what direction to take .
However , the Confederate statue was protected by South Carolina ’ s heritage act and it would require authorization from a two-thirds majority of the state legislature to remove , he said .

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Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for a Confederate monument in Chadwick Boseman’s hometown to be replaced with a memorial for the late actor.
In the wake of the “Black Panther” star’s death on Friday, a Change.org appeal appeared, urging the city of Anderson, South Carolina and state lawmakers to remove the Confederate monument in the city’s downtown area and erect a statue to Boseman. The original monument, dedicated to Confederate veterans, is a likeness of Maj. William Wirt Humphreys, the editor of a local paper and a proponent of slavery who fought in the Civil War.
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At the time of this writing, the petition had been signed by more than 8,000 people. A similar petition addressed to Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts had been signed by more than 2,000 people.
DeAndre Weaver, the author of the larger petition, said Boseman “spent his life uplifting the stories of Black Americans both real and fictional” and thus was a fitting successor to the divisive monument. He recalled when Boseman rented a movie theater in Anderson and showed “Black Panther” for free after its release “so that young boys and girls could be inspired by the film without the financial barrier.”
“His legacy was one of excellence and equality,” Weaver wrote. “As fellow citizens go about their day they should have a face that sees all people as equal.”
The other petition, authored by an anonymous user identifying themselves as an Anderson citizen, stated that Boseman was a “true local legend” who broke barriers for Black people with his portrayals of pioneering Black leaders, including the first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, singer James Brown and baseball player Jackie Robinson.
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“It is only natural that his hometown honors what he did,” the petition stated. “There is no need for political controversy in this decision.”
The petition also suggested that the old statue be displayed at the Anderson County Museum and accompanied by a description of its history that did not honor the ideals of the Confederacy.
Chadwick Boseman, who was known for his compelling performances as historic Black figures, died at age 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. zz/KGC-11/STAR MAX/IPx
“We need to memorialize people who contribute to society, not those who wanted to control and oppress it,” wrote one signatory, Jennifer Baughman.
“A man who brought greater understanding and representation to an underserved population sure deserves a spot on his hometown more than a traitor who supported that same population’s enslavement,” wrote David Hitchcock, another person who signed the petition.
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In June, someone vandalized the Confederate statue during the nationwide anti-racism upheaval over the death of George Floyd and other Black people in police custody.
Proponents for the Confederate statue’s removal pointed to its painful reminder of Black oppression and slavery; opponents said removing it would erase history.
At the time, Roberts said the city was discussing what direction to take. However, the Confederate statue was protected by South Carolina’s heritage act and it would require authorization from a two-thirds majority of the state legislature to remove, he said.
HuffPost has reached out to the city for comment regarding the petitions.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-31--As Scores Of U.S. Universities See Coronavirus Outbreaks, Nation Tops 6 Million Cases

The United States on Monday surpassed 6 million confirmed coronavirus cases as recorded infections surge at some universities nationwide , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
At least 183,000 people nationwide have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus that was first documented in China in December .
As of Monday , the U.S. continued to lead the world in the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths , with Brazil and India trailing behind it .
Public health officials have warned that the actual number of COVID-19 cases is likely much higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is partly because many infected people are asymptomatic and may not seek a diagnostic test .
At least 26,000 coronavirus cases have been reported among students and faculty at more than 1,500 American colleges and universities , according to a survey conducted by The New York Times .
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has reported the most infections , with at least 972 cases .
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Central Florida have reported the second and third highest numbers of cases , with at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections , respectively .
Cases among children in the U.S. have increased as schools in some parts of the country reopen for in-person instruction , according to the Times .
The uptick in recorded pediatric cases can be attributed in part to increased testing , but a rise in hospitalizations and deaths among children also suggests the virus is spreading at a higher rate , an American Academy of Pediatrics official told the publication .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force ’ s response coordinator , said Sunday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― will be key for reducing the spread of the virus .
“ Families and friends are getting together , and they ’ re assuming no one is infected , ” Birx said during a briefing with Minnesota officials .
“ Then they don ’ t wear their masks in those gatherings where there can easily be more than 10 people , and they interact in those gatherings without their masks .
That creates the spreading of the virus among family and friends .
”

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The United States on Monday surpassed 6 million confirmed coronavirus cases as recorded infections surge at some universities nationwide, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
At least 183,000 people nationwide have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus that was first documented in China in December. As of Monday, the U.S. continued to lead the world in the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths, with Brazil and India trailing behind it.
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Public health officials have warned that the actual number of COVID-19 cases is likely much higher than what has been reported. This is partly because many infected people are asymptomatic and may not seek a diagnostic test.
At least 26,000 coronavirus cases have been reported among students and faculty at more than 1,500 American colleges and universities, according to a survey conducted by The New York Times.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has reported the most infections, with at least 972 cases. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Central Florida have reported the second and third highest numbers of cases, with at least 835 infections and at least 727 infections, respectively.
Cases among children in the U.S. have increased as schools in some parts of the country reopen for in-person instruction, according to the Times. The uptick in recorded pediatric cases can be attributed in part to increased testing, but a rise in hospitalizations and deaths among children also suggests the virus is spreading at a higher rate, an American Academy of Pediatrics official told the publication.
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Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force’s response coordinator, said Sunday that wearing masks ― even during family gatherings ― will be key for reducing the spread of the virus.
“Families and friends are getting together, and they’re assuming no one is infected,” Birx said during a briefing with Minnesota officials. “Then they don’t wear their masks in those gatherings where there can easily be more than 10 people, and they interact in those gatherings without their masks. That creates the spreading of the virus among family and friends.”