thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Kamala Harris Celebrates America’s Diversity, A Nation 'Where All Are Welcome,' In DNC Speech

The senator from California , who made history when selected as Biden ’ s running mate last week , spoke live from Wilmington , Delaware , on Wednesday .
( The major political event was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic . )
Harris said she was “ committed to the values ” that her mother , an immigrant from India , had taught her .
“ She raised us to be proud , strong Black women , ” Harris said of her mother , Shyamala Gopalan Harris , who died of cancer in 2009 .
“ And she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Indian heritage.
” Harris then spoke of a “ vision passed on through generations of Americans — one that Joe Biden shares .
... A vision of our nation as a beloved community , where all are welcome , no matter what we look like , where we come from or who we love.
” Harris also criticized President Donald Trump — who has a long , ongoing history of racism — saying that Americans “ must elect a president who will bring something different , something better ... .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together — Black , white , Latino , Asian , Indigenous — to achieve the future we collectively want.
” Harris , 55 , is the second Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and is the first Black and first Asian American nominee for vice president by a major political party .
If elected , she will also become the first female vice president in U.S. history .
A short video that played before Harris ’ remarks Wednesday featured several Black women speaking about the senator , one of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for Black people , brown people , undocumented people , LGBT people , disabled people.
” It included a clip from an interview in which Harris said , “ The litmus test for America is how we are treating Black women.
” Before Biden tapped her for the ticket , Harris was one of his rivals in the Democratic primary race last year .
In one of the most powerful moments in the Democratic debates , Harris called out Biden for his collaboration with segregationist lawmakers early in his Senate career and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Harris said she herself was bused to school as a young student in Oakland , California .
Harris first appeared with Biden last week after she was added to the presidential ticket .
Both she and Biden took aim at Trump , and Harris criticized the president ’ s “ mismanagement of the pandemic.
” “ America is crying out for leadership , yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him , ” she said .
Again on Wednesday , Harris called out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.
” The U.S. continues to lead the world in coronavirus cases and deaths , with over 5.5 million confirmed cases and more than 172,000 dead so far .
Harris noted that Black , Latino and Indigenous people are “ suffering and dying disproportionately ” from COVID-19 .
Harris opened Wednesday ’ s event with brief remarks calling out voter suppression efforts , including “ obstacles , misinformation and folks making it harder for us to cast our ballot.
” The senator ’ s statements come as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being “ fraudulent ” and undermining the U.S .
Postal Service .
Democratic lawmakers have called the U.S. postmaster general , a Trump donor , to testify about recent changes in operations that have led to mail delays .
These changes have since been suspended until after the election , as outrage grew around mailed ballots possibly not arriving on time to be counted in November .
“ We need to ask ourselves , why don ’ t they want us to vote ?
Why is there so much effort to silence our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging all Americans to create a “ voting plan.
” “ The answer is because when we vote , things change … When we vote , we address the need for all people to be treated with dignity and respect in our country.
” Harris explicitly spelled out where she was born : at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland .
It appeared to be a subtle response to racist birther conspiracies spread by right-wing pundits and echoed by Trump , suggesting she may not be eligible for the office of vice president because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born .
There is no question of Harris ’ s eligibility .
This is notably a continuation of Trump ’ s history of perpetuating birther conspiracy theories about former President Barack Obama .
In Obama ’ s speech Wednesday night , the former president described Harris as his friend and as “ someone who knows what it ’ s like to overcome barriers and who ’ s made a career fighting to help others live out their own American dream .
”

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Sen. Kamala Harris painted a vision of America that celebrated diversity in her historic Democratic National Convention speech.
The senator from California, who made history when selected as Biden’s running mate last week, spoke live from Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday. (The major political event was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.) Harris said she was “committed to the values” that her mother, an immigrant from India, had taught her.
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“She raised us to be proud, strong Black women,” Harris said of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who died of cancer in 2009. “And she raised us to know and be proud of our Indian heritage.”
Harris then spoke of a “vision passed on through generations of Americans — one that Joe Biden shares. ... A vision of our nation as a beloved community, where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from or who we love.”
Harris also criticized President Donald Trump — who has a long, ongoing history of racism — saying that Americans “must elect a president who will bring something different, something better.... A president who will bring all of us together — Black, white, Latino, Asian, Indigenous — to achieve the future we collectively want.”
Harris, 55, is the second Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and is the first Black and first Asian American nominee for vice president by a major political party. If elected, she will also become the first female vice president in U.S. history.
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A short video that played before Harris’ remarks Wednesday featured several Black women speaking about the senator, one of them describing Harris as “someone who can fight for Black people, brown people, undocumented people, LGBT people, disabled people.” It included a clip from an interview in which Harris said, “The litmus test for America is how we are treating Black women.”
Kamala Harris pays tribute to the trailblazers who came before her in her DNC address #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/eZF0VeBQAf — NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 20, 2020
Before Biden tapped her for the ticket, Harris was one of his rivals in the Democratic primary race last year. In one of the most powerful moments in the Democratic debates, Harris called out Biden for his collaboration with segregationist lawmakers early in his Senate career and for his opposition to busing to integrate schools. Harris said she herself was bused to school as a young student in Oakland, California.
But a few months after dropping out of the presidential race in December, Harris endorsed Biden and has since staunchly supported his candidacy.
Harris first appeared with Biden last week after she was added to the presidential ticket. Both she and Biden took aim at Trump, and Harris criticized the president’s “mismanagement of the pandemic.” “America is crying out for leadership, yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him,” she said.
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Again on Wednesday, Harris called out how “Trump’s failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods.” The U.S. continues to lead the world in coronavirus cases and deaths, with over 5.5 million confirmed cases and more than 172,000 dead so far. Harris noted that Black, Latino and Indigenous people are “suffering and dying disproportionately” from COVID-19.
“This is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism,” Harris said.
Harris opened Wednesday’s event with brief remarks calling out voter suppression efforts, including “obstacles, misinformation and folks making it harder for us to cast our ballot.” The senator’s statements come as Trump has been spreading lies about mail-in voting being “fraudulent” and undermining the U.S. Postal Service. Democratic lawmakers have called the U.S. postmaster general, a Trump donor, to testify about recent changes in operations that have led to mail delays. These changes have since been suspended until after the election, as outrage grew around mailed ballots possibly not arriving on time to be counted in November.
“We need to ask ourselves, why don’t they want us to vote? Why is there so much effort to silence our voices?” Harris said Wednesday, urging all Americans to create a “voting plan.” “The answer is because when we vote, things change … When we vote, we address the need for all people to be treated with dignity and respect in our country.”
Harris explicitly spelled out where she was born: at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. It appeared to be a subtle response to racist birther conspiracies spread by right-wing pundits and echoed by Trump, suggesting she may not be eligible for the office of vice president because of her parents’ immigration status when she was born. There is no question of Harris’s eligibility. This is notably a continuation of Trump’s history of perpetuating birther conspiracy theories about former President Barack Obama.
In Obama’s speech Wednesday night, the former president described Harris as his friend and as “someone who knows what it’s like to overcome barriers and who’s made a career fighting to help others live out their own American dream.”
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Harris’s sister Maya Harris, who was chairwoman of Harris’s presidential campaign, introduced the vice presidential nominee, along with Harris’s niece Meena Harris and her stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, who called the candidate “Momala.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--Elizabeth Warren Says Trump 'Failed Miserably' During COVID-19 Crisis

Sen. Elizabeth Warren castigated President Donald Trump ’ s “ ignorance and incompetence ” as a “ danger to the country ” while giving a rousing endorsement to her onetime competitor and now Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday .
“ COVID-19 was Trump ’ s biggest test .
He failed miserably , ” Warren said during the third night of the Democratic National Convention .
“ Millions out of work .
Millions more trapped in cycles of poverty .
Millions on the brink of losing their homes .
Millions of restaurants and stores hanging by a thread.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have to be this way , ” she continued .
“ This crisis is on Donald Trump and the Republicans who enable him .
On Nov. 3 , we hold them all accountable.
” Warren said Wednesday Biden would extend deep support to American parents reeling from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , saying it was “ time to recognize that child care is part of the basic infrastructure of this nation — it ’ s infrastructure for families.
” “ I love a good plan , and Joe Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , pointing to initiatives to support clean energy and American parents .
“ These plans reflect a central truth : our economic system has been rigged to give bailouts to billionaires and kick dirt in the face of everyone else.
” The Massachusetts Democrat is one of her party ’ s most visible progressives , and her support of Biden could help unite those concerned with the former vice president ’ s more moderate policies .
Warren suspended her own presidential bid in March despite gaining early momentum in the race with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep catalogue of plans to revamp the nation .
She endorsed Biden the following month , saying the country was in crisis and it was “ more important than ever that the next president restores Americans ’ faith in good , effective government.
” “ Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service , ” Warren said at the time .
“ He knows that a government run with integrity , competence and heart will save lives and save livelihoods .
And we can ’ t afford to let Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihoods of every American.
” The senator had reportedly been one of several frontrunners to become Biden ’ s running mate ( he ultimately chose Sen. Kamala Harris of California ) .
Biden specifically pointed to Warren when he unveiled a detailed proposal to rebuild the U.S. economy last month , signaling her ability to influence the party ’ s major policy positions .
“ I am grateful to so many ― including my friend Elizabeth Warren , labor unions , and other progressive partners for their help in putting together this bold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our economy and ensuring good , dignified jobs for American workers , ” Biden wrote last month in an email to the Progressive Change Campaign Committee , a Warren-allied progressive group .
Warren has continued to challenge the Trump administration amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , and she joined protesters gathered outside the White House during demonstrations calling for racial justice after the police killing of George Floyd .
“ Racism is wrong , and it ’ s not enough for us to sit comfortably in our homes and to sit in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren told local media during her appearance in June .
“ We need to be out on the front lines calling out Donald Trump .
”

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren castigated President Donald Trump’s “ignorance and incompetence” as a “danger to the country” while giving a rousing endorsement to her onetime competitor and now Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday.
“COVID-19 was Trump’s biggest test. He failed miserably,” Warren said during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. “Millions out of work. Millions more trapped in cycles of poverty. Millions on the brink of losing their homes. Millions of restaurants and stores hanging by a thread.”
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“This crisis is bad — and didn’t have to be this way,” she continued. “This crisis is on Donald Trump and the Republicans who enable him. On Nov. 3, we hold them all accountable.”
Warren said Wednesday Biden would extend deep support to American parents reeling from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, saying it was “time to recognize that child care is part of the basic infrastructure of this nation — it’s infrastructure for families.”
“I love a good plan, and Joe Biden has some really good plans,” she said, pointing to initiatives to support clean energy and American parents. “These plans reflect a central truth: our economic system has been rigged to give bailouts to billionaires and kick dirt in the face of everyone else.”
The Massachusetts Democrat is one of her party’s most visible progressives, and her support of Biden could help unite those concerned with the former vice president’s more moderate policies.
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Warren suspended her own presidential bid in March despite gaining early momentum in the race with her slate of progressive causes and a deep catalogue of plans to revamp the nation. She endorsed Biden the following month, saying the country was in crisis and it was “more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government.”
“Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service,” Warren said at the time. “He knows that a government run with integrity, competence and heart will save lives and save livelihoods. And we can’t afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American.”
The senator had reportedly been one of several frontrunners to become Biden’s running mate (he ultimately chose Sen. Kamala Harris of California). Biden specifically pointed to Warren when he unveiled a detailed proposal to rebuild the U.S. economy last month, signaling her ability to influence the party’s major policy positions.
“I am grateful to so many ― including my friend Elizabeth Warren, labor unions, and other progressive partners for their help in putting together this bold new set of policies aimed at healing our economy and ensuring good, dignified jobs for American workers,” Biden wrote last month in an email to the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a Warren-allied progressive group.
Warren has continued to challenge the Trump administration amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and she joined protesters gathered outside the White House during demonstrations calling for racial justice after the police killing of George Floyd.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Conservative Pundit S.E. Cupp Reveals What Convinced Her To Vote For Joe Biden

Conservative commentator S.E .
Cupp on Wednesday said the “ goodness ” of Joe Biden was “ enough of a reason ” to convince her to vote for the Democratic nominee over President Donald Trump in the 2020 election .
Cupp on her CNN show said it became “ really clear to me ” following Jill Biden ’ s emotional address Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention , in which the former second lady linked her husband ’ s personal grief to his mission for public service , that “ these are fundamentally good people.
” “ For me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that policy , this vote or that vote , sort of faded into the background , ” Cupp explained .
“ Biden ’ s goodness , his character , his love for this country and for other people suddenly felt so much more important.
” “ It felt like enough , enough of a reason to give him my vote , ” Cupp continued .
“ And then it wasn ’ t if I could vote for Joe Biden , but how could I not ?
” “ After four years of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sexist , bullying , shaming , vengeful , spiteful , greedy , needy , lying jerk in the White House , goodness has been gone for too long , ” she added .
Cupp acknowledged there ’ s “ a lot ” of issues on which she and Biden disagree , “ but we need to make America good again and I know Joe Biden wants to do that too.
” “ Biden ’ s goodness is enough for me , ” she added .
“ That ’ s why he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp on Wednesday said the “goodness” of Joe Biden was “enough of a reason” to convince her to vote for the Democratic nominee over President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Cupp on her CNN show said it became “really clear to me” following Jill Biden’s emotional address Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention, in which the former second lady linked her husband’s personal grief to his mission for public service, that “these are fundamentally good people.”
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“For me, all the handwringing over this policy or that policy, this vote or that vote, sort of faded into the background,” Cupp explained. “Biden’s goodness, his character, his love for this country and for other people suddenly felt so much more important.”
“It felt like enough, enough of a reason to give him my vote,” Cupp continued. “And then it wasn’t if I could vote for Joe Biden, but how could I not?”
“After four years of a corrupt, unethical, narcissistic, racist, sexist, bullying, shaming, vengeful, spiteful, greedy, needy, lying jerk in the White House, goodness has been gone for too long,” she added.
Cupp acknowledged there’s “a lot” of issues on which she and Biden disagree, “but we need to make America good again and I know Joe Biden wants to do that too.”
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“Biden’s goodness is enough for me,” she added. “That’s why he’s getting my vote.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Barack Obama Tells America Its Democracy Is At Stake

The former president spoke in primetime Wednesday night at the virtual Democratic National Convention , delivering his remarks from Philadelphia ’ s Museum of the American Revolution .
He spent some of his speech talking up why he believes Joe Biden , the vice president in his administration who is now the Democratic presidential nominee , was fit to lead the country .
But the heart of Obama ’ s speech was an indictment of Republican President Donald Trump , and it wasn ’ t about Trump ’ s policy choices .
It was about Trump ’ s basic fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his lack of fitness for office ― and the danger it posed to American democracy .
“ I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies , ” Obama said .
“ I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously ; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care .
But he never did.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are severe , ” Obama said , proceeding to list the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken in the nation .
“ 170,000 Americans dead .
Millions of jobs gone while those at the top take in more than ever.
” It ’ s not as if others haven ’ t similarly lambasted Trump .
But it was unsettling to hear the indictment coming from the persistently optimistic Obama , who so famously believes in the fundamental decency of most elected officials , the power of reason to prevail over passion , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those beliefs were the themes of his first address to a Democratic national convention , back at in 2004 , when as a young , skinny , little-known U.S. Senate candidate bouncing on the stage , he gave a keynote address about unity amid political divisions .
That same faith in unity and common purpose were also cornerstones of his 2008 White House campaign and the animating spirit of his presidency ― even at the most difficult times when he was facing intractable , irrational or uncivil opposition .
Obama on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gray hairs told of his age ― now 59 ― he still had some bounce as he spoke .
There were even moments when he smiled , especially when he was reminiscing about his work alongside Biden during their two-term White House tenure .
The commander-in-chief doesn ’ t use the men and women of our military , who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation , as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil .
But during the most powerful parts of the speech ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his indictment of Trump , and in the last third , when he pleaded with voters to reclaim American democracy , Obama looked gravely serious and maybe even distressed .
It was as if he was still grappling with how Trump ever became president and , then , how anybody in the Oval Office could govern with such disregard for the public interest .
“ The commander-in-chief doesn ’ t use the men and women of our military , who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation , as political props @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own soil , ” Obama said .
“ Political opponents aren ’ t ‘ un-American ’ just because they disagree with you ... A free press isn ’ t the “ enemy ” but the way we hold officials accountable … Our ability to work together to solve big problems like a pandemic depends on a fidelity to facts and science and logic and not just making stuff up.
” “ None of this should be controversial These shouldn ’ t be Republican principles or Democratic principles .
They ’ re American principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most memorable line from his 2004 address .
“ But at this moment , this president and those who enable him , have shown they don ’ t believe in these things.
” And in a reference to efforts at voter suppression , whether through sabotage of the mail system or limiting ballot access , Obama said , “ They know they can ’ t win you over with their policies .
So they ’ re hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote , and to convince you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s how they win.
” Obama did reach for inspiration at the very end of his speech , recalling the spirit of the late Rep. John Lewis ( D-Ga. ) and other activists in U.S. history who fought to expand the rights of workers , immigrants , people of different faiths and underrepresented minorities .
“ If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work , and could not work , it was those Americans , ” Obama said .
“ And yet , instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said somehow , someway , we are going to make this work.
” Obama said that now , he ’ s seen the wellsprings of similar activism on behalf of new causes , from protecting the planet to ending gun violence ― two of the great unfinished causes of his own presidency .
“ But any chance of success depends entirely on the outcome of this election , ” he warned .
“ This administration has shown it will tear our democracy down if that ’ s what it takes to win .
@

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Barack Obama, the man of hope and change, had a different sort of message for Americans last night: Vote or our democracy may die.
The former president spoke in primetime Wednesday night at the virtual Democratic National Convention, delivering his remarks from Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution. He spent some of his speech talking up why he believes Joe Biden, the vice president in his administration who is now the Democratic presidential nominee, is fit to lead the country.
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But the heart of Obama’s speech was an indictment of Republican President Donald Trump, and it wasn’t about Trump’s policy choices. It was about Trump’s basic fitness for office ― or, more precisely, his lack of fitness for office ― and the danger it posed to American democracy.
“I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies,” Obama said. “I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care. But he never did.”
“And the consequences of that failure are severe,” Obama said, proceeding to list the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken in the nation. “170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone while those at the top take in more than ever.”
More broadly, he continued, the nation under Trump has seen “our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.”
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It’s not as if others haven’t similarly lambasted Trump. But it was unsettling to hear the indictment coming from the persistently optimistic Obama, who so famously believes in the fundamental decency of most elected officials, the power of reason to prevail over passion, and the basic wisdom of the American people.
Those beliefs were the themes of his first address to a Democratic national convention, back in 2004, when as a young, skinny, little-known U.S. Senate candidate bouncing on the stage, he gave a keynote address about unity amid political divisions. That same faith in unity and common purpose were also cornerstones of his 2008 White House campaign and the animating spirit of his presidency ― even at the most difficult times when he was facing intractable, irrational or uncivil opposition.
Obama on Thursday night still looked skinny. And if the gray hairs told of his age ― now 59 ― he still had some bounce as he spoke. There were even moments when he smiled, especially when he was reminiscing about his work alongside Biden during their two-term White House tenure.
“The commander-in-chief doesn’t use the men and women of our military, who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation, as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil.” - Barack Obama, critiquing Donald Trump
But during the most powerful parts of the speech ― at the beginning, when he detailed his indictment of Trump, and in the last third, when he pleaded with voters to reclaim American democracy ― Obama looked gravely serious and maybe even distressed. It was as if he was still grappling with how Trump ever became president and, then, how anybody in the Oval Office could govern with such disregard for the public interest.
Advertisement
“The commander-in-chief doesn’t use the men and women of our military, who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation, as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil,” Obama said. “Political opponents aren’t ‘un-American’ just because they disagree with you ... A free press isn’t the ‘enemy,’ but the way we hold officials accountable … Our ability to work together to solve big problems like a pandemic depends on a fidelity to facts and science and logic, and not just making stuff up.”
“None of this should be controversial. These shouldn’t be Republican principles or Democratic principles. They’re American principles,” he said, echoing the most memorable line from his 2004 address. “But at this moment, this president and those who enable him have shown they don’t believe in these things.”
And in a reference to efforts at voter suppression, whether through sabotage of the mail system or limiting ballot access, Obama said: “They know they can’t win you over with their policies. So they’re hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote, and to convince you that your vote doesn’t matter. That’s how they win.”
Obama did reach for inspiration at the very end of his speech, recalling the spirit of the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and other activists in U.S. history who fought to expand the rights of workers, immigrants, people of different faiths and underrepresented minorities.
“If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work, and could not work, it was those Americans,” Obama said. “And yet, instead of giving up, they joined together and said somehow, someway, we are going to make this work.”
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Obama said that now, he’s seen the wellsprings of similar activism on behalf of new causes, from protecting the planet to ending gun violence ― two of the great unfinished causes of his own presidency. “But any chance of success depends entirely on the outcome of this election,” he warned. “This administration has shown it will tear our democracy down if that’s what it takes to win.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Jake Tapper Asks Pointed Question About What The GOP Has Become

CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Wednesday pointedly asked whether the Republican Party “ is now the party of deranged bigots ” after two far-right GOP congressional candidates won their primary elections this week .
Tapper noted to former Rep. Charlie Dent ( R-Pa. ) that “ two completely unhinged conspiracy theorists , both of them complete bigots as well ” are now GOP nominees for congressional seats .
Marjorie Taylor Greene , a businesswoman , won the runoff for Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional District .
She has embraced QAnon and 9/11 truther conspiracy theories and expressed anti-Muslim and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist Laura Loomer , who describes herself as a “ proud Islamophobe , ” will contest Florida ’ s 21st Congressional District .
She has been banned from social media for hate speech .
“ President Donald Trump has praised both of them , gone out of his way to say positive things about these really rather unlikeable candidates in terms of what they say and do , ” said Tapper .
The anchor then asked : “ Is it possible that the Republican Party is now the party of deranged bigots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it any longer for a Charlie Dent ?
” Dent , a moderate who stepped down from Congress in 2018 and has endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 election , expressed shock at Trump ’ s praise for the two nominees .
Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent .
Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) August 12 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whack-jobs and the nuts to come out , ” said Dent .
“ With strong leadership , we should be able to marginalize folks like that and it ’ s really a sad state of affairs when the president endorses a 9/11 truther , ” Dent added .
“ I mean , it ’ s just beyond me.
” Jake Tapper to former GOP Rep. Charlie Dent : `` In the last week or so , two completely unhinged conspiracy theorists , both of them complete bigots as well , have won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both .
Is it possible the GOP is now the party of deranged bigots ?
pic.twitter.com/nhjfPvEnyX — Lis Power ( @ LisPower1 ) August 19 , 2020

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CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday pointedly asked whether the Republican Party “is now the party of deranged bigots” after two far-right GOP congressional candidates won their primary elections this week.
Tapper noted to former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) that “two completely unhinged conspiracy theorists, both of them complete bigots as well” are now GOP nominees for congressional seats.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, a businesswoman, won the runoff for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. She has embraced QAnon and 9/11 truther conspiracy theories and expressed anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic views in videos online.
Far-right extremist Laura Loomer, who describes herself as a “proud Islamophobe,” will contest Florida’s 21st Congressional District. She has been banned from social media for hate speech.
“President Donald Trump has praised both of them, gone out of his way to say positive things about these really rather unlikeable candidates in terms of what they say and do,” said Tapper.
The anchor then asked: “Is it possible that the Republican Party is now the party of deranged bigots and there isn’t a place in it any longer for a Charlie Dent?”
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Dent, a moderate who stepped down from Congress in 2018 and has endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 election, expressed shock at Trump’s praise for the two nominees.
Great going Laura. You have a great chance against a Pelosi puppet! https://t.co/pKZp35dUYr — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020
Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent. Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2020
“All this does is empower the whack-jobs and the nuts to come out,” said Dent.
“With strong leadership, we should be able to marginalize folks like that and it’s really a sad state of affairs when the president endorses a 9/11 truther,” Dent added. “I mean, it’s just beyond me.”
Check out the exchange here:
Jake Tapper to former GOP Rep. Charlie Dent: "In the last week or so, two completely unhinged conspiracy theorists, both of them complete bigots as well, have won GOP nominations, Trump has praised them both. Is it possible the GOP is now the party of deranged bigots? pic.twitter.com/nhjfPvEnyX — Lis Power (@LisPower1) August 19, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--5 Takeaways From The Third Night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention

In the second half of the 10 p.m. hour on the East Coast , former President Barack Obama was using his speech at the Democratic National Convention to excoriate his successor as fundamentally unfit for the presidency , as a buffoon who thought about nothing but himself and was more concerned with petty personal grievances than the well-being of the country .
“ For close to four years now , he ’ s shown no interest in putting in the work , no interest in finding common ground , no interest in using the awesome power of his office to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves , ” Obama said , speaking live from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia .
“ Donald Trump hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t. ” At 10:40 , he added : “ WHY DID HE REFUSE TO ENDORSE SLOW JOE UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER , AND EVEN THEN WAS VERY LATE ?
WHY DID HE TRY TO GET HIM NOT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political gossip instead of even attempting to argue with Obama ’ s diagnosis that Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic was a “ failure.
” Democrats try to close their generation gap .
The first two nights of the convention did not have much to offer young voters ― 83-year-old Colin Powell , 76-year-old John Kerry and 68-year-old John Kasich do not have many millennial or Generation Z fans .
It left many progressives worried , since the generation gap is potentially the defining cleavage within the Democratic Party of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its best to make up for it .
The first hour contained extensive segments on gun control and climate change , two of the critical causes for young people , and highlighted young activists working on those issues .
A musical performance from Billie Eilish likely baffled anyone over the age of 50 , but convention organizers will be thrilled she posted her message encouraging people to vote to Instagram , where she has nearly 66 million followers .
Eilish framed the decision in a way designed to appeal to young voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , portraying his election as merely the start of creating a better world : “ It starts by voting for someone who understands what is at stake , someone who is building a team that understands our values .
It starts by voting against Donald Trump , and for Joe Biden.
” “ This president and those in power ― those who benefit from keeping things the way they are ― they are counting on your cynicism , ” Obama said .
“ They know they can ’ t win you over with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote doesn ’ t matter .
That ’ s how they win.
” The future is still female .
And , above all , the theme of the night ― a day after the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment , which granted women the right to vote ― was that Democratic women were making history even if Clinton weren ’ t on the ticket this time .
In her speech , Sen. Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamer and her Indian “ chitthis ” in equal measure , would be the first woman of color nominated to be on a major party national ticket .
Introducing the senator from California were some of the women closest to her : daughter Ella , sister Maya and niece Meena .
The convention also nodded to the post-Hillary Clinton resistance movement that powered their midterm victories with a video montage championing the many women elected to Congress in 2018 .
It served as an introduction of their leader , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also dressed in white , symbolic of the suffragists .
But when the clock struck 10 on the East Coast , and network television began covering the convention , the tone shifted decidedly toward kitchen-table economic issues , especially those facing voters in the Midwestern battleground states that are considered an essential part of Biden ’ s path to 270 electoral votes .
The change in focus seemed to reflect the conventional wisdom in the Democratic Party that running on how to help families provide for themselves is the most compelling message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win in November .
An emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable .

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In the second half of the 10 p.m. hour on the East Coast, former President Barack Obama was using his speech at the Democratic National Convention to excoriate his successor as fundamentally unfit for the presidency, as a buffoon who thought about nothing but himself and was more concerned with petty personal grievances than the well-being of the country.
“For close to four years now, he’s shown no interest in putting in the work, no interest in finding common ground, no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends, no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves,” Obama said, speaking live from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. “Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t.”
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At 10:33 p.m., Trump decided to prove him right. “HE SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN, AND GOT CAUGHT!,” Trump tweeted, referring to a false conspiracy theory obscure enough to confuse everyone but the incumbent’s most loyal supporters.
At 10:40, he added: “WHY DID HE REFUSE TO ENDORSE SLOW JOE UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER, AND EVEN THEN WAS VERY LATE? WHY DID HE TRY TO GET HIM NOT TO RUN?” choosing to regurgitate political gossip instead of even attempting to argue with Obama’s diagnosis that Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic was a “failure.”
It took just two tweets for Trump to essentially prove Obama’s assessment correct. Trump is set to appear on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show on Thursday night before Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivers his prime-time speech. Democrats are almost certainly looking forward to it.
Former President Barack Obama addresses the virtual convention Wednesday night by video from Philadelphia. Before his speech even ended, Trump was tossing grenades. Democratic National Convention Committee via Getty Images
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Here are four other takeaways from the third night of the Democratic National Convention:
Democrats try to close their generation gap.
The first two nights of the convention did not have much to offer young voters ― 83-year-old Colin Powell, 76-year-old John Kerry and 68-year-old John Kasich do not have many millennial or Generation Z fans. It left many progressives worried, since the generation gap is potentially the defining cleavage within the Democratic Party of 2020.
On Wednesday, the party did its best to make up for it. The first hour contained extensive segments on gun control and climate change, two of the critical causes for young people, and highlighted young activists working on those issues. A musical performance from Billie Eilish likely baffled anyone over the age of 50, but convention organizers will be thrilled she posted her message encouraging people to vote to Instagram, where she has nearly 66 million followers.
Eilish framed the decision in a way designed to appeal to young voters, who tend to be skeptical of Biden, portraying his election as merely the start of creating a better world: “It starts by voting for someone who understands what is at stake, someone who is building a team that understands our values. It starts by voting against Donald Trump, and for Joe Biden.”
And a portion of Obama’s speech was dedicated to combating the cynicism many young people feel toward electoral politics, acknowledging that conspiracy theories and lies and interest groups can easily create apathy instead of action.
“This president and those in power ― those who benefit from keeping things the way they are ― they are counting on your cynicism,” Obama said. “They know they can’t win you over with their policies, so they’re hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote doesn’t matter. That’s how they win.”
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The future is still female.
Wednesday night also had a distinctly 2016 flavor, and it wasn’t just because then-presidential nominee Hillary Clinton appeared on screen wearing white while telling Americans they were stronger together. The messages countering Trump were about fighting against xenophobia, supporting young immigrants and sticking it to the National Rifle Association.
And, above all, the theme of the night ― a day after the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote ― was that Democratic women were making history even if Clinton wasn’t on the ticket this time. In her speech, Sen. Kamala Harris, invoking legendary Black activist Fannie Lou Hamer and her Indian “chitthis” in equal measure, would be the first woman of color nominated to be on a major party national ticket. Introducing the senator from California were some of the women closest to her: daughter Ella, sister Maya and niece Meena.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are joined on stage Wednesday night by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware. Carolyn Kaster/ASSOCIATED PRESS
And though Democrats have nominated another older white man to lead their ticket, the party made a point to emphasize Biden’s work on domestic violence and his support from women, young and old.
The convention also nodded to the post-Hillary Clinton resistance movement that powered their midterm victories with a video montage championing the many women elected to Congress in 2018. It served as an introduction of their leader, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: queen of the Trump clap backs, also dressed in white, symbolic of the suffragists.
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Saving kitchen-table issues for prime-time.
The evening began with a strong emphasis on what are traditionally thought of as social issues: gun control, climate change, immigration and voting rights.
But when the clock struck 10 on the East Coast, and network television began covering the convention, the tone shifted decidedly toward kitchen-table economic issues, especially those facing voters in the Midwestern battleground states that are considered an essential part of Biden’s path to 270 electoral votes. The change in focus seemed to reflect the conventional wisdom in the Democratic Party that running on how to help families provide for themselves is the most compelling message for the swing voters they need to win in November.
Former Labor Secretary Hilda Solis of California and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio joined Midwestern workers and farmers to denounce Trump’s failure to assist American families struggling amid the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Then, speaking from a shuttered early childhood education center, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts delivered a speech highlighting how Biden and Harris would help ordinary people by providing every American family with affordable child care.
Warren also made sure to throw in a dash of economic populism that Biden and Harris generally eschew. “These plans reflect a central truth: Our economic system has been rigged to give bailouts to billionaires and kick dirt in the face of everyone else,” she said.
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An emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable.
One of the Trump campaign’s most frequently deployed attacks against Biden is suggesting the former vice president’s policies will empower criminals and make Americans less safe. On Wednesday night, the convention tried to turn the tables on the GOP incumbent.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--1.1 Million More Workers Applied For Unemployment Last Week

FILE - In this Aug. 6 , 2020 , file photo , a customer leaves a Pier 1 retail store , which is going out of business , during the coronavirus pandemic in Coral Gables , Fla .
The number of laid-off workers applying for unemployment aid fell below 1 million last week for the first time since the pandemic intensified five months ago , yet still remains at a high level .
( AP Photo/Lynne Sladky , File ) WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose to 1.1 million last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many employers are still slashing jobs as the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. economy .
The latest figures suggest that more than five months after the viral outbreak erupted the economy is still weak , despite recent gains as some businesses reopen and some sectors like housing and manufacturing have rebounded .
A rising number of people who have lost jobs say they consider their loss to be permanent .
The total number of people receiving unemployment aid declined last week from 15.5 million to 14.8 million , the government said Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid because a $ 600-a-week federal benefit has expired , which means the unemployed must now get by solely on much smaller aid from their states .
The loss of the federal benefit has deepened the struggles for many , including a higher risk of eviction from their homes .
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to provide $ 300 a week in federal unemployment aid , with money drawn from a disaster relief fund .
Twenty-five states have said they will apply for the federal money , though they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so .
Other states are still considering whether to take that step ; two have said they won ’ t .
Some states may be hesitating to overhaul their unemployment systems because they expect Congress to eventually pass a new rescue package with an enhanced jobless benefit that might not require any changes .
In states that decide to pay out the $ 300 , the government estimates it would take three weeks , on average , for the states to send the money to the unemployed .
And initially only enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks of payments .
Even with subsequent grants , analysts estimate that there would be enough money to last only five or six weeks .
The continuing stream of layoffs comes against the backdrop of a modest recovery from a deep recession and a virus that is still paralyzing much of the economy .
Home construction and sales have bounced back .
So have auto purchases .
But spending on travel , entertainment and many other services remains weak .
Small businesses are struggling .
And unemployment , at 10.2 % , remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest snapshot Thursday of the pace of layoffs in the United States , which have declined steadily but remain stuck at a high level with the economy still in the grip of the viral pandemic that erupted in March .
The number of applications that were reported last week fell below 1 million after 20 straight weeks above that level .
Yet at roughly 960,000 , it was still painfully high .
Before the viral outbreak , the weekly figure had never topped 700,000 , even during the Great Recession .
The latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 600 weekly federal check that provided vital support for millions of laid-off Americans .
Negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit , though at a lower level of payment , have collapsed .
The Trump administration is offering a new $ 300-a-week federal benefit , which states need to apply for and must revamp their computer systems to accommodate .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose to 1.1 million last week after two weeks of declines, evidence that many employers are still slashing jobs as the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. economy.
The latest figures suggest that more than five months after the viral outbreak erupted the economy is still weak, despite recent gains as some businesses reopen and some sectors like housing and manufacturing have rebounded. A rising number of people who have lost jobs say they consider their loss to be permanent.
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The total number of people receiving unemployment aid declined last week from 15.5 million to 14.8 million, the government said Thursday. Those recipients are now receiving far less aid because a $600-a-week federal benefit has expired, which means the unemployed must now get by solely on much smaller aid from their states. The loss of the federal benefit has deepened the struggles for many, including a higher risk of eviction from their homes.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to provide $300 a week in federal unemployment aid, with money drawn from a disaster relief fund. Twenty-five states have said they will apply for the federal money, though they would need to revamp their computer systems to do so. Other states are still considering whether to take that step; two have said they won’t.
Some states may be hesitating to overhaul their unemployment systems because they expect Congress to eventually pass a new rescue package with an enhanced jobless benefit that might not require any changes.
In states that decide to pay out the $300, the government estimates it would take three weeks, on average, for the states to send the money to the unemployed. And initially only enough money is being allotted to cover three weeks of payments. Even with subsequent grants, analysts estimate that there would be enough money to last only five or six weeks.
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The continuing stream of layoffs comes against the backdrop of a modest recovery from a deep recession and a virus that is still paralyzing much of the economy. Home construction and sales have bounced back. So have auto purchases. But spending on travel, entertainment and many other services remains weak. Small businesses are struggling. And unemployment, at 10.2%, remains elevated.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story is below:
The government will provide its latest snapshot Thursday of the pace of layoffs in the United States, which have declined steadily but remain stuck at a high level with the economy still in the grip of the viral pandemic that erupted in March.
The number of applications that were reported last week fell below 1 million after 20 straight weeks above that level. Yet at roughly 960,000, it was still painfully high. Before the viral outbreak, the weekly figure had never topped 700,000, even during the Great Recession.
The latest string of layoffs follows the expiration of a $600 weekly federal check that provided vital support for millions of laid-off Americans. Negotiations in Congress to extend that benefit, though at a lower level of payment, have collapsed. The Trump administration is offering a new $300-a-week federal benefit, which states need to apply for and must revamp their computer systems to accommodate.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Samantha Bee Warns Voters What To Expect From GOP Before The Election

Samantha Bee on Wednesday told voters that now “ is not the time get complacent.
” The “ Full Frontal @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know what ’ s about to happen ” as she debuted a @ @ @ @ @ Expect The Worst ” ― that exposes Republican dirty tricks ahead of the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ of the racist attacks on Democrats being deployed by Donald Trump and the GOP , @ @ @ @ @ president is preparing to suppress the Democratic vote .
“ We should allow ourselves to @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Bee , referencing polls that show Democratic nominee Joe Biden beating Trump @ @ @ @ @ get right back to fucking work , ” she concluded .
“ Because when you @ @ @ @ @ of decomposing racists , you have to expect the worst.
” Check out the videos @ @ @ @ @ happening now .
Add your voice !
Join HuffPost Today !

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Samantha Bee on Wednesday told voters that now “is not the time get complacent.”
The “Full Frontal” host warned “we don’t know what’s about to happen” as she debuted a new segment ― titled “Expect The Worst” ― that exposes Republican dirty tricks ahead of the 2020 election.
Bee detailed just some of the racist attacks on Democrats being deployed by Donald Trump and the GOP, and pointed out how the president is preparing to suppress the Democratic vote.
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“We should allow ourselves to feel hope for the future,” said Bee, referencing polls that show Democratic nominee Joe Biden beating Trump.
“Then we should get right back to fucking work,” she concluded. “Because when you are dealing with a pack of decomposing racists, you have to expect the worst.”
Check out the videos here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Nicolle Wallace: Obama's DNC Speech Channeled 'The Fury' Of All Former Presidents

Former President Barack Obama ’ s Wednesday night speech for the Democratic National Convention channeled a sense of despair and anger against President Donald Trump that defied party lines , MSNBC ’ s Nicolle Wallace said .
“ Obama ’ s speech shook me because of his despair laid bare , ” Wallace said .
She cited Trump ’ s unpresidential behavior and his coziness with Russia as factors that would enrage “ every living former president.
” “ We can not fathom the fury and the despair and the rage that every former living president ― I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say the dead ones too ― when they watch Donald Trump .
And I ’ ve not seen any living president tap that well of despair and be vulnerable enough to share it with the country.
” “ I have a hunch that every living former president would speak from the same deep well of despair , ” @ NicolleDWallace says of fmr .
President Obama ’ s # DemConvention speech .
“ We can not fathom the fury ... that every former living president ... [ feels ] when they watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC ) August 20 , 2020 Wallace added that the vulnerability in Obama ’ s remarks allowed vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris ’ follow-up speech to shine with its hopeful celebration of diversity and a future America where all are welcome .
“ I think that this convention ’ s storytelling is second to none , ” Wallace said , calling the speakers ’ dramatic stories of the pain caused by Trump ’ s regime “ Hollywood-like.
” Wallace ’ s potent take on Obama garnered praise on Twitter , with multiple voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you did n't hear Nicolle Wallace tonight - you must .
In a night of truth-telling , she captures why Obama 's speech was one we will never forget .
I 'm so happy the Dems are mincing no words .
This needs to end Nov 3. https : //t.co/SEoLqRyRlP — Rabbi Jill Zimmerman ( @ RabbiJill ) August 20 , 2020 watching nicole wallace get very emotional about watching obama get emotional about what a trash president donald trump has been is not something 2010 erin would have predicted 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GARGAMEL Ryan ( @ morninggloria ) August 20 , 2020 Nicole Wallace has this so right - some of the Trump felons and co-conspirators *have* seen Kamala up close .
And they fear her .
— Tom Watson ( @ tomwatson ) August 20 , 2020

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“Obama’s speech shook me because of his despair laid bare,” Wallace said. She cited Trump’s unpresidential behavior and his coziness with Russia as factors that would enrage “every living former president.”
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“We cannot fathom the fury and the despair and the rage that every former living president ― I’m going to go out on a limb and say the dead ones too ― when they watch Donald Trump. And I’ve not seen any living president tap that well of despair and be vulnerable enough to share it with the country.”
“I have a hunch that every living former president would speak from the same deep well of despair,” @NicolleDWallace says of fmr. President Obama’s #DemConvention speech.
“We cannot fathom the fury...that every former living president...[feels] when they watch Donald Trump.” pic.twitter.com/E9gCmr404f — MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 20, 2020
Wallace added that the vulnerability in Obama’s remarks allowed vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ follow-up speech to shine with its hopeful celebration of diversity and a future America where all are welcome.
“I think that this convention’s storytelling is second to none,” Wallace said, calling the speakers’ dramatic stories of the pain caused by Trump’s regime “Hollywood-like.”
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Wallace’s potent take on Obama garnered praise on Twitter, with multiple voices echoing the words of the MSNBC host.
Nicole Wallace killing it on MSNBC — Michael Blumenthal (@mikeblu201) August 20, 2020
Nicole Wallace, If you love this country, watching trump has been "gutting". The right word. — Marcia Olson (@MarciaOlson17) August 20, 2020
If you didn't hear Nicolle Wallace tonight - you must. In a night of truth-telling, she captures why Obama's speech was one we will never forget. I'm so happy the Dems are mincing no words. This needs to end Nov 3. https://t.co/SEoLqRyRlP — Rabbi Jill Zimmerman (@RabbiJill) August 20, 2020
watching nicole wallace get very emotional about watching obama get emotional about what a trash president donald trump has been is not something 2010 erin would have predicted 2020 erin would have been doing — Erin GARGAMEL Ryan (@morninggloria) August 20, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Solar Power Is Booming. But It’s Putting Desert Wilderness At Risk.

But as developers scramble to set up their projects , some scientists and conservationists are warning us not to forget vital ecosystems in the process .
What about the threatened cacti and the ants that rely on their nectar ?
they ask .
Or the birds that nest in tree-like Mojave yucca , a cousin of the iconic Joshua tree ?
Striking a balance between conservation and renewable energy , experts say , is critical for a sustainable future .
Solar development can reduce or alter local biodiversity , according to a new study published in July in the journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid or limit the damage .
These include creative design to protect threatened plants and less-intense methods for clearing the land before construction .
Better yet , say the researchers , efforts should first be made to choose sites that have less environmental significance , like the roof of an already existing warehouse or an abandoned mineral mine .
Developers also had to make sure they avoided certain areas with the rarest plants , including cacti and yucca .
These iconic desert species can live for hundreds of years and provide vital ecosystem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold cultural significance for the communities that rely on them .
Sometimes the plants struggle to grow back after being cut down to make way for the installation of solar panels .
What ’ s more , the invasive grasses that set up home in their place can contribute to wildfires , which damage or kill the native plants .
The most common way of developing land for a solar project is what the industry calls “ blading ” ― essentially bulldozing to clear and flatten the land in preparation for installation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soil and roots about a foot deep .
And , according to the study , the process encourages the growth of invasive grasses .
For their study , Grodsky and Hernandez examined the plant ecosystem seven years after the land had been cleared for the solar installation .
The environment looked pretty “ sparse , ” Grodsky said .
Over the seven years , invasive grasses had grown around the panels and some native shrubs had come back successfully .
The cacti and yucca , however , weren ’ t so lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cacti and yucca failed to rebound .
In the roped-off areas , however , they were found in similar amounts and sizes to what existed outside the facility .
This shows that growing near solar panels didn ’ t disturb these plants , said Grodsky , and highlights the potential to design facilities that work around critical species rather than digging or cutting them up .
Balancing the need to address climate change with the support of vital biodiversity is one of the biggest conservation challenges of our time , said John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nature Conservancy .
“ It is an absolute imperative to tackle the threat of climate change , ” he said , but “ in the process , we don ’ t want to lose or accelerate the loss of the very things that we ’ re trying to protect from climate change in the first place.
” The challenge , though , is that it ’ s been technically simpler to build on undeveloped land .
“ If you buy a plot of forest and cut it down and level it and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it , ” said Zablocki , “ that ’ s easier to do than doing that same thing on a piece of land that ’ s had some other prior economic use .
Kind of like a clean slate , so to speak , there ’ s just fewer complications.
” HuffPost ’ s “ Work In Progress ” series focuses on the impact of business on society and the environment and is funded by Porticus .
It is part of the “ This New World ” series .
All content is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ input from Porticus .
If you have an idea or tip for the editorial series , send an email to thisnewworld @ huffpost.com .

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The Mojave Desert, straddling California and Nevada, has been called the Saudi Arabia of solar power. It’s a clean energy developer’s dream: vast open lands, roughly equal in size to the entire state of New Mexico, with an endless bounty of heat from the sun.
Hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land in the Mojave have been made available for solar plants, and applications have been pouring in over the last few years from the likes of Goldman Sachs, California utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric and multiple Silicon Valley-backed startups.
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But as developers scramble to set up their projects, some scientists and conservationists are warning us not to forget vital ecosystems in the process. What about the threatened cacti and the ants that rely on their nectar? they ask. Or the birds that nest in tree-like Mojave yucca, a cousin of the iconic Joshua tree? Striking a balance between conservation and renewable energy, experts say, is critical for a sustainable future.
Solar development can reduce or alter local biodiversity, according to a new study published in July in the journal Nature Sustainability. But there are ways to avoid or limit the damage. These include creative design to protect threatened plants and less-intense methods for clearing the land before construction. Better yet, say the researchers, efforts should first be made to choose sites that have less environmental significance, like the roof of an already existing warehouse or an abandoned mineral mine.
“Renewable energy is the future, we need it, that’s obvious,” said Steven Grodsky, an assistant research ecologist at the University of California, Davis and co-author of the paper. The question he said is, “How can we do this in the smartest, most sustainable way possible?”
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert in California. It's owned by BrightSource with investment from Google and NRG Energy. Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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To help answer this, Grodsky and co-author Rebecca R. Hernandez, an assistant professor at UC Davis’ Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, measured the impact of California’s 392-megawatt-capacity solar plant on the desert ecosystem in Ivanpah Valley, which sits just outside the Mojave National Preserve along the Nevada border.
The 3,500-acre Ivanpah installation ― roughly the size of Los Angeles International airport ― is one of the world’s largest concentrating solar power plants, using vast arrays of mirrors to direct sunlight to a central generator.
Owned by Oakland, California, startup BrightSource Energy with key investors including Google and NRG Energy, the project was proposed in 2007, but didn’t begin construction until 2010 after years of controversy surrounding its potential impact on desert wildlife. Construction plans had to be revised to minimize ecological damage.
One of the biggest concerns was how to protect endangered desert tortoises, which were ultimately relocated from the site prior to construction.
Developers also had to make sure they avoided certain areas with the rarest plants, including cacti and yucca. These iconic desert species can live for hundreds of years and provide vital ecosystem services to other species. They also hold cultural significance for the communities that rely on them. Sometimes the plants struggle to grow back after being cut down to make way for the installation of solar panels. What’s more, the invasive grasses that set up home in their place can contribute to wildfires, which damage or kill the native plants.
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The most common way of developing land for a solar project is what the industry calls “blading” ― essentially bulldozing to clear and flatten the land in preparation for installation. Blading removes all above-ground vegetation as well as soil and roots about a foot deep. And, according to the study, the process encourages the growth of invasive grasses.
In other words, Grodsky said, “Blading is going to make deserts the barren wasteland that people think deserts are.”
The other way to prepare the land is called “mowing.” It’s less intensive ― all plants shorter than a foot remain and no soil is removed. While the tall cacti and yucca still don’t fare well, this technique does give some native desert shrub species a greater chance to grow back.
Mojave yucca, cacti and shrubs are often cut down to make way for solar power installations. DE AGOSTINI PICTURE LIBRARY via Getty Images
While parts of the Ivanpah facility were bladed, mowing was done in the outer areas. At the time it was built, this “was super novel,” said Grodsky. “It was one of the first times [mowing’s] ever been done.”
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The solar plant also roped off several little islands among the mirrors where no blading or mowing was done to protect rare plant species.
For their study, Grodsky and Hernandez examined the plant ecosystem seven years after the land had been cleared for the solar installation. The environment looked pretty “sparse,” Grodsky said. Over the seven years, invasive grasses had grown around the panels and some native shrubs had come back successfully. The cacti and yucca, however, weren’t so lucky.
Where they were cut down, the cacti and yucca failed to rebound. In the roped-off areas, however, they were found in similar amounts and sizes to what existed outside the facility. This shows that growing near solar panels didn’t disturb these plants, said Grodsky, and highlights the potential to design facilities that work around critical species rather than digging or cutting them up.
With their findings, Grodsky and Hernandez hope to provide recommendations to make solar development in the Mojave Desert less harmful to the local environment.
Balancing the need to address climate change with the support of vital biodiversity is one of the biggest conservation challenges of our time, said John Zablocki, Southern Nevada conservation director for the Nature Conservancy. “It is an absolute imperative to tackle the threat of climate change,” he said, but “in the process, we don’t want to lose or accelerate the loss of the very things that we’re trying to protect from climate change in the first place.”
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It’s an issue California is currently struggling with as solar and wind developers try to stop a petition that seeks endangered species protection for Joshua trees, which they argue will hinder new installations.
Seven years after land was cleared for the Ivanpah solar facility, both native shrubs and invasive grasses have grown up around the panels. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images
Calling deserts “our last places of wilderness,” Hernandez said, “They have these expansive open areas that intrinsically make them really vulnerable to development. There’s this ideology that deserts need to be developed to make them useful to society.”
Ideally, she said, less pristine locations should be developed first: “Let’s build solar in the places that are already adversely impacted, that we’ve already screwed up, that have low environmental value.”
This could mean everything from putting solar panels on the roofs of homes, parking garages and large commercial buildings to constructing a utility-scale floating solar project in a giant reservoir. Then there are what’s called “marginalized lands,” places like landfills, mines and contaminated brownfield sites, which many are eyeing as the perfect spots for renewable energy projects.
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The challenge, though, is that it’s been technically simpler to build on undeveloped land. “If you buy a plot of forest and cut it down and level it and then build a solar project on top of it,” said Zablocki, “that’s easier to do than doing that same thing on a piece of land that’s had some other prior economic use. Kind of like a clean slate, so to speak, there’s just fewer complications.”
Building on previously developed land can be riskier, between the costs of dealing with abandoned infrastructure and possible contamination and the need to navigate a host of regulations related to all that.
To lower some of these barriers, the Nature Conservancy has over the past few years been working to open old mine sites in Nevada ― one of the nation’s top hard rock mining states ― to solar power development.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are 43 million acres of brownfields and mine lands across the country that are technically feasible for renewable energy development. Nevada itself has roughly 2.8 million acres of former mine sites. “There’s a huge potential there,” said Zablocki, “and we haven’t even made a dent in it.”
“If we can put somebody on the moon, we can figure out how to retrofit a mined site to produce and store renewable energy,” he said.
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Nevada has roughly 2.8 million acres of former mine sites that could be converted for renewable energy production. Jassen Todorov via Getty Images
In 2018, the Nature Conservancy persuaded Nevada to update its state mine reclamation rules ― which detail how the land must be restored after mining is finished ― to include renewable energy development and storage as acceptable post-mining uses.
The organization is now working on a pilot project to demonstrate the potential of converting old mine sites to clean energy and is partnering with other environmental groups to promote the idea, which is already gaining steam in West Virginia, Colorado and Wyoming, according to Zablocki.
He sees enormous promise in turning “these large industrialized areas of the past and present” into “the clean energy hubs of the future.”
“There’s something fundamentally hopeful about that thought,” Zablocki said. “It’s something we can do.”
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Environmental concern obviously didn’t play a big part during the first wave of energy development ― the extraction of fossil fuels ― Grodsky said. But that can change now. “It’s almost like we have a second chance,” he said, “to implement this new wave of renewable energy development in a way that’s sustainable.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Who Really Deserves Credit For American Barbecue?

In the latest edition of Between The Lines , we take a look back at the origins of barbecue to examine who brought this cooking technique to the United States , who developed it into what it is today , and how a generation of Black pitmasters is hustling to preserve barbecue ’ s roots .
Many people think of barbecue as a hamburger or a hot dog straight off the grill .
In fact , 45 % of the Americans surveyed in a poll conducted by HuffPost didn ’ t know the difference between barbecue and grilling .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs are NOT barbecue .
They ’ re grilled quickly over high , direct heat , while barbecue is traditionally defined as quite the opposite : low , slow , indirect heat ( and often smoke ) applied to meat over a long period of time .
Even if we could all get on the same page about barbecue in that regard , our regional differences would still split us .
The United States is host to numerous styles of barbecue , defined primarily by the cuts of meat and the sauces ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In North Carolina , the state is split in half : In the east , whole hogs are smoked and served chopped with a vinegar-based sauce .
In the west , in what ’ s known as Lexington-style barbecue , only the shoulder is smoked before it ’ s served on a sandwich with a tomato-based sauce .
Alabama ’ s famous for its white barbecue sauce , Central Texas is known for its smoked brisket and Memphis , Tennessee , is pork rib country .
St. Louis has its own style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chicago is known for its rib tips served on a bed of fries , drowned in sauce .
The list could go on and on if one were to delve deeper into American barbecue subcultures .
But while each region takes pride in its own distinct style of barbecue , we can take another step back and look even further into barbecue ’ s roots , tracing all the way back to when barbecue first gained recognition in North America .
Watch the video above to see how barbecue became what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s headed in the future .

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In the latest edition of Between The Lines, we take a look back at the origins of barbecue to examine who brought this cooking technique to the United States, who developed it into what it is today, and how a generation of Black pitmasters is hustling to preserve barbecue’s roots.
Barbecue means a host of different things to different people.
Many people think of barbecue as a hamburger or a hot dog straight off the grill. In fact, 45% of the Americans surveyed in a poll conducted by HuffPost didn’t know the difference between barbecue and grilling. But according to barbecue purists, burgers and dogs are NOT barbecue. They’re grilled quickly over high, direct heat, while barbecue is traditionally defined as quite the opposite: low, slow, indirect heat (and often smoke) applied to meat over a long period of time.
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Even if we could all get on the same page about barbecue in that regard, our regional differences would still split us. The United States is host to numerous styles of barbecue, defined primarily by the cuts of meat and the sauces (or lack thereof) served with them.
In North Carolina, the state is split in half: In the east, whole hogs are smoked and served chopped with a vinegar-based sauce. In the west, in what’s known as Lexington-style barbecue, only the shoulder is smoked before it’s served on a sandwich with a tomato-based sauce.
Then there’s South Carolina, famous for whole-hog barbecue and Carolina Gold, a vinegar-based mustard sauce.
Kansas City’s got stellar burnt ends and a barbecue sauce that serves as a model for traditional bottled sauces — thick and a sweet with a tomato-molasses base.
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Alabama’s famous for its white barbecue sauce, Central Texas is known for its smoked brisket and Memphis, Tennessee, is pork rib country. St. Louis has its own style of ribs, and the South Side of Chicago is known for its rib tips served on a bed of fries, drowned in sauce. The list could go on and on if one were to delve deeper into American barbecue subcultures.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--Trevor Noah Unpacks Right-Wing Media's Racist Attacks On Kamala Harris

Since Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) was thrust into the spotlight as a candidate for vice president , conservative media personalities have launched an array of racist narratives , including questioning whether she ’ s “ really Black.
” Trevor Noah dove right in on “ The Daily Show ” on Wednesday night .
He showed clips of conservative pundits and allies of President Donald Trump questioning Harris ’ s heritage .
This included radio and Fox News host Mark Levin , who felt the need to clarify to his viewers that she is not African American and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American slavery ” ; right-wing radio personality Rush Limbaugh , who said Harris “ doesn ’ t have slave blood ” ; and far-right provocateur Dinesh D ’ Souza , who said Harris could not claim to be descended from slaves because one of her ancestors may have been a slave owner .
“ The Daily Show ” episode aired just as Harris , whose mother immigrated from India and her father from Jamaica , made history as she formally accepted the nomination to be the Democratic Party ’ s vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Indian American woman to be on the ticket .
“ OK , first of all , being partly descended from a slave owner is one of the Blackest things that can happen to you , ” Noah said .
“ In fact , you know who was also the descendent of a slave owner ?
Frederick Douglass.
” “ You can dissect Kamala Harris ’ s heritage however you want , ” he added .
“ But to say she ’ s not Black ?
Ask yourself this question : Is she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a restaurant back in the day in the Jim Crow South ?
Would she have been Black enough to get redlined ?
Is she Black enough to be kept out of a whites-only school as a little girl ?
Then she ’ s Black !
” He noted the paradox of Harris now being policed for not qualifying as Black given how that same marker was used by those who sought to oppress Black men and women and exclude them from white society .
“ What ’ s especially ironic about these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s the reverse of what white America did for centuries : defining as many people as Black as possible whether they wanted it or not , ” he said .
Conservatives are asking : Is Kamala Harris really Black ?
…but best believe the second she steps foot in the White House and makes a few decisions they do n't like , she ’ ll be Black as can be .
pic.twitter.com/CqVwH9jmFM — The Daily Show ( @ TheDailyShow ) August 20 , 2020

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Since Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) was thrust into the spotlight as a candidate for vice president, conservative media personalities have launched an array of racist narratives, including questioning whether she’s “really Black.” Trevor Noah dove right in on “The Daily Show” on Wednesday night.
He showed clips of conservative pundits and allies of President Donald Trump questioning Harris’s heritage. This included radio and Fox News host Mark Levin, who felt the need to clarify to his viewers that she is not African American and that her “ancestry does not go back to American slavery”; right-wing radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who said Harris “doesn’t have slave blood”; and far-right provocateur Dinesh D’Souza, who said Harris could not claim to be descended from slaves because one of her ancestors may have been a slave owner.
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“The Daily Show” episode aired just as Harris, whose mother immigrated from India and her father from Jamaica, made history as she formally accepted the nomination to be the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee, making her the first Black and Indian American woman to be on the ticket.
“OK, first of all, being partly descended from a slave owner is one of the Blackest things that can happen to you,” Noah said. “In fact, you know who was also the descendant of a slave owner? Frederick Douglass.”
“You can dissect Kamala Harris’s heritage however you want,” he added. “But to say she’s not Black? Ask yourself this question: Is she Black enough to get kicked out of a restaurant back in the day in the Jim Crow South? Would she have been Black enough to get redlined? Is she Black enough to be kept out of a whites-only school as a little girl? Then she’s Black!”
He noted the paradox of Harris now being policed for not qualifying as Black given how that same marker was used by those who sought to oppress Black men and women and exclude them from white society.
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“What’s especially ironic about these people trying to exclude Kamala from Blackness is that it’s the reverse of what white America did for centuries: defining as many people as Black as possible whether they wanted it or not,” he said.
Watch his full takedown on “The Daily Show” below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-19--MLB Announcer Yanked Off The Air Midgame After Hot Mic Catches Homophobic Slur

Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman was replaced midgame after he was caught on a hot mic using a homophobic slur .
Brennaman was broadcasting a double-header between the Reds and Kansas City Royals when he was caught on mic referring to some unspecified city as “ one of the fag capitals of the world.
” Longtime Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman was caught on a hot mic saying “ one of the fag capitals of the world.
” He is currently announcing the second game of the Reds ’ doubleheader against Kansas City .
pic.twitter.com/Uwz07eRIKv — Jeff Passan ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted an awkward apology in the middle of the second game ― one made even stranger by the fact that he was trying to call a home run by a Reds ’ player at the same time , and announced he was leaving the booth .
Before turning over the broadcast to a colleague , he said , “ I am very , very sorry , and I beg your forgiveness.
“ Here is his apology : It ’ s not clear yet whether Brennaman had been fired , suspended or will face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the son of legendary Reds ’ broadcaster Marty Brennaman , who did play-by-play for the team for more than 40 years , retiring near the end of the 2019 season .
Thom Brennaman , 56 , followed in his father ’ s footsteps as a sports announcer shortly after graduating from college .
Along with a focus on baseball , he has called college football and college basketball for Fox .
He has been one of the Reds ’ play-by-play announcers since the 2007 season .

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Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman was replaced midgame after he was caught on a hot mic using a homophobic slur.
Brennaman was broadcasting a double-header between the Reds and Kansas City Royals when he was caught on mic referring to some unspecified city as “one of the fag capitals of the world.”
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The comments quickly spread on social media:
Longtime Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman was caught on a hot mic saying “one of the fag capitals of the world.” He is currently announcing the second game of the Reds’ doubleheader against Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/Uwz07eRIKv — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 20, 2020
He attempted an awkward apology in the middle of the second game ― one made even stranger by the fact that he was trying to call a home run by a Reds’ player at the same time, and announced he was leaving the booth. Before turning over the broadcast to a colleague, he said, “I am very, very sorry, and I beg your forgiveness.“ Here is his apology:
BREAKING: Thom Brennaman responds to apparent homophobic slur live on air. Jim Day is now broadcasting. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/n3L0wZ2BWd — Trevor Peters (@TrevorPetersTV) August 20, 2020
Broadcaster Jim Day took over to finish the game.
“You’re a good man, partner,” Day said. “Hang in there.”
It’s not clear yet whether Brennaman had been fired, suspended or will face some other form of discipline.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--ACLU Offers To Help Britney Spears Fight For Control Over Her Life And Career

Britney Spears , who is embroiled in a legal battle to remove her father as her conservator , could get a little help from the American Civil Liberties Union .
“ People with disabilities have a right to lead self-directed lives and retain their civil rights , ” the ACLU said in a tweet Wednesday .
“ If Britney Spears wants to regain her civil liberties and get out of her conservatorship , we are here to help her.
” “ We don ’ t know whether Spears identifies herself as disabled , ” Zoe Brennan-Krohn , a staff attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told HuffPost via email .
“ But we know that , by placing her under conservatorship , the court is de facto identifying her as disabled.
” Since 2008 , after a string of public breakdowns , Spears has lived in California under a court-approved conservatorship — a complex legal arrangement in which a judge appoints a guardian to oversee an individual ’ s finances and personal well-being .
Brennan-Krohn explained that people are placed under conservatorships because “ a judge determines that they are unable to provide for food , clothing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members ’ and fans ’ longstanding opposition to his control over his daughter ’ s life and fortune — which they have publicized via the # FreeBritney hashtag — the “ Toxic ” singer herself rarely commented on the arrangement or shown any interest in changing it .
That is , until Tuesday , when her court-appointed lawyer filed documents that said she was “ strongly opposed to having James return as conservator of her person , ” reported The Blast , per The New York Times .
The documents say that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been temporarily serving as her conservator after her father temporarily stepped aside due to health issues last year , to do so permanently .
“ It is up to the court to decide who her conservator or conservators will be , ” she told HuffPost .
“ Many people get into conservatorships not realizing that the court – not the family , the conservator , or the person under conservatorship – is in charge.
” “ Even if a conservatorship is instituted as a result of a temporary crisis , it often becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Extending long after the immediate crisis is passed , and is very hard to get out of.
” Brennan-Krohn told HuffPost that although judges , families and lawyers often view conservatorships as “ a benign way to help people with disabilities , ” they ’ re more accurately “ systems through which people who have disabilities – or are perceived by a court to have disabilities – lose their civil rights and decision-making capabilities.
” She also added that there are “ serious risks and harms ” associated with conservatorship such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases where everyone is acting in good faith and with the best intentions , there is a harm in a court telling a person that she is not allowed to make her own choices , ” Brennan-Krohn emphasized .
“ And there is harm in taking away a person ’ s opportunity to learn from her decisions.
” Although the public may see Britney Spears ’ case as an “ unusual one-off type of situation , ” Brennan-Krohn said , the star ’ s conservatorship is actually “ very typical , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country find themselves in .
”

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Britney Spears, who is embroiled in a legal battle to remove her father as her conservator, could get a little help from the American Civil Liberties Union.
“People with disabilities have a right to lead self-directed lives and retain their civil rights,” the ACLU said in a tweet Wednesday. “If Britney Spears wants to regain her civil liberties and get out of her conservatorship, we are here to help her.”
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“We don’t know whether Spears identifies herself as disabled,” Zoe Brennan-Krohn, a staff attorney at the ACLU Disability Rights Project, told HuffPost via email. “But we know that, by placing her under conservatorship, the court is de facto identifying her as disabled.”
People with disabilities have a right to lead self-directed lives and retain their civil rights.
If Britney Spears wants to regain her civil liberties and get out of her conservatorship, we are here to help her. https://t.co/uLRakw7c4C — ACLU (@ACLU) August 19, 2020
Since 2008, after a string of public breakdowns, Spears has lived in California under a court-approved conservatorship — a complex legal arrangement in which a judge appoints a guardian to oversee an individual’s finances and personal well-being.
Brennan-Krohn explained that people are placed under conservatorships because “a judge determines that they are unable to provide for food, clothing, or shelter.”
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The 38-year-old pop icon’s father, Jamie Spears, was appointed as her guardian and has served in this role for over a decade.
And despite some family members’ and fans’ longstanding opposition to his control over his daughter’s life and fortune — which they have publicized via the #FreeBritney hashtag — the “Toxic” singer herself rarely commented on the arrangement or shown any interest in changing it.
That is, until Tuesday, when her court-appointed lawyer filed documents that said she was “strongly opposed to having James return as conservator of her person,” reported The Blast, per The New York Times.
The documents say that she instead wants Jodi Montgomery, who has been temporarily serving as her conservator after her father temporarily stepped aside due to health issues last year, to do so permanently.
Britney Spears’ fans gather outside a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday to protest her conservatorship. Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images
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Yet Brennan-Krohn told HuffPost that Britney Spears has no legal say over who her guardian is.
“It is up to the court to decide who her conservator or conservators will be,” she told HuffPost. “Many people get into conservatorships not realizing that the court – not the family, the conservator, or the person under conservatorship – is in charge.”
“Conservatorships are much easier to get into than to get out of,” Brennan-Krohn said.
“Even if a conservatorship is instituted as a result of a temporary crisis, it often becomes effectively permanent,” she explained. “Extending long after the immediate crisis is passed, and is very hard to get out of.”
Britney Spears with her father Jamie, brother Bryan, and mother Lynne in 2006. Chris Farina via Getty Images
Brennan-Krohn told HuffPost that although judges, families and lawyers often view conservatorships as “a benign way to help people with disabilities,” they’re more accurately “systems through which people who have disabilities – or are perceived by a court to have disabilities – lose their civil rights and decision-making capabilities.”
She also added that there are “serious risks and harms” associated with conservatorship such as abuse or neglect.
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“But even in cases where everyone is acting in good faith and with the best intentions, there is a harm in a court telling a person that she is not allowed to make her own choices,” Brennan-Krohn emphasized. “And there is harm in taking away a person’s opportunity to learn from her decisions.”
Although the public may see Britney Spears’ case as an “unusual one-off type of situation,” Brennan-Krohn said, the star’s conservatorship is actually “very typical, and is illustrative of the situation disabled people around the country find themselves in.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-08-20--The Covid-19 Pandemic Is Now Being Driven By These Age Groups

We ’ re here to guide you through the coronavirus pandemic .
Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips , advice , how-tos and escapism .
The Covid-19 pandemic is now being driven by people in their 20s , 30s and 40s , the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) has said .
Speaking at a virtual briefing , WHO ’ s Western Pacific regional director , Takeshi Kasai , said : “ The epidemic is changing .
People in their 20s , 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread .
Many are unaware they are infected.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their 20s to 40s , “ this increases the risk of spillovers to the more vulnerable , ” said Kasai .
This includes elderly relatives and those with underlying health conditions .
While there was no substantial change in the number of cases reported this week compared to last week , a number of countries are showing a resurgence in cases including the UK , France , Germany , Netherlands and Spain .
Several Covid-19 clusters , which have contributed to the resurgence of cases , have been reported in meat processing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries including Belgium , Denmark and Germany .
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are two essential elements to addressing the pandemic effectively : “ Leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures .
Globally , America remains the most affected region in the past seven days , accounting for 53 % of all newly confirmed cases and 75 % of reported deaths , according to WHO data .
The south east Asia region continues to report an increase in cases and is currently the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home measures and travel restrictions are being re-implemented there as part of efforts to limit the transmission of the virus .
At the start of August , WHO urged young people aged 15-24 to curb their partying to help prevent new outbreaks of the virus , after statistics showed cases among this age group had grown three-fold in five months .

Flashpop via Getty Images
We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus pandemic. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
The Covid-19 pandemic is now being driven by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
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Speaking at a virtual briefing, WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, Takeshi Kasai, said: “The epidemic is changing. People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread. Many are unaware they are infected.”
As more cases rise among people in their 20s to 40s, “this increases the risk of spillovers to the more vulnerable,” said Kasai. This includes elderly relatives and those with underlying health conditions.
The number of Covid-19 cases reported in Europe has gradually increased in recent weeks.
While there was no substantial change in the number of cases reported this week compared to last week, a number of countries are showing a resurgence in cases including the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.
Several Covid-19 clusters, which have contributed to the resurgence of cases, have been reported in meat processing and packaging facilities in a number of countries including Belgium, Denmark and Germany.
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WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are two essential elements to addressing the pandemic effectively: “Leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures.
“My message is crystal clear: suppress, suppress, suppress the virus.”
Globally, America remains the most affected region in the past seven days, accounting for 53% of all newly confirmed cases and 75% of reported deaths, according to WHO data.
The south east Asia region continues to report an increase in cases and is currently the second most affected region. Stay at home measures and travel restrictions are being re-implemented there as part of efforts to limit the transmission of the virus.