thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Queer Catholics Cautiously Hopeful About Pope's Support For Same-Sex Civil Unions

“ Homosexual people have the right to be in a family , ” Francis said in an interview for the documentary “ Francesco , ” according to The Associated Press .
“ You can ’ t kick someone out of a family , nor make their life miserable for this .
What we have to have is a civil union law ; that way they are legally covered.
” This isn ’ t the first time Francis has endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples .
He took the same position in 2010 , when he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his support back then reportedly had a catch : He was advocating for civil unions because Argentina was about to legalize same-sex marriage , which he thought was a “ destructive ” attack on God ’ s plan .
According to The New York Times , Bergoglio thought civil unions could be a compromise that would allow marriage to be reserved for heterosexual couples .
But civil unions don ’ t offer the same full range of protections that marriage does , and they put same-sex couples and their families in a status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couples , Marianne Duddy-Burke , executive director of the LGBTQ Catholic group DignityUSA told HuffPost .
If the pope ’ s words were interpreted in some countries as a way to prevent marriage equality from moving forward , that could undermine the fundamental human rights of LGBTQ people in those countries , Duddy-Burke said .
Right now , Duddy-Burke said she is feeling “ cautiously optimistic ” while waiting to see if the Vatican issues any kind of clarification or denial .
As someone who has been a DignityUSA leader for close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high hopes .
“ LGBTQ people have been so oppressed by the church for so long and have been working for change for so long .
We have experienced multiple incidents of something hopeful seeming to be put forward and then pulled back , ” she said .
“ Every time that happens , it leads to despair and bitterness and disappointment for the people for whom that hope was so important.
” There was no indication of a walk-back of the pope ’ s comments on Wednesday evening .
The church ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the new documentary without mentioning his comments on civil unions .
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops did not return HuffPost ’ s request for comment .
What Francis seems to be trying to do , with the statements in “ Francesco ” and his previous actions and words , is place more emphasis on Catholic teachings about how LGBTQ individuals should be “ accepted with respect , compassion , and sensitivity.
” It ’ s a difference in tone that emerged during the early months of his papacy , when Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obsessed ” with culture war issues such as abortion and gay marriage , instead of prioritizing serving the poor and marginalized .
Since then , Francis has warmly received a gay former student and his partner , and he supported efforts to care for transgender people living in poverty .
He has also developed a friendship with a gay Chilean survivor of clerical sexual abuse , Juan Carlos Cruz , who claims Francis told him during a 2018 meeting that God had made Cruz gay .
Francis is acting as a good pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seeing the good in their situations , ” said the Rev .
James Martin , a Jesuit priest who has tried to build bridges between the church and the LGBTQ community .
Bishops who have been preaching against same-sex civil unions will “ have to rethink things ” after hearing Francis ’ s statements , he said .
Zerkowski said he ultimately hopes the church will recognize that LGBTQ people are “ entitled to God ’ s blessings just as anyone else is in the church.
” But for now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , he said .
As the executive director of Fortunate Families , a Catholic network for parents of LGBTQ people , Zerkowski has traveled around the country trying to help Catholic communities create more inclusive ministries for queer Catholics .
The people he ’ s been in touch with through the network have been “ thrilled ” by the pope ’ s affirmation of civil unions , he said .

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Years after he famously responded to a reporter’s question about gay priests with the words, “Who am I to judge?” Pope Francis has made another effort to reach out to LGBTQ people.
On Wednesday, Francis became the first Roman Catholic pontiff to show support for same-sex civil unions, stating in a new documentary that gay and lesbian people are “children of God.”
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“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family,” Francis said in an interview shown in the documentary “Francesco,” according to The Associated Press. “You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”
Queer American Catholics seem divided ― some exuberant, others more cautiously hopeful ― about what the pope’s comments could mean for their welcome in a church that still considers queer sex to be “intrinsically” disordered.
This isn’t the first time Francis has endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples. He took the same position in 2010, when he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires. But his support back then reportedly had a catch: He was advocating for civil unions because Argentina was about to legalize same-sex marriage, which he thought was a “destructive” attack on God’s plan. According to The New York Times, Bergoglio thought civil unions could be a compromise that would allow marriage to be reserved for heterosexual couples.
But civil unions don’t offer the same full range of protections that marriage does, and they put same-sex couples and their families in a status that is “less than” opposite-sex couples, Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of the LGBTQ Catholic group DignityUSA told HuffPost. If the pope’s words were interpreted in some countries as a way to prevent marriage equality from moving forward, that could undermine the fundamental human rights of LGBTQ people in those countries, Duddy-Burke said.
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On the other hand, in countries where queer couples don’t have any rights and are being victimized “both legally and culturally,” the pope’s words could be an important safeguarding measure, she said.
Right now, Duddy-Burke said she is feeling “cautiously optimistic” while waiting to see if the Vatican issues any kind of clarification or denial. As someone who has been a DignityUSA leader for close to 30 years, Duddy-Burke is wary of high hopes.
“LGBTQ people have been so oppressed by the church for so long and have been working for change for so long. We have experienced multiple incidents of something hopeful seeming to be put forward and then pulled back,” she said. “Every time that happens, it leads to despair and bitterness and disappointment for the people for whom that hope was so important.”
"What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered,” Pope Francis says about same-sex civil unions in a new documentary. Gregorio Borgia/ASSOCIATED PRESS
There was no indication of a walk-back of the pope’s comments on Wednesday evening. The church’s official news website published an article about the new documentary without mentioning his comments on civil unions. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops did not return HuffPost’s request for comment.
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There was also no sign that the Catholic Church’s long-standing teachings about the “disordered” nature of queer love are changing. The church still prescribes life-long chastity as the best option for lesbian and gay Catholics.
What Francis seems to be trying to do, with the statements in “Francesco” and his previous actions and words, is place more emphasis on Catholic teachings about how LGBTQ individuals should be “accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”
It’s a difference in tone that emerged during the early months of his papacy, when Francis claimed the church had become overly “obsessed” with culture war issues such as abortion and gay marriage, instead of prioritizing serving the poor and marginalized. Since then, Francis has warmly received a gay former student and his partner, and he supported efforts to care for transgender people living in poverty. He has also developed a friendship with a gay Chilean survivor of clerical sexual abuse, Juan Carlos Cruz, who claims Francis told him during a 2018 meeting that God had made Cruz gay.
The documentary “Francesco,” which premiered Wednesday as part of the Rome Film Festival, features a story about Francis encouraging two Italian men in a same-sex relationship to raise their children in the church, according to the Catholic News Agency.
Francis is acting as a good pastor by “meeting people where they are and seeing the good in their situations,” said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who has tried to build bridges between the church and the LGBTQ community. Bishops who have been preaching against same-sex civil unions will “have to rethink things” after hearing Francis’s statements, he said.
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“In places like Poland, where the church is often virulently anti-LGBT; or Uganda, where bishops support the criminalization of homosexuality, this is a huge challenge,” Martin told HuffPost.
Two men kiss outside St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during a candlelight demonstration for gay rights in 2008. Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press
For J.R. Zerkowski, a gay Catholic who serves as the LGBT ministry director for the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, this is a moment to be celebrated. The pope’s statement brings to life the church’s teaching to avoid “every sign of unjust discrimination” toward queer people, he said.
“The Catholic Church has always had a history, in Catholic social teaching, of demanding human rights,” Zerkowski told HuffPost. “So it’s inconsistent with being Catholic to try to deny rights to people.”
Zerkowski said he ultimately hopes the church will recognize that LGBTQ people are “entitled to God’s blessings just as anyone else is in the church.” But for now, the pope’s words have given people hope, he said.
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As the executive director of Fortunate Families, a Catholic network for parents of LGBTQ people, Zerkowski has traveled around the country trying to help Catholic communities create more inclusive ministries for queer Catholics. The people he’s been in touch with through the network have been “thrilled” by the pope’s affirmation of civil unions, he said.
“Are we in the end zone? Probably not, but we’ve taken another step forward and the ball is in play,” he said.
Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the Catholic LGBTQ group New Ways Ministry, said that, although he’s grateful for the pope’s support for civil unions, he is also hoping Francis will take the further step of allowing same-sex unions to be blessed within the Catholic Church.
Still, when the pope says something positive about LGBTQ issues, he sends forth an “enormous wave of goodwill” to queer people and teaches a positive lesson to those who hold anti-LGBTQ views for religious reasons, DeBernardo said.
“It is no overstatement to say that with this statement not only has the pope protected LGBTQ couples and families, but he also will save many LGBTQ lives,” DeBernardo said.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Twitter Users Wonder What The Moon Did After NASA Announces It Has News

Twitter users ’ minds have rocketed into the gutter after a particularly horny news cycle .
In the space of three days , the world learned that New Yorker staff writer Jeffrey Toobin was suspended after he exposed himself on a work Zoom call ; that President Donald Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani was caught on camera putting his hand down his pants in front of a woman who he believed was a journalist but who was actually an actor pranking him for Sacha Baron Cohen ’ s new “ Borat ” movie ; and that Fort Bragg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of lewd tweets , which the Army base said were the result of a hack , before the account was shut down altogether .
All that , on top of an already off-the-rails year of news , has apparently sent imaginations into overdrive .
So when The Independent sent out a cryptic tweet that NASA was set to make a major announcement about the moon , the suspense proved a little too much for people to handle : when this pandemic is over there 's going to have to be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flyiing coast-to-coast spraying the latest anti-horny agent , this is the only way we heal https : //t.co/Erp5HcXFYk — Ashley Feinberg ( @ ashleyfeinberg ) October 21 , 2020 nasa vagueposting ‘ about the moon ’ as if we don ’ t all have enough to panic about right now wow read the room https : //t.co/SUbWaMjKLS — Daniel Howell ( @ danielhowell ) October 21 , 2020 *scientist approaches podium* '' Good morning .
Thank you for coming .
After decades of research , we have found no correlation between the Moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pie and amore . ''
*journalists jump to their feet asking questions* https : //t.co/mygCWe9QnE — Mike Drucker ( @ MikeDrucker ) October 21 , 2020 For what it ’ s worth , NASA ’ s cryptic announcement about its “ exciting new discovery ” is related to its efforts to learn about the moon in support of deep space exploration .
Wednesday ’ s news release mentioned the Artemis program , which hopes to send the first woman and next man to the moon in 2024 to prepare for human exploration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” NASA will hold a press conference on Monday ― so we ’ ll know then what exactly it was that the moon did or didn ’ t do .

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Twitter users’ minds have rocketed into the gutter after a particularly horny news cycle.
In the space of three days, the world learned that New Yorker staff writer Jeffrey Toobin was suspended after he exposed himself on a work Zoom call; that President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani was caught on camera putting his hand down his pants in front of a woman who he believed was a journalist but who was actually an actor pranking him for Sacha Baron Cohen’s new “Borat” movie; and that Fort Bragg’s Twitter account had fired off a series of lewd tweets, which the Army base said were the result of a hack, before the account was shut down altogether.
All that, on top of an already off-the-rails year of news, has apparently sent imaginations into overdrive. So when The Independent sent out a cryptic tweet that NASA was set to make a major announcement about the moon, the suspense proved a little too much for people to handle:
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nasa announces the moon was caught on a zoom call, waxing off — Tony Tulathimutte (@tonytula) October 21, 2020
based on recent history we have no choice but to conclude that NASA found the moon's dick https://t.co/ApKgk0jerh — Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) October 21, 2020
when this pandemic is over there's going to have to be some sort of mass de-hornification, just planes flyiing coast-to-coast spraying the latest anti-horny agent, this is the only way we heal https://t.co/Erp5HcXFYk — Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) October 21, 2020
Look, first of all, the moon didn't even know NASA's camera was on. https://t.co/TPprM6yKUH — Sam Bergman (@violanorth) October 21, 2020
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The moon dropping a OnlyFans https://t.co/KoZcwhp3n8 — Cryptic (@CrypticNoOnee) October 21, 2020
the moon has been suspended following a "zoom incident" https://t.co/Thm4FZR8Od — John Carpenter's Maggie Serota (@maggieserota) October 21, 2020
nasa vagueposting ‘about the moon’ as if we don’t all have enough to panic about right now wow read the room https://t.co/SUbWaMjKLS — Daniel Howell (@danielhowell) October 21, 2020
Giuliani touch his dick
Quibi going under quick
Ft Bragg did some horny tweet
Moon is hiding mystery
WE DIDNT START THE FIRE — OnlySams (@Slammy_P) October 21, 2020
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If this is connected to the moon announcement this is huge https://t.co/Yq3DAYYxfi — Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) October 21, 2020
*scientist approaches podium*
"Good morning. Thank you for coming. After decades of research, we have found no correlation between the Moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie and amore."
*journalists jump to their feet asking questions* https://t.co/mygCWe9QnE — Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) October 21, 2020
Reckon they've found the transformers living on the back of it or what https://t.co/XZqoc7LZni — Ciarán Carlin 😎 (@ciarcarlin) October 21, 2020
For what it’s worth, NASA’s cryptic announcement about its “exciting new discovery” is related to its efforts to learn about the moon in support of deep space exploration. Wednesday’s news release mentioned the Artemis program, which hopes to send the first woman and next man to the moon in 2024 to prepare for human exploration of Mars “as early as the 2030s.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Quibi Streaming Service Shutting Down Just Months After Launch

Short-video app Quibi said it is shutting down just six months after its early April launch , having struggled to find customers .
The company said Wednesday that it would wind down its operations and plans to sell its assets .
“ Quibi is not succeeding , ” its top executives bluntly declared in a letter posted online .
The video platform — designed for people who were out and about to watch on their phones — was one of a slew of new streaming services started to challenge Netflix over the past few years , most of which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , like Apple and Disney .
But the service struggled to reach viewers , despite a 90-day free trial , as short videos abound on the internet and the coronavirus pandemic kept many people at home .
Part of the appeal of the service , which started at $ 5 a month , was supposed to be that you could watch short videos while out , without access to a TV .
Being stuck at home made TV more desirable than watching on a phone , and Quibi only later and slowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic for Quibi ’ s woes .
Katzenberg ’ s connections helped line up stars to make and star in its videos , including Reese Witherspoon , Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lopez .
There was a short version of “ 60 Minutes ” and reality shows .
The shows never achieved big name recognition , although the platform scored some Emmys earlier this year .
Why did it fail ?
“ Likely for one of two reasons : because the idea itself wasn ’ t strong enough to justify a standalone streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Katzenberg and Whitman wrote .
“ Unfortunately , we will never know but we suspect it ’ s been a combination of the two.
” Quibi doesn ’ t release subscriber figures .
Mobile research firm Sensor Tower estimates 9.6 million installations of Quibi ’ s mobile app since its launch ; that doesn ’ t mean those are actually users .
Other streaming services have benefited from having customers stuck at home during the pandemic .
One of the most successful new services , Disney Plus , has more than 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blockbuster year .
“ While we have enough capital to continue operating for a significant period of time , we made the difficult decision to wind down the business , return cash to our shareholders , and say goodbye to our talented colleagues with grace , ” Whitman , the CEO , said in a statement .
The company said that money from the sale of its assets will go toward paying off liabilities and whatever remains will be returned to investors .

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Short-video app Quibi said it is shutting down just six months after its early April launch, having struggled to find customers.
The company said Wednesday that it would wind down its operations and plans to sell its assets. “Quibi is not succeeding,” its top executives bluntly declared in a letter posted online.
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The video platform — designed for people who were out and about to watch on their phones — was one of a slew of new streaming services started to challenge Netflix over the past few years, most of which were part of much bigger tech and entertainment companies, like Apple and Disney.
Quibi, short for “quick bites,” raised $1.75 billion from investors including Hollywood players Disney, NBCUniversal and Viacom and its leadership were big names: entertainment industry heavyweight Jeffrey Katzenberg and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman.
But the service struggled to reach viewers, despite a 90-day free trial, as short videos abound on the internet and the coronavirus pandemic kept many people at home. Part of the appeal of the service, which started at $5 a month, was supposed to be that you could watch short videos while out, without access to a TV. Being stuck at home made TV more desirable than watching on a phone, and Quibi only later and slowly rolled out TV options. Katzenberg blamed the pandemic for Quibi’s woes.
Katzenberg’s connections helped line up stars to make and star in its videos, including Reese Witherspoon, Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lopez. There was a short version of “60 Minutes” and reality shows. The shows never achieved big name recognition, although the platform scored some Emmys earlier this year.
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Why did it fail? “Likely for one of two reasons: because the idea itself wasn’t strong enough to justify a standalone streaming service or because of our timing,” Katzenberg and Whitman wrote. “Unfortunately, we will never know but we suspect it’s been a combination of the two.”
Quibi doesn’t release subscriber figures. Mobile research firm Sensor Tower estimates 9.6 million installations of Quibi’s mobile app since its launch; that doesn’t mean those are actually users. Other streaming services have benefited from having customers stuck at home during the pandemic. One of the most successful new services, Disney Plus, has more than 60 million subscribers. Netflix has had a blockbuster year.
“While we have enough capital to continue operating for a significant period of time, we made the difficult decision to wind down the business, return cash to our shareholders, and say goodbye to our talented colleagues with grace,” Whitman, the CEO, said in a statement.
The company said that money from the sale of its assets will go toward paying off liabilities and whatever remains will be returned to investors.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Minn. Woman’s Obituary Says In Lieu Of Flowers ‘Do Not Vote For Trump’

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) — An obituary for a Minneapolis-area woman who died at age 93 included one specific request for her mourners : Do not vote for Donald Trump .
Georgia May Adkins , of Inver Grove Heights , died of a stroke on Sept. 28 at United Hospital in St. Paul .
A pair of obituaries published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press included details of how she wanted to be cremated and then honored with an Oct. 16 church service under COVID-19 protocols .
And she preferred that her friends and family not patronize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers , Georgia preferred that you do not vote for Trump , ” her Oct. 11 obituary read .
The request made the rounds on social media , attracting admiration from some and condemnation from others , the Pioneer Press reported .
On Facebook , a grandchild , Amber Westman , joined in on one of the conversations and said her grandmother was “ fierce everyday and remains so through her legacy !
” Adkins was preceded in death by her husband , Eldon Thomas Adkins , and her first husband , Edward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , son , daughter and stepdaughter .
She is survived by three daughters , a son , two stepdaughters , 17 grandchildren , 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild .

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An obituary for a Minneapolis-area woman who died at age 93 included one specific request for her mourners: Do not vote for Donald Trump.
Georgia May Adkins, of Inver Grove Heights, died of a stroke on Sept. 28 at United Hospital in St. Paul.
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A pair of obituaries published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press included details of how she wanted to be cremated and then honored with an Oct. 16 church service under COVID-19 protocols. And she preferred that her friends and family not patronize a florist.
“In lieu of flowers, Georgia preferred that you do not vote for Trump,” her Oct. 11 obituary read.
The request made the rounds on social media, attracting admiration from some and condemnation from others, the Pioneer Press reported. On Facebook, a grandchild, Amber Westman, joined in on one of the conversations and said her grandmother was “fierce everyday and remains so through her legacy!”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Comedy Legend Mel Brooks Gets Serious About Voting For Joe Biden

“ Hi , folks .
I ’ m Mel Brooks and behind me you see my son and my grandson @ @ @ @ @ t be with me .
Why ?
Because of this coronavirus and Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ thing about it .
“ So many people have died , and when you ’ @ @ @ @ @ t do much .
So I ’ m voting for Joe Biden .
”

“Hi, folks. I’m Mel Brooks and behind me you see my son and my grandson. And they can’t be with me. Why? Because of this coronavirus and Donald Trump’s not doing a damn thing about it.
“So many people have died, and when you’re dead you can’t do much. So I’m voting for Joe Biden.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Meghan Markle, Prince Decry 'Crisis Of Hate' In Social Media

LOS ANGELES ( Reuters ) - Britain ’ s Prince Harry and his wife , Meghan , spoke on Tuesday about their campaign against social media negativity , with Harry warning of a “ global crisis of hate ” that was affecting people ’ s mental health .
The couple , known officially as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , led an almost two-hour online discussion hosted by Time100 Talks with some of the experts with whom they said they had met this year in their bid to promote more compassion in online forums .
“ This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate , a global crisis of misinformation and a global health crisis , ” Harry said in opening remarks for the “ Engineering a Better World ” discussion .
Harry and Meghan moved to Southern California this year after stepping down from their royal roles to forge a more independent life and to escape the hostile British media .
Meghan said it was imperative to make online interactions healthier for everyone .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued their crusade against online negativity and misinformation .
“ This isn ’ t solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a human problem .
And what ’ s happening to all of us online is affecting us deeply offline , ” she said on Tuesday .
Meghan said last week that she closed all her personal social media accounts some years ago and did not read what people were saying about her online “ for my own self-preservation.
” In a podcast conversation with teens earlier this month to mark World Mental Health Day , Meghan said she had been told that “ in 2019 , I was the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male or female.
” Meghan said last week that she closed all her personal social media accounts some years ago and did not read what people were saying about her online “ for my own self-preservation.
” In a podcast conversation with teens earlier this month to mark World Mental Health Day , Meghan said she had been told that “ in 2019 , I was the most trolled person in the entire world - male or female .
”

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, spoke on Tuesday about their campaign against social media negativity, with Harry warning of a “global crisis of hate” that was affecting people’s mental health.
The couple, known officially as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, led an almost two-hour online discussion hosted by Time100 Talks with some of the experts with whom they said they had met this year in their bid to promote more compassion in online forums.
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“This is a global crisis. A global crisis of hate, a global crisis of misinformation and a global health crisis,” Harry said in opening remarks for the “Engineering a Better World” discussion.
Harry and Meghan moved to Southern California this year after stepping down from their royal roles to forge a more independent life and to escape the hostile British media.
Meghan said it was imperative to make online interactions healthier for everyone.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued their crusade against online negativity and misinformation. VICTORIA JONES via Getty Images
“This isn’t solely a mental health or emotional well-being problem. This is a human problem. And what’s happening to all of us online is affecting us deeply offline,” she said on Tuesday.
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Meghan said last week that she closed all her personal social media accounts some years ago and did not read what people were saying about her online “for my own self-preservation.”
In a podcast conversation with teens earlier this month to mark World Mental Health Day, Meghan said she had been told that “in 2019, I was the most trolled person in the entire world - male or female.”
Meghan said last week that she closed all her personal social media accounts some years ago and did not read what people were saying about her online “for my own self-preservation.”
In a podcast conversation with teens earlier this month to mark World Mental Health Day, Meghan said she had been told that “in 2019, I was the most trolled person in the entire world - male or female.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Amy Coney Barrett's Nomination

But they did it without any help from Democrats , all of whom boycotted the hearing in protest of what they say is an illegitimate process being used to jam through President Donald Trump ’ s nominee before the Nov. 3 election .
“ This has been a sham process from the beginning , ” Democrats on the committee said in a Wednesday night statement with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) .
“ Amidst a global pandemic and ongoing election , Republicans are rushing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice to take away health care from millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda that they ’ ve been unable to get through Congress.
” While Republicans were voting on Barrett ’ s nomination , Democrats were gathering outside on the steps of the Senate for a press conference highlighting the threat Barrett poses to health care , reproductive rights , voting rights and other issues .
They didn ’ t leave their seats empty back in the hearing room : They filled them with poster-sized photos of people who would be hurt by Barrett potentially casting a deciding vote against the Affordable Care Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of stopping Barrett ’ s nomination .
They simply don ’ t have the votes .
But progressives have been pressuring them to put up a big fight , and on Thursday they chalked up a small victory with the Democrats ’ boycott .
“ We will not grant this process any further legitimacy by participating in a committee markup of this nomination just twelve days before the culmination of an election that is already underway , ” reads the Democrats ’ statement .
Barrett is on track to get her confirmation @ @ @ @

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But they did it without any help from Democrats, who boycotted the hearing in protest of what they say is an illegitimate process being used to jam through President Donald Trump’s nominee before the Nov. 3 election.
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The vote was 12-10, with all 10 Democrats absent.
“This has been a sham process from the beginning,” Democrats on the committee said in a Wednesday night statement with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “Amidst a global pandemic and ongoing election, Republicans are rushing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice to take away health care from millions and execute the extreme and deeply unpopular agenda that they’ve been unable to get through Congress.”
While Republicans were voting on Barrett’s nomination, Democrats were preparing to hold a press conference on the steps of the Senate highlighting the threat Barrett poses to health care, reproductive rights, voting rights and other issues. They didn’t leave their seats empty back in the hearing room: They filled them with poster-sized photos of people who would be hurt by Barrett potentially casting a deciding vote against the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans used their time to praise Barrett and knock Democrats for walking out on the hearing.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) called the walkout “theater” and compared the pictures of people in Democrats’ seats to cardboard cutouts at sporting events.
“They’re boycotting this markup because their substantive arguments are not persuasive,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said of Democrats.
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“Obviously, our colleagues don’t think that they oughta represent their states ... when they don’t show up here,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) added.
But part of the reason why Democrats are rejecting Barrett’s confirmation process is the GOP’s hypocrisy in confirming a Supreme Court nominee during a presidential election year. In early 2016, Republicans made the unprecedented decision to refuse to give President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Merrick Garland, a hearing or a vote. They argued it was inappropriate to advance a Supreme Court nominee in a presidential election year ― which is exactly what they’re doing now, less than two weeks from the election.
Democrats have never had much of a chance of stopping Barrett’s nomination. They simply don’t have the votes. But progressives have been pressuring them to put up a big fight, and on Thursday they chalked up a small victory with the Democrats’ boycott.
“We will not grant this process any further legitimacy by participating in a committee markup of this nomination just twelve days before the culmination of an election that is already underway,” Democrats said in their statement.
After the Republicans voted, chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said they should be proud of themselves for moving forward with Barrett’s nomination. He didn’t mention that they broke a committee rule to do it. Two members of the minority are supposed to be present in order to conduct business. He ignored that rule Thursday.
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“We did it. We did it. Judge Barrett’s going to the floor,” Graham said. “I hope you look back on this time on the committee and say, ‘I was there when it mattered.’ And you were.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--As A Housekeeper At Walter Reed, My Experience With COVID-19 Was Nothing Like Trump's

When President Donald Trump entered the hospital earlier this month to be treated for COVID-19 , he was greeted with a team of world-renowned doctors ready to provide him with gold-standard medical care , experimental vaccines and all of the resources he needed to recover .
He stayed comfortably in the hospital ’ s presidential suite , equipped with a kitchen , living room , conference room and dining room with a crystal chandelier .
I am blessed to have my job .
But here ’ s the thing .
Within the walls of Walter Reed , there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received the best medical attention that taxpayer money could buy ― to the tune of over $ 100,000 .
But as the housekeepers , janitors , cooks , security and other service workers at Walter Reed , our experience with COVID-19 has been nothing like Mr. Trump ’ s .
I had COVID-19 earlier this year , as did several of my colleagues .
We all have had several friends and family members pass away from the virus , including nearly 140 members of my union , SEIU 32BJ .
We did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital with a team of doctors devoted to us .
All we could do was isolate ourselves at home and do everything we could to beat it on our own .
We were told to only go to the hospital if we had trouble breathing because , thanks to the Trump administration ’ s failure to control the pandemic , our health care system was too overwhelmed to care for us .
Like millions of Americans , I had to deal with the uncertainty that comes with this virus .
After seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside Walter Reed face it , testing positive was one of my deepest fears realized .
Would the side effects suddenly get worse ?
What will I do if I have trouble breathing ?
I reckoned with the chance that I could die .
Who would provide for my family , and what kind of a future would they have without a mother ?
Unlike the president , I had no professional care to reassure me or treat new pains or changes in my condition .
I took care of myself drinking home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tried to stay calm and reassure myself that I ’ d fully recover .
I did everything I could not to expose my family .
Unlike the president , I am a devout Catholic who believes that life is too precious to do anything that might cause someone harm .
As is always the case , my faith in God helped me get through from one day to the next .
When I recovered , I quarantined for two weeks , and I continue to wear a mask whether I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away from groups of people .
The insulting irony is that the president ignores every guideline that we faithfully follow .
My co-workers and I have taken every step possible to avoid spreading this virus for months .
We have always worked hard to maintain high standards , but now our work can be a matter of life or death for us , our families and those who ’ ve sacrificed for this nation .
The pressure of knowing that a single mistake could get you or someone else infected is ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at night .
We disinfect everything .
We wear masks , gloves , PPE and wash our hands religiously to avoid getting others sick , a basic human decency .
That ’ s why it ’ s so hard to believe that our own president not only downplays the virus , but has also been reckless in handling his own COVID-19 infection .
Minutes after returning to the White House , he took off his mask and walked inside , exposing anyone nearby to this potentially deadly illness .
He continues to spout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign trail , only a week after his hospital stay .
His rallies of maskless supporters packed shoulder to shoulder expose his staff , Secret Service agents , local communities and health care workers .
His superspreader events are perpetuating sickness , death and economic hardship for American families .
He ignores social distancing guidelines and rarely wears a mask ― and the worst part is that others follow his lead .
It especially angers me to watch as he campaigns to win over Latino voters , while Black and Latino people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than their white counterparts to contract the coronavirus , roughly four times more likely to be hospitalized and nearly three times as likely to die from the virus that the president has failed to contain .
I will never forgive the president for putting so many lives in danger when his job is to protect us .
It fills me with deep sadness .
I cried for the White House housekeepers who got infected and were directly impacted by his dangerous behavior and arrogance .
We ’ ve been bearing the brunt of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president continues not to take this pandemic seriously .
His administration calls us essential , but no one recognizes our hard work or pays us what we deserve .
Helen Avalos is a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled a bloody war and deep poverty in El Salvador nearly 20 years ago .
For the last 14 years , this mother of three and grandmother of two living in New Carrollton , Maryland , has been working as a contracted cleaner at Walter Reed National Medical Center and is an active member of @ @ @ @ @ @

The author at work. Photo Courtesy Of Helen Avalos
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, is a world-class facility dedicated to caring for those who bravely sacrifice and serve this country.
When President Donald Trump entered the hospital earlier this month to be treated for COVID-19, he was greeted with a team of world-renowned doctors ready to provide him with gold-standard medical care, experimental vaccines and all of the resources he needed to recover. He stayed comfortably in the hospital’s presidential suite, equipped with a kitchen, living room, conference room and dining room with a crystal chandelier.
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My co-workers know these rooms well, as they were tasked with cleaning the president’s suite. I’ve worked as a contracted cleaner at Walter Reed for 16 years, scrubbing toilets, floors, windows, ceilings, walls, countertops and more.
I am blessed to have my job. But here’s the thing. Within the walls of Walter Reed, there is a tale of two pandemics. The president received the best medical attention that taxpayer money could buy ― to the tune of over $100,000. But as the housekeepers, janitors, cooks, security and other service workers at Walter Reed, our experience with COVID-19 has been nothing like Mr. Trump’s.
“We were told to only go to the hospital if we had trouble breathing because, thanks to the Trump administration’s failure to control the pandemic, our health care system was too overwhelmed to care for us.”
I had COVID-19 earlier this year, as did several of my colleagues. We all have had several friends and family members pass away from the virus, including nearly 140 members of my union, SEIU 32BJ. We did not have the benefit of being rushed to a hospital with a team of doctors devoted to us. All we could do was isolate ourselves at home and do everything we could to beat it on our own. We were told to only go to the hospital if we had trouble breathing because, thanks to the Trump administration’s failure to control the pandemic, our health care system was too overwhelmed to care for us.
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Health care workers were left to frantically triage patients into tiny hospital rooms and hallways packed with beds. There were not even enough ventilators to go around, a shameful reality inside a first-world nation.
Like millions of Americans, I had to deal with the uncertainty that comes with this virus. After seeing so many people in my community and inside Walter Reed face it, testing positive was one of my deepest fears realized. Would the side effects suddenly get worse? What will I do if I have trouble breathing? I reckoned with the chance that I could die. Who would provide for my family, and what kind of a future would they have without a mother?
Unlike the president, I had no professional care to reassure me or treat new pains or changes in my condition. I took care of myself drinking home remedies, alone in my bedroom. I tried to stay calm and reassure myself that I’d fully recover. I did everything I could not to expose my family.
Unlike the president, I am a devout Catholic who believes that life is too precious to do anything that might cause someone harm. As is always the case, my faith in God helped me get through from one day to the next. When I recovered, I quarantined for two weeks, and I continue to wear a mask whether I’m at work or outside. I always stay away from groups of people.
“We’ve been bearing the brunt of this crisis physically and emotionally, while the president continues not to take this pandemic seriously. His administration calls us essential, but no one recognizes our hard work or pays us what we deserve.”
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The insulting irony is that the president ignores every guideline that we faithfully follow. My co-workers and I have taken every step possible to avoid spreading this virus for months. We have always worked hard to maintain high standards, but now our work can be a matter of life or death for us, our families and those who’ve sacrificed for this nation.
The pressure of knowing that a single mistake could get you or someone else infected is ever present, even when you go home at night. We disinfect everything. We wear masks, gloves, PPE and wash our hands religiously to avoid getting others sick, a basic human decency.
That’s why it’s so hard to believe that our own president not only downplays the virus, but has also been reckless in handling his own COVID-19 infection. Minutes after returning to the White House, he took off his mask and walked inside, exposing anyone nearby to this potentially deadly illness.
He continues to spout complete lies and headed back on the campaign trail, only a week after his hospital stay. His rallies of maskless supporters packed shoulder to shoulder expose his staff, Secret Service agents, local communities and health care workers. His superspreader events are perpetuating sickness, death and economic hardship for American families. He ignores social distancing guidelines and rarely wears a mask ― and the worst part is that others follow his lead.
It especially angers me to watch as he campaigns to win over Latino voters, while Black and Latino people are roughly two to three times more likely than their white counterparts to contract the coronavirus, roughly four times more likely to be hospitalized and nearly three times as likely to die from the virus that the president has failed to contain.
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Every person who cleaned Mr. Trump’s suite at Walter Reed was Latino. He does not care about us ― he cares about himself and his wallet.
I will never forgive the president for putting so many lives in danger when his job is to protect us. It fills me with deep sadness. I cried for the White House housekeepers who got infected and were directly impacted by his dangerous behavior and arrogance. We’ve been bearing the brunt of this crisis physically and emotionally, while the president continues not to take this pandemic seriously. His administration calls us essential, but no one recognizes our hard work or pays us what we deserve.
In these painful times, I dream of having a competent and honest leader in the White House who recognizes our sacrifice. Joe Biden has promised to treat us like the essential workers we are, by giving us paid leave, hazard pay, free testing, affordable treatment and expanded unemployment.
Doing all that we can to save lives must also include voting for change.
Helen Avalos is a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled a bloody war and deep poverty in El Salvador nearly 20 years ago. For the last 14 years, this mother of three and grandmother of two living in New Carrollton, Maryland, has been working as a contracted cleaner at Walter Reed National Medical Center and is an active member of her union, 32BJ SEIU.
Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch!


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--U.S. Coronavirus Hospitalizations Soar To 2-Month High

On Friday , the U.S. recorded 69,478 new cases , the highest single-day total since July 24 and the fifth-highest @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced that a field hospital in the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patient since it opened last week .
“ Folks , please stay home , @ @ @ @ @ Help us protect our communities from this highly contagious virus and avoid further strain on @ @ @ @ @ Mexico , the governor warned on Monday that the state ’ s healthcare resources might @ @ @ @ @ cases continue to rise at the current pace .
The U.S. National Institutes of Health @ @ @ @ @ a late-stage trial to evaluate if immune-modulating therapies from three drugmakers can help reduce the @ @ @ @ @ patients and shorten their hospital stay .
The study will enroll up to 2,100 hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 symptoms in the United States and Latin America .

On Friday, the U.S. recorded 69,478 new cases, the highest single-day total since July 24 and the fifth-highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced that a field hospital in the Milwaukee suburbs admitted its first COVID-19 patient since it opened last week. “Folks, please stay home,” Evers said. “Help us protect our communities from this highly contagious virus and avoid further strain on our hospitals.”
In New Mexico, the governor warned on Monday that the state’s healthcare resources might not be enough if coronavirus cases continue to rise at the current pace.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has started a late-stage trial to evaluate if immune-modulating therapies from three drugmakers can help reduce the need for ventilators for COVID-19 patients and shorten their hospital stay. The study will enroll up to 2,100 hospitalized adults with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms in the United States and Latin America.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Coronavirus Outbreak Forces Puerto Rico To Shut Down All 911 Call Centers

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico ( AP ) — Both of Puerto Rico ’ s 911 call centers were shut down Wednesday night after several employees tested positive for the coronavirus , officials announced .
Public Safety Secretary Pedro Janer said people should call the island ’ s emergency management agency at 787-724-0124 or police at 787-343-2020 in an emergency .
He said both agencies are operating 24 hours a day .
However , people calling the first number that Janer provided get a recording asking them to call 911 for an emergency .
Then the recording provided callers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nazario Lugo , president of Puerto Rico ’ s Association of Emergency Managers , told The Associated Press .
He said he was shocked at the government ’ s temporary plan to handle emergencies in the U.S. territory of 3.2 million people .
Puerto Rico has reported more than 29,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections .
It has had more than 770 deaths from COVID-19 .
Lugo said officials should relay 911 calls through to another number , rather than forcing people to call a long number that they would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
Kiara Hernández , a spokeswoman for the Public Safety Department , said she could not immediately comment on why officials were unable to automatically route emergency calls to another number .
She also said she didn ’ t know why officials decided to close both 911 centers before ensuring that such alternatives were in place .
It is the first time Puerto Rico has shut down its primary and secondary 911 call centers .
Janer said the buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and that he will soon announce when operations at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puerto Rico has reported more than 29,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections .
It has had more than 770 deaths from COVID-19 , the disease that can be caused by the virus .

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Both of Puerto Rico’s 911 call centers were shut down Wednesday night after several employees tested positive for the coronavirus, officials announced.
Public Safety Secretary Pedro Janer said people should call the island’s emergency management agency at 787-724-0124 or police at 787-343-2020 in an emergency. He said both agencies are operating 24 hours a day.
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However, people calling the first number that Janer provided get a recording asking them to call 911 for an emergency. Then the recording provided callers with a directory.
“This is serious,” Nazario Lugo, president of Puerto Rico’s Association of Emergency Managers, told The Associated Press. He said he was shocked at the government’s temporary plan to handle emergencies in the U.S. territory of 3.2 million people.
Puerto Rico has reported more than 29,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections. It has had more than 770 deaths from COVID-19. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lugo said officials should relay 911 calls through to another number, rather than forcing people to call a long number that they would have to read or hear about on the news.
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“Response times will definitely be affected,” he said.
Kiara Hernández, a spokeswoman for the Public Safety Department, said she could not immediately comment on why officials were unable to automatically route emergency calls to another number.
“It’s an option that’s being evaluated,” she said.
She also said she didn’t know why officials decided to close both 911 centers before ensuring that such alternatives were in place.
It is the first time Puerto Rico has shut down its primary and secondary 911 call centers. Janer said the buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and that he will soon announce when operations at the 911 call centers will resume.
It was unclear how many employees tested positive.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Conservative Icon George Will Predicts The 'Pouting' End Of Donald Trump's Presidency

Donald Trump will end his presidency just as he began it , longtime conservative commentator George Will predicted in his @ @ @ @ @ Post .
Trump is “ a practitioner of crybaby conservatism , ” Will wrote in @ @ @ @ @ “ His presidency that began with a wallow in self-pity probably will end in ignominy @ @ @ @ @ , trailing clouds of recriminations , without a trace of John McCain ’ s graciousness @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
Will also called out the GOP , which he left in @ @ @ @ @ presidential nominee .
The Republican Party had “ eagerly surrendered its self-respect ” in the @ @ @ @ @ , warning that “ having hitched its wagon to a plummeting cinder ” it “ @ @ @ @ @ rendezvous with a surly electorate wielding a truncheon.
” Will , a vocal opponent of @ @ @ @ @ also suggested Democratic nominee Joe Biden ( whom he endorsed in July ) could “ @ @ @ @ @ 32 years to capture more than 400 electoral votes .
”

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Donald Trump will end his presidency just as he began it, longtime conservative commentator George Will predicted in his new column for The Washington Post.
And that is by whining.
Trump is “a practitioner of crybaby conservatism,” Will wrote in the column published Wednesday.
“His presidency that began with a wallow in self-pity probably will end in ignominy when he slinks away pouting, trailing clouds of recriminations, without a trace of John McCain’s graciousness on election night 2008,” he added.
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Will also called out the GOP, which he left in mid-2016 as Trump became its presidential nominee.
The Republican Party had “eagerly surrendered its self-respect” in the Trump era, Will lamented, warning that “having hitched its wagon to a plummeting cinder” it “is about to have a rendezvous with a surly electorate wielding a truncheon.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Resurfaced Clip Of Biden Comforting Parkland Families Has People In Tears

I 'm one of those who frets that the election will be much closer than the polls indicate .
That @ @ @ @ @ are never targeted by Dems , huge turnout could contain multitudes .
So I 'm @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden here : pic.twitter.com/74UROClgbh

I'm one of those who frets that the election will be much closer than the polls indicate. That in a world where non-voters are never targeted by Dems, huge turnout could contain multitudes. So I'm dropping some old footage of Joe Biden here: pic.twitter.com/74UROClgbh


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Conservative TV Host’s Attempted Smear Of Joe And Hunter Biden Spectacularly Backfires

Conservative TV host John Cardillo faced backlash after he asked if a photograph of Democratic nominee Joe Biden embracing and kissing his son , Hunter Biden , was “ appropriate.
” “ Does this look like an appropriate father/son interaction to you ?
” Cardillo tweeted Wednesday about this black-and-white image : Does this look like an appropriate father/son interaction to you ?
pic.twitter.com/XDMIsgjUKI — John Cardillo ( @ johncardillo ) October 22 , 2020 The condemnation of Cardillo ’ s tweet came thick and fast .
Some reminisced about their own late fathers , wishing they could still hug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son , who has been the subject of a Republican smear campaign that former intelligence officials have said may be a Russian disinformation plot .
They also reminded Cardillo that Biden ’ s 1-year-old daughter Naomi was killed alongside his first wife Neilia in a 1972 car crash , and that his son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46 .
I wish my dad was still here to hug me like that .
So , yes .
— Ben Stiller ( @ RedHourBen ) October 22 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you a hug and a kiss on the cheek , I 'm truly sorry for you .
Maybe it 's something you should talk to someone about , as it 's pretty clear it troubles you .
— Duncan Jones ( @ ManMadeMoon ) October 22 , 2020 Man this just makes me miss my Dad and how he ’ d kiss me on the cheek every time we ’ d say goodbye .
— James Gunn ( @ JamesGunn ) October 22 , 2020 I remember when my dad died .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he embraced me like this I might be a different person .
The idea that anyone would shame @ JoeBiden for his unconditional love of his kid says more about them than him .
I love him even more .
❤ https : //t.co/QCtvFgHrJL — S.E .
Cupp ( @ secupp ) October 22 , 2020 What is wrong with you ?
My dad died of brain cancer on the first day of this awful year .
I kissed and hugged him every time I saw him , and him me .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kisses now .
You need help .
https : //t.co/kVkaPdixd5 — ralphgarman ( @ RalphGarman ) October 22 , 2020 My dad died when I was 14 .
I would give a lot for one moment like this .
https : //t.co/wBbzmcgh01 — Mark Harris ( @ MarkHarrisNYC ) October 22 , 2020 Yes .
My father kissed me on the cheek like that .
https : //t.co/VektSzwF43 — Touré ( @ Toure ) October 22 , 2020 I want to thank @ johncardillo for , even in his sad , disgusting ignorance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about fathers and sons .
Mine was my hero .
Died when I was 33 .
He hugged and kissed me like this thousands of times .
I ’ d give anything for one more time .
https : //t.co/4lO10lmo8m — Richard Marx ( @ richardmarx ) October 22 , 2020 This is a picture of a father who has buried two children in unimaginable tragedies embracing his last living son .
https : //t.co/QCywkxDhrP — Susan Hennessey ( @ Susan_Hennessey ) October 22 , 2020 This is an amazing photo , emotionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a physically and emotionally distant father .
It 's good to know that there are fathers not afraid to show their sons they love them .
https : //t.co/0DPSzAtqQR — RobGoblin ( @ RobGeorge ) October 22 , 2020 I kiss my son all the time .
I hug him .
I tickle him .
I wrestle with him .
And I tell him I love him and am proud of him over and over .
https : //t.co/ZrWjPQs5sY — Justin Wolfers ( @ JustinWolfers ) October 22 , 2020 Yes , actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re not distracted by toxic masculinity , patriarchal insecurity , and a deadening indifference to the affection that should prevail between father and son .
We could use more of this right now !
https : //t.co/wbqsszvSJq — Michael Eric Dyson ( @ MichaelEDyson ) October 22 , 2020 Some tweeters responded with pictures of themselves hugging their fathers or sons : I ’ m truly sorry you don ’ t have a good relationship with your father -I really am pic.twitter.com/V8KNyiPK9q — Brian Cuban ( @ bcuban ) October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the creepy interactions that President Donald Trump has had with his children : Maybe If he talked about dating his child , that would be more appropriate to you ?
pic.twitter.com/2It8rGzGo1 — Matt Ortega ( @ MattOrtega ) October 22 , 2020

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Conservative TV host John Cardillo faced backlash after he asked if a photograph of Democratic nominee Joe Biden embracing and kissing his son, Hunter Biden, was “appropriate.”
“Does this look like an appropriate father/son interaction to you?” Cardillo tweeted Wednesday about this black-and-white image:
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Does this look like an appropriate father/son interaction to you? pic.twitter.com/XDMIsgjUKI — John Cardillo (@johncardillo) October 22, 2020
The condemnation of Cardillo’s tweet came thick and fast.
Some reminisced about their own late fathers, wishing they could still hug them as Biden was pictured doing with his son, who has been the subject of a Republican smear campaign that former intelligence officials have said may be a Russian disinformation plot.
They also reminded Cardillo that Biden’s 1-year-old daughter Naomi was killed alongside his first wife Neilia in a 1972 car crash, and that his son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.
I wish my dad was still here to hug me like that. So, yes. — Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) October 22, 2020
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John, if your father never gave you a hug and a kiss on the cheek, I'm truly sorry for you. Maybe it's something you should talk to someone about, as it's pretty clear it troubles you. — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) October 22, 2020
Man this just makes me miss my Dad and how he’d kiss me on the cheek every time we’d say goodbye. — James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 22, 2020
I remember when my dad died. There were lots of things unspoken. Had he embraced me like this I might be a different person. The idea that anyone would shame @JoeBiden for his unconditional love of his kid says more about them than him. I love him even more. ❤ https://t.co/QCtvFgHrJL — S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 22, 2020
What is wrong with you? My dad died of brain cancer on the first day of this awful year. I kissed and hugged him every time I saw him, and him me. Every time. I wish I had his kisses now. You need help. https://t.co/kVkaPdixd5 — ralphgarman (@RalphGarman) October 22, 2020
It looks like a heartwarming, loving, aspirational father/son interaction to me https://t.co/4Kp0AjHs9n — rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 22, 2020
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My dad died when I was 14. I would give a lot for one moment like this. https://t.co/wBbzmcgh01 — Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) October 22, 2020
Yes. My father kissed me on the cheek like that. https://t.co/VektSzwF43 — Touré (@Toure) October 22, 2020
I want to thank @johncardillo for, even in his sad, disgusting ignorance, sparking an important and valuable conversation about fathers and sons. Mine was my hero. Died when I was 33. He hugged and kissed me like this thousands of times. I’d give anything for one more time. https://t.co/4lO10lmo8m — Richard Marx (@richardmarx) October 22, 2020
Yeah, it really does. Good fathers love and hug their sons. https://t.co/WasAFky1Ma — Alan Baxter (@AlanBaxter) October 22, 2020
This is a picture of a father who has buried two children in unimaginable tragedies embracing his last living son. https://t.co/QCywkxDhrP — Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) October 22, 2020
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This is an amazing photo, emotionally and artistically. I grew up with a physically and emotionally distant father. It's good to know that there are fathers not afraid to show their sons they love them. https://t.co/0DPSzAtqQR — RobGoblin (@RobGeorge) October 22, 2020
I kiss my son all the time. I hug him. I tickle him. I wrestle with him. And I tell him I love him and am proud of him over and over. https://t.co/ZrWjPQs5sY — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 22, 2020
Yes, actually, it does — that is, if you’re not distracted by toxic masculinity, patriarchal insecurity, and a deadening indifference to the affection that should prevail between father and son. We could use more of this right now! https://t.co/wbqsszvSJq — Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) October 22, 2020
Some tweeters responded with pictures of themselves hugging their fathers or sons:
I’m truly sorry you don’t have a good relationship with your father -I really am pic.twitter.com/V8KNyiPK9q — Brian Cuban (@bcuban) October 22, 2020
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And others reminded Cardillo of the creepy interactions that President Donald Trump has had with his children:
Maybe If he talked about dating his child, that would be more appropriate to you? pic.twitter.com/2It8rGzGo1 — Matt Ortega (@MattOrtega) October 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--OOF: Attorneys At Trump-Linked Law Firm Gave $90,000 To Biden, $50 To Trump

Attorneys at law firms used by President Donald Trump or his reelection campaign are voting with their wallets .
And it seems they ’ re not voting for the president .
Reuters reported that attorneys at four firms that have worked for Trump or his campaign donated “ overwhelmingly ” to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Attorneys at the Jones Day law firm , which has collected $ 4.5 million for its work for the Trump campaign , contributed just $ 50 to the president ’ s reelection efforts but gave $ 90,000 to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was paid more than $ 250,000 to represent the Trump campaign in lawsuits over Pennsylvania ’ s balloting measures , donated nothing to Trump and $ 5,750 to the Biden campaign , Reuters reported , citing Federal Election Commission data .
The money represents contributions from individual attorneys at each firm , and not the firms themselves .
According to Reuters , it ’ s a trend throughout the industry , with attorneys contributing $ 29 million to the Biden war chest versus $ 1.75 million to Trump over the first eight months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case in 2016 .
An analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found attorneys had donated $ 36.4 million to the campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , compared with just $ 942,000 to Trump .
The trend predates Trump : In 2012 , President Barack Obama received $ 27.7 million from lawyers and law firms compared with $ 14.3 million given to Mitt Romney from those same groups , per Open Secrets .
A 2017 analysis by the Harvard Kennedy School showed that 68 percent of lawyers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats than to Republicans .

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Attorneys at law firms used by President Donald Trump or his reelection campaign are voting with their wallets. And it seems they’re not voting for the president.
Reuters reported that attorneys at four firms that have worked for Trump or his campaign donated “overwhelmingly” to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
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Attorneys at the Jones Day law firm, which has collected $4.5 million for its work for the Trump campaign, contributed just $50 to the president’s reelection efforts but gave $90,000 to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Lawyers at Porter Wright, which was paid more than $250,000 to represent the Trump campaign in lawsuits over Pennsylvania’s balloting measures, donated nothing to Trump and $5,750 to the Biden campaign, Reuters reported, citing Federal Election Commission data.
The money represents contributions from individual attorneys at each firm, and not the firms themselves.
According to Reuters, it’s a trend throughout the industry, with attorneys contributing $29 million to the Biden war chest versus $1.75 million to Trump over the first eight months of the year.
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That was also the case in 2016. An analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found attorneys had donated $36.4 million to the campaign of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, compared with just $942,000 to Trump.
The trend predates Trump: In 2012, President Barack Obama received $27.7 million from lawyers and law firms compared with $14.3 million given to Mitt Romney from those same groups, per Open Secrets.
A 2017 analysis by the Harvard Kennedy School showed that 68 percent of lawyers who make political contributions gave more money to Democrats than to Republicans.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Obama Zings Fox News And Gets In A Dig At Trump At The Same Time

Former President Barack Obama called out Fox News on Wednesday for its gentle coverage of President Donald Trump .
And @ @ @ @ @ in point from this week ’ s headlines : The revelation in The New York @ @ @ @ @ previously unknown bank account in China , and that he was paying taxes there when @ @ @ @ @ to no taxes here in the United States .
“ Can you imagine if I @ @ @ @ @ bank account when I was running for reelection ?
” Obama asked at a rally @ @ @ @ @ think Fox News might ’ ve been a little concerned about that ?
They would @ @ @ @ @ Barry !
” Obama also noted the Times report that Trump paid just $ 750 @ @ @ @ @ year in the White House .
“ My first job was at a Baskin Robbins @ @ @ @ @ old , ” Obama said .
“ I think I might ’ ve paid more @ @ @ @ @ dispensing ice cream .
”

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Former President Barack Obama called out Fox News on Wednesday for its gentle coverage of President Donald Trump. And he offered a perfect case in point from this week’s headlines: The revelation in The New York Times that Trump had a previously unknown bank account in China, and that he was paying taxes there when he’s paid little to no taxes here in the United States.
“Can you imagine if I had had a secret Chinese bank account when I was running for reelection?” Obama asked at a rally in Philadelphia. “You think Fox News might’ve been a little concerned about that? They would’ve called me Beijing Barry!”
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Obama also noted the Times report that Trump paid just $750 in taxes during his first year in the White House.
“My first job was at a Baskin Robbins when I was 15 years old,” Obama said. “I think I might’ve paid more taxes that year working at dispensing ice cream.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Supreme Court Says Alabama Can Ban Curbside Voting Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The Supreme Court said Wednesday that state officials can ban curbside voting in Alabama , overturning a lower court ’ s order meant to safeguard voters with disabilities and those concerned for their health amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The 5-3 ruling , a terse paragraph released Wednesday evening , granted a request by Alabama ’ s secretary of state , John Merrill , to put on hold decisions issued by lower courts that allowed counties to roll out the curbside voting mechanisms .
Merrill had argued Alabama couldn ’ t safely roll out curbside voting in time for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so could “ cause confusion and much harm.
” The majority , all from the court ’ s conservative bloc , did not explain its reasoning .
“ The severity of the COVID–19 pandemic should , by now , need no elaboration , ” Sotomayor wrote .
“ The Alabama secretary of state , however , has prohibited counties from offering curbside voting , even for voters with disabilities for whom COVID– 19 is disproportionately likely to be fatal .
If those vulnerable voters wish to vote in person , they must wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes , in a crowd of fellow voters whom Alabama does not require to wear face coverings.
” The case , filed on behalf of at-risk Alabama voters , had bounced among the courts before the Supreme Court ruling .
A U.S. district judge had approved curbside voting and other measures amid the pandemic , saying there was no state law barring the use of such practices .
A panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit also allowed the curbside voting provisions to stand , although it put other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Civil rights groups , including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union , had argued that the federal government recommended curbside voting as an option amid the COVID-19 pandemic “ Every decision about whether to leave home requires Alabamians to take calculated health risks , ” the groups wrote to the court , according to USA Today .
“ These risks are especially acute for people who ... are at higher risk of severe illness or death from the virus due to their age and/or underlying medical conditions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of my [ ancestors ] even died to vote , ” the justice quoted Porter as saying .
“ And while I don ’ t mind dying to vote , I think we ’ re past that ― we ’ re past that time .
’ ”

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The Supreme Court said Wednesday that state officials can ban curbside voting in Alabama, overturning a lower court’s order meant to safeguard voters with disabilities and those concerned for their health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 5-3 ruling, a terse paragraph released Wednesday evening, granted a request by Alabama’s secretary of state, John Merrill, to put on hold decisions issued by lower courts that allowed counties to roll out the curbside voting mechanisms. Merrill had argued Alabama couldn’t safely roll out curbside voting in time for this year’s election and warned doing so could “cause confusion and much harm.”
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The majority, all from the court’s conservative bloc, did not explain its reasoning.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a strong dissent, joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan.
“The severity of the COVID–19 pandemic should, by now, need no elaboration,” Sotomayor wrote. “The Alabama secretary of state, however, has prohibited counties from offering curbside voting, even for voters with disabilities for whom COVID– 19 is disproportionately likely to be fatal. If those vulnerable voters wish to vote in person, they must wait inside, for as long as it takes, in a crowd of fellow voters whom Alabama does not require to wear face coverings.”
The case, filed on behalf of at-risk Alabama voters, had bounced among the courts before the Supreme Court ruling. A U.S. district judge had approved curbside voting and other measures amid the pandemic, saying there was no state law barring the use of such practices. A panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit also allowed the curbside voting provisions to stand, although it put other measures pertaining to mail-in ballots on hold.
Civil rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union, had argued that the federal government recommended curbside voting as an option amid the COVID-19 pandemic
“Every decision about whether to leave home requires Alabamians to take calculated health risks,” the groups wrote to the court, according to USA Today. “These risks are especially acute for people who ... are at higher risk of severe illness or death from the virus due to their age and/or underlying medical conditions.”
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Sotomayor concluded her dissent with a powerful story of a plaintiff in a case to allow curbside voting, Howard Porter Jr.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Bestselling Author Don Winslow Busts Trump’s Biggest Myths About Biden

Trump has repeatedly ― and falsely ― claimed that Biden will abolish the Second Amendment and take away everyone ’ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president ’ s support for the basic gun control measures backed by nearly @ @ @ @ @ as Winslow pointed out , it ’ s an allegation the right has used against @ @ @ @ @ one that doesn ’ t stand up to the facts :

Trump has repeatedly ― and falsely ― claimed that Biden will abolish the Second Amendment and take away everyone’s guns due to the former vice president’s support for the basic gun control measures backed by nearly two-thirds of Americans. But as Winslow pointed out, it’s an allegation the right has used against Democrats for years, and one that doesn’t stand up to the facts:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-21--Obama Slams Trump's 'Crazy Uncle' Behavior In Searing Rebuke Of President's Character

“ They embolden other people to be cruel , and divisive and racist .
And it frays the fabric of our society .
And it affects how our children see things .
And it affects the ways that our families get along .
It affects how the world looks at America .
That behavior matters .
Character matters , ” he said .
Obama made the speech during a drive-in campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Philadelphia .
He praised his former vice president for his empathy , decency and competence , and his ability to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualities he emphatically reminded voters Trump does not possess .
Obama said a Biden administration would begin to restore America ’ s reputation in the world as a nation that “ stands with democracy , not dictators , ” and that leads by setting an example in efforts to overcome threats like climate change , terrorism , poverty and disease .
“ And with Joe and Kamala [ Harris ] at the helm , you ’ re not going to have to think about the crazy things they said every day , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be so exhausting .
You might be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner without having an argument .
You ’ ll be able to go about your lives knowing that the president is not going to retweet conspiracy theories about secret cabals running the world or that Navy SEALs didn ’ t actually kill Bin Laden , ” he added .
Trump has persistently amplified disinformation throughout his presidency , and last week he refused to condemn the dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory , which holds that a satanic cult of liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is secretly working to stop .
He also retweeted a baseless conspiracy theory that Obama ordered the killing of SEAL Team 6 , the unit best known for capturing terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in 2011 .
When he defended that decision during his NBC News town hall , host Savannah Guthrie told him , “ You ’ re the president .
You ’ re not like someone ’ s crazy uncle who can retweet whatever.
” Obama told voters that with Biden in charge , America would have a president who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who doesn ’ t support him .
“ That ’ s not normal presidential behavior , ” he said .
“ We wouldn ’ t tolerate it from a high school principal .
We wouldn ’ t tolerate it from a coach .
We wouldn ’ t tolerate it from a co-worker .
We wouldn ’ t tolerate it in our own family ― except for maybe a crazy uncle somewhere.
” We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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Former President Barack Obama delivered a blistering rebuke of his successor on Wednesday, telling voters that President Donald Trump’s actions have had severe consequences on American society.
“They embolden other people to be cruel, and divisive and racist. And it frays the fabric of our society. And it affects how our children see things. And it affects the ways that our families get along. It affects how the world looks at America. That behavior matters. Character matters,” he said.
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Obama made the speech during a drive-in campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Philadelphia. He praised his former vice president for his empathy, decency and competence, and his ability to lead the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic ― qualities he emphatically reminded voters Trump does not possess.
Obama said a Biden administration would begin to restore America’s reputation in the world as a nation that “stands with democracy, not dictators,” and that leads by setting an example in efforts to overcome threats like climate change, terrorism, poverty and disease.
“And with Joe and Kamala [Harris] at the helm, you’re not going to have to think about the crazy things they said every day,” Obama said.
Obama, describing a Biden presidency as a return to normalcy, goes off on Trump as "a crazy uncle." pic.twitter.com/D69I94eiJc — The Recount (@therecount) October 21, 2020
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“It just won’t be so exhausting. You might be able to have a Thanksgiving dinner without having an argument. You’ll be able to go about your lives knowing that the president is not going to retweet conspiracy theories about secret cabals running the world or that Navy SEALs didn’t actually kill Bin Laden,” he added.
Trump has persistently amplified disinformation throughout his presidency, and last week he refused to condemn the dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory, which holds that a satanic cult of liberal elites is running a pedophile ring that Trump is secretly working to stop.
He also retweeted a baseless conspiracy theory that Obama ordered the killing of SEAL Team 6, the unit best known for capturing terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in 2011. When he defended that decision during his NBC News town hall, host Savannah Guthrie told him, “You’re the president. You’re not like someone’s crazy uncle who can retweet whatever.”
Obama told voters that with Biden in charge, America would have a president who doesn’t threaten and insult anybody who doesn’t support him.
“That’s not normal presidential behavior,” he said. “We wouldn’t tolerate it from a high school principal. We wouldn’t tolerate it from a coach. We wouldn’t tolerate it from a co-worker. We wouldn’t tolerate it in our own family ― except for maybe a crazy uncle somewhere.”
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Watch his full address below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--The Oil Lobby’s COVID-19 Wish List

The Oil Lobby’s COVID-19 Wish List

“ This is an industry that believes in the free market , it believes in supply and demand as the best arbiter of price , ” Mike Sommers , CEO and president of the American Petroleum Institute , told Yahoo Finance in an April 23 interview .
“ So we ’ re not asking for any extra help from the federal government .
We ’ re not interested in any bailouts.
” Critics say the Interior Department has not been transparent about actions it has taken to assist domestic producers amid the ongoing pandemic .
The department did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , Interior Department spokesperson Conner Swanson accused HuffPost of attempting “ to manufacture correlations and controversy where there is none.
” The API letter to the Interior Department is further evidence that the oil , gas and petrochemical industries are “ exploiting ” the COVID-19 crisis to obtain subsidies and regulatory relief , the true costs of which are still being tallied , said Carroll Muffett , president and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law , an environmental nonprofit .
“ While they may say that they weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the truth is they ’ ve gone to the government repeatedly and often in ways that are invisible to anyone outside the industry or the government itself , ” Muffett said .
And from most outside indications , the administration has “ bent over backwards ” to assist , he said .
In more than 500 cases since the pandemic began , the Bureau of Land Management gave energy companies breaks on royalty payments they owed for drilling on public lands .
That relief policy drew fire from the nonpartisan Government Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees without first determining if such relief was needed to keep wells from shutting down .
In response to the critical GAO report , bureau spokesperson Derrick Henry told The Hill that BLM ’ s offices “ only approved suspension of operations and royalty rate reduction applications for up to 60 days when it was legally permissible , in the best interest of the United States , and when it would encourage the greatest ultimate recovery of our natural resources.
” The Interior Department ’ s internal watchdog , the Office of Inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that BSEE did adapt its inspection process for blowout preventers , a device designed to automatically seal a well in the event of an uncontrolled release of oil and gas , to allow for remote testing , but that it failed to provide inspectors with guidance on how to witness the test in real time via the operators ’ software systems .
Trump ’ s first term promised an imperious new era for American oil and gas companies , with its focus on deregulating everything from methane emissions to offshore drilling safety to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 has revealed how much the fossil fuel industry ’ s economic strength depended on its political might .
A sudden plunge in oil prices ― the result of an overseas price war and a drop in demand due to the coronavirus lockdowns ― sent a shockwave through the industry , prompting a wave of bankruptcies among smaller U.S. drillers .
“ So I call some guy , the head of Exxon .
I call the head of Exxon .
I don ’ t know , ” Trump said hypothetically .
“ Hi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s energy coming ?
When are you doing the exploration ?
Oh , you need a couple of permits , huh ?
OK .
But I call the head of Exxon , I say , ‘ You know , I ’ d love [ for you ] to send me $ 25 million for the campaign.
’ ‘ Absolutely sir .
Why didn ’ t you ask ?
Would you like some more ?
’ ”

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As the coronavirus pandemic upended the U.S. economy, the head of the oil and gas sector’s leading trade association declared that fossil fuel companies weren’t looking for government handouts to stay afloat.
“This is an industry that believes in the free market, it believes in supply and demand as the best arbiter of price,” Mike Sommers, CEO and president of the American Petroleum Institute, told Yahoo Finance in an April 23 interview. “So we’re not asking for any extra help from the federal government. We’re not interested in any bailouts.”
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But API had already sent a letter to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, a former fossil fuel lobbyist, a month earlier, outlining two dozen temporary actions it wanted the Interior Department to take to help the industry through the pandemic. These included waiving “non-essential compliance obligations,” conducting remote site inspections and delaying penalties for failing to meet enforcement deadlines.
The corporate watchdog group Documented obtained API’s March 25 wish list for the Interior Department through a public records request and shared it exclusively with HuffPost.
The letter to Bernhardt from API policy executive Frank Macchiarola includes a four-page attachment with numerous requests for the Interior bureaus that permit and manage oil and gas development, including the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
Among other things, Macchiarola urged Bernhardt to automatically extend the terms of offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico and, perhaps most significantly, give companies up to a year of additional time to safely shutter defunct and abandoned wells if facing contractor limitations or supply chain disruptions.
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“We look forward to partnering with you to help ensure that energy resources are available, so that we as a nation can continue to respond to this crisis,” Macchiarola wrote.
A worker wears a protective helmet decorated with stickers during a hydraulic fracturing operation at an oil well near Mead, Colorado. ASSOCIATED PRESS
News reports and other publicly available information indicate the Interior Department implemented some of API’s requests, postponing certain onsite inspections and approving applications for lease suspensions, which stops the clock on set lease terms if circumstances affect a company’s production. It’s unclear whether other wish list items have been fulfilled.
Critics say the Interior Department has not been transparent about actions it has taken to assist domestic producers amid the ongoing pandemic. The department did not respond to specific questions about the API list. Instead, Interior Department spokesperson Conner Swanson accused HuffPost of attempting “to manufacture correlations and controversy where there is none.”
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The API letter to the Interior Department is further evidence that the oil, gas and petrochemical industries are “exploiting” the COVID-19 crisis to obtain subsidies and regulatory relief, the true costs of which are still being tallied, said Carroll Muffett, president and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law, an environmental nonprofit.
“While they may say that they weren’t going to the government for handouts, the truth is they’ve gone to the government repeatedly and often in ways that are invisible to anyone outside the industry or the government itself,” Muffett said. And from most outside indications, the administration has “bent over backwards” to assist, he said.
In a statement after publication, API spokesperson Scott Lauermann noted that the oil and gas sector was one of many industries that received temporary government relief.
“In no way did this temporary flexibility – which has already begun to expire – exempt companies from their obligations to uphold environmental standards and regulatory requirements, and pollution control technology and equipment has always remained in place,” he said. “Temporary compliance flexibility to ensure operators can prioritize the health and safety of their employees is not a handout, it’s about putting safety first.”
President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable meeting with energy sector CEOs at the White House on April 3. U.S. oil companies were hit hard by both the effects of the coronavirus and from foreign pressures caused by Russia and Saudi Arabia in the oil markets. Pool via Getty Images
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No Special Favors, Trump Administration Says
In more than 500 cases since the pandemic began, the Bureau of Land Management gave energy companies breaks on royalty payments they owed for drilling on public lands. That relief policy drew fire from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, which concluded that BLM reduced fees without first determining if such relief was needed to keep wells from shutting down.
In its March letter to the Interior Department, API specifically requested that BLM “extend the life of existing federal permits, extension of current leases or a pause on the timing of leases, and grant requests for suspension of production.”
In response to the critical GAO report, bureau spokesperson Derrick Henry told The Hill that BLM’s offices “only approved suspension of operations and royalty rate reduction applications for up to 60 days when it was legally permissible, in the best interest of the United States, and when it would encourage the greatest ultimate recovery of our natural resources.”
Swanson told HuffPost the same thing.
“While numerous organizations, stakeholders, and elected officials asked for blanket relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the [Interior] Department continued to fulfill its obligations under the law and provided guidance for how operators could apply within existing regulations,” Swanson said. “No special circumstances were granted to anyone.”
API’s wish list also called for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to conduct facility inspections virtually rather than onsite to reduce offshore workers’ risk of exposure to COVID-19.
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The Interior Department’s internal watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, concluded in a September report that BSEE did adapt its inspection process for blowout preventers, a device designed to automatically seal a well in the event of an uncontrolled release of oil and gas, to allow for remote testing, but that it failed to provide inspectors with guidance on how to witness the test in real time via the operators’ software systems.
“While they may say that they weren’t going to the government for handouts, the truth is they’ve gone to the government repeatedly.” - Carroll Muffett, Center for International Environmental Law
Fighting For An Ailing Industry
Trump’s first term promised an imperious new era for American oil and gas companies, with its focus on deregulating everything from methane emissions to offshore drilling safety to fuel mileage in new cars. Yet 2020 has revealed how much the fossil fuel industry’s economic strength depended on its political might. A sudden plunge in oil prices ― the result of an overseas price war and a drop in demand due to the coronavirus lockdowns ― sent a shockwave through the industry, prompting a wave of bankruptcies among smaller U.S. drillers.
At the end of July, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corporation, the country’s top two oil giants, reported unprecedented quarterly losses. In October, the market value of clean energy giant NextEra briefly surpassed Exxon Mobil, marking what financial analysts saw as a milestone in the shift away from climate-changing energy sources.
In response, the Trump administration went all out to boost the ailing industry. In March, the Department of Homeland Security deemed all energy sector work, including the construction of pipelines and compressor stations, critical for the pandemic response.
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After the Treasury Department publicly weighed a direct bailout of troubled drillers, the Federal Reserve bought up a disproportionate share of distressed oil and gas debt. A recent report from environmental and consumer groups calculated those corporate bonds issued since late March to be worth nearly $100 billion.
And more than 7,000 oil, gas and petrochemical companies have received a total of $3 billion to $7 billion in coronavirus relief through the Paycheck Protection Program, according to an analysis Documented conducted for Sierra Magazine.
President Donald Trump arrives to deliver a speech during a tour of an oil rig in Midland, Texas, in July. a Carlos Barria/Reuters
Industry watchdogs and climate advocates have certainly noticed the lavish help extended to Trump’s favored industry.
“One would be hard-pressed to find another sector in the U.S. economy that has requested and received more in taxpayer-funded bailouts and other giveaways from the Trump administration than Big Oil,” Jayson O’Neill, director of Western Values Project, told HuffPost.
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And Alan Zibel, research director at Public Citizen’s Corporate Presidency Project, said the fossil fuel industry “has been seizing on the pandemic as a convenient excuse to fulfill longstanding deregulatory objectives.” He stressed that it makes no sense to grant special favors to the industry most responsible for driving the climate crisis.
This week, the president publicly called on the industry’s biggest players to return the backscratch. During a campaign stop in Arizona on Monday, the president joked about how, if he wanted to, he could easily outraise Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden by shaking down the CEOs of oil majors like Exxon Mobil.
“So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don’t know,” Trump said hypothetically. “Hi, how are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits, huh? OK. But I call the head of Exxon, I say, ‘You know, I’d love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir. Why didn’t you ask? Would you like some more?’”
Exxon, one of hundreds of API members, responded to the president’s hypothetical suggestion of corruption and quid pro quo a few hours later.
“We are aware of the President’s statement regarding a hypothetical call with our CEO…and just so we’re all clear, it never happened,” the company wrote.
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