thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Half Of Corals On The Great Barrier Reef Have Died Since 1990s, Study Finds

SYDNEY — Half of the corals on Australia ’ s iconic Great Barrier Reef have died since the 1990s , according to a troubling new study that analyzed just how devastating years of catastrophic mass bleaching have been for one of the most biodiverse structures on Earth .
The loss of so many corals along nearly every section of the 1,600-mile reef is shocking .
Larger corals can take years or decades to grow , and effectively act as both the parents and home for a new generation of coral polyps that replace them .
The researchers analyzed the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and down the Great Barrier 20 years apart , in 1996 and in 2016 , and found populations of elder , adolescent and baby corals had all fallen by more than 50 % in just 20 years .
The Great Barrier Reef is still recovering from a series of devastating , back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 when hotter-than-usual seawater washed over the delicate structures , effectively cooking them .
The environmental change can cause ruby- and topaz-colored corals to turn ghostly white as the algae that feeds them flees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal , the algae may return and the corals can recover , but if it stays too hot for too long , the corals will die .
“ As a marine biologist , I know that a bleached coral is very unhealthy , but it can provide some very breathtaking colonies , ” Dietzel said , saying some reefs he ’ s visited in recent years looked like ghost towns .
“ Tourists say , ‘ Whoa , this looks beautiful.
’ But as a scientist , you ’ re well aware they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The back-to-back events were declared a one-two punch to large swaths of the Great Barrier by scientists at the time , who likened the event to an underwater apocalypse while expressing hope that action on climate change could help the structures recover and grow .
But earlier this year , researchers said the reef was suffering from mass bleaching again , the third time in just five years .
In February , average temperatures on the reef were the highest ever recorded since record-keeping began in 1900 .
“ What we need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to even out at a level that ’ s not too hot , ” he told HuffPost , expressing hope that the reef will survive , albeit as a different ecosystem .
“ We ’ re on this journey , we have a ways to go , and the endpoint will be determined by greenhouse gas emissions.
” Giant table corals and branching corals were dramatically impacted by three bouts of mass bleaching along the Great Barrier Reef .
`` They are important because they provide the three-dimensionality , the nooks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Terry Hughes said .
The study is one of the first long-term analyses of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral density .
Traditionally , scientists have flown over hundreds of miles of the structure via helicopter and monitored the “ coral cover , ” or how much of the reef appeared either healthy or bleached from afar .
This time , Dietzel and Hughes got in the water , which Hughes said allowed their team to see that the size of the many corals now resembles something out of “ Honey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The loss of big corals right across the board , in terms of every species , is important because they ’ re the mature adults that make the next generation of juvenile corals — they ’ re the breeders , ” he continued .
“ The capacity of the reef to bounce back is increasingly compromised.
” Hughes added that the idea the reef is under threat doesn ’ t convey just how urgently the world needs to address climate change if it hopes to save the Great Barrier Reef and other reef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The word ‘ threat ’ is funny , ” he said .
“ If you threatened to punch me on the nose , it ’ s something you might do .
We ’ ve been measuring the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef for 22 years … it ’ s certainly not a future threat .
It ’ s been part of the ongoing saga for a long time .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SYDNEY — Half of the corals on Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef have died since the 1990s, according to a troubling new study that analyzed just how devastating years of catastrophic mass bleaching have been for one of the most biodiverse structures on Earth.
The paper, published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found dramatic losses of corals large and small, of nearly every major species, from branching colonies of pale yellow staghorn to massive protrusions that look like underwater tables.
Advertisement
The loss of so many corals along nearly every section of the 1,600-mile reef is shocking. Larger corals can take years or decades to grow, and effectively act as both the parents and home for a new generation of coral polyps that replace them. The researchers analyzed the number of corals along sections of 30 reefs up and down the Great Barrier 20 years apart, in 1996 and in 2016, and found populations of elder, adolescent and baby corals had all fallen by more than 50% in just 20 years.
Dr. Andreas Dietzel, a researcher at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and the lead author of the paper, compared the loss of coral colonies across the reef system to an international conflict.
“We’ve seen this in human populations,” Dietzel told HuffPost. “After a big war, you can see a massive dent in the number of middle-aged men.”
With corals, he added, it’s worse: “They’ve declined pretty much across all sizes. We’re losing a lot of the big ones, but we’re also losing a lot of small ones.”
Advertisement
The Great Barrier Reef suffered mass coralbleaching events in 2016, 2017 and 2020. Andreas Dietzel/ARC Centre for Excellence
The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its corals inthe past three decades. Andreas Dietzel/ARC Centre for Excellence
The Great Barrier Reef is still recovering from a series of devastating, back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 when hotter-than-usual seawater washed over the delicate structures, effectively cooking them. The environmental change can cause ruby- and topaz-colored corals to turn ghostly white as the algae that feeds them flees their skeletons. If temperatures return to normal, the algae may return and the corals can recover, but if it stays too hot for too long, the corals will die.
“As a marine biologist, I know that a bleached coral is very unhealthy, but it can provide some very breathtaking colonies,” Dietzel said, saying some reefs he’s visited in recent years looked like ghost towns. “Tourists say, ‘Whoa, this looks beautiful.’ But as a scientist, you’re well aware they’re either starving or dead.”
“Some of these bleached colonies, once the external algae grow over the dead skeleton, that colony is gone,” he added. “It may take hundreds of years to replace a colony of that size.”
Advertisement
Coral bleaching leaves the delicate structures sick and vulnerable. NOAA
The back-to-back events were declared a one-two punch to large swaths of the Great Barrier by scientists at the time, who likened the event to an underwater apocalypse while expressing hope that action on climate change could help the structures recover and grow.
But earlier this year, researchers said the reef was suffering from mass bleaching again, the third time in just five years. In February, average temperatures on the reef were the highest ever recorded since record-keeping began in 1900.
Dr. Terry Hughes, a professor at the ARC Centre and a co-author of the paper, has long said climate change remains the single greatest threat to the future of the Great Barrier as we know it.
“What we need is for the temperature to stop rising, and to even out at a level that’s not too hot,” he told HuffPost, expressing hope that the reef will survive, albeit as a different ecosystem. “We’re on this journey, we have a ways to go, and the endpoint will be determined by greenhouse gas emissions.”
Advertisement
Giant table corals and branching corals were dramatically impacted by three bouts of mass bleaching along the Great Barrier Reef. "They are important because they provide the three-dimensionality, the nooks and crannies that fish depend on," Dr. Terry Hughes said. Andreas Dietzel/ARC Centre for Excellence
The study is one of the first long-term analyses of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral density. Traditionally, scientists have flown over hundreds of miles of the structure via helicopter and monitored the “coral cover,” or how much of the reef appeared either healthy or bleached from afar. This time, Dietzel and Hughes got in the water, which Hughes said allowed their team to see that the size of the many corals now resembles something out of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”
“The loss of big corals right across the board, in terms of every species, is important because they’re the mature adults that make the next generation of juvenile corals — they’re the breeders,” he continued. “The capacity of the reef to bounce back is increasingly compromised.”
Hughes added that the idea the reef is under threat doesn’t convey just how urgently the world needs to address climate change if it hopes to save the Great Barrier Reef and other reef systems like it around the globe.
“The word ‘threat’ is funny,” he said. “If you threatened to punch me on the nose, it’s something you might do. We’ve been measuring the impacts on the Great Barrier Reef for 22 years … it’s certainly not a future threat. It’s been part of the ongoing saga for a long time.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Conchata Ferrell, Berta On 'Two and a Half Men', Dies at 77

LOS ANGELES ( Variety.com ) - Conchata Ferrell , who played Berta the housekeeper on “ Two and a Half Men , ” died on Tuesday in Sherman Oaks , Calif. , a rep for Warner Bros. Television confirmed to Variety .
She was 77 .
“ We are saddened by the loss of Conchata Ferrell and are grateful for the years she brought us laughs as Berta which will live on forever , ” Warner Bros. TV , the studio behind “ Two and a Half Men , ” tweeted .
Ferrell was hospitalized in May and spent more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she went into cardiac arrest at one point .
The actor was relocated to a long-term treatment center , where she was on a respirator and dialysis .
Ferrell was best known for playing Berta on all 12 seasons of “ Two and a Half Men , ” for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations ( in 2005 and 2007 ) for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series .
She appeared in a total of 212 episodes from 2003 and 2015 .
She talked to the AV Club about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had originally been written as an Eastern European woman .
Ferrell said she changed the character ’ s nationality to “ trailer park ” and though she wasn ’ t a Grateful Dead fan , she said , “ I definitely was an old hippie .
I was a political hippie.
” Born in Charleston , W. Va. , she graduated from Marshall University , where she made her first onstage performance in a skit comedy .
Out of school , Ferrell sought a career in the theater and made her 1973 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Square theatrical company in Wilson ’ s “ Hot L Baltimore.
” For her next Off-Broadway role as Gertrude Blum in ” The Sea Horse , ” she won Drama Desk , Theatre World and Obie Awards as best actress .
Moving into film , she appeared in the adaptation of “ Hot L Baltimore ” and then as the housekeeper in the 1979 feature film “ Heartland , ” co-starring Julia Roberts .
In 1992 , Ferrell received her first Emmy Award nomination for her recurring role as attorney Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She most recently starred as Shirley in a 2017 episode ofNetflix ’ s sitcom series “ The Ranch.
” Her other TV credits include “ Buffy the Vampire Slayer , ” “ Teen Angel , ” “ Matlock ” and “ B .
J. and the Bear ” and film credits include “ Edward Scissorhands , ” “ Network , ” “ Crime and Punishment in Suburbia ” and ” True Romance .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - Conchata Ferrell, who played Berta the housekeeper on “Two and a Half Men,” died on Tuesday in Sherman Oaks, Calif., a rep for Warner Bros. Television confirmed to Variety. She was 77.
“We are saddened by the loss of Conchata Ferrell and are grateful for the years she brought us laughs as Berta which will live on forever,” Warner Bros. TV, the studio behind “Two and a Half Men,” tweeted.
Advertisement
Ferrell was hospitalized in May and spent more than four weeks in the ICU, where she went into cardiac arrest at one point. The actor was relocated to a long-term treatment center, where she was on a respirator and dialysis.
Conchata Ferrell most recently starred as Shirley in a 2017 episode of Netflix’s sitcom series “The Ranch.” Scott Kirkland / Globe Photos/MediaPunch /IPX
Ferrell was best known for playing Berta on all 12 seasons of “Two and a Half Men,” for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations (in 2005 and 2007) for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. She appeared in a total of 212 episodes from 2003 and 2015.
She talked to the AV Club about her role as Berta in 2014, which had originally been written as an Eastern European woman. Ferrell said she changed the character’s nationality to “trailer park” and though she wasn’t a Grateful Dead fan, she said, “I definitely was an old hippie. I was a political hippie.”
Advertisement
Born in Charleston, W. Va., she graduated from Marshall University, where she made her first onstage performance in a skit comedy. Out of school, Ferrell sought a career in the theater and made her 1973 Off-Broadway debut as a member of theCircle in the Square theatrical company in Wilson’s “Hot L Baltimore.” For her next Off-Broadway role as Gertrude Blum in”The Sea Horse,” she won Drama Desk, Theatre World and Obie Awards as best actress.
Moving into film, she appeared in the adaptation of “Hot L Baltimore” and then as the housekeeper in the 1979 feature film “Heartland,” co-starring Julia Roberts. In 1992, Ferrell received her first Emmy Award nomination for her recurring role as attorney Susan Bloom in “L.A. Law.”
She most recently starred as Shirley in a 2017 episode of Netflix’s sitcom series “The Ranch.” Her other TV credits include “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Teen Angel,” “Matlock” and “B.J. and the Bear” and film credits include “Edward Scissorhands,” “Network,” “Crime and Punishment in Suburbia” and ”True Romance.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Stevie Wonder Releases 2 New Songs, Says He Was 'Blessed' With New Kidney

The piano-playing icon dropped the tracks “ Where Is Our Love Song ” and “ Can ’ t Put It In the Hands of Fate , ” which he also announced would be released through his new label So What the Fuss Music , distributed through Universal Music Group ’ s Republic Records ( Wonder was signed to Motown Records for the majority of his career ) .
The 70-year-old made the announcement during a virtual press conference Tuesday and also gave an update on his health , saying he “ was blessed with a new kidney ” last December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the hospital , the nurses have made sure I ’ ve taken my medicine on time and I ’ m going to do it for as long as I have to , even if it is the rest of my life .
I feel great .
My voice feels great , ” he said .
“ I feel like I ’ m about 40 right now and I just thank everyone for the prayers and the love.
” “ And for all of the people that have been listening to these rumors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling some kind of way , I ’ ll let you know , ” he continued .
“ We don ’ t want to have misinformation .
I am alive and well.
” Tuesday ’ s announcement — which Wonder said was the first time he released two songs at the same time — coincided with the 36th birthday of his second oldest son , Mumtaz Morris .
Wonder said he started writing “ Where Is Our Love Song ” when he was 18 .
“ Then came this year , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all the hate and all the east versus west , left versus right .
It ’ s just a hard break.
” Rappers Busta Rhymes , Rapsody , Cordae and Chika appear on “ Can ’ t Put It In the Hands of Fate ” and Wonder said he plans on including the songs on a new EP .
He explained that “ Can ’ t Put It In the Hands of Fate ” was a song originally about a relationship , but then he updated the lyrics after “ thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world and thinking about how this is the most crucial time.
” “ Change is right now .
We can ’ t put it into the hands of fate .
Ain ’ t nobody got time to wait , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t put it the hands of fate finding a cure for this dreadful virus .
We got to get on our knees and pray or whatever you do.
” “ I want everyone to be well , ” he continued .
“ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t see your color .
You see color , don ’ t act like you don ’ t see color , you do .
But I don ’ t see your visual color .
But I do feel your soul .
I do feel your spirit .
I see the color of your spirit and soul , and I ’ m seeing too many spirts and souls that are not about the love that we ’ re supposed to have and feel for one another .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
NEW YORK (AP) — Stevie Wonder released two new songs Tuesday reflecting the current times that he hopes inspires change.
The piano-playing icon dropped the tracks “Where Is Our Love Song” and “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate,” which he also announced would be released through his new label So What the Fuss Music, distributed through Universal Music Group’s Republic Records (Wonder was signed to Motown Records for the majority of his career).
Advertisement
The 70-year-old made the announcement during a virtual press conference Tuesday and also gave an update on his health, saying he “was blessed with a new kidney” last December.
“Since I have been released from the hospital, the nurses have made sure I’ve taken my medicine on time and I’m going to do it for as long as I have to, even if it is the rest of my life. I feel great. My voice feels great,” he said. “I feel like I’m about 40 right now and I just thank everyone for the prayers and the love.”
“And for all of the people that have been listening to these rumors, listen, if I’m feeling some kind of way, I’ll let you know,” he continued. “We don’t want to have misinformation. I am alive and well.”
Tuesday’s announcement — which Wonder said was the first time he released two songs at the same time — coincided with the 36th birthday of his second oldest son, Mumtaz Morris.
Advertisement
Wonder said he started writing “Where Is Our Love Song” when he was 18. “Then came this year,” he said, “with all the confusion and all the hate and all the east versus west, left versus right. It’s just a hard break.”
All proceeds from “Where Is Our Love Song” — which features Grammy-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. — will benefit Feeding America.
Rappers Busta Rhymes, Rapsody, Cordae and Chika appear on “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate” and Wonder said he plans on including the songs on a new EP.
He explained that “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate” was a song originally about a relationship, but then he updated the lyrics after “thinking about where we (are) in the world and thinking about how this is the most crucial time.”
“Change is right now. We can’t put it into the hands of fate. Ain’t nobody got time to wait,” he said. “We can’t put it the hands of fate finding a cure for this dreadful virus. We got to get on our knees and pray or whatever you do.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Chinese Nationalists Mad After Boy Band BTS Praises Korean War Veterans

The singer , who goes by RM , made the remark in a recorded acceptance speech for an award from the Korea Society for promoting U.S.-Korean relations .
“ We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women , ” RM said in the speech , which included no mention of China .
“ After 70 years , the world we are living in is much closer than before .
Boundaries in many aspects are getting more blurred , ” RM said .
“ As members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deeper understanding and solidarity to be happier together.
” Chinese internet users and state media took RM ’ s comments as a slap at China , whose soldiers fought alongside North Korean forces during their failed attempt to annex South Korea in the 1950-53 war .
They accused RM of ignoring the role played by China in the war , which Chinese Communist Party propaganda blames on the United States , instead of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung ’ s attack on South Korea .
“ Before , I thought some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they seem to be covered in excrement , ” said a commenter on the microblog service Sina Weibo .
“ Insulting China is absolutely not allowed.
” “ Many Chinese netizens pointed out that the speech plays up to U.S. netizens , but the country played the role of aggressor in the war , ” said an article in the Global Times newspaper , controlled by the Chinese Communist Party .
Asked about the controversy , a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman , Zhao Lijian , said , “ What I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common pursuit to take history as a mirror , face the future , cherish peace and promote friendship.
” The ruling party uses the entirely state-controlled press to whip up anger against foreign companies , celebrities or governments that take steps Beijing dislikes .
Since the war , Beijing has helped prop up isolated North Korea with gifts of oil and other aid to maintain a buffer between China and U.S.-allied South Korea .
Global brands have tried to distance themselves from politically touchy issues , especially Taiwan , the self-ruled island claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Hong Kong , the scene of pro-democracy protests .
“ BTS fans are from all over the world , so China ’ s bullying will be known to all countries that took part in the Korean War , ” said Johnny Kim , a South Korean engineer .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SEOUL (AP) — Chinese nationalists erupted in anger at South Korean boy band BTS after its leader thanked Korean War veterans for their sacrifices.
The singer, who goes by RM, made the remark in a recorded acceptance speech for an award from the Korea Society for promoting U.S.-Korean relations.
Advertisement
“We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women,” RM said in the speech, which included no mention of China.
“After 70 years, the world we are living in is much closer than before. Boundaries in many aspects are getting more blurred,” RM said. “As members of the global community, we should build a deeper understanding and solidarity to be happier together.”
Chinese internet users and state media took RM’s comments as a slap at China, whose soldiers fought alongside North Korean forces during their failed attempt to annex South Korea in the 1950-53 war. They accused RM of ignoring the role played by China in the war, which Chinese Communist Party propaganda blames on the United States, instead of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung’s attack on South Korea.
“Before, I thought some BTS songs were pretty good. Now, they seem to be covered in excrement,” said a commenter on the microblog service Sina Weibo. “Insulting China is absolutely not allowed.”
Advertisement
An account titled “BTS Insults China” had been viewed more than 4.5 million times, according to Sina Weibo.
“Many Chinese netizens pointed out that the speech plays up to U.S. netizens, but the country played the role of aggressor in the war,” said an article in the Global Times newspaper, controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
The attacks reflect Beijing’s assertiveness abroad and enduring Chinese sensitivity about the Korean Peninsula.
Asked about the controversy, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said, “What I want to say is that it should be our common pursuit to take history as a mirror, face the future, cherish peace and promote friendship.”
The ruling party uses the entirely state-controlled press to whip up anger against foreign companies, celebrities or governments that take steps Beijing dislikes.
Advertisement
Last year, Chinese state TV suspended broadcasts of National Basketball Association games after the general manager of the Houston Rockets expressed support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Broadcasts resumed this week.
In 2017, Beijing destroyed South Korean retailer Lotte’s business in China after the company sold land to South Korea’s government to install an anti-missile system opposed by Chinese leaders.
Since the war, Beijing has helped prop up isolated North Korea with gifts of oil and other aid to maintain a buffer between China and U.S.-allied South Korea.
Online Chinese fan groups demanded an apology from BTS and called for boycotts of an upcoming album and promotional events.
BTS-related products were missing this week from the online stores of Samsung Electronics and sports brand FILA on Chinese e-commerce websites including Alibaba Group’s TMall and JD.com.
Advertisement
Global brands have tried to distance themselves from politically touchy issues, especially Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, and Hong Kong, the scene of pro-democracy protests.
In 2016, Hong Kong singer Denise Ho said cosmetics giant Lancome canceled a concert to distance itself from her pro-democracy activism.
The same year, Taiwan-born Korean pop singer Chou Tzu-yu apologized for shaking a Taiwanese flag on South Korean TV after criticism by China.
BTS has yet to respond, but South Korean fans reacted angrily.
“BTS fans are from all over the world, so China’s bullying will be known to all countries that took part in the Korean War,” said Johnny Kim, a South Korean engineer.
The row comes ahead of Thursday’s stock market debut of BTS’s management company, Big Hit Entertainment.
Advertisement
Hong Kong’s most prominent dissident, Joshua Wong, weighed in, criticizing Beijing for “provoking groundless rage and division.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--I’m A Sex Worker Who Has To Decide Whether To Risk My Life To Pay My Bills During COVID-19

I have the privilege to be able to screen clients , which many more-marginalized sex workers can ’ t do because they can ’ t afford to turn away clients .
Similarly , when COVID-19 hit , a lot of sex workers ( including myself ) stopped seeing clients in person .
Of course , the ability to stop seeing clients ( at least for now ) is a privilege that many sex workers don ’ t have ― I was only able to qualify for unemployment based on my straight-world freelance writing work .
Since then , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors have begun encouraging businesses to reopen in states even as the rates of COVID-19 are increasing .
Now , as I ’ m watching the COVID-19 numbers tick up on the news , I am terrified I might have to go back to work .
I am also thinking about all the sex workers who have had to continue working ― and no doubt make up a portion of the over 200,000 Americans who died from COVID-19 ― because a lot of us don ’ t have the ability to take time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Of course , the world will never know how many sex workers die of COVID-19 because we can ’ t be open about our jobs , and even when we are , our families may decide to cover up what we do . )
The decision of when to go back to work ― if you even have the privilege to be able to make that decision ― is not unique to sex workers .
However , sex workers are facing extreme and unique circumstances when it comes to deciding to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers are disproportionately likely to be disabled , which means many of us are at higher risk of complications ( or death ) due to the coronavirus .
I started sex work after becoming too sick to work other jobs .
Luckily , I really like it !
What kept me from doing it sooner was the danger and the lifelong stigma .
Then I got sicker , and eventually the danger of sex work was less than the danger of not having the money for my medications , so I started seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nature of our jobs , the risk of contracting COVID-19 from clients is high .
There ’ s just no way to do what we do without a decent amount of contact ( though sex workers are geniuses and people are trying ) .
But the defining feature of full-service sex work is the , uhhh , closeness of the contact .
First , while all of these are under the umbrella of “ sex work , ” the business models are completely different .
And yes , sex workers all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model involves accountants and LLCs , or certain areas you frequent so clients know where to find you .
Online work also pays much less than full-service work , especially when you are first starting out online .
There are a ton of variables .
Of course , those who already have a following ( and there are full-service sex workers who do ) have the easiest time making the change financially .
However , a lot of people have to work a full 40 hours to make what they usually make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though OnlyFans is having a cultural moment , it still takes a decent chunk of the money you do make , and with the market so saturated , it ’ s much harder to make money unless you already are well-known in some way .
For me , all of those things are an issue , but primarily the fact that with my kids being home all the time , I ’ m not able to create the content needed for a consistently active online presence .
My illnesses also make it impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace needed to make enough money on OnlyFans .
So here I am , trying to figure out whether it is safe to start seeing clients again .
On the one hand , I am in a state with low infection rates .
On the other , my immune suppressants put me at such high risk that I need to be careful .
Today , I have my immediate needs met .
But there are bills coming due that I don ’ t know how we ’ re going to pay .
Almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients , and I have started to set up socially distant outdoor dinner dates , but haven ’ t gone on any yet as I write this .
( Yes , people do pay me sometimes to just have dinner ― I ’ m incredibly charming !
Though I will be honest : It ’ s not what the majority of clients are looking for . )
I may start requiring recent COVID-19 tests , but even this plan has a lot of problems because of the wait to get results and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test and when we meet up .
As I write this , I don ’ t know how else I will be able to make ends meet .
So I will likely do what sex workers do every day : risk my life to pay my bills .
It ’ s not all doom and gloom .
There is no one better to go through an apocalypse with than sex workers .
The pandemic has once again shown that sex workers are the backbone of the left as many of us are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts for ourselves and our communities .
Just because the system sees us as disposable doesn ’ t mean that we are .
Sex workers are super-survivors and I do have faith that whatever happens , and whatever incalculable losses we endure , sex workers will get through it .

Oleg Elkov via Getty Images
A lot of the job in full-service sex work is just trying not to die — and the coronavirus pandemic is making that even more difficult.
Sex work can be extremely dangerous. One study estimated that street-based full-service sex workers are 60 to 100 times more likely to be murdered than women who don’t do sex work. However, it’s impossible to get specific numbers because the murders of sex workers often go unreported and uninvestigated.
Advertisement
The death of a sex worker, especially a trans woman of color, is a common occurrence that’s met with little outrage. The police are yet another source of violence for sex workers.
So all we have are ourselves and one another. And virtually all full-service sex workers take some kind of precaution against getting murdered, whether it’s carrying a weapon or pepper spray, requiring references, sharing blacklists (including word of mouth) or any number of other methods.
I have the privilege to be able to screen clients, which many more-marginalized sex workers can’t do because they can’t afford to turn away clients. Similarly, when COVID-19 hit, a lot of sex workers (including myself) stopped seeing clients in person. Of course, the ability to stop seeing clients (at least for now) is a privilege that many sex workers don’t have ― I was only able to qualify for unemployment based on my straight-world freelance writing work.
Since then, the U.S. government has offered minimal support, and governors have begun encouraging businesses to reopen in states even as the rates of COVID-19 are increasing. Now, as I’m watching the COVID-19 numbers tick up on the news, I am terrified I might have to go back to work.
Advertisement
I am also thinking about all the sex workers who have had to continue working ― and no doubt make up a portion of the over 200,000 Americans who died from COVID-19 ― because a lot of us don’t have the ability to take time off before our money runs out. (Of course, the world will never know how many sex workers die of COVID-19 because we can’t be open about our jobs, and even when we are, our families may decide to cover up what we do.)
The decision of when to go back to work ― if you even have the privilege to be able to make that decision ― is not unique to sex workers. However, sex workers are facing extreme and unique circumstances when it comes to deciding to work during the pandemic.
First, COVID-19 disproportionately affects the most marginalized people, so it will also disproportionately affect sex workers as a whole, as we tend to be more marginalized.
Specifically, sex workers are disproportionately likely to be disabled, which means many of us are at higher risk of complications (or death) due to the coronavirus. I started sex work after becoming too sick to work other jobs. Luckily, I really like it! What kept me from doing it sooner was the danger and the lifelong stigma. Then I got sicker, and eventually the danger of sex work was less than the danger of not having the money for my medications, so I started seeing clients.
Another problem is that because of the nature of our jobs, the risk of contracting COVID-19 from clients is high. There’s just no way to do what we do without a decent amount of contact (though sex workers are geniuses and people are trying). But the defining feature of full-service sex work is the, uhhh, closeness of the contact.
Advertisement
A lot of people assume that full-service sex workers can just move their business online into OnlyFans pages or camming or other virtual services to solve that problem. There are many reasons this isn’t a solution.
First, while all of these are under the umbrella of “sex work,” the business models are completely different. And yes, sex workers all have some kind of business model whether the model involves accountants and LLCs, or certain areas you frequent so clients know where to find you.
Another problem with transitioning to online work is it’s not possible for the tons of us who now suddenly have kids at home because schools and day cares are closed or have remote learning.
Online work also pays much less than full-service work, especially when you are first starting out online. There are a ton of variables. Of course, those who already have a following (and there are full-service sex workers who do) have the easiest time making the change financially.
However, a lot of people have to work a full 40 hours to make what they usually make in just one hour offline. Even though OnlyFans is having a cultural moment, it still takes a decent chunk of the money you do make, and with the market so saturated, it’s much harder to make money unless you already are well-known in some way.
Advertisement
For me, all of those things are an issue, but primarily the fact that with my kids being home all the time, I’m not able to create the content needed for a consistently active online presence. My illnesses also make it impossible for me to make content at the pace needed to make enough money on OnlyFans.
So here I am, trying to figure out whether it is safe to start seeing clients again. On the one hand, I am in a state with low infection rates. On the other, my immune suppressants put me at such high risk that I need to be careful. Today, I have my immediate needs met. But there are bills coming due that I don’t know how we’re going to pay.
Almost all my local friends are back seeing clients, and I have started to set up socially distant outdoor dinner dates, but haven’t gone on any yet as I write this. (Yes, people do pay me sometimes to just have dinner ― I’m incredibly charming! Though I will be honest: It’s not what the majority of clients are looking for.)
I may start requiring recent COVID-19 tests, but even this plan has a lot of problems because of the wait to get results and the period of time between when someone takes a test and when we meet up. As I write this, I don’t know how else I will be able to make ends meet. So I will likely do what sex workers do every day: risk my life to pay my bills.
It’s not all doom and gloom. There is no one better to go through an apocalypse with than sex workers. The pandemic has once again shown that sex workers are the backbone of the left as many of us are organizing (and funding) mutual aid efforts for ourselves and our communities. Just because the system sees us as disposable doesn’t mean that we are. Sex workers are super-survivors and I do have faith that whatever happens, and whatever incalculable losses we endure, sex workers will get through it.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Kristen Bell's Update On Dax Shepard's Relapse Packs A Lot Of Love On 'Ellen'

When Ellen DeGeneres brought up Dax Shepard ’ s confession that he had relapsed with painkillers , his wife Kristen @ @ @ @ @ Whoopsies !
” ( See the interview below . )
But “ The Good Place @ @ @ @ @ in updating Shepard ’ s recovery after he broke 16 years of sobriety .

When Ellen DeGeneres brought up Dax Shepard’s confession that he had relapsed with painkillers, his wife Kristen Bell replied glibly, “Whoopsies!” (See the interview below.)
But “The Good Place” actor was all heart in updating Shepard’s recovery after he broke 16 years of sobriety.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--GOP Hoping Empty Health Care Rhetoric Can Save Their Senate Majority

Both parties recognize the stakes , which helps explain why the James-Peters race is on track to be the most expensive in the state ’ s history .
Much of that has gone toward television advertisements that focus on health care ― including one from Peters that features a 2017 video of James bemoaning the GOP ’ s failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act .
“ Our failure to repeal and replace Obamacare is the surest sign that we need someone who will go and work their tail off to remove this monstrosity , ” James says in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seeking the GOP nomination to run against Michigan ’ s other Democratic senator , Debbie Stabenow .
It was a key issue in his campaign ; in an October 2018 debate , James said “ we took a system that was broken and made it worse.
” But , by that point , the politics of health care in Michigan was shifting in the same way it was shifting nationwide .
Voters started to appreciate what the Affordable Care Act , for all of its flaws , had achieved .
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take those things away .
If the court decides to throw out the Affordable Care Act , even in part , devising a replacement will fall to whoever is in the White House and whoever is running Congress .
In other words , a lot would depend on who wins in November and what they are prepared to do .
So far , the campaign is playing out a lot like it did in 2018 , with Republicans insisting , again , that they would never take away protections for people with preexisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members who fought medical problems , just to prove how serious they are .
And in that WZZM interview , James dodged questions for a full 10 minutes while correspondent Nick LaFave repeatedly ( and admirably ) tried to get him to offer something , anything , resembling a specific proposal .
The most James would say is that he thought more transparency about hospital prices would bring down prices through competition and that “ I believe the decision-making should go to the people , not the federal government .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
John James, a Michigan Republican running for the U.S. Senate, represents one of the GOP's best chances to take a seat away from the Democrats.
But James has also run into a familiar political problem for Republicans. Back in 2017, he called for repealing the Affordable Care Act, describing the law as a “monstrosity.” Now he is under attack for trying to take away the law’s protections for people with preexisting conditions.
Advertisement
In response, James has adopted a strategy Republicans around the country have used. In a widely circulating television advertisement and in interviews with local journalists, James has cited a family member’s medical problems ― specifically, his son’s asthma ― as proof that he would always look out for people with preexisting conditions.
“My son has a preexisting condition ... I will always fight to protect your health care,” James told WXYZ-TV, the ABC affiliate in Detroit.
Republican John James, who is running for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, once called the Affordable Care Act a "monstrosity." He has not offered details on how he would replace it. Rebecca Cook/Reuters
And in an interview with WZZM-TV, the ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids, James said, “I understand firsthand how important it is to protect our family members and people with preexisting conditions. … I will not support any plan that pulls the rug out from under people.”
Advertisement
That vow, not to support a plan that “pulls the rug out from under people,” may sound familiar. It’s the same promise Republicans kept making in 2017 after Donald Trump became president and they were trying to write repeal legislation.
But if you remember the promise, you may also remember how empty it was.
The bills Republicans produced that year would have weakened protections for people with preexisting conditions while leaving many millions without insurance, as independent analysts, including the Congressional Budget Office, confirmed.
The reality is that Republicans have never produced alternatives to “Obamacare” that live up to their lofty rhetoric. They didn’t in 2017 and they aren’t now.
Obamacare’s Changing Politics
James, a 39-year-old West Point graduate who flew Apache helicopters in Iraq, is a rare bright spot in what’s been a dismal campaign season for the Republican Party nationally. Trump’s chances of winning reelection seem lower every day, and the GOP’s 53-47 Senate majority is in jeopardy, with incumbents from even strongly conservative states, including Georgia and South Carolina, suddenly looking vulnerable.
The incumbent in Michigan isn’t a Republican, however. It’s Democrat Gary Peters, a well-liked but not especially well-known former investment adviser who has spent nearly 30 years in politics ― as a city councilor, state senator, lottery commissioner and then a U.S. House member before succeeding Democratic Sen. Carl Levin in 2015.
Advertisement
“You can’t just click your heels together three times and make it come true.” - Larry Levitt, Kaiser Family Foundation
James, who has an MBA from the University of Michigan and works in his family’s supply chain business, has played up his credentials as both a businessman and a fresh-faced, energetic outsider. It may be working.
A New York Times/Siena poll out Monday showed him trailing Peters by just 1 percentage point, 42% to 43%. It’s only the latest poll to suggest the race is close, even as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has maintained a relatively comfortable lead in Michigan.
Both parties recognize the stakes, which helps explain why the James-Peters race is on track to be the most expensive in the state’s history. Much of that has gone toward television advertisements that focus on health care ― including one from Peters that features a 2017 video of James bemoaning the GOP’s failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“Our failure to repeal and replace Obamacare is the surest sign that we need someone who will go and work their tail off to remove this monstrosity,” James says in the clip, which he recorded while he was seeking the GOP nomination to run against Michigan’s other Democratic senator, Debbie Stabenow. It was a key issue in his campaign; in an October 2018 debate, James said “we took a system that was broken and made it worse.”
Advertisement
But, by that point, the politics of health care in Michigan was shifting in the same way it was shifting nationwide. Voters started to appreciate what the Affordable Care Act, for all of its flaws, had achieved. And they got angry at Republicans for trying to take those things away.
James tried to deflect the anger by insisting that, notwithstanding his support of repeal, he was committed to preserving protections for people with preexisting conditions. He lost anyway.
And although it’s impossible to know what role health care played in that race, analysts agree it was a big reason why Republicans nationally suffered such big losses, enough to cost them control of the House of Representatives.
The GOP’s Empty Promises On Health Care
Now its control of the Senate in doubt, and the Affordable Care Act is a top issue again, thanks in part to a new lawsuit challenging its constitutionality that the Supreme Court is expected to hear in November ― quite possibly, with Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett in the seat that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once occupied.
If the court decides to throw out the Affordable Care Act, even in part, devising a replacement will fall to whoever is in the White House and whoever is running Congress. In other words, a lot would depend on who wins in November and what they are prepared to do.
Advertisement
So far, the campaign is playing out a lot like it did in 2018, with Republicans insisting, again, that they would never take away protections for people with preexisting conditions. Several are running ads featuring family members who fought medical problems, just to prove how serious they are.
In Nebraska, an ad for Rep. Don Bacon ― who famously declared himself a “hell yes” on repeal legislation in 2017 ― talks about a sister who died of cancer and proclaims that he is “committed to affordable health care and protecting preexisting conditions.”
In Colorado, an ad for Sen. Cory Gardner, who also supported repeal legislation, showcases his mother, a cancer survivor. Then he promises to protect people with preexisting conditions “no matter what happens to Obamacare.”
Gardner has justified that claim by pointing to the “Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act,” a bill he sponsored. But the entire legislation is barely 100 words long and is basically just a slogan, as multiple analysts pointed out.
“It’s an adorable little bill but does not address any of the main issues,” Linda Blumberg, a fellow at the Urban Institute, told Kaiser Health News. “You need a package of policies working together in order to create real protections for people to have coverage to meet their health care needs.”
Advertisement
The story with James in Michigan is pretty much the same.
“John has always said that if we repeal the ACA, there must be a replacement in place that protects people with preexisting conditions,” campaign spokesperson Abby Walls told HuffPost.
But when the Detroit Free Press editorial board pushed James for details on how he would do that, he said he’s “not a healthcare expert” and that he’d rely on “experts” to work out a “market-based solution.” The Free Press ultimately endorsed Peters.
And in that WZZM interview, James dodged questions for a full 10 minutes while correspondent Nick LaFave repeatedly (and admirably) tried to get him to offer something, anything, resembling a specific proposal. The most James would say is that he thought more transparency about hospital prices would bring down prices through competition and that “I believe the decision-making should go to the people, not the federal government.”
Making it easier to see hospital prices and giving consumers more choices might or might not improve health care access at the margins, but it’s not a substitute for the structure the Affordable Care Act has put into place.
It’s also not a substitute for the hundreds of billions of dollars that the Affordable Care Act spends every year on private insurance subsidies and expanded Medicaid ― which, in turn, has improved financial security, access to care and health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders.
Advertisement
This is always the problem for Republicans. Making insurance available to everybody typically requires some combination of government spending, taxes and regulations. And these are not things Republicans want to do.
“While it seems that every candidate — including President Trump — is vowing these days to protect people with preexisting conditions, you can’t just click your heels together three times and make it come true,” Larry Levitt, senior vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, wrote recently.
The Affordable Care Act has its shortcomings and tradeoffs. Nobody, not even its staunchest defenders, think it’s the ideal response to the problems of America’s health care system.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--The Film That Exposes Just How Badly The United States Mishandled COVID-19

While much of the United States was doing what it could to avoid COVID-19 , Alex Gibney was busy making a documentary about the government ’ s failure to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
The Oscar-winning filmmaker has in recent years trained his lens on Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes ( “ The Investor : Out for Blood in Silicon Valley ” ) , corporate corruption ( “ Dirty Money ” ) , Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky ( “ Citizen K ” ) , the Church of Scientology ( “ Going Clear ” ) and other contemporary torments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic in real time , directing alongside frequent collaborator Ophelia Harutyunyan and “ The Weekly ” producer Suzanne Hillinger .
The resulting film , “ Totally Under Control , ” is now available via video-on-demand platforms and will be streaming on Hulu starting Oct. 20 .
Above , HuffPost has an exclusive clip that lays out what South Korea did immediately to curb the virus .
In a little over a minute , “ Totally Under Control ” shows what could have been possible had the United States implemented similar protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premiere , we sent Gibney a handful of questions about the documentary .
Here ’ s what he had to say via email .
For a long time , information about COVID-19 , particularly as it related to the United States , seemed to change by the day .
What was your approach in capturing all of the necessary developments as they were unfolding in real time ?
Our approach was to focus on the early days , particularly the first 100 days .
That was the period when things could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the whole outcome of this pandemic in the United States could have changed dramatically .
Our focus was not to follow every event , but to focus on the early days .
This clip shows what South Korea did to combat the spread of coronavirus .
Based on your research , what was the single biggest misstep the United States made in failing to stop the dissemination ?
Less than two weeks before “ Totally Under Control ” was scheduled to come out , President Donald Trump announced that he had contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film so you could include a chapter about how his diagnosis unfolded ?
We considered it and ultimately decided not to .
We added a card to the end that noted it happened the day after we finished the film .
We felt strongly that the diagnosis was a kind of darkly poetic reflection of the themes and issues that we had already uncovered about the early days of the virus and how Trump , despite knowing the dangers of the disease , never properly reckoned with them .
In releasing the film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will render a judgment on Trump and the Trump administration based on its incompetent performance in responding to the pandemic .
An incompetence that ’ s cost the lives of more than 210,000 people .
You ’ ve made movies about Donald Trump , Elizabeth Holmes and the Church of Scientology , among other cultish figures .
Do you think there ’ s something particularly American about our current susceptibility to corrupt leaders and institutions ?
It seems to be a worldwide problem , but I do think that the figure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There seems to be an affection for the huckster and a willingness to be fooled by him , which can have disastrous consequences .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
While much of the United States was doing what it could to avoid COVID-19, Alex Gibney was busy making a documentary about the government’s failure to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker has in recent years trained his lens on Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes (“The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley”), corporate corruption (“Dirty Money”), Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky (“Citizen K”), the Church of Scientology (“Going Clear”) and other contemporary torments. His prolific output prepared him to chronicle the coronavirus pandemic in real time, directing alongside frequent collaborator Ophelia Harutyunyan and “The Weekly” producer Suzanne Hillinger. The resulting film, “Totally Under Control,” is now available via video-on-demand platforms and will be streaming on Hulu starting Oct. 20.
Advertisement
Above, HuffPost has an exclusive clip that lays out what South Korea did immediately to curb the virus. In a little over a minute, “Totally Under Control” shows what could have been possible had the United States implemented similar protocols.
Ahead of the clip’s premiere, we sent Gibney a handful of questions about the documentary. Here’s what he had to say via email.
For a long time, information about COVID-19, particularly as it related to the United States, seemed to change by the day. What was your approach in capturing all of the necessary developments as they were unfolding in real time?
Our approach was to focus on the early days, particularly the first 100 days. That was the period when things could have been different. If we had behaved differently, the whole outcome of this pandemic in the United States could have changed dramatically. Our focus was not to follow every event, but to focus on the early days.
Advertisement
This clip shows what South Korea did to combat the spread of coronavirus. Based on your research, what was the single biggest misstep the United States made in failing to stop the dissemination?
Not moving quickly to put in a place a robust testing and tracing program.
Less than two weeks before “Totally Under Control” was scheduled to come out, President Donald Trump announced that he had contracted COVID. Did you consider delaying the film so you could include a chapter about how his diagnosis unfolded?
We considered it and ultimately decided not to. We added a card to the end that noted it happened the day after we finished the film. We felt strongly that the diagnosis was a kind of darkly poetic reflection of the themes and issues that we had already uncovered about the early days of the virus and how Trump, despite knowing the dangers of the disease, never properly reckoned with them.
In releasing the film now, is it your hope to help sway the November election?
In releasing the film now, it is my hope that people will render a judgment on Trump and the Trump administration based on its incompetent performance in responding to the pandemic. An incompetence that’s cost the lives of more than 210,000 people.
You’ve made movies about Donald Trump, Elizabeth Holmes and the Church of Scientology, among other cultish figures. Do you think there’s something particularly American about our current susceptibility to corrupt leaders and institutions?
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Desperate Trump Resorts To Literal Begging With Latest Racist Dog-Whistle Plea

Polls show President Donald Trump ’ s support in America ’ s suburbs has plunged , especially among women .
So on Tuesday night , he launched a desperate appeal to those voters during a campaign event in Pennsylvania .
“ Suburban women , would you please like me ?
Please .
Please , ” he said .
“ I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ?
” Trump bragged that he made it more difficult to build low-income housing in the suburbs .
“ I ended the regulation that destroyed your neighborhood .
I ended the regulation that brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared Tuesday .
“ And you ’ re going to live the American dream , and that ’ s what you ’ re going to do.
” Critics have decried Trump ’ s constant claims of “ saving ” the suburbs as little more than a dog whistle vow to keep people of color out of those neighborhoods .
“ Oh , my .
I mean , it ’ s not even a dog whistle anymore , ” Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) said on Twitter over the summer when Trump made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now a proud , vocal segregationist.
” Trump on Tuesday also claimed he won 52 % of the women ’ s vote in the 2016 election .
Overall , he won 41 % of the votes cast by women , while 54 % selected his Democratic rival , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Polls show President Donald Trump’s support in America’s suburbs has plunged, especially among women.
So on Tuesday night, he launched a desperate appeal to those voters during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
Advertisement
“Suburban women, would you please like me? Please. Please,” he said. “I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?”
Trump bragged that he made it more difficult to build low-income housing in the suburbs.
“I ended the regulation that destroyed your neighborhood. I ended the regulation that brought crime to the suburbs,” he declared Tuesday. “And you’re going to live the American dream, and that’s what you’re going to do.”
Critics have decried Trump’s constant claims of “saving” the suburbs as little more than a dog whistle vow to keep people of color out of those neighborhoods.
“Oh, my. I mean, it’s not even a dog whistle anymore,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said on Twitter over the summer when Trump made a similar claim. “Our president is now a proud, vocal segregationist.”
Advertisement
Trump on Tuesday also claimed he won 52% of the women’s vote in the 2016 election.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Trump Torched For Mocking Biden, Elderly People With Weird Photoshopped Tweet

President Donald Trump tweeted an image Tuesday of his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , edited onto the body of an elderly person sitting in a wheelchair , endorsing him for “ Resident ” of a retirement home .
The image showed a room full of elderly wheelchair users with Biden ’ s face superimposed on one of them .
Biden is 77 , Trump is 74 .
Despite being only a few years apart , Trump and his campaign have invested big in trying to cast Biden as too old for the job .
Trump has repeatedly called him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s seized on the former vice president ’ s speech issues and gaffes to claim he has dementia .
Trump has been hemorrhaging support from senior voters in the polls , due in part to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic , which carries higher risks for older people .
Trump had a 9-percentage-point advantage with voters 65 and older in the 2016 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton , according to the Pew Research Center , but numerous polls now indicate Biden leads Trump with that group three weeks ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national Fox News survey found Biden had a narrow lead with likely voters 65 and older .
A CNN poll found Biden was up by 21 percentage points , with 60 % for Biden and 39 % for Trump .
HuffPost has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment on Trump ’ s tweet .
At a Florida campaign event on Tuesday , Biden told potential voters at a senior citizen community center that Trump ’ s careless remarks about the coronavirus affecting “ virtually nobody ” show he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , it ’ s simple , not a joke , you ’ re expendable .
You ’ re forgettable .
You ’ re virtually nobody .
That ’ s how he sees seniors .
That ’ s how he sees you , ” Biden said .
The Trump camp has courted seniors with an eight-figure ad campaign in swing states .
Last week , Trump tweeted a rambling video addressed to “ my favorite people in the world , the seniors , ” promising them a free COVID-19 “ cure.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s tweet funny , critics piled on .
Some called it ageist , and others said it was a strange move for a candidate to further alienate a voting demographic whose support he has been losing .
Meanwhile , he ’ s literally three years older than you are and so far I ’ ve not seen you doing any kind of exercise .
He can even speak while riding a bike *and* wearing a mask .
pic.twitter.com/FG3ZePqUMX — Tom Coates ( @ tomcoates ) October 14 , 2020 There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
But the projector is clearly in whatever serves as the basement .
Oh , and way to alienate a dedicated voting block .
https : //t.co/z9tU3WgvZs — Dan Rather ( @ DanRather ) October 14 , 2020 We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump tweeted an image Tuesday of his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, edited onto the body of an elderly person sitting in a wheelchair, endorsing him for “Resident” of a retirement home.
The image showed a room full of elderly wheelchair users with Biden’s face superimposed on one of them. Biden is 77, Trump is 74.
Advertisement
Despite being only a few years apart, Trump and his campaign have invested big in trying to cast Biden as too old for the job. Trump has repeatedly called him “sleepy” and “stupid.” He’s seized on the former vice president’s speech issues and gaffes to claim he has dementia.
Trump has been hemorrhaging support from senior voters in the polls, due in part to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which carries higher risks for older people. Trump had a 9-percentage-point advantage with voters 65 and older in the 2016 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton, according to the Pew Research Center, but numerous polls now indicate Biden leads Trump with that group three weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
A recent national Fox News survey found Biden had a narrow lead with likely voters 65 and older. A CNN poll found Biden was up by 21 percentage points, with 60% for Biden and 39% for Trump.
Advertisement
HuffPost has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment on Trump’s tweet.
At a Florida campaign event on Tuesday, Biden told potential voters at a senior citizen community center that Trump’s careless remarks about the coronavirus affecting “virtually nobody” show he doesn’t care about them.
“To Donald Trump, it’s simple, not a joke, you’re expendable. You’re forgettable. You’re virtually nobody. That’s how he sees seniors. That’s how he sees you,” Biden said.
The Trump camp has courted seniors with an eight-figure ad campaign in swing states. Last week, Trump tweeted a rambling video addressed to “my favorite people in the world, the seniors,” promising them a free COVID-19 “cure.”
While some Trump supporters appeared to find the president’s tweet funny, critics piled on. Some called it ageist, and others said it was a strange move for a candidate to further alienate a voting demographic whose support he has been losing.
Sick burn, sir! Let those old farts know that their time is up. — Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 14, 2020
Advertisement
Probably wise to write off the senior vote at this point. You were already losing them badly. — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) October 14, 2020
Meanwhile, he’s literally three years older than you are and so far I’ve not seen you doing any kind of exercise. He can even speak while riding a bike *and* wearing a mask. pic.twitter.com/FG3ZePqUMX — Tom Coates (@tomcoates) October 14, 2020
There is no bottom to how low he will go. But the projector is clearly in whatever serves as the basement. Oh, and way to alienate a dedicated voting block. https://t.co/z9tU3WgvZs — Dan Rather (@DanRather) October 14, 2020
"With Donald Trump... you're expendable," Biden told a group of seniors today.
"You're forgettable, you're virtually nobody. That's how he sees seniors. That's how he sees you." https://t.co/qVoEMo4HmV — Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) October 14, 2020
My 91-year-old grandfather, who has Alzheimer’s, lives in a long term care facility. I can’t see him in person because of COVID-19.
This is genuinely sickening. Our elders deserve better. pic.twitter.com/2eaqfEL8hU — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) October 14, 2020
Advertisement
Trump 2020: Nursing Home Residents Are Disgusting Jokes — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 14, 2020
When you're badly underperforming with seniors and decided to attack Biden by... mocking seniors. pic.twitter.com/mMyx9uTQRw — Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) October 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Trump Pleads With Women: 'Please Like Me.' Women Fire Back: 'No Way.'

President Donald Trump on Tuesday begged for suburban women ’ s support during a campaign event in Pennsylvania .
“ Suburban women , would you please like me ?
Please .
Please , ” he said .
“ I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ?
” Polls show Trump ’ s numbers plunging in the suburbs , especially among women .
That ’ s prompted him to repeatedly claim he “ saved ” the suburbs by scrapping rules that made it easier to build low-income housing .
Critics call the comments a racist dog whistle ― a not-so-subtle vow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suburbs .
Women ― suburban and otherwise ― were quick to fire back at Trump on Twitter : 🙋♀Suburban woman , here .
NO , I do not “ like ” you .
I despise your corrupt , traitorous self.
# VoteHimOut # VOTE https : //t.co/ylbrA0NlEn — Dena Grayson , MD , PhD ( @ DrDenaGrayson ) October 14 , 2020 maybe `` suburban women '' do n't like him because their kids are out of food , out of school , and increasingly off of health insurance ?
https : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't help either https : //t.co/XG2lo4SBly — Catherine Rampell ( @ crampell ) October 14 , 2020 The guy that has a one night stand then thinks you owe him something .
https : //t.co/ptTVxqwKrt — Lea Black ( @ LeaBlackMiami ) October 14 , 2020 Trump still does n't know who lives in the suburbs .
He thinks it 's still June Cleaver white and all wealthy .
Read a census , dude .
https : //t.co/MH1QWL8x6A — Victoria Brownworth # VOTE ( @ VABVOX ) October 14 , 2020 I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who voted for Trump in 2016 .
Not a single one was planning to vote for him again .
https : //t.co/hbgQA4OuXX — Sarah Longwell ( @ SarahLongwell25 ) October 14 , 2020 “ Suburban women , will you please like me ?
I saved your damn neighborhood . ''
From what ... ?
pic.twitter.com/wc6FfDWb74 — Shannon Watts ( @ shannonrwatts ) October 14 , 2020 Fuck no .
@ realDonaldTrump this Suburban Woman/Housewife does not like you !
Never has never will !
# VoteHimOut2020 # suburbanhousewifeBidenHarris https : //t.co/yxPsLcb5mC — mommysquared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 This can ’ t be real .
And yet I know it is .
https : //t.co/B3pPrNPYpT — S.E .
Cupp ( @ secupp ) October 14 , 2020 We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump on Tuesday begged for suburban women’s support during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
“Suburban women, would you please like me? Please. Please,” he said. “I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?”
Advertisement
Polls show Trump’s numbers plunging in the suburbs, especially among women. That’s prompted him to repeatedly claim he “saved” the suburbs by scrapping rules that made it easier to build low-income housing. Critics call the comments a racist dog whistle ― a not-so-subtle vow to keep people of color out of the suburbs.
Women ― suburban and otherwise ― were quick to fire back at Trump on Twitter:
Issa no for me, playa. https://t.co/3jF7g51fMK — yvette nicole brown (@YNB) October 14, 2020
Advertisement
maybe "suburban women" don't like him because their kids are out of food, out of school, and increasingly off of health insurance? https://t.co/YywxCZs50u
the kids in cages thing probably didn't help either https://t.co/XG2lo4SBly — Catherine Rampell (@crampell) October 14, 2020
what a fucking condescending sexist asshole. https://t.co/v3KqulCYgj — Person Woman Man Camera TV (@ClaraJeffery) October 14, 2020
The guy that has a one night stand then thinks you owe him something. https://t.co/ptTVxqwKrt — Lea Black (@LeaBlackMiami) October 14, 2020
This is just pitiful. pic.twitter.com/ib9wPwDfxn — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) October 14, 2020
Trump still doesn't know who lives in the suburbs. He thinks it's still June Cleaver white and all wealthy. Read a census, dude. https://t.co/MH1QWL8x6A — Victoria Brownworth #VOTE (@VABVOX) October 14, 2020
Advertisement
I did a focus group tonight with women who voted for Trump in 2016. Not a single one was planning to vote for him again. https://t.co/hbgQA4OuXX — Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) October 14, 2020
“Suburban women, will you please like me? I saved your damn neighborhood."
From what...?
pic.twitter.com/wc6FfDWb74 — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 14, 2020
This can’t be real. And yet I know it is. https://t.co/B3pPrNPYpT — S.E. Cupp (@secupp) October 14, 2020
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Eric Trump Tried To Troll Joe Biden With Rally Photos. It Did Not Go Well.

Eric Trump , the touter of an imaginary coronavirus vaccine , earned yet another roasting on Twitter Tuesday as people pointed out a major flaw with his latest attack on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Donald Trump ’ s son was mocked after he shared two photographs ― one showing hundreds of people crowding a Trump campaign rally , the other of Biden speaking to a socially distanced drive-in rally in Ohio on Monday .
Twitter users noted a big problem with Eric Trump ’ s argument against polls showing a sizeable Biden lead in the 2020 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his event because of the coronavirus pandemic , and the president and his rally fans ― standing side by side without face masks ― were anything but .
“ You ’ re comparing the super spreader moronic events that you guys hold to this safe socially distance drive in rallies , ” responded one critic .
Another referenced the president ’ s coronavirus illness : “ One is responsible and the other is Covid infected Super Spreader .
I ’ ll go with the responsible adult , not the narcissist.
” Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that hospitalized him for three days and has resumed campaigning ― without following coronavirus precautions .
Or Biden has a smarter campaign and supporters who believe in science .
My whole family is voting Biden and we ’ d never go to a rally .
Democracy doesn ’ t need to look like a frat party to work .
— Zsenike 💛 👩🏻🏫 🇺🇸🗽 ( @ Yaragreyjoyfan ) October 13 , 2020 Joe chooses not to kill people .
I like presidents who do n't kill people just so their fragile egos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minerva ( @ casual_minerva ) October 13 , 2020 You ’ re comparing the super spreader moronic events that you guys hold to his safe socially distanced drive in rallies .
Literally no comparison except that I ’ m voting for the one that wants to keep me safe 🙄 — Jessica Miller ( @ Jx3MAMA85 ) October 13 , 2020 One is responsible and the other is a Covid infected Super Spreader .
I ’ ll go with the responsible adult , not the narcissist — KL Horn 🏴☠ ( @ KalayneBuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We just aren ’ t completely idiotic during a pandemic .
You know what parades I have been enjoying very much .
The voting parades we have been seeing .
Good luck Eric .
Prison is in your 2021 timeline — Matthew Paul Frasca ( @ MFrasca79 ) October 13 , 2020 We 'll see ...
Speaking of wrong -- do you think exposing crowds of your supporters to possible infection a few weeks before the election is a good strategy ?
Just curious — Adam `` Tex '' Davis ( @ AdamTexDavis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By election day a good number of people in the bottom picture will be too sick to get out and vote .
— Paul 👻 ( @ pablo_honey1 ) October 13 , 2020 Keep telling yourself that .
There are quite a few of us that don ’ t feel the need to go to obnoxious rallies .
We don ’ t need a reality tv president .
And we ’ re ok with Joe being careful & respecting the sanctity of health & life .
So ... — 🎃🅿ℹ🅿🎃 ( @ apipkin11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , on Tuesday continued to stump for his father at events in Detroit and Minnesota .
The president ’ s son shared pictures from an indoor rally on Twitter .
Many attendees were not wearing masks .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Eric Trump, the touter of an imaginary coronavirus vaccine, earned yet another roasting on Twitter Tuesday as people pointed out a major flaw with his latest attack on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Donald Trump’s son was mocked after he shared two photographs ― one showing hundreds of people crowding a Trump campaign rally, the other of Biden speaking to a socially distanced drive-in rally in Ohio on Monday.
Advertisement
“The polls are wrong…,” Eric Trump captioned the images.
The polls are wrong... pic.twitter.com/p6AT3YW2Wt — Eric Trump (@EricTrump) October 13, 2020
Twitter users noted a big problem with Eric Trump’s argument against polls showing a sizeable Biden lead in the 2020 election.
Namely, that Biden was being responsible at his event because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the president and his rally fans ― standing side by side without face masks ― were anything but.
“You’re comparing the super spreader moronic events that you guys hold to this safe socially distance drive in rallies,” responded one critic.
Advertisement
Another referenced the president’s coronavirus illness: “One is responsible and the other is Covid infected Super Spreader. I’ll go with the responsible adult, not the narcissist.”
Donald Trump has declared himself free of the virus that hospitalized him for three days and has resumed campaigning ― without following coronavirus precautions.
Or Biden has a smarter campaign and supporters who believe in science. My whole family is voting Biden and we’d never go to a rally. Democracy doesn’t need to look like a frat party to work. — Zsenike 💛 👩🏻🏫 🇺🇸🗽 (@Yaragreyjoyfan) October 13, 2020
Joe chooses not to kill people. I like presidents who don't kill people just so their fragile egos get stroked. — A Pidgin Called Minerva (@casual_minerva) October 13, 2020
You’re comparing the super spreader moronic events that you guys hold to his safe socially distanced drive in rallies. Literally no comparison except that I’m voting for the one that wants to keep me safe 🙄 — Jessica Miller (@Jx3MAMA85) October 13, 2020
Advertisement
One is responsible and the other is a Covid infected Super Spreader. I’ll go with the responsible adult, not the narcissist — KL Horn 🏴☠ (@KalayneBuck) October 13, 2020
Sure. We just aren’t completely idiotic during a pandemic. You know what parades I have been enjoying very much. The voting parades we have been seeing. Good luck Eric. Prison is in your 2021 timeline — Matthew Paul Frasca (@MFrasca79) October 13, 2020
We'll see...
Speaking of wrong -- do you think exposing crowds of your supporters to possible infection a few weeks before the election is a good strategy?
Just curious — Adam "Tex" Davis (@AdamTexDavis) October 13, 2020
Yeah. By election day a good number of people in the bottom picture will be too sick to get out and vote. — Paul 👻 (@pablo_honey1) October 13, 2020
Keep telling yourself that. There are quite a few of us that don’t feel the need to go to obnoxious rallies. We don’t need a reality tv president. And we’re ok with Joe being careful & respecting the sanctity of health & life. So... — 🎃🅿ℹ🅿🎃 (@apipkin11) October 13, 2020
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Powerful New Video From Bruce Springsteen And Don Winslow Hits Trump In Key State

Set to Springsteen ’ s “ Streets of Philadelphia , ” Winslow ’ s latest effort focuses on voters in Pennsylvania , a key swing state Trump won in 2016 but where polls show him trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
“ This 2 minute video set to @ springsteen ’ s extraordinary song is the story of HOW Trump devastated Pennsylvania , ” Winslow wrote on Twitter .
The footage shows farmers and steelworkers wrecked by Trump ’ s trade wars and tariffs , as well as the impact of the opioid crisis and the coronavirus pandemic .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed in Trump , only to be hurt by his presidency .
“ I made this for Pennsylvania but it could be so many other states that have also been DEVASTATED by Donald Trump , ” Winslow wrote .
The author of multiple New York Times bestselling novels has created a series of stinging videos to attack the Trump administration .
This effort with Springsteen , produced by “ Comey Rule ” executive producer Shane Salerno , approached 5 million views after less than a day online .
Thank you @ donwinslow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our vote has never been more important .
Vote @ JoeBiden @ KamalaHarris as if your life depended on it .
It does .
https : //t.co/rICu3tVSNG — Nils Lofgren ( @ nilslofgren ) October 13 , 2020 Trump lied .
Farmers have been killed by his trade wars .
The steel industry has been killed by his tariffs .
Trump lied .
And Americans died from this virus .
Powerful video : https : //t.co/ASwnx8t9Kb — Joe Walsh ( @ WalshFreedom ) October 13 , 2020 We want to know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Bestselling author Don Winslow recruited rock legend Bruce Springsteen for his new video attacking President Donald Trump.
Set to Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” Winslow’s latest effort focuses on voters in Pennsylvania, a key swing state Trump won in 2016 but where polls show him trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Advertisement
“This 2 minute video set to @springsteen’s extraordinary song is the story of HOW Trump devastated Pennsylvania,” Winslow wrote on Twitter.
The footage shows farmers and steelworkers wrecked by Trump’s trade wars and tariffs, as well as the impact of the opioid crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. It also shines a light on voters who believed in Trump, only to be hurt by his presidency.
“I made this for Pennsylvania but it could be so many other states that have also been DEVASTATED by Donald Trump,” Winslow wrote.
Advertisement
The author of multiple New York Times bestselling novels has created a series of stinging videos to attack the Trump administration. This effort with Springsteen, produced by “Comey Rule” executive producer Shane Salerno, approached 5 million views after less than a day online.
It also drew widespread praise on Twitter:
Okay when the reunion clip popped up I lost it. This is a fantastic ad https://t.co/s2iJk3n0Zb — Jason Johnson (@DrJasonJohnson) October 13, 2020
Thank you @donwinslow and @Springsteen Power, truth, art. Our vote has never been more important. Vote @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris as if your life depended on it. It does. https://t.co/rICu3tVSNG — Nils Lofgren (@nilslofgren) October 13, 2020
Trump lied. Farmers have been killed by his trade wars. The steel industry has been killed by his tariffs. Trump lied. And Americans died from this virus.
Powerful video: https://t.co/ASwnx8t9Kb — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 13, 2020
Advertisement
When it’s so good it has to be seen. https://t.co/PqfeQxJXhM — Titus (@TitusNation) October 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-13--Trump’s Probe Into ‘Unmasking’ Conspiracy Ends With No Wrongdoing Found: Report

A federal investigation meant to target Obama administration officials for “ unmasking ” the names of individuals in classified intelligence reports ended recently without finding any wrongdoing that the Trump administration could use as political ammunition , The Washington Post reported Tuesday .
Attorney General William Barr appointed Texas U.S. Attorney John Bash in May to look into the unmasking requests from late 2016 and early 2017 , which involved intercepted conversations between Michael Flynn — President Donald Trump ’ s former national security adviser — and Russia ’ s ambassador to the U.S. during the 2016 election .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents is a common , legal practice that allows government officials with proper security clearance to better understand what they ’ re reading , the Post noted .
During the Flynn unmasking , the list of Obama officials involved included Vice President Joe Biden , FBI Director James Comey and director of national intelligence James Clapper .
“ No one has ever been criminally prosecuted for unmasking , ” Ned Price , a former CIA analyst who worked in the Obama administration , told Reuters at the time of Barr ’ s announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing criminal charges against an intelligence analyst for merely doing his job.
” The Post , citing anonymous sources familiar with Bash ’ s investigation , said his findings also focused on whether Obama-era officials provided information from the documents to reporters .
But the investigation didn ’ t find the type of smoking gun the Trump administration could leverage into political points , the sources said .
The Department of Justice has so far declined to release the findings of the investigation .
Trump has been under scrutiny lately over his efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political opponents in the waning days of his reelection campaign .
He has said this month that he is “ very disappointed ” in Barr and called for the quick release of a probe into the Obama administration ’ s efforts to investigate any possible collusion between Russia and the Trump administration .
The attorney general has said those results will not be available before the Nov. 3 election .
The president ’ s efforts to influence the Justice Department for political purposes has worried those within the agency and outside legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Fox News in May that the practice of “ unmasking ” wasn ’ t “ inherently ” wrong but said the administration was concerned about how often the requests were made in the Obama White House .
Reuters noted at the time that the Trump administration has requested far more unmaskings than his predecessor .
Bash said last week that he would resign from the Department of Justice and move into the private sector , an abrupt departure that surprised many in the agency .
“ I hope that I have discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety and security of my fellow Texans , ” he said in a statement at the time .
“ I leave the Department with a profound respect for its people , its traditions , and its importance to our constitutional democracy .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A federal investigation meant to target Obama administration officials for “unmasking” the names of individuals in classified intelligence reports ended recently without finding any wrongdoing that the Trump administration could use as political ammunition, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Attorney General William Barr appointed Texas U.S. Attorney John Bash in May to look into the unmasking requests from late 2016 and early 2017, which involved intercepted conversations between Michael Flynn — President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser — and Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. during the 2016 election.
Advertisement
The “unmasking” of names in classified documents is a common, legal practice that allows government officials with proper security clearance to better understand what they’re reading, the Post noted. During the Flynn unmasking, the list of Obama officials involved included Vice President Joe Biden, FBI Director James Comey and director of national intelligence James Clapper.
But Trump has attacked the practice as a conspiracy to undermine his administration.
“No one has ever been criminally prosecuted for unmasking,” Ned Price, a former CIA analyst who worked in the Obama administration, told Reuters at the time of Barr’s announcement. “That would be tantamount to pursuing criminal charges against an intelligence analyst for merely doing his job.”
The Post, citing anonymous sources familiar with Bash’s investigation, said his findings also focused on whether Obama-era officials provided information from the documents to reporters. But the investigation didn’t find the type of smoking gun the Trump administration could leverage into political points, the sources said.
The Department of Justice has so far declined to release the findings of the investigation.
Trump has been under scrutiny lately over his efforts to pressure the Justice Department to investigate his political opponents in the waning days of his reelection campaign. He has said this month that he is “very disappointed” in Barr and called for the quick release of a probe into the Obama administration’s efforts to investigate any possible collusion between Russia and the Trump administration.
Advertisement
The attorney general has said those results will not be available before the Nov. 3 election.
“That’s a disgrace,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh earlier this month. “I think it’s a disgrace. It’s an embarrassment.”
The president’s efforts to influence the Justice Department for political purposes has worried those within the agency and outside legal analysts. Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec told Fox News in May that the practice of “unmasking” wasn’t “inherently” wrong but said the administration was concerned about how often the requests were made in the Obama White House.
Reuters noted at the time that the Trump administration has requested far more unmaskings than his predecessor.
Bash said last week that he would resign from the Department of Justice and move into the private sector, an abrupt departure that surprised many in the agency.
“I hope that I have discharged my authority wisely and have improved the safety and security of my fellow Texans,” he said in a statement at the time. “I leave the Department with a profound respect for its people, its traditions, and its importance to our constitutional democracy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Anderson Cooper Nails The Irony Of Mike Pence's Rally Praise For Medical Workers

CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday highlighted the irony of Vice President Mike Pence ’ s round of applause for health care workers during a campaign rally .
Pence , at an event earlier in the day in Waukesha , Wisconsin , praised doctors , nurses and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic , describing them as “ heroes all.
” Cooper noted the irony of Pence ’ s comments at an event where attendees flouted government guidelines aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 .
Most people in the crowd were not wearing face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WTMY-TV .
It ’ s just one of the multiple campaign events that Pence and President Donald Trump are holding before the 2020 election .
“ I ’ ve got to say , applauding doctors and nurses while simultaneously doing the exact opposite of what doctors and nurses and medical professionals recommend about coronavirus safety guidelines .
That takes ― something , ” said Cooper .
Check out the segment here : '' Applauding doctors and nurses while simultaneously doing the exact opposite of what doctors and nurses…recommend ?
…That takes…something , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lauds medical professionals while speaking to crowds on the campaign trail .
# KeepingThemHonest pic.twitter.com/slMMFXUxo1 — Anderson Cooper 360° ( @ AC360 ) October 14 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday highlighted the irony of Vice President Mike Pence’s round of applause for health care workers during a campaign rally.
Pence, at an event earlier in the day in Waukesha, Wisconsin, praised doctors, nurses and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, describing them as “heroes all.”
Advertisement
Cooper noted the irony of Pence’s comments at an event where attendees flouted government guidelines aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Most people in the crowd were not wearing face masks, according to local news station WTMY-TV. It’s just one of the multiple campaign events that Pence and President Donald Trump are holding before the 2020 election.
“I’ve got to say, applauding doctors and nurses while simultaneously doing the exact opposite of what doctors and nurses and medical professionals recommend about coronavirus safety guidelines. That takes ― something,” said Cooper.
Check out the segment here:
"Applauding doctors and nurses while simultaneously doing the exact opposite of what doctors and nurses…recommend?…That takes…something," says @andersoncooper as Vice President Pence lauds medical professionals while speaking to crowds on the campaign trail. #KeepingThemHonest pic.twitter.com/slMMFXUxo1 — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) October 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Conservative Columnist Sums Up Donald Trump’s Strong Case For Worst President In History

Conservative columnist Max Boot asked a damning question of Donald Trump ’ s supporters as he summed up in his @ @ @ @ @ Post why he believed Trump had made a “ strong case ” for being the @ @ @ @ @ of the United States .
Boot reeled off in his column published Tuesday a long @ @ @ @ @ Trump should take the “ worst president ” title — from his mishandling of the @ @ @ @ @ racism to his inciting of violence , xenophobia and welcoming “ of Russian attacks on @ @ @ @ @ , who quit the GOP following Trump ’ s 2016 victory , acknowledged “ there @ @ @ @ @ Trump has a strong appeal.
” But he also asked of the tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ the president , given his long list of controversies and scandals , “ What are @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Conservative columnist Max Boot asked a damning question of Donald Trump’s supporters as he summed up in his latest editorial for The Washington Post why he believed Trump had made a “strong case” for being the worst president in the history of the United States.
Boot reeled off in his column published Tuesday a long list of reasons for why Trump should take the “worst president” title — from his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic and trafficking in racism to his inciting of violence, xenophobia and welcoming “of Russian attacks on our elections.”
Advertisement
The commentator, who quit the GOP following Trump’s 2016 victory, acknowledged “there are single-issue voters to whom Trump has a strong appeal.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--One Of Donald Trump’s Dirty Tricks Is Laid Bare In Damning New Ad

President Donald Trump ’ s penchant for projection is exposed in a new ad released by the anti-Trump group Really American PAC on Tuesday .
The 79-second spot weaves footage of Trump accusing Democrats of things he has actually done with analysis of the dirty distraction technique from MSNBC anchor Ari Melber and Lance Dodes , a former professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School .
“ This is a projection .
He tells other people that they are what he is , ” Dodes says in the video .
Adds Melber : “ Donald Trump is often guilty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It ’ s unclear if the ad will air on television .
It has proved successful on social media , however , garnering more than 1.2 million views on Twitter by early Wednesday .
The clip also caused the # TrumpProjection hashtag to trend .
NEW VIDEO : Trump says it 's the Democrats who colluded with Russia , are committing crimes , and are trying to rig the election .
The President is a walking , talking projection .
Everything he himself does , he accuses of others .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
pic.twitter.com/bv2tVyiw7o — Really American 🇺🇸 ( @ ReallyAmerican1 ) October 13 , 2020 The jury remains split on the effect that such viral political ads have on swaying swing voters , with critics suggesting they only serve to reinforce filter bubbles .
In its previous videos that have gone viral , Really American has called out Trump for spreading conspiracy theories , and stoking racism and violence with his rhetoric .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s penchant for projection is exposed in a new ad released by the anti-Trump group Really American PAC on Tuesday.
The 79-second spot weaves footage of Trump accusing Democrats of things he has actually done with analysis of the dirty distraction technique from MSNBC anchor Ari Melber and Lance Dodes, a former professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Advertisement
“This is a projection. He tells other people that they are what he is,” Dodes says in the video. Adds Melber: “Donald Trump is often guilty of the very things he accuses of others.”
It’s unclear if the ad will air on television. It has proved successful on social media, however, garnering more than 1.2 million views on Twitter by early Wednesday.
The clip also caused the #TrumpProjection hashtag to trend.
Check out the ad here:
NEW VIDEO: Trump says it's the Democrats who colluded with Russia, are committing crimes, and are trying to rig the election. The President is a walking, talking projection. Everything he himself does, he accuses of others. It's just another #TrumpProjection. Pass it on. pic.twitter.com/bv2tVyiw7o — Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) October 13, 2020
The jury remains split on the effect that such viral political ads have on swaying swing voters, with critics suggesting they only serve to reinforce filter bubbles.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-14--Chris Cuomo Warns Trump Supporters About The Looming ‘Kiss Of Death’

President Donald Trump has worked a new line into his stump speech after recovering from the coronavirus and Chris Cuomo turned it into an ominous reference to the “ Godfather ” films .
For the second straight night , Trump told supporters he ’ d like to go into the crowd and kiss everyone , claiming he ’ s now immune to the COVID-19 infection and can neither catch it nor spread it .
“ I ’ ll kiss every guy , man and woman , man , woman , ” Trump said in Pennsylvania .
“ Look at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll kiss him , not with a lot of enjoyment , but that ’ s OK. ” “ I ’ ll kiss everyone in that audience , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women and them , everybody , I ’ ll just give you a big fat kiss.
” But given that he ’ s talking about a deadly virus , one that has killed more than 215,000 Americans , the CNN host suggested that could be a very different kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to go out into that crowd and give everyone the kiss , remember ‘ The Godfather ?
’ He ’ s giving you a kiss all right , it ’ s il bacio di tutti baci , the kiss of all kisses .
The kiss of death.
” See more of Cuomo ’ s monologue below : Trump-ery drives from French , meaning `` to deceive , '' points out @ chriscuomo .
`` This President 's name could not be a better fit . ''
https : //t.co/F2Kto1O3Wk pic.twitter.com/F1zlgu04W5 — Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump has worked a new line into his stump speech after recovering from the coronavirus and Chris Cuomo turned it into an ominous reference to the “Godfather” films.
For the second straight night, Trump told supporters he’d like to go into the crowd and kiss everyone, claiming he’s now immune to the COVID-19 infection and can neither catch it nor spread it.
Advertisement
“I’ll kiss every guy, man and woman, man, woman,” Trump said in Pennsylvania. “Look at that guy. How handsome he is. I’ll kiss him, not with a lot of enjoyment, but that’s OK.”
The president made a similar claim in Florida on Monday.
“I’ll kiss everyone in that audience,” Trump said. “I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women and them, everybody, I’ll just give you a big fat kiss.”
But given that he’s talking about a deadly virus, one that has killed more than 215,000 Americans, the CNN host suggested that could be a very different kind of kiss:
“When he says he wants to go out into that crowd and give everyone the kiss, remember ‘The Godfather?’ He’s giving you a kiss all right, it’s il bacio di tutti baci, the kiss of all kisses. The kiss of death.”
See more of Cuomo’s monologue below: