thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-22--Louisville Declares State Of Emergency As City Braces For Breonna Taylor Decision

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( Reuters ) - The mayor of Louisville , Kentucky , declared a state of emergency and closed much of downtown to vehicles on Tuesday ahead of an expected decision by a grand jury on whether to indict the police officers involved in killing Breonna Taylor , a Black medical worker , in a botched raid .
Although the timing of any decision remains unclear , courthouses , offices and restaurants were already boarded up on Tuesday in the mostly deserted blocks around the city ’ s Jefferson Square Park , the site of regular demonstrations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation .
Concrete barriers ringed the area , with a handful of checkpoints manned by police who would only allow people with essential business to drive downtown .
Pedestrians were free to walk the streets , but few did .
“ Our goal with these steps is ensuring space and opportunity for potential protesters to gather and express their First Amendment rights , ” Mayor Greg Fischer , a white Democrat , said in a statement .
“ At the same time , we are preparing for any eventuality to keep everyone safe.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when any decision might come .
Taylor , 26 , was killed shortly after midnight on March 13 when three plainclothes officers used a battering ram to force their way in to her Louisville home with a so-called no knock warrant .
Fearing intruders , her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , fired a gun .
The three officers fired their guns , striking Taylor five times .
Taylor ’ s death , alongside that of George Floyd , a Black man who died in May after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of protests demanding racial justice and an end to the use of excessive force by law enforcement .
Residents walking downtown ’ s nearly empty streets on Tuesday said they were saddened by the boarded-up businesses .
“ It breaks my heart , ” said Rena Brown , a 59-year-old retail worker and lifelong Louisville resident who recalled her parents would take the family shopping downtown when they had extra cash .
“ The police officers that killed Breonna should be charged , tried , and let the jury decide their fate.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black Republican , has said his investigation into Taylor ’ s death is ongoing , but has declined to confirm media reports that he is convening a grand jury to vote on whether to bring criminal charges against the officers .
The city ’ s main federal courthouse has also been closed all week in an order by Chief Judge Greg Stivers of the Western District of Kentucky .

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) - The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, declared a state of emergency and closed much of downtown to vehicles on Tuesday ahead of an expected decision by a grand jury on whether to indict the police officers involved in killing Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker, in a botched raid.
Although the timing of any decision remains unclear, courthouses, offices and restaurants were already boarded up on Tuesday in the mostly deserted blocks around the city’s Jefferson Square Park, the site of regular demonstrations against police brutality that have spread across the nation.
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Concrete barriers ringed the area, with a handful of checkpoints manned by police who would only allow people with essential business to drive downtown. Pedestrians were free to walk the streets, but few did.
“Our goal with these steps is ensuring space and opportunity for potential protesters to gather and express their First Amendment rights,” Mayor Greg Fischer, a white Democrat, said in a statement. “At the same time, we are preparing for any eventuality to keep everyone safe.” He emphasized he did not know when any decision might come.
Taylor, 26, was killed shortly after midnight on March 13 when three plainclothes officers used a battering ram to force their way in to her Louisville home with a so-called no knock warrant. Fearing intruders, her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a gun. The three officers fired their guns, striking Taylor five times.
Taylor’s death, alongside that of George Floyd, a Black man who died in May after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck, helped spark a nationwide wave of protests demanding racial justice and an end to the use of excessive force by law enforcement.
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Residents walking downtown’s nearly empty streets on Tuesday said they were saddened by the boarded-up businesses.
“It breaks my heart,” said Rena Brown, a 59-year-old retail worker and lifelong Louisville resident who recalled her parents would take the family shopping downtown when they had extra cash. “The police officers that killed Breonna should be charged, tried, and let the jury decide their fate.”
Robin Sellers, 56, who works downtown in human resources, called it “a depressing sight.”
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Black Republican, has said his investigation into Taylor’s death is ongoing, but has declined to confirm media reports that he is convening a grand jury to vote on whether to bring criminal charges against the officers.
The city’s main federal courthouse has also been closed all week in an order by Chief Judge Greg Stivers of the Western District of Kentucky.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Fauci Clashes With Rand Paul Over COVID-19 Response

“ You are not listening.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci shuts down Sen. Rand Paul ’ s false claim that New @ @ @ @ @ rate is low due to herd immunity .

Fauci Clashes With Rand Paul Over COVID-19 Response
“You are not listening.” Dr. Anthony Fauci shuts down Sen. Rand Paul’s false claim that New York’s COVID-19 infection rate is low due to herd immunity.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Chargers' Team Doctor Accidentally Punctures QB Tyrod Taylor's Lung

COSTA MESA , Calif. ( AP ) — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor missed last Sunday ’ s game because a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung , according to a person familiar with the case .
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because of medical restriction issues .
Rookie Justin Herbert was the Chargers ’ surprise starter in last Sunday ’ s 23-20 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs .
Coach Anthony Lynn said he didn ’ t find out until less than five minutes before kickoff that Taylor would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found out he was playing right as the Chargers were lining up to receive the opening kickoff .
Taylor was taken to the hospital due to difficulties breathing after Lynn said he had a reaction to an injection .
Taylor was released Sunday night and was at the Chargers ’ complex on Monday .
The NFL Players Association said on Wednesday that they have been in contact with Taylor and his agent and have started an investigation into the matter .
ESPN first reported the punctured lung .
Taylor was briefly on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rib injury he suffered in the Sept. 13 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals .
He was taken off it , though , after fully participating in practice and taking all of the snaps with the first team .
Lynn did not have an update on Taylor ’ s status on Monday .
He said that if Taylor was 100 % , he would be the starter on Sunday against Carolina .
However , with a punctured lung , the 10-year veteran is expected to be out indefinitely .
Herbert , the sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , became the ninth quarterback since the merger to throw for over 300 yards in his debut , but he threw an interception late in the third quarter that the Chiefs converted into a tying touchdown .

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor missed last Sunday’s game because a team doctor accidentally punctured his lung, according to a person familiar with the case.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because of medical restriction issues.
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Rookie Justin Herbert was the Chargers’ surprise starter in last Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Anthony Lynn said he didn’t find out until less than five minutes before kickoff that Taylor would be unable to play.
Herbert said he found out he was playing right as the Chargers were lining up to receive the opening kickoff.
Taylor was taken to the hospital due to difficulties breathing after Lynn said he had a reaction to an injection. Taylor was released Sunday night and was at the Chargers’ complex on Monday.
The NFL Players Association said on Wednesday that they have been in contact with Taylor and his agent and have started an investigation into the matter. ESPN first reported the punctured lung.
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Taylor was briefly on the Chargers’ injury report Friday due to a rib injury he suffered in the Sept. 13 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was taken off it, though, after fully participating in practice and taking all of the snaps with the first team.
Lynn did not have an update on Taylor’s status on Monday. He said that if Taylor was 100%, he would be the starter on Sunday against Carolina. However, with a punctured lung, the 10-year veteran is expected to be out indefinitely.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Fauci Shuts Down False Rand Paul Claims About Coronavirus, Herd Immunity

Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) received a sharp education lesson on virus immunity and prevention from Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate hearing on Wednesday when the Kentucky physician attempted to attribute New York ’ s dramatic reduction in COVID-19 cases to herd immunity instead of people following safety protocols .
During a heated back and forth , Paul , who has opposed mask mandates , criticized Fauci ’ s past praise of New York and its Democratic governor ’ s handling of the pandemic .
“ New York had the highest death rate in the world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly be jumping up and down and saying , oh Gov .
[ Andrew ] Cuomo did a great job ?
He had the worst death rate in the world.
” “ No , you misconstrued that , senator , and you ’ ve done that repetitively in the past , ” Fauci fired back .
“ They got hit very badly .
They made some mistakes .
Right now ... the things that are going on in New York to get their test positivity 1 percent or less is because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put together from the [ coronavirus ] task force.
” “ Or they ’ ve developed enough community immunity that they ’ re no longer having the pandemic because they have enough immunity in New York City to actually stop , ” Paul interrupted .
“ I challenge that , ” Fauci responded , before repeating the latest data presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The CDC ’ s director , Robert Redfield , was also testifying at the hearing .
“ This happens with Sen. Rand all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the director of the CDC said .
That in New York it ’ s about 22 % , ” he said of the positivity rate .
“ If you believe that 22 % is herd immunity , I believe you ’ re alone in that.
” To establish herd immunity , a large percentage of a community would have to contract the virus , or a similar one , and produce antibodies to it .
Every disease ’ s threshold for herd immunity is different .
In the case of the measles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most contagious infectious diseases , it ’ s estimated that 94 % of the population would have to be immune to it to achieve herd immunity , according to the Mayo Clinic .
“ Experts estimate that in the U.S. , 70 % of the population — more than 200 million people — would have to recover from COVID-19 to halt the epidemic , ” the Mayo Clinic ’ s website states .
Another report published in the medical journal JAMA in May estimates that to achieve herd immunity for COVID-19 , between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population would have to have developed antibodies to the virus .
Sen. Paul went on to suggest that there may be people out there , about one-third of the population , that have “ pre-existing immunity ” to COVID-19 .
This idea is based on these people having what are called cross-reactive antibodies after successfully fighting similar viruses .
“ I ’ d like to talk to you about that also because there was a study that recently came out that pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses that are common cold do not cross-react with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) received a sharp education lesson on virus immunity and prevention from Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate hearing on Wednesday when the Kentucky physician attempted to attribute New York’s dramatic reduction in COVID-19 cases to herd immunity instead of people following safety protocols.
During a heated back and forth, Paul, who has opposed mask mandates, criticized Fauci’s past praise of New York and its Democratic governor’s handling of the pandemic.
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“New York had the highest death rate in the world,” Paul said. “How can we possibly be jumping up and down and saying, ‘Oh, Gov. [Andrew] Cuomo did a great job’? He had the worst death rate in the world.”
Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, responded with a fact check.
“No, you misconstrued that, senator, and you’ve done that repetitively in the past,” Fauci fired back. “They got hit very badly. They made some mistakes. Right now ... the things that are going on in New York to get their test positivity 1% or less is because they are looking at the guidelines that we have put together from the [coronavirus] task force.”
Dr. Fauci has had just about enough of Rand Paul, basically calls him a moron.
"This happens with Senator Rand all the time... If you believe 22% is herd immunity, I believe you’re alone in that. pic.twitter.com/BdsuGsz8TI — Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 23, 2020
Those safety guidelines include mask-wearing, social distancing, avoiding crowds, washing hands and participating in public gatherings that are outdoors instead of indoors whenever possible.
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“Or they’ve developed enough community immunity that they’re no longer having the pandemic because they have enough immunity in New York City to actually stop,” Paul interrupted.
“I challenge that,” Fauci responded, before repeating the latest data presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s director, Robert Redfield, was also testifying at the hearing.
“This happens with Sen. Rand all the time. You are not listening to what the director of the CDC said. That in New York it’s about 22%,” Fauci said of the positivity rate. “If you believe that 22% is herd immunity, I believe you’re alone in that.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) listens during the Senate hearing on the federal government's response to COVID-19 in Washington on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
To establish herd immunity, a large percentage of a community would have to contract the virus, or a similar one, and produce antibodies to it. Every disease’s threshold for herd immunity is different. In the case of the measles virus, which is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, it’s estimated that 94% of the population would have to be immune to it to achieve herd immunity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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“Experts estimate that in the U.S., 70% of the population — more than 200 million people — would have to recover from COVID-19 to halt the epidemic,” the Mayo Clinic’s website states.
Another report published in the medical journal JAMA in May estimates that to achieve herd immunity for COVID-19, between 55% and 82% of the population would have to have developed antibodies to the virus.
There are some researchers who believe, like Paul, that the percentage necessary to reach herd immunity can be 50% or less. One non-peer-reviewed study from August has estimated that the thresholds for herd immunity can be around 10% to 20% — but as The New York Times pointed out, that belief is in the minority.
Sen. Paul went on to suggest that there may be people out there, about one-third of the population, that have “pre-existing immunity” to COVID-19. This idea is based on these people having what are called cross-reactive antibodies after successfully fighting similar viruses.
Fauci shot that suggestion down too.
“I’d like to talk to you about that also because there was a study that recently came out that pre-existing immunity to coronaviruses that are common cold do not cross-react with the COVID-19,” he said.
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Although Fauci did not identify which study he was referring to during his testimony ― nor was he asked ― one published last week in the scientific journal Nature found that “infection with endemic [human coronaviruses] produces little cross-reactivity” to viruses such as the new coronavirus.
Much, of course, remains to be learned about the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This includes its cross-reactivity with common cold coronaviruses, Eric Topol, the director and founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, told The Washington Post.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Dogs Are Performing COVID-19 Tests At Helsinki Airport

Travelers arriving at the Helsinki Airport in Finland are going to be dogged about a COVID-19 test ― literally .
As part of a test project , the airport has started offering voluntary coronavirus tests that only take 10 seconds without a nasal swab being stuck into your sinuses .
Instead , the test is administered by one of two canines trained to detect the virus by sniffing the sweat of arriving passengers , according to The New York Times .
It works like this : After passengers get their luggage from baggage claim , they can volunteer to wipe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swab in a box .
A trainer then puts the box next to containers of other scents for one of the disease-sniffing dogs to sniff .
The process takes about a minute .
If the dog gets a positive result from the neck sweat , the person is sent to the airport ’ s health center for a free virus test that might involve something more invasive than a cold nose .
Peliminary research suggests that the doggy sniff test might be more effective at detecting coronavirus infections than the standard polymerase chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helsinki researcher Anna Hielm-Björkman told The Washington Post .
They “ can also find [ people ] that are not yet PCR positive but will become PCR positive within a week , ” Hielm-Björkman said of the dogs .
Only two dogs are currently working as disease detectors , but 14 others are being trained for the job , according to International Airport Review .
Some dogs can learn to sniff out the virus in a very short time .
One 8-year-old greyhound mix named Kössi learned to identify the scent of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs have tested positive for the virus , “ there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to humans , ” according to the World Health Organization .
If the canine coronavirus detectors prove their effectiveness , Hielm-Björkman said other virus-sniffing dogs could be deployed to nursing homes , schools and other places with crowds .
“ You could open up society in another way if you had those dogs , ” she said .
Finland would need 700 to 1,000 coronavirus-sniffing dogs to cover schools , malls and retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Evidensia , a network of hospitals and veterinary clinics that funded the trial ’ s first stage , told The New York Times .

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Travelers arriving at the Helsinki Airport in Finland are going to be dogged about a COVID-19 test ― literally.
As part of a test project, the airport has started offering voluntary coronavirus tests that only take 10 seconds without a nasal swab being stuck into your sinuses. Instead, the test is administered by one of two canines trained to detect the virus by sniffing the sweat of arriving passengers, according to The New York Times.
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It works like this: After passengers get their luggage from baggage claim, they can volunteer to wipe sweat from their neck and leave the swab in a box. A trainer then puts the box next to containers of other scents for one of the disease-sniffing dogs to sniff.
The process takes about a minute. If the dog gets a positive result from the neck sweat, the person is sent to the airport’s health center for a free virus test that might involve something more invasive than a cold nose.
Peliminary research suggests that the doggy sniff test might be more effective at detecting coronavirus infections than the standard polymerase chain reaction or antibody tests, University of Helsinki researcher Anna Hielm-Björkman told The Washington Post.
They “can also find [people] that are not yet PCR positive but will become PCR positive within a week,” Hielm-Björkman said of the dogs.
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Only two dogs are currently working as disease detectors, but 14 others are being trained for the job, according to International Airport Review.
Some dogs can learn to sniff out the virus in a very short time. One 8-year-old greyhound mix named Kössi learned to identify the scent of COVID-19 in just seven minutes.
Although many dogs have tested positive for the virus, “there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to humans,” according to the World Health Organization.
If the canine coronavirus detectors prove their effectiveness, Hielm-Björkman said other virus-sniffing dogs could be deployed to nursing homes, schools and other places with crowds.
“You could open up society in another way if you had those dogs,” she said.
Finland would need 700 to 1,000 coronavirus-sniffing dogs to cover schools, malls and retirement homes, Virpi Perala, a representative of Evidensia, a network of hospitals and veterinary clinics that funded the trial’s first stage, told The New York Times.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Here's What You Need To Know About 'Silent' COVID-19

One in five people could be walking around with “ silent ” COVID-19 , according to a study published in the journal Thorax , leading researchers to suggest these people may act as an important driver of viral spread in the community .
What exactly did the new study on silent COVID find ?
The new study found those with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases appear to have similar viral loads to those with symptoms , echoing the results of past studies .
Viral load refers to the total amount of virus a person has inside them .
In theory : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious someone is likely to be .
Researchers looked at a large cluster outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu City , South Korea , early on in the pandemic .
The close contacts of the cluster were traced and more than 3,000 cases of COVID-19 were uncovered , ranging from people having no symptoms at all to severe effects .
Those with mild or no symptoms were admitted to dedicated care facilities for isolation and monitoring .
The 213 participants involved in this study had been admitted to one such facility .
Researchers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the persistence of viral DNA in people without any symptoms warrants precautionary quarantine measures .
They added that most of the participants were in their 20s and 30s , so the findings might not apply to other age groups .
Nevertheless , they pointed out : “ Considering that most asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 are likely to go unnoticed by healthcare workers and continue to reside within communities , such individuals may act as an essential driving force for the community spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic state.
” So , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long , and to what extent , asymptomatic people might be infectious , testing should be extended to certain groups as a precautionary measure , the researchers recommended .
While we don ’ t know exactly how many people tend to be asymptomatic , we do know that the number could range from 20-50 % .
Jenna Macciochi , an immunologist and author of “ Immunity : The Science of Staying Well , ” previously told HuffPost UK asymptomatic carriers are “ one of the biggest challenges ” with easing restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of June found that of residents who tested positive for COVID-19 in the municipality of Vo ’ , a small town near Padua , 42 % were asymptomatic .
Another study of 9,000 people selected to take a coronavirus test in Iceland found 50 % of them tested positive for COVID-19 , but didn ’ t have any symptoms .
Most recently , a review of 94 studies concluded that the proportion of people who catch COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic throughout infection is somewhere around 20 % .
The secondary attack rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contacts – was lower in contacts of people with asymptomatic infection than those with symptomatic infection .
A higher proportion of infections resulted from transmission from pre-symptomatic individuals than from asymptomatic individuals , the study found .

zubada via Getty Images A new study is offering some insight into asymptomatic COVID-19 and how much those cases contribute to spread.
One in five people could be walking around with “silent” COVID-19, according to a study published in the journal Thorax, leading researchers to suggest these people may act as an important driver of viral spread in the community.
Lead author Sung-Han Kim, from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, said the findings add further support to the use of face masks by the general public.
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He also said the scope of testing for COVID-19 should be expanded to include asymptomatic individuals in high-risk settings, such as nursing homes or healthcare facilities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently U-turned on its advice around testing asymptomatic people and now stresses the need to test asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic people, including close contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19.
What exactly did the new study on silent COVID find?
The new study found those with asymptomatic COVID-19 cases appear to have similar viral loads to those with symptoms, echoing the results of past studies. Viral load refers to the total amount of virus a person has inside them. In theory: the higher the viral load, the more infectious someone is likely to be.
Researchers looked at a large cluster outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu City, South Korea, early on in the pandemic. The close contacts of the cluster were traced and more than 3,000 cases of COVID-19 were uncovered, ranging from people having no symptoms at all to severe effects.
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Those with mild or no symptoms were admitted to dedicated care facilities for isolation and monitoring. The 213 participants involved in this study had been admitted to one such facility.
People were classified as symptomless if they had none of the following: fever; chills; muscle pain (myalgia); fatigue; runny nose (rhinorrhea); blocked nose; loss of taste or smell; sore throat; swallowing difficulties; cough; phlegm production; coughing up blood; headache; dizziness; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting, abdominal pain; and diarrhea.
In 213 patients with the virus, 41 (19%) remained asymptomatic. Of them, 39 (95%) underwent follow-up testing after an average of 13 days, while in 172 patients with mild symptoms, 144 (84%) underwent follow-up testing.
The follow-up testing is important as it showed those with silent COVID didn’t then develop symptoms, which would’ve meant they were pre-symptomatic.
A large proportion of mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 and asymptomatic individuals showed persistent positive upper respiratory RT-PCR results at follow-up. Asymptomatic individuals and symptomatic patients also had very similar viral loads.
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Researchers said further studies are needed to clarify whether the persistence of viral DNA in people without any symptoms warrants precautionary quarantine measures. They added that most of the participants were in their 20s and 30s, so the findings might not apply to other age groups.
Nevertheless, they pointed out: “Considering that most asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 are likely to go unnoticed by healthcare workers and continue to reside within communities, such individuals may act as an essential driving force for the community spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic state.”
So, what does this mean?
Until we know how long, and to what extent, asymptomatic people might be infectious, testing should be extended to certain groups as a precautionary measure, the researchers recommended.
While we don’t know exactly how many people tend to be asymptomatic, we do know that the number could range from 20-50%. Jenna Macciochi, an immunologist and author of “Immunity: The Science of Staying Well,” previously told HuffPost UK asymptomatic carriers are “one of the biggest challenges” with easing restrictions. A study from Italy published at the end of June found that of residents who tested positive for COVID-19 in the municipality of Vo’, a small town near Padua, 42% were asymptomatic. Another study of 9,000 people selected to take a coronavirus test in Iceland found 50% of them tested positive for COVID-19, but didn’t have any symptoms. Most recently, a review of 94 studies concluded that the proportion of people who catch COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic throughout infection is somewhere around 20%. The secondary attack rate – meaning the rate of infection among close contacts – was lower in contacts of people with asymptomatic infection than those with symptomatic infection. A higher proportion of infections resulted from transmission from pre-symptomatic individuals than from asymptomatic individuals, the study found. This story originally appeared in HuffPost UK.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-22--Former COVID-19 Task Force Member Rebuts Claim She Was Fired

A former member of the coronavirus task force who spoke out against President Donald Trump is denouncing her former boss ’ s claim that she ’ s merely a fired , disgruntled employee .
Olivia Troye , who was an aide to Vice President Mike Pence , defended herself Tuesday after retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg , Pence ’ s national security adviser , said he removed her from her positions .
“ The reason I fired her is because her performance started to drop , ” Kellogg said at a news conference Tuesday .
“ I ’ m the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Troye , who endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden last week because of Trump ’ s “ flat out disregard for human life ” during the COVID-19 pandemic , tweeted that Kellogg ’ s story is “ a bald faced lie ” and that she was actually asked to stay after handing in her resignation .
Sad that Gen. Kellogg is telling a bald faced lie to protect the President .
I resigned on my own accord & was asked to stay .
He never escorted me out .
He knows this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the colleagues who had worked so hard with me in spite of POTUS & I stand by that .
🇺🇸 https : //t.co/cQ8DTJI640 — Olivia of Troye ( @ OliviaTroye ) September 22 , 2020 She also shared a screenshot of an August post on her Instagram account showing a coin Kellogg gifted her when she left the job .
“ This gift is not the action of someone who did what Kellogg claims he did , ” Troye wrote .
I received this as a gift from Gen Kellogg & as you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift is not the action of someone who did what Kellogg claims he did .
pic.twitter.com/N920c1OOml — Olivia of Troye ( @ OliviaTroye ) September 22 , 2020 Troye , who worked in Pence ’ s office for two years , made headlines Thursday when she went public with her concerns about Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic .
“ The president ’ s rhetoric and his own attacks against people in his administration trying to do the work , as well as the promulgation of false narratives and incorrect information of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a failure , ” she told The Washington Post .
Troye also spoke out in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump , saying the president noted early in the pandemic that it was a good thing because he wouldn ’ t have to “ shake hands with these disgusting people , ” referring to voters .
“ What she has said I ’ ve never heard , ” Kellogg told reporters .
“ What bothers me about what Olivia said is , by insinuation , the disparagement of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the president of the United States.
” An interview Troye taped with NBC News is scheduled to be broadcast later Tuesday .

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A former member of the coronavirus task force who spoke out against President Donald Trump is denouncing her former boss’s claim that she’s merely a fired, disgruntled employee.
Olivia Troye, who was an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, defended herself Tuesday after retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Pence’s national security adviser, said he removed her from her positions.
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“The reason I fired her is because her performance started to drop,” Kellogg said at a news conference Tuesday. “I’m the one who escorted her off the compound.”
Troye, who endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden last week because of Trump’s “flat out disregard for human life” during the COVID-19 pandemic, tweeted that Kellogg’s story is “a bald faced lie” and that she was actually asked to stay after handing in her resignation.
Sad that Gen. Kellogg is telling a bald faced lie to protect the President. I resigned on my own accord & was asked to stay. He never escorted me out. He knows this. I wrote a note thanking all the colleagues who had worked so hard with me in spite of POTUS & I stand by that. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/cQ8DTJI640 — Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) September 22, 2020
She also shared a screenshot of an August post on her Instagram account showing a coin Kellogg gifted her when she left the job. “This gift is not the action of someone who did what Kellogg claims he did,” Troye wrote.
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I received this as a gift from Gen Kellogg & as you can see I appreciated it! This gift is not the action of someone who did what Kellogg claims he did. pic.twitter.com/N920c1OOml — Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) September 22, 2020
Troye, who worked in Pence’s office for two years, made headlines Thursday when she went public with her concerns about Trump’s handling of the pandemic.
“The president’s rhetoric and his own attacks against people in his administration trying to do the work, as well as the promulgation of false narratives and incorrect information of the virus have made this ongoing response a failure,” she told The Washington Post.
Troye also spoke out in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump, saying the president noted early in the pandemic that it was a good thing because he wouldn’t have to “shake hands with these disgusting people,” referring to voters.
Kellogg said Tuesday he’d never heard such remarks.
“What she has said I’ve never heard,” Kellogg told reporters. “What bothers me about what Olivia said is, by insinuation, the disparagement of the task force, the vice president, and the president of the United States.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Donald Trump Wants A New Supreme Court Justice To Help Hand Him A Second Term

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the expansion of mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic is a “ scam ” and that he needs the Senate to confirm his Supreme Court pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the election .
And he was open about why : Trump wants a new justice in place to ensure election-related cases are decided in his favor .
“ Now we ’ re counting on the federal court system to make it so that we can actually have an evening where we know who wins .
Not where the votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later or two weeks later , ” Trump said at a campaign rally in North Carolina on Saturday , one day after Ginsburg ’ s death .
The substance of Trump ’ s statements is clear .
He wants to stop states from counting legitimate votes on Nov. 3 , and he intends to file a challenge in the courts to do this .
He is now saying that his nominee needs to be seated on the court in order to rule in his favor , stop the counting of legitimately cast ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Donald Trump isn ’ t just trying to steal a Supreme Court seat ― he ’ s trying to steal the election along with it , ” Brian Fallon , executive director of Demand Justice , a progressive judicial group , said in a statement .
“ Even though Republicans may claim to already have the votes to confirm Trump ’ s pick , Democrats can not afford to compartmentalize this Supreme Court fight because the fate of the election itself may ride on it.
” A postelection Trump court challenge could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gore .
It could look like the Pennsylvania state Republican legislative caucus petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ’ s Sept. 17 ruling extending the absentee ballot receipt deadline to three days after the election for ballots that were postmarked by Election Day .
There are similar appeals working their way through the judicial system in states including Georgia and Michigan .
In every election held across the country , vote counting continues after election day in order to process all mail-in and provisional ballots , and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any errors or miscounts .
The number of ballots that are counted after Election Day have increased since the 2000 election as more states have expanded absentee and mail-in voting by eliminating the need for an excuse to vote absentee , extending the ballot receipt deadline to ensure no one is accidentally disenfranchised by a delay in the mail and to provide a process for voters to fix minor errors on their ballots .
As the pandemic pushes more Americans to cast a record number of mail-in ballots to avoid the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will take longer to count the expected crush of ballots .
This is particularly true in states that do not allow officials to canvass or count ballots before Election Day .
But instead of trying to make the election process work smoothly , Trump has attacked it in order to sow doubt among his supporters that the election will be fair .
He calls it “ unfair ” to mail ballots to voters .
He claims , without evidence , that the 2020 election will be “ INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history.
” And he says he can not lose unless the vote is rigged .
Trump ’ s effort to rush the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice in record time in order to rule on a challenge he brings to the election could help him set in motion a nightmare scenario in which Republicans empowered in swing states with divided governments reject the results of the election and declare Trump the winner .
His campaign has already discussed this possibility with Republicans in Pennsylvania , according to The Atlantic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing the popular vote , his attempt to secure another Supreme Court justice who he thinks will help him stop states from counting votes could help him stay in power even if the final vote count shows him losing the Electoral College .
And with Trump under investigation in New York state courts for tax fraud , among other things , he may be looking for any means to remain in office because the presidency confers certain , if potentially dubious , constitutional protections against investigation and incarceration .

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President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the expansion of mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic is a “scam” and that he needs the Senate to confirm his Supreme Court pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the election. And he was open about why: Trump wants a new justice in place to ensure election-related cases are decided in his favor.
“I think this will end up in the Supreme Court, and I think it’s very important to have nine justices,” Trump said.
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This is an extension of Trump’s earlier suggestion that he is “counting on the federal court system” to decide the winner of the presidential election in his favor.
“Now we’re counting on the federal court system to make it so that we can actually have an evening where we know who wins. Not where the votes are going to be counted a week later or two weeks later,” Trump said at a campaign rally in North Carolina on Saturday, one day after Ginsburg’s death.
The substance of Trump’s statements is clear. He wants to stop states from counting legitimate votes on Nov. 3, and he intends to file a challenge in the courts to do this. He is now saying that his nominee needs to be seated on the court in order to rule in his favor, stop the counting of legitimately cast ballots and hand him a second term.
“Donald Trump isn’t just trying to steal a Supreme Court seat ― he’s trying to steal the election along with it,” Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice, a progressive judicial group, said in a statement. “Even though Republicans may claim to already have the votes to confirm Trump’s pick, Democrats cannot afford to compartmentalize this Supreme Court fight because the fate of the election itself may ride on it.”
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A postelection Trump court challenge could be a wilder sequel of Bush v. Gore. It could look like the Pennsylvania state Republican legislative caucus petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reject the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Sept. 17 ruling extending the absentee ballot receipt deadline to three days after the election for ballots that were postmarked by Election Day. There are similar appeals working their way through the judicial system in states including Georgia and Michigan.
In every election held across the country, vote counting continues after election day in order to process all mail-in and provisional ballots, and as ballots and vote tallies are canvassed for any errors or miscounts.
President Donald Trump has called state-level expansions of mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic a "scam." Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The number of ballots that are counted after Election Day have increased since the 2000 election as more states have expanded absentee and mail-in voting by eliminating the need for an excuse to vote absentee, extending the ballot receipt deadline to ensure no one is accidentally disenfranchised by a delay in the mail and to provide a process for voters to fix minor errors on their ballots.
As the pandemic pushes more Americans to cast a record number of mail-in ballots to avoid the risk of contracting the coronavirus, election officials state that it will take longer to count the expected crush of ballots. This is particularly true in states that do not allow officials to canvass or count ballots before Election Day.
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But instead of trying to make the election process work smoothly, Trump has attacked it in order to sow doubt among his supporters that the election will be fair. He calls it “unfair” to mail ballots to voters. He claims, without evidence, that the 2020 election will be “INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT,” and “the most rigged election in history.” And he says he cannot lose unless the vote is rigged.
“The only way [Democrats] can win is to cheat, in my opinion,” he said, baselessly, during a Fox Sports Radio interview on Sept. 17.
Trump’s effort to rush the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice in record time in order to rule on a challenge he brings to the election could help him set in motion a nightmare scenario in which Republicans empowered in swing states with divided governments reject the results of the election and declare Trump the winner. His campaign has already discussed this possibility with Republicans in Pennsylvania, according to The Atlantic.
Though Trump won election in 2016 while losing the popular vote, his attempt to secure another Supreme Court justice who he thinks will help him stop states from counting votes could help him stay in power even if the final vote count shows him losing the Electoral College.
And with Trump under investigation in New York state courts for tax fraud, among other things, he may be looking for any means to remain in office because the presidency confers certain, if potentially dubious, constitutional protections against investigation and incarceration.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Trump Says ‘We’re Gonna Have To See’ About Peaceful Transfer Of Power Post-Election

President Donald Trump declined to say if he would accept the election results in November .
Asked at a press conference Wednesday if he would “ commit to a peaceful transferal of power ” if he lost the election , Trump said : “ Well , we ’ re gon na have to see what happens.
” The president then tried , again , to delegitimize mail-in voting , saying : “ You know that I ’ ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots .
The ballots are a disaster … Get rid of the ballots and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be a transfer , frankly , there ’ ll be a continuation.
” As millions of Americans are set to vote by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic , Trump has repeatedly spread disinformation suggesting that mail-in voting is “ fraudulent ” — it is not .
JUST IN : Asked if he 'd `` commit to making sure that there is a peaceful transferral of power after the election , '' Pres .
Trump says , `` Well , we 're going to have to see what happens . ''
https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC ) September 23 , 2020 In July , Trump similarly said in an interview that he ’ ll “ have to see ” when asked if he ’ d accept the election results .
The president has been laying the groundwork to declare the election illegitimate , including by undermining the U.S .
Postal Service — the agency tasked with processing mailed ballots — and by claiming that the only way Democrats can win “ is to cheat ” — which is false .
Trump has also suggested he is pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election to position the court to vote in his favor if it is tasked with deciding the election results .
After liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died last week , Trump said he would name his replacement pick this Saturday , against her final wishes .
Republican senators have indicated that they will vote to approve Trump ’ s nominee — which could give the court a firm conservative majority for years to come .

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President Donald Trump declined to say if he would accept the election results in November.
Asked at a press conference Wednesday if he would “commit to a peaceful transferal of power” if he lost the election, Trump said: “Well, we’re gonna have to see what happens.”
The president then tried, again, to delegitimize mail-in voting, saying: “You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots. The ballots are a disaster … Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a peaceful ... there won’t be a transfer, frankly, there’ll be a continuation.”
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As millions of Americans are set to vote by mail amid the coronavirus pandemic, Trump has repeatedly spread disinformation suggesting that mail-in voting is “fraudulent” — it is not.
JUST IN: Asked if he'd "commit to making sure that there is a peaceful transferral of power after the election," Pres. Trump says, "Well, we're going to have to see what happens." https://t.co/JsAo4rBy2e pic.twitter.com/8haEyDVsdx — ABC News (@ABC) September 23, 2020
In July, Trump similarly said in an interview that he’ll “have to see” when asked if he’d accept the election results.
The president has been laying the groundwork to declare the election illegitimate, including by undermining the U.S. Postal Service — the agency tasked with processing mailed ballots — and by claiming that the only way Democrats can win “is to cheat” — which is false.
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Trump has also suggested he is pushing through a Supreme Court nominee before the election to position the court to vote in his favor if it is tasked with deciding the election results.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--White Supremacist Sentenced To 25 Years For Maryland Hate Crime Shooting Of Black Man

Baltimore County Police Department White supremacist Brandon Higgs on Wednesday was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 2018 shooting of a Black man in Reisterstown , Maryland .
A Maryland judge on Wednesday sentenced white supremacist Brandon Higgs to four decades behind bars for charges related to the 2018 shooting and wounding of a Black man , with part of the sentence suspended .
John Magee , the prosecutor for the Baltimore County state ’ s attorney ’ s office , told HuffPost that the judge in the case suspended 15 years of the sentence during the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years behind bars , plus five years probation .
The 26-year-old former Navy cryptologist was found guilty in January of first-degree assault , attempted voluntary manslaughter , hate crimes and related firearms charges stemming from the 2018 shooting in Reisterstown , a suburb of Baltimore .
The shooting received national attention because of the heinous nature of the crime , and because private online chat logs obtained by anti-fascists showed Higgs was active in organized white supremacist groups and had expressed a murderous hatred for Black people , particularly those in the Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 60-year-old Smith and 48-year-old Robert Peete were at work laying concrete on a driveway outside a house in Reisterstown .
A dog belonging to Higgs , who lived nearby , got loose and ran through the wet concrete .
The three men exchanged some angry words before Higgs returned home .
Higgs re-emerged outside minutes later carrying a loaded gun and made racist remarks to Smith and Peete .
“ This is my hood , ” he said , using a racial slur .
He added : “ Black motherfuckers , go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew his gun and a tussle over the weapon ensued .
Peete told HuffPost he remembers Higgs pointing the gun directly in his face .
Peete said he managed to get out of the way of the weapon .
At some point during the struggle , the gun went off , the bullet ripping through Smith ’ s leg and obliterating his tibia .
( At Higgs ’ trial later , it was never established whether he fired the gun or it went off accidentally . )
As Higgs awaited trial , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of charges , anti-fascists uncovered comments Higgs had made in private neo-Nazi chat groups , including a group for people planning to attend the deadly 2017 “ Unite the Right ” white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia .
The comments , some of which are quoted below , included racial slurs .
“ I decided I ’ m going to create my own group called Baltimore Animal Control and buy those dog patrol poles with the snare at the end and wrangle niggers with it , ” Higgs wrote in one post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the white supremacist who in 2015 massacred Black worshippers at a church in Charleston , South Carolina , as “ St .
Roof ” on the message boards .
Court records show that since being found guilty in January , Higgs has also been charged with multiple misdemeanors he allegedly committed while incarcerated , including one charge of possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute .
Smith received a metal implant in his leg as a result of his injuries , the pain from which makes it hard to work as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday that he ’ s looking forward to taking a long vacation now that this case is behind him .

White supremacist Brandon Higgs on Wednesday was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 2018 shooting of a Black man in Reisterstown, Maryland. Baltimore County Police Department
A Maryland judge on Wednesday sentenced white supremacist Brandon Higgs to four decades behind bars for charges related to the 2018 shooting and wounding of a Black man, with part of the sentence suspended.
John Magee, the prosecutor for the Baltimore County state’s attorney’s office, told HuffPost that the judge in the case suspended 15 years of the sentence during the ruling, meaning Higgs will likely serve 25 years behind bars, plus five years probation.
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The 26-year-old former Navy cryptologist was found guilty in January of first-degree assault, attempted voluntary manslaughter, hate crimes and related firearms charges stemming from the 2018 shooting in Reisterstown, a suburb of Baltimore.
“He’s got a long time to think about the shit he did,” Elvis Smith, the man Higgs shot, told HuffPost after leaving the sentencing hearing Wednesday morning. “So I’m happy.”
The shooting received national attention because of the heinous nature of the crime, and because private online chat logs obtained by anti-fascists showed Higgs was active in organized white supremacist groups and had expressed a murderous hatred for Black people, particularly those in the Baltimore area.
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On Dec. 20, 2018, 60-year-old Smith and 48-year-old Robert Peete were at work laying concrete on a driveway outside a house in Reisterstown. A dog belonging to Higgs, who lived nearby, got loose and ran through the wet concrete. The three men exchanged some angry words before Higgs returned home.
Higgs re-emerged outside minutes later carrying a loaded gun and made racist remarks to Smith and Peete. “This is my hood,” he said, using a racial slur. He added: “Black motherfuckers, go back to Africa!”
A shoving match broke out between Smith and Higgs, before Smith hit Higgs with a small rake used for smoothing concrete.
Higgs then drew his gun and a tussle over the weapon ensued. Peete told HuffPost he remembers Higgs pointing the gun directly in his face. Peete said he managed to get out of the way of the weapon.
At some point during the struggle, the gun went off, the bullet ripping through Smith’s leg and obliterating his tibia. (At Higgs’ trial later, it was never established whether he fired the gun or it went off accidentally.)
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Smith and Peete then managed to disarm and restrain Higgs until police arrived.
As Higgs awaited trial, where he pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges, anti-fascists uncovered comments Higgs had made in private neo-Nazi chat groups, including a group for people planning to attend the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The comments, some of which are quoted below, included racial slurs.
“I decided I’m going to create my own group called Baltimore Animal Control and buy those dog patrol poles with the snare at the end and wrangle niggers with it,” Higgs wrote in one post.
“Also want to leave bear traps in Baltimore city with buckets of KFC chicken,” he wrote in another.
Higgs also referred to Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who in 2015 massacred Black worshippers at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, as “St. Roof” on the message boards.
At his trial earlier this year, Higgs appeared in court in a red prison jumpsuit, his tattoo of a yellow identitarian lambda ― a white nationalist symbol ― visible on his arm.
Court records show that since being found guilty in January, Higgs has also been charged with multiple misdemeanors he allegedly committed while incarcerated, including one charge of possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute.
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Magee, the prosecutor in the hate crime case, said these drug-related charges are still pending and did not affect the sentencing on Wednesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Missouri Gov. Mike Parson Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Shunning Masks

Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson ( R ) , who has opposed mandatory mask rules , has tested positive for COVID-19 .
His wife , Teresa Parson , also tested positive for the coronavirus .
In a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday , the governor said he and his wife were both “ fine ” despite the positive tests .
Parson said he had “ no symptoms of any kind.
” In a separate video , his wife said she ’ d experienced mild “ cold-like symptoms.
” The couple have canceled all official events until further notice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , has previously come under scrutiny for his stance on mandatory masks .
While he ’ s encouraged Missourians to wear masks and practice social distancing , he ’ s insisted “ you don ’ t need government to tell you to wear a dang mask.
” “ If you want to wear a dang mask , wear a mask , ” he said at an event in July .
He was not wearing a mask at the time — and has frequently appeared in public without one .
Missouri has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
On Wednesday , the state reported 83 deaths — the highest single-day total for the state since the start of the pandemic , The Associated Press reported .

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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R), who has opposed mandatory mask rules, has tested positive for COVID-19.
His wife, Teresa Parson, also tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday, the governor said he and his wife were both “fine” despite the positive tests. Parson said he had “no symptoms of any kind.” In a separate video, his wife said she’d experienced mild “cold-like symptoms.”
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The couple have canceled all official events until further notice.
Republican Governor of Missouri @mikeparson and wife Teresa Parson test positive for covid-19. pic.twitter.com/yn4TQNkAKU — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) September 23, 2020
Parson, who is up for reelection in November, has previously come under scrutiny for his stance on mandatory masks.
While he’s encouraged Missourians to wear masks and practice social distancing, he’s insisted “you don’t need government to tell you to wear a dang mask.”
“If you want to wear a dang mask, wear a mask,” he said at an event in July. He was not wearing a mask at the time — and has frequently appeared in public without one.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Chief Justice John Roberts Delivers Moving Tribute At Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial

Chief Justice John Roberts delivered a moving tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a memorial service Wednesday at the Supreme Court , calling her life “ one of the many versions of the American Dream.
” Roberts , who served alongside Ginsburg for nearly 15 years , lauded her as a “ brave ” and “ compassionate ” colleague as he addressed the late justice ’ s family , friends and colleagues before her casket .
“ Justice Ginsburg ’ s life was one of the many versions of the American dream , ” Roberts said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Odessa .
Her mother was born four months after her family arrived from Poland .
Her mother later worked as a bookkeeper in Brooklyn.
” “ Ruth used to ask , ‘ What is the difference between a bookkeeper in Brooklyn and a Supreme Court justice ?
’ Her answer : ‘ One generation , ’ ” he added .
“ Justice Ginsburg 's life was one of the many versions of the American dream , ” Chief Justice John Roberts says .
“ Ruth used to ask , 'What is the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court justice ? '
Her answer : 'One generation ' ” https : //t.co/Y4zRiwwdJG pic.twitter.com/vQUs0r4mK5 — CNN Politics ( @ CNNPolitics ) September 23 , 2020 Over 100 of Ginsburg ’ s former law clerks lined up outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning to greet her casket .
Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the trailblazing feminist litigator as her body lies in repose for two days .
Her “ voice in court and in our conference room was soft , ” Roberts said during his remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people listened .
Among the words that best describe Ruth : tough , brave , a fighter , a winner .
But also thoughtful , careful , compassionate , honest.
” On Friday , Ginsburg ’ s casket will be moved to the U.S. Capitol , where she will become the first woman and the first Jewish person to lie in state there .
Ginsburg , a pioneering advocate for women ’ s rights , became the second woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court when was sworn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During her time on the bench , Ginsburg wrote 483 majority , concurring and dissenting opinions , Roberts said Wednesday .
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt , whose husband served as one of Ginsburg ’ s law clerks , called Ginsburg a “ true American hero ” during her remarks at the memorial Wednesday .
“ To be born into a world that does not see you , ” Holtzblatt said , “ that does not believe in your potential , that does not give you a path for opportunity , or a clear path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to see beyond the world you are in , to imagine that something can be different ― that is the job of a prophet.
” “ And it is the rare prophet who not only imagines a new world but also makes that new world a reality in her lifetime , ” she continued .
“ This was the brilliance and vision of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
”

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Chief Justice John Roberts delivered a moving tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a memorial service Wednesday at the Supreme Court, calling her life “one of the many versions of the American Dream.”
Roberts, who served alongside Ginsburg for nearly 15 years, lauded her as a “brave” and “compassionate” colleague as he addressed the late justice’s family, friends and colleagues before her casket.
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“Justice Ginsburg’s life was one of the many versions of the American dream,” Roberts said. “Her father was an immigrant from Odessa. Her mother was born four months after her family arrived from Poland. Her mother later worked as a bookkeeper in Brooklyn.”
“Ruth used to ask, ‘What is the difference between a bookkeeper in Brooklyn and a Supreme Court justice?’ Her answer: ‘One generation,’” he added.
“Justice Ginsburg's life was one of the many versions of the American dream,” Chief Justice John Roberts says. “Ruth used to ask, 'What is the difference between a bookkeeper in Brooklyn and a Supreme Court justice?' Her answer: 'One generation'” https://t.co/Y4zRiwwdJG pic.twitter.com/vQUs0r4mK5 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) September 23, 2020
Over 100 of Ginsburg’s former law clerks lined up outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning to greet her casket. Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the trailblazing feminist litigator as her body lies in repose for two days.
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Ginsburg died Friday at the age of 87 from complications of cancer.
Her “voice in court and in our conference room was soft,” Roberts said during his remarks Wednesday. “But when she spoke, people listened. Among the words that best describe Ruth: tough, brave, a fighter, a winner. But also thoughtful, careful, compassionate, honest.”
On Friday, Ginsburg’s casket will be moved to the U.S. Capitol, where she will become the first woman and the first Jewish person to lie in state there.
Ginsburg, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, became the second woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court when was sworn in on Aug. 10, 1993. During her time on the bench, Ginsburg wrote 483 majority, concurring and dissenting opinions, Roberts said Wednesday.
Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, whose husband served as one of Ginsburg’s law clerks, called Ginsburg a “true American hero” during her remarks at the memorial Wednesday.
“To be born into a world that does not see you,” Holtzblatt said, “that does not believe in your potential, that does not give you a path for opportunity, or a clear path for education, and despite this, to be able to see beyond the world you are in, to imagine that something can be different ― that is the job of a prophet.”
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“And it is the rare prophet who not only imagines a new world but also makes that new world a reality in her lifetime,” she continued. “This was the brilliance and vision of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Donald Trump Says He's 'Not A Fan' Of Meghan Markle, Wishes Prince Harry 'Luck'

“ We ’ re six weeks out from the election and today is Voter Registration Day , ” Meghan said .
“ Every four years , we are told the same thing ― that ‘ This is the most important election of our lifetime.
’ But this one is .
When we vote , our values are put into action and our voices are heard.
” “ Your voice is a reminder that you matter , ” Meghan added .
“ Because you do ― and you deserve to be heard.
” Harry also made comments about voting and encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This election I am not going to be able to vote in the U.S .
But many of you may not know that I haven ’ t been able to vote in the U.K. my entire life , ” the duke said .
“ As we approach this November , it ’ s vital that we reject hate speech , misinformation and online negativity.
” The reporter who asked Trump about the royals on Wednesday interpreted Meghan ’ s remarks as “ encouraging people to vote for Biden.
” However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or candidate in the video .
A Sussex spokesperson told the BBC that the comments were a ‘ call for decency.
’ ” When a U.K. Times reporter reached out to Buckingham Palace for a request for comment following the couples ’ remarks on Tuesday , the palace declined to comment specifically but said , “ The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity .
”

“We’re six weeks out from the election and today is Voter Registration Day,” Meghan said. “Every four years, we are told the same thing ― that ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action and our voices are heard.”
“Your voice is a reminder that you matter,” Meghan added. “Because you do ― and you deserve to be heard.” Harry also made comments about voting and encouraged people to reject “online negativity.” “This election I am not going to be able to vote in the U.S. But many of you may not know that I haven’t been able to vote in the U.K. my entire life,” the duke said. “As we approach this November, it’s vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.” The reporter who asked Trump about the royals on Wednesday interpreted Meghan’s remarks as “encouraging people to vote for Biden.”
However, the duchess did not name a political party or candidate in the video. A Sussex spokesperson told the BBC that the comments were a ‘call for decency.’”
When a U.K. Times reporter reached out to Buckingham Palace for a request for comment following the couples’ remarks on Tuesday, the palace declined to comment specifically but said, “The Duke is not a working member of the Royal Family and any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Trump Says Protesters In Democratic-Run Cities Will Throw 'Bumble Bee Brand Tuna' At You

President Donald Trump used a Tuesday campaign rally in Moon Township , Pennsylvania , to expound upon the dangers of tuna fish projectiles , alleging that protesters across the country were using cans of “ Bumble Bee brand tuna ” as weapons .
“ They go out to buy tuna fish and soup , ” Trump said , referring to demonstrators in cities like Portland , Oregon , and Minneapolis .
“ You know that , right ?
Goya , I hope .
Goya ; he ’ s great , isn ’ t he ?
Good guy.
” Trump apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not named after a person and produces what it bills as “ authentic Latino cuisine.
” In July , Trump met at the White House with Robert Unanue , Goya ’ s CEO , who lavishly praised the president .
That sparked calls by Trump critics for a boycott of the company ’ s products .
Trump , in his rally rant , said protesters “ go out and buy Goya because they throw it , they throw it.
” As he continued , Trump switched brands and food references .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuna fish , they could really rip it , right , and that hits you ?
No , it ’ s true .
Bumble Bee brand tuna and you can throw that sucker .
You can put a curve on it , you can do whatever the hell you want , and the cops in Chicago , you saw it , they were going like this.
” Trump mimicked police officers recoiling from tuna fish missiles , and went on to argue that protesters were professional “ anarchists ” funded by “ stupid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Democrats , it doesn ’ t happen with Republicans , ” the president added , repeating his frequent and unfounded criticism that crime and social unrest persist only in cities with Democratic leaders .
This is not the first time that Trump has fixated upon food items used as weaponry .
In July , he told leaders of the National Association of Police Organizations that protesters were throwing “ cans of soup ” at law enforcement , and that those objects were “ better than a brick because you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too heavy.
” Trump ’ s thoughts on tuna and soup may stem from images shared by Portland authorities in June and July showing “ contraband ” such as bottles , canned goods and paint that they said had been thrown at officers during the city ’ s racial injustice protests , which begin in May following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have been ongoing since .
As he campaigns for reelection , Trump has leaned into the idea that cities run by Democrats have become lawless havens ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland was “ ablaze all the time.
” He also has argued that a Joe Biden administration would seek to amplify civil unrest , despite the Democratic nominee having repeatedly condemned violence and looting at protests .

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President Donald Trump used a Tuesday campaign rally in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, to expound upon the dangers of tuna fish projectiles, alleging that protesters across the country were using cans of “Bumble Bee brand tuna” as weapons.
“They go out to buy tuna fish and soup,” Trump said, referring to demonstrators in cities like Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis. “You know that, right? Goya, I hope. Goya; he’s great, isn’t he? Good guy.”
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Trump apparently was referring to Goya Foods, which was not named after a person and produces what it bills as “authentic Latino cuisine.” In July, Trump met at the White House with Robert Unanue, Goya’s CEO, who lavishly praised the president. That sparked calls by Trump critics for a boycott of the company’s products.
Trump, in his rally rant, said protesters “go out and buy Goya because they throw it, they throw it.”
As he continued, Trump switched brands and food references. “It’s the perfect weight, tuna fish, they could really rip it, right, and that hits you? No, it’s true. Bumble Bee brand tuna and you can throw that sucker. You can put a curve on it, you can do whatever the hell you want, and the cops in Chicago, you saw it, they were going like this.”
Trump mimicked police officers recoiling from tuna fish missiles, and went on to argue that protesters were professional “anarchists” funded by “stupid, rich people.”
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“This is all Democrats, it doesn’t happen with Republicans,” the president added, repeating his frequent and unfounded criticism that crime and social unrest persist only in cities with Democratic leaders.
Shortly after the president’s rally, sarcastic social media takes about tuna fish quickly went viral. Even the Bumble Bee Seafood Twitter account chimed in.
Eat em. Don't throw em. — Bumble Bee Seafoods (@BumbleBeeFoods) September 23, 2020
Trump just accused protesters of buying cans of tuna or was it Goya to throw at people? — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) September 23, 2020
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200,000 Americans dead and um, huh. ok...the president of this country is talking about imaginary violence by Bumble Bee tuna cans? https://t.co/EltW60WbyV — alyssa GrudgePAC mastromonaco (@AlyssaMastro44) September 23, 2020
I’m done with Antifa. I bought 700 stay fresh pouches of Starkist tuna and now I find out we are using Bumblebee tuna cans?????? I can’t keep up. — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) September 23, 2020
Just got pulled over with a trunk full of Bumble Bee tuna. — Travis Allen 🇺🇸 (@TravisAllen02) September 23, 2020
Trump's soup-throwing story expands to include cans of Bumble Bee Tuna.
[I wonder whether it's "Solid" or "Chunk Light."] — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) September 23, 2020
The people who own AR-15s are worried about kids with tuna cans. — The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 23, 2020
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That’s right you MAGA motherfuckers - I have my soup can, I have my bumble bee tuna...and I even have an apple
I’m ready for war pic.twitter.com/zweGNX9Q6y — Jonathan Jewel (@jonathanjewel) September 23, 2020
Bob Barr can pry my Bumble Bee tuna from cold dead hands pic.twitter.com/x4A9tgvZ8W — Canned Tuna Antifa🌴 (@frogbaby236) September 23, 2020
This is not the first time that Trump has fixated upon food items used as weaponry. In July, he told leaders of the National Association of Police Organizations that protesters were throwing “cans of soup” at law enforcement, and that those objects were “better than a brick because you can’t throw a brick; it’s too heavy.”
Trump’s thoughts on tuna and soup may stem from images shared by Portland authorities in June and July showing “contraband” such as bottles, canned goods and paint that they said had been thrown at officers during the city’s racial injustice protests, which begin in May following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have been ongoing since.
As he campaigns for reelection, Trump has leaned into the idea that cities run by Democrats have become lawless havens ― he has insisted, inaccurately, that Portland was “ablaze all the time.” He also has argued that a Joe Biden administration would seek to amplify civil unrest, despite the Democratic nominee having repeatedly condemned violence and looting at protests.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Touching Scenes From Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Memorial Ceremony

Pioneering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday , Sept. 18 , at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer .
On Wednesday , her casket was brought to the U.S. Supreme Court to lie in repose .
Photos show scenes from a private memorial for family inside and also members of the public who arrived to pay their respects outside .
On Friday , the casket will be moved to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol , where Ginsburg will be the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol building .
See the latests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial at the U.S. Supreme Court below .
People wait for the casket of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to arrive at the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 23 .
Members of the public pay respects to Ginsburg as her flag-draped casket rests on the Lincoln catafalque on the west steps of the U.S. Supreme Court .
Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during a private ceremony for Ginsburg at the Supreme Court in Washington , D.C , on Sept. 23 .
David Reines , the husband of NPR Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask with depictions of Ginsburg on it during a private ceremony for the late justice at the Supreme Court in Washington , D.C. , on Sept. 23 .
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton pays his respect to Ginsburg as her flag-draped casket is displayed on the west front of the U.S. Supreme Court .
People pay respects as Ginsburg lies in repose in front of the US Supreme Court .
People pay respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose in front of the U.S. Supreme Court .
People wait in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ruth Bader Ginsburg lying in repose at the Supreme Court .
With an image of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a phone case a mourner pay respects to Ginsburg as she lies in repose .
A young girl holds a rose as she pays her respects as the casket of the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the U.S. Supreme Court .

Pioneering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, Sept. 18, at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer. On Wednesday, her casket was brought to the U.S. Supreme Court to lie in repose.
Photos show scenes from a private memorial for family inside and also members of the public who arrived to pay their respects outside. On Friday, the casket will be moved to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, where Ginsburg will be the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol building.
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See the latests photos from Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s memorial at the U.S. Supreme Court below.
SAUL LOEB via Getty Images
People wait for the casket of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to arrive at the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 23.
Caroline Brehman via Getty Images
People watch the flag-draped casket of Justice Ginsburg arrive at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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Members of the public pay respects to Ginsburg as her flag-draped casket rests on the Lincoln catafalque on the west steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
ANDREW HARNIK via Getty Images
Chief Justice John Roberts speaks during a private ceremony for Ginsburg at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C, on Sept. 23.
ANDREW HARNIK via Getty Images
David Reines, the husband of NPR Supreme Court reporter Nina Totenberg, wears a face mask with depictions of Ginsburg on it during a private ceremony for the late justice at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 23.
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Win McNamee via Getty Images
Lucille Wilson, 3, wears an RBG collar while waiting in line to view the casket.
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton pays his respect to Ginsburg as her flag-draped casket is displayed on the west front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
ALEX BRANDON via Getty Images
People pay respects as Ginsburg lies in repose in front of the US Supreme Court.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Mourners hold up white roses as they pay their respects.
ALEX BRANDON via Getty Images
People pay respects as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images
People wait in line to view the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lying in repose at the Supreme Court.
ALEX BRANDON via Getty Images
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With an image of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a phone case a mourner pay respects to Ginsburg as she lies in repose.
Pool via Getty Images
A girl dressed in a Supergirl costume pays her respects.
Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
A child poses with a copy of the “I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg” book while paying respects with family members.
Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--There Is Zero Chance Donald Trump Will Follow Meghan McCain's Debate Tips

Meghan McCain offered debate advice to Donald Trump and Joe Biden , but it ’ s debatable whether the president will actually follow it .
On Wednesday ’ s episode of “ The View , ” McCain said the best way each of the candidates could succeed in the faceoff would be if they basically turned the debate into “ Opposite Day.
” “ Both of them sort of have to switch roles and switch personas in this debate , ” McCain said .
Her advice to Biden ― endorsed on Tuesday by her mother , Cindy McCain ― is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking really tough and strong and like he cares about public safety and the radical [ left ] .
” Considering Biden is the epitome of a moderate , old-school Democrat , that seems doable .
On the other hand , her advice to Trump seems a tad unrealistic , to say the very least .
“ Trump , on the other hand , has to look like a normal , compassionate , empathetic human being , ” McCain said .
That caused co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar to giggle .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doing that , I don ’ t know because he hasn ’ t been very effective so far ” at that .
McCain suggested that Trump needs to start “ empathizing with pain , ” something he ’ s done a poor job at , she admitted .
“ People over the age of 60 , he ’ s losing voters in this demographic at an astounding rate , and I think it ’ s because they look at him and see a president who doesn ’ t care if they die @ @ @ @ @

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Meghan McCain offered debate advice to Donald Trump and Joe Biden, but it’s debatable whether the president will actually follow it.
On Wednesday’s episode of “The View,” McCain said the best way each of the candidates could succeed in the faceoff would be if they basically turned the debate into “Opposite Day.”
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“Both of them sort of have to switch roles and switch personas in this debate,” McCain said.
Her advice to Biden ― endorsed on Tuesday by her mother, Cindy McCain ― is that he “has to come out looking really tough and strong and like he cares about public safety and the radical [left].”
Considering Biden is the epitome of a moderate, old-school Democrat, that seems doable.
On the other hand, her advice to Trump seems a tad unrealistic, to say the very least.
“Trump, on the other hand, has to look like a normal, compassionate, empathetic human being,” McCain said. That caused co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar to giggle.
McCain admitted that is very unlikely.
“Whether or not he’s capable of doing that, I don’t know because he hasn’t been very effective so far” at that.
McCain suggested that Trump needs to start “empathizing with pain,” something he’s done a poor job at, she admitted.
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“People over the age of 60, he’s losing voters in this demographic at an astounding rate, and I think it’s because they look at him and see a president who doesn’t care if they die from the coronavirus.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Republican-led Senate Committees Issue Report On Hunter Biden, Ukraine

Biden ’ s campaign immediately panned the report , released six weeks before the election , as an effort by an ally of President Donald Trump to damage his election opponent .
Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to the issue even as his own administration has warned of a concerted Russian effort to denigrate Biden and asserted that a Ukrainian lawmaker who is involved in spreading anti-Biden claims is an “ active Russian agent.
” Republican Sen. Ron Johnson , whose Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is one of the two panels that released the 87-page report , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document public before the election because he expected it would paint an unflattering portrait of Biden .
The investigation produced stark political divisions , with Democrats accusing Johnson of a politically motivated initiative at a time when they said the Homeland Security Committee should be focused on the coronavirus pandemic response and other , less partisan issues .
Even before the report was released , the Biden campaign issued a detailed statement aiming to rebut point-by-point allegations that it said had long been debunked by media organizations as well as by U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examines Hunter Biden ’ s dealings in Ukraine , where he held a paid seat on the board of gas company Burisma , and alleges that that work posed a conflict of interest at a time when Biden was vice president in the Obama administration and engaged in Ukraine policy .
The allegations were central to the impeachment case against Trump after the president asked Ukraine ’ s president in a telephone call last year to investigate the Bidens .
One of the claims referenced in the report is that Biden , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its top prosecutor , Viktor Shokin , as a way to stymie an investigation into the owner of Burisma .
But the Biden campaign pointed to news reports and public statements showing there was no active investigation into Burisma at the time of Shokin ’ s ouster in 2016 , and that the firing of Shokin was broadly sought by U.S. and European officials and reflected the official Obama administration policy .
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens , and Hunter Biden has denied using his influence with his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to Trump ’ s defense in this year ’ s impeachment trial encouraged further investigations of his activities .
Johnson , a close ally of Trump , took the lead .
“ As the coronavirus death toll climbs and Wisconsinites struggle with joblessness , Ron Johnson has wasted months diverting the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee away from any oversight of the catastrophically botched federal response to the pandemic , a threat Sen. Johnson has dismissed by saying that ‘ death is an unavoidable part of life , ’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Republican-led Senate committees issued a politically charged report Wednesday on the work Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s son did in Ukraine.
Biden’s campaign immediately panned the report, released six weeks before the election, as an effort by an ally of President Donald Trump to damage his election opponent.
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Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to the issue even as his own administration has warned of a concerted Russian effort to denigrate Biden and asserted that a Ukrainian lawmaker who is involved in spreading anti-Biden claims is an “active Russian agent.”
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, whose Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is one of the two panels that released the 87-page report, had acknowledged in interviews his goal of making the document public before the election because he expected it would paint an unflattering portrait of Biden.
The investigation produced stark political divisions, with Democrats accusing Johnson of a politically motivated initiative at a time when they said the Homeland Security Committee should be focused on the coronavirus pandemic response and other, less partisan issues. Even before the report was released, the Biden campaign issued a detailed statement aiming to rebut point-by-point allegations that it said had long been debunked by media organizations as well as by U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
The Senate report examines Hunter Biden’s dealings in Ukraine, where he held a paid seat on the board of gas company Burisma, and alleges that that work posed a conflict of interest at a time when Biden was vice president in the Obama administration and engaged in Ukraine policy.
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The allegations were central to the impeachment case against Trump after the president asked Ukraine’s president in a telephone call last year to investigate the Bidens.
One of the claims referenced in the report is that Biden, as vice president, pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, as a way to stymie an investigation into the owner of Burisma.
But the Biden campaign pointed to news reports and public statements showing there was no active investigation into Burisma at the time of Shokin’s ouster in 2016, and that the firing of Shokin was broadly sought by U.S. and European officials and reflected the official Obama administration policy.
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, and Hunter Biden has denied using his influence with his father to aid Burisma. But Republicans who came to Trump’s defense in this year’s impeachment trial encouraged further investigations of his activities. Johnson, a close ally of Trump, took the lead.
“As the coronavirus death toll climbs and Wisconsinites struggle with joblessness, Ron Johnson has wasted months diverting the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee away from any oversight of the catastrophically botched federal response to the pandemic, a threat Sen. Johnson has dismissed by saying that ‘death is an unavoidable part of life,’” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Trump Turns Question About Breonna Taylor Decision Into Self-Praise Session

Considering Donald Trump is not known for being a reader , it ’ s probably not a surprise that he can be bad at reading a room .
That ’ s what happened Wednesday when a reporter asked him for his reaction to the decision by a grand jury in Louisville , Kentucky , to not charge the police officers who fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her death .
There are many things a president could have said , such as a statement calling for peace while the process continues or an expression of sympathy to Taylor ’ s family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to praise himself : “ My message is that I love the Black community , and I ’ ve done more for the Black community than any other president , and I say , with a possible exception of Abraham Lincoln , and I mean that , with opportunity zones and with criminal justice reform , with prison reform , with what we ’ ve done for historically Black universities , colleges , schools , what we ’ ve done , nobody ’ s done more .
Abraham Lincoln , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but beyond that nobody ’ s done more.
” Then he indicated he hadn ’ t yet seen the grand jury ’ s decision .
“ I heard a decision was just made , ” he said , and added he ’ d comment on it later .
The quote wasn ’ t even unique to the situation .
It ’ s something he frequently says to avoid answering questions about racial justice in America .
You can hear Trump attempt to soothe his fragile ego starting just after the 22-minute mark .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an answer to another reporter a little later .
Instead of praising himself , he praised Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron as “ a star ” for the way he handled the decision and said he ’ d be speaking with the Kentucky governor shortly .
That segment appears near the 25-minute of the video below .
Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician in Louisville , was killed March 13 when three white plainclothes police officers serving a “ no-knock ” warrant broke into her apartment and met with gunfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was injured .
The subject of the warrant was not at the address .
Taylor , who had been in bed when officers entered her home , was shot multiple times .
One of the three officers , Brett Hankison , was fired .
He was indicted Wednesday on a charge related to the endangerment of people in an adjoining apartment .

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Considering Donald Trump is not known for being a reader, it’s probably not a surprise that he can be bad at reading a room.
That’s what happened Wednesday when a reporter asked him for his reaction to the decision by a grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, to not charge the police officers who fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her death.
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There are many things a president could have said, such as a statement calling for peace while the process continues or an expression of sympathy to Taylor’s family.
But Trump used the question as an opportunity to praise himself:
“My message is that I love the Black community, and I’ve done more for the Black community than any other president, and I say, with a possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, and I mean that, with opportunity zones and with criminal justice reform, with prison reform, with what we’ve done for historically Black universities, colleges, schools, what we’ve done, nobody’s done more. Abraham Lincoln, let’s give him the nod, but beyond that nobody’s done more.”
Then he indicated he hadn’t yet seen the grand jury’s decision. “I heard a decision was just made,” he said, and added he’d comment on it later.
The quote wasn’t even unique to the situation. It’s something he frequently says to avoid answering questions about racial justice in America.
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You can hear Trump attempt to soothe his fragile ego starting just after the 22-minute mark.
Trump did give a less self-serving of an answer to another reporter a little later.
Instead of praising himself, he praised Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron as “a star” for the way he handled the decision and said he’d be speaking with the Kentucky governor shortly.
That segment appears near the 25-minute of the video below.
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician in Louisville, was killed March 13 when three white plainclothes police officers serving a “no-knock” warrant broke into her apartment and met with gunfire from Taylor’s boyfriend, who was injured. The subject of the warrant was not at the address. Taylor, who had been in bed when officers entered her home, was shot multiple times.
Taylor’s family settled a $12 million wrongful death suit against the city on Sept. 15 that included a promise of police reforms.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-09-23--Dems Target Trump's Abuses Of Power With Sweeping Reform Bill

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — House Democrats are proposing a sweeping bill to curb presidential abuses , a pitch to voters weeks ahead of Election Day as they try to defeat President Donald Trump , capture the Senate from Republicans and keep their House majority .
The legislation , a wide-ranging package of new and revised bills , will be announced Wednesday morning by the heads of seven House committees .
It would , among other measures , limit the president ’ s pardon power , strengthen laws to ban presidents from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from firing or retribution and require better reporting by campaigns of foreign election interference .
Each of the bill ’ s provisions is a response to actions by Trump or his administration that Democrats saw as abuses of presidential power .
It builds on an elections and ethics reform package from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the House passed soon after Democrats assumed the majority in 2019 .
“ Since taking office , President Trump has placed his own personal and political interests above the national interest by protecting and enriching himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference in our elections , eroding transparency , seeking to end accountability , and otherwise abusing the power of his office , ” the committee chairmen and chairwomen said in a joint statement .
The legislation comes as House Democrats have been repeatedly frustrated – including as they impeached the president last year – by efforts to gain information from the Trump administration and as officials have faced little consequence for defying subpoenas and ignoring requests and investigations .
The bill would also strengthen congressional tools to enforce subpoenas by expediting the judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who won ’ t comply .
The package also comes as Congress has yet to pass any legislation to try to curb election interference after Russia meddled on several fronts in the 2016 presidential contest .
In addition to strengthening reporting requirements for campaigns , the bill would clarify and enhance criminal penalties for campaigns that accept foreign information sought or obtained for political advantage .
The election provisions are a response to the Trump campaign ’ s interactions with Russians during the 2016 campaign , including conversations between the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediaries about information that could incriminate Democrat Hillary Clinton .
A report by former special counsel Robert Mueller found multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia , but determined there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between the two .
The committee heads announcing the new package on Wednesday are House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California , House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York , House Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney of New York , House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth of Kentucky , House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel of New York and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal of Massachusetts .

Lead House impeachment manager, Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., arrives to meet with fellow Democrats at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are proposing a sweeping bill to curb presidential abuses, a pitch to voters weeks ahead of Election Day as they try to defeat President Donald Trump, capture the Senate from Republicans and keep their House majority.
The legislation, a wide-ranging package of new and revised bills, will be announced Wednesday morning by the heads of seven House committees. It would, among other measures, limit the president’s pardon power, strengthen laws to ban presidents from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments, better protect independent agency watchdogs and whistleblowers from firing or retribution and require better reporting by campaigns of foreign election interference.
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Each of the bill’s provisions is a response to actions by Trump or his administration that Democrats saw as abuses of presidential power. It builds on an elections and ethics reform package from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the House passed soon after Democrats assumed the majority in 2019.
“Since taking office, President Trump has placed his own personal and political interests above the national interest by protecting and enriching himself, targeting his political opponents, seeking foreign interference in our elections, eroding transparency, seeking to end accountability, and otherwise abusing the power of his office,” the committee chairmen and chairwomen said in a joint statement.
The legislation comes as House Democrats have been repeatedly frustrated – including as they impeached the president last year – by efforts to gain information from the Trump administration and as officials have faced little consequence for defying subpoenas and ignoring requests and investigations. The bill would also strengthen congressional tools to enforce subpoenas by expediting the judicial process and allowing courts to fine officials who won’t comply.
The package also comes as Congress has yet to pass any legislation to try to curb election interference after Russia meddled on several fronts in the 2016 presidential contest. In addition to strengthening reporting requirements for campaigns, the bill would clarify and enhance criminal penalties for campaigns that accept foreign information sought or obtained for political advantage.
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The election provisions are a response to the Trump campaign’s interactions with Russians during the 2016 campaign, including conversations between the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and intermediaries about information that could incriminate Democrat Hillary Clinton. A report by former special counsel Robert Mueller found multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, but determined there was insufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between the two.