bonginoreport--2020-07-17--Pennsylvania Unions Fear Biden’s Leftist Climate Policies

Jim Cassidy , business manager of the Insulators Local No .
2 union just outside Pittsburgh , knows Joe Biden as a friend of labor .
He keeps a photo of himself with Biden in his office from when the former vice president visited Aliquippa , Pennsylvania , in 2018 to campaign for then-U.S. House candidate Conor Lamb , a centrist Democrat .
It ’ s a visual reminder of Biden ’ s longtime support for unionized workers who build things .
But Cassidy , 55 , is torn over whether Biden the Democratic presidential nominee would be an enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he represents , workers who install insulation material on piping and boilers in natural gas plants .
“ Joe Biden is really one of us .
I always loved the man , ” said Cassidy , a registered Democrat .
“ He scares me now .
Is he embracing the new Green Deal or whatever they are calling it ?
He needs to get some stuff straight.
” Cassidy said he will vote for Biden , trusting Biden will “ come around ” to recognize how the natural gas fracking boom over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in western and northeastern Pennsylvania , replacing the fading coal and steel industries .
But Cassidy ’ s concerns are shared by leaders of other building trade unions based in these closely watched regions of Pennsylvania , a key swing state .
“ I am completely shocked and stunned about the language coming from Joe Biden , allegedly a union guy , ” said Jim Snell , business agent for Steamfitters Local 420 in southeastern Pennsylvania , whose 4,600 members install piping systems in oil refineries , natural gas plants , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has kicked the building trades to the curb , and they are all in with the environment groups.
” In a series of conversations with the Washington Examiner over recent weeks , the union officials , all registered Democrats , expressed alarm at Biden ’ s shift to the left on energy policy while giving him some benefit of the doubt that they would not grant to more liberal candidates such as Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren , who pledged to ban fracking during the campaign .
Biden has promised to end new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 13 % of natural gas was produced in 2017 .
But he has struggled to overcome a gaffe during a pointed exchange with Sanders in a March debate , in which Biden declared “ no new fracking.
” “ With Biden , there is some level of thought that he is saying certain things because it 's a line you need to walk at this point to get elected .
There are folks giving him that leeway , ” said Jeff Nobers , executive director of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction trades .
Biden , seeking to energize young and liberal voters , is doubling down on an agenda to build a clean energy economy of the future that transitions away from fossil fuels , viewing the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to respond to climate change .
Up by double digits in recent polls of Pennsylvania , Biden is not only speaking to constituencies such as the affluent , educated Philadelphia suburbs that helped spark a blue wave against President Trump in the 2018 midterms and 2019 local elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off some white residents in blue-collar union counties around Pittsburgh who once voted Democratic but defected to Trump over Hillary Clinton , delivering the state to Trump by less than 1 percentage point in 2016 .
He ’ s playing up his local roots , visiting his childhood home in Scranton , Pennsylvania , this month and positioning union workers as beneficiaries of his revamped climate change agenda he unveiled this week that he said would spur millions of new jobs building wind turbines , energy-efficient homes and buildings , railroad lines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union ” appears 32 times in the climate plan , with Biden pledging to spend $ 2 trillion on clean energy initiatives over four years in order to eliminate carbon from power plants by 2035 as part of a `` once-in-a-century opportunity to jolt new life into our economy.
” Former Rep. Ryan Costello , a centrist who represented the Philadelphia suburbs until 2018 , said that Biden could win Pennsylvania “ convincingly ” if he can persuade some union voters who voted for Trump .
“ Building trade voters have replaced suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Costello said .
“ I can tell you how suburban women voters are voting .
I ca n't tell you how building trader voters are .
He does n't need all those votes back .
He just needs to make sure Trump has to compete for them still.
” Shawn Steffe , business agent for Boilermakers Local 154 in Pittsburgh , is not buying Biden ’ s outreach and is distrustful about promises by Democrats to help workers in high-paying fossil fuel jobs transition to new ones in clean energy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s association with Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who collaborated with Biden on a joint policy task .
“ Biden needs to steer his car out of the far-left ditch back to the middle if he wants us to support him , ” Steffe said .
“ It 's not happening .
I do n't see my members voting for someone who will take away their jobs and pensions over something that has a lot of half-truths to it.
” Steffe , a 53-year-old “ lifelong Democrat , ” voted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s adherence to a Republican economic agenda that he acknowledges is broadly unfriendly to organized labor .
The more than 1,500 active members of his union install , maintain , and repair boilers in coal and natural gas plants , refineries , steel mills , and petrochemical plants , but none in the wind and solar industry , which he says is not prominent in western Pennsylvania .
“ If I do n't have a job , it does n't matter what I fight for on the union end with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If I do n't have a job , I do n't have a seat at the table.
” Steffe ’ s skepticism of clean energy jobs mirrors concerns by the lobbying group American Petroleum Institute , which argues the renewable sector largely lacks union representation and that oil and gas jobs pay more .
Pennsylvania hosted more than 90,000 clean energy jobs in 2019 , covering wind , solar , energy efficiency , according to the group Environmental Entrepreneurs , but API says the oil and gas industry supports more than 350,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 50-year-old from the Philadelphia suburbs who started working for the steamfitters out of high school , admits renewable energy is gaining ground on natural gas , a fossil fuel cleaner than coal that provided 38 % of U.S. electricity in 2019 .
But he worries policies to transition off fossil fuels too fast will hamstring steel plants and other large manufacturers in Pennsylvania that rely on “ baseload ” power .
“ I am no dummy .
I see what is coming down the pike with renewables .
But you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Snell said .
“ The industry might be a little ugly sometimes , but it 's needed . ''
Darrin Kelly , a firefighter and president of the Allegheny County Labor Council , likes to remind fellow union leaders of Trump ’ s “ damaging ” agenda toward them .
He blames Trump for overseeing declining workplace inspections by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , implementing tax cuts that have benefited large corporations , and giving contradictory positions on minimum wage laws .
Kelly ’ s union represents a broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Pittsburgh and its immediate suburbs , including firefighters , service workers , government employees , and some oil and gas workers .
Kelly , 44 , backed Clinton , who won Allegheny County , and plans to vote for Biden , whom he credited with including unions in his clean energy plans and promoting new opportunities for fossil fuel workers in jobs such as plugging abandoned oil and gas wells .
“ I will say this with complete certainty — no one has worked harder for the American worker than Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact he is clearly mentioning protecting the workers in these sectors is evidence he wants to make sure they have a future .
“ Kelly is not alone .
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and United Auto Workers are among the unions that have endorsed both Biden and his new climate plan , with the former saying the Biden clean energy agenda would create jobs in sectors such as construction , utility , telecommunications , manufacturing , and railroad .
Trump has not delivered on campaign promises to revive the coal industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop an economic-driven shift to cheaper and cleaner natural gas and renewables .
But he has never stopped speaking to fossil fuel workers , promoting oil and gas as part of an “ energy dominance agenda ” enabled by easing of permitting rules .
“ Within this region , the perception is Donald Trump is a supporter of this industry and Joe Biden is not , ” said Jim Kunz , business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Local 66 , covering Pittsburgh , representing nearly 8,000 workers operating cranes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and power plants .
Kunz , a 65-year-old “ lifelong Democrat , ” won ’ t be voting for Trump , though , like he did in 2016 .
He faults the president for incorrectly taking credit for the development of a $ 6 billion petrochemical plant in western Pennsylvania , known by locals as “ the cracker , ” that will convert ethane , a natural gas byproduct , into polyethylene , a form of plastic .
Project developer Shell approved the petrochemical plant in the Obama administration .
“ The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done absolutely nothing to create additional employment in western Pennsylvania , ” Kunz said .
But Kunz said he won ’ t vote for Biden either , arguing he is “ going down the same road ” as Clinton , whom unions criticized for saying she would put coal miners and companies “ out of business.
” Biden has been less explicit about banning particular fossil fuels and is even promising to invest in carbon capture , a technology that can capture emissions of coal and gas plants that has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears perceptions of Biden among building trade workers are baked in , amplified by local television ads from Trump misleadingly accusing Biden of wanting to ban fracking .
“ The average working person does n't read every newspaper or be a political junkie , ” Kunz said .
“ They get everything in 30-second sound bites .
Right now , his 30-second sound bites are not very good.
” “ I do n't know if that 's a perception that will be easy to change , ” Kunz added .
“ It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on reality .
”

Jim Cassidy, business manager of the Insulators Local No. 2 union just outside Pittsburgh, knows Joe Biden as a friend of labor.
He keeps a photo of himself with Biden in his office from when the former vice president visited Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, in 2018 to campaign for then-U.S. House candidate Conor Lamb, a centrist Democrat.
It’s a visual reminder of Biden’s longtime support for unionized workers who build things.
But Cassidy, 55, is torn over whether Biden the Democratic presidential nominee would be an enemy of the fossil fuel industry whose workers he represents, workers who install insulation material on piping and boilers in natural gas plants.
“Joe Biden is really one of us. I always loved the man,” said Cassidy, a registered Democrat. “He scares me now. Is he embracing the new Green Deal or whatever they are calling it? He needs to get some stuff straight.”
Cassidy said he will vote for Biden, trusting Biden will “come around” to recognize how the natural gas fracking boom over the past decade has been a “godsend” in western and northeastern Pennsylvania, replacing the fading coal and steel industries.
But Cassidy’s concerns are shared by leaders of other building trade unions based in these closely watched regions of Pennsylvania, a key swing state.
“I am completely shocked and stunned about the language coming from Joe Biden, allegedly a union guy,” said Jim Snell, business agent for Steamfitters Local 420 in southeastern Pennsylvania, whose 4,600 members install piping systems in oil refineries, natural gas plants, and infrastructure projects. “The Democratic Party has kicked the building trades to the curb, and they are all in with the environment groups.”
Biden moves left
In a series of conversations with the Washington Examiner over recent weeks, the union officials, all registered Democrats, expressed alarm at Biden’s shift to the left on energy policy while giving him some benefit of the doubt that they would not grant to more liberal candidates such as Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, who pledged to ban fracking during the campaign.
Biden has promised to end new fracking leases on federal lands, where only 13% of natural gas was produced in 2017. But he has struggled to overcome a gaffe during an exchange with Sanders in a March debate, in which Biden declared “no new fracking.”
“With Biden, there is some level of thought that he is saying certain things because it's a line you need to walk at this point to get elected. There are folks giving him that leeway,” said Jeff Nobers, executive director of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, representing 60,000 workers and contractors in construction trades.
Biden, seeking to energize young and liberal voters, is doubling down on an agenda to build a clean energy economy of the future that transitions away from fossil fuels, viewing the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to respond to climate change.
Up by double digits in recent polls of Pennsylvania, Biden is not only speaking to constituencies such as the affluent, educated Philadelphia suburbs that helped spark a blue wave against President Trump in the 2018 midterms and 2019 local elections.
[Related: Biden lurch left on climate risks alienating moderates]
Keeping unions in mind
Biden is betting he can peel off some white residents in blue-collar union counties around Pittsburgh who once voted Democratic but defected to Trump over Hillary Clinton, delivering the state to Trump by less than 1 percentage point in 2016.
He’s playing up his local roots, visiting his childhood home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this month and positioning union workers as beneficiaries of his revamped climate change agenda he unveiled this week that he said would spur millions of new jobs building wind turbines, energy-efficient homes and buildings, railroad lines, and electric vehicles.
The word “union” appears 32 times in the climate plan, with Biden pledging to spend $2 trillion on clean energy initiatives over four years in order to eliminate carbon from power plants by 2035 as part of a "once-in-a-century opportunity to jolt new life into our economy.”
Former Rep. Ryan Costello, a centrist who represented the Philadelphia suburbs until 2018, said that Biden could win Pennsylvania “convincingly” if he can persuade some union voters who voted for Trump.
“Building trade voters have replaced suburban women as Pennsylvania’s swing voters,” Costello said. “I can tell you how suburban women voters are voting. I can't tell you how building trader voters are. He doesn't need all those votes back. He just needs to make sure Trump has to compete for them still.”
Skeptics of Biden’s ‘half-truths’
Shawn Steffe, business agent for Boilermakers Local 154 in Pittsburgh, is not buying Biden’s outreach and is distrustful about promises by Democrats to help workers in high-paying fossil fuel jobs transition to new ones in clean energy. Steffe said he’s noticed Biden’s association with Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who collaborated with Biden on a joint policy task.
“Biden needs to steer his car out of the far-left ditch back to the middle if he wants us to support him,” Steffe said. “It's not happening. I don't see my members voting for someone who will take away their jobs and pensions over something that has a lot of half-truths to it.”
Steffe, a 53-year-old “lifelong Democrat,” voted for Trump and intends to again, overlooking the president’s adherence to a Republican economic agenda that he acknowledges is broadly unfriendly to organized labor.
The more than 1,500 active members of his union install, maintain, and repair boilers in coal and natural gas plants, refineries, steel mills, and petrochemical plants, but none in the wind and solar industry, which he says is not prominent in western Pennsylvania.
“If I don't have a job, it doesn't matter what I fight for on the union end with collective bargaining,” Steffe said. "If I don't have a job, I don't have a seat at the table.”
Steffe’s skepticism of clean energy jobs mirrors concerns by the lobbying group American Petroleum Institute, which argues the renewable sector largely lacks union representation and that oil and gas jobs pay more.
Pennsylvania hosted more than 90,000 clean energy jobs in 2019, covering wind, solar, energy efficiency, according to the group Environmental Entrepreneurs, but API says the oil and gas industry supports more than 350,000 related jobs in the state.
Snell, a 50-year-old from the Philadelphia suburbs who started working for the steamfitters out of high school, admits renewable energy is gaining ground on natural gas, a fossil fuel cleaner than coal that provided 38% of U.S. electricity in 2019.
But he worries policies to transition off fossil fuels too fast will hamstring steel plants and other large manufacturers in Pennsylvania that rely on “baseload” power.
“I am no dummy. I see what is coming down the pike with renewables. But you have to have that bridge natural gas has,” Snell said. “The industry might be a little ugly sometimes, but it's needed."
Biden’s trust factor
Darrin Kelly, a firefighter and president of the Allegheny County Labor Council, likes to remind fellow union leaders of Trump’s “damaging” agenda toward them. He blames Trump for overseeing declining workplace inspections by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, implementing tax cuts that have benefited large corporations, and giving contradictory positions on minimum wage laws.
Kelly’s union represents a broader and larger swath of nearly 100,000 workers across Pittsburgh and its immediate suburbs, including firefighters, service workers, government employees, and some oil and gas workers.
Kelly, 44, backed Clinton, who won Allegheny County, and plans to vote for Biden, whom he credited with including unions in his clean energy plans and promoting new opportunities for fossil fuel workers in jobs such as plugging abandoned oil and gas wells.
“I will say this with complete certainty — no one has worked harder for the American worker than Joe Biden,” Kelly said. “The fact he is clearly mentioning protecting the workers in these sectors is evidence he wants to make sure they have a future. “
Kelly is not alone.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and United Auto Workers are among the unions that have endorsed both Biden and his new climate plan, with the former saying the Biden clean energy agenda would create jobs in sectors such as construction, utility, telecommunications, manufacturing, and railroad.
Mixed reviews for Trump
Trump has not delivered on campaign promises to revive the coal industry, union leaders acknowledge, unable to stop an economic-driven shift to cheaper and cleaner natural gas and renewables. But he has never stopped speaking to fossil fuel workers, promoting oil and gas as part of an “energy dominance agenda” enabled by easing of permitting rules.
“Within this region, the perception is Donald Trump is a supporter of this industry and Joe Biden is not,” said Jim Kunz, business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Local 66, covering Pittsburgh, representing nearly 8,000 workers operating cranes, backhoes, and bulldozers building pipelines and power plants.
Kunz, a 65-year-old “lifelong Democrat,” won’t be voting for Trump, though.
He faults the president for incorrectly taking credit for the development of a $6 billion petrochemical plant in western Pennsylvania, known by locals as “the cracker,” that will convert ethane, a natural gas byproduct, into polyethylene, a form of plastic.
Project developer Shell approved the petrochemical plant in the Obama administration.
“The president talked the great fight, but he has done absolutely nothing to create additional employment in western Pennsylvania,” Kunz said.
Perception beats reality
But Kunz said he won’t vote for Biden either, arguing he is “going down the same road” as Clinton, whom unions criticized for saying she would put coal miners and companies “out of business.”
Biden has been less explicit about banning particular fossil fuels and is even promising to invest in carbon capture, a technology that can capture emissions of coal and gas plants that has not been widely scaled.
Kunz, however, fears perceptions of Biden among building trade workers are baked in, amplified by local television ads from Trump misleadingly accusing Biden of wanting to ban fracking.
“The average working person doesn't read every newspaper or be a political junkie,” Kunz said. “They get everything in 30-second sound bites. Right now, his 30-second sound bites are not very good.”
“I don't know if that's a perception that will be easy to change,” Kunz added. “It's about perception. The world doesn't work on reality.”


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Waterboy Rubio Mistakes Elijah Cummings for John Lewis

In an excruciating gaffe , Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted out a tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis Saturday — and paired it with a photo of himself with the late Rep. Elijah Cummings instead .
“ It was an honor to know & be blessed to serve in Congress with John Lewis a genuine & historic American hero , ” Rubio wrote .
“ This is Elijah Cummings , ” responded Astead Herndon , a reporter at the New York Times .
Minutes later , the post was removed — and the red-faced Republican offered his mea culpas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorrect photo , ” Rubio admitted– this time with a video of himself and Lewis at a Martin Luther King Day event in 2017 .
“ John Lewis was a genuine American hero.
” Lewis and Cummings , a Maryland congressman who died in 2019 , were frequently confused for one another during the 12 terms they served together in the US House of Representatives .
Both were bald , older African American men .
“ We would laugh about it – and I took some joy in it , since he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Time Magazine tribute to Cummings last year .

Don’t all deceased congressman look alike?
In an excruciating gaffe, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted out a tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis Saturday — and paired it with a photo of himself with the late Rep. Elijah Cummings instead.
“It was an honor to know & be blessed to serve in Congress with John Lewis a genuine & historic American hero,” Rubio wrote.
“This is Elijah Cummings,” responded Astead Herndon, a reporter at the New York Times.
Minutes later, the post was removed — and the red-faced Republican offered his mea culpas.
“Earlier today I tweeted an incorrect photo,” Rubio admitted– this time with a video of himself and Lewis at a Martin Luther King Day event in 2017. “John Lewis was a genuine American hero.”
Lewis and Cummings, a Maryland congressman who died in 2019, were frequently confused for one another during the 12 terms they served together in the US House of Representatives. Both were bald, older African American men.
“We would laugh about it – and I took some joy in it, since he was taller and younger,” Lewis wrote in a Time Magazine tribute to Cummings last year.


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Study Proves Children Rarely Spread Coronavirus – Making Case for Reopening Schools

'Children act more as a brake on infection '

With August quickly approaching, many school districts across the country have already mandated online learning for students over fears that congregating students would further spread coronavirus.
But according to a recent study in Germany — completed by the Medical Faculty of the TU Dresden and University Hospital Carl Gustav Caru — transmission of COVID-19 among younger people is rare.
From CNBC:
The results showed that out of 2,045 blood samples collected from students and teachers from across 13 secondary schools in [Saxony] only 12 samples were found to contain antibodies against Covid-19.
Tests were carried out in several schools where there had been known outbreaks of the virus, and 24 of the participants had at least one confirmed coronavirus case in their household. Nonetheless, only one of those 24 participants was found to have antibodies, the study noted.
In fact, the study found that schools do not become virus hotspots once they reopen. According to the study, "the dynamics of virus spreading have been overestimated," CNBC reported.
Prof. Reinhard Berner, the head of pediatric medicine at Dresden University Hospital and a leader of the study, said the study proves "the opposite" of the claim that schools could be super-spreaders of the virus.
"Children act more as a brake on infection," Berner said. "Not every infection that reaches them is passed on."
Researchers in Iceland and Europe have similarly concluded that children do not easily transmit COVID-19.
From Wired:
There is also a wealth of evidence that children do not transmit the virus at the same rate as adults. While experts note that the precise transmission dynamics between children, or between children and adults, are "not well understood"—and indeed, some argue that the best evidence on this question is that "we do not have enough evidence"—many tend to think that the risk of contagion is diminished.
Jonas F. Ludvigsson, a pediatrician and a professor of clinical epidemiology at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, reviewed the relevant research literature as of May 11 and concluded that, while it's "highly likely" children can transmit the virus causing Covid-19, they "seldom cause outbreaks." The World Health Organization's chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, suggested last month that "it does seem from what we know now that children are less capable of spreading" the disease, and Kristine Macartney, director of Australia's National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, noted a lack of evidence that school-aged children are superspreaders in her country. A study in Ireland found "no evidence of secondary transmission of Covid-19 from children attending school."
And Kári Stefánsson, a leading researcher in Iceland, told The New Yorker that out of some 56,000 residents who have been tested, "there are only two examples where a child infected a parent. But there are lots of examples where parents infected children." Similar conclusions were drawn in a study of families in the Netherlands.
Still, only a small number of Americans — just 19% according to one recent survey — believe that schools should reopen fully this fall.


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Former NY Governor Pataki Warns NYC Is on the Brink

For the first time in his life , George Pataki is worried about New York City ’ s future .
In an exclusive interview with The Post at his Peekskill , New York , office , the former three-term Republican governor said crime , COVID-19 and poor leadership across city and state government have brought the Big Apple to the brink .
“ For the first time ever I fear for the future of New York City .
The de Blasio administration has been a disaster and New York has been hit by just decision after decision that really jeopardize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just City Hall but Albany too , ” said the 6-foot-5 Pataki , glowering over his desk .
“ This can not be allowed to continue or New York City is going to die.
” Pataki , 75 , has been out of politics for more than a decade now .
His office is filled with smiling photos of him during his salad days in Albany , and cluttered with signed Yankees baseball bats and gold-bladed shovels that his staff sometimes use to clear snow in the winter .
Images of Theodore Roosevelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the namesake for his son Teddy , are everywhere .
Lately , Pataki has turned to writing .
His new book , “ Beyond the Great Divide : How A Nation Became A Neighborhood ” ( Post Hill Press ) , delves into his time as governor during 9/11 and offers thoughts on how Americans can move past their differences to rebuild a common future .
He also still practices law at Norton Rose Fulbright ; before the pandemic you could sometimes catch him on the Metro-North zipping into Manhattan .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of and involved in political developments across the state , ticking off what he says are failed initiatives like bail reform , rent reform , defunding cops and Chirlane McCray ’ s mental-health boondoggle ThriveNYC , which has resulted in “ having mentally ill homeless all over the streets of New York.
” “ So many people are going to lose their lives needlessly because of the demonization of the police and the decriminalization of acts where people should be arrested and put away as opposed to turned loose on the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now known by his intimates simply as “ gov , ” cut his political teeth as a working-class local mayor of Peekskill in the early 1980s .
He refers to lower Westchester as the “ rich ” part of the county .
Locals still recognize him , even through his pandemic mask .
Pataki said he took particular umbrage knowing that the adverse effects of policies being shoehorned on the state — now under one-party domination of the Democrats — would not affect those with money and power .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be murdered , or the guy in a bodega who will be held up and shot , ” he said , repeatedly noting the city ’ s sharp uptick in violent crime .
“ If you ’ re a writer for The New York Times living in a safe Upper East Side neighborhood and taking Uber it ’ s not going to affect you.
” Though he declined to take any personal shots , insiders tell me he ’ s seething about Andrew Cuomo and has been particularly appalled by the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept seniors who tested positive for COVID-19 .
At least one Pataki confidante said the situation has angered him enough to even consider running against Cuomo in 2022 and denying him the same fourth term Pataki denied his father , Mario , in 1994 .
“ You never say never , ” Pataki said , when asked if he ’ d run again , noting that he would still be “ the youth candidate in a [ presidential ] Democratic primary.
” Pataki added that he opposes some of the more drastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides and he dismissed calls for civil or criminal charges against public officials for actions taken during the pandemic .
And even if he were the governor , he said he would not remove de Blasio from office — as tempting as that may be .
“ The consequences in our political system are political .
If you make the wrong decision , the people have the right to change their view and elect new leaders , ” he said .
“ The criminalization of political differences is a third-world negative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On national politics , Pataki repeatedly declined to endorse President Trump ’ s reelection and refused to say who he would vote for , adding that if the election were held today , Trump would lose .
When asked to evaluate the president ’ s performance , Pataki crossed his arms and breathed deeply .
“ Many of President Trump ’ s policies I agree with but his tweets and his feuds often result in the success of those policies being ignored , ” he finally said .
Pataki was more forthcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he mounted his own brief bid for the GOP nomination .
After Trump jumped into the race in August 2015 , Pataki denounced him for remarks calling illegal Mexican immigrants “ rapists ” and “ drug dealers ” in an open letter to his fellow aspiring GOP candidates — which has since been taken offline .
In tweets from the time , he blasted Trump as a “ divider ” who was unfit to hold office , attacked plans for a Muslim registry as “ revolting ” and “ un-American ” and vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , of course , shot back with tweets of his own , calling the former governor “ TACKY PATAKI ” and claiming that he “ couldn ’ t be elected dog catcher ” today — among other insults .
They were also at odds during Pataki ’ s time in Albany , particularly over plans to bring Indian casinos to the Catskills .
Concerned that it might cut into his Atlantic City gaming interests , Trump spent years fighting the idea .
Despite his baggage with Trump , Pataki predicted that Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by hewing too far to the left , or if it “ became apparent to the American people that he ’ s not up to doing the job.
” He called questions about the 77-year-old former veep ’ s mental state “ a legitimate concern.
” “ I ’ ve been disappointed by the ability of the leftist activists in the party like Bernie Sanders and [ Alexandria ] Ocasio-Cortez to apparently influence him in real and significant ways , ” Pataki said , warning that the moderate Biden of decades past was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the moderate Democrat for a long time serving in Congress might not be the Biden who we would see as president .
”

For the first time in his life, George Pataki is worried about New York City’s future.
In an exclusive interview with The Post at his Peekskill, New York, office, the former three-term Republican governor said crime, COVID-19 and poor leadership across city and state government have brought the Big Apple to the brink.
“For the first time ever I fear for the future of New York City. The de Blasio administration has been a disaster and New York has been hit by just decision after decision that really jeopardize its future. It’s not just City Hall but Albany too,” said the 6-foot-5 Pataki, glowering over his desk. “This cannot be allowed to continue or New York City is going to die.”
Pataki, 75, has been out of politics for more than a decade now. His office is filled with smiling photos of him during his salad days in Albany, and cluttered with signed Yankees baseball bats and gold-bladed shovels that his staff sometimes use to clear snow in the winter. Images of Theodore Roosevelt, Pataki’s political hero and the namesake for his son Teddy, are everywhere.
Lately, Pataki has turned to writing. His new book, “Beyond the Great Divide: How A Nation Became A Neighborhood” (Post Hill Press), delves into his time as governor during 9/11 and offers thoughts on how Americans can move past their differences to rebuild a common future. He also still practices law at Norton Rose Fulbright; before the pandemic you could sometimes catch him on the Metro-North zipping into Manhattan.
But, behind the scenes, he remains keenly aware of and involved in political developments across the state, ticking off what he says are failed initiatives like bail reform, rent reform, defunding cops and Chirlane McCray’s mental-health boondoggle ThriveNYC, which has resulted in “having mentally ill homeless all over the streets of New York.”
“So many people are going to lose their lives needlessly because of the demonization of the police and the decriminalization of acts where people should be arrested and put away as opposed to turned loose on the street,” he said.
Pataki, now known by his intimates simply as “gov,” cut his political teeth as a working-class local mayor of Peekskill in the early 1980s. He refers to lower Westchester as the “rich” part of the county. Locals still recognize him, even through his pandemic mask. Pataki said he took particular umbrage knowing that the adverse effects of policies being shoehorned on the state — now under one-party domination of the Democrats — would not affect those with money and power.
“It’s the person working the night shift who will be murdered, or the guy in a bodega who will be held up and shot,” he said, repeatedly noting the city’s sharp uptick in violent crime. “If you’re a writer for The New York Times living in a safe Upper East Side neighborhood and taking Uber it’s not going to affect you.”
Though he declined to take any personal shots, insiders tell me he’s seething about Andrew Cuomo and has been particularly appalled by the governor’s executive order forcing nursing homes to accept seniors who tested positive for COVID-19. At least one Pataki confidante said the situation has angered him enough to even consider running against Cuomo in 2022 and denying him the same fourth term Pataki denied his father, Mario, in 1994.
“You never say never,” Pataki said, when asked if he’d run again, noting that he would still be “the youth candidate in a [presidential] Democratic primary.”
Pataki added that he opposes some of the more drastic efforts being put forth by partisans on both sides and he dismissed calls for civil or criminal charges against public officials for actions taken during the pandemic. And even if he were the governor, he said he would not remove de Blasio from office — as tempting as that may be.
“The consequences in our political system are political. If you make the wrong decision, the people have the right to change their view and elect new leaders,” he said. “The criminalization of political differences is a third-world negative that has become too commonplace in our country.”
On national politics, Pataki repeatedly declined to endorse President Trump’s reelection and refused to say who he would vote for, adding that if the election were held today, Trump would lose. When asked to evaluate the president’s performance, Pataki crossed his arms and breathed deeply.
“Many of President Trump’s policies I agree with but his tweets and his feuds often result in the success of those policies being ignored,” he finally said.
Pataki was more forthcoming during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he mounted his own brief bid for the GOP nomination. After Trump jumped into the race in August 2015, Pataki denounced him for remarks calling illegal Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “drug dealers” in an open letter to his fellow aspiring GOP candidates — which has since been taken offline.
In tweets from the time, he blasted Trump as a “divider” who was unfit to hold office, attacked plans for a Muslim registry as “revolting” and “un-American” and vowed he would not vote for him.
Trump, of course, shot back with tweets of his own, calling the former governor “TACKY PATAKI” and claiming that he “couldn’t be elected dog catcher” today — among other insults.
They were also at odds during Pataki’s time in Albany, particularly over plans to bring Indian casinos to the Catskills. Concerned that it might cut into his Atlantic City gaming interests, Trump spent years fighting the idea.
Despite his baggage with Trump, Pataki predicted that Joe Biden could still lose the election either by hewing too far to the left, or if it “became apparent to the American people that he’s not up to doing the job.” He called questions about the 77-year-old former veep’s mental state “a legitimate concern.”
“I’ve been disappointed by the ability of the leftist activists in the party like Bernie Sanders and [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez to apparently influence him in real and significant ways,” Pataki said, warning that the moderate Biden of decades past was long gone. “The Biden who was the moderate Democrat for a long time serving in Congress might not be the Biden who we would see as president.”


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Dr. Fauci Insanely Claims New York Is a Model for Fighting Coronavirus

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci attends the daily coronavirus briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 09 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
U.S. unemployment claims have approached 17 million over the past three weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
White House health advisor Anthony Fauci has praised New York for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic , saying the state responded `` correctly '' to bring its outbreak under control .
`` We know that , when you do it properly , you bring down those cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done it in New York , '' Fauci said in an interview with `` PBS NewsHour '' that aired Friday evening .
`` New York got hit worse than any place in the world .
And they did it correctly by doing the things that you 're talking about , '' he continued .
New York was once the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States with more than 10,000 new cases a day during its peak outbreak in April .
The state has dramatically reduced daily new infections to 776 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of nine U.S. states that has the virus under control , according to the tracking project Covid Act Now .
Less than 1 % of New Yorkers tested for the virus were positive Thursday , down from a high of more than 40 % .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo instituted some of the strictest reopening requirements in the country , insisting that stay-at-home orders remain in place and many businesses remain closed far longer than states that are now seeing surges such as Texas and Florida .
More than 400,000 New Yorkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic began and at least 32,463 people have died in the state .
New York City is scheduled to enter phase 4 on Monday , the next stage of reopening that allows outdoor activities like zoos , outdoor films and gardens .
Indoor restaurants , bars , museums , and malls will remain closed , Cuomo said Friday .
`` I 'm so proud of what New Yorkers have done .
But we must continue to be on alert , '' Cuomo tweeted .
Cuomo has warned of a potential second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states around the country grapple with a spike in the number of confirmed coronavirus infections after reopening rapidly in the spring .
Last Sunday , Florida reported more than 15,000 new infections , more than New York during the peak of its outbreak .
In his comments Friday , Fauci addressed the surges around the country , urging people to wear masks and pushing for the closure of bars to limit the spread of the virus .
`` Stay away from crowds .
Close the bars , '' Fauci said .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas , close those bars .
They are seriously the — one of the major reasons why we 're seeing [ the surges ] . ''
`` And I think , if we do that for a couple of weeks in a row , '' he continued , `` I think we 're going to see a turnaround , because we know that that works . ''
The coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide , with more than 14 million confirmed cases and over 597,000 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.6 million cases and at least 139,302 deaths , according to the latest tallies , more than any other country .

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci attends the daily coronavirus briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 09, 2020 in Washington, DC. U.S. unemployment claims have approached 17 million over the past three weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York was once the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States with more than 10,000 new cases a day during its peak outbreak in April. The state has dramatically reduced daily new infections to 776 as of Thursday. New York is one of nine U.S. states that has the virus under control, accor ding to the tracking project Covid Act Now . Less than 1% of New Yorkers tested for the virus were positive Thursday, down from a high of more than 40%.
"New York got hit worse than any place in the world. And they did it correctly by doing the things that you're talking about," he continued.
"We know that, when you do it properly, you bring down those cases. We have done it. We have done it in New York," Fauci said in an interview with "PBS NewsHour" that aired Friday evening.
White House health advisor Anthony Fauci has praised New York for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the state responded "correctly" to bring its outbreak under control.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo instituted some of the strictest reopening requirements in the country, insisting that stay-at-home orders remain in place and many businesses remain closed far longer than states that are now seeing surges such as Texas and Florida.
More than 400,000 New Yorkers have been infected by the virus since the pandemic began and at least 32,463 people have died in the state.
New York City is scheduled to enter phase 4 on Monday, the next stage of reopening that allows outdoor activities like zoos, outdoor films and gardens. Indoor restaurants, bars, museums, and malls will remain closed, Cuomo said Friday.
"I'm so proud of what New Yorkers have done. But we must continue to be on alert," Cuomo tweeted.
Cuomo has warned of a potential second wave of the coronavirus, as dozens of states around the country grapple with a spike in the number of confirmed coronavirus infections after reopening rapidly in the spring. Last Sunday, Florida reported more than 15,000 new infections, more than New York during the peak of its outbreak.
In his comments Friday, Fauci addressed the surges around the country, urging people to wear masks and pushing for the closure of bars to limit the spread of the virus.
"Stay away from crowds. Close the bars," Fauci said. "You appeal to the people in the local areas, close those bars. They are seriously the — one of the major reasons why we're seeing [the surges]."
"And I think, if we do that for a couple of weeks in a row," he continued, "I think we're going to see a turnaround, because we know that that works."
The coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide, with more than 14 million confirmed cases and over 597,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has had more than 3.6 million cases and at least 139,302 deaths, according to the latest tallies, more than any other country.
-- CNBC's Berkeley Lovelace contributed to this report.


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Left Wing Watch Dog Files Complaint Against Ivanka Trump Because She Took Photo With Goya Beans

A left-leaning watchdog group has filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics about Ivanka Trump promoting Goya products on her official social media pages .
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington sent a letter on Friday to the Honorable Emory Rounds , the director of the government agency , asking him to determine whether the president 's daughter and adviser violated Standards of the Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch .
The issue stems from posts to Twitter and Facebook in which Trump was holding a can of Goya beans with the caption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has to be good .
Si es Goya , tiene que ser bueno . ''
Goya CEO Robert Unanue inspired a boycott after praising President Trump at a recent event at the White House .
Facing backlash , Unanue has defended his support , refusing to apologize and called the # BoycottGoya campaign circulating on social media an attempt to suppress speech .
`` The circumstances would lead any reasonable person to conclude her Goya Foods posts represented an official government endorsement intended to counteract the negative effect of any boycott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet .
`` In particular , when viewed in the context of President Trump ’ s own contemporaneous social media messages about the company , any argument to the contrary would be disingenuous .
As a result , Ms. Trump appears to have clearly violated the Standards of Conduct barring her from using her government position , title or any authority associated with her public office to endorse any product , service , or enterprise , '' the group added .
`` As has been reiterated prior , this tweet was made in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This complaint is another politically-motivated , baseless attack from an organization with a vendetta against all of the administration , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in response to the complaint , according to the Hill .

A left-leaning watchdog group has filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics about Ivanka Trump promoting Goya products on her official social media pages.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington sent a letter on Friday to the Honorable Emory Rounds, the director of the government agency, asking him to determine whether the president's daughter and adviser violated Standards of the Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.
The issue stems from posts to Twitter and Facebook in which Trump was holding a can of Goya beans with the caption, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good. Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno."
Goya CEO Robert Unanue inspired a boycott after praising President Trump at a recent event at the White House. Facing backlash, Unanue has defended his support, refusing to apologize and called the #BoycottGoya campaign circulating on social media an attempt to suppress speech.
"The circumstances would lead any reasonable person to conclude her Goya Foods posts represented an official government endorsement intended to counteract the negative effect of any boycott," CREW said of Trump's tweet.
"In particular, when viewed in the context of President Trump’s own contemporaneous social media messages about the company, any argument to the contrary would be disingenuous. As a result, Ms. Trump appears to have clearly violated the Standards of Conduct barring her from using her government position, title or any authority associated with her public office to endorse any product, service, or enterprise," the group added.
President Trump also promoted Goya products on social media.
"As has been reiterated prior, this tweet was made in her personal capacity voicing her personal support. This complaint is another politically-motivated, baseless attack from an organization with a vendetta against all of the administration," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in response to the complaint, according to the Hill.


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--BLM Mural Outside of Trump Tower Vandalized for Third Time in One Week

MIDTOWN , Manhattan ( WABC ) -- The Black Lives Matter mural in front of Trump Tower has been vandalized for the third time this week , officials say.Black paint was splattered all over the mural just after 3 p.m. Saturday.One officer was injured after slipping on the paint that was poured on the mural .
He injured his arm and his head and was taken to Bellevue Hospital.6323628Two women have been taken into custody .
Charges are expected.The mural was also vandalized on Friday afternoon A small group of protesters was reportedly there at the time.Police arrested Juliet Germanotta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and D'Anna Morgan , 25 , and charged them with criminal mischief .
They were released with a desk appearance ticket.In addition , a 64-year-old woman was arrested and given a criminal court summons for illegal posting of flyers.A few hours later , the mural was repaired by DOT crews.The first incident happened on Monday .
Police were still looking for one person in that case who walked up to mural and dumped red paint over the letter V in `` Lives , '' which splattered across the mural as cars drove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the corner of my eye putting down a bag ... and I was thinking 'oh he 's gon na get in my shot , ' '' Nikki Ross , who recorded the video , told Eyewitness News .
`` And when I got to about the clock , he took out the paint and splattered it across the mural .
`` Ross said the last few months have awakened her to her privilege and it 's her responsibility as a white woman to call out injustice .
`` To be vocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement is about and explain to your friends how Black Lives Matter , '' Ross said .
`` I 'm glad that he left the paint can there and was n't wearing gloves .
`` Mayor Bill de Blasio said later Monday evening that the mural had already been fixed .
`` The # BlackLivesMatter movement is more than words , and it ca n't be undone , '' he said on Twitter.The suspect was described as a white male wearing a black hat and a black T-shirt who fled westbound on West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political motivation or if he was just looking for attention .
But cops say it 's still an act of criminal mischief which is a misdemeanor.The NYPD is now reviewing surveillance videos , and anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
-- -- -- -- --

Two people were arrested for their involvement in vandalizing the Black Lives Matter street mural in front of Trump Tower Saturday.
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Two women were arrested for their alleged involvement in vandalizing the Black Lives Matter street mural, which caused an officer to slip and injure himself, in front of Trump Tower Saturday.
The mural was vandalized twice in one day -- for a total of four times in one week.
In the first incident, black paint was splattered all over the mural just after 3 p.m. Saturday.
Bevelyn Beatty, 29, and 39-year-old Edmee Chavan, both of Staten Island, were arrested and charged with criminal mischief. They were both given desk appearance tickets and were released.
The officer was injured after slipping on the paint that was poured on the mural. He injured his arm and his head and was taken to Bellevue Hospital.
In the second incident at Trump Tower Saturday, authorities say a 42-year-old man threw paint on the mural later in the day just before 6 p.m.
Additionally this weekend, two women were spotted throwing black paint onto the the Black Lives Matter mural late Saturday night in Harlem and in Brooklyn early Sunday morning.
Police are looking into whether or not the women arrested at Trump Tower are also responsible for the Harlem and Brooklyn incidents.
"We were certainly aware of the attacks on the murals as a new trend. But we felt sure no one would come to Harlem to purposely do this. We know where our hearts were in creating this mural for Harlem and we also know how much love and support it received. This was not a political statement as much as it was an embrace of a community that we as Black women felt really needed it," said Nikoa Evans Hendricks, Executive Director, Harlem Park to Park.
This weekend was not the first time the mural at Trump Tower was vandalized. It was also vandalized on Friday afternoon.
Police arrested Juliet Germanotta, 39, Luis Martinez, 44, and D'Anna Morgan, 25, and charged them with criminal mischief in connection to Friday's incident. They were released with a desk appearance ticket.
A few hours later, the mural was repaired by DOT crews.
The first incident happened on Monday. Police are still looking for one person in that case who walked up to mural and dumped red paint over the letter V in "Lives," which splattered across the mural as cars drove over it.
Video obtained by Eyewitness News shows the vandal in action:
It is unclear whether he had a political motivation or if he was just looking for attention. But cops say it's still an act of criminal mischief which is a misdemeanor.
The NYPD is now reviewing surveillance videos, and anyone with information is asked to contact the police.
Related: 'Black Lives Matter' painted in front of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue
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bonginoreport--2020-07-18--Arizona Coronavirus Hospitalizations Fall to Lowest Level in Two Weeks

Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison is advocating for a `` refund the community '' approach in place of `` defund the police '' and questioning why every police officer carries a firearm .
Ellison said he doesn ’ t care if a city gets rid of the word `` police '' but there needs to be some sort of public safety system in place .
`` Defund the Police '' is one of the demands of the activist group Black Lives Matter , which has been leading protests in major cities since the death of George Floyd on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Minneapolis City Council voted in favor of a plan to eliminate their police department in June and create the Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention in its place .
Ellison was asked if he agrees with the city council 's approach .
`` I think instead of hearing 'defund the police , ' I recommend people hear 'refund the community . '
So if you look at the Minneapolis Police Department , their budget is about $ 193 million , '' he said during a discussion with Rep. Karen Bass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on `` Racial Injustice Movement and Police Reforms . ''
`` What 's our budget for crisis response purposes for people who are in a mental health crisis ?
We know that about half of the deadly force encounters in Minnesota are people who are in a mental health crisis , '' he added .
Using Los Angeles and Minneapolis as examples , Ellison said people are living in tents by the roadside `` in the richest country in the history of the world . ''
`` If you refund the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way of armed paramilitary response to the calls people make ? ''
he said .
`` Do we really need an armed paramilitary response to a fake $ 20 bill ? ''
Ellison , a former U.S. congressman , called for a new approach to policing in America .
`` We need to re-conceive of how we do policing , you know , in England the cops do n't carry guns — in other countries as well .
Why do every single one of our officers carry guns ?
And some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` Are we not setting ourselves up for a certain kind of a culture when we rely so heavily on just deadly force as a way to make sure that people ... comply with the law ? ''
he asked .
In the United Kingdom , the majority of police officers do not carry firearms .
`` Most rely on other tools to keep their city safe : canisters of mace , handcuffs , batons and occasionally stun-guns , '' according to a report from NBC News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been calling for police reform for too long so now they want to `` dismantle the police . ''
He emphasized that `` no one calling for dismantling the police is going to tell you '' that crime taking place in cities and towns does n't need to be addressed .
`` The language is designed to provoke us , '' he said .
`` They are trying to provoke us , into what ?
A new conception of how we maintain safety . ''
Ellison said there still needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any police reform is implemented .
`` The fact is , we do have to have a system of public safety , call it what you want .
Get rid of the word police , I do n't care , '' he said .
`` But at the end of the day , you know , we 've got people shooting at each other , we 've got people who are victims of crime , violence , and we need a system to address that . ''

Minnesota Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison is advocating for a "refund the community" approach in place of "defund the police" and questioning why every police officer carries a firearm.
Ellison said he doesn’t care if a city gets rid of the word "police" but there needs to be some sort of public safety system in place.
"Defund the Police" is one of the demands of the activist group Black Lives Matter, which has been leading protests in major cities since the death of George Floyd on May 25 in the custody of Minneapolis police.
The Minneapolis City Council voted in favor of a plan to eliminate their police department in June and create the Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention in its place.
Ellison was asked if he agrees with the city council's approach.
"I think instead of hearing 'defund the police,' I recommend people hear 'refund the community.' So if you look at the Minneapolis Police Department, their budget is about $193 million," he said during a discussion with Rep. Karen Bass, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, on "Racial Injustice Movement and Police Reforms."
"What's our budget for crisis response purposes for people who are in a mental health crisis? We know that about half of the deadly force encounters in Minnesota are people who are in a mental health crisis," he added.
Using Los Angeles and Minneapolis as examples, Ellison said people are living in tents by the roadside "in the richest country in the history of the world."
"If you refund the community, would you need as much in the way of armed paramilitary response to the calls people make?" he said. "Do we really need an armed paramilitary response to a fake $20 bill?"
Ellison, a former U.S. congressman, called for a new approach to policing in America.
"We need to re-conceive of how we do policing, you know, in England the cops don't carry guns — in other countries as well. Why do every single one of our officers carry guns? And some of them are military style weapons and shotguns," he said.
"Are we not setting ourselves up for a certain kind of a culture when we rely so heavily on just deadly force as a way to make sure that people ... comply with the law?" he asked.
In the United Kingdom, the majority of police officers do not carry firearms.
"Most rely on other tools to keep their city safe: canisters of mace, handcuffs, batons and occasionally stun-guns," according to a report from NBC News.
Ellison recalled activists telling him that they have been calling for police reform for too long so now they want to "dismantle the police."
He emphasized that "no one calling for dismantling the police is going to tell you" that crime taking place in cities and towns doesn't need to be addressed.
"The language is designed to provoke us," he said. "They are trying to provoke us, into what? A new conception of how we maintain safety."
Ellison said there still needs to be a public safety system in place after any police reform is implemented.
"The fact is, we do have to have a system of public safety, call it what you want. Get rid of the word police, I don't care," he said. "But at the end of the day, you know, we've got people shooting at each other, we've got people who are victims of crime, violence, and we need a system to address that."


bonginoreport--2020-07-18--World Population to Begin Shrinking Mid-Century

Improvements in access to modern contraception and the education of girls and women are generating widespread , sustained declines in fertility , and world population will likely peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion , and then decline to about 8.8 billion by 2100 -- about 2 billion lower than some previous estimates , according to a new study published in .
The modelling research uses data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 to project future global , regional , and national population .
Using novel methods for forecasting mortality , fertility , and migration , the researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evaluation ( IHME ) at the University of Washington 's School of Medicine estimate that by 2100 , 183 of 195 countries will have total fertility rates ( TFR ) , which represent the average number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime , below replacement level of 2.1 births per woman .
This means that in these countries populations will decline unless low fertility is compensated by immigration .
The new population forecasts contrast to projections of 'continuing global growth ' by the United Nations Population Division , and highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrinking workforce , the high burden on health and social support systems of an aging population , and the impact on global power linked to shifts in world population .
The new study also predicts huge shifts in the global age structure , with an estimated 2.37 billion individuals over 65 years globally in 2100 , compared with 1.7 billion under 20 years , underscoring the need for liberal immigration policies in countries with significantly declining working age populations .
`` Continued global population growth through the century is no longer the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray , who led the research .
`` This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking their policies on migration , workforces and economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change . ''
IHME Professor Stein Emil Vollset , first author of the paper , continues , `` The societal , economic , and geopolitical power implications of our predictions are substantial .
In particular , our findings suggest that the decline in the numbers of working-age adults alone will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in major shifts in global economic power by the century 's end .
Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations , but must not compromise efforts to enhance women 's reproductive health or progress on women 's rights . ''
Dr Richard Horton , Editor-in-Chief , , adds : `` This important research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently .
It offers a vision for radical shifts in geopolitical power , challenges myths about immigration , and underlines the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of women .
The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our human civilisation .
Africa and the Arab World will shape our future , while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence .
By the end of the century , the world will be multipolar , with India , Nigeria , China , and the US the dominant powers .
This will truly be a new world , one we should be preparing for today . ''
The global TFR is predicted to steadily decline , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- well below the minimum rate ( 2.1 ) considered necessary to maintain population numbers ( replacement level ) -- with rates falling to around 1.2 in Italy and Spain , and as low as 1.17 in Poland .
Even slight changes in TFR translate into large differences in population size in countries below the replacement level -- increasing TFR by as little as 0.1 births per woman is equivalent to around 500 million more individuals on the planet in 2100 .
Much of the anticipated fertility decline is predicted in high-fertility countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates are expected to fall below the replacement level for the first time -- from an average 4.6 births per woman in 2017 to just 1.7 by 2100 .
In Niger , where the fertility rate was the highest in the world in 2017 -- with women giving birth to an average of seven children -- the rate is projected to decline to around 1.8 by 2100 .
Nevertheless , the population of sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to triple over the course of the century , from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rates decline and an increasing number of women enter reproductive age .
North Africa and the Middle East is the only other region predicted to have a larger population in 2100 ( 978 million ) than in 2017 ( 600 million ) .
Many of the fastest-shrinking populations will be in Asia and central and eastern Europe .
Populations are expected to more than halve in 23 countries and territories , including Japan ( from around 128 million people in 2017 to 60 million in 2100 ) , Thailand ( 71 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 23 million ) , Italy ( 61 to 31 million ) , Portugal ( 11 to 5 million ) , and South Korea ( 53 to 27 million ) .
An additional 34 countries are expected to have population declines of 25 to 50 % , including China ( 1.4 billion in 2017 to 732 million in 2100 ; see table ) .
Huge shifts in global age structure -- with over 80s outnumbering under 5s two to one As fertility falls and life expectancy increases worldwide , the number of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline by 41 % from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100 , whilst the number of individuals older than 80 years is projected to increase six fold , from 141 million to 866 million .
Similarly , the global ratio of adults over 80 years to each person aged 15 years or younger is projected to rise from 0.16 in 2017 to 1.50 in 2100 , in countries with a population decline of more than 25 % .
Furthermore , the global ratio of non-working adults to workers was around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase to 1.16 in 2100 if labour force participation by age and sex does not change .
`` While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems , with more old people and fewer young people , economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers , and countries ' abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly are reduced , '' says Vollset .
Declining working-age populations could see major shifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examined the economic impact of fewer working-age adults for all countries in 2017 .
While China is set to replace the USA in 2035 with the largest total gross domestic product ( GDP ) globally , rapid population decline from 2050 onward will curtail economic growth .
As a result , the USA is expected to reclaim the top spot by 2098 , if immigration continues to sustain the US workforce .
Although numbers of working-age adults in India are projected to fall from 762 million in 2017 to around 578 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the few -- if only -- major power in Asia to protect its working-age population over the century .
It is expected to surpass China 's workforce population in the mid-2020s ( where numbers of workers are estimated to decline from 950 million in 2017 to 357 million in 2100 ) -- rising up the GDP rankings from 7th to 3rd .
Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to become an increasingly powerful continent on the geopolitical stage as its population rises .
Nigeria is projected to be the only country among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see its working-age population grow over the course of the century ( from 86 million in 2017 to 458 million in 2100 ) , supporting rapid economic growth and its rise in GDP rankings from 23rd place in 2017 to 9th place in 2100 .
While the UK , Germany , and France are expected to remain in the top 10 for largest GDP worldwide at the turn of the century , Italy ( from rank 9th in 2017 to 25th in 2100 ) and Spain ( from 13th to 28th ) are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflecting much greater population decline .
Liberal immigration could help sustain population size and economic growth The study also suggests that population decline could be offset by immigration , with countries that promote liberal immigration better able to maintain their population size and support economic growth , even in the face of declining fertility rates .
The model predicts that some countries with fertility lower than replacement level , such as the USA , Australia , and Canada , will probably maintain their working-age populations through net immigration ( see appendix 2 section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is considerable uncertainty about these future trends .
`` For high-income countries with below-replacement fertility rates , the best solutions for sustaining current population levels , economic growth , and geopolitical security are open immigration policies and social policies supportive of families having their desired number of children , '' Murray says .
`` However , a very real danger exists that , in the face of declining population , some countries might consider policies that restrict access to reproductive health services , with potentially devastating consequences .
It is imperative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top of every government 's development agenda . ''
The authors note some important limitations , including that while the study uses the best available data , predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data .
They also note that past trends are not always predictive of what will happen in the future , and that some factors not included in the model could change the pace of fertility , mortality , or migration .
For example , the COVID-19 pandemic has affected local and national health systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half a million deaths .
However , the authors believe the excess deaths caused by the pandemic are unlikely to significantly alter longer term forecasting trends of global population .
Writing in a linked Comment , Professor Ibrahim Abubakar , University College London ( UCL ) , UK , and Chair of Lancet Migration ( who was not involved in the study ) , says : `` Migration can be a potential solution to the predicted shortage of working-age populations .
While demographers continue to debate the long-term implications of migration as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be successful , we need a fundamental rethink of global politics .
Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit , while protecting the rights of individuals .
Nations would need to cooperate at levels that have eluded us to date to strategically support and fund the development of excess skilled human capital in countries that are a source of migrants .
An equitable change in global migration policy will need the voice of rich and poor countries .
The projected changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequent change in military power might force these discussions . ''
He adds : `` Ultimately , if Murray and colleagues ' predictions are even half accurate , migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option .
The positive impacts of migration on health and economies are known globally .
The choice that we face is whether we improve health and wealth by allowing planned population movement or if we end up with an underclass of imported labour and unstable societies .
The Anthropocene has created many challenges such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers . ''
The study was in part funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
It was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington , Seattle , USA .

Improvements in access to modern contraception and the education of girls and women are generating widespread, sustained declines in fertility, and world population will likely peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by 2100 -- about 2 billion lower than some previous estimates, according to a new study published in The Lancet.
The modelling research uses data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 to project future global, regional, and national population. Using novel methods for forecasting mortality, fertility, and migration, the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine estimate that by 2100, 183 of 195 countries will have total fertility rates (TFR), which represent the average number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime, below replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. This means that in these countries populations will decline unless low fertility is compensated by immigration.
The new population forecasts contrast to projections of 'continuing global growth' by the United Nations Population Division, and highlight the huge challenges to economic growth of a shrinking workforce, the high burden on health and social support systems of an aging population, and the impact on global power linked to shifts in world population.
The new study also predicts huge shifts in the global age structure, with an estimated 2.37 billion individuals over 65 years globally in 2100, compared with 1.7 billion under 20 years, underscoring the need for liberal immigration policies in countries with significantly declining working age populations.
"Continued global population growth through the century is no longer the most likely trajectory for the world's population," says IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray, who led the research. "This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking their policies on migration, workforces and economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change."
IHME Professor Stein Emil Vollset, first author of the paper, continues, "The societal, economic, and geopolitical power implications of our predictions are substantial. In particular, our findings suggest that the decline in the numbers of working-age adults alone will reduce GDP growth rates that could result in major shifts in global economic power by the century's end. Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations, but must not compromise efforts to enhance women's reproductive health or progress on women's rights."
Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet, adds: "This important research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently. It offers a vision for radical shifts in geopolitical power, challenges myths about immigration, and underlines the importance of protecting and strengthening the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our human civilisation. Africa and the Arab World will shape our future, while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence. By the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers. This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today."
Accelerating decline in fertility worldwide
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The global TFR is predicted to steadily decline, from 2.37 in 2017 to 1.66 in 2100 -- well below the minimum rate (2.1) considered necessary to maintain population numbers (replacement level) -- with rates falling to around 1.2 in Italy and Spain, and as low as 1.17 in Poland.
Even slight changes in TFR translate into large differences in population size in countries below the replacement level -- increasing TFR by as little as 0.1 births per woman is equivalent to around 500 million more individuals on the planet in 2100.
Much of the anticipated fertility decline is predicted in high-fertility countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa where rates are expected to fall below the replacement level for the first time -- from an average 4.6 births per woman in 2017 to just 1.7 by 2100. In Niger, where the fertility rate was the highest in the world in 2017 -- with women giving birth to an average of seven children -- the rate is projected to decline to around 1.8 by 2100.
Nevertheless, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to triple over the course of the century, from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion in 2100 -- as death rates decline and an increasing number of women enter reproductive age. North Africa and the Middle East is the only other region predicted to have a larger population in 2100 (978 million) than in 2017 (600 million).
Many of the fastest-shrinking populations will be in Asia and central and eastern Europe. Populations are expected to more than halve in 23 countries and territories, including Japan (from around 128 million people in 2017 to 60 million in 2100), Thailand (71 to 35 million), Spain (46 to 23 million), Italy (61 to 31 million), Portugal (11 to 5 million), and South Korea (53 to 27 million). An additional 34 countries are expected to have population declines of 25 to 50%, including China (1.4 billion in 2017 to 732 million in 2100; see table).
Huge shifts in global age structure -- with over 80s outnumbering under 5s two to one
As fertility falls and life expectancy increases worldwide, the number of children under 5 years old is forecasted to decline by 41% from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100, whilst the number of individuals older than 80 years is projected to increase six fold, from 141 million to 866 million. Similarly, the global ratio of adults over 80 years to each person aged 15 years or younger is projected to rise from 0.16 in 2017 to 1.50 in 2100, in countries with a population decline of more than 25%.
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Furthermore, the global ratio of non-working adults to workers was around 0.8 in 2017, but is projected to increase to 1.16 in 2100 if labour force participation by age and sex does not change.
"While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems, with more old people and fewer young people, economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers, and countries' abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly are reduced," says Vollset.
Declining working-age populations could see major shifts in size of economies
The study also examined the economic impact of fewer working-age adults for all countries in 2017. While China is set to replace the USA in 2035 with the largest total gross domestic product (GDP) globally, rapid population decline from 2050 onward will curtail economic growth. As a result, the USA is expected to reclaim the top spot by 2098, if immigration continues to sustain the US workforce.
Although numbers of working-age adults in India are projected to fall from 762 million in 2017 to around 578 million in 2100, it is expected to be one of the few -- if only -- major power in Asia to protect its working-age population over the century. It is expected to surpass China's workforce population (where numbers of workers are estimated to decline from 950 million in 2017 to 357 million in 2100) -- rising up the GDP rankings from 7th to 3rd.
Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to become an increasingly powerful continent on the geopolitical stage as its population rises. Nigeria is projected to be the only country among the world's 10 most populated nations to see its working-age population grow over the course of the century (from 86 million in 2017 to 458 million in 2100), supporting rapid economic growth and its rise in GDP rankings from 23rd place in 2017 to 9th place in 2100.
While the UK, Germany, and France are expected to remain in the top 10 for largest GDP worldwide at the turn of the century, Italy (from rank 9th in 2017 to 25th in 2100) and Spain (from 13th to 28th) are projected to fall down the rankings, reflecting much greater population decline.
Liberal immigration could help sustain population size and economic growth
The study also suggests that population decline could be offset by immigration, with countries that promote liberal immigration better able to maintain their population size and support economic growth, even in the face of declining fertility rates.
The model predicts that some countries with fertility lower than replacement level, such as the USA, Australia, and Canada, will probably maintain their working-age populations through net immigration (see appendix 2 section 4). Although the authors note that there is considerable uncertainty about these future trends.
"For high-income countries with below-replacement fertility rates, the best solutions for sustaining current population levels, economic growth, and geopolitical security are open immigration policies and social policies supportive of families having their desired number of children," Murray says. "However, a very real danger exists that, in the face of declining population, some countries might consider policies that restrict access to reproductive health services, with potentially devastating consequences. It is imperative that women's freedom and rights are at the top of every government's development agenda."
The authors note some important limitations, including that while the study uses the best available data, predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data. They also note that past trends are not always predictive of what will happen in the future, and that some factors not included in the model could change the pace of fertility, mortality, or migration. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected local and national health systems throughout the world, and caused over half a million deaths. However, the authors believe the excess deaths caused by the pandemic are unlikely to significantly alter longer term forecasting trends of global population.
Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, University College London (UCL), UK, and Chair of Lancet Migration (who was not involved in the study), says: "Migration can be a potential solution to the predicted shortage of working-age populations. While demographers continue to debate the long-term implications of migration as a remedy for declining TFR, for it to be successful, we need a fundamental rethink of global politics. Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit, while protecting the rights of individuals. Nations would need to cooperate at levels that have eluded us to date to strategically support and fund the development of excess skilled human capital in countries that are a source of migrants. An equitable change in global migration policy will need the voice of rich and poor countries. The projected changes in the sizes of national economies and the consequent change in military power might force these discussions."
He adds: "Ultimately, if Murray and colleagues' predictions are even half accurate, migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option. The positive impacts of migration on health and economies are known globally. The choice that we face is whether we improve health and wealth by allowing planned population movement or if we end up with an underclass of imported labour and unstable societies. The Anthropocene has created many challenges such as climate change and greater global migration. The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers."
The study was in part funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.


bonginoreport--2020-07-19--Kanye West Hosts First Presidential Campaign Event

Billionaire fashion and music mogul Kanye West kicked off his presidential campaign with an event at Charleston , South Carolina ’ s Exquis Event Center on Sunday , declaring his opposition to gun control and abortion and his support for legal marijuana .
“ Do you realize I ’ m putting my life on the line for the truth ?
I understand it ’ s exciting .
It ’ s a new world , to have someone who ’ s not afraid of anyone and only afraid of God and in honor of God… ” a “ security ” vest-clad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple hundred revelers .
Organizers said attendees were required to wear masks for the event and were reportedly asked to sign a COVID-19 liability release form .
The Grammy-winner — who had “ 2020 ” shaved into his hair — broke down in tears at one point , revealing that his father wanted to abort him .
“ My mom saved my life .
There would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy , ” West said , overcome by emotion .
“ I almost killed my daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he was told by people around him not to publicly talk about how abortion has effected his life .
It echoes his comments last month to Forbes that Planned Parenthood abortion facilities exist in cities on behalf of “ white supremacists to do the devil ’ s work.
” Elaborating further , the Jesus Is King crooner said he ’ d talked to his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian about aborting their first child , North .
West explained that he received a sign from God , called Kardashian , and said “ we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
West later said “ shooting guns are fun ” and that “ guns don ’ t kill people , people kill people.
” He continued , saying Americans run the risk of being “ enslaved ” by China or other countries if we didn ’ t have a Constitutional right to legally own firearms for self defense .
West said people in countries that don ’ t allow the private ownership of a firearm face that threat , too .
“ Israeli women know how to fire a firearm — they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West said .
“ I get to use AR-15s on my 4,000 acre ranch.
” At one point , West admitted that he ’ s smoked marijuana and also said the drug should be “ legal and free.
” Earlier on Sunday , West treated his followers to “ THE WEST WING ” campaign artwork .
West later shared an illustration of the word “ VISION.
” The event in Charleston came just days after West paid a $ 35,000 fee securing his independent campaign slot on the November election ballot in Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , announcing his presidential bid .
“ We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God , unifying our vision and building our future .
I am running for president of the United States !
” West ’ s announcement tweet read .
Kanye West must still acquire enough signatures to appear on the ballot in the Palmetto State .
Jerome Hudson is Breitbart News Entertainment Editor and author of the bestselling book 50 Things They Don ’ t Want You to Know .
Order your copy today .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Billionaire fashion and music mogul Kanye West kicked off his presidential campaign with an event at Charleston, South Carolina’s Exquis Event Center on Sunday, declaring his opposition to gun control and abortion and his support for legal marijuana.
“Do you realize I’m putting my life on the line for the truth? I understand it’s exciting. It’s a new world, to have someone who’s not afraid of anyone and only afraid of God and in honor of God…” a “security” vest-clad Kanye West told the packed crowd of a couple hundred revelers. Organizers said attendees were required to wear masks for the event and were reportedly asked to sign a COVID-19 liability release form.
The Grammy-winner — who had “2020” shaved into his hair — broke down in tears at one point, revealing that his father wanted to abort him. “My mom saved my life. There would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy,” West said, overcome by emotion. “I almost killed my daughter,” the rapper later revealed, saying he was told by people around him not to publicly talk about how abortion has effected his life. It echoes his comments last month to Forbes that Planned Parenthood abortion facilities exist in cities on behalf of “white supremacists to do the devil’s work.”
Watch below:
Elaborating further, the Jesus Is King crooner said he’d talked to his then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian about aborting their first child, North. West explained that he received a sign from God, called Kardashian, and said “we’re going to have this child.
Watch below:
.@KanyeWest reveals @KimKardashian almost had an abortion when she was pregnant with North West. "For 1 month, and 2 months, and 3 months, we talked about her not having the child. She had the [abortion] pills in her hand." pic.twitter.com/XRU3ooHEqL — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 19, 2020
West later said “shooting guns are fun” and that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” He continued, saying Americans run the risk of being “enslaved” by China or other countries if we didn’t have a Constitutional right to legally own firearms for self defense. West said people in countries that don’t allow the private ownership of a firearm face that threat, too.
“Israeli women know how to fire a firearm — they are trained how to do it,” West said. “I get to use AR-15s on my 4,000 acre ranch.”
At one point, West admitted that he’s smoked marijuana and also said the drug should be “legal and free.”
Watch below:
Earlier on Sunday, West treated his followers to “THE WEST WING” campaign artwork.
West later shared an illustration of the word “VISION.”
The event in Charleston came just days after West paid a $35,000 fee securing his independent campaign slot on the November election ballot in Oklahoma.
West broke the internet on July 4, announcing his presidential bid. “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States!” West’s announcement tweet read.
Kanye West must still acquire enough signatures to appear on the ballot in the Palmetto State.
We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States 🇺🇸! #2020VISION — ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020
Jerome Hudson is Breitbart News Entertainment Editor and author of the bestselling book 50 Things They Don’t Want You to Know. Order your copy today. Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson.