bonginoreport--2020-06-08--WHO Says Asymptomatic Spread of Coronavirus is “Very Rare”

`` From the data we have , it still seems to be rare that an asymptomatic person actually transmits onward to a secondary individual , '' Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove , head of WHO 's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit , said at a news briefing from the United Nations agency 's Geneva headquarters .
`` It 's very rare . ''
Preliminary evidence from the earliest outbreaks indicated that the virus could spread from person-to-person contact , even if the carrier did n't have symptoms .
But WHO officials now say that while asymptomatic spread can occur , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being transmitted .
Some people , particularly young and otherwise healthy individuals , who are infected by the coronavirus never develop symptoms or only develop mild symptoms .
Others might not develop symptoms until days after they were actually infected .
Coronavirus patients without symptoms are n't driving the spread of the virus , World Health Organization officials said Monday , casting doubt on concerns by some researchers that the disease could be difficult to contain due to asymptomatic infections .
Government responses should focus on detecting and isolating infected people with symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into contact with them , Van Kerkhove said .
She acknowledged that some studies have indicated asymptomatic or presymptomatic spread in nursing homes and in household settings .
More research and data are needed to `` truly answer '' the question of whether the coronavirus can spread widely through asymptomatic carriers , Van Kerkhove added .
`` We have a number of reports from countries who are doing very detailed contact tracing , '' she said .
`` They 're following asymptomatic cases .
They 're following contacts .
And they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's very rare . ''
If asymptomatic spread proves to not be a main driver of coronavirus transmission , the policy implications could be tremendous .
A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published on April 1 cited the `` potential for presymptomatic transmission '' as a reason for the importance of social distancing .
`` These findings also suggest that to control the pandemic , it might not be enough for only persons with symptoms to limit their contact with others because persons without symptoms might transmit infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To be sure , asymptomatic and presymptomatic spread of the virus appears to still be happening , Van Kerkhove said but remains rare .
That finding has important implications for how to screen for the virus and limit its spread .
`` What we really want to be focused on is following the symptomatic cases , '' Van Kerkhove said .
`` If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases , isolated those cases , followed the contacts and quarantined those contacts , we would drastically reduce '' the outbreak .
Correction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most asymptomatic coronavirus patients are n't spreading new infections .
The word `` most '' was inadvertedly omitted .

World Health Organization officials on Tuesday walked back the comments below that were made on Monday after drawing criticism from epidemiologists across the world. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said Tuesday that asymptomatic spread is a "really complex question" and much is still unknown. "We don't actually have that answer yet," she said.
"I was responding to a question at the press conference. I wasn't stating a policy of WHO or anything like that. I was just trying to articulate what we know," she said on a live Q&A streamed across multiple social media platforms. "And in that, I used the phrase 'very rare,' and I think that that's misunderstanding to state that asymptomatic transmission globally is very rare. I was referring to a small subset of studies."
Here is our followup article Tuesday and below is the original story published Monday.
Read more: WHO walks back comments on asymptomatic coronavirus spread, says much is still unknown
Coronavirus patients without symptoms aren't driving the spread of the virus, World Health Organization officials said Monday, casting doubt on concerns by some researchers that the disease could be difficult to contain due to asymptomatic infections.
Preliminary evidence from the earliest outbreaks indicated that the virus could spread from person-to-person contact, even if the carrier never develops symptoms. But WHO officials now say that while asymptomatic spread can occur, it is not the main way it's being transmitted.
"From the data we have, it still seems to be rare that an asymptomatic person actually transmits onward to a secondary individual," Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said at a news briefing from the United Nations agency's Geneva headquarters. "It's very rare."
The virus is primarily spread via respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes or if they touch a contaminated surface, scientists say.
Asymptomatic transmission is particularly worrisome for public health officials, leading many to institute severe lockdowns and policies requiring masks in public. That's because those patients never develop symptoms and, in many cases, don't even know they are infected. WHO officials say Covid-19 can also spread in the so-called pre-symptomatic stage — a few days before a patient shows symptoms.


bonginoreport--2020-06-08--Senate Could Subpoena These 33 Russian Collusion Probe Witnesses

For more than two years , Republicans hoping to get to the bottom of how the FBI sustained the Russia collusion probe in the absence of any evidence of wrongdoing by President Trump faced a never-ending cycle of hurry up , and wait .
Wait for Robert Mueller to finish his special counsel probe .
Wait for Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to release his report .
Wait for the Director of National Intelligence to declassify documents .
The waiting is now over , and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson , Wis. , now has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals he wants to interrogate or to turn over documents .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham hopes to get his subpoena power this week .
A list of Johnson 's subpoena targets obtained by Just the News shows his committee is seeking documents from the FBI , Justice Department , the State Department , and the Director of National Intelligence related to the Russia collusion probe known as Crossfire Hurricane as well as 33 individuals who played a key role in sustaining a flawed probe across multiple bureaucracies .
The scope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For instance , the FBI will be asked to surrender `` all records related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation .
This includes , but is not limited to , all records provided or made available to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice for its review that resulted in the report 'Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation ' ; and all records related to requests to the General Services Administration ( GSA ) or Office of the Inspector General of GSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through December 2017 . ''
The State Department will be asked to produce records of its contacts with Christopher Steele , the former MI6 operative who penned the unverified dossier that was used by the bureau as essential evidence in pursuing the case .
And the DNI will be asked for all records related to the Obama administration 's unmasking of Trump campaign and transition figures in intelligence intercepts .
The list of individuals that Johnson 's committee is seeking to question or seek documents from includes some familiar figures in the controversy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ex-FBI Counsel James Baker , fired FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok and his paramour , the former FBI lawyer Lisa Page , Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , former CIA Director John Brennan and former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice , whose final email on the day she left office about President Obama 's dealings in the Russia probe has stoked great intrigue .
Senate investigators plan to delve into discrepancies in stories between Comey and Brennan over the intelligence community assessment that Russia tried to help Trump win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over who briefed President Obama in early January 2017 about a sensitive intercept of a conversation between incoming Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador to Washington .
One of the most anticipated witnesses is Bill Priestap , the former FBI assistant director of counterintelligence , who supervised Strzok 's Russia investigation and interacted often with former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe .
Internal FBI text messages , emails and handwritten notes suggest there may have been some friction between McCabe and Priestap related to the pursuit of former National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators are eager to question Priestap about what his handwritten notes meant when they talked about concerns the bureau was `` playing games '' with Flynn and possibly trying to catch him in a lie `` so we can prosecute him or get him fired . ''
Some of the witnesses on the list include former senior Obama administration officials like former Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Deputy Treasury Secretary Sarah Raskin , the wife of a Democratic congressman , who sought to unmask Flynn 's name in intelligence intercepts after the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took office in January 2017 , according to recently declassified intelligence documents .
Johnson 's team also has identified three Obama-era State Department officials for questioning about their contacts with Steele , including former Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland ( who oversaw Russia policy ) , former Deputy Assistant Secretary Kathleen Kavalec and former State official Jonathan Winer .
Kavalec met with Steele in October 2016 shortly before the FBI used his dossier evidence to secure a FISA warrant targeting the Trump campaign .
She wrote a memo questioning the accuracy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he admitted to her that he was leaking to the media and had an election day deadline to get his information public .
Among the most intriguing names on the list are two longtime associates of Bill and Hillary Clinton , former journalist Sidney Blumenthal and private researcher Cody Shearer .
Senate investigators want to question them about any research they may have conducted on Trump-Russia ties , any interactions they had with U.S. government officials about Trump , and whether they had any contact with Steele or his supervisor at the Fusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can view the entire subpoena list here .

For more than two years, Republicans hoping to get to the bottom of how the FBI sustained the Russia collusion probe in the absence of any evidence of wrongdoing by President Trump faced a never-ending cycle of hurry up, and wait.
Wait for Robert Mueller to finish his special counsel probe. Wait for Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to release his report. Wait for the Director of National Intelligence to declassify documents.
The waiting is now over, and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson, Wis., now has the authority to subpoena the agencies and individuals he wants to interrogate or to turn over documents. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham hopes to get his subpoena power this week.
A list of Johnson's subpoena targets obtained by Just the News shows his committee is seeking documents from the FBI, Justice Department, the State Department, and the Director of National Intelligence related to the Russia collusion probe known as Crossfire Hurricane as well as 33 individuals who played a key role in sustaining a flawed probe across multiple bureaucracies.
The scope of the subpoenas suggests a far-reaching inquiry.
For instance, the FBI will be asked to surrender "all records related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. This includes, but is not limited to, all records provided or made available to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice for its review that resulted in the report 'Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation'; and all records related to requests to the General Services Administration (GSA) or Office of the Inspector General of GSA for presidential transition records from November 2016 through December 2017."
The State Department will be asked to produce records of its contacts with Christopher Steele, the former MI6 operative who penned the unverified dossier that was used by the bureau as essential evidence in pursuing the case. And the DNI will be asked for all records related to the Obama administration's unmasking of Trump campaign and transition figures in intelligence intercepts.
The list of individuals that Johnson's committee is seeking to question or seek documents from includes some familiar figures in the controversy, like fired FBI Director James Comey, ex-FBI Counsel James Baker, fired FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok and his paramour, the former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice, whose final email on the day she left office about President Obama's dealings in the Russia probe has stoked great intrigue.
Senate investigators plan to delve into discrepancies in stories between Comey and Brennan over the intelligence community assessment that Russia tried to help Trump win the 2016 election and Comey and Clapper over who briefed President Obama in early January 2017 about a sensitive intercept of a conversation between incoming Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador to Washington.
One of the most anticipated witnesses is Bill Priestap, the former FBI assistant director of counterintelligence, who supervised Strzok's Russia investigation and interacted often with former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe.
Internal FBI text messages, emails and handwritten notes suggest there may have been some friction between McCabe and Priestap related to the pursuit of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. And Senate investigators are eager to question Priestap about what his handwritten notes meant when they talked about concerns the bureau was "playing games" with Flynn and possibly trying to catch him in a lie "so we can prosecute him or get him fired."
Some of the witnesses on the list include former senior Obama administration officials like former Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Deputy Treasury Secretary Sarah Raskin, the wife of a Democratic congressman, who sought to unmask Flynn's name in intelligence intercepts after the end of the 2016 election and before Trump took office in January 2017, according to recently declassified intelligence documents.
Johnson's team also has identified three Obama-era State Department officials for questioning about their contacts with Steele, including former Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland (who oversaw Russia policy), former Deputy Assistant Secretary Kathleen Kavalec and former State official Jonathan Winer.
Kavalec met with Steele in October 2016 shortly before the FBI used his dossier evidence to secure a FISA warrant targeting the Trump campaign. She wrote a memo questioning the accuracy of some of Steele's intelligence and noting he admitted to her that he was leaking to the media and had an election day deadline to get his information public.
Among the most intriguing names on the list are two longtime associates of Bill and Hillary Clinton, former journalist Sidney Blumenthal and private researcher Cody Shearer. Senate investigators want to question them about any research they may have conducted on Trump-Russia ties, any interactions they had with U.S. government officials about Trump, and whether they had any contact with Steele or his supervisor at the Fusion GPS research firm, Glenn Simpson.
You can view the entire subpoena list here.


bonginoreport--2020-06-08--Trey Gowdy Calls Defunding Police “Single Dumbest Idea I Have Ever Heard”

Sen. Tim Scott ( R-SC ) and former Rep. Trey Gowdy ( R-SC ) both slammed the far-left ’ s new agenda of defunding police departments , saying that the idea is ludicrous and would undermine the entire justice system .
Appearing on Fox News ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures , ” Scott said that the idea to “ defund the police ” was a “ ridiculous idea.
” “ It is not an idea whose time has come , ” Scott continued .
“ It should never come .
The absolute nation requires law and order .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easiest way to have that is to have a strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers.
” Scott added that he has introduced the George Floyd-Walter Scott Notification Act in an effort to get law enforcement agencies to report data on the use of force that leads to death so that lawmakers can get a clearer picture of what is going on throughout the country .
Later during the program Gowdy said , “ Defunding the police is the single dumbest idea I have ever heard.
” “ Who is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Gowdy continued .
“ Who is going to enforce any law , child sex abuse , homicide ?
Who is going to do it , if it ’ s not the police ?
” Great to discuss important issues with my friend , @ TGowdySC .
Defunding the police would cause harm to our most vulnerable , but clearly , REFORM IS NEEDED !
My upcoming George Floyd and Walter Scott Notification Act requires officers to report on shootings & use of force incidents .
pic.twitter.com/c0g7nKOQU7 MARIA BARTIROMO , SUNDAY MORNING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country has seen protesters take to the streets these past weeks demanding justice and major reforms after the death of George Floyd .
Joining me right now is Republican Senator from South Carolina Tim Scott and former South Carolina Congressman and FOX News contributor Trey Gowdy .
Gentlemen , it ’ s great to see you this morning .
Thanks very much for being here .
BARTIROMO : And I love the fact that the both of you are such good friends and have been such good friends for many years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defund the police ?
And I also , Senator , want to take your attention to this op-ed that we saw in The Journal this week , “ The Myth of Systemic Police Racism , ” the myth .
They say : “ George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis has revived the Obama era narrative that law enforcement is endemically racist .
In fact , this charge of systemic police bias is — was wrong during the Obama years and remains wrong today .
However sickening the video of Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 375 million annual contracts the police officers have with civilians.
” SCOTT : Well , I ’ d say , on the defund police , what a ridiculous idea .
It is not an idea whose time has come .
It should never come .
The absolute nation requires law and order .
We need order in our of streets , and the easiest way to have that is to have a strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers .
As it relates to the op-ed , I had a chance to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off by , bless her heart .
But I would say this to that op-ed .
There ’ s no doubt in my mind that the average law enforcement officer in this nation is not a racist .
There ’ s also no doubt in my mind that , when you look at the actual facts , black folks are 2.5 times more likely to be shot by an officer than whites .
There ’ s a lot missing in the articles .
One of the reasons why I have proposed of legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to get law enforcement agencies to report the data on the use of force that leads to death .
Without that actual information in an aggregate value , we don ’ t really know what ’ s going on .
Fewer than 45 percent of agencies actually report their information to the FBI .
So , I think it would help all of us to get a clearer picture of what ’ s going on within the law enforcement community .
TREY GOWDY , FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR : You know , Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues with law enforcement are much broader than who shoots whom .
That ’ s incredibly important , but it ’ s arrest rates .
It ’ s sentencing disparities .
It ’ s access to bond .
It ’ s access to diversion programs .
Senator Scott mentioned being stopped by law enforcement .
Maria , he was stopped seven times as a law — as a public official .
Seven times , the man your viewers are looking at was stopped by law enforcement .
He was stopped from entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate lapel pin and looks like a CPA .
I look like a gangster and don ’ t wear my House lapel pin , and I was never stopped .
So , the problems are much broader than just who shoots whom .
GOWDY : Defunding the police is the single dumbest idea I have ever heard .
Who is going to process crime scenes , arrest bad people ?
Who is going to enforce any law , child sex abuse , homicide ?
Who is going to do it , if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to continue this conversation .
Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy are with me this morning .
We ’ re going to take a short break and come right back with this .
We are with two leaders of our community this morning , Senator Tim Scott and former Congressman Trey Gowdy .
Guys , I want to get your reaction to what the D.C. mayor had painted on the streets .
And this is the Black Lives Matter mural which is on the road leading to the White House .
Do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or is this a message to President Trump , Senator ?
SCOTT : It certainly is a — it certainly is a message to President Trump .
And it ’ s a terrible message to our nation .
It is polarizing , unnecessary , and unproductive .
The fact of the matter is that we certainly need to focus our attention on moving this country together , about healing .
And that seemed to be in your face for one specific purpose , to be in his face .
That does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the cause .
It does not help the country .
I found it to be really polarizing .
BARTIROMO : How are we going to bring this country together ?
I know , Senator , you have been speaking with President Trump .
Trey Gowdy , you have been talking a lot about this .
What are your ideas , first you , Trey , in terms of bring the country together ?
GOWDY : Well , you know , Maria , three years ago , Tim Scott and I could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , and we chose to write a book about unity .
And Tim Scott has done more to open my eyes .
I have never been black a day in my life , not a day in my life .
So , I need someone else ’ s eyes to experience that , to understand what that is like .
We need a country that is not so wed to conflict , wed to divisiveness .
I mean , we have been through impeachment , a pandemic… We need to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is what our culture does now .
BARTIROMO : I think , Senator , you have been doing that with your Opportunity Zones too .
SCOTT : We certainly have .
President Trump is actually right about the importance of an economic comeback to bring people together .
The more resources you have , the more margin you have towards other people in the country .
But one of the things that we can do to bring this nation together is to follow the example of Trey Gowdy as a prosecutor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an amazing story .
A young African-American was killed — murdered .
Excuse me .
And her father had no confidence in the justice system , until he met Trey Gowdy .
And as a result of that meeting with Trey Gowdy , he still had no confidence .
But , at the end of the trial , the man who said that this country is too prejudiced to bring justice to his daughter… SCOTT : … he hugged Trey Gowdy .
He hugged him , because justice was found .
BARTIROMO : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end it there .
Senator Tim Scott , former Congressman Trey Gowdy , thank you , gentlemen .
Have a good day .

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) both slammed the far-left’s new agenda of defunding police departments, saying that the idea is ludicrous and would undermine the entire justice system.
Appearing on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Scott said that the idea to “defund the police” was a “ridiculous idea.”
“It is not an idea whose time has come,” Scott continued. “It should never come. The absolute nation requires law and order. We need order in our streets, and the easiest way to have that is to have a strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers.”
Scott added that he has introduced the George Floyd-Walter Scott Notification Act in an effort to get law enforcement agencies to report data on the use of force that leads to death so that lawmakers can get a clearer picture of what is going on throughout the country.
Later during the program Gowdy said, “Defunding the police is the single dumbest idea I have ever heard.”
“Who is going to process crime scenes, arrest bad people?” Gowdy continued. “Who is going to enforce any law, child sex abuse, homicide? Who is going to do it, if it’s not the police?”
WATCH:
Great to discuss important issues with my friend, @TGowdySC . Defunding the police would cause harm to our most vulnerable, but clearly, REFORM IS NEEDED! My upcoming George Floyd and Walter Scott Notification Act requires officers to report on shootings & use of force incidents. pic.twitter.com/c0g7nKOQU7
TRANSCRIPT:
MARIA BARTIROMO, SUNDAY MORNING FUTURES ANCHOR: Virtually every major city in the country has seen protesters take to the streets these past weeks demanding justice and major reforms after the death of George Floyd.
A new rallying cry emerging: Defund the police.
Joining me right now is Republican Senator from South Carolina Tim Scott and former South Carolina Congressman and FOX News contributor Trey Gowdy.
Gentlemen, it’s great to see you this morning. Thanks very much for being here.
SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-SC): Thank you.
BARTIROMO: And I love the fact that the both of you are such good friends and have been such good friends for many years now.
What is your reaction to defund the police? And I also, Senator, want to take your attention to this op-ed that we saw in The Journal this week, “The Myth of Systemic Police Racism,” the myth.
They say: “George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis has revived the Obama era narrative that law enforcement is endemically racist. In fact, this charge of systemic police bias is — was wrong during the Obama years and remains wrong today. However sickening the video of Floyd’s arrest, it does not represent the 375 million annual contracts the police officers have with civilians.”
Your reaction.
SCOTT: Well, I’d say, on the defund police, what a ridiculous idea.
It is not an idea whose time has come. It should never come. The absolute nation requires law and order. We need order in our of streets, and the easiest way to have that is to have a strong presence of character-driven law enforcement officers.
As it relates to the op-ed, I had a chance to read Heather’s work. I start off by, bless her heart.
But I would say this to that op-ed. There’s no doubt in my mind that the average law enforcement officer in this nation is not a racist. There’s also no doubt in my mind that, when you look at the actual facts, black folks are 2.5 times more likely to be shot by an officer than whites.
There’s a lot missing in the articles. One of the reasons why I have proposed of legislation, the George Floyd-Walter Scott Notification Act, to get law enforcement agencies to report the data on the use of force that leads to death.
Without that actual information in an aggregate value, we don’t really know what’s going on. Fewer than 45 percent of agencies actually report their information to the FBI.
So, I think it would help all of us to get a clearer picture of what’s going on within the law enforcement community.
BARTIROMO: Trey.
TREY GOWDY, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: You know, Maria, within communities of color, the issues with law enforcement are much broader than who shoots whom.
That’s incredibly important, but it’s arrest rates. It’s sentencing disparities. It’s access to bond. It’s access to diversion programs.
Senator Scott mentioned being stopped by law enforcement. Maria, he was stopped seven times as a law — as a public official. Seven times, the man your viewers are looking at was stopped by law enforcement. He was stopped from entering the Capitol, even though he wears his Senate lapel pin and looks like a CPA.
I look like a gangster and don’t wear my House lapel pin, and I was never stopped. So, the problems are much broader than just who shoots whom.
BARTIROMO: OK.
GOWDY: Defunding the police is the single dumbest idea I have ever heard.
Who is going to process crime scenes, arrest bad people? Who is going to enforce any law, child sex abuse, homicide? Who is going to do it, if it’s not the police?
BARTIROMO: Yes, it’s a great point. Yes.
We want to continue this conversation. Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy are with me this morning.
We’re going to take a short break and come right back with this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARTIROMO: Welcome back.
We are with two leaders of our community this morning, Senator Tim Scott and former Congressman Trey Gowdy.
Guys, I want to get your reaction to what the D.C. mayor had painted on the streets. And this is the Black Lives Matter mural which is on the road leading to the White House.
Do you think this is to honor the cause, or is this a message to President Trump, Senator?
SCOTT: It certainly is a — it certainly is a message to President Trump. And it’s a terrible message to our nation. It is polarizing, unnecessary, and unproductive.
The fact of the matter is that we certainly need to focus our attention on moving this country together, about healing. And that seemed to be in your face for one specific purpose, to be in his face.
That does not help the movement. It does not help the cause. It does not help the country. I found it to be really polarizing.
BARTIROMO: How are we going to bring this country together?
I know, Senator, you have been speaking with President Trump. Trey Gowdy, you have been talking a lot about this. What are your ideas, first you, Trey, in terms of bring the country together?
GOWDY: Well, you know, Maria, three years ago, Tim Scott and I could have written a book about anything in the world, and we chose to write a book about unity.
And Tim Scott has done more to open my eyes. I have never been black a day in my life, not a day in my life. So, I need someone else’s eyes to experience that, to understand what that is like.
We need a country that is not so wed to conflict, wed to divisiveness. I mean, we have been through impeachment, a pandemic…
BARTIROMO: Yes.
GOWDY: … an economic maelstrom.
We need to focus on unity, and not monetizing conflict, which is what our culture does now.
SCOTT: Maria, one of the…
BARTIROMO: I think, Senator, you have been doing that with your Opportunity Zones too.
Go ahead, sir.
SCOTT: We certainly have.
President Trump is actually right about the importance of an economic comeback to bring people together. The more resources you have, the more margin you have towards other people in the country.
But one of the things that we can do to bring this nation together is to follow the example of Trey Gowdy as a prosecutor and as a human being. Trey has an amazing story. A young African-American was killed — murdered. Excuse me.
And her father had no confidence in the justice system, until he met Trey Gowdy. And as a result of that meeting with Trey Gowdy, he still had no confidence. But, at the end of the trial, the man who said that this country is too prejudiced to bring justice to his daughter…
BARTIROMO: Yes.
SCOTT: … he hugged Trey Gowdy. He hugged him, because justice was found.
BARTIROMO: What a beautiful vision. We will end it there.
Senator Tim Scott, former Congressman Trey Gowdy, thank you, gentlemen. Have a good day.


bonginoreport--2020-06-08--5th Circuit Court Rules That Coronavirus Is Not a Reason to Force All Texans to Vote by Mail

An Ohio voter drops off her ballot at the Board of Elections in Dayton on April 28 , 2020 .
( MEGAN JELINGER/AFP via Getty Images ) Federal Appeals Court Rules Pandemic No Reason to Force All Texans to Vote by Mail The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously slapped down a federal judge ’ s ruling forcing Texas to allow all its residents to vote by mail on the theory that doing so would prevent the transmission of COVID-19 .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , a Republican , indicated he was satisfied with the decision .
“ Allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable to fraud , would only lead to greater election fraud and disenfranchise lawful voters , ” Paxton said in a statement to the media .
“ The unanimous Fifth Circuit ruling puts a stop to this blatant violation of Texas law.
” All 50 states provide for mail-in voting .
In Texas , a voter is allowed to vote by mail if 65 or older , disabled or ill , in jail , or outside the county when voting is scheduled to take place .
Democrats had argued the disability provision could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of immunity to the virus .
They lost .
The ruling , in Texas Democratic Party v. Abbott , an appeal from U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas , came June 4 .
In the ruling that was overturned , U.S. District Judge Fred Biery had found for Democrats , who argued it was unreasonable to expect voters to appear in person at polling stations and risk exposure to the CCP virus .
Berry had granted a temporary injunction May 19 allowing all voters in the state to vote by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton , determined that all Texas voters should be considered disabled and therefore deserving of special accommodations in voting because they lack immunity to the virus , and voting in person was hazardous to them .
The Texas Supreme Court also rejected that line of argument , holding that a lack of immunity didn ’ t constitute a disability .
That court “ interpreted ‘ disability ’ not to include lack of immunity to the Virus , ” the 5th Circuit panel noted in its decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to encourage voters to indicate that they are disabled merely because they lack immunity.
” According to the panel , the country is “ mired in a pandemic involving a virus that can cause serious illness and sometimes death , ” and the Constitution entrusts the safety and health of the people “ to the politically accountable officials of the States ‘ to guard and protect , ’ ” citing a 1905 Supreme Court precedent , Jacobson v. Massachusetts .
But the district judge here ignored state officials and “ resolves to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel noted and rejected the judge ’ s criticism of Texas officials .
The judge , according to the panel , wrote , “ ‘ There are some among us who would , if they could , nullify ’ the promises of the Declaration of Independence and ‘ forfeit … the vision of America as a shining city upon a hill.
’ “ In an order that will be remembered more for audacity than legal reasoning , the district judge intervenes just weeks before an election , entering a sweeping preliminary injunction that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots to any eligible voter who wants one.
” The judge erred , the panel reasoned , because the presence of the CCP virus didn ’ t give federal judges “ a roving commission to rewrite state election codes.
” Oregon , Washington , Colorado , Utah , and Hawaii carry out their elections wholly by mail .
Republicans are suing California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , in federal court over his executive order requiring that all registered voters be sent vote-by-mail ballots for the general election on Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission of the virus among voters .
Democrats are now suing in at least 13 states to overturn restrictions on mail-in voting—and attorney Marc Elias of the high-powered Democratic law firm Perkins Coie , vows that more are coming , as The Epoch Times has previously reported .

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously slapped down a federal judge’s ruling forcing Texas to allow all its residents to vote by mail on the theory that doing so would prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, indicated he was satisfied with the decision.
“Allowing universal mail-in ballots, which are particularly vulnerable to fraud, would only lead to greater election fraud and disenfranchise lawful voters,” Paxton said in a statement to the media. “The unanimous Fifth Circuit ruling puts a stop to this blatant violation of Texas law.”
All 50 states provide for mail-in voting. In Texas, a voter is allowed to vote by mail if 65 or older, disabled or ill, in jail, or outside the county when voting is scheduled to take place.
Democrats had argued the disability provision could be interpreted broadly to include a lack of immunity to the virus. They lost.
The ruling, in Texas Democratic Party v. Abbott, an appeal from U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, came June 4.
In the ruling that was overturned, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery had found for Democrats, who argued it was unreasonable to expect voters to appear in person at polling stations and risk exposure to the CCP virus. Berry had granted a temporary injunction May 19 allowing all voters in the state to vote by mail in upcoming elections.
Biery, who was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton, determined that all Texas voters should be considered disabled and therefore deserving of special accommodations in voting because they lack immunity to the virus, and voting in person was hazardous to them.
The Texas Supreme Court also rejected that line of argument, holding that a lack of immunity didn't constitute a disability. That court “interpreted ‘disability’ not to include lack of immunity to the Virus,” the 5th Circuit panel noted in its decision, adding that “it is a crime to encourage voters to indicate that they are disabled merely because they lack immunity.”
According to the panel, the country is “mired in a pandemic involving a virus that can cause serious illness and sometimes death,” and the Constitution entrusts the safety and health of the people “to the politically accountable officials of the States ‘to guard and protect,’” citing a 1905 Supreme Court precedent, Jacobson v. Massachusetts.
But the district judge here ignored state officials and “resolves to take matters into his own hands.”
The panel noted and rejected the judge’s criticism of Texas officials. The judge, according to the panel, wrote, “‘There are some among us who would, if they could, nullify’ the promises of the Declaration of Independence and ‘forfeit ... the vision of America as a shining city upon a hill.’
“In an order that will be remembered more for audacity than legal reasoning, the district judge intervenes just weeks before an election, entering a sweeping preliminary injunction that requires state officials ... to distribute mail-in ballots to any eligible voter who wants one.”
The judge erred, the panel reasoned, because the presence of the CCP virus didn't give federal judges “a roving commission to rewrite state election codes.”
Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, and Hawaii carry out their elections wholly by mail.
Republicans are suing California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, in federal court over his executive order requiring that all registered voters be sent vote-by-mail ballots for the general election on Nov. 3, ostensibly to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus among voters.
Democrats are now suing in at least 13 states to overturn restrictions on mail-in voting—and attorney Marc Elias of the high-powered Democratic law firm Perkins Coie, vows that more are coming, as The Epoch Times has previously reported.


bonginoreport--2020-06-08--99% Drop in Traffic Compared to May 2019 at Ben-Gurion Airport

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Ben-Gurion Airport witnessed a 99% drop in international passenger footfall last month when compared to May 2019, demonstrating the scope of the blow suffered by Israel's aviation industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.A total of 18,197 international passengers passed through Israel's leading transportation hub last month, compared to approximately 1.93 million during May 2019.The destination with the highest volume of activity was the United States, with more than 36% of all passengers (6,563 in total) either arriving from or traveling to the country from Ben-Gurion Airport. The vast majority (6,086 passengers) traveled to or from Newark Liberty International Airport onboard flights operated by United Airlines.Plunging footfall reflects a ban on all foreign nationals entering Israel since March 18, even if they can prove their ability to remain in home isolation for 14 days upon arrival. The entry ban is currently valid until June 15.Domestic air travel has also recorded a dramatic decline, with only 8,979 passengers passing through Ben-Gurion Airport, compared to almost 40,000 in May 2019.The 77.25% drop in footfall is even more substantial given that Ben-Gurion only replaced Sde Dov Airport as central Israel's sole domestic aviation hub in July 2019.In more optimistic news, cargo transportation last month registered a slight increase (1.52%) compared to May 2019. A total of 28,751 tons arrived and departed Ben-Gurion Airport, including 1,267 tons in passenger aircraft.Meanwhile, KAN reported that El Al executives will meet later this week to discuss the Finance Ministry's revised plan to bail out the struggling airliner.According to the revised proposal received by El Al management on Sunday, the government is willing to offer a $250 million loan to the Israeli flag carrier.In addition, El Al will issue shares worth $150m., backed by a government guarantee to purchase shares that are left unsold, an agreement which could ultimately turn the state into the majority shareholder of the company.The plan, which is conditional upon severe cost-cutting measures and layoffs expected to affect one-third of the airline’s workforce, represents a significant shift in strategy following months of unsuccessful negotiations between El Al and the Finance Ministry for a $400m. government-backed loan to bail out the battered company.Commenting on the new proposal, former El Al CEO Amos Shapira expressed his view that airline management may have no choice but to accept the new offer, even if it means that the "next crisis is only a matter of time.""If you take this company and make it even smaller, you reduce its ability to compete even more," Shapira told Army Radio, emphasizing that El Al's pre-crisis woes were primarily caused by the difficulty in competing with international aviation giants including Lufthansa."These are not efficiency measures, this is clipping El Al's wings," Shapira said.Even if El Al executives approve the Finance Ministry's new rescue plan and associated cuts, the deal will also require approval by the government, the Knesset’s Finance Committee and, most problematically, the El Al workers union.Late on Sunday, the airline said it would extend its halt on all scheduled flights to and from Israel until June 30, with the exception of cargo flights and one-off services. Some 6,000 of the carrier's 6,500 staff are also on unpaid leave until the same date.


bonginoreport--2020-06-08--NBER Announces Economy Fell Into Recession in March

The National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that a recession began in February of this year , marking the end of the longest period of economic growth in history .
`` The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production , and its broad reach across the entire economy , warrants the designation of this episode as a recession , even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions , '' the bureau said in its report .
The bureau 's definition of a recession is a decline in economic activity that lasts more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private nonprofit research organization that is known for providing start and end dates for recessions in the United States .
The NBER determined that a peak in monthly economic activity occurred February , which marked the end of a period of growth that began in June 2009 after the Great Recession .
The growth lasted 128 months , the longest in the history of U.S. business cycles dating back to 1854 .
To determine February as the date of the monthly peak and the beginning of the recession , the bureau considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production .
To calculate whether a recession is occurring , the bureau also weighs the depth of the downturn , its duration , and whether economic activity declined broadly across the economy .
The bureau attributed the cause of the recession to the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic shutdown .
It also said that since the recession is tied to the public health response , the downturn has different characteristics and dynamics than prior recessions .
Some economists , including those in the Trump administration , fear that the economy will not enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the recession predicted by President Trump but will rather face a slow , bumpy one arrested by any further outbreaks — a `` W-shaped '' recovery .

The National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that a recession began in February of this year, marking the end of the longest period of economic growth in history.
"The unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warrants the designation of this episode as a recession, even if it turns out to be briefer than earlier contractions," the bureau said in its report.
The bureau's definition of a recession is a decline in economic activity that lasts more than a few months. The bureau is a private nonprofit research organization that is known for providing start and end dates for recessions in the United States.
The NBER determined that a peak in monthly economic activity occurred February, which marked the end of a period of growth that began in June 2009 after the Great Recession. The growth lasted 128 months, the longest in the history of U.S. business cycles dating back to 1854.
To determine February as the date of the monthly peak and the beginning of the recession, the bureau considered a number of indicators of domestic employment and production.
To calculate whether a recession is occurring, the bureau also weighs the depth of the downturn, its duration, and whether economic activity declined broadly across the economy.
The bureau attributed the cause of the recession to the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing economic shutdown. It also said that since the recession is tied to the public health response, the downturn has different characteristics and dynamics than prior recessions.
Some economists, including those in the Trump administration, fear that the economy will not enjoy the sharp, "V-shaped" recovery out of the recession predicted by President Trump but will rather face a slow, bumpy one arrested by any further outbreaks — a "W-shaped" recovery.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Michigan Supreme Court Overturns Ruling That Directed 77-Year-Old Barber to Close Shop

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled overturned a lower court ’ s order that directed 77-year-old Owosso barber Karl Manke to close his shop .
The top court said the Court of Appeals erred in its 2-1 decision .
Justice David Viviano said a split decision couldn ’ t grant peremptory relief .
He said the court should have held a full briefing and oral arguments .
Viviano wrote that granting the order despite Judge Brock Swartzle ’ s “ explicit objection ( and without responding to it ) is inexplicable.
” Manke has been defying Gov .
Gretchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbershops to close March 21 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has attracted Michiganders from across the state to his shop .
Manke has garnered national fame for continuing to cut hair after citations and the state revoked his license , which inspired a 400-person protest at the Capitol on May 20 where barbers gave free haircuts and were cited by State Police .
The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeals but may become moot after Whitmer said barbershops statewide can open on June 15 .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions are made according to the rule of law , not hysteria , ” Viviano wrote .
He continued : “ Courts decide legal questions that arise in the cases that come before us according to the rule of law .
One hopes that this great principle – essential to any free society , including ours – will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19 .
”

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled overturned a lower court’s order that directed 77-year-old Owosso barber Karl Manke to close his shop.
The top court said the Court of Appeals erred in its 2-1 decision.
Justice David Viviano said a split decision couldn’t grant peremptory relief. He said the court should have held a full briefing and oral arguments.
Viviano wrote that granting the order despite Judge Brock Swartzle’s “explicit objection (and without responding to it) is inexplicable.”
Manke has been defying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order that told barbershops to close March 21 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has attracted Michiganders from across the state to his shop.
Manke has garnered national fame for continuing to cut hair after citations and the state revoked his license, which inspired a 400-person protest at the Capitol on May 20 where barbers gave free haircuts and were cited by State Police.
The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeals but may become moot after Whitmer said barbershops statewide can open on June 15.
“It is incumbent on the courts to ensure decisions are made according to the rule of law, not hysteria,” Viviano wrote.
He continued: “Courts decide legal questions that arise in the cases that come before us according to the rule of law. One hopes that this great principle – essential to any free society, including ours – will not itself become yet another casualty of COVID-19.”


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--NJ Assemblyman Asks Police to Give Governor Citation for Defying His Own Social Distancing Executive

NJ Assemblyman Asks Police to Give Governor Citation for Defying His Own Social Distancing Executive Order

New Jersey Assemblyman Jay Webber accused the State ’ s Governor Phil Murphy of “ brazenly defying ” his own executive order that limits outdoor groups to 25 people amid COVID-19 and is asking the that the police hold him accountable for it , in a letter sent to the State ’ s Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan on Monday .
“ Photographic and written evidence on social media indicated that one Philip Dunton Murphy of Middletown openly and brazenly defied Executive Order 148by purposely , repeatedly , and wantonly associating with others in groups of greater than 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior , ” Webber wrote .
“ Consistent with the treatment of other individuals who have committed similar acts , that behavior appears to merit a criminal citation for violations pursuant to N.J.S.A .
App.A 9-49 ( h ) and 9-50.
” Governor Murphy attended two Black Lives Matter protests Sunday in response to the tragic death of George Floyd .
When asked during Monday ’ s news conference about the appearance of selective enforcement of the order , Murphy told reporters that the issue is in the hands of local law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than COVID-19 .
“ This is up to local law enforcement in any case .
I believe it ’ s true .
And if it ’ s not true , I stand corrected .
In any other non anti-racism protest that I ’ m aware of that was related to COVID-19 that ’ s occurred .
A. there have been few citations , but B. they ’ re directed only at the organizers .
I walked away from Hillside , I walked away from Westfield .
I ’ m gon na say a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that in Westfield , ” Murphy explained .
There were 130 protests held over the weekend , he added .
Murphy continued , “ This is a moment in time perhaps unlike any in our nation ’ s history .
There is an overwhelming amount of anger and passion .
And , by the way , it ’ s all incredibly peaceful , overwhelmingly so , particularly in New Jersey and we should be very proud of that .
I can ’ t imagine what it would look like if we said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , you have to ignore systemic racism , I ’ m sorry , just ignore it , just stay inside , you can ’ t go out and voice your anger , your rightful anger .
I can ’ t imagine what that looks like as it relates to public safety.
” “ I think this is literally unique in our nation ’ s history .
I do think this is an inflection point .
I do believe this does feel differently this time .
Please , God , it does.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , saying that it ’ s up to local law enforcement .
Violating the EO could result in up to 6 months in prison time , a $ 1,000 fine , or both , Webber noted in his letter .

New Jersey Assemblyman Jay Webber accused the State’s Governor Phil Murphy of “brazenly defying” his own executive order that limits outdoor groups to 25 people amid COVID-19 and is asking the that the police hold him accountable for it, in a letter sent to the State’s Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan on Monday.
“Photographic and written evidence on social media indicated that one Philip Dunton Murphy of Middletown openly and brazenly defied Executive Order 148by purposely, repeatedly, and wantonly associating with others in groups of greater than 25 individuals, and aiding and abetting such behavior,” Webber wrote.
“Consistent with the treatment of other individuals who have committed similar acts, that behavior appears to merit a criminal citation for violations pursuant to N.J.S.A. App.A 9-49(h) and 9-50.”
Today, in Hillside, we marched for justice. For George Floyd and for the many before him – who lost their lives for being Black. We march because we will not accept systemic racism and bias as just part of our national condition. Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/JGe00Xa1qS — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 7, 2020
Governor Murphy attended two Black Lives Matter protests Sunday in response to the tragic death of George Floyd.
When asked during Monday’s news conference about the appearance of selective enforcement of the order, Murphy told reporters that the issue is in the hands of local law enforcement and implied that racism is more pressing than COVID-19.
“This is up to local law enforcement in any case. I believe it’s true. And if it’s not true, I stand corrected. In any other non anti-racism protest that I’m aware of that was related to COVID-19 that’s occurred. A. there have been few citations, but B. they’re directed only at the organizers. I walked away from Hillside, I walked away from Westfield. I’m gonna say a couple thousand in Hillside and probably more than that in Westfield,” Murphy explained.
There were 130 protests held over the weekend, he added.
Murphy continued, “This is a moment in time perhaps unlike any in our nation’s history. There is an overwhelming amount of anger and passion. And, by the way, it’s all incredibly peaceful, overwhelmingly so, particularly in New Jersey and we should be very proud of that. I can’t imagine what it would look like if we said to people ‘you have to stay in, you have to ignore systemic racism, I’m sorry, just ignore it, just stay inside, you can’t go out and voice your anger, your rightful anger. I can’t imagine what that looks like as it relates to public safety.”
“I think this is literally unique in our nation’s history. I do think this is an inflection point. I do believe this does feel differently this time. Please, God, it does.”
Col. Callahan echoed the Governor’s response, saying that it’s up to local law enforcement. Violating the EO could result in up to 6 months in prison time, a $1,000 fine, or both, Webber noted in his letter.
Letter to Col. Callahan: Will Governor be held accountable & cited for his violations of his own Executive Order? pic.twitter.com/ytaQ8kcjQi — Jay Webber (@JayWebberNJ) June 8, 2020


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Jezreel Winery From the Bible May Have Been Identified

Aerial photo of the winery after excavation in 2013 .
View to the northeast .
OURTESY OF THE JEZREEL EXPEDITION

Aerial photo of the winery after excavation in 2013. View to the northeast. OURTESY OF THE JEZREEL EXPEDITION
In the biblical books of Kings I and II, the winery of Jezreel is the setting of some of the most gruesome episodes of greed, violence, sin and divine retribution. Researchers have identified elements that confirm the excavation carried out in northern Israel is compatible with the biblical narrative, according to a paper published in the latest issue of the Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies.The winery was first discovered in 2013 and exposed in several seasons of excavations in following years. It presents several installations carved into the bedrock.“Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel, adjoining the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, ‘Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it as a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange; or, if you prefer, I will pay you the price in money.’ But Naboth replied, ‘The LORD forbid that I should give up to you what I have inherited from my fathers!’” reads I King 1:4 (translation Sefaria.org).It is currently impossible to date with certainty the remains of the ancient winery that was uncovered not far from Jezreel, a settlement that has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, the lead author of the study, Dr. Norma Franklin of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, told The Jerusalem Post. However, different factors support the idea that whether or not there was a man called Naboth, whoever authored the story must have been aware of the existence of that winery, the only one in the compatible area, she said.“With these kinds of structures, we can assess when was the last time that they were used – in this case quite late, around the first century CE – but not when they were built,” Franklin said. “The events that are described in the Bible are usually considered to take place around the ninth century BCE. It is possible that the winery already existed back then, but it is hard to say. However, some scholars believe that the story was actually written down later, around the sixth century BCE, when we can state for certain that the winery was already operating. There is no way to know whether what is narrated in the Bible happened exactly as related, but the narrative must have existed.”To date the findings, the researchers compared the typology of the installations with similar ones in the region from a variety of periods.The wine-making technology used in Jezreel was pretty archaic, involving people treading the grapes with their feet, probably not more than four people at a time, Franklin said.Moreover, later wineries were usually built not in the fields, as in the case of the Jezreel winery, but directly in the village, she said.“Another element that was very exciting for us was that several years ago, a nearby kibbutz sampled the soil in the area to find out if and where it would be possible for them to start growing grapes,” Franklin said. “The results showed that in the whole area there was only a small zone that would be good for vineyards, exactly where the ancient winery stood.”According to the biblical narrative, King Ahab did manage to lay his hands on Naboth’s winery with a trick and the help of his wife, Jezebel, by accusing the man of defiling God and having him killed. For this sin, the king incurred God’s wrath against himself and his lineage, as the prophet Elijah announced to him.Indeed, several years later, the prophecy would be fulfilled, and dozens of descendants of Ahab, including his son and successor to the throne, Joram, would die at the hands of Jehu, an army commander, in a confrontation that once again started in the winery of Jezreel.Excavations currently are not taking places at the site while the archaeologists focus on publishing their findings during several years of research, Franklin said.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Where Things Stand on MLB 2020 Season

Where Things Stand on MLB 2020 Season

Major League Baseball and the Players Association ( MLBPA ) have been negotiating for almost a month about a return-to-play plan for the 2020 season .
Discussions have often been heated , and the two sides are struggling to come to terms over player compensation .
Negotiations began May 12 , two months after the league went on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The MLBPA submitted a counterproposal to the league last week that was reportedly rejected a few days later .
The league is not planning make a counteroffer .
The MLBPA plan featured a 114-game schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretched through October .
The league , meanwhile , submitted a plan for an 82-game season and wanted players making the most money to take massive salary cuts .
While an agreement has yet to be reached , there are some notable components of various proposals that the two sides seem likely to agree on for a 2020 season .
They include : • Extensive health and safety protocols for players and team personnel • Regional schedule to reduce travel ( ex : teams in the AL East would only play each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Expanded playoffs ( possibly with 14 total teams in the postseason ) As the talks continue and more information becomes public , we 've opted to construct a timeline of consequential news and events surrounding these talks .
Below you 'll find all you need to know about the state of the negotiations , and how they got there .
The league delivered its latest proposal to the Players Association on Monday , but it does n't seem to be much different than previous ones .
MLB is reportedly giving the MLBPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this proposal , the league calls for a 76-game regular season that would end on Sept. 27 with a postseason finishing up at the end of October .
Also included in the league 's proposal : 75 percent prorated salaries , playoff pool money and no MLB draft pick compensation for signing players .
It 's being reported that the union thinks the league 's latest offer is even worse than its previous proposals .
In a statement , MLBPA director Tony Clark says players have `` resoundingly rejected '' the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain firm on calling for prorated salaries for the 2020 season .
Clark 's statement noted that `` the overwhelming consensus of the board is that players are ready to report , ready to get back on the field , and they are willing to do so under unprecedented conditions that could affect the health and safety of not just themselves , but their families as well . ''
The league has rejected the Players Association 's proposal that would have featured a 114-game season and an expanded postseason , according to Ken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not expected to make a counteroffer .
The owners would prefer a shorter regular season with an assurance that the postseason will be completed before November , and before a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus sweeps the country .
June 1 : MLB willing to pay prorated salaries in shorter season MLB owners took a substantial step toward a deal on Monday as it was reported they were willing to pay players their prorated salaries for the 2020 season , something the two sides agreed to back in March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a percentage of their full 2020 salaries based on the number of games played ( ex : they would get 50 percent of their salary in an 81-game season ) .
However , in an effort to save money , owners are proposing a season in the neighborhood of 50 games , a far cry from the 114-game slate proposed by players .
But it seems likely the two sides can meet in the middle on the length of a season .
The MLBPA submitted a proposal for the 2020 season to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal , the 2020 MLB season would consist of 114 games from June 30 to Oct. 31 .
Other key parts of the plan include every player having the right to opt out of participating in a 2020 season and a salary deferral plan in the event that the postseason is canceled or shortened due to another wave of COVID-19 .
The proposal also calls for two years of expanded playoffs , and for the players to receive a $ 100 million advance during the second spring training .
May 29 : MLBPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims In a memo to players , the MLBPA said it is weighing the nature of its response to MLB 's economic proposal that `` sought additional pay cuts of more than $ 800 million that it contends are necessary to make it economically feasible to play games without fans , '' according to The Athletic 's Ken Rosenthal .
`` Importantly , the union still awaits key documents from MLB that would support the dubious financial distress claims the league has made in its attempt to force the additional givebacks from players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 : Scherzer speaks out ; players could ask for longer season After an unproductive meeting on Tuesday , the two sides are not negotiating on Wednesday , per multiple reports ( including from Bob Nightengale of USA Today ) .
Bear in mind , there 's still time to get a deal in place for a regular season that starts in early July .
Nightengale notes that there 's not a hard deadline and the negotiations could stretch into the first week of June .
Nationals right-hander and union member Max Scherzer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` no reason to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions . ''
This reflects the union 's position that compensation for 2020 was a settled matter as of the March agreement in which they agreed to pro-rate their salaries based on the number of games played .
Scherzer further called on MLB to release the relevant financials that would show the extent of projected revenue losses for 2020 .
As well , Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported that players will likely propose playing a longer season than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yield in their refusal to reduce salaries beyond what they 've already agreed to .
This is expected to be an important few days for the negotiations .
On Tuesday , the owners reportedly approved a financial proposal that includes a sliding compensation scale .
Essentially , the players who earn the most will be asked to take a larger pay reduction than those who make less .
The players could also earn more money based on postseason revenue .
The union is said to be disappointed by the proposal , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prorated salaries they agreed to in March .
The players will now review the proposal and counter .
The two sides met Tuesday afternoon , but their next meeting is not yet scheduled .
May 24 : Players reportedly expected to ask for deferrals While the MLBPA waits for the owners ' next proposal , Chuck Garfien of NBC Sports Chicago reports that players are expected to offer to defer some of the salary owed them in 2020 until later years .
Doing so would provide teams some of the financial relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is another signal that neither side is yet entrenched in current negotiating positions .
Meantime , Charles Gasparino of Fox Business Network tweets that MLB owners have scheduled a Tuesday meeting with commissioner Rob Manfred at 1 p.m .
ET in advance of presenting their second proposal to players .
May 22 : MLB to present new economic proposal on Tuesday Players not surprisingly were unimpressed the the owners ' opening offer that entailed further cutting salaries in response to the likelihood that fans will not be in attendance for at least part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to pro-rate their salaries based on the number of games played , but MLB is looking for further concessions .
On that front , source tells Evan Drellich of The Athletic that owners will present players with a revised economic proposal on Tuesday .
Presumably , owners will move off their original proposal , but the extent to which they do will of course determine whether this latest offer leads directly to an agreement .
Teams will need at least two or three weeks to prepare for an early July start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiation is n't a wide one .
Some forward momentum toward a deal is needed , and this second proposal could be just that .
While matters such as the structure of the season and the safety measures that will be put into place must also be agreed to , the economic issues figure to be toughest negotiation and have the greatest potential to be a genuine impasse to a deal .
The MLBPA responded to the league 's 67-page safety protocol , taking the next formal step in the negotiating process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal , the union 's counter-proposal included notes on testing frequency , protections for high-risk players and their families , and sanitization protocols .
The MLBPA issued the following statement Thursday afternoon , per ESPN 's Jeff Passan .
`` The union has spent the past several days carefully reviewing the manual and gathering feedback from its medical experts and players across the league , including a 3 1/2 hour video conference with 100-plus player leaders on Monday night . ''
Sources tell Bob Nightengale of USA Today that commissioner Rob Manfred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formal economic plan to the union by Friday .
In that presentation , MLB will further detail the financial losses the league claims it will incur during the 2020 season .
The league previously claimed that teams would suffer a combined loss of roughly $ 4 billion with no fans in attendance if players declined to accept another salary reduction .
However , MLB 's accounting was dubious at best .
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post , MLBPA head Tony Clark led a Monday conference call to discuss with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 season .
The call included more than 130 MLB players with all 30 teams being represented .
According to Sherman , the call spanned more than three hours and included plenty of questions and recommendations from players .
May 19 : Hedges 'very confident ' season will happen San Diego Padres catcher and union rep Austin Hedges is optimistic about an agreement happening .
`` Over the last 48 hours , it really feels like we 're getting some stuff done , '' he told Kevin Acee of the San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and owners need to recognize that both sides will have to sacrifice in 2020 for the long-term health of the league .
If that happens , then they should be able to find enough common ground to make a deal .
Baseball 's owners claim they 'll be losing $ 640,000 per game without fans in the seats during an 82-game season .
There 's no way of verifying those numbers , given the closed-book nature of professional sports accounting .
Still , the above figure is one of the reasons the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to further pay reductions as part of a 50-50 revenue split .
Player compensation has been identified as one of the two big issues the sides have to resolve .
The other is the safety of the players and other essential personnel .
Over the weekend , The Athletic published highlights from a 67-page safety and testing protocol the league submitted to the union .
The memo included MLB 's plans for testing , travel , and other pertinent topics .
Tampa Bay Rays left-handed Blake Snell made headlines by publicly reacting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a Twitch stream .
Snell said the risk of contracting COVID-19 is `` just not worth it '' while noting that the players had already agreed to a previous pay reduction .
May 14 : Players likely to agree to universal DH Although it 's relatively small beans , the players are likely to agree to a universal DH for the 2020 season .
The thinking is , ostensibly , that pitchers would stay healthier if they were relieved of their hitting and running obligations .
The season is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DH would allow teams to find at-bats for players who might otherwise go without .
May 12 : No talks of money on Day 1 The league and union officially started talks May 12 .
Even so , the league reportedly did not present its revenue-sharing plan to the union on the first day .
The union has pushed back on an altered agreement , stating its belief that a March deal between the two sides -- one that gave players prorated salaries dependent on the number of games played in 2020 -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of their negotiations with the union , the owners approved a plan that would include an 82-game season , expanded rosters , and an expanded postseason that would include 14 teams .
The plan also calls for the aforementioned 50-50 revenue split between the owners and players .

Commissioner Rob Manfred has imposed a 60-game season after more than a month of negotiations between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA). On Monday, the players voted against a 60-game proposal from the league. The owners, in turn, voted unanimously to grant Manfred the power to implement a season. Tuesday, the MLBPA and owners finalized a health and safety protocol, and players will report for a second "spring" training by July 1.
Despite the owners and players never agreeing to a new return-to-play deal, Opening Day is now set for July 23 or 24.
So how did we get to this point? We've kept a running timeline of each significant move (whether it was a step forward or a step back) in MLB/MLBPA talks since they began on May 12. You'll find a timeline of the testy negotiations below, which resulted in the commissioner exercising a power he gained when the two sides made an agreement in March.
June 23: MLB announces 60-game season
The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) informed the league on Tuesday that players will comply with commissioner Rob Manfred's imposed outline for a 2020 season. Players are set report for another version of "spring" training on July 1, and the league's imposed 60-game season will start either July 23 or 24, the league announced.
June 22: Players vote no on proposal; Manfred to impose season
The MLBPA shot down a league proposal for a 60-game season on Monday afternoon in a vote among team representatives and the union's executive board. It was a 33-5 vote. The owners then voted 30-0 for Manfred to impose a season. The league asked the union to respond by Tuesday afternoon. MLB wants players to report to a second "spring" training by July 1, and the imposed season will reportedly be for 60 games.
June 21: MLB tweaks offer; MLBPA waits to vote
Commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly reached out to MLBPA chief Tony Clark and offered players some 2021 concessions as part of the league's latest proposal on Sunday. The league is hoping the MLBPA accepts its offer of a 60-game season. Players are set to vote on the offer on Monday after having the vote pushed back over the weekend.
June 19: MLB won't play more than 60; COVID-19 shuts down sites
The ongoing return to play negotiations have hit another snag. The MLBPA confirmed Friday that MLB has said it will not play more than 60 games this season. "Our Executive Board will convene in the near future to determine next steps," the union said in a statement. If the 2020 season does get off the ground, extra innings rules could be revised to limit time at the ballpark. We could see ties or runners on second base to begin each extra inning.
In more harrowing news, several players and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, including personnel at Astros, Phillies, and Blue Jays camp. MLB has ordered all spring training sites to be closed and sanitized, and personnel must test negative for COVID-19 before being allowed to return. Furthermore, the recent outbreaks have MLB reconsidering the "bubble" arrangement, with all 30 teams isolated in one geographic region.
June 18: Players want 70 games
Despite progress toward a deal on Wednesday, reports made it clear Thursday that there's more work to do. The MLBPA wants a longer season than the 60-game campaign MLB owners proposed earlier in the week. The MLBPA made its latest counterproposal Thursday, asking for a 70-game season that would reportedly start July 19.
June 17: Manfred, Clark meet; owners make new proposal
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA head Tony Clark recently had a productive face-to-face meeting, and shortly thereafter owners reportedly made a revised proposal to the union. Critically, MLB owners finally agreed to pay players their pro-rated salaries, as they initially agreed to do in late March. Players may also agree to drop their pending grievance against owners and sign on to expanded playoffs, which is a priority for ownership.
While no agreement has yet been reached and there's still time for things to fall apart, don't be surprised if something emerges along these lines:
At the very least, this is the biggest cause for optimism in some time when it comes to these negotiations.
June 15: Manfred changes tune, says he's 'not confident'
MLB owners held a conference call Monday afternoon to discuss a potential 2020 season. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, owners and the MLBPA still have to negotiate specific health and safety protocols before they can make a determination on the length of the season.
Following Monday's call, commissioner Rob Manfred said he is "not confident" there will be a 2020 season during an ESPN interview. That comes less than a week after he guaranteed there would be baseball this year. MLB also wants the MLBPA to waive the right to a grievance before scheduling a season.
June 13: MLBPA rejects latest offer, tells MLB to schedule season
As expected, the MLBPA has rejected MLB's latest offer. Union chief Tony Clark invited commissioner Rob Manfred to schedule the season and "tell us when and where," so the players can report. The MLBPA sent MLB a scathing letter accusing them of "underhanded tactics to circumvent the union" and "one delay tactic after another." The March agreement allows Manfred to unilaterally schedule a season of any length as long as the players are paid full prorated salaries. The MLBPA has demanded MLB inform the union of its plans no later than Monday. Owners are set to have a Monday conference call, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, and might decide they are also done negotiating.
June 12: Owners make another offer
The owners have made another proposal to the players and given a Sunday night deadline for the players to respond. It is, once again, very likely to be a non-starter for the players. The owners have offered a 72-game season with the players getting 70 percent of their prorated salaries and 80 percent if the postseason is able to be completed. The players continue to press for full prorated salaries while the owners continue to try and only pay the players for roughly 50 games, regardless of how many games actually get played.
June 10: Manfred guarantees season
In interviews with MLB Network and ESPN prior to Wednesday's MLB draft, commissioner Rob Manfred said it's "100 percent" that a 2020 season will take place. Manfred went on to say that he hopes a negotiated settlement between his side and the players is the ultimate outcome, but he also indicated that he would mandate a structure of the season if owners and the union are unable to reach an agreement. The March 26 accord gives Manfred the power to implement a regular season structure so long as bargaining has been in good faith (as always, that's a matter of interpretation). If it comes to that, then Manfred would likely implement a regular season of 48-50 games.
June 9: MLBPA proposes 89-game season without extra pay cut
On Tuesday, the MLBPA responded to MLB's latest plan with a proposal that includes an 89-game season with full prorated pay and an expanded 16-team postseason in 2020 and 2021. This proposed season would run from July 10 to Oct. 11 and presumably push the postseason into November, something MLB wants to avoid for several reasons (second COVID-19 wave, new broadcast deals, etc.). Also, the proposal calls for a $5 million fund to help minor leaguers and social justice organizations. "We're nowhere," an ownership person told MLB Network's Jon Heyman after the proposal was submitted.
June 8: MLB proposes 76-game season, still wants extra pay cut
The league delivered its latest proposal to the Players Association on Monday, but it doesn't seem to be much different than previous ones. MLB is reportedly giving the MLBPA three days to give a response. In this proposal, the league calls for a 76-game regular season that would end on Sept. 27 with a postseason finishing up at the end of October. Also included in the league's proposal: 75 percent prorated salaries, playoff pool money and no MLB draft pick compensation for signing players. It's being reported that the union thinks the league's latest offer is even worse than its previous proposals.
June 4: Players 'resoundingly reject' additional pay cuts
In a statement, MLBPA director Tony Clark says players have "resoundingly rejected" the idea of taking a further pay cut and remain firm on calling for prorated salaries for the 2020 season. Clark's statement noted that "the overwhelming consensus of the board is that players are ready to report, ready to get back on the field, and they are willing to do so under unprecedented conditions that could affect the health and safety of not just themselves, but their families as well."
June 3: MLB rejects MLBPA's proposal; won't make counteroffer
The league has rejected the Players Association's proposal that would have featured a 114-game season and an expanded postseason, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The league is not expected to make a counteroffer. The owners would prefer a shorter regular season with an assurance that the postseason will be completed before November, and before a potential second wave of the novel coronavirus sweeps the country.
June 1: MLB willing to pay prorated salaries in shorter season
MLB owners took a substantial step toward a deal on Monday as it was reported they were willing to pay players their prorated salaries for the 2020 season, something the two sides agreed to back in March. This agreement would see the players earn a percentage of their full 2020 salaries based on the number of games played (ex: they would get 50 percent of their salary in an 81-game season). However, in an effort to save money, owners are proposing a season in the neighborhood of 50 games, a far cry from the 114-game slate proposed by players. But it seems likely the two sides can meet in the middle on the length of a season.
May 31: MLBPA proposes 114-game season, no additional pay cuts
The MLBPA submitted a proposal for the 2020 season to the league on Sunday. In the union proposal, the 2020 MLB season would consist of 114 games from June 30 to Oct. 31. Other key parts of the plan include every player having the right to opt out of participating in a 2020 season and a salary deferral plan in the event that the postseason is canceled or shortened due to another wave of COVID-19. The proposal also calls for two years of expanded playoffs, and for the players to receive a $100 million advance during the second spring training.
May 29: MLBPA waiting for evidence of 'dubious' financial claims
In a memo to players, the MLBPA said it is weighing the nature of its response to MLB's economic proposal that "sought additional pay cuts of more than $800 million that it contends are necessary to make it economically feasible to play games without fans," according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. "Importantly, the union still awaits key documents from MLB that would support the dubious financial distress claims the league has made in its attempt to force the additional givebacks from players," the memo adds.
May 27: Scherzer speaks out; players could ask for longer season
After an unproductive meeting on Tuesday, the two sides are not negotiating on Wednesday, per multiple reports (including from Bob Nightengale of USA Today). Bear in mind, there's still time to get a deal in place for a regular season that starts in early July. Nightengale notes that there's not a hard deadline and the negotiations could stretch into the first week of June.
Nationals right-hander and union member Max Scherzer on Wednesday night tweeted that players have "no reason to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions." This reflects the union's position that compensation for 2020 was a settled matter as of the March agreement in which they agreed to pro-rate their salaries based on the number of games played. Scherzer further called on MLB to release the relevant financials that would show the extent of projected revenue losses for 2020.
As well, Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported that players will likely propose playing a longer season than the 82-game slate under consideration but will not yield in their refusal to reduce salaries beyond what they've already agreed to.
May 26: Owners make financial proposal; MLBPA 'disappointed'
This is expected to be an important few days for the negotiations. On Tuesday, the owners reportedly approved a financial proposal that includes a sliding compensation scale. Essentially, the players who earn the most will be asked to take a larger pay reduction than those who make less. The players could also earn more money based on postseason revenue.
The union is said to be disappointed by the proposal, which includes "massive" pay cuts beyond the prorated salaries they agreed to in March. The players will now review the proposal and counter. The two sides met Tuesday afternoon, but their next meeting is not yet scheduled.
May 24: Players reportedly expected to ask for deferrals
While the MLBPA waits for the owners' next proposal, Chuck Garfien of NBC Sports Chicago reports that players are expected to offer to defer some of the salary owed them in 2020 until later years. Doing so would provide teams some of the financial relief that they seek in these negotiations and is another signal that neither side is yet entrenched in current negotiating positions.
Meantime, Charles Gasparino of Fox Business Network tweets that MLB owners have scheduled a Tuesday meeting with commissioner Rob Manfred at 1 p.m. ET in advance of presenting their second proposal to players.
May 22: MLB to present new economic proposal on Tuesday
Players not surprisingly were unimpressed the the owners' opening offer that entailed further cutting salaries in response to the likelihood that fans will not be in attendance for at least part of the year. Players have already agreed to pro-rate their salaries based on the number of games played, but MLB is looking for further concessions.
On that front, source tells Evan Drellich of The Athletic that owners will present players with a revised economic proposal on Tuesday. Presumably, owners will move off their original proposal, but the extent to which they do will of course determine whether this latest offer leads directly to an agreement. Teams will need at least two or three weeks to prepare for an early July start to the season, so the window of negotiation isn't a wide one. Some forward momentum toward a deal is needed, and this second proposal could be just that.
While matters such as the structure of the season and the safety measures that will be put into place must also be agreed to, the economic issues figure to be toughest negotiation and have the greatest potential to be a genuine impasse to a deal.
May 21: Union responds to MLB proposal
The MLBPA responded to the league's 67-page safety protocol, taking the next formal step in the negotiating process. According to Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal, the union's counter-proposal included notes on testing frequency, protections for high-risk players and their families, and sanitization protocols.
The MLBPA issued the following statement Thursday afternoon, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
"The union has spent the past several days carefully reviewing the manual and gathering feedback from its medical experts and players across the league, including a 3 1/2 hour video conference with 100-plus player leaders on Monday night."
May 20: MLB presents formal proposal to players
Sources tell Bob Nightengale of USA Today that commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB attorneys plan to present their formal economic plan to the union by Friday. In that presentation, MLB will further detail the financial losses the league claims it will incur during the 2020 season. The league previously claimed that teams would suffer a combined loss of roughly $4 billion with no fans in attendance if players declined to accept another salary reduction. However, MLB's accounting was dubious at best.
May 20: Players reviewing safety proposal
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, MLBPA head Tony Clark led a Monday conference call to discuss with players MLB's proposed safety protocols for the 2020 season. The call included more than 130 MLB players with all 30 teams being represented. According to Sherman, the call spanned more than three hours and included plenty of questions and recommendations from players.
May 19: Hedges 'very confident' season will happen
San Diego Padres catcher and union rep Austin Hedges is optimistic about an agreement happening. "Over the last 48 hours, it really feels like we're getting some stuff done," he told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Tuesday. Hedges believes the players and owners need to recognize that both sides will have to sacrifice in 2020 for the long-term health of the league. If that happens, then they should be able to find enough common ground to make a deal.
May 18: Owners claim they'll lose $640,000 per game
Baseball's owners claim they'll be losing $640,000 per game without fans in the seats during an 82-game season. There's no way of verifying those numbers, given the closed-book nature of professional sports accounting. Still, the above figure is one of the reasons the owners are pushing for players to agree to further pay reductions as part of a 50-50 revenue split.
May 16: Safety protocol proposal leaks
Player compensation has been identified as one of the two big issues the sides have to resolve. The other is the safety of the players and other essential personnel. Over the weekend, The Athletic published highlights from a 67-page safety and testing protocol the league submitted to the union. The memo included MLB's plans for testing, travel, and other pertinent topics.
May 14: Snell reacts on Twitch
Tampa Bay Rays left-handed Blake Snell made headlines by publicly reacting to the league's proposed 50-50 revenue split during a Twitch stream. Snell said the risk of contracting COVID-19 is "just not worth it" while noting that the players had already agreed to a previous pay reduction.
May 14: Players likely to agree to universal DH
Although it's relatively small beans, the players are likely to agree to a universal DH for the 2020 season. The thinking is, ostensibly, that pitchers would stay healthier if they were relieved of their hitting and running obligations. The season is expected to be played with expanded rosters, and the DH would allow teams to find at-bats for players who might otherwise go without.
May 12: No talks of money on Day 1
The league and union officially started talks May 12. Even so, the league reportedly did not present its revenue-sharing plan to the union on the first day. The union has pushed back on an altered agreement, stating its belief that a March deal between the two sides -- one that gave players prorated salaries dependent on the number of games played in 2020 -- settled the pay issue.
May 11: Owners reach agreement
Prior to the start of their negotiations with the union, the owners approved a plan that would include an 82-game season, expanded rosters, and an expanded postseason that would include 14 teams. The plan also calls for the aforementioned 50-50 revenue split between the owners and players.


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