theguardian--2020-11-24--Revealed: Trump officials rush to mine desert haven native tribes consider holy

Since January , San Carlos Apache tribal member Wendsler Nosie Sr has been sleeping in a teepee at a campground in south-eastern Arizona ’ s Oak Flat , a sprawling high desert oasis filled with groves of ancient oaks and towering rock spires .
It is a protest in defense of “ holy ground ” where the Apache have prayed and performed ceremonies for centuries .
A dozen south-western Native American tribes have strong cultural ties to Oak Flat .
But the Trump administration , in its waning days , has embarked on a rushed effort to transfer ownership of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to the destruction of an Aboriginal site in Australia , the Guardian has learned .
“ We were in the fourth quarter with two minutes left in the game .
And then Trump cheated so now we only have one minute left , ” said Nosie , who was a football quarterback in high school .
“ Everybody has to mobilize now to fight this.
” Last month tribes discovered that the date for the completion of a crucial environmental review process has suddenly been moved forward by a full year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribes are struggling with a Covid outbreak that has stifled their ability to respond .
If the environmental review is completed before Trump leaves office , the tribes may be unable to stop the mine .
In a meeting with environmental groups , local officials said that the push was occurring because “ we are getting pressure from the highest level at the Department of Agriculture , ” according to notes from the meeting seen by the Guardian .
The department oversees the US Forest Service , which is in charge of Oak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump era , officials are hurrying through a host of environmentally destructive projects that will benefit corporate interests .
These include opening the Arctic national wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling and rolling back protections on endangered gray wolves .
In Oak Flat , the beneficiaries will be a company called Resolution Copper and its two Anglo-Australian parent firms , the mining conglomerates Rio Tinto and BHP .
“ The Trump administration is cutting corners and doing a rushed job just to take care of Rio Tinto , ” said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the fact they are doing it during Covid makes it even more disgusting .
Trump and Rio Tinto know the tribes ’ reaction would be very strong and public under normal circumstances but the tribes are trying to save their people right now.
” Ever since 1995 , when what is estimated to be one of the largest copper deposits in the world was discovered 7,000 feet beneath Oak Flat , a battle has raged pitting environmental and indigenous groups against Resolution Copper .
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites dating back 1,500 years .
If the mine goes forward as planned , it will consume 11 square miles , including Apache burial grounds , sacred sites , petroglyphs and medicinal plants .
Resolution plans to extract 1.4m tons of copper ore by blasting beneath the surface and pulling it out through tunnels .
Once all the ore is sucked out , a crater estimated to be 1,000 feet deep and almost two miles across will be left behind .
There is also concern over a 400ft-high escarpment called Apache Leap that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Named for Apache warriors who jumped off the cliff in the late 1800s to avoid capture by the US army , the site holds great historical significance for the Apache people , and memorializes tribal losses when European immigrants invaded their homeland .
An independent analysis performed on behalf of the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition determined there is a 9 % chance the mine ’ s crater could reach Apache Leap and catastrophically destabilize it .
Even though the San Carlos Apache and other tribes have always been opposed to mining at Oak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving Native Americans control of ancestral lands that are outside reservation boundaries .
Tribes were blindsided in 2014 when a proposal to exchange federally owned Oak Flat for private land owned by Resolution Copper was included , at the last minute , in a spending bill .
It was at the behest of four Arizona members of Congress who supported Resolution ’ s mining plans .
For the last six years , the Forest Service has been carrying out an environmental review of the proposed mine and the controversial land exchange .
Numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition in the hope the mine could be prevented from moving forward or significantly scaled back .
Resolution Copper has argued that it is taking all necessary environmental precautions and has sought input from tribes .
“ There have been hundreds of consultations on the Resolution Copper project with Native American tribes , ” wrote project director Andrew Lye in an email .
“ As with all tribes , Resolution Copper would welcome the opportunity for more collaborative dialogue with the San Carlos Apache tribe to build a relationship and ultimately look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resolution has vowed to monitor geologic activity around Apache Leap to make sure the mine ’ s crater does not get too close to the sacred cliff .
Lye also points to a host of community support programs funded by the company to benefit the San Carlos Apache and other tribes .
These include a monitoring program where tribal members are trained by archaeologists to help identify culturally significant indigenous artifacts .
Yet the recent history of Rio Tinto , one of the parent companies , has given cause for concern .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old sacred Aboriginal site in Juukan Gorge , in western Australia .
After widespread public outcry and investor revolt over the destruction , Rio Tinto ’ s CEO and two other top executives resigned in September .
“ What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation , ” Rio Tinto ’ s chairman , Simon Thompson , said in a statement following the resignations .
Once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the land exchange must happen within 60 days .
Ownership of Oak Flat could transfer to Resolution Copper before Joe Biden ’ s 20 January inauguration .
“ We are looking at the destruction of some of the Apache ’ s most significant cultural and historic sites with this project , ” said Kathryn Leonard , the Arizona state historic preservation officer .
Federal historic preservation laws focus on ameliorating harms rather than blocking a development altogether , she explained .
“ Our preservation laws are not set up to prevent this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on me.
” Grijalva , who chairs the House natural resources committee , has asked the Forest Service to explain the reason for the accelerated timeline but as of late last week his staff had not received any clarification .
Environmental groups are positioned to challenge the decision in court , while Grijalva and Senator Bernie Sanders have introduced a bill calling for the repeal of the land transfer .
“ If the land exchange happens , it will be difficult to roll back , ” said Grijalva .
“ That is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest Service must do their due diligence because of what is at stake .
The damage is irreparable .
”

Since January, San Carlos Apache tribal member Wendsler Nosie Sr has been sleeping in a teepee at a campground in south-eastern Arizona’s Oak Flat, a sprawling high desert oasis filled with groves of ancient oaks and towering rock spires.
It is a protest in defense of “holy ground” where the Apache have prayed and performed ceremonies for centuries.
A dozen south-western Native American tribes have strong cultural ties to Oak Flat. But the Trump administration, in its waning days, has embarked on a rushed effort to transfer ownership of the area to a mining company with ties to the destruction of an Aboriginal site in Australia, the Guardian has learned.
“We were in the fourth quarter with two minutes left in the game. And then Trump cheated so now we only have one minute left,” said Nosie, who was a football quarterback in high school. “Everybody has to mobilize now to fight this.”
Wendsler Nosie Sr tends a fire at Oak Flat, west of Miami, Arizona, last week. Photograph: Ash Ponders
Last month tribes discovered that the date for the completion of a crucial environmental review process has suddenly been moved forward by a full year, to December 2020, even as the tribes are struggling with a Covid outbreak that has stifled their ability to respond. If the environmental review is completed before Trump leaves office, the tribes may be unable to stop the mine.
In a meeting with environmental groups, local officials said that the push was occurring because “we are getting pressure from the highest level at the Department of Agriculture,” according to notes from the meeting seen by the Guardian. The department oversees the US Forest Service, which is in charge of Oak Flat.
As the curtain closes on the Trump era, officials are hurrying through a host of environmentally destructive projects that will benefit corporate interests. These include opening the Arctic national wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling and rolling back protections on endangered gray wolves.
In Oak Flat, the beneficiaries will be a company called Resolution Copper and its two Anglo-Australian parent firms, the mining conglomerates Rio Tinto and BHP.
“The Trump administration is cutting corners and doing a rushed job just to take care of Rio Tinto,” said the Democratic Arizona representative Raúl Grijalva. “And the fact they are doing it during Covid makes it even more disgusting. Trump and Rio Tinto know the tribes’ reaction would be very strong and public under normal circumstances but the tribes are trying to save their people right now.”
Ever since 1995, when what is estimated to be one of the largest copper deposits in the world was discovered 7,000 feet beneath Oak Flat, a battle has raged pitting environmental and indigenous groups against Resolution Copper.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oak Flat contains numerous indigenous archaeological sites dating back 1,500 years. If the mine goes forward as planned, it will consume 11 square miles, including Apache burial grounds, sacred sites, petroglyphs and medicinal plants.
Resolution plans to extract 1.4m tons of copper ore by blasting beneath the surface and pulling it out through tunnels. Once all the ore is sucked out, a crater estimated to be 1,000 feet deep and almost two miles across will be left behind.
There is also concern over a 400ft-high escarpment called Apache Leap that is vulnerable to the proposed mine. Named for Apache warriors who jumped off the cliff in the late 1800s to avoid capture by the US army, the site holds great historical significance for the Apache people, and memorializes tribal losses when European immigrants invaded their homeland.
An independent analysis performed on behalf of the Arizona Mining Reform Coalition determined there is a 9% chance the mine’s crater could reach Apache Leap and catastrophically destabilize it.
Even though the San Carlos Apache and other tribes have always been opposed to mining at Oak Flat, there are no federal laws giving Native Americans control of ancestral lands that are outside reservation boundaries.
Tribes were blindsided in 2014 when a proposal to exchange federally owned Oak Flat for private land owned by Resolution Copper was included, at the last minute, in a defense spending bill. This inclusion was at the behest of four Arizona members of Congress who supported Resolution’s mining plans; the bill was signed into law by the president, Barack Obama.
For the last six years, the Forest Service has been carrying out an environmental review of the proposed mine and the controversial land exchange. Numerous tribes and environmental groups have voiced their opposition in the hope the mine could be prevented from moving forward or significantly scaled back.
Nosie speaks with Apache activists at a rally near Superior, Arizona, in front of the US Capitol in Washington in 2015. Photograph: Molly Riley/AP
Resolution Copper has argued that it is taking all necessary environmental precautions and has sought input from tribes. “There have been hundreds of consultations on the Resolution Copper project with Native American tribes,” wrote project director Andrew Lye in an email. “As with all tribes, Resolution Copper would welcome the opportunity for more collaborative dialogue with the San Carlos Apache tribe to build a relationship and ultimately look for ways to partner for mutual benefit.”
Resolution has vowed to monitor geologic activity around Apache Leap to make sure the mine’s crater does not get too close to the sacred cliff. Lye also points to a host of community support programs funded by the company to benefit the San Carlos Apache and other tribes. These include a monitoring program where tribal members are trained by archaeologists to help identify culturally significant indigenous artifacts.
Yet the recent history of Rio Tinto, one of the parent companies, has given cause for concern.
Last May, Rio Tinto blasted a 46,000-year old sacred Aboriginal site in Juukan Gorge, in western Australia. After widespread public outcry and investor revolt over the destruction, Rio Tinto’s CEO and two other top executives resigned in September.
“What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation,” Rio Tinto’s chairman, Simon Thompson, said in a statement following the resignations.
Once the final Oak Flat environmental review is released, the land exchange must happen within 60 days. Ownership of Oak Flat could transfer to Resolution Copper before Joe Biden’s 20 January inauguration.
“We are looking at the destruction of some of the Apache’s most significant cultural and historic sites with this project,” said Kathryn Leonard, the Arizona state historic preservation officer. Federal historic preservation laws focus on ameliorating harms rather than blocking a development altogether, she explained.
“Our preservation laws are not set up to prevent this level of loss. It weighs heavily on me.”
Grijalva, who chairs the House natural resources committee, has asked the Forest Service to explain the reason for the accelerated timeline but as of late last week his staff had not received any clarification. Environmental groups are positioned to challenge the decision in court, while Grijalva and Senator Bernie Sanders have introduced a bill calling for the repeal of the land transfer.
“If the land exchange happens, it will be difficult to roll back,” said Grijalva. “That is why this cannot be rushed. The Forest Service must do their due diligence because of what is at stake. The damage is irreparable.”


theguardian--2020-11-24--Will New York's elite give Ivanka and Jared a warm welcome or the cold shoulder?

In the purgatory of Donald Trump ’ s unacknowledged election defeat , the knives are out for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump who , like dozens of other lesser-placed Trump acolytes , may be looking to return to New York , a city that the lame-duck president calls an “ anarchic jurisdiction ” .
The reception they will receive , judging from the city ’ s press commentary , could be brutal .
“ They are the Faustian poster couple of the Trump presidency , the king and queen of the principle-torching prom at which so many danced alongside them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” wrote Frank Bruni in the New York Times this week .
Posing a question broadly to what he called “ the whole shockingly populous court of collaborators ” , Bruno addressed the couple directly : “ Tell me , Jared .
Be honest , Ivanka .
Was it worth it ?
” The answer , of course , is one for the couple alone to answer .
But that hasn ’ t stopped others from offering their thoughts .
“ I see them as Glenn Close at the end of Dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeering , ” says Jill Kargman , creator and star of Odd Mom Out , a highly praised TV comedy that skewered the Ivanka-style perfectionism of Upper East Side mothers .
Andrea Bernstein , a WNYC investigative reporter and author of American Oligarchs : The Kushners , the Trumps , and the Marriage of Money and Power , says it ’ s not clear that they plan to return to New York , since the Kushner family real estate empire is now focused in the mid-Atlantic states and his wife no longer runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernstein points out , twin New York city and state investigations into Ivanka ’ s $ 780,000 in Azerbaijani consulting fees , the on-the-record skewering by former Manhattan friends and increased politicization ( she joined the rightwing chat site Parler this week ) suggest Democratic New York may not be an optimal place to relocate .
“ I don ’ t see any indication they are coming back or would be welcome back here , ” Bernstein says .
“ The investigations are a symbol of the problems the family could face back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Vanity Fair was interesting not for what it said , but that the author said it so publicly.
” If they do return , they will probably arrive in New York during another period of Covid restrictions .
Restaurants are limited to 25 % capacity and four per table , the charity and museum gala circuit upon which New York society revolves is on pause , and so opportunities to express the chill of social ostracism may be limited .
“ They ’ ll have to come back to Republican New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in liberal quarters , ” says New York Times styles writer David Colman .
“ The interesting part is : will organisations that are essentially apolitical , like the Metropolitan Museum of Art – already sitting on pots of money from the Koch brothers – the Frick Collection or the Audubon Society , accept their donation and put them on a table ?
” The Kushners , Colman predicts , will give money to hospitals , medical charities and do something with sick children – “ things people can ’ t get mad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hamptons , the expensive getaway for the rich and powerful .
“ And she ’ ll distance herself from her father because he ’ s going to stay his crazy , fulminating self on Twitter.
” Top New York hairdresser John Barrett says Ivanka will face no trouble if she chooses to return .
“ America is all about second acts , and there ’ s always somebody trying to advance a position or cause .
Obviously , some people have been burnt by the administration , but it ’ ll take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way back pretty and rule a certain roost.
” Not all are so accommodating .
One former friend told Vanity Fair ’ s Emily Jane Fox : “ They ’ ll be welcomed back by people who know the Trumps are as close as they ’ ll get to power .
But everyone with self-respect , a career , morals , respect for democracy , or who doesn ’ t want their friends to shame them both in private and public will steer clear.
” Rehabilitation is a path that Trump-affiliated figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls started to solidify in Joe Biden ’ s favour over the summer .
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , a former close friend of the first lady , Melania Trump , recently published a book based on their secretly recorded conversations .
The justice department is currently suing the author on behalf of Donald Trump ’ s aggrieved wife .
In an essay published in Vanity Fair , Ivanka ’ s maid of honour at her wedding sought to exorcise her association , writing that her friend “ had her dad ’ s instinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save herself ” .
One of the earliest memories of Ivanka , she wrote , was when “ she blamed a fart on a classmate ” .
The Fox News-owning Murdoch clan , too , have sought to distance themselves , with patriarch Rupert refusing to bend to Jared Kushner ’ s demands to reverse Fox ’ s early election night calling of the election in the state of Arizona for Biden .
The list of New York-centric associates scrambling for the lifeboats goes on – the daughter of Trump ’ s personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a devastating portrait of the president in Vanity Fair , for instance – leaving diehards , spearheaded by the former New York mayor and now devoted Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , to fight on .
Where that leaves “ Javanka ” is open to question .
New York art dealers may be happy to sell to them , but artists have told the Observer they don ’ t want their work in their couple ’ s $ 25m collection , philosophically , but also because they fear it could affect the value of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of one of the city ’ s most fashionable restaurants , not far from Trump Tower , told the Observer : “ Restaurants don ’ t have a blue section and a red section and it ’ s not a good idea to turn people away on perceived politics .
People will be more interested in saying , ‘ I saw so-and-so , can you believe it ?
’ and not , ‘ I ’ m never going back there ’ .
” At the same time , the perception of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly wrong : Trump received tens of thousands more votes in New York City in the 2020 presidential election than in 2016 , and some of his largest gains came from an area not currently on the Trumps ’ social radar : the South Bronx .
Notwithstanding the Bronx , where the Trump Organization maintains a bleak-looking golf course , the social geography of political power is almost certainly shifting .
Jill and Joe Biden are from Delaware ; Kamala Harris has a formidable powerbase in the LA music scene , interceding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Monica , and signalling that the chalice of ultra-monied power could soon be with Alicia Keys , Lady Gaga , former manager Troy Carter , Scooter Braun , Puff Daddy and Daniel Glass of the indie label Glassnote .
This makes it the most music-orientated administration since Jimmy Carter campaigned with the Allman Brothers and welcomed Willie Nelson into the Oval Office .
Bob Colacello , linchpin of Andy Warhol ’ s factory and author of a two-volume biography of Nancy Reagan , told the Observer that while there were “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Side than people might imagine ” , city-dwellers are fundamentally “ loyal and curious about people who have been in interesting positions of power ” .
“ Nobody stopped seeing the Clintons , ” Colacello points out .
“ Nixon was embraced and had Le Cirque and the 21 Club .
Lots of people called Henry Kissinger a war criminal but he ’ s hardly ostracised in New York society .
So the people who were Jared and Ivanka ’ s friends will continue to be friends , and those that weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

In the purgatory of Donald Trump’s unacknowledged election defeat, the knives are out for Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump who, like dozens of other lesser-placed Trump acolytes, may be looking to return to New York, a city that the lame-duck president calls an “anarchic jurisdiction”.
The reception they will receive, judging from the city’s press commentary, could be brutal.
“They are the Faustian poster couple of the Trump presidency, the king and queen of the principle-torching prom at which so many danced alongside them, although in less exquisitely tailored attire,” wrote Frank Bruni in the New York Times this week.
Posing a question broadly to what he called “the whole shockingly populous court of collaborators”, Bruni addressed the couple directly: “Tell me, Jared. Be honest, Ivanka. Was it worth it?”
The answer, of course, is one for the couple alone to answer. But that hasn’t stopped others from offering their thoughts. “I see them as Glenn Close at the end of Dangerous Liaisons, with the entire opera house jeering,” says Jill Kargman, creator and star of Odd Mom Out, a highly praised TV comedy that skewered the Ivanka-style perfectionism of Upper East Side mothers.
Andrea Bernstein, a WNYC investigative reporter and author of American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power, says it’s not clear that they plan to return to New York, since the Kushner family real estate empire is now focused in the mid-Atlantic states and his wife no longer runs a fashion accessories business.
Moreover, Bernstein points out, twin New York city and state investigations into Ivanka’s $780,000 in Azerbaijani consulting fees, the on-the-record skewering by former Manhattan friends and increased politicization (she joined the rightwing chat site Parler this week) suggest Democratic New York may not be an optimal place to relocate.
“I don’t see any indication they are coming back or would be welcome back here,” Bernstein says. “The investigations are a symbol of the problems the family could face back in New York, while the article in Vanity Fair was interesting not for what it said, but that the author said it so publicly.”
If they do return, they will probably arrive in New York during another period of Covid restrictions. Restaurants are limited to 25% capacity and four per table, the charity and museum gala circuit upon which New York society revolves is on pause, and so opportunities to express the chill of social ostracism may be limited.
“They’ll have to come back to Republican New York because they won’t be welcomed in liberal quarters,” says New York Times styles writer David Colman.
“The interesting part is: will organisations that are essentially apolitical, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art – already sitting on pots of money from the Koch brothers – the Frick Collection or the Audubon Society, accept their donation and put them on a table?”
The Kushners, Colman predicts, will give money to hospitals, medical charities and do something with sick children – “things people can’t get mad at” – and spend time in the Hamptons, the expensive getaway for the rich and powerful. “And she’ll distance herself from her father because he’s going to stay his crazy, fulminating self on Twitter.”
Top New York hairdresser John Barrett says Ivanka will face no trouble if she chooses to return. “America is all about second acts, and there’s always somebody trying to advance a position or cause. Obviously, some people have been burnt by the administration, but it’ll take very little time for them to buy their way back pretty and rule a certain roost.”
Not all are so accommodating. One former friend told Vanity Fair’s Emily Jane Fox: “They’ll be welcomed back by people who know the Trumps are as close as they’ll get to power. But everyone with self-respect, a career, morals, respect for democracy, or who doesn’t want their friends to shame them both in private and public will steer clear.”
Ivanka with her father at a pre-election rally in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Photograph: Morry Gash/AP
Rehabilitation is a path that Trump-affiliated figures have been attempting to follow since political polls started to solidify in Joe Biden’s favour over the summer.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former close friend of the first lady, Melania Trump, recently published a book based on their secretly recorded conversations. The justice department is currently suing the author on behalf of Donald Trump’s aggrieved wife.
In an essay published in Vanity Fair, Ivanka’s maid of honour at her wedding sought to exorcise her association, writing that her friend “had her dad’s instinct to throw others under the bus to save herself”. One of the earliest memories of Ivanka, she wrote, was when “she blamed a fart on a classmate”.
The Fox News-owning Murdoch clan, too, have sought to distance themselves, with patriarch Rupert refusing to bend to Jared Kushner’s demands to reverse Fox’s early election night calling of the election in the state of Arizona for Biden.
The list of New York-centric associates scrambling for the lifeboats goes on – the daughter of Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen, Samantha, issued a devastating portrait of the president in Vanity Fair, for instance – leaving diehards, spearheaded by the former New York mayor and now devoted Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to fight on.
Where that leaves “Javanka” is open to question. New York art dealers may be happy to sell to them, but artists have told the Observer they don’t want their work in their couple’s $25m collection, philosophically, but also because they fear it could affect the value of their art.
But the guest relations director of one of the city’s most fashionable restaurants, not far from Trump Tower, told the Observer: “Restaurants don’t have a blue section and a red section and it’s not a good idea to turn people away on perceived politics. People will be more interested in saying, ‘I saw so-and-so, can you believe it?’ and not, ‘I’m never going back there’.”
At the same time, the perception of New York as a Democrat monoculture is almost certainly wrong: Trump received tens of thousands more votes in New York City in the 2020 presidential election than in 2016, and some of his largest gains came from an area not currently on the Trumps’ social radar: the South Bronx.
Notwithstanding the Bronx, where the Trump Organization maintains a bleak-looking golf course, the social geography of political power is almost certainly shifting.
Jill and Joe Biden are from Delaware; Kamala Harris has a formidable powerbase in the LA music scene, interceding in the seemingly intractable dispute between singers Brandy and Monica, and signalling that the chalice of ultra-monied power could soon be with Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, former manager Troy Carter, Scooter Braun, Puff Daddy and Daniel Glass of the indie label Glassnote. This makes it the most music-orientated administration since Jimmy Carter campaigned with the Allman Brothers and welcomed Willie Nelson into the Oval Office.
Bob Colacello, linchpin of Andy Warhol’s factory and author of a two-volume biography of Nancy Reagan, told the Observer that while there were “a lot more Republicans on the Upper East Side than people might imagine”, city-dwellers are fundamentally “loyal and curious about people who have been in interesting positions of power”.
“Nobody stopped seeing the Clintons,” Colacello points out. “Nixon was embraced and had Le Cirque and the 21 Club. Lots of people called Henry Kissinger a war criminal but he’s hardly ostracised in New York society. So the people who were Jared and Ivanka’s friends will continue to be friends, and those that weren’t will avoid them.”


theguardian--2020-11-24--Trump agrees to begin transition as key agency calls Biden apparent election winner

The General Services Administration has declared president-elect Joe Biden the apparent winner of the US election , clearing the way for the formal transition from Donald Trump ’ s administration to begin after weeks of delay .
The GSA said on Monday that it had determined that Biden was the winner of the 3 November race after weeks of Trump refusing to concede and violating the traditions of the transition of power at the White House .
Trump said on Twitter he had directed his team to cooperate on the transition , but vowed to continue fighting the election results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread voter fraud .
Hours later , he said : “ Will never concede to fake ballots & ‘ Dominion ’ .
” Emily Murphy , who heads the GSA , said she made the determination based on “ the law ” and “ facts.
” “ Please know that I came to my decision independently , based on the law and available facts .
I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any executive branch official including those who work at the White House or GSA with regard to the substance or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a letter to Biden .
Murphy had faced growing pressure from Democrats and some Republicans to allow the transition to begin , as Trump ’ s efforts to challenge the results in numerous battleground states failed .
A federal judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday tossed a Trump campaign lawsuit that sought to prevent certification in that state .
And on Monday , Michigan certified Biden ’ s victory , despite an unprecedented push by the president last week to undermine that move to allow for an audit of ballots in Wayne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 330,000 votes .
GSA certification is a process that in typical election years occurs without fanfare or discussion shortly after the race is called by major news outlets .
Murphy ’ s refusal to declare Biden the winner weeks after the election prevented the transition team of Biden and Vice president-elect Kamala Harris from accessing federal funding and meeting with government officials to prepare for inauguration on 20 January .
The delay was particularly concerning given the urgent and unprecedented tasks facing the federal government amid a significantly worsening pandemic and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to prepare a national rollout of Covid-19 vaccines .
There were also major concerns about the potential national security implications of a delayed transition , which blocked Biden from accessing classified briefings .
After Murphy ’ s letter was made public , Trump tweeted , “ We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail !
Nevertheless , in the best interest of our country , I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols , and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Trump legal team dismissed the certification as “ simply a procedural step ” and insisted it would fight on .
Yohannes Abraham , executive director of the Biden transition , said in a statement Monday that the move by the GSA “ is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation , including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track ” .
He added : “ In the days ahead , transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security interests , and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration ’ s efforts to hollow out government agencies.
” With GSA permitting the formal transition to start , more Republicans started to acknowledge the reality that Biden is president-elect .
“ President Trump ’ s legal team has not presented evidence of the massive fraud which would have had to be present to overturn the election , ” said Bill Cassidy , a Republican senator from Louisiana .
“ I voted for President Trump but Joe Biden won.
” A majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s win , arguing that Trump should be allowed to pursue his cases in court , despite the lack of evidence of any widespread fraud that would change the outcome of the race .
Since the Associated Press and other news organizations across the country declared Biden the winner on 7 November , five days after polls closed , Trump and his allies have continued to spread misinformation and baseless conspiracy theories , seeking to undermine the legitimacy of mail-in voting and falsely asserting that the election was “ stolen ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ’ s court cases , however , have resulted in no meaningful changes to the election results , and in some cases , Biden ’ s lead has only increased .
Judges repeatedly thr ew out the Trump campaign team ’ s cases .
But the false accusations of fraud did lead some election officials to seek to delay certification of the vote .
The city commissioner ’ s office in Philadelphia , where counting took days , reported facing death threats , and Trump supporters have staged protests outside election offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter came on the same day that Biden announced his selection for several key cabinet roles .
The president-elect said he would be nominating Tony Blinken as secretary of state , Jake Sullivan as national security adviser and John Kerry as “ climate tsar ” , suggesting a return to the priorities of the Obama era .
Biden also selected Alejandro Mayorkas for homeland security secretary .
If he is confirmed , he would be the first Latino and migrant to have the position .
He has further chosen Avril Haines to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Janet Yellen to be the country ’ s first female treasury secretary .

The General Services Administration has declared president-elect Joe Biden the apparent winner of the US election, clearing the way for the formal transition from Donald Trump’s administration to begin after weeks of delay.
The GSA said on Monday that it had determined that Biden was the winner of the 3 November race after weeks of Trump refusing to concede and violating the traditions of the transition of power at the White House.
Trump said on Twitter he had directed his team to cooperate on the transition, but vowed to continue fighting the election results, despite the lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud. Hours later, he said: “Will never concede to fake ballots & ‘Dominion’.”
Emily Murphy, who heads the GSA, said she made the determination based on “the law” and “facts.”
“Please know that I came to my decision independently, based on the law and available facts. I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any executive branch official including those who work at the White House or GSA with regard to the substance or timing of my decision,” Murphy wrote in a letter to Biden.
Murphy had faced growing pressure from Democrats and some Republicans to allow the transition to begin, as Trump’s efforts to challenge the results in numerous battleground states failed.
A federal judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday tossed a Trump campaign lawsuit that sought to prevent certification in that state. And on Monday, Michigan certified Biden’s victory, despite an unprecedented push by the president last week to undermine that move to allow for an audit of ballots in Wayne county, where Biden won by more than 330,000 votes.
GSA certification is a process that in typical election years occurs without fanfare or discussion shortly after the race is called by major news outlets.
Murphy’s refusal to declare Biden the winner weeks after the election prevented the transition team of Biden and Kamala Harris from accessing federal funding and meeting with government officials to prepare for inauguration on 20 January.
The delay was particularly concerning given the urgent and unprecedented tasks facing the federal government amid a significantly worsening pandemic and economic crisis. The US must also begin work to prepare a national rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. There were also major concerns about the potential national security implications of a delayed transition, which blocked Biden from accessing classified briefings.
After Murphy’s letter was made public, Trump tweeted, “We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.”
The Trump legal team dismissed the certification as “simply a procedural step” and insisted it would fight on.
Yohannes Abraham, executive director of the Biden transition, said in a statement Monday that the move by the GSA “is a needed step to begin tackling the challenges facing our nation, including getting the pandemic under control and our economy back on track”.
He added: “In the days ahead, transition officials will begin meeting with federal officials to discuss the pandemic response, have a full accounting of our national security interests, and gain complete understanding of the Trump administration’s efforts to hollow out government agencies.”
With GSA permitting the formal transition to start, more Republicans started to acknowledge the reality that Biden is president-elect.
“President Trump’s legal team has not presented evidence of the massive fraud which would have had to be present to overturn the election,” said Bill Cassidy, a Republican senator from Louisiana. “I voted for President Trump but Joe Biden won.”
A majority of GOP senators have refused to recognize Biden’s win, arguing that Trump should be allowed to pursue his cases in court, despite the lack of evidence of any widespread fraud that would change the outcome of the race. Since the Associated Press and other news organizations across the country declared Biden the winner on 7 November, five days after polls closed, Trump and his allies have continued to spread misinformation and baseless conspiracy theories, seeking to undermine the legitimacy of mail-in voting and falsely asserting that the election was “stolen”.
Audits, recounts and the Trump campaign’s court cases, however, have resulted in no meaningful changes to the election results, and in some cases, Biden’s lead has only increased. Judges repeatedly thr ew out the Trump campaign team’s cases.
But the false accusations of fraud did lead some election officials to seek to delay certification of the vote. The city commissioner’s office in Philadelphia, where counting took days, reported facing death threats, and Trump supporters have staged protests outside election offices across the US.
Murphy’s letter came on the same day that Biden announced his selection for several key cabinet roles. The president-elect said he would be nominating Tony Blinken as secretary of state, Jake Sullivan as national security adviser and John Kerry as “climate tsar”, suggesting a return to the priorities of the Obama era.
Biden also selected Alejandro Mayorkas for homeland security secretary. If he is confirmed, he would be the first Latino and migrant to have the position. He has further chosen Avril Haines to be the first female director of national intelligence and Janet Yellen to be the country’s first female treasury secretary.


theguardian--2020-11-25--Trump pardons former national security adviser Michael Flynn

Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn , his first national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Russian official .
Trump announced the long-expected pardon in a tweet on Wednesday .
“ It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon , ” Trump wrote .
“ Congratulations to General Flynn and his wonderful family , I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving.
” Trump is expected to offer pardons to a number of key aides before he leaves office on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sentence of Roger Stone , a longtime ally who like Flynn , campaign manager Paul Manafort and adviser George Papadopoulos was convicted under special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow .
Stone was sentenced to more than three years in prison , after being found guilty of obstruction , lying to Congress and witness intimidation .
His conviction stands .
Flynn had not been sentenced .
Neither have Trump ’ s former campaign CEO and White House strategist Steve Bannon , charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani , reportedly under federal investigation for potential violations of lobbying law .
While the pardon for Flynn was widely expected , its announcement prompted widespread criticism .
Adam Schiff , the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee , wrote on Twitter : “ Donald Trump has repeatedly abused the pardon power to reward friends and protect those who covered up for him .
This time he pardons Michael Flynn , who lied to hide his dealings with the Russians .
It ’ s no surprise that Trump would go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end.
” Nancy Pelosi , the speaker of the House , called it “ an act of grave corruption and a brazen abuse of power ” .
Noah Bookbinder , executive director of the nonprofit government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , or Crew , said the Flynn pardon “ once again shows that to Donald Trump , ‘ law and order ’ does not apply to his wealthy white allies , it was merely a racist dog whistle meant to win him political support.
” Flynn , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrogate on the campaign trail in 2016 .
But he served just 24 days in the White House before Trump fired him for lying to Vice-President Mike Pence about a conversation in which he told Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak Moscow should not respond to sanctions imposed by the Obama administration .
As part of a deal with Mueller , Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
He became a cause célèbre among Trump supporters , who claimed he was victimised by the Obama administration and entrapped by the bureau .
Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of James Comey , the FBI director Trump fired in May 2017 , triggering the appointment of Mueller .
On Wednesday another former prosecutor , Mimi Rocah , now district attorney-elect for Westchester county , New York , tweeted that the road to Flynn ’ s pardon “ started with Trump telling Comey , ‘ I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go ’ and Comey resisted that pressure ” .
In January this year Flynn sought to withdraw his guilty plea , prompting a drawn-out legal battle between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice led by William Barr , a close Trump ally .
Trump repeatedly voiced his support , notwithstanding a frequently cited tweet from December 2017 in which he wrote : “ I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI .
He has pled guilty to those lies .
It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful .
There was nothing to hide !
” Flynn was represented by Sidney Powell , a lawyer recently ejected from Trump ’ s lawsuits challenging results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after she voiced wild conspiracy theories .
In court in September , Powell said she had asked Trump not to pardon Flynn .
On Wednesday , Rocah wrote : “ Henchman Barr tried to do it and was stopped by judicial oversight .
So , here we are .
Corruption from beginning to end.
” Trump has pardoned allies including the former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio .
Debate now swirls about whether the president will try to pardon himself – a move that would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could only apply to federal issues and not cases at state level .
In a statement on Wednesday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Flynn “ should never have been prosecuted [ and ] should not require a pardon ” because “ he is an innocent man ” .
In a statement , Flynn ’ s family said they were “ grateful ” to Trump for “ answering our prayers , and the prayers of a nation , by removing the heavy burden of injustice off the shoulders of our brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocence ” .
In fact , as the Department of Justice points out , a presidential pardon still implies guilt .
A pardon is “ granted in recognition of the applicant ’ s acceptance of responsibility for the crime ” , the DoJ says , “ and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence .

Donald Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about contacts with a Russian official.
The president announced the long-expected pardon in a tweet on Wednesday.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T Flynn has been granted a Full Pardon,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations to General Flynn and his wonderful family, I know you will now have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving.”
Trump is expected to offer pardons to a number of key aides before he leaves office on 20 January.
He has already commuted the sentence of Roger Stone, a longtime ally who like Flynn, campaign manager Paul Manafort and adviser George Papadopoulos was convicted under special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow.
Stone was sentenced to more than three years in prison, after being found guilty of obstruction, lying to Congress and witness intimidation. His conviction stands.
Flynn had not been sentenced. Neither have Trump’s former campaign CEO and White House strategist Steve Bannon, charged with fraud, or his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, reportedly under federal investigation for potential violations of lobbying law.
While the pardon for Flynn was widely expected, its announcement prompted widespread criticism.
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, wrote on Twitter: “Donald Trump has repeatedly abused the pardon power to reward friends and protect those who covered up for him. This time he pardons Michael Flynn, who lied to hide his dealings with the Russians. It’s no surprise that Trump would go out as he came in – Crooked to the end.”
Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House, called it “an act of grave corruption and a brazen abuse of power”.
Noah Bookbinder, executive director of the nonprofit government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or Crew, said the Flynn pardon “once again shows that to Donald Trump, ‘law and order’ does not apply to his wealthy white allies, it was merely a racist dog whistle meant to win him political support.”
Flynn, a retired general, was a trusted Trump surrogate on the campaign trail in 2016. But he served just 24 days in the White House before Trump fired him for lying to Vice-President Mike Pence about a conversation in which he told Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak Moscow should not respond to sanctions imposed by the Obama administration.
As part of a deal with Mueller, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. He became a cause célèbre among Trump supporters, who claimed he was victimised by the Obama administration and entrapped by the bureau.
Flynn’s fate became entangled with that of James Comey, the FBI director Trump fired in May 2017, triggering the appointment of Mueller.
On Wednesday another former prosecutor, Mimi Rocah, now district attorney-elect for Westchester county, New York, tweeted that the road to Flynn’s pardon “started with Trump telling Comey, ‘I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go’ and Comey resisted that pressure”.
In January this year Flynn sought to withdraw his guilty plea, prompting a drawn-out legal battle between the presiding judge and a Department of Justice led by William Barr, a close Trump ally.
Trump repeatedly voiced his support, notwithstanding a frequently cited tweet from December 2017 in which he wrote: “I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice-President and the FBI. He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!”
Flynn was represented by Sidney Powell, a lawyer recently ejected from Trump’s lawsuits challenging results in his election defeat by Joe Biden after she voiced wild conspiracy theories. In court in September, Powell said she had asked Trump not to pardon Flynn.
On Wednesday, Rocah wrote: “Henchman Barr tried to do it and was stopped by judicial oversight. So, here we are. Corruption from beginning to end.”
Trump has pardoned allies including the former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. Debate now swirls about whether the president will try to pardon himself – a move that would be historically unusual, and which if successful could only apply to federal issues and not cases at state level.
In a statement on Wednesday, the White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said Flynn “should never have been prosecuted [and] should not require a pardon” because “he is an innocent man”.
In a statement, Flynn’s family said they were “grateful” to Trump for “answering our prayers, and the prayers of a nation, by removing the heavy burden of injustice off the shoulders of our brother Michael, with a full pardon of innocence”.
In fact, as the Department of Justice points out, a presidential pardon still implies guilt.
A pardon is “granted in recognition of the applicant’s acceptance of responsibility for the crime”, the DoJ says, “and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence.
“It does not signify innocence.”


theguardian--2020-11-25--Romance novelists raise $400,000 for Georgia Senate races – with help from Stacey Abrams

Rallying behind Stacey Abrams , the Democratic politician , voting rights activist and romance author , American romance novelists have helped raise nearly $ 400,000 to help elect two Democratic senators in Georgia .
Now , Abrams herself has joined the “ Romancing the Runoff ” fundraiser , and has donated a copy of the first of her eight published romance novels -- one signed with both her real name , and her pen name , Selena Montgomery .
“ I ’ m privileged to be one of you , ” Abrams wrote on Twitter , praising the romance authors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams ’ work fighting against suppression of black voters and organizing voter registration efforts is widely credited with helping Joe Biden become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in more than a quarter century .
Democrats have said her work was “ pivotal ” in flipping Wisconsin and other battleground states .
Since election day , Abrams has not stopped fighting : a January runoff between two pairs of Democratic and Republican candidates in Georgia will determine whether Republicans maintain control of the US senate – and have the votes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from enacting any substantial new policy agenda .
In the week after the election , Abrams helped raise $ 3.6m in just two days to help campaigns for the Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as they fight re-matches in a runoff election against the incumbent Republican senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
Meanwhile other American romance novelists , many of whom have active social media platforms , began organizing to auction off romance-novel related items to support the Democratic candidates through donations to the New Georgia Project , Black Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting rights group Abrams founded .
“ Democracy only thrives when every vote can be cast and counted , and we are fighting to help dismantle the legacy of voter suppression in Georgia , ” the four bestselling authors who organized the auction said in a statement .
Political activism is not a new development in the American romance writing community , which has been fighting fierce battles over entrenched racism in the publishing industry , as well as within their own industry trade group , the Romance Writers of America , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a testament to romance novelists ’ pride in Abrams , who has continued to tout her work as an author of romantic suspense , even as she has become a star in national Democratic politics and a bestselling author of political nonfiction , including her memoir , Lead from the Outside .
When writers who got their start publishing romance novels move on to more prestigious genres , “ they sometimes back away from romance , like it ’ s this dirty secret in their past : ‘ Oh , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books any more , ’ ” the author Courtney Milan , one of the auction ’ s organizers , said .
“ Stacey Abrams has never once done that to us.
” “ She ’ s not playing the game of trying to advance where she is by denigrating where she ’ s been , ” Milan said .
“ She ’ s very clear that she doesn ’ t think any apologies are needed , which they aren ’ t .
“ I revel in having been able to be a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions and millions of women , in part because it respects who they are , ” Abrams told Entertainment Weekly in an interview in 2018 , when she was campaigning to be governor of Georgia .
Asked by the Washington Post how she would respond to people who made fun of the romance genre , Abrams wrote : “ Telling a well-crafted story is hard .
Full stop .
Regardless of genre , good writing is good writing ” .
She added that she was “ honored to be in the company of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Runoff ” auction had grown past its initial goal of raising $ 20,000 , Milan said , as a wide range of authors and romance fans donated thousands of items , including first editions of romance novels , including the first Harlequin novel published by a black author , Sandra Kitt ’ s Rites of Spring ; one-on-one sessions for writing advice , a chicken recipe from Dame Barbara Cartland , and handmade crafts , such as a “ blue wave ” crocheted scarf to a hand-embroidered sampler reading “ F*ck the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novelist Neil Gaiman also joined the effort , donating a signed collector ’ s edition of one of his novels that sold for $ 4,590 .
A spokesperson for Fair Fight did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment about the Romancing the Runoff fundraiser beyond Abrams ’ tweet .
Milan said she had “ no clue ” how much money the copy of Abrams ’ own signed romance novel might raise for the Georgia election , but she expected it would “ easily be four figures ” .
Hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political advertising in Georgia in the weeks before the runoff election on 5 January , NBC News reported this week , with at least $ 46m already spent since election day .

Rallying behind Stacey Abrams, the Democratic politician, voting rights activist and romance author, American romance novelists have helped raise nearly $400,000 to help elect two Democratic senators in Georgia.
Now, Abrams herself has joined the “Romancing the Runoff” fundraiser, and has donated a copy of the first of her eight published romance novels – one signed with both her real name, and her pen name, Selena Montgomery.
“I’m privileged to be one of you,” Abrams wrote on Twitter, praising the romance authors’ “amazing” fundraising efforts.
Abrams’ work fighting against suppression of black voters and organizing voter registration efforts is widely credited with helping Joe Biden become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in more than a quarter century. Democrats have said her work was “pivotal” in flipping Wisconsin and other battleground states.
Thank you @RomancingRunoff for your amazing efforts. I’m privileged to be one of you. For the cause, I’d like to throw in an autographed copy of my first novel, Rules of Engagement, in the rare hardback version. Both Selena & Stacey will sign. 😉https://t.co/32aiezmJmW — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 25, 2020
Since election day, Abrams has not stopped fighting: a January runoff between two pairs of Democratic and Republican candidates in Georgia will determine whether Republicans maintain control of the US senate – and have the votes to block Democrats and the incoming Biden administration from enacting any substantial new policy agenda.
In the week after the election, Abrams helped raise $3.6m in just two days to help campaigns for the Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as they fight rematches in a runoff election against the incumbent Republican senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.
Meanwhile other American romance novelists, many of whom have active social media platforms, began organizing to auction off romance-novel related items to support the Democratic candidates through donations to the New Georgia Project, Black Voters Matter and Fair Fight, the voting rights group Abrams founded.
“Democracy only thrives when every vote can be cast and counted, and we are fighting to help dismantle the legacy of voter suppression in Georgia,” the four bestselling authors who organized the auction said in a statement.
Political activism is not a new development in the American romance writing community, which has been fighting fierce battles over entrenched racism in the publishing industry, as well as within their own industry trade group, the Romance Writers of America, for years.
But the Georgia fundraising effort is also a testament to romance novelists’ pride in Abrams, who has continued to tout her work as an author of romantic suspense, even as she has become a star in national Democratic politics and a bestselling author of political nonfiction, including her memoir, Lead from the Outside.
When writers who got their start publishing romance novels move on to more prestigious genres, “they sometimes back away from romance, like it’s this dirty secret in their past: ‘Oh, I don’t write those kinds of books any more’”, the author Courtney Milan, one of the auction’s organizers, said. “Stacey Abrams has never once done that to us.”
“She’s not playing the game of trying to advance where she is by denigrating where she’s been,” Milan said. “She’s very clear that she doesn’t think any apologies are needed, which they aren’t.
“I revel in having been able to be a part of a genre that is read by millions and millions of women, in part because it respects who they are,” Abrams told Entertainment Weekly in an interview in 2018, when she was campaigning to be governor of Georgia.
Asked by the Washington Post how she would respond to people who made fun of the romance genre, Abrams wrote: “Telling a well-crafted story is hard. Full stop. Regardless of genre, good writing is good writing”. She added that she was “honored to be in the company of extraordinary writers.”
The “Romancing the Runoff” auction had grown past its initial goal of raising $20,000, Milan said, as a wide range of authors and romance fans donated thousands of items, including first editions of romance novels, including the first Harlequin novel published by a black author, Sandra Kitt’s Rites of Spring; one-on-one sessions for writing advice, a chicken recipe from Dame Barbara Cartland, and handmade crafts, such as a “blue wave” crocheted scarf to a hand-embroidered sampler reading “F*ck the GOP”.
The fantasy and science fiction novelist Neil Gaiman also joined the effort, donating a signed collector’s edition of one of his novels that sold for $4,590.
A spokesperson for Fair Fight did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment about the Romancing the Runoff fundraiser beyond Abrams’ tweet.
Milan said she had “no clue” how much money the copy of Abrams’ own signed romance novel might raise for the Georgia election, but she expected it would “easily be four figures”.
Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on political advertising in Georgia in the weeks before the runoff election on 5 January, NBC News reported this week, with at least $46m already spent since election day.


theguardian--2020-11-25--Obama: Republicans portraying white men as 'victims' helped Trump win votes

Barack Obama said part of the reason 73 million Americans voted to re-elect Donald Trump in the election was because of messaging from Republicans that the country , particularly white men , are under attack .
In an interview with the radio show the Breakfast Club on Wednesday to promote his new memoir A Promised Land , Obama said Trump ’ s administration , which he did not name directly , “ objectively has failed , miserably , in handling just basic looking after the American people and keeping them safe ” , and yet he still secured millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting to me is the degree to which you ’ ve seen created in Republican politics the sense that white males are victims , ” Obama said .
“ They are the ones who are under attack – which obviously doesn ’ t jive with both history and data and economics .
But that ’ s a sincere belief , that ’ s been internalized , that ’ s a story that ’ s being told and how you unwind that is going to be not something that is done right away.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hosts , DJ Envy , asked Obama how he responds to criticism from Black people and other communities of color who don ’ t believe he did enough for them as president .
“ I understand it because when I was elected there was so much excitement and hope , and I also think we generally view the presidency as almost like a monarchy in the sense of once the president ’ s there , he can just do whatever needs to get done and if he ’ s not doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to do it , ” Obama said .
Envy challenged Obama , making the case that Trump has behaved in exactly that way .
“ Because he breaks laws or disregards the constitution , ” Obama said .
“ The good news for me was I was very confident in what I had done for Black folks because I have the statistics to prove it.
” Obama continued to highlight how his policies saw Black people ’ s incomes rise , poverty drop and access to healthcare increase .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go around advertising that because again the goal here is to build coalitions where everybody is getting something so they all feel like they have a stake in it , ” Obama said .
“ But a lot of my policies were targeted towards people most in need .
Those folks are disproportionately African American.
” Obama also spoke about the role of the public and Congress in making change .
The Senate majority leader , Mitch McConnell , blocked much of the Obama administration ’ s efforts in the Republican-controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency .
A similar fate could be awaiting President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris , Obama warned .
It is unknown which party will control the Senate until the results are in from two runoff elections in Georgia scheduled for 5 January .
“ If the Republicans win those two seats , then Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will not be able to get any law passed that Mitch McConnell and the other Republicans aren ’ t going to go along with , ” Obama said .
That was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , who sparked controversy on social media in May after an interview with the Breakfast Club where he said : “ If you have a problem figuring out if you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
” Later that day , Biden apologized : “ No one , no one , should have to vote for any party based on their race , their religion , their background .
”

Barack Obama said part of the reason 73 million Americans voted to re-elect Donald Trump in the election was because of messaging from Republicans that the country, particularly white men, are under attack.
In an interview with the radio show the Breakfast Club on Wednesday to promote his new memoir A Promised Land, Obama said Trump’s administration, which he did not name directly, “objectively has failed, miserably, in handling just basic looking after the American people and keeping them safe”, and yet he still secured millions of votes.
“What’s always interesting to me is the degree to which you’ve seen created in Republican politics the sense that white males are victims,” Obama said. “They are the ones who are under attack – which obviously doesn’t jive with both history and data and economics. But that’s a sincere belief, that’s been internalized, that’s a story that’s being told and how you unwind that is going to be not something that is done right away.”
Later, one of the show’s hosts, DJ Envy, asked Obama how he responds to criticism from Black people and other communities of color who don’t believe he did enough for them as president.
“I understand it because when I was elected there was so much excitement and hope, and I also think we generally view the presidency as almost like a monarchy in the sense of once the president’s there, he can just do whatever needs to get done and if he’s not doing it, it must be because he didn’t want to do it,” Obama said.
Envy challenged Obama, making the case that Trump has behaved in exactly that way.
“Because he breaks laws or disregards the constitution,” Obama said. “The good news for me was I was very confident in what I had done for Black folks because I have the statistics to prove it.”
Obama continued to highlight how his policies saw Black people’s incomes rise, poverty drop and access to healthcare increase.
“The issue is sometimes we just didn’t go around advertising that because again the goal here is to build coalitions where everybody is getting something so they all feel like they have a stake in it,” Obama said. “But a lot of my policies were targeted towards people most in need. Those folks are disproportionately African American.”
Obama also spoke about the role of the public and Congress in making change. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, blocked much of the Obama administration’s efforts in the Republican-controlled Senate in the final years of his presidency.
A similar fate could be awaiting President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, Obama warned. It is unknown which party will control the Senate until the results are in from two runoff elections in Georgia scheduled for 5 January.
“If the Republicans win those two seats, then Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will not be able to get any law passed that Mitch McConnell and the other Republicans aren’t going to go along with,” Obama said.
That was one of the only mentions Obama made of the incoming president, who sparked controversy on social media in May after an interview with the Breakfast Club where he said: “If you have a problem figuring out if you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
Later that day, Biden apologized: “No one, no one, should have to vote for any party based on their race, their religion, their background.”


theguardian--2020-11-25--President pranked as comedians snap up Trump 2024 domain

Donald Trump ’ s bid to retake the presidency in 2024 has been launched – by two comedians .
“ We got the domain DonaldJTrump2024.com , ” comics Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler , AKA The Good Liars , wrote on Twitter .
A TikTok video scored to Loser by Beck showed the site , which was headlined “ I lost the 2020 election ” and included the subheadings “ Trump Lost ” , “ Trump is a Loser ” and “ Trump Lost the Election ” .
Trump lost the electoral college to Joe Biden by 306-232 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Hillary Clinton was on the wrong end of it in 2016 .
Trump is also losing the national popular vote by more than 6m ballots , a contest he lost to Clinton by nearly 3m .
Trump belatedly allowed the transition to proceed but has not formally conceded , as he continues to mount legal challenges to results in key states .
He has won one such case – but lost 36 .
Fundraising efforts nominally for such legal efforts have been shown to benefit Trump ’ s post-White House political career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for president soon .
A banner on the DonaldJTrump2024.com website read : “ Click here to donate to a PAC that has nothing to do with my legal defence team !
” Selvig and Stiefler offered to give the president the domain name “ if you tweet ‘ My name is Donald Trump and I lost the 2020 election by A LOT .
I am a loser .
SAD !
’ ” As of Wednesday lunchtime Trump had not done so , despite having plenty of phone time on a day officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stiefler are not the only people seeking to punk the president with online pranks .
As of Wednesday , the domain loser.com directed users to Trump ’ s Wikipedia page .
A satirical site presenting a notional Trump presidential library , meanwhile , was flourishing .
At djtrumplibrary.com , users can enjoy a visually impressive site which promises among other attractions a “ Covid Memorial ” , a “ Wall of Criminality ” and an “ Alt-Right Auditorium ” .
Users are also offered use of a “ Hall of Enablers ” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the media ) and a “ Criminal Records Room ” in which to study “ Tax Evasion 101 ” .
According to Fast Company , the library was “ designed by a New York-based architect who wishes to remain anonymous [ but who ] holds little back in turning the most controversial and divisive moments of Trump ’ s time in office into biting commentaries on his policies and personality.
” There is even a “ Grift Shop ” .
As well as offering “ Grab a Pussy Cookies ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the site offers a chance to donate to progressive causes .
One potential beneficiary is Raphael Warnock , one of two Democrats looking to win runoff elections in Georgia in January , thereby regaining the Senate .

Donald Trump’s bid to retake the presidency in 2024 has been launched – by two comedians.
“We got the domain DonaldJTrump2024.com,” comics Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler, AKA The Good Liars, wrote on Twitter.
A TikTok video scored to Loser by Beck showed the site, which was headlined “I lost the 2020 election” and included the subheadings “Trump Lost”, “Trump is a Loser” and “Trump Lost the Election”.
Trump lost the electoral college to Joe Biden by 306-232, a score he said was a landslide defeat when Hillary Clinton was on the wrong end of it in 2016. Trump is also losing the national popular vote by more than 6m ballots, a contest he lost to Clinton by nearly 3m.
Trump belatedly allowed the transition to proceed but has not formally conceded, as he continues to mount legal challenges to results in key states. He has won one such case – but lost 36.
Fundraising efforts nominally for such legal efforts have been shown to benefit Trump’s post-White House political career. Many expect him to declare another run for president soon.
A banner on the DonaldJTrump2024.com website read: “Click here to donate to a PAC that has nothing to do with my legal defence team!”
Selvig and Stiefler offered to give the president the domain name “if you tweet ‘My name is Donald Trump and I lost the 2020 election by A LOT. I am a loser. SAD!’”
As of Wednesday lunchtime Trump had not done so, despite having plenty of phone time on a day officially free of public engagements.
Selvig and Stiefler are not the only people seeking to punk the president with online pranks. As of Wednesday, the domain loser.com directed users to Trump’s Wikipedia page. A satirical site presenting a notional Trump presidential library, meanwhile, was flourishing.
At djtrumplibrary.com, users can enjoy a visually impressive site which promises among other attractions a “Covid Memorial”, a “Wall of Criminality” and an “Alt-Right Auditorium”. Users are also offered use of a “Hall of Enablers” (among those honoured are senators, governors and the media) and a “Criminal Records Room” in which to study “Tax Evasion 101”.
According to Fast Company, the library was “designed by a New York-based architect who wishes to remain anonymous [but who] holds little back in turning the most controversial and divisive moments of Trump’s time in office into biting commentaries on his policies and personality.”
There is even a “Grift Shop”. As well as offering “Grab a Pussy Cookies” and “Notes of a Stable Genius” notebooks, the site offers a chance to donate to progressive causes. One potential beneficiary is Raphael Warnock, one of two Democrats looking to win runoff elections in Georgia in January, thereby regaining the Senate.


theguardian--2020-11-25--From the archive: Political correctness and how the right invented a phantom enemy – podcast

We are raiding the Audio Long Reads archives and bringing you some classic pieces from years past , with new @ @ @ @ @ This week : For 25 years , invoking this vague and ever-shifting nemesis has been @ @ @ @ @ right – and Donald Trump ’ s victory is its greatest triumph .
By Moira @ @ @ @ @ podcasts : everything you need to know

Written by Moira Weigel, read by Andrew McGregor, produced by Simon Barnard with additions by Esther Opoku-Gyeni

We are raiding the Audio Long Reads archives and bringing you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.
This week: For 25 years, invoking this vague and ever-shifting nemesis has been a favourite tactic of the right – and Donald Trump’s victory is its greatest triumph. By Moira Weigel
How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know


theguardian--2020-11-25--Donald Trump plans to pardon Michael Flynn, former national security adviser – reports

Donald Trump plans to pardon his disgraced former national security adviser Michael Flynn before he leaves office , according to multiple media reports .
Flynn will be among a series of pardons that Trump plans to grant before his term in office ends , multiple sources were reported as saying by Axios and the New York Times .
Flynn admitted lying to the FBI about his contact with the former Russian ambassador to the US , and became a cooperating witness in Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only White House official charged in Mueller ’ s investigation .
He has become a cause célèbre among the far right , with many of Trump ’ s most ardent supporters arguing the former national security adviser was a victim of the “ deep state ” .
Efforts by Trump and the justice department to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn have become mired in lengthy legal battles in the courts .
On Wednesday morning , the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee , Adam Schiff , said that any such move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy .
He said that such a pardon by Trump would show that “ if you lie on his behalf , if you cover up for him he will reward you and he will protect you if it ’ s in his interests ” .
Schiff was a leading figure in the impeachment of Trump last year .
The president was tried in the Senate and acquitted in early 2020 .
He said world observers would see the pardon as reflecting badly on the US .
“ It reflects so ill on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world think when we have a president who is acting like an organized crime figure .
But that is who Donald Trump is , ” Schiff told CNN ’ s New Day .

Donald Trump plans to pardon his disgraced former national security adviser Michael Flynn before he leaves office, according to multiple media reports.
Flynn will be among a series of pardons that Trump plans to grant before his term in office ends, multiple sources were reported as saying by Axios and the New York Times.
Flynn admitted lying to the FBI about his contact with the former Russian ambassador to the US, and became a cooperating witness in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign’s links with Moscow.
Flynn was the only White House official charged in Mueller’s investigation.
He has become a cause célèbre among the far right, with many of Trump’s most ardent supporters arguing the former national security adviser was a victim of the “deep state”.
Efforts by Trump and the justice department to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn have become mired in lengthy legal battles in the courts.
On Wednesday morning, the Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, said that any such move would speak ill of America’s democracy.
He said that such a pardon by Trump would show that “if you lie on his behalf, if you cover up for him he will reward you and he will protect you if it’s in his interests”.
Schiff was a leading figure in the impeachment of Trump last year. The president was tried in the Senate and acquitted in early 2020.
He said world observers would see the pardon as reflecting badly on the US.
“It reflects so ill on our democracy, imagine what people around the world think when we have a president who is acting like an organized crime figure. But that is who Donald Trump is,” Schiff told CNN’s New Day.


theguardian--2020-11-25--Here's something to give thanks for this Thanksgiving: our democracy survived | Art Cullen

Going on 40 years I ’ ve been writing columns about giving thanks , and this year I mean it : thank God that America stood up for democracy again .
This year is among the worst .
Pandemic is our parlance .
Covid runs wild over Iowa while its government stands back and does little .
The president thumbs his nose at the virus and at the rule of law , skirted impeachment thanks to feckless senators , and would steal a win through a faithless electoral college , if he could .
The people spoke .
They elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and by a convincing margin , as a rebuke to it all .
It was a vote for Biden – made by millions , in hopes of good will – but it was as much an act of revulsion for what Donald Trump represents .
Biden promised to govern with fairness and decency .
People endorsed a middling approach with a split Congress .
They demand that government gets along somehow .
Fair enough .
There ’ s wisdom in that vote .
It was a record turnout .
So many have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reason .
Our local school board elections typically muster 10 % turnout .
This year , however , the people were engaged .
Especially in Iowa , where they came out in awful weather , young and old , to hear Julián Castro or John Delaney campaign during the run-up to the caucuses .
Dr Jill Biden , first lady in waiting , talked education to a handful of folks at Better Day Café .
It was something to behold .
We had a ringside seat .
Trump and company tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow down the mail .
They tried to sow fear that the system was rigged .
But the people came out the first day they could and stood in line for hours , if necessary , to make sure their vote counted .
County election officials , no matter their politics , tried to make it as safe and smooth as possible and it was , for the most part .
That , too , was something to behold .
The judicial system worked .
Judges appointed by Republicans threw out Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote .
A score of lawsuits filed following the election , claiming unspecified fraud , were dismissed .
Chief Justice John Roberts has held the center and protected the judiciary ’ s independence under great trial over the past year .
None of this was destined .
It could have gone the other way .
The attorney general tested whether there were limits and discovered them when his field offices told him no fraud was to be found in the balloting .
The military brass wanted nothing to do with any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , Brad Raffensperger , stood up for the integrity of the system .
So did the FBI and CIA directors and the head of cyber-security , who got the boot from Trump for vouching for a safe vote .
So did the Republican governor of Maryland .
If only Republican senators would have stood up with them to get Trump to move on .
Democracy isn ’ t perfect .
But when Trump personally asked Michigan Republican legislative leaders to rig their electoral college delegation , they refused .
When it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no small feat .
It should never have gone this far .
Now we know .
About a third of Americans think Biden stole the election and that Rudy Giuliani should be allowed to practice law .
Many of us were suckered by Trump and wised up .
Most of us voted for sanity and a little bit of respect .
Mainly , the people demonstrated that liberty means something .
They knelt in the park for Black lives that are not fully free .
They objected to caging families at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens .
It could not be denied .
From time to time this year , I had my doubts .
Iowa voted for Trump , after all .
It was too close for comfort in Wisconsin .
The rants and ravings still echo in the crazy chambers of social media .
Pray Biden will have a way of defusing things .
Actually , he already has .
Reporters asked the president-elect the other day about Trump refusing to allow an orderly transition .
Biden stopped and thought , and just said that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
Lord , what a relief in restraint .
I give thanks .
Democracy prevails .
• None Art Cullen is editor of The Storm Lake Times in north-west Iowa , where he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing .
He is a Guardian US columnist and author of the book Storm Lake : Change , Resilience , and Hope in America ’ s Heartland

Going on 40 years I’ve been writing columns about giving thanks, and this year I mean it: thank God that America stood up for democracy again.
This year is among the worst. Pandemic is our parlance. Covid runs wild over Iowa while its government stands back and does little. The president thumbs his nose at the virus and at the rule of law, skirted impeachment thanks to feckless senators, and would steal a win through a faithless electoral college, if he could.
But he can’t.
The people spoke. They elected Joe Biden with the most votes ever, and by a convincing margin, as a rebuke to it all. It was a vote for Biden – made by millions, in hopes of good will – but it was as much an act of revulsion for what Donald Trump represents.
Biden promised to govern with fairness and decency. People endorsed a middling approach with a split Congress. They demand that government gets along somehow. Fair enough. There’s wisdom in that vote.
It was a record turnout. So many have lamented a lack of civic engagement for good reason. Our local school board elections typically muster 10% turnout. This year, however, the people were engaged. Especially in Iowa, where they came out in awful weather, young and old, to hear Julián Castro or John Delaney campaign during the run-up to the caucuses. Dr Jill Biden, first lady in waiting, talked education to a handful of folks at Better Day Café. It was something to behold. We had a ringside seat.
Trump and company tried to keep people from voting. They tried to slow down the mail. They tried to sow fear that the system was rigged. But the people came out the first day they could and stood in line for hours, if necessary, to make sure their vote counted. County election officials, no matter their politics, tried to make it as safe and smooth as possible and it was, for the most part. That, too, was something to behold.
Mainly, the people demonstrated that liberty means something. They demanded their franchise as citizens. It could not be denied
The judicial system worked. Judges appointed by Republicans threw out Trump’s efforts to suppress or overturn the vote. A score of lawsuits filed following the election, claiming unspecified fraud, were dismissed. Chief Justice John Roberts has held the center and protected the judiciary’s independence under great trial over the past year.
None of this was destined. It could have gone the other way. The attorney general tested whether there were limits and discovered them when his field offices told him no fraud was to be found in the balloting. The military brass wanted nothing to do with any of it.
The Republican secretary of state in Georgia, Brad Raffensperger, stood up for the integrity of the system. So did the FBI and CIA directors and the head of cyber-security, who got the boot from Trump for vouching for a safe vote. So did the Republican governor of Maryland. If only Republican senators would have stood up with them to get Trump to move on. Democracy isn’t perfect. But when Trump personally asked Michigan Republican legislative leaders to rig their electoral college delegation, they refused. When it counted, people stood up. That is no small feat.
It should never have gone this far. Now we know. About a third of Americans think Biden stole the election and that Rudy Giuliani should be allowed to practice law. Many of us were suckered by Trump and wised up. Most of us voted for sanity and a little bit of respect.
Mainly, the people demonstrated that liberty means something. They knelt in the park for Black lives that are not fully free. They objected to caging families at the border. They demanded their franchise as citizens. It could not be denied.
From time to time this year, I had my doubts. Iowa voted for Trump, after all. It was too close for comfort in Wisconsin. The rants and ravings still echo in the crazy chambers of social media. Pray Biden will have a way of defusing things. Actually, he already has. Reporters asked the president-elect the other day about Trump refusing to allow an orderly transition. Biden stopped and thought, and just said that Trump is reckless. He left it at that. Lord, what a relief in restraint. I give thanks. Democracy prevails.


theguardian--2020-11-24--How do we avoid future authoritarians? Winning back the working class is key | Bernie Sanders

As the count currently stands , nearly 80 million Americans voted for Joe Biden .
With this vote against the authoritarian bigotry of Donald Trump , the world can breathe a collective sigh of relief .
But the election results did also reveal something that should be a cause for concern .
Trump received 11 million more votes than he did in 2016 , increasing his support in many distressed communities – where unemployment and poverty are high , healthcare and childcare are inadequate , and people are hurting the most .
For a president who lies all the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlandish lie is that he and his administration are friends of the working class in our country .
The truth is that Trump put more billionaires into his administration than any president in history ; he appointed vehemently anti-labor members to the National Relations Labor Board ( NLRB ) and he gave huge tax breaks to the very rich and large corporations while proposing massive cuts to education , housing and nutrition programs .
Trump has tried to throw up to 32 million people off the healthcare they have and has produced budgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts to Medicare , Medicaid and social security .
Yet , a certain segment of the working class in our country still believe Donald Trump is on their side .
Why is that ?
At a time when millions of Americans are living in fear and anxiety , have lost their jobs because of unfair trade agreements and are earning no more in real dollars than 47 years ago , he was perceived by his supporters to be a tough guy and a “ fighter ” .
He seems to be fighting almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself an enemy of “ the swamp ” not only attacking Democrats , but Republicans who were not 100 % in lockstep with him and even members of his own administration , whom he declared part of the “ deep state ” .
He attacks the leaders of countries who have been our longstanding allies , as well as governors and mayors and our independent judiciary .
He blasts the media as an “ enemy of the people ” and is ruthless in his non-stop attacks against the immigrant community , outspoken women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay community , Muslims and protesters .
He uses racism , xenophobia and paranoia to convince a vast swath of the American people that he was concerned about their needs , when nothing could be further from the truth .
His only interest , from day one , has been Donald Trump .
Joe Biden will be sworn in as president on 20 January and Nancy Pelosi will be speaker of the House .
Depending upon what happens in Georgia ’ s special elections , it is unclear which party will control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear .
If the Democratic party wants to avoid losing millions of votes in the future it must stand tall and deliver for the working families of our country who , today , are facing more economic desperation than at any time since the Great Depression .
Democrats must show , in word and deed , how fraudulent the Republican party is when it claims to be the party of working families .
And , in order to do that , Democrats must have the courage to take on the powerful special interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working class of this country for decades .
I ’ m talking about Wall Street , the pharmaceutical industry , the health insurance industry , the fossil fuel industry , the military industrial complex , the private prison industrial complex and many profitable corporations who continue to exploit their employees .
If the Democratic party can not demonstrate that it will stand up to these powerful institutions and aggressively fight for the working families of this country – Black , White , Latino , Asian American and Native American – we will pave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be elected in 2024 .
And that president could be even worse than Trump .
Joe Biden ran for president on a strong pro working-class agenda .
Now we must fight to put that agenda into action and vigorously oppose those who stands in its way .
Which Side Are You On ?
was a folk song written by Florence Reece , the wife of an organizer with the United Mine Workers when the union went on strike in Kentucky in 1931 .
Democrats need to make it absolutely clear whose side they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending starvation wages and raising the minimum wage to $ 15 per hour .
One side is not .
One side is for expanding unions .
One side is not .
One side is for creating millions of good paying jobs by combating climate change and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure .
One side is not .
One side is for expanding healthcare .
One side is not .
One side is for lowering the cost of prescription drugs .
One side is not .
One side is for paid family and medical leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side is for universal pre-K for every three- and four-year-old in America .
One side is not .
One side is for expanding social security .
One side is not .
One side is for making public colleges and universities tuition-free for working families , and eliminating student debt .
One side is not .
One side is for ending a broken and racist criminal justice system , and investing in our young people in jobs and education .
One side is not .
One side is for reforming and making our immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not .
Democrats ’ job during the first 100 days of the Biden administration is to make it absolutely clear whose side they are on , and who is on the other side .
That ’ s not only good public policy to strengthen our country .
It ’ s how to win elections in the future .
• None Bernie Sanders is a US senator .
He represents the state of Vermont

As the count currently stands, nearly 80 million Americans voted for Joe Biden. With this vote against the authoritarian bigotry of Donald Trump, the world can breathe a collective sigh of relief.
But the election results did also reveal something that should be a cause for concern. Trump received 11 million more votes than he did in 2016, increasing his support in many distressed communities – where unemployment and poverty are high, healthcare and childcare are inadequate, and people are hurting the most.
For a president who lies all the time, perhaps Donald Trump’s most outlandish lie is that he and his administration are friends of the working class in our country.
The truth is that Trump put more billionaires into his administration than any president in history; he appointed vehemently anti-labor members to the National Relations Labor Board (NLRB) and he gave huge tax breaks to the very rich and large corporations while proposing massive cuts to education, housing and nutrition programs. Trump has tried to throw up to 32 million people off the healthcare they have and has produced budgets that called for tens of billions in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and social security.
Yet, a certain segment of the working class in our country still believe Donald Trump is on their side.
Why is that?
At a time when millions of Americans are living in fear and anxiety, have lost their jobs because of unfair trade agreements and are earning no more in real dollars than 47 years ago, he was perceived by his supporters to be a tough guy and a “fighter”. He seems to be fighting almost everyone, every day.
He declared himself an enemy of “the swamp” not only attacking Democrats, but Republicans who were not 100% in lockstep with him and even members of his own administration, whom he declared part of the “deep state”. He attacks the leaders of countries who have been our longstanding allies, as well as governors and mayors and our independent judiciary. He blasts the media as an “enemy of the people” and is ruthless in his non-stop attacks against the immigrant community, outspoken women, the African American community, the gay community, Muslims and protesters.
He uses racism, xenophobia and paranoia to convince a vast swath of the American people that he was concerned about their needs, when nothing could be further from the truth. His only interest, from day one, has been Donald Trump.
Joe Biden will be sworn in as president on 20 January and Nancy Pelosi will be speaker of the House. Depending upon what happens in Georgia’s special elections, it is unclear which party will control the US Senate.
Democrats’ job during the first 100 days of the Biden administration is to make it clear whose side they are on
But one thing is clear. If the Democratic party wants to avoid losing millions of votes in the future it must stand tall and deliver for the working families of our country who, today, are facing more economic desperation than at any time since the Great Depression. Democrats must show, in word and deed, how fraudulent the Republican party is when it claims to be the party of working families.
And, in order to do that, Democrats must have the courage to take on the powerful special interests who have been at war with the working class of this country for decades. I’m talking about Wall Street, the pharmaceutical industry, the health insurance industry, the fossil fuel industry, the military industrial complex, the private prison industrial complex and many profitable corporations who continue to exploit their employees.
If the Democratic party cannot demonstrate that it will stand up to these powerful institutions and aggressively fight for the working families of this country – Black, White, Latino, Asian American and Native American – we will pave the way for another rightwing authoritarian to be elected in 2024. And that president could be even worse than Trump.
Joe Biden ran for president on a strong pro working-class agenda. Now we must fight to put that agenda into action and vigorously oppose those who stands in its way.
Which Side Are You On? was a folk song written by Florence Reece, the wife of an organizer with the United Mine Workers when the union went on strike in Kentucky in 1931. Democrats need to make it absolutely clear whose side they are on.
One side is for ending starvation wages and raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. One side is not.
One side is for expanding unions. One side is not.
One side is for creating millions of good paying jobs by combating climate change and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. One side is not.
One side is for expanding healthcare. One side is not.
One side is for lowering the cost of prescription drugs. One side is not.
One side is for paid family and medical leave. One side is not.
One side is for universal pre-K for every three- and four-year-old in America. One side is not.
One side is for expanding social security. One side is not.
One side is for making public colleges and universities tuition-free for working families, and eliminating student debt. One side is not.
One side is for ending a broken and racist criminal justice system, and investing in our young people in jobs and education. One side is not.
One side is for reforming and making our immigration system fair and humane. One side is not.
Democrats’ job during the first 100 days of the Biden administration is to make it absolutely clear whose side they are on, and who is on the other side. That’s not only good public policy to strengthen our country. It’s how to win elections in the future.