shareblue--2020-07-02--GOP congressman upset Sioux leaders want their sacred land respected

A Republican congressman called out Native American leaders on Thursday , claiming they were `` Marxists . ''
His reason : They object to the Mount Rushmore monument on Lakota Sioux sacred lands .
`` I hope people realize by now ( if they had n't already ) that these Marxists will never stop , '' Rep. Jeff Duncan ( R-SC ) said in a Facebook post .
`` We must hold the elected officials allowing it to happen accountable , or they will keep removing our history until there 's nothing left ... '' Duncan shared a link to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dakota Sioux leaders have called for the removal of the famous sculptures of Thomas Jefferson , Abraham Lincoln , Theodore Roosevelt , and George Washington from lands sacred to their tribe .
Donald Trump plans to visit the national memorial Friday for an Independence Day fireworks display , though public health experts have warned that the event could help spread the coronavirus .
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier said in a press release this week , `` Nothing stands as a greater reminder to the Great Sioux Nation of a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty than the faces carved into our sacred land on what the United States calls Mount Rushmore . ''
`` We are now being forced to witness the lashing of our land with pomp , arrogance and fire hoping our sacred lands survive , '' he said of Trump 's planned event .
`` This brand on our flesh needs to be removed and I am willing to do it free of charge to the United States , by myself if I must . ''
Last week , Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monument , saying it was built on Great Sioux Reservation land without consulting Native American leaders .
`` To me , it ’ s a great sign of disrespect , ” he told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader .
An 1868 treaty with the U.S. government `` recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation , set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people , '' according to the National Archives .
Nine years later , after gold was discovered there , the U.S. said it was reclaiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument 's construction began , without any agreement from the Sioux Nation .
Duncan 's office did not immediately respond to an inquiry for the story .
This is not the first time he has accused Americans who want to remove monuments of Marxism .
In recent weeks , he has made similar charges against protesters who toppled a Washington , D.C. , statue of Confederate officer Albert Pike and a San Francisco monument to former President Ulysses S. Grant .
His comments come as Trump and other Republicans have been vocally opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other racist iconography across the United States .
Earlier this week , Trump threatened to veto the entire Defense budget if it did not preserve the names of military facilities honoring Confederates .
Last week , Trump issued an executive order aimed at toughening enforcement of laws against monument desecration .
It promised federal government protection for federal memorials and directs the Justice Department to prioritize cases of monument vandalism .
Reps. Jim Banks ( R-IN ) and Dusty Johnson ( R-SD ) have suggested that any effort to remove the Mount Rushmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both are among 24 backers — all Republicans — of a federal bill to ban any federal funds going to change or remove the monument .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Republican congressman called out Native American leaders on Thursday, claiming they were “Marxists.” His reason: They object to the Mount Rushmore monument on Lakota Sioux sacred lands.
“I hope people realize by now (if they hadn’t already) that these Marxists will never stop,” Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) said in a Facebook post. “We must hold the elected officials allowing it to happen accountable, or they will keep removing our history until there’s nothing left…”
Duncan shared a link to a Wednesday news report that two South Dakota Sioux leaders have called for the removal of the famous sculptures of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Washington from lands sacred to their tribe.
Donald Trump plans to visit the national memorial Friday for an Independence Day fireworks display, though public health experts have warned that the event could help spread the coronavirus.
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier said in a press release this week, “Nothing stands as a greater reminder to the Great Sioux Nation of a country that cannot keep a promise or treaty than the faces carved into our sacred land on what the United States calls Mount Rushmore.”
“We are now being forced to witness the lashing of our land with pomp, arrogance and fire hoping our sacred lands survive,” he said of Trump’s planned event. “This brand on our flesh needs to be removed and I am willing to do it free of charge to the United States, by myself if I must.”
Last week, Oglala Sioux President Julian Bear Runner also called for the removal of the monument, saying it was built on Great Sioux Reservation land without consulting Native American leaders. “To me, it’s a great sign of disrespect,” he told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
An 1868 treaty with the U.S. government “recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation, set aside for exclusive use by the Sioux people,” according to the National Archives. Nine years later, after gold was discovered there, the U.S. said it was reclaiming the land.
In 1927, the monument’s construction began, without any agreement from the Sioux Nation.
Duncan’s office did not immediately respond to an inquiry for the story.
This is not the first time he has accused Americans who want to remove monuments of Marxism. In recent weeks, he has made similar charges against protesters who toppled a Washington, D.C., statue of Confederate officer Albert Pike and a San Francisco monument to former President Ulysses S. Grant.
His comments come as Trump and other Republicans have been vocally opposing efforts to remove Confederate memorials, and other racist iconography across the United States.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened to veto the entire Defense budget if it did not preserve the names of military facilities honoring Confederates.
Last week, Trump issued an executive order aimed at toughening enforcement of laws against monument desecration. It promised federal government protection for federal memorials and directs the Justice Department to prioritize cases of monument vandalism.
Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) have suggested that any effort to remove the Mount Rushmore would be “erasing” history. Both are among 24 backers — all Republicans — of a federal bill to ban any federal funds going to change or remove the monument.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-02--8 things Trump is talking about instead of the coronavirus surge

As the United States set a record for the most new coronavirus cases in a single day , Donald Trump was busy tweeting about everything but the pandemic .
According to tracking data compiled by Johns Hopkins University , the United States recorded 50,700 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — the most daily cases yet .
More than 2.6 million Americans have tested positive for the virus to date .
Donald Trump spent the day tweeting about his upcoming fireworks celebration , his support for Confederate memorials , his disdain for the Black Lives Matter movement , and cable news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive spike in COVID-19 cases .
At 5:53 a.m. , he mocked CNN for ratings that are `` so far below @ FoxNews ( thank you President Trump ! )
that you can barely find them . ''
Minutes later , he congratulated `` Fox & Friends '' for its large viewership .
At 6:19 a.m. , Trump highlighted his `` Executive Order to protect Monuments , Statutes , etc . ''
from vandalism by civil rights activists , claiming , `` Many people now under arrest ! ''
At 6:31 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to veto the entire defense budget if it includes a provision that would require the renaming of military bases currently named for Confederate figures .
The tweet also included a racist slur against the provision 's author , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) .
At 7:30 a.m. , he falsely claimed that Joe Biden was given the questions in advance of a Tuesday press conference .
At 8:48 a.m. , Trump complained about the Black Lives Matter movement and a proposed plan to `` paint a big , expensive , yellow Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of Trump Tower in New York City , `` denigrating this luxury Avenue . ''
He urged city police to censor the `` symbol of hate . ''
At 12:55 p.m. , Trump bragged about his upcoming `` Salute to America '' Fourth of July event in Washington , D.C. , which he is insisting on holding despite warnings from public health experts and local elected officials that it could increase spread of the coronavirus .
At 1:52 p.m. , Trump shared a campaign ad and fundraising solicitation for Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he posted the first in a series of tweets celebrating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade , which went into effect that day .
Other tweets and retweets included a warning about voter fraud , a proclamation about American workers , and the words `` THE LONE WARRIOR ! ''
While Trump said nothing about the public health crisis on Twitter , he was asked about the pandemic in a television interview .
In response , he repeated his unsubstantiated belief that the virus will simply `` disappear . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fashion , '' he told Fox Business .
`` And I think we 're going to be very good with the coronavirus . ''
Joe Biden slammed Trump 's `` promises and predictions and wishful thinking , pulled out of thin air '' on Wednesday , tweeting : `` Mr. President , this pandemic is n't about you .
It 's about the health and well-being of the American people . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As the United States set a record for the most new coronavirus cases in a single day, Donald Trump was busy tweeting about everything but the pandemic.
According to tracking data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the United States recorded 50,700 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — the most daily cases yet. More than 2.6 million Americans have tested positive for the virus to date.
Donald Trump spent the day tweeting about his upcoming fireworks celebration, his support for Confederate memorials, his disdain for the Black Lives Matter movement, and cable news ratings. He tweeted nothing about the massive spike in COVID-19 cases.
At 5:53 a.m., he mocked CNN for ratings that are “so far below @FoxNews (thank you President Trump!) that you can barely find them.” Minutes later, he congratulated “Fox & Friends” for its large viewership.
At 6:19 a.m., Trump highlighted his “Executive Order to protect Monuments, Statutes, etc.” from vandalism by civil rights activists, claiming, “Many people now under arrest!”
At 6:31 a.m., he retweeted his own Tuesday night threat to veto the entire defense budget if it includes a provision that would require the renaming of military bases currently named for Confederate figures. The tweet also included a racist slur against the provision’s author, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
At 7:30 a.m., he falsely claimed that Joe Biden was given the questions in advance of a Tuesday press conference.
At 8:48 a.m., Trump complained about the Black Lives Matter movement and a proposed plan to “paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue” in front of Trump Tower in New York City, “denigrating this luxury Avenue.” He urged city police to censor the “symbol of hate.”
At 12:55 p.m., Trump bragged about his upcoming “Salute to America” Fourth of July event in Washington, D.C., which he is insisting on holding despite warnings from public health experts and local elected officials that it could increase spread of the coronavirus.
At 1:52 p.m., Trump shared a campaign ad and fundraising solicitation for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
At 4:10 p.m., he posted the first in a series of tweets celebrating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, which went into effect that day.
Other tweets and retweets included a warning about voter fraud, a proclamation about American workers, and the words “THE LONE WARRIOR!”
While Trump said nothing about the public health crisis on Twitter, he was asked about the pandemic in a television interview. In response, he repeated his unsubstantiated belief that the virus will simply “disappear.”
“We’re headed back in a very strong fashion,” he told Fox Business. “And I think we’re going to be very good with the coronavirus.”
Joe Biden slammed Trump’s “promises and predictions and wishful thinking, pulled out of thin air” on Wednesday, tweeting: “Mr. President, this pandemic isn’t about you. It’s about the health and well-being of the American people.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-02--Trump takes victory lap on jobs as millions remain unemployed

Donald Trump on Thursday took a victory lap on the economy after the monthly jobs report released earlier in the morning showed 4.8 million of the jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic returned in June .
`` It 's all coming back .
It 's coming back faster , bigger and better than we ever thought possible , '' Trump said in a speech from the White House briefing room Thursday morning .
`` These are the numbers .
These are not numbers made up by me .
These are numbers . ''
However , the unemployment rate remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at the peak of the Great Recession in 2008 — with 17.8 million Americans still out of work .
And economists say a deeper dive into the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there is danger ahead for the economic recovery , and that Trump might be celebrating too soon .
`` Of course we want to celebrate the good news that millions of workers are being recalled , '' Justin Wolfers , an economics professor at the University of Michigan , tweeted .
`` But as we look ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy we 'll be left with when the mechanics of re-opening no longer boost monthly job gains . ''
Economists pointed to a grim number in the Bureau of Labor Statistics ' report , which said , `` The number of permanent job losers continued to rise , increasing by 588,000 to 2.9 million in June . ''
Those economists also pointed to the fact that the coronavirus is surging in states across the country , forcing governors to begin announcing more shutdowns to try and slow the spread .
`` You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus situation on June 12 , the reference week of the survey .
Cases were coming down , people were beginning to feel optimistic .
That 's not where we are now , we now face new closures and increasing fear , '' Betsey Stevenson , the former chief economist at the Department of Labor , tweeted .
But Trump ignored the warning signs , as he once again downplayed the virus .
`` We have some areas where we 're putting out flames from the fires , and that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — mischaracterizing the massive surge in cases , which set a single-day record increase on Wednesday when nearly 50,000 tests came back positive .
That dwarfs the number of positive tests back in April , which looked like the peak of the virus .
Trump went on to say the latest job numbers will be good for his own reelection .
`` You 're going to have a fantastic third quarter , it will be a third quarter the likes of which nobody has ever seen before in my opinion , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the numbers will be coming out just prior to the election so people will be able to see those numbers . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Thursday took a victory lap on the economy after the monthly jobs report released earlier in the morning showed 4.8 million of the jobs lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic returned in June.
“It’s all coming back. It’s coming back faster, bigger and better than we ever thought possible,” Trump said in a speech from the White House briefing room Thursday morning. “These are the numbers. These are not numbers made up by me. These are numbers.”
However, the unemployment rate remains at 11.1% — higher than it was at the peak of the Great Recession in 2008 — with 17.8 million Americans still out of work.
And economists say a deeper dive into the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there is danger ahead for the economic recovery, and that Trump might be celebrating too soon.
“Of course we want to celebrate the good news that millions of workers are being recalled,” Justin Wolfers, an economics professor at the University of Michigan, tweeted. “But as we look ahead, the question is what sort of economy we’ll be left with when the mechanics of re-opening no longer boost monthly job gains.”
Economists pointed to a grim number in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report, which said, “The number of permanent job losers continued to rise, increasing by 588,000 to 2.9 million in June.”
Those economists also pointed to the fact that the coronavirus is surging in states across the country, forcing governors to begin announcing more shutdowns to try and slow the spread.
“You cannot interpret this jobs report without thinking about the virus situation on June 12, the reference week of the survey. Cases were coming down, people were beginning to feel optimistic. That’s not where we are now, we now face new closures and increasing fear,” Betsey Stevenson, the former chief economist at the Department of Labor, tweeted.
But Trump ignored the warning signs, as he once again downplayed the virus.
“We have some areas where we’re putting out flames from the fires, and that’s working out well,” Trump said — mischaracterizing the massive surge in cases, which set a single-day record increase on Wednesday when nearly 50,000 tests came back positive. That dwarfs the number of positive tests back in April, which looked like the peak of the virus.
Trump went on to say the latest job numbers will be good for his own reelection.
“You’re going to have a fantastic third quarter, it will be a third quarter the likes of which nobody has ever seen before in my opinion,” Trump said. “And the good thing is the numbers will be coming out just prior to the election so people will be able to see those numbers.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-02--Court blocks restoration of voting rights to 774,000 people in Florida

A federal appellate court has stayed a lower court ruling that gave impoverished Floridians convicted of felonies the right to vote .
The order issued Wednesday disappointed voting rights activists and could have national implications in November 's presidential election .
In May , a federal judge in Tallahassee ruled that Florida law ca n't stop an estimated 774,000 disenfranchised former felons from voting because they ca n't pay back any legal fees and restitution they owe .
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle called the law a `` pay-to-vote system . ''
But Republican Gov .
Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta-based 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , requesting a stay of Hinkle 's ruling and a review of the case by the full appeals court .
The appellate court , in a three-sentence order Wednesday , granted both requests .
The court gave no timeline as to when it would hear the case .
`` Today 's decision is a setback , '' said Paul Smith , vice president of Campaign Legal Center , which is representing former felons seeking access to the ballot box under Amendment 4 , a voter-approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to released felons .
`` The district court 's decision to block Florida 's pay-to-vote system followed clear Supreme Court precedent , '' he added .
`` We are hopeful that the court of appeals will follow suit and confirm once and for all that wealth can not determine a person 's eligibility to vote . ''
The governor 's spokeswoman , Helen Ferre , said there would be no comment on the litigation until it is settled .
Under Amendment 4 , felons who have completed their sentences would have voting rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after state lawmakers moved to define what it means to complete a sentence .
In addition to time served , lawmakers stipulated that all legal financial obligations , including unpaid fines and restitution , would also have to be settled before a former felon could be eligible to vote .
Amendment 4 permanently bars convicted murderers and rapists from voting , regardless of financial debts .
The stay , if it extends into the fall , could influence the election outcome in November .
Florida is considered a must-win state in Donald 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's disenfranchised felons represent a significant bloc in a state well-known for razor-thin election margins .
Many of those felons are black and presumably Democrats .
`` It does n't mean we 've lost — it 's just a stay , '' said Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice , which is also among the groups representing plaintiffs .
`` But it means there will be a lot of people who are unsure about their eligibility to vote , '' he said , `` and will be unable to figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ruling said state elections officials were ill-prepared to review the hundreds of thousands of voter registration applications that could arrive ahead of the state 's August primary and the November presidential vote .

A federal appellate court has stayed a lower court ruling that gave impoverished Floridians convicted of felonies the right to vote. The order issued Wednesday disappointed voting rights activists and could have national implications in November’s presidential election.
In May, a federal judge in Tallahassee ruled that Florida law can’t stop an estimated 774,000 disenfranchised former felons from voting because they can’t pay back any legal fees and restitution they owe. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle called the law a “pay-to-vote system.”
But Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis immediately appealed that ruling to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, requesting a stay of Hinkle’s ruling and a review of the case by the full appeals court.
The appellate court, in a three-sentence order Wednesday, granted both requests. The court gave no timeline as to when it would hear the case.
“Today’s decision is a setback,” said Paul Smith, vice president of Campaign Legal Center, which is representing former felons seeking access to the ballot box under Amendment 4, a voter-approved measure that sought to return voting rights to released felons.
“The district court’s decision to block Florida’s pay-to-vote system followed clear Supreme Court precedent,” he added. “We are hopeful that the court of appeals will follow suit and confirm once and for all that wealth cannot determine a person’s eligibility to vote.”
The governor’s spokeswoman, Helen Ferre, said there would be no comment on the litigation until it is settled.
Under Amendment 4, felons who have completed their sentences would have voting rights restored. But the legal dispute arose after state lawmakers moved to define what it means to complete a sentence. In addition to time served, lawmakers stipulated that all legal financial obligations, including unpaid fines and restitution, would also have to be settled before a former felon could be eligible to vote.
Amendment 4 permanently bars convicted murderers and rapists from voting, regardless of financial debts.
The stay, if it extends into the fall, could influence the election outcome in November. Florida is considered a must-win state in Donald’s Trump’s bid for re-election. Florida’s disenfranchised felons represent a significant bloc in a state well-known for razor-thin election margins. Many of those felons are black and presumably Democrats.
“It doesn’t mean we’ve lost — it’s just a stay,” said Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice, which is also among the groups representing plaintiffs.
“But it means there will be a lot of people who are unsure about their eligibility to vote,” he said, “and will be unable to figure out if they are eligible.”
Hinkle’s ruling said state elections officials were ill-prepared to review the hundreds of thousands of voter registration applications that could arrive ahead of the state’s August primary and the November presidential vote.


shareblue--2020-07-02--Trump again claims virus will 'disappear' as cases surge

Donald Trump on Wednesday said the coronavirus will simply `` disappear , '' even as cases climb at a record pace , thanks in part to states that reopened against public health guidance .
`` I do .
I do .
Yeah sure .
At some point .
And I think we 're going to have a vaccine very soon too , '' Trump said in an interview with Fox Business Network 's Blake Burman , who asked Trump whether he still thought the virus would disappear .
Trump added , `` We 're headed back in a very strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to be very good with the coronavirus .
I think that at some point that 's going to sort of just disappear .
I hope . ''
Trump 's comments mirror those he made in April , which some thought would be the peak of the virus in the United States .
However , since then , states began to reopen their economies without following basic guidance from public health experts , such as implementing face mask requirements and social distancing measures .
Now , cases of the virus are climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States setting a record on Wednesday for the highest single-day rise in positive tests .
A whopping 49,932 positive tests came back positive in the United States on Wednesday , according to the New York Times .
Some states are now scaling back their reopening plans as a result .
The massive rise in cases comes before the July 4 holiday weekend , when Americans usually gather for celebrations .
Trump is traveling to Mount Rushmore for a fireworks display , in which revelers will not have to practice social distancing measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in the Washington , D.C. , area to cancel July 4 celebrations in the District of Columbia .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the infectious disease expert on Trump 's coronavirus task force , told journalist Jessica Yellin that he would advise Americans not to go to Trump 's fireworks display at Mount Rushmore .
`` You should avoid whenever possible gathering in crowds where people can not maintain physical distance , '' Fauci said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Wednesday said the coronavirus will simply “disappear,” even as cases climb at a record pace, thanks in part to states that reopened against public health guidance.
“I do. I do. Yeah sure. At some point. And I think we’re going to have a vaccine very soon too,” Trump said in an interview with Fox Business Network’s Blake Burman, who asked Trump whether he still thought the virus would disappear.
Trump added, “We’re headed back in a very strong fashion. … And I think we’re going to be very good with the coronavirus. I think that at some point that’s going to sort of just disappear. I hope.”
Trump’s comments mirror those he made in April, which some thought would be the peak of the virus in the United States.
However, since then, states began to reopen their economies without following basic guidance from public health experts, such as implementing face mask requirements and social distancing measures.
Now, cases of the virus are climbing at a record pace, with the United States setting a record on Wednesday for the highest single-day rise in positive tests. A whopping 49,932 positive tests came back positive in the United States on Wednesday, according to the New York Times.
Some states are now scaling back their reopening plans as a result.
The massive rise in cases comes before the July 4 holiday weekend, when Americans usually gather for celebrations.
Trump is traveling to Mount Rushmore for a fireworks display, in which revelers will not have to practice social distancing measures. He also ignored pleas from local officials in the Washington, D.C., area to cancel July 4 celebrations in the District of Columbia.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert on Trump’s coronavirus task force, told journalist Jessica Yellin that he would advise Americans not to go to Trump’s fireworks display at Mount Rushmore.
“You should avoid whenever possible gathering in crowds where people cannot maintain physical distance,” Fauci said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-02--Cartoon: Trump's Symbol Of Hate

Cartoon: Trump's Symbol Of Hate

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-07-03--News you might have missed: New York restores benefits for LGBTQ vets

This week , Mississippi dropped a symbol of hate from its state flag , New York City Public Library 's iconic lion statues encouraged people to wear masks , and a coalition set out to recruit tens of thousands of poll workers for the November election .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
LGBTQ veterans denied honorable discharge can now get New York state benefits Veterans who were denied an honorable discharge because of their gender identity or sexual orientation can now apply to have their veterans benefits restored in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced on Sunday .
Restoring benefits for LGBTQ veterans `` is the right thing to do and an appropriate way to show our appreciation for their service to this country , '' Cuomo said in a statement on the final Sunday of Pride Month .
Benefits are being made available thanks to the Restoration of Honor Act , which Cuomo signed into law last November .
The law restores eligibility to veterans impacted by `` Do n't Ask , Do n't Tell , '' as well as LGBTQ veterans who were dismissed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look back on this year 's Pride Month and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in New York City , we must reaffirm our commitment to the LGBTQ rights movement and stand together as one with the LGBTQ community and our veterans , '' Cuomo said .
On Tuesday , House Democrats unveiled a climate plan that would bring the country 's greenhouse gas emissions down to zero by 2050 , the Washington Post reported .
The plan — which is more than 500 pages long — includes additional government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to only electric cars , and mandates for cleaner energy production .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the plan , the work of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis , a `` bold step for climate action now . ''
Pelosi introduced the plan with Rep. Kathy Castor ( D-FL ) , chair of the Climate Crisis committee .
The plan is not a bill , although Pelosi said she intends to turn the proposals into legislation .
Oklahoma voters amended the state constitution on Tuesday to expand Medicaid , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now eligible for the health care program .
Oklahoma became the fifth state to expand Medicaid at the ballot box .
`` In the middle of a pandemic , Oklahomans stepped up and delivered life-saving care for nearly 200,000 of our neighbors , took action to keep our rural hospitals open , and brought our tax dollars home to protect jobs and boost our local economy , '' Amber England , campaign manager for a group supporting the expansion , said in a statement after the measure passed .
The state will expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A group of businesses and nonprofit organizations have joined forces to ensure smooth elections in November by recruiting 250,000 poll workers , CNN reported on Tuesday .
The group , called `` Power the Polls , '' aims to recruit younger workers — though not exclusively — given older Americans are at higher risk of complications from the coronavirus , and poll workers in the past have skewed older .
Technology is also a factor in that decision .
`` In polling locations , there is a real need for folks who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ward , vice president of voter engagement at Democracy Works , told CNN .
`` That youth factor helps ensure that every piece of tech in the polling site can be used to its potential . ''
The groups behind `` Power the Polls '' include Comedy Central , Fair Elections Center , Levi Strauss & Co. , Patagonia , Time To Vote , MTV , and Uber .
Mississippi lawmakers voted on Sunday to change the state flag , which currently includes the Confederate battle emblem .
The House voted 91-23 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed suit by a margin of 37-14 .
`` Let 's do this because it 's the right thing to do , '' Democratic Sen. David Jordan said prior to the vote .
Gov .
Tate Reeves signed the legislation on Tuesday .
A commission will develop a new flag design , which will be put before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot .
The massive lion statues outside of the New York Public Library donned masks this week to encourage New Yorkers to do the same , in an attempt to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The lions , named Patience and Fortitude , are wearing 3-foot long masks made of special material that will not damage the statues .
New Yorkers `` must remain vigilant , we must have patience and fortitude , and we must follow what experts tell us , especially as we continue to reopen our cities , '' Anthony W. Marx , NYPL president , said in a statement .
`` The lions , protectors of knowledge and truth who have seen 109 years worth of history , are setting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will air Friday on Disney+ , Disney 's subscription streaming service , as Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day .
Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton , one of America 's founders who fought with George Washington in the Revolutionary War and went on to become the nation 's first Treasury secretary .
The footage for the film comes from three days of performances in June 2016 .
Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards , including Best Musical , as well as a Pulitzer Prize , a Grammy , and a Billboard Music @ @

This week, Mississippi dropped a symbol of hate from its state flag, New York City Public Library’s iconic lion statues encouraged people to wear masks, and a coalition set out to recruit tens of thousands of poll workers for the November election.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
Veterans who were denied an honorable discharge because of their gender identity or sexual orientation can now apply to have their veterans benefits restored in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Sunday.
Restoring benefits for LGBTQ veterans “is the right thing to do and an appropriate way to show our appreciation for their service to this country,” Cuomo said in a statement on the final Sunday of Pride Month.
Benefits are being made available thanks to the Restoration of Honor Act, which Cuomo signed into law last November. The law restores eligibility to veterans impacted by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as well as LGBTQ veterans who were dismissed for other exclusionary policies.
“As we look back on this year’s Pride Month and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in New York City, we must reaffirm our commitment to the LGBTQ rights movement and stand together as one with the LGBTQ community and our veterans,” Cuomo said.
On Tuesday, House Democrats unveiled a climate plan that would bring the country’s greenhouse gas emissions down to zero by 2050, the Washington Post reported.
The plan — which is more than 500 pages long — includes additional government investment in public transportation, a transition to only electric cars, and mandates for cleaner energy production.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the plan, the work of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, a “bold step for climate action now.”
Pelosi introduced the plan with Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), chair of the Climate Crisis committee.
The plan is not a bill, although Pelosi said she intends to turn the proposals into legislation.
Oklahoma voters amended the state constitution on Tuesday to expand Medicaid, a change that means 200,000 more residents are now eligible for the health care program.
Oklahoma became the fifth state to expand Medicaid at the ballot box.
“In the middle of a pandemic, Oklahomans stepped up and delivered life-saving care for nearly 200,000 of our neighbors, took action to keep our rural hospitals open, and brought our tax dollars home to protect jobs and boost our local economy,” Amber England, campaign manager for a group supporting the expansion, said in a statement after the measure passed.
The state will expand Medicaid starting on July 1, 2021.
A group of businesses and nonprofit organizations have joined forces to ensure smooth elections in November by recruiting 250,000 poll workers, CNN reported on Tuesday.
The group, called “Power the Polls,” aims to recruit younger workers — though not exclusively — given older Americans are at higher risk of complications from the coronavirus, and poll workers in the past have skewed older.
Technology is also a factor in that decision.
“In polling locations, there is a real need for folks who are comfortable with technology,” Mike Ward, vice president of voter engagement at Democracy Works, told CNN. “That youth factor helps ensure that every piece of tech in the polling site can be used to its potential.”
The groups behind “Power the Polls” include Comedy Central, Fair Elections Center, Levi Strauss & Co., Patagonia, Time To Vote, MTV, and Uber.
Mississippi lawmakers voted on Sunday to change the state flag, which currently includes the Confederate battle emblem.
The House voted 91-23 to remove the flag. The state Senate followed suit by a margin of 37-14.
“Let’s do this because it’s the right thing to do,” Democratic Sen. David Jordan said prior to the vote.
Gov. Tate Reeves signed the legislation on Tuesday. A commission will develop a new flag design, which will be put before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The massive lion statues outside of the New York Public Library donned masks this week to encourage New Yorkers to do the same, in an attempt to slow the ongoing pandemic, CBS News reported on Tuesday.
The lions, named Patience and Fortitude, are wearing 3-foot long masks made of special material that will not damage the statues.
New Yorkers “must remain vigilant, we must have patience and fortitude, and we must follow what experts tell us, especially as we continue to reopen our cities,” Anthony W. Marx, NYPL president, said in a statement. “The lions, protectors of knowledge and truth who have seen 109 years worth of history, are setting that example.”
The hit musical Hamilton will air Friday on Disney+, Disney’s subscription streaming service, as Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day.
Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founders who fought with George Washington in the Revolutionary War and went on to become the nation’s first Treasury secretary.
The footage for the film comes from three days of performances in June 2016.
Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as a Pulitzer Prize, a Grammy, and a Billboard Music Award.


shareblue--2020-07-03--Trump works to undermine faith in elections as his polls reach a low point

Donald Trump is aggressively working to undercut public confidence in the November general election by stoking baseless concerns about voter fraud as he continues to struggle through one of the lowest points of his presidency .
The familiar yet startling attacks on a pillar of democracy come amid a resurgence of the coronavirus on Trump 's watch that forced Vice President Mike Pence to cancel upcoming campaign stops in Florida and Arizona and pushed several Trump-allied Republican governors to scale back reopening efforts .
Trump is hoping that a high-profile appearance at Mount Rushmore this Friday can help boost his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintaining a comparatively low profile ahead of what 's expected to be a quiet summer for the Democratic presumptive nominee .
Is the president 's focus on ( nonexistent ) voter fraud already delegitimizing the election ?
Trump has the world 's most powerful megaphone , and he 's increasingly using it to undercut the legitimacy of his own country 's election system .
Last week in Arizona , he predicted that the November election would be `` the most corrupt election in the history of our country '' while spreading false claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States with or without mail balloting .
In the era of tribal politics and alternative facts , however , Trump 's claims have tremendous potential to undercut his supporters ' confidence in the election results should he lose .
With no clear reelection message , it 's safe to assume that Trump will continue to attack the U.S. voting system .
No one knows how many people will believe him .
Was n't the warm summer air supposed to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump offered a bold prediction : `` Maybe this goes away with heat and light .
It seems like that 's the case . ''
Well , with summer upon us , the daily number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the United States late last week surged to an all-time high of 40,000 .
The Republican governors of two of the nation 's most populated states , Texas and Florida , rolled back reopening plans .
Pence canceled upcoming campaign events because of coronavirus concerns .
And health officials fear that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West will strain public health systems .
The resurgence of the virus could have enormous practical and political effects , especially as state elections officials scramble to plan safe and effective voting procedures for the fall .
A month ago , it looked as if the nation might have been well past the worst of the pandemic by Nov. 3 .
That 's far from certain today .
Will Trump 's fireworks at Mount Rushmore help ?
Always eager to embrace made-for-TV shows of strength , Trump is planning a massive fireworks display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so doing , he is pushing past a decade-old ban on pyrotechnics in the South Dakota national park that was instituted to help reduce the risk of forest fires .
Trump can not afford another major miscue after his unofficial campaign relaunch was marred by lower-than-expected turnout in Oklahoma earlier last month .
He 's betting big that voters will appreciate his Independence Day eve appearance alongside the carved busts of Presidents George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , Theodore Roosevelt , and Abraham Lincoln .
Trump is scheduled to return to Washington for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremony at the White House where he is expected to deliver remarks .
How visible does Biden need to be this summer ?
Biden 's team has repeatedly dismissed calls for him to play a more active role on the campaign trail in the midst of the pandemic , and a growing body of polling evidence suggests that the low profile paid off .
But how long can it continue ?
The former vice president has gone more than two months without holding a news conference , he 's not expected to host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's planning to accept his party 's nomination at a largely virtual national convention in August .
There are obvious risks to a run-out-the-clock strategy .
Voters , and their proxies in the media , expect to have access to the presumptive nominee .
And the less he 's out there , the rustier he may be during higher-profile moments when everyone 's paying attention this fall , such as the debates .
Still , we 're not sensing any urgency from Biden 's camp , particularly during summer months when voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be plenty of inconsequential bickering between the parties this summer , it 's hard to overstate the importance of Trump 's ongoing fight against the integrity of the U.S. election system .
His baseless charges of voter fraud and corruption are getting louder as his poll numbers sink .
`` Never , '' said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley when asked whether any past U.S. president had ever used such language .
`` What you 're seeing is someone who 's an autocrat or a dictator in action . ''
Despite such criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut confidence in U.S. elections could live long past his presidency .

Donald Trump is aggressively working to undercut public confidence in the November general election by stoking baseless concerns about voter fraud as he continues to struggle through one of the lowest points of his presidency.
The familiar yet startling attacks on a pillar of democracy come amid a resurgence of the coronavirus on Trump’s watch that forced Vice President Mike Pence to cancel upcoming campaign stops in Florida and Arizona and pushed several Trump-allied Republican governors to scale back reopening efforts.
Trump is hoping that a high-profile appearance at Mount Rushmore this Friday can help boost his standing.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden is maintaining a comparatively low profile ahead of what’s expected to be a quiet summer for the Democratic presumptive nominee.
___
THE BIG QUESTIONS
Is the president’s focus on (nonexistent) voter fraud already delegitimizing the election?
Trump has the world’s most powerful megaphone, and he’s increasingly using it to undercut the legitimacy of his own country’s election system.
Last week in Arizona, he predicted that the November election would be “the most corrupt election in the history of our country” while spreading false claims about potential voter fraud. To be clear, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States with or without mail balloting. In the era of tribal politics and alternative facts, however, Trump’s claims have tremendous potential to undercut his supporters’ confidence in the election results should he lose.
With no clear reelection message, it’s safe to assume that Trump will continue to attack the U.S. voting system. No one knows how many people will believe him.
Wasn’t the warm summer air supposed to kill the coronavirus?
Just two months ago, Trump offered a bold prediction: “Maybe this goes away with heat and light. It seems like that’s the case.”
Well, with summer upon us, the daily number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the United States late last week surged to an all-time high of 40,000. The Republican governors of two of the nation’s most populated states, Texas and Florida, rolled back reopening plans. Pence canceled upcoming campaign events because of coronavirus concerns. And health officials fear that a surge in hospitalizations across the South and West will strain public health systems.
The resurgence of the virus could have enormous practical and political effects, especially as state elections officials scramble to plan safe and effective voting procedures for the fall. A month ago, it looked as if the nation might have been well past the worst of the pandemic by Nov. 3. That’s far from certain today.
Will Trump’s fireworks at Mount Rushmore help?
Always eager to embrace made-for-TV shows of strength, Trump is planning a massive fireworks display at Mount Rushmore on Friday. In so doing, he is pushing past a decade-old ban on pyrotechnics in the South Dakota national park that was instituted to help reduce the risk of forest fires.
Trump cannot afford another major miscue after his unofficial campaign relaunch was marred by lower-than-expected turnout in Oklahoma earlier last month. He’s betting big that voters will appreciate his Independence Day eve appearance alongside the carved busts of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Trump is scheduled to return to Washington for July 4 festivities, which include a ceremony at the White House where he is expected to deliver remarks.
How visible does Biden need to be this summer?
Biden’s team has repeatedly dismissed calls for him to play a more active role on the campaign trail in the midst of the pandemic, and a growing body of polling evidence suggests that the low profile paid off. But how long can it continue?
The former vice president has gone more than two months without holding a news conference, he’s not expected to host a traditional rally anytime soon, and he’s planning to accept his party’s nomination at a largely virtual national convention in August.
There are obvious risks to a run-out-the-clock strategy. Voters, and their proxies in the media, expect to have access to the presumptive nominee. And the less he’s out there, the rustier he may be during higher-profile moments when everyone’s paying attention this fall, such as the debates. Still, we’re not sensing any urgency from Biden’s camp, particularly during summer months when voters are traditionally disengaged anyway.
___
THE FINAL THOUGHT
While there will be plenty of inconsequential bickering between the parties this summer, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Trump’s ongoing fight against the integrity of the U.S. election system. His baseless charges of voter fraud and corruption are getting louder as his poll numbers sink.
“Never,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley when asked whether any past U.S. president had ever used such language. “What you’re seeing is someone who’s an autocrat or a dictator in action.”
Despite such criticism from historians, Trump’s campaign to undercut confidence in U.S. elections could live long past his presidency.


shareblue--2020-07-03--Fact check: Pence uses bad numbers to play down virus threat

It 's been a frequent Trump administration talking point on the recent spike in coronavirus infections : Do n't worry , only a small sliver of U.S. counties is at greater risk .
In offering this reassurance , Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have said that only 3 % or 4 % of counties in the country are seeing a surge in cases .
Focus on the `` encouraging signs , '' Pence told senators last week .
But they and other administration officials are skirting a key fact : More than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few counties .
The White House has repeatedly cited the low county tally , and Pence reaffirmed the point in a televised interview last weekend .
He argued that states , not the federal government , should take the lead with reopening guidelines because virus outbreaks are happening in about `` 4 % of all the counties in this country . ''
Azar asserted last week that only 3 % of counties represent `` hot spots '' that are `` very concerning . ''
The emphasis on a percentage of counties makes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House provided the Associated Press with the full list of U.S. counties that reported increases in COVID-19 cases as of last Friday .
It showed 137 of the 3,142 counties in the United States that were under a higher alert — indeed , about 4 % at the time .
But measured by population , those counties represent a vastly higher share — over 1 in 5 people in the country .
Altogether there are 68.3 million people living in those 137 counties , while the total U.S. population is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. residents actually live in a virus `` hot spot . ''
In recent weeks , the United States has entered a dangerous new phase of the coronavirus , with big Sun Belt states showing thousands of new cases a day .
Texas and Florida reversed course on parts of their reopening and clamped down on bars in late June as the daily number of confirmed infections in the country surged to all-time highs .
Speaking about the coronavirus threat last Friday , White House coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House task force , and that anyone living in a virus hot spot should take the necessary precautions , including social distancing and wearing a mask .
Citing increases particularly in the under-40 age group , Birx stressed that much more testing is needed because that 's the age group most likely to be infected without showing symptoms and to be `` spreading the virus unbeknownst to them . ''
The population figures , both county level and national , come from the Census Bureau 's American Community Survey five-year estimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @

It’s been a frequent Trump administration talking point on the recent spike in coronavirus infections: Don’t worry, only a small sliver of U.S. counties is at greater risk.
In offering this reassurance, Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar have said that only 3% or 4% of counties in the country are seeing a surge in cases. Focus on the “encouraging signs,” Pence told senators last week.
But they and other administration officials are skirting a key fact: More than 20% of Americans live in those relatively few counties.
The White House has repeatedly cited the low county tally, and Pence reaffirmed the point in a televised interview last weekend. He argued that states, not the federal government, should take the lead with reopening guidelines because virus outbreaks are happening in about “4% of all the counties in this country.”
Azar asserted last week that only 3% of counties represent “hot spots” that are “very concerning.”
The emphasis on a percentage of counties makes for a misleading portrayal of the virus threat.
The White House provided the Associated Press with the full list of U.S. counties that reported increases in COVID-19 cases as of last Friday. It showed 137 of the 3,142 counties in the United States that were under a higher alert — indeed, about 4% at the time.
But measured by population, those counties represent a vastly higher share — over 1 in 5 people in the country.
Altogether there are 68.3 million people living in those 137 counties, while the total U.S. population is 322.9 million. That means 21.1% of U.S. residents actually live in a virus “hot spot.”
In recent weeks, the United States has entered a dangerous new phase of the coronavirus, with big Sun Belt states showing thousands of new cases a day. Texas and Florida reversed course on parts of their reopening and clamped down on bars in late June as the daily number of confirmed infections in the country surged to all-time highs.
Speaking about the coronavirus threat last Friday, White House coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that counties large and small are being tracked by the White House task force, and that anyone living in a virus hot spot should take the necessary precautions, including social distancing and wearing a mask.
Citing increases particularly in the under-40 age group, Birx stressed that much more testing is needed because that’s the age group most likely to be infected without showing symptoms and to be “spreading the virus unbeknownst to them.”
The population figures, both county level and national, come from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey five-year estimates for 2018, the latest available.


shareblue--2020-07-03--Trump July 4 event risks spreading virus and starting wildfires — but masks are optional

When Donald Trump speaks at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial before the first fireworks show there in years , he 'll stand before a crowd of thousands of people who wo n't be required to socially distance or wear masks despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Friday night 's event , with 7,500 tickets issued , will feature a patriotic display at a monument known as the `` Shrine of Democracy '' in a swath of country largely loyal to Trump .
But it has also sparked controversy and concern .
Public health experts say the lack of social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the disease , while the fireworks risk setting the surrounding forest ablaze .
Native American tribal leaders and activist groups have also spoken out against the memorial , saying it desecrates an area they consider sacred and that the mountains on which it is carved were wrongfully taken from them .
Event organizers said this week that space was so tight they had to strictly limit the number of journalists who could cover it .
The 7,500 people who received tickets will be ushered into two seating areas : A group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and viewing decks near the base of the monument , while the rest will have to bring lawn chairs to watch the fireworks from a gravel parking lot outside the memorial grounds .
Many without tickets are expected to crowd into other areas around the monument where they can get a glimpse of Trump and the fireworks .
The pyrotechnics alone will run $ 350,000 , with the state bearing the cost .
Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem , a Trump ally who has largely avoided ordering restrictions during the pandemic , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require social distancing or masks , though masks will be available to anyone who wants one .
She cast it as a personal choice for attendees , telling Fox News : `` Every one of them has the opportunity to make a decision that they 're comfortable with . ''
Most of the thousands of attendees at Trump 's June 20 rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , did n't wear masks or practice social distancing , though unlike the Mount Rushmore event , that one was held indoors , where experts say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Dakota has had declining rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations from the disease over the last two weeks .
But surges in cases in many Southern and Western states prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , to warn senators on Tuesday that the country is `` going in the wrong direction '' and needs to redouble efforts to get people to take precautions against infections , especially by wearing masks .
Dr. Benjamin C. Aaker , president of the South Dakota State Medical Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Rushmore fireworks do n't just pose a risk to people who attend .
The health of the entire community could be threatened if people unknowingly catch the virus at the event and then spread it at their homes and workplaces , he said .
`` If we continue to have these events , we worry that it 's going to be a much more significant outbreak , '' Aaker said .
`` We know that if that outbreak were to occur , it would not take very long to run out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run out of personal protective equipment . ''
Western South Dakota has seen less of the virus than other parts of the state so far , with 518 confirmed cases and 16 deaths in Pennington County , where Mount Rushmore is located .
But Monument Health , which runs the largest hospital in the region , is preparing for a surge in cases due to the the influx of tourists , said Dr. Shankar Kurra , the vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health .
The pandemic is n't the only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former officials who oversaw the wildfire danger at Mount Rushmore have spoken out against the pyrotechnics display .
Fireworks displays were canceled after 2009 because a mountain pine beetle infestation had dried out trees near the memorial and in the national forest that surrounds it .
`` Some people are very excited about it , they were sad to see the fireworks end , '' said Cheryl Schreir , who retired from serving as the superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial last year .
`` But the people who truly understand the preservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good idea to light fireworks in the middle of a forest . ''
Schreir said that testing by the National Park Service has also revealed that drinking water at the memorial has high levels of perchlorate , a chemical found in fireworks .
The National Park Service conducted an environmental assessment to study the potential impact of the fireworks and found that it would not significantly damage the memorial or forests around it .
But it did note that in a dry year , pyrotechnics could start a large wildfire that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monument .
Bill Gabbert , a local wildfire expert who oversaw wildfire management at Mount Rushmore between 1998 and 2003 , said conditions are dry this year and the region is experiencing a moderate drought .
He described how , in previous years , park officials would have dozens of firefighters on site who had to work through the night , scrambling up steep , rocky slopes to put out small fires from the fireworks .
Ian Fury , the governor 's spokesman , said firefighters will have a 20-person crew onsite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Event organizers are monitoring the fire conditions leading up to the event and will make a decision on Friday about whether the fireworks would be safe .
The National Park Service has also carried out controlled fires in the memorial grounds to burn off dry material .
Organizers are working with a `` Go/No Go '' checklist , but the National Park Service has not released the checklist , citing security concerns .
Fury said that it 's rained in the region in recent days , adding , `` The team on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put on a safe and celebratory event . ''

When Donald Trump speaks at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial before the first fireworks show there in years, he’ll stand before a crowd of thousands of people who won’t be required to socially distance or wear masks despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday night’s event, with 7,500 tickets issued, will feature a patriotic display at a monument known as the “Shrine of Democracy” in a swath of country largely loyal to Trump. But it has also sparked controversy and concern. Public health experts say the lack of social distancing and enforced mask-wearing could lead to a surge in the disease, while the fireworks risk setting the surrounding forest ablaze.
Native American tribal leaders and activist groups have also spoken out against the memorial, saying it desecrates an area they consider sacred and that the mountains on which it is carved were wrongfully taken from them.
Event organizers said this week that space was so tight they had to strictly limit the number of journalists who could cover it. The 7,500 people who received tickets will be ushered into two seating areas: A group of about 3,000 will watch from an amphitheater and viewing decks near the base of the monument, while the rest will have to bring lawn chairs to watch the fireworks from a gravel parking lot outside the memorial grounds.
Many without tickets are expected to crowd into other areas around the monument where they can get a glimpse of Trump and the fireworks. The pyrotechnics alone will run $350,000, with the state bearing the cost.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, a Trump ally who has largely avoided ordering restrictions during the pandemic, said this week that the event wouldn’t require social distancing or masks, though masks will be available to anyone who wants one. She cast it as a personal choice for attendees, telling Fox News: “Every one of them has the opportunity to make a decision that they’re comfortable with.”
Most of the thousands of attendees at Trump’s June 20 rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, didn’t wear masks or practice social distancing, though unlike the Mount Rushmore event, that one was held indoors, where experts say the virus is more likely to spread.
South Dakota has had declining rates of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations from the disease over the last two weeks.
But surges in cases in many Southern and Western states prompted Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, to warn senators on Tuesday that the country is “going in the wrong direction” and needs to redouble efforts to get people to take precautions against infections, especially by wearing masks.
Dr. Benjamin C. Aaker, president of the South Dakota State Medical Association, told the Associated Press that events like the Rushmore fireworks don’t just pose a risk to people who attend. The health of the entire community could be threatened if people unknowingly catch the virus at the event and then spread it at their homes and workplaces, he said.
“If we continue to have these events, we worry that it’s going to be a much more significant outbreak,” Aaker said. “We know that if that outbreak were to occur, it would not take very long to run out of (hospital) beds and to run out of personal protective equipment.”
Western South Dakota has seen less of the virus than other parts of the state so far, with 518 confirmed cases and 16 deaths in Pennington County, where Mount Rushmore is located. But Monument Health, which runs the largest hospital in the region, is preparing for a surge in cases due to the the influx of tourists, said Dr. Shankar Kurra, the vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health.
The pandemic isn’t the only thing that has some locals concerned. Several former officials who oversaw the wildfire danger at Mount Rushmore have spoken out against the pyrotechnics display. Fireworks displays were canceled after 2009 because a mountain pine beetle infestation had dried out trees near the memorial and in the national forest that surrounds it.
“Some people are very excited about it, they were sad to see the fireworks end,” said Cheryl Schreir, who retired from serving as the superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial last year. “But the people who truly understand the preservation and protection understand that this is not a good idea to light fireworks in the middle of a forest.”
Schreir said that testing by the National Park Service has also revealed that drinking water at the memorial has high levels of perchlorate, a chemical found in fireworks.
The National Park Service conducted an environmental assessment to study the potential impact of the fireworks and found that it would not significantly damage the memorial or forests around it. But it did note that in a dry year, pyrotechnics could start a large wildfire that would impact the entire ecosystem and landscape of the monument.
Bill Gabbert, a local wildfire expert who oversaw wildfire management at Mount Rushmore between 1998 and 2003, said conditions are dry this year and the region is experiencing a moderate drought. He described how, in previous years, park officials would have dozens of firefighters on site who had to work through the night, scrambling up steep, rocky slopes to put out small fires from the fireworks.
Ian Fury, the governor’s spokesman, said firefighters will have a 20-person crew onsite, along with extra fire engines.
Event organizers are monitoring the fire conditions leading up to the event and will make a decision on Friday about whether the fireworks would be safe. The National Park Service has also carried out controlled fires in the memorial grounds to burn off dry material. Organizers are working with a “Go/No Go” checklist, but the National Park Service has not released the checklist, citing security concerns.
Fury said that it’s rained in the region in recent days, adding, “The team on the ground is feeling good about our ability to put on a safe and celebratory event.”


shareblue--2020-07-04--Movement for Black Lives plans virtual national convention for August

Spurred by broad public support for the Black Lives Matter movement , thousands of Black activists from across the U.S. will hold a virtual convention in August to produce a new political agenda that seeks to build on the success of the protests that followed George Floyd 's death .
The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast .
It will feature conversations , performances , and other events designed to develop a set of demands ahead of the November general election , according to a Wednesday announcement shared first with the Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 organizations .
In 2016 , the coalition released its `` Vision for Black Lives '' platform , which called for public divestment from mass incarceration and for adoption of policies that can improve conditions in Black America .
`` What this convention will do is create a Black liberation agenda that is not a duplication of the Vision for Black Lives , but really is rooted as a set of demands for progress , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Project .
At the end of the convention , participants will ratify a revised platform that will serve as a set of demands for the first 100 days of a new presidential administration , Byrd said .
Participants also will have access to model state and local legislation .
`` What we have the opportunity to do now , as this 50-state rebellion has provided the conditions for change , is to say , 'You need to take action right this minute , ' '' Byrd said .
`` We 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe progress is and make those known locally and federally . ''
The convention was originally planned to happen in person , in Detroit , the nation 's Blackest major city .
But as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in March , organizers quickly shifted to a virtual event , Byrd said .
The first Black Lives Matter convention was held in Cleveland in 2015 .
Recent AP analysis of COVID-19 data shows Black people have made up a third of reported virus deaths .
Initial work to shape the new platform will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smaller so-called People 's Convention that will virtually convene hundreds of delegates from Black-led advocacy groups .
The process will be similar to one that produced the first platform , which included early iterations of the demand to defund police that now drives many demonstrations .
Other platform demands , such as ending cash bail , reducing pretrial detention , and scrapping discriminatory risk-assessment tools used in criminal courts , have become official policy in a handful of local criminal justice systems around the United States .
Cliff Albright , co-founder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 states , said the 2020 Black National Convention will deepen the solutions to systemic racism and create more alignment within the movement .
`` We 're in this stage now where we 're getting more specific about how all of this is connected to our local organizing , '' Albright said .
`` The hope is that , when people leave the convention , they leave with greater clarity , more resources , connectivity , and energy . ''
The coalition behind the convention includes Color of Change , BYP100 , Dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Network , which has 16 official chapters nationwide .
Convention organizers said this year 's event will pay tribute to the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary , Indiana , which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda .
The Gary gathering included prominent Black leaders such as the Rev .
Jesse Jackson , the Rev .
Al Sharpton , Rep. Shirley Chisholm , who ran for president , as well as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale , Coretta Scott King , and Betty Shabazz .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. and outbreaks of civil unrest , all of which were seen as blows to the civil rights movement .
The upcoming convention builds on more than a century of Black political organizing .
In 1905 , civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B .
Du Bois formed the Niagara Movement after a national conference of Black leaders near Buffalo , New York .
In a written address to the country , Du Bois and others decried the rise of institutionalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , and public education .
In the 1950s , William Patterson , founder of the now-defunct Civil Rights Congress , led the effort to charge the U.S. with genocide of African Americans using legal standards set by the United Nation .
The resulting petition , `` We Charge Genocide , '' is an oft-cited document in conversations about fatal shootings of Black people by police in the United States .
And in 1998 , organizers of the Black Radical Congress in Chicago met to strategize ways to beat back attacks on affirmative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education and other facets of American life .
As with any large political gathering , consensus is not guaranteed .
The National Black Political Convention caused divisions among participating organizations over the Black agenda 's position on busing to integrate public schools and statements on global affairs that some viewed as anti-Israel .
Ultimately , the agenda prompted a leader of the NAACP , the nation 's oldest civil rights organization , to sever ties with the convention .
Somewhat similarly , the Vision for Black Lives platform and its characterization of Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass murder against Palestinian people drew allegations of anti-Semitism from a handful of Jewish groups , which had otherwise been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement .
The Black Lives Matter movement 's coalition has more than doubled in size in the years since the first platform , largely because of organizers ' laser focus on issues central to Black freedom , Byrd said .
`` That actually is the Black self-determination that our politics require , '' Byrd said , `` that we do n't just respond to the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Republican Party .
We do n't just say 'Black lives matter ' and beg people to care .
We build an alternative container for all of us to connect , outside of the white gaze , to say this is what we want for our communities . ''
The August convention will happen on the same day as a commemorative in-person march on Washington that is being organized by Sharpton , who announced the march during a memorial service for Floyd , a Black man who died May 25 after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck for almost nine minutes .
The Black National Convention will broadcast after the march , Byrd said .
August `` is going to be a huge month of Black engagement , '' she said .

Spurred by broad public support for the Black Lives Matter movement, thousands of Black activists from across the U.S. will hold a virtual convention in August to produce a new political agenda that seeks to build on the success of the protests that followed George Floyd’s death.
The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast. It will feature conversations, performances, and other events designed to develop a set of demands ahead of the November general election, according to a Wednesday announcement shared first with the Associated Press.
The convention is being organized by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 organizations. In 2016, the coalition released its “Vision for Black Lives” platform, which called for public divestment from mass incarceration and for adoption of policies that can improve conditions in Black America.
“What this convention will do is create a Black liberation agenda that is not a duplication of the Vision for Black Lives, but really is rooted as a set of demands for progress,” said Jessica Byrd, who leads the Electoral Justice Project.
At the end of the convention, participants will ratify a revised platform that will serve as a set of demands for the first 100 days of a new presidential administration, Byrd said. Participants also will have access to model state and local legislation.
“What we have the opportunity to do now, as this 50-state rebellion has provided the conditions for change, is to say, ‘You need to take action right this minute,'” Byrd said. “We’re going to set the benchmarks for what we believe progress is and make those known locally and federally.”
The convention was originally planned to happen in person, in Detroit, the nation’s Blackest major city. But as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in March, organizers quickly shifted to a virtual event, Byrd said. The first Black Lives Matter convention was held in Cleveland in 2015.
Recent AP analysis of COVID-19 data shows Black people have made up a third of reported virus deaths.
Initial work to shape the new platform will take place Aug. 6 and 7, during a smaller so-called People’s Convention that will virtually convene hundreds of delegates from Black-led advocacy groups. The process will be similar to one that produced the first platform, which included early iterations of the demand to defund police that now drives many demonstrations.
Other platform demands, such as ending cash bail, reducing pretrial detention, and scrapping discriminatory risk-assessment tools used in criminal courts, have become official policy in a handful of local criminal justice systems around the United States.
Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, which organizes in 15 states, said the 2020 Black National Convention will deepen the solutions to systemic racism and create more alignment within the movement.
“We’re in this stage now where we’re getting more specific about how all of this is connected to our local organizing,” Albright said. “The hope is that, when people leave the convention, they leave with greater clarity, more resources, connectivity, and energy.”
The coalition behind the convention includes Color of Change, BYP100, Dream Defenders, and the Black Lives Matter Global Network, which has 16 official chapters nationwide.
Convention organizers said this year’s event will pay tribute to the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda. The Gary gathering included prominent Black leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Shirley Chisholm, who ran for president, as well as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, Coretta Scott King, and Betty Shabazz.
That convention came after several tumultuous years that included the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and outbreaks of civil unrest, all of which were seen as blows to the civil rights movement.
The upcoming convention builds on more than a century of Black political organizing.
In 1905, civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois formed the Niagara Movement after a national conference of Black leaders near Buffalo, New York. In a written address to the country, Du Bois and others decried the rise of institutionalized racial inequality in voting, criminal justice systems, and public education.
In the 1950s, William Patterson, founder of the now-defunct Civil Rights Congress, led the effort to charge the U.S. with genocide of African Americans using legal standards set by the United Nation. The resulting petition, “We Charge Genocide,” is an oft-cited document in conversations about fatal shootings of Black people by police in the United States.
And in 1998, organizers of the Black Radical Congress in Chicago met to strategize ways to beat back attacks on affirmative action policies that helped to diversify higher education and other facets of American life.
As with any large political gathering, consensus is not guaranteed. The National Black Political Convention caused divisions among participating organizations over the Black agenda’s position on busing to integrate public schools and statements on global affairs that some viewed as anti-Israel. Ultimately, the agenda prompted a leader of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, to sever ties with the convention.
Somewhat similarly, the Vision for Black Lives platform and its characterization of Israel as an “apartheid state” committing mass murder against Palestinian people drew allegations of anti-Semitism from a handful of Jewish groups, which had otherwise been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Black Lives Matter movement’s coalition has more than doubled in size in the years since the first platform, largely because of organizers’ laser focus on issues central to Black freedom, Byrd said.
“That actually is the Black self-determination that our politics require,” Byrd said, “that we don’t just respond to the Democratic Party. That we don’t just respond to the Republican Party. We don’t just say ‘Black lives matter’ and beg people to care. We build an alternative container for all of us to connect, outside of the white gaze, to say this is what we want for our communities.”
The August convention will happen on the same day as a commemorative in-person march on Washington that is being organized by Sharpton, who announced the march during a memorial service for Floyd, a Black man who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The Black National Convention will broadcast after the march, Byrd said.
August “is going to be a huge month of Black engagement,” she said.


shareblue--2020-07-04--Experts says protests aren't causing coronavirus to spread

There is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd 's death caused a significant increase in U.S. coronavirus infections , according to public health experts .
If the protests had driven an explosion in cases , experts say , the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks — and perhaps as early as five days .
But that did n't happen in many cities with the largest protests , including New York , Chicago , Minneapolis , and Washington , D.C .
In what 's considered the first systematic look at the question , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of 13 cities involved in the earliest wave of protests after Memorial Day had an increase that would fit the pattern .
That city was Phoenix , where experts say cases and hospitalizations surged after a decision by Gov .
Doug Ducey to end Arizona 's stay-at-home order on May 15 and ease restrictions on businesses .
Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts , ignoring social distancing guidelines .
In many cities , the protests actually seemed to lead to a net increase in social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not protest decided to stay off the streets , said that study 's lead author , Dhaval Dave of Bentley University near Boston .
`` The large-scale protests can impact both the behavior of the protesters and the behavior of the non-protesters , '' said Dave .
The paper was released last week by the National Bureau of Economic Research , but has not been published by a peer-reviewed journal .
Drawing from data compiled by Johns Hopkins University , the Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases in 22 U.S. cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several cities — including Houston and Madison , Wisconsin — where experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers .
Health officials are still investigating case surges in various states , and more data may come in .
But experts believe that if the protests did have a big impact on cases , stronger signs would be apparent now .
Floyd was killed on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer who used his knee to pin Floyd 's neck to the ground .
The killing of a Black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched off protests around the United States .
Coincidentally , some states had begun to lift social distancing restrictions in late May .
Dave and his colleagues counted protests over three weeks in 281 cities with populations of at least 100,000 .
Most had protests lasting more than three days , and many had protests that had at least 1,000 participants .
It 's not clear how many protesters participated , let alone how many of them wore masks or got tested after .
That may have varied from place to place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities that have recently seen steep increases in cases and hospitalizations .
Dr. Umair Shah , executive director of the county health department , believes it was likely some cases could be traced to the protests .
`` We just do n't know how much , '' he said .
But it 's hard to measure the protests ' precise impact for a number of reasons , Shah and others said .
Earlier business reopenings and more willingness to shrug off social distancing guidelines started the trend in the Houston area , Shah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't get tested unless they feel symptoms .
Many protesters were young adults , who generally are less likely to get severe illnesses , and therefore may not have gotten tested , experts said .
And some who do get tested may still not answer all the questions they are asked by outbreak investigators .
`` I know of three people who told us 'Yes , I was at a protest . '
That does n't mean there was not another 25 or more who did attend a protest and just did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. Mysheika Roberts , the public health commissioner for the city of Columbus , Ohio .
That city has seen increased cases in the last month , but health officials say they ca n't attribute the rise to any particular reason other than people socializing and returning to normal activities without wearing masks or taking other precautions .
So far , protests do n't seem to be a real factor .
`` Most of the protests , at least in my jurisdiction , were outside , '' and the virus does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And I would say 50 % of those at the protests were wearing a face mask . ''

There is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death caused a significant increase in U.S. coronavirus infections, according to public health experts.
If the protests had driven an explosion in cases, experts say, the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks — and perhaps as early as five days. But that didn’t happen in many cities with the largest protests, including New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.
In what’s considered the first systematic look at the question, a team of economists determined that only one of 13 cities involved in the earliest wave of protests after Memorial Day had an increase that would fit the pattern.
That city was Phoenix, where experts say cases and hospitalizations surged after a decision by Gov. Doug Ducey to end Arizona’s stay-at-home order on May 15 and ease restrictions on businesses. Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts, ignoring social distancing guidelines.
In many cities, the protests actually seemed to lead to a net increase in social distancing, as more people who did not protest decided to stay off the streets, said that study’s lead author, Dhaval Dave of Bentley University near Boston.
“The large-scale protests can impact both the behavior of the protesters and the behavior of the non-protesters,” said Dave. The paper was released last week by the National Bureau of Economic Research, but has not been published by a peer-reviewed journal.
Drawing from data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases in 22 U.S. cities with protests. It found post-protest increases in several cities — including Houston and Madison, Wisconsin — where experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers.
Health officials are still investigating case surges in various states, and more data may come in. But experts believe that if the protests did have a big impact on cases, stronger signs would be apparent now.
Floyd was killed on May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer who used his knee to pin Floyd’s neck to the ground. The killing of a Black man at the hands of a white officer touched off protests around the United States. Coincidentally, some states had begun to lift social distancing restrictions in late May.
Dave and his colleagues counted protests over three weeks in 281 cities with populations of at least 100,000. Most had protests lasting more than three days, and many had protests that had at least 1,000 participants.
It’s not clear how many protesters participated, let alone how many of them wore masks or got tested after. That may have varied from place to place.
Houston is among a number of Texas cities that have recently seen steep increases in cases and hospitalizations. Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of the county health department, believes it was likely some cases could be traced to the protests.
“We just don’t know how much,” he said.
But it’s hard to measure the protests’ precise impact for a number of reasons, Shah and others said. Earlier business reopenings and more willingness to shrug off social distancing guidelines started the trend in the Houston area, Shah said.
Another factor: Many people don’t get tested unless they feel symptoms. Many protesters were young adults, who generally are less likely to get severe illnesses, and therefore may not have gotten tested, experts said.
And some who do get tested may still not answer all the questions they are asked by outbreak investigators.
“I know of three people who told us ‘Yes, I was at a protest.’ That doesn’t mean there was not another 25 or more who did attend a protest and just did not share that with us,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, the public health commissioner for the city of Columbus, Ohio.
That city has seen increased cases in the last month, but health officials say they can’t attribute the rise to any particular reason other than people socializing and returning to normal activities without wearing masks or taking other precautions. So far, protests don’t seem to be a real factor.
“Most of the protests, at least in my jurisdiction, were outside,” and the virus does not spread as well outside, Roberts said. “And I would say 50% of those at the protests were wearing a face mask.”


shareblue--2020-07-05--GOP House candidates suddenly don't want to talk about ending health care

Almost none of the top Republican House candidates currently in the running are campaigning on repealing the Affordable Care Act in 2020 , even as Donald Trump himself pushes to get rid of the law .
Last week — despite the ongoing pandemic — the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down the 2010 law , commonly known as Obamacare .
If the Court agrees , 20 million Americans would likely lose their health coverage .
In previous campaigns , Republicans ran on promises to `` repeal and replace '' Obamacare .
As a candidate himself , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would `` terminate '' the law and replace it with `` something terrific . ''
That has not happened and the once unpopular law now enjoys far higher approval ratings than Trump does .
Given the new landscape , top 2020 House hopefuls appear to have changed their tactics .
The National Republican Congressional Campaign — the campaign arm of the House Republicans — has identified 21 `` Young Guns '' candidates who are , according to the committee , the challengers that `` represent the most competitive congressional seats in the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue pages on the Young Guns ' campaign sites found just one candidate — Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale — openly campaigning on Obamacare repeal .
`` We can ’ t give up on repealing and replacing Obamacare , '' his site urges .
`` In June 2019 , Montana ’ s three health insurance companies reduced rates for the first time ever for policies sold on the individual marketplace because of the health care reform efforts led by State Auditor Matt Rosendale .
There 's still a long way to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to work to repeal Obamacare and deliver affordable health care reform that fits your personal needs and budget while always protecting those with pre-existing conditions . ''
A few other candidates criticize aspects of the law or suggest possible changes to it .
Genevieve Collins , the Republican challenging Rep. Colin Allred ( D-TX ) , for example , complains that Obamacare `` has raised the cost of care and eliminated access to doctors of our choosing '' and `` does not allow patients in the individual market '' with preexisting conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Excellence , like Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas or MD Anderson in Houston . ''
She proposes , however , that Congress `` allow specialty doctors or medical centers to treat patients with chronic diseases in the individual market . ''
Former Minnesota Lt .
Governor Michelle Fischbach , who is seeking her party 's nomination against Rep. Collin Peterson ( D-MN ) , writes that `` Obamacare was a disaster that took important health care choices away from millions of Americans . ''
Without specifics , she promises to `` work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have made to our seniors and pass patient-centered reforms that increase competition and lower costs , without sacrificing protections for individuals with preexisting conditions . ''
Protecting those with preexisting conditions is one of the key provisions of the ACA that would be on the chopping block if the law were repealed .
Others , like former Illinois state Rep. Jeanne Ives , the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Sean Casten , are much more general in their health care promises .
Ives ' site promises to `` protect people with pre-existing conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' stating , `` You get covered in a way that meets your family ’ s needs .
And you call the shots . ''
Several candidates promise to oppose Medicare for All or other single-payer or `` socialized '' approaches .
Wesley Hunt , challenging Rep. Lizzie Fletcher ( D-TX ) , says he will `` protect employer-sponsored health insurance from attempts by the extreme liberals to ban it in favor of a government run , single-payer system . ''
Six candidates do not appear to have any linked issues pages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates are former members of Congress who lost their seats in the 2018 blue wave and are now attempting comebacks .
Of these , former Reps. Scott Taylor of Virginia , Claudia Tenney of New York , David Valadao of California , and David Young of Iowa each voted to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and replace it with the deeply unpopular Trumpcare proposal .
None of the four makes any mention of that vote .
A May poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 51 % of American adults have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , versus 41 % unfavorable .
A June poll by Fox News found a record-high 56 % of registered voters like the law .
Still , Trump has vowed to do everything he can to get rid of the law .
`` [ W ] hat we are doing is we want to terminate health care for under Obamacare because it 's bad , '' he told reporters back in May .
`` And we 're replacing it with a great health care at far less money and it includes preexisting conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

Almost none of the top Republican House candidates currently in the running are campaigning on repealing the Affordable Care Act in 2020, even as Donald Trump himself pushes to get rid of the law.
Last week — despite the ongoing pandemic — the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down the 2010 law, commonly known as Obamacare. If the Court agrees, 20 million Americans would likely lose their health coverage.
In previous campaigns, Republicans ran on promises to “repeal and replace” Obamacare. As a candidate himself, Trump promised at least 68 times that he would “terminate” the law and replace it with “something terrific.”
That has not happened and the once unpopular law now enjoys far higher approval ratings than Trump does.
Given the new landscape, top 2020 House hopefuls appear to have changed their tactics.
The National Republican Congressional Campaign — the campaign arm of the House Republicans — has identified 21 “Young Guns” candidates who are, according to the committee, the challengers that “represent the most competitive congressional seats in the 2020 election cycle.”
A review of the issue pages on the Young Guns’ campaign sites found just one candidate — Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale — openly campaigning on Obamacare repeal.
“We can’t give up on repealing and replacing Obamacare,” his site urges. “In June 2019, Montana’s three health insurance companies reduced rates for the first time ever for policies sold on the individual marketplace because of the health care reform efforts led by State Auditor Matt Rosendale. There’s still a long way to go and that’s why Matt will continue to work to repeal Obamacare and deliver affordable health care reform that fits your personal needs and budget while always protecting those with pre-existing conditions.”
A few other candidates criticize aspects of the law or suggest possible changes to it.
Genevieve Collins, the Republican challenging Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), for example, complains that Obamacare “has raised the cost of care and eliminated access to doctors of our choosing” and “does not allow patients in the individual market” with preexisting conditions “to go to Treatment Centers of Excellence, like Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas or MD Anderson in Houston.”
She proposes, however, that Congress “allow specialty doctors or medical centers to treat patients with chronic diseases in the individual market.”
Former Minnesota Lt. Governor Michelle Fischbach, who is seeking her party’s nomination against Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), writes that “Obamacare was a disaster that took important health care choices away from millions of Americans.”
Without specifics, she promises to “work with President Trump to protect the promises we have made to our seniors and pass patient-centered reforms that increase competition and lower costs, without sacrificing protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.”
Protecting those with preexisting conditions is one of the key provisions of the ACA that would be on the chopping block if the law were repealed.
Others, like former Illinois state Rep. Jeanne Ives, the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Rep. Sean Casten, are much more general in their health care promises. Ives’ site promises to “protect people with pre-existing conditions, pre-existing doctors and pre-existing health insurance,” stating, “You get covered in a way that meets your family’s needs. And you call the shots.”
Several candidates promise to oppose Medicare for All or other single-payer or “socialized” approaches. Wesley Hunt, challenging Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), says he will “protect employer-sponsored health insurance from attempts by the extreme liberals to ban it in favor of a government run, single-payer system.”
Six candidates do not appear to have any linked issues pages on their site.
Five of the candidates are former members of Congress who lost their seats in the 2018 blue wave and are now attempting comebacks. Of these, former Reps. Scott Taylor of Virginia, Claudia Tenney of New York, David Valadao of California, and David Young of Iowa each voted to eliminate the Affordable Care Act and replace it with the deeply unpopular Trumpcare proposal.
None of the four makes any mention of that vote.
A May poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 51% of American adults have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act, versus 41% unfavorable.
A June poll by Fox News found a record-high 56% of registered voters like the law.
Still, Trump has vowed to do everything he can to get rid of the law.
“[W]hat we are doing is we want to terminate health care for under Obamacare because it’s bad,” he told reporters back in May. “And we’re replacing it with a great health care at far less money and it includes preexisting conditions.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.