shareblue--2020-08-20--Obama: 'You can give our democracy new meaning' by voting out Trump

Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday gave his most pointed critique of Donald Trump , saying in a speech at the Democratic National Convention that Trump is a danger to the future of the country and encouraging Americans to cast a ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Obama at one point became emotional as he described the injustices people of color , immigrants , and religious minorities in the United States had endured , saying , `` If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work , and could not work , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of giving up , they joined together and said somehow , some way , we are going to make this work .
We are going to bring those words , in our founding documents , to life . ''
Democracy , he added , addressing young people directly , is worth saving .
`` You can take it to a better place , '' he said , urging them to vote for Biden , his former vice president , in November .
From the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re all the children of Americans who fought the good fight .
Great grandparents working in firetraps and sweatshops without rights or representation .
Farmers losing their dreams to dust .
Irish and Italians and Asians and Latinos told to go back where they came from .
Jews and Catholics , Muslims and Sikhs , made to feel suspect for the way they worshiped .
Black Americans chained and whipped and hanged .
Spit on for trying to sit at lunch counters .
Beaten for trying to vote .
If anyone had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not work , and could not work , it was those Americans .
Our ancestors .
They were on the receiving end of a democracy that had fallen short all their lives .
They knew how far the daily reality of America strayed from the myth .
And yet , instead of giving up , they joined together and said somehow , some way , we are going to make this work .
We are going to bring those words , in our founding documents , to life .
I 've seen that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Folks of every age and background who packed city centers and airports and rural roads so that families wouldn ’ t be separated .
So that another classroom wouldn ’ t get shot up .
So that our kids won ’ t grow up on an uninhabitable planet .
Americans of all races joining together to declare , in the face of injustice and brutality at the hands of the state , that Black Lives Matter , no more , but no less , so that no child in this country feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the young people who led us this summer , telling us we need to be better — in so many ways , you are this country 's dreams fulfilled .
Earlier generations had to be persuaded that everyone has equal worth .
For you , it 's a given — a conviction .
And what I want you to know is that for all its messiness and frustrations , your system of self-government can be harnessed to help you realize those convictions .
You can give our democracy new meaning .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You 're the missing ingredient — the ones who will decide whether or not America becomes the country that fully lives up to its creed .
That work will continue long after this election .
But any chance of success depends entirely on the outcome of this election .
This administration has shown it will tear our democracy down if that ’ s what it takes to win .
So we have to get busy building it up — by pouring all our effort into these 76 days , and by voting like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and candidates up and down the ticket , so that we leave no doubt about what this country we love stands for — today and for all our days to come .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday gave his most pointed critique of Donald Trump, saying in a speech at the Democratic National Convention that Trump is a danger to the future of the country and encouraging Americans to cast a ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Obama at one point became emotional as he described the injustices people of color, immigrants, and religious minorities in the United States had endured, saying, “If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work, and could not work, it was those Americans. …And yet, instead of giving up, they joined together and said somehow, some way, we are going to make this work. We are going to bring those words, in our founding documents, to life.”
Democracy, he added, addressing young people directly, is worth saving. “You can take it to a better place,” he said, urging them to vote for Biden, his former vice president, in November.
From the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention:
Whatever our backgrounds, we’re all the children of Americans who fought the good fight. Great grandparents working in firetraps and sweatshops without rights or representation. Farmers losing their dreams to dust. Irish and Italians and Asians and Latinos told to go back where they came from. Jews and Catholics, Muslims and Sikhs, made to feel suspect for the way they worshiped. Black Americans chained and whipped and hanged. Spit on for trying to sit at lunch counters. Beaten for trying to vote. If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy did not work, and could not work, it was those Americans. Our ancestors. They were on the receiving end of a democracy that had fallen short all their lives. They knew how far the daily reality of America strayed from the myth. And yet, instead of giving up, they joined together and said somehow, some way, we are going to make this work. We are going to bring those words, in our founding documents, to life. I’ve seen that same spirit rising these past few years. Folks of every age and background who packed city centers and airports and rural roads so that families wouldn’t be separated. So that another classroom wouldn’t get shot up. So that our kids won’t grow up on an uninhabitable planet. Americans of all races joining together to declare, in the face of injustice and brutality at the hands of the state, that Black Lives Matter, no more, but no less, so that no child in this country feels the continuing sting of racism. To the young people who led us this summer, telling us we need to be better — in so many ways, you are this country’s dreams fulfilled. Earlier generations had to be persuaded that everyone has equal worth. For you, it’s a given — a conviction. And what I want you to know is that for all its messiness and frustrations, your system of self-government can be harnessed to help you realize those convictions. You can give our democracy new meaning. You can take it to a better place. You’re the missing ingredient — the ones who will decide whether or not America becomes the country that fully lives up to its creed. That work will continue long after this election. But any chance of success depends entirely on the outcome of this election. This administration has shown it will tear our democracy down if that’s what it takes to win. So we have to get busy building it up — by pouring all our effort into these 76 days, and by voting like never before — for Joe and Kamala, and candidates up and down the ticket, so that we leave no doubt about what this country we love stands for — today and for all our days to come. Stay safe. God bless.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Hillary Clinton gives 11 reasons to vote for Joe Biden

The 2016 Democratic nominee delivered a full-throated endorsement of the 2020 Democratic ticket on Wednesday .
Her message to Americans was not just to vote against Donald Trump , but to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
Speaking to the Democratic National Convention , Hillary Clinton recalled that Trump had urged voters to back him four years ago by asking , `` What do you have to lose ? ''
`` Well , now we know : our health care , our jobs , our loved ones , our leadership in the world , and even our post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she then implored the nation to `` set our sights higher than getting one man out of the White House . ''
HILLARY CLINTON : Let ’ s vote for the jobs that Joe 's plan will create : clean energy jobs to fight climate change , caregiving jobs with living wages .
Vote for emergency relief that lifts small businesses and saves hardworking people from foreclosures and evictions .
It ’ s wrong that billionaires got $ 400 billion richer during the pandemic while millions lost their $ 600 a week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teachers struggling to balance children 's education and safety .
And for health care workers fighting COVID-19 , with little help from the White House .
Vote for paid family leave and health care for everyone .
Vote for Dreamers and their families .
Vote for law enforcement , purged of racial bias , that keeps all our streets safe .
Vote for justice for George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud Arbery — because Black Lives Matter .
Vote for honest elections , so we — not a foreign adversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diverse , hopeful America we saw in last night 's roll call .
Clinton then issued a warning : `` Do n't forget : Joe and Kamala can win 3 million votes and still lose .
Take it from me .
So we need numbers , overwhelming , so Trump can ’ t sneak or steal his way to victory . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The 2016 Democratic nominee delivered a full-throated endorsement of the 2020 Democratic ticket on Wednesday. Her message to Americans was not just to vote against Donald Trump, but to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Speaking to the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton recalled that Trump had urged voters to back him four years ago by asking, “What do you have to lose?”
“Well, now we know: our health care, our jobs, our loved ones, our leadership in the world, and even our post office,” she responded.
But she then implored the nation to “set our sights higher than getting one man out of the White House.”
HILLARY CLINTON: Let’s vote for the jobs that Joe’s plan will create: clean energy jobs to fight climate change, caregiving jobs with living wages. Vote for emergency relief that lifts small businesses and saves hardworking people from foreclosures and evictions. It’s wrong that billionaires got $400 billion richer during the pandemic while millions lost their $600 a week in extra unemployment. Vote for the parents and teachers struggling to balance children’s education and safety. And for health care workers fighting COVID-19, with little help from the White House. Vote for paid family leave and health care for everyone. For Social Security, Medicare, and Planned Parenthood. Vote for Dreamers and their families. Vote for law enforcement, purged of racial bias, that keeps all our streets safe. Vote for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery — because Black Lives Matter. Vote for honest elections, so we — not a foreign adversary — choose our president. Vote for the diverse, hopeful America we saw in last night’s roll call.
Clinton then issued a warning: “Don’t forget: Joe and Kamala can win 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me. So we need numbers, overwhelming, so Trump can’t sneak or steal his way to victory.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Child of deported immigrant to Trump: 'You tore our world apart'

Democrats on Wednesday night attacked Donald Trump 's immigration policies , featuring the story of an 11-year-old girl named Estella , whose mother — the wife of a U.S. Marine — had been deported .
Estella 's family 's story went viral in 2018 , when her mother , Alejandra Juarez , was deported to Mexico , despite the fact that she had no criminal background and her husband was a Military member who had served overseas .
Trump has made a habit of smearing immigrants since launching his 2016 campaign , calling them criminals , drug dealers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder for all immigrants to come to the United States .
Trump has also tried to cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , which allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors to remain in the country to attend school and work — though the Supreme Court recently blocked him from doing so temporarily .
Estella highlighted the devastating impacts of Trump 's policies in an open letter Wednesday night , telling him that his administration 's practice of deporting undocumented immigrants with no criminal backgrounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their parents , was hurting people .
From Wednesday night 's session of the 2020 Democratic convention : My name is Estella .
I am 11 years old .
My mom is my best friend .
She came to America as a teenager over 20 years ago without papers in search of a better life .
She married my dad , who served our country as a Marine in South America , Africa , and Iraq .
My mom worked hard and paid taxes , and the Obama administration told her she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect military families , so he voted for you in 2016 , Mr. President .
He said he wo n't vote for you again after what you did to our family .
...
Instead of protecting us , you tore our world apart .
... Now my mom is gone , and she 's been taken from us for no reason at all .
Every day that passes , you deport more moms and dads and take them away from kids like me .
... You separated thousands of children from their parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those kids are now orphans because of you .
... Mr. President , my mom is the wife of a proud American Marine and a mother of two American children .
We are American families .
We need a president who will bring people together , not tear them apart .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Democrats on Wednesday night attacked Donald Trump’s immigration policies, featuring the story of an 11-year-old girl named Estella, whose mother — the wife of a U.S. Marine — had been deported.
Estella’s family’s story went viral in 2018, when her mother, Alejandra Juarez, was deported to Mexico, despite the fact that she had no criminal background and her husband was a Military member who had served overseas.
Trump has made a habit of smearing immigrants since launching his 2016 campaign, calling them criminals, drug dealers, and rapists, and trying to make it harder for all immigrants to come to the United States.
Trump has also tried to cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors to remain in the country to attend school and work — though the Supreme Court recently blocked him from doing so temporarily.
Estella highlighted the devastating impacts of Trump’s policies in an open letter Wednesday night, telling him that his administration’s practice of deporting undocumented immigrants with no criminal backgrounds, and separating children at the border from their parents, was hurting people.
From Wednesday night’s session of the 2020 Democratic convention:
Dear Donald Trump, My name is Estella. I am 11 years old. My mom is my best friend. She came to America as a teenager over 20 years ago without papers in search of a better life. She married my dad, who served our country as a Marine in South America, Africa, and Iraq. My mom worked hard and paid taxes, and the Obama administration told her she could stay. My dad thought you would protect military families, so he voted for you in 2016, Mr. President. He said he won’t vote for you again after what you did to our family. … Instead of protecting us, you tore our world apart. … Now my mom is gone, and she’s been taken from us for no reason at all. Every day that passes, you deport more moms and dads and take them away from kids like me. … You separated thousands of children from their parents and put them in cages. Some of those kids are now orphans because of you. … Mr. President, my mom is the wife of a proud American Marine and a mother of two American children. We are American families. We need a president who will bring people together, not tear them apart. Sincerely, Estella.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Mom slams Trump's inaction on gun violence at Democratic convention: 'He doesn't care'

A mom whose 13-year-old son was shot in the head a birthday party called out Donald Trump 's lack of action on gun violence on Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention .
DeAndra Dycus of Indianapolis told the story of her son DeAndre , who lost his ability to speak and walk as a result of the shooting , more than six years ago .
`` I can touche DeAndre , I can hold his hand .
But the child I birthed is not able to live his dreams , and that hurts .
Every day we are reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` We are not alone .
In every town , across America , there are families who know what a bullet can do . ''
She added , `` President Trump — he does n't care .
He did n't care about the victims after Parkland , Las Vegas , or El Paso .
I want a president who cares about our pain and grief , a president who will take on the gun lobby to ban assault weapons and close the loopholes to keep guns out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promising to address gun violence following several mass shootings in 2019 , Trump has done virtually nothing to reduce the problem .
In August 2019 , after deadly mass shootings in Dayton , Ohio , and El Paso , Texas , Trump announced a bipartisan push to `` truly make America safer '' and ensure the victims `` will not have died in vain . ''
`` We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid due process , '' Trump said in an address to the nation at the time .
`` That is why I have called for red flag laws , also known as extreme risk protection orders . ''
`` Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks , '' he tweeted the same day .
Later that week , he told reporters that `` we need intelligent background checks .
But the National Rifle Association , which endorsed Trump in 2016 and spent more than $ 30 million to elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group 's chief executive reportedly told the White House in September to `` stop the games . ''
Trump subsequently changed his tune , claiming that there were already `` a lot of background checks '' before eventually dropping the topic entirely .
When another mass shooter in Milwaukee killed five Molson Coors brewery coworkers in February , Trump offered only his `` deepest condolences '' in a 42-second statement but no action .
In July , after again receiving the NRA 's backing for his 2020 reelection bid , Trump vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment , and never let the Radical Left take away your Rights , your Guns , or your Police ! ''
Trump 's single anti-gun violence effort — an executive action banning bump stocks — went into effect in March 2019 .
That happened more than a year after his administration began reviewing their legality in the weeks following an October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas .
In his 2016 convention speech , Trump guaranteed , `` The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon — and I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beginning on January 20th , 2017 , safety will be restored . ''
But according to the Gun Violence Archive , gun violence remains a huge problem .
The number of mass shootings and non-suicide gun deaths each year have not declined since Trump took office .
There were 382 mass shootings in 2016 versus 417 in 2019 ; willful , malicious , and accidental gun deaths went from 15,112 to 15,208 over that time .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A mom whose 13-year-old son was shot in the head at a birthday party called out Donald Trump’s lack of action on gun violence on Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention.
DeAndra Dycus of Indianapolis told the story of her son DeAndre, who lost his ability to speak and walk as a result of the shooting, more than six years ago.
“I can touche DeAndre, I can hold his hand. But the child I birthed is not able to live his dreams, and that hurts. Every day we are reminded that he may never be the same,” she said. “We are not alone. In every town, across America, there are families who know what a bullet can do.”
She added, “President Trump — he doesn’t care. He didn’t care about the victims after Parkland, Las Vegas, or El Paso. I want a president who cares about our pain and grief, a president who will take on the gun lobby to ban assault weapons and close the loopholes to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”
Despite promising to address gun violence following several mass shootings in 2019, Trump has done virtually nothing to reduce the problem.
In August 2019, after deadly mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, Trump announced a bipartisan push to “truly make America safer” and ensure the victims “will not have died in vain.”
“We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do, those firearms can be taken through rapid due process,” Trump said in an address to the nation at the time. “That is why I have called for red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders.”
“Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks,” he tweeted the same day.
Later that week, he told reporters that “we need intelligent background checks.
But the National Rifle Association, which endorsed Trump in 2016 and spent more than $30 million to elect him, objected to the proposals. The group’s chief executive reportedly told the White House in September to “stop the games.”
Trump subsequently changed his tune, claiming that there were already “a lot of background checks” before eventually dropping the topic entirely.
When another mass shooter in Milwaukee killed five Molson Coors brewery coworkers in February, Trump offered only his “deepest condolences” in a 42-second statement but no action.
In July, after again receiving the NRA’s backing for his 2020 reelection bid, Trump vowed to “ALWAYS protect our Great Second Amendment, and never let the Radical Left take away your Rights, your Guns, or your Police!”
Trump’s single anti-gun violence effort — an executive action banning bump stocks — went into effect in March 2019. That happened more than a year after his administration began reviewing their legality in the weeks following an October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas.
In his 2016 convention speech, Trump guaranteed, “The crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon — and I mean very soon — come to an end. Beginning on January 20th, 2017, safety will be restored.”
But according to the Gun Violence Archive, gun violence remains a huge problem.
The number of mass shootings and non-suicide gun deaths each year have not declined since Trump took office. There were 382 mass shootings in 2016 versus 417 in 2019; willful, malicious, and accidental gun deaths went from 15,112 to 15,208 over that time.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-21--Watch: Democrats pay tribute to civil rights icon John Lewis at convention

For the final night of the Democratic National Convention , the Democrats offered a tribute to the late civil rights @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke movingly of Lewis ' commitment to voting , and how @ @ @ @ @ Lewis `` has now been passed to each of us . ''
She went on @ @ @ @ @ be silenced and neither can we .
We must be the heroes of our generations @ @ @ @ @ .
Our votes can be our voice .
In his eulogy for Lewis earlier this @ @ @ @ @ Obama laid out the voting reforms that the congressman had fought for and the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ automatic voter registration , re-enfranchisement of those who have completed their prison sentences , expansion @ @ @ @ @ Election Day a national holiday , and ending gerrymandering .
Published with permission of The @ @ @ @

For the final night of the Democratic National Convention, the Democrats offered a tribute to the late civil rights icon John Lewis. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke movingly of Lewis’ commitment to voting, and how the baton once carried by Lewis “has now been passed to each of us.” She went on:
Congressman Lewis would not be silenced and neither can we. We must be the heroes of our generations because we too are America. Our votes can be our voice.
In his eulogy for Lewis earlier this year, former President Barack Obama laid out the voting reforms that the congressman had fought for and the Democrats continue to fight for: automatic voter registration, re-enfranchisement of those who have completed their prison sentences, expansion of voter access by making Election Day a national holiday, and ending gerrymandering.
Watch the tribute to John Lewis:
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--GOP congressman complains that Austin is 'becoming an inner city'

A Texas Republican congressman complained on Thursday that Austin is `` becoming an inner city . ''
In an interview with a local radio station , Rep. Roger Williams was asked about Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott 's scheme to strip cities that defund the police of some of their taxation authority .
Williams embraced the idea , before delivering an attack on the state 's capital city .
`` When you begin to lose a city , it 's hard to get it back , '' Williams said .
`` And the problem is , is Austin is becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I mean by that is where people stay outside the city , they do n't come in , just like they do n't go into Chicago , they do n't go into New York , they don ’ t go into Portland .
They stay out .
And I think it 's a shame that Austin is heading toward being an inner city-type environment . ''
Williams ' office did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
The term `` inner city '' has become a dog-whistle euphemism for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonwhite population .
Northwestern University communications professor Ryan Lauth told CNN in 2016 that the term evokes images of the `` white flight '' from urban areas to suburbs in a deliberate strategy to scare rural and suburban voters .
White residents leaving cities to avoid living side by side with nonwhite people has been a major cause of American segregation dating back decades .
In recent years , Austin has become significantly less white , according to a demographics assessment on its official website : `` The City of Austin has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
Put another way , no ethnic or demographic group exists as a majority of the City 's population .
The City 's Anglo ( non-Hispanic White ) share of total population has dropped below 50 % ( which probably occurred sometime during 2005 ) and will stay there for the foreseeable future . ''
This is not the first offensive remark Williams has made .
In 2011 , he ran a campaign ad comparing welfare recipients to donkeys .
He complained in the spot that a group of actual donkeys only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` a handout . ''
Williams then told viewers : `` They keep thinking that Obama is going to take care of them , Obama is going to feed them , '' complaining , `` These donkeys do n't live in the United States of France ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Texas Republican congressman complained on Thursday that Austin is “becoming an inner city.”
In an interview with a local radio station, Rep. Roger Williams was asked about Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s scheme to strip cities that defund the police of some of their taxation authority.
Williams embraced the idea, before delivering an attack on the state’s capital city.
“When you begin to lose a city, it’s hard to get it back,” Williams said. “And the problem is, is Austin is becoming an inner city, and you know what I mean by that is where people stay outside the city, they don’t come in, just like they don’t go into Chicago, they don’t go into New York, they don’t go into Portland. They stay out. And I think it’s a shame that Austin is heading toward being an inner city-type environment.”
Williams’ office did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
The term “inner city” has become a dog-whistle euphemism for an area with a substantial poor, nonwhite population. Northwestern University communications professor Ryan Lauth told CNN in 2016 that the term evokes images of the “white flight” from urban areas to suburbs in a deliberate strategy to scare rural and suburban voters. White residents leaving cities to avoid living side by side with nonwhite people has been a major cause of American segregation dating back decades.
In recent years, Austin has become significantly less white, according to a demographics assessment on its official website: “The City of Austin has now crossed the threshold of becoming a Majority-Minority city. Put another way, no ethnic or demographic group exists as a majority of the City’s population. The City’s Anglo (non-Hispanic White) share of total population has dropped below 50% (which probably occurred sometime during 2005) and will stay there for the foreseeable future.”
This is not the first offensive remark Williams has made. In 2011, he ran a campaign ad comparing welfare recipients to donkeys. He complained in the spot that a group of actual donkeys only wanted “more shelter, more feed” and “a handout.” Williams then told viewers: “They keep thinking that Obama is going to take care of them, Obama is going to feed them,” complaining, “These donkeys don’t live in the United States of France!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Homeland Security won't talk about its endorsement of fraudulent wall scheme

The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on its previous endorsement of a self-funded border wall group , whose leaders were arrested on Thursday morning and charged with defrauding donors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars .
A video from July posted by Brian Kolfage — one of four men arrested on Thursday and charged with fraud — shows Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf standing next to a Customs and Border Patrol agent as she praised the self-funded wall project from the We Build the Wall group .
`` This current private wall that was built from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective in the condition it has come , '' the unidentified CBP agent says in the video , which is branded with a We Build the Wall watermark .
Along with the video , Kolfage tweeted : `` The private wall that @ WeBuildtheWall built and funded is @ DHSgov [ and ] @ CBP ENDORSED and APPROVED .
Never forget it . ''
DHS declined to comment to the American Independent Foundation about whether it still stands by the project in the wake of the indictment , nor what DHS ' relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization .
Prior to the indictments , the project had already come under fire when the small half-mile segment of the wall the group built began showing signs of erosion .
Donald Trump , for his part , tried to distance himself from the project , despite the fact that one of the men indicted , Steve Bannon , was his former campaign CEO as well as a senior adviser in the early days of his administration .
Trump 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , has also praised the We Build the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraise for it .
Trump Jr. gave a testimonial for the group at an event in 2018 .
Trump Jr. was also seen with some of the group 's advisory board members in July of 2019 posing with a We Build the Wall branded gun , according to a photo obtained by CNN 's Andrew Kaczynski .
Kolfage , Bannon , and two other men — Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea — were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York .
If convicted , each charge comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on its previous endorsement of a self-funded border wall group, whose leaders were arrested on Thursday morning and charged with defrauding donors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A video from July posted by Brian Kolfage — one of four men arrested on Thursday and charged with fraud — shows Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf standing next to a Customs and Border Patrol agent as she praised the self-funded wall project from the We Build the Wall group.
“This current private wall that was built from what I have learned has been very effective in the condition it has come,” the unidentified CBP agent says in the video, which is branded with a We Build the Wall watermark.
Along with the video, Kolfage tweeted: “The private wall that @WeBuildtheWall built and funded is @DHSgov [and] @CBP ENDORSED and APPROVED. Never forget it.”
DHS declined to comment to the American Independent Foundation about whether it still stands by the project in the wake of the indictment, nor what DHS’ relationship was with the We Build the Wall organization.
Prior to the indictments, the project had already come under fire when the small half-mile segment of the wall the group built began showing signs of erosion.
Donald Trump, for his part, tried to distance himself from the project, despite the fact that one of the men indicted, Steve Bannon, was his former campaign CEO as well as a senior adviser in the early days of his administration.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., has also praised the We Build the Wall project, as well as helped fundraise for it.
Trump Jr. gave a testimonial for the group at an event in 2018. Trump Jr. was also seen with some of the group’s advisory board members in July of 2019 posing with a We Build the Wall branded gun, according to a photo obtained by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski.
Kolfage, Bannon, and two other men — Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea — were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. If convicted, each charge comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--10 of Trump's 'best people' who've been indicted since 2016

The list of indicted Donald Trump associates continues to grow .
On Thursday , former 2016 Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon was indicted for his role in an alleged scheme to defraud donors who contributed funds to help pay for Trump 's long-promised southern border wall — the one Trump repeatedly claimed would be funded entirely by Mexico .
Despite promising that `` 100 % of the funds raised '' by the private crowdfunding effort , `` We Build the Wall , '' would go to its construction , prosecutors say more than $ 1 million actually went to Bannon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` culture of lawlessness '' around him , following Bannon 's arrest .
`` Respectfully , sir , it 's not just Steve Bannon .
It 's Roger Stone , Michael Flynn , Rick Gates , Paul Manafort .
What 's that say about your judgement and the culture of lawlessness around you ? ''
a reporter asked .
After initially responding that he had `` no idea , '' Trump falsely claimed , `` Well , there was great lawlessness in the Obama administration .
They spied on our campaign illegally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things and all the scandals they had , they had tremendous lawlessness . ''
Trump has repeatedly made baseless and debunked allegations of illegal spying by his predecessor , even going to far as to accuse Obama of `` treason , '' with no evidence whatsoever .
According to a January PolitiFact fact-check , there were zero indictments of any officials in the Obama administration .
By contrast , despite Trump 's 2016 campaign promise to `` drain the swamp '' and restore ethics to Washington , dozens of his associates — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the `` best '' people — have been charged , convicted , or have pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes since he took office .
• Steve Bannon : Bannon , Trump 's 2016 campaign CEO and former White House chief strategist , was indicted Thursday on fraud charges .
He is reportedly expected to plead not guilty to the charges .
• Stephen Calk : Calk , a Trump 2016 campaign economic adviser , was indicted in May 2019 for making millions of dollars ' worth of loans to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible Trump administration job .
Calk pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial .
• Michael Cohen : Cohen , Trump 's longtime `` fixer , '' pleaded guilty in August 2018 to eight federal charges relating to campaign finance and to another charge that November of lying to Congress .
He has since spoken out repeatedly against Trump , testifying before Congress that Trump was a `` conman '' and `` cheat '' who allegedly directed `` a criminal scheme to violate campaign finance laws '' ahead of the 2016 election by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had affairs with him , which might have damaged his bid for the White House .
• Chris Collins : Then-Rep. Collins ( R-NY ) , the first congressman to endorse Trump in 2016 , resigned from Congress in October 2019 and pleaded guilty to two federal charges related to insider trading .
• Michael Flynn : Flynn , Trump 's former national security adviser , pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with Russian officials .
After he unsuccessfully attempted to change his plea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to request the charges be dropped entirely .
The case is still working its way through the courts .
• Paul Manafort : Manafort , Trump 's 2016 campaign chairman , was convicted in August 2018 on eight federal charges related to tax and bank fraud .
• Rick Gates : Gates , Trump 's 2016 campaign deputy chairman , pleaded guilty in February 2018 to conspiracy and lying to the FBI , in connection with the case against Manafort .
• Duncan Hunter Jr. : Then .
Rep. Hunter ( R-CA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , pleaded guilty in December 2019 to using campaign funds for personal expenses .
He resigned from Congress the following month .
• George Papadopoulos : Papadopoulos , a foreign policy adviser on Trump 's 2016 campaign , pleaded guilty in October 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia .
• Roger Stone : Stone , a 2016 Trump campaign adviser and Trump 's former Washington lobbyist , was convicted in November 2019 on seven counts related to obstructing a congressional investigation .
Last month , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim McGovern ( D-MA ) , chair of the House Rules Committee , slammed Trump for his poor judgment on Thursday .
`` Steve Bannon , arrested for fraud , is in good company .
There 's a long and corrupt list of Trump Felons like Michael Cohen , Paul Manafort , Rick Gates , Michael Flynn and Roger Stone , '' he wrote in a Facebook post .
`` Trump did n't drain any swamp .
He put in power a bunch of incompetent crooks and liars , and now we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The list of indicted Donald Trump associates continues to grow.
On Thursday, former 2016 Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon was indicted for his role in an alleged scheme to defraud donors who contributed funds to help pay for Trump’s long-promised southern border wall — the one Trump repeatedly claimed would be funded entirely by Mexico. Despite promising that “100% of the funds raised” by the private crowdfunding effort, “We Build the Wall,” would go to its construction, prosecutors say more than $1 million actually went to Bannon.
Trump was confronted on Thursday about the “culture of lawlessness” around him, following Bannon’s arrest.
“Respectfully, sir, it’s not just Steve Bannon. It’s Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, Paul Manafort. What’s that say about your judgement and the culture of lawlessness around you?” a reporter asked.
After initially responding that he had “no idea,” Trump falsely claimed, “Well, there was great lawlessness in the Obama administration. They spied on our campaign illegally. And if you look at all the things and all the scandals they had, they had tremendous lawlessness.”
Trump has repeatedly made baseless and debunked allegations of illegal spying by his predecessor, even going to far as to accuse Obama of “treason,” with no evidence whatsoever. According to a January PolitiFact fact-check, there were zero indictments of any officials in the Obama administration.
By contrast, despite Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to “drain the swamp” and restore ethics to Washington, dozens of his associates — whom he has referred to broadly as among the “best” people — have been charged, convicted, or have pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes since he took office.
They include:
Steve Bannon: Bannon, Trump’s 2016 campaign CEO and former White House chief strategist, was indicted Thursday on fraud charges. He is reportedly expected to plead not guilty to the charges. Stephen Calk: Calk, a Trump 2016 campaign economic adviser, was indicted in May 2019 for making millions of dollars’ worth of loans to Trump’s then-campaign chair in exchange for a possible Trump administration job. Calk pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Michael Cohen: Cohen, Trump’s longtime “fixer,” pleaded guilty in August 2018 to eight federal charges relating to campaign finance and to another charge that November of lying to Congress. He has since spoken out repeatedly against Trump, testifying before Congress that Trump was a “conman” and “cheat” who allegedly directed “a criminal scheme to violate campaign finance laws” ahead of the 2016 election by paying off two women who claimed to have had affairs with him, which might have damaged his bid for the White House. Chris Collins: Then-Rep. Collins (R-NY), the first congressman to endorse Trump in 2016, resigned from Congress in October 2019 and pleaded guilty to two federal charges related to insider trading. Michael Flynn: Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his communications with Russian officials. After he unsuccessfully attempted to change his plea, Trump’s attorney general intervened in May to request the charges be dropped entirely. The case is still working its way through the courts. Paul Manafort: Manafort, Trump’s 2016 campaign chairman, was convicted in August 2018 on eight federal charges related to tax and bank fraud. Rick Gates: Gates, Trump’s 2016 campaign deputy chairman, pleaded guilty in February 2018 to conspiracy and lying to the FBI, in connection with the case against Manafort. Duncan Hunter Jr.: Then. Rep. Hunter (R-CA), the second congressman to endorse Trump in 2016, pleaded guilty in December 2019 to using campaign funds for personal expenses. He resigned from Congress the following month. George Papadopoulos: Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser on Trump’s 2016 campaign, pleaded guilty in October 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia. Roger Stone: Stone, a 2016 Trump campaign adviser and Trump’s former Washington lobbyist, was convicted in November 2019 on seven counts related to obstructing a congressional investigation. Last month, Trump commuted Stone’s entire sentence.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), chair of the House Rules Committee, slammed Trump for his poor judgment on Thursday.
“Steve Bannon, arrested for fraud, is in good company. There’s a long and corrupt list of Trump Felons like Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn and Roger Stone,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Trump didn’t drain any swamp. He put in power a bunch of incompetent crooks and liars, and now we’re all paying the price.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--New report finds Trump administration 'intentionally harms' LGBTQ children

The Democratic majority staff of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday issued a new report on the results of its investigation into a waiver issued to the state of South Carolina by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 that granted it `` an exemption from HHS regulations that prohibit discrimination in the state 's child welfare system . ''
In 2018 , South Carolina Republican Gov .
Henry McMaster requested the waiver on behalf of an agency called Miracle Hill Ministries , which , according to the report , `` recruits foster parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on religious status and sexual orientation . ''
The waiver , approved in January of the following year , allows South Carolina to `` distribute federal funds to foster care agencies with discriminatory practices . ''
Miracle Hill says on its website that it requires `` that foster parents who partner with us be followers of Jesus Christ , be active in and accountable to a Christian church , and agree in belief and practice with our doctrinal statement . ''
That doctrinal statement says that `` God 's design for marriage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one woman in a life-long covenant relationship , '' and that `` God creates each person as either male or female , and these two distinct , complementary sexes , together reflect the image and nature of God . ''
Prospective foster parents must also provide information on which church they attend and a personal testimony of their `` faith/salvation in Christ . ''
According to the Greenville News , Miracle Hill received $ 600,000 last fiscal year from the state Department of Social Services to help pay care coordinators .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff of the Ways and Means Committee compiled examples of people who were rejected as potential foster parents by Miracle Hill .
These included a married couple , Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch , who said they were rejected as foster parents by the agency last year because of their sexual orientation and because they are members of a Unitarian Universalist church .
Rogers and Welch said they had contacted Miracle Hill because it was one of the larger and better-known foster care agencies in their area .
They said that in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form that they were a same-sex couple and “ would like for more children to know what it feels like to be unconditionally loved and to be part of a loving family . ''
The couple said they were rejected immediately .
The ACLU , Lambda Legal , and South Carolina Equality Coalition filed a lawsuit in 2019 against the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Rogers ' and Welch 's behalf .
The South Carolina chapter of the National Association of Social Workers sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair Richard Neal after the waiver had been granted explaining that it would go against the best interest of children by not providing them with the full range of homes available to them .
This was particularly true in the case of LGBTQ children , it said , since they could be placed in a foster home that does not support them .
“ Foster children who identify as LGBTQ are especially vulnerable as a result of this ruling ; they are at risk of placement in a home that stigmatizes or condemns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and mental health , '' the group wrote .
A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2019 found that 30.4 % of youth in foster care are LGBTQ , while 11.2 % of 12- to 18-year-olds said they were LGBTQ in the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey .
Ian Thompson , senior legislative representative with the ACLU , condemned what he said is unconstitutional discrimination by the Trump administration and said every qualified family should be able to care for a child .
`` The 440,000 children in our nation 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is willing to open up their homes to care for them .
There 's no reason families who are LGBTQ , Catholic , Jewish , Muslim , or otherwise do n't meet an agency 's religious test should be turned away from being foster parents , '' Thompson said .
The Ways and Means Committee listed reasons it had concluded that the waiver should be withdrawn immediately :

The Democratic majority staff of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday issued a new report on the results of its investigation into a waiver issued to the state of South Carolina by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2019 that granted it “an exemption from HHS regulations that prohibit discrimination in the state’s child welfare system.”
In 2018, South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster requested the waiver on behalf of an agency called Miracle Hill Ministries, which, according to the report, “recruits foster parents and rejects other prospective foster parents exclusively based on religious status and sexual orientation.” The waiver, approved in January of the following year, allows South Carolina to “distribute federal funds to foster care agencies with discriminatory practices.”
Miracle Hill says on its website that it requires “that foster parents who partner with us be followers of Jesus Christ, be active in and accountable to a Christian church, and agree in belief and practice with our doctrinal statement.” That doctrinal statement says that “God’s design for marriage is the legal joining of one man and one woman in a life-long covenant relationship,” and that “God creates each person as either male or female, and these two distinct, complementary sexes, together reflect the image and nature of God.”
Prospective foster parents must also provide information on which church they attend and a personal testimony of their “faith/salvation in Christ.”
According to the Greenville News, Miracle Hill received $600,000 last fiscal year from the state Department of Social Services to help pay care coordinators.
In the course of its investigation, the Democratic staff of the Ways and Means Committee compiled examples of people who were rejected as potential foster parents by Miracle Hill. These included a married couple, Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch, who said they were rejected as foster parents by the agency last year because of their sexual orientation and because they are members of a Unitarian Universalist church.
Rogers and Welch said they had contacted Miracle Hill because it was one of the larger and better-known foster care agencies in their area. They said that in April they told Miracle Hill on an online form that they were a same-sex couple and “would like for more children to know what it feels like to be unconditionally loved and to be part of a loving family.” The couple said they were rejected immediately.
The ACLU, Lambda Legal, and South Carolina Equality Coalition filed a lawsuit in 2019 against the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Rogers’ and Welch’s behalf.
The South Carolina chapter of the National Association of Social Workers sent a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal after the waiver had been granted explaining that it would go against the best interest of children by not providing them with the full range of homes available to them. This was particularly true in the case of LGBTQ children, it said, since they could be placed in a foster home that does not support them. “Foster children who identify as LGBTQ are especially vulnerable as a result of this ruling; they are at risk of placement in a home that stigmatizes or condemns them, affecting their self-esteem, self-worth, and mental health,” the group wrote. A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2019 found that 30.4% of youth in foster care are LGBTQ, while 11.2% of 12- to 18-year-olds said they were LGBTQ in the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Ian Thompson, senior legislative representative with the ACLU, condemned what he said is unconstitutional discrimination by the Trump administration and said every qualified family should be able to care for a child. “The 440,000 children in our nation’s child welfare system need every qualified family that is willing to open up their homes to care for them. There’s no reason families who are LGBTQ, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise don’t meet an agency’s religious test should be turned away from being foster parents,” Thompson said.
The Ways and Means Committee listed reasons it had concluded that the waiver should be withdrawn immediately:
The waiver violates civil rights and the mandate to operate in the best interest of a child by denying appropriate, safe, loving, and affirming foster home placements.
The waiver allows discrimination within the foster care system based on religion and sexual orientation.
The waiver intentionally harms LGBTQ children, adults, and families.
The waiver takes a statute meant to protect people of minority faiths and inappropriately uses it to discriminate against the same religious minorities the law is meant to protect.
The waiver establishes a troubling precedent to use regulatory authority intended for technical, grant-management purposes to make substantive policy changes without consulting Congress or assessing the impact of the policy change on foster youth.
The waiver sets a precedent that promotes discrimination of, and harm to, individuals in other states.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Trump wants the Supreme Court to let him block his critics on Twitter

Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to allow him to block critics from his personal Twitter account .
The administration said in a high-court filing Thursday that Trump 's @ realdonaldtrump account with more than 85 million followers is his personal property and blocking people from it is akin to elected officials who refuse to allow their opponents ' yard signs on their front lawns .
`` President Trump 's ability to use the features of his personal Twitter account , including the blocking function , are independent of his presidential office , '' acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .
The federal appeals court in New York ruled last year that Trump uses the account to make daily pronouncements and observations that are overwhelmingly official in nature .
It held that Trump violated the First Amendment whenever he blocked a critic to silence a viewpoint .
A decision about whether even to hear the case is not likely before the November election .
The case grew out of a challenge brought by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University , which sued on behalf of seven individuals blocked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaffer , the Knight Institute 's executive director , said the justices should decline to take up Trump 's appeal .
`` This case stands for a principle that is fundamental to our democracy and basically synonymous with the First Amendment : government officials ca n't exclude people from public forums simply because they disagree with their political views , '' Jaffer said in a statement .
The administration argued in its appeal that the Supreme Court , not lower courts , `` should decide where to draw the line between the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The pace of the case was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic as well as Trump 's decision to ask the full 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals to review the ruling by a three-judge panel .
The court refused to do so by a 7-2 vote in March .
Two Trump appointees , Judges Michael H. Park , and Richard J. Sullivan , were the only members of the court to side with Trump .
The Supreme Court extended its deadline to file an appeal from 90 days to 150 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public and abandoned in-person meetings in favor of telephone conferences because of the virus outbreak .

Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to allow him to block critics from his personal Twitter account.
The administration said in a high-court filing Thursday that Trump’s @realdonaldtrump account with more than 85 million followers is his personal property and blocking people from it is akin to elected officials who refuse to allow their opponents’ yard signs on their front lawns.
“President Trump’s ability to use the features of his personal Twitter account, including the blocking function, are independent of his presidential office,” acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall wrote in urging the justices to review the case.
The federal appeals court in New York ruled last year that Trump uses the account to make daily pronouncements and observations that are overwhelmingly official in nature. It held that Trump violated the First Amendment whenever he blocked a critic to silence a viewpoint.
A decision about whether even to hear the case is not likely before the November election.
The case grew out of a challenge brought by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which sued on behalf of seven individuals blocked by Trump after criticizing his policies.
Jameel Jaffer, the Knight Institute’s executive director, said the justices should decline to take up Trump’s appeal.
“This case stands for a principle that is fundamental to our democracy and basically synonymous with the First Amendment: government officials can’t exclude people from public forums simply because they disagree with their political views,” Jaffer said in a statement.
The administration argued in its appeal that the Supreme Court, not lower courts, “should decide where to draw the line between the President’s personal decisions and official conduct.”
The pace of the case was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic as well as Trump’s decision to ask the full 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the ruling by a three-judge panel. The court refused to do so by a 7-2 vote in March. Two Trump appointees, Judges Michael H. Park, and Richard J. Sullivan, were the only members of the court to side with Trump.
The Supreme Court extended its deadline to file an appeal from 90 days to 150 days when it shut the building to the public and abandoned in-person meetings in favor of telephone conferences because of the virus outbreak.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Kids take the spotlight at the Democratic National Convention

The third night of the Democratic National Convention featured some of the biggest names in Democratic politics — former President Barack Obama , vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , and more .
But it was children who stole the show Wednesday , speaking to issues they 're fighting for , and explaining why Democrats are best equipped to handle them .
From gun violence , to climate change , to immigration reform , children and other young people described how those issues impact their lives , and why Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on those issues .
Early on in the evening , the convention played a video about gun violence narrated by Emma Gonzales — who survived the high school shooting in Parkland , Florida , as a teenager and has since become a gun control advocate .
`` People affected by gun violence have to walk by the street corner where their best friend , their brother , their mother , their nephew , where they themselves were shot , and life goes on and on as if we have n't just watched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grave , '' Gonzales says in the video , which features images of memorials to victims of mass shootings like the one she survived .
`` The whole point of what I 'm saying here is that until one of us or all of us stand up and say , ' I ca n't do this anymore .
I ca n't sit by and watch the news treat these shootings as acts of God . '
Gun violence is n't just going to stop until there 's a voice fighting harder against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the program , the convention featured young climate change activists who describe why they 're fighting to help stop climate change , and why they are backing Biden to help achieve that goal .
`` Joe Biden 's plan is transformative , '' Katherine Lorenzo , who describes herself as an Afro-Latina and climate activist , said in a video .
`` He knows that saving the planet is n't just a challenge to overcome , it 's an opportunity for a better way of life . ''
In another powerful moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose undocumented mother was deported despite being the wife to a U.S. Marine and having no criminal record , read an open letter to Donald Trump about how his policy has impacted her life .
`` Instead of protecting us , you tore our world apart , '' she said in the video .
`` Now my mom is gone , and she 's been taken from us for no reason at all . ''
And Billie Eilish , an 18-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist , spoke about why she is endorsing Biden before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` My Future . ''
`` Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about , '' Eilish said before performing her song .
`` We need leaders who will solve problems like climate change and COVID , not deny them .
Leaders who will fight against systemic racism and inequality , and that starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake , someone who is building a team that shares our values .
It starts with voting against Donald Trump and for Joe Biden . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn out in November .
Polls show young voters overwhelmingly favor Biden over Trump .
However , young voters traditionally vote at lower rates than older Americans .
It 's why the Democratic Party featured voices like Eilish to encourage her peers to vote .
`` Silence is not an option and we can not sit this one out , '' Eilish said Wednesday night .
`` We all have to vote like our lives and the world depend on it , because they do .
The only way to be certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The third night of the Democratic National Convention featured some of the biggest names in Democratic politics — former President Barack Obama, vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and more.
But it was children who stole the show Wednesday, speaking to issues they’re fighting for, and explaining why Democrats are best equipped to handle them.
From gun violence, to climate change, to immigration reform, children and other young people described how those issues impact their lives, and why Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is their choice because of his stances on those issues.
Early on in the evening, the convention played a video about gun violence narrated by Emma Gonzales — who survived the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, as a teenager and has since become a gun control advocate.
“People affected by gun violence have to walk by the street corner where their best friend, their brother, their mother, their nephew, where they themselves were shot, and life goes on and on as if we haven’t just watched a loved one die and get put in the grave,” Gonzales says in the video, which features images of memorials to victims of mass shootings like the one she survived.
“The whole point of what I’m saying here is that until one of us or all of us stand up and say, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I can’t sit by and watch the news treat these shootings as acts of God.’ Gun violence isn’t just going to stop until there’s a voice fighting harder against it,” Gonzales added.
Later in the program, the convention featured young climate change activists who describe why they’re fighting to help stop climate change, and why they are backing Biden to help achieve that goal.
“Joe Biden’s plan is transformative,” Katherine Lorenzo, who describes herself as an Afro-Latina and climate activist, said in a video. “He knows that saving the planet isn’t just a challenge to overcome, it’s an opportunity for a better way of life.”
In another powerful moment, an 11-year-old child named Estella, whose undocumented mother was deported despite being the wife to a U.S. Marine and having no criminal record, read an open letter to Donald Trump about how his policy has impacted her life.
“Instead of protecting us, you tore our world apart,” she said in the video. “Now my mom is gone, and she’s been taken from us for no reason at all.”
And Billie Eilish, an 18-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist, spoke about why she is endorsing Biden before performing one of her new songs titled “My Future.”
“Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about,” Eilish said before performing her song. “We need leaders who will solve problems like climate change and COVID, not deny them. Leaders who will fight against systemic racism and inequality, and that starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake, someone who is building a team that shares our values. It starts with voting against Donald Trump and for Joe Biden.” Democrats are hoping to energize young voters to turn out in November. Polls show young voters overwhelmingly favor Biden over Trump. However, young voters traditionally vote at lower rates than older Americans. It’s why the Democratic Party featured voices like Eilish to encourage her peers to vote. “Silence is not an option and we cannot sit this one out,” Eilish said Wednesday night. “We all have to vote like our lives and the world depend on it, because they do. The only way to be certain of the future is to make it ourselves.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Trump tries to distance himself from fraudulent wall scheme his son endorsed

Donald Trump on Thursday tried to deflect criticism after his former campaign chief and White House adviser Steve Bannon was indicted in a crowdfunding campaign to build a private section of Trump 's long-promised border wall .
Prosecutors allege Bannon and three other men defrauded donors .
In a statement , the White House said , `` As everyone knows , President Trump has no involvement in this project and felt it was only being done in order to showboat , and perhaps raise funds . ''
`` President Trump has always felt the Wall must be a government project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complex to be handled privately , '' the statement said .
Donald Trump Jr. had previously praised the `` We Build the Wall '' campaign .
In a video shot at an event in 2018 and posted Thursday by CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski , the younger Trump praised Brian Kolfage , another of the four men indicted in the alleged scheme , thanking him for his `` sacrifices doing this . ''
`` This is private enterprise at its finest .
Doing it better , faster , cheaper than anything else , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you guys are doing is pretty amazing .
It started from a grassroots effort and it 's doing some wonderful things . ''
Trump tried to distance himself from the project , even though the men indicted in the alleged scam are members of his inner circle .
Bannon headed Trump 's 2016 campaign and served as a senior counselor to Trump during his first eight months in the White House .
Kris Kobach , a top Trump supporter who led Trump 's failed voter fraud commission , is the group 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowdfunding group 's website .
And Erik Prince , the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and a top Trump supporter mentioned in the Mueller report as part of a scheme to obtain Hillary Clinton 's emails , is on the group 's advisory board .
We Build the Wall 's website also includes testimonials from other top Trump aides .
`` Don and I wanted to come down and see what 's going on here and it 's really impressive at what you 've been able to accomplish , '' reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guilfoyle , Trump Jr. 's girlfriend , who works for a Trump-connected super PAC .
`` People ca n't appreciate how beautiful this wall is until they come and see it for themselves , '' reads a testimonial from Corey Lewandowski , Trump 's first 2016 campaign manager .
In a media availability in the Oval Office Thursday , Trump said of Bannon , `` I feel very badly .
I have n't been dealing with him for a long period of time . ''
Bannon is the sixth member of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Flynn , Rick Gates , Paul Manafort , and Michael Cohen , to be indicted on federal charges .
Trump has in the past claimed that he only hires the `` best people . ''
And he often ends up distancing himself from them after they get caught in scandals — or arrested .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Thursday tried to deflect criticism after his former campaign chief and White House adviser Steve Bannon was indicted in a crowdfunding campaign to build a private section of Trump’s long-promised border wall. Prosecutors allege Bannon and three other men defrauded donors.
In a statement, the White House said, “As everyone knows, President Trump has no involvement in this project and felt it was only being done in order to showboat, and perhaps raise funds.”
“President Trump has always felt the Wall must be a government project and that it is far too big and complex to be handled privately,” the statement said.
Donald Trump Jr. had previously praised the “We Build the Wall” campaign.
In a video shot at an event in 2018 and posted Thursday by CNN reporter Andrew Kaczynski, the younger Trump praised Brian Kolfage, another of the four men indicted in the alleged scheme, thanking him for his “sacrifices doing this.”
“This is private enterprise at its finest. Doing it better, faster, cheaper than anything else,” Trump Jr. said. “And what you guys are doing is pretty amazing. It started from a grassroots effort and it’s doing some wonderful things.”
Trump tried to distance himself from the project, even though the men indicted in the alleged scam are members of his inner circle.
Bannon headed Trump’s 2016 campaign and served as a senior counselor to Trump during his first eight months in the White House.
Kris Kobach, a top Trump supporter who led Trump’s failed voter fraud commission, is the group’s lawyer and is featured in videos on the crowdfunding group’s website. And Erik Prince, the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and a top Trump supporter mentioned in the Mueller report as part of a scheme to obtain Hillary Clinton’s emails, is on the group’s advisory board.
We Build the Wall’s website also includes testimonials from other top Trump aides.
“Don and I wanted to come down and see what’s going on here and it’s really impressive at what you’ve been able to accomplish,” reads a testimonial on the website from Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, who works for a Trump-connected super PAC.
“People can’t appreciate how beautiful this wall is until they come and see it for themselves,” reads a testimonial from Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s first 2016 campaign manager.
In a media availability in the Oval Office Thursday, Trump said of Bannon, “I feel very badly. I haven’t been dealing with him for a long period of time.”
Bannon is the sixth member of Trump’s inner circle, after Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, Paul Manafort, and Michael Cohen, to be indicted on federal charges.
Trump has in the past claimed that he only hires the “best people.” And he often ends up distancing himself from them after they get caught in scandals — or arrested.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-20--Democrats send a message to the country: 'Vote, vote, vote'

Former President Barack Obama warned that American democracy could falter if Donald Trump is reelected , a stunning rebuke of his successor that was echoed by Kamala Harris at the Democratic Convention Wednesday night as she embraced her historic role as the first Black woman on a national political ticket .
Obama , himself a barrier breaker as the nation 's first Black president , pleaded with voters to `` embrace your own responsibility as citizens — to make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure .
Because that 's what is at stake right now : our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats have summoned a collective urgency about the dangers of Trump as president .
In 2016 , they dismissed and sometimes trivialized him .
Now they are casting him as an existential threat to the country .
The tone signals anew that the fall campaign between Trump and Joe Biden , already expected to be among the most negative of the past half-century , will be filled with rancor and recrimination .
Yet on the third night of the Democrats ' four-day convention , party leaders also sought to put forward a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities , highlighting efforts to combat climate change and tighten gun laws .
They drew a sharp contrast with Trump , portraying him as cruel in his treatment of immigrants , disinterested in the nation 's climate crisis , and over his head on virtually all of the nation 's most pressing challenges .
Democrats also demonstrated a hope that Biden , a 77-year-old white man , can revive the coalition that helped put Obama into office , with minorities , younger voters , and college-educated women blunting Trump 's lock on many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked a celebration of the party 's leading women , including remarks from Hillary Clinton , the first woman to become a major-ticket presidential nominee ; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ; and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who challenged Biden during the primary and is now supporting his campaign .
Harris , a 55-year-old California senator and the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants , addressed race and equality in a personal way Biden can not when he formally accepts his party 's presidential nomination on Thursday .
`` There is no vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the work , '' Harris said , her words emphatic though she was speaking in a largely empty arena near Biden 's Delaware home .
`` We 've got to do the work to fulfill the promise of equal justice under law , '' she added .
`` None of us are free until all of us are free . ''
Just 76 days before the election , Biden must energize the disparate factions that make up the modern Democratic Party — a coalition that spans generation , race , and ideology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic that has created health risks for those who want to vote in person — and postal slowdowns for mail-in ballots , which Democrats blame on Trump .
Democrats hope that Harris and Obama in particular can help bridge the divide between those reassured by Biden 's establishment credentials and those craving bolder change .
The pandemic forced Biden 's team to abandon the traditional convention format in favor of an all-virtual affair that has eliminated much of the pomp and circumstance that typically defines political conventions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Harris took the stage to make history at the Chase Center in downtown Wilmington .
She was flanked by American flags but no family , and her audience consisted of a few dozen reporters and photographers .
After two nights that featured several Republicans , the proceedings on Wednesday emphasized core Democratic values on areas like climate change and gun violence that particularly resonate with younger voters .
On guns , Biden wants to repeal a law shielding firearm manufacturers from liability lawsuits , impose universal background checks for purchases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault weapons and high-capacity magazines .
On climate , Biden has proposed a $ 2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy and end carbon emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035 , even though his proposals do n't go as far as activists ' preferred Green New Deal .
Wednesday night , former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords reflected on her own journey of pain and recovery from a severe brain injury nearly a decade after being shot while meeting with constituents .
She urged America to support Biden .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not lost my voice , '' Giffords said .
`` Vote , vote , vote . ''
It 's Trump 's turn next .
The president , who abandoned plans to host his convention in North Carolina and Florida , is expected to break tradition and accept his nomination from the White House lawn .
In the meantime , he 's seeking to take attention from Biden .
Trump will stop near his Democratic rival 's birthplace of Scranton , Pennsylvania , on Thursday .
He 's also participating in a prime-time interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton , Trump 's 2016 opponent , implored Democrats to turn out in larger numbers in November to block the president 's reelection .
`` For four years , people have said to me , ' I did n't realize how dangerous he was . '
' I wish I could go back and do it over . '
Or worst , ' I should have voted , ' '' said Clinton , the first woman nominated to run for president by a major party .
`` Well , this ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Vote like our lives and livelihoods are on the line , '' she added , `` because they are . ''
`` Donald Trump has n't grown into the job because he ca n't , '' Obama said , speaking from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia , a backdrop chosen to reinforce what the former president sees as the dire stakes of the moment .
`` I have sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president , '' Obama continued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies .
I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously . ''
Obama confidants say that the former president 's support for Biden is unequivocal , but he worries about enthusiasm among younger voters , particularly younger voters of color .
Democrats concede that one of the reasons Trump won the presidency in 2016 was because those voters did n't show up in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
Beyond the carefully scripted confines of the virtual convention , there were modest signs of tension between the moderate and progressive wings of Biden 's Democratic Party .
In particular , some progressives complained that pro-Biden Republicans such as Ohio Gov .
John Kasich have been featured more prominently than the party 's younger progressive stars like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
Climate activists also complained that the party appeared ready to drop a provision in the platform that calls for an end to fossil fuel industry subsidies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of progressives for demanding bold change , spoke for around five minutes .
And while Warren urged people to vote for Biden and gave a hearty endorsement of several of his economic and child care plans , she hinted that she would not retreat from her push for a more progressive agenda should her party retake the White House .
`` We all need to be in the fight to get Joe and Kamala elected , '' Warren said .
`` And after November , we all need to stay in the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Former President Barack Obama warned that American democracy could falter if Donald Trump is reelected, a stunning rebuke of his successor that was echoed by Kamala Harris at the Democratic Convention Wednesday night as she embraced her historic role as the first Black woman on a national political ticket.
Obama, himself a barrier breaker as the nation’s first Black president, pleaded with voters to “embrace your own responsibility as citizens — to make sure that the basic tenets of our democracy endure. Because that’s what is at stake right now: our democracy.”
Throughout their convention, the Democrats have summoned a collective urgency about the dangers of Trump as president. In 2016, they dismissed and sometimes trivialized him. Now they are casting him as an existential threat to the country. The tone signals anew that the fall campaign between Trump and Joe Biden, already expected to be among the most negative of the past half-century, will be filled with rancor and recrimination.
Yet on the third night of the Democrats’ four-day convention, party leaders also sought to put forward a cohesive vision of their values and policy priorities, highlighting efforts to combat climate change and tighten gun laws. They drew a sharp contrast with Trump, portraying him as cruel in his treatment of immigrants, disinterested in the nation’s climate crisis, and over his head on virtually all of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
Democrats also demonstrated a hope that Biden, a 77-year-old white man, can revive the coalition that helped put Obama into office, with minorities, younger voters, and college-educated women blunting Trump’s lock on many white and rural voters.
The evening marked a celebration of the party’s leading women, including remarks from Hillary Clinton, the first woman to become a major-ticket presidential nominee; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who challenged Biden during the primary and is now supporting his campaign.
Harris, a 55-year-old California senator and the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, addressed race and equality in a personal way Biden cannot when he formally accepts his party’s presidential nomination on Thursday.
“There is no vaccine for racism. We have got to do the work,” Harris said, her words emphatic though she was speaking in a largely empty arena near Biden’s Delaware home.
“We’ve got to do the work to fulfill the promise of equal justice under law,” she added. “None of us are free until all of us are free.”
Just 76 days before the election, Biden must energize the disparate factions that make up the modern Democratic Party — a coalition that spans generation, race, and ideology. And this fall voters must deal with concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic that has created health risks for those who want to vote in person — and postal slowdowns for mail-in ballots, which Democrats blame on Trump.
Democrats hope that Harris and Obama in particular can help bridge the divide between those reassured by Biden’s establishment credentials and those craving bolder change.
The pandemic forced Biden’s team to abandon the traditional convention format in favor of an all-virtual affair that has eliminated much of the pomp and circumstance that typically defines political conventions. It was completely silent, for example, as Harris took the stage to make history at the Chase Center in downtown Wilmington. She was flanked by American flags but no family, and her audience consisted of a few dozen reporters and photographers.
After two nights that featured several Republicans, the proceedings on Wednesday emphasized core Democratic values on areas like climate change and gun violence that particularly resonate with younger voters.
On guns, Biden wants to repeal a law shielding firearm manufacturers from liability lawsuits, impose universal background checks for purchases, and ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. On climate, Biden has proposed a $2 trillion plan to invest in clean energy and end carbon emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035, even though his proposals don’t go as far as activists’ preferred Green New Deal.
Wednesday night, former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords reflected on her own journey of pain and recovery from a severe brain injury nearly a decade after being shot while meeting with constituents. She urged America to support Biden.
“I struggle to speak, but I have not lost my voice,” Giffords said. “Vote, vote, vote.”
It’s Trump’s turn next. The president, who abandoned plans to host his convention in North Carolina and Florida, is expected to break tradition and accept his nomination from the White House lawn.
In the meantime, he’s seeking to take attention from Biden. Trump will stop near his Democratic rival’s birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. He’s also participating in a prime-time interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 opponent, implored Democrats to turn out in larger numbers in November to block the president’s reelection.
“For four years, people have said to me, ‘I didn’t realize how dangerous he was.’ ‘I wish I could go back and do it over.’ Or worst, ‘I should have voted,'” said Clinton, the first woman nominated to run for president by a major party. “Well, this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election.”
“Vote like our lives and livelihoods are on the line,” she added, “because they are.”
Obama spoke harshly of Trump, too.
“Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t,” Obama said, speaking from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, a backdrop chosen to reinforce what the former president sees as the dire stakes of the moment.
“I have sat in the Oval Office with both of the men who are running for president,” Obama continued, describing Biden as his brother. “I never expected that my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies. I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously.”
Obama confidants say that the former president’s support for Biden is unequivocal, but he worries about enthusiasm among younger voters, particularly younger voters of color. Democrats concede that one of the reasons Trump won the presidency in 2016 was because those voters didn’t show up in the same large numbers as when Obama was on the ballot.
Beyond the carefully scripted confines of the virtual convention, there were modest signs of tension between the moderate and progressive wings of Biden’s Democratic Party.
In particular, some progressives complained that pro-Biden Republicans such as Ohio Gov. John Kasich have been featured more prominently than the party’s younger progressive stars like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Climate activists also complained that the party appeared ready to drop a provision in the platform that calls for an end to fossil fuel industry subsidies and tax breaks.
Warren, a favorite of progressives for demanding bold change, spoke for around five minutes.
And while Warren urged people to vote for Biden and gave a hearty endorsement of several of his economic and child care plans, she hinted that she would not retreat from her push for a more progressive agenda should her party retake the White House.
“We all need to be in the fight to get Joe and Kamala elected,” Warren said. “And after November, we all need to stay in the fight to get big things done.”


shareblue--2020-08-20--Fox News complains Democrats aren't talking about 'Black Lives Matter' enough

On Wednesday , Fox News host Laura Ingraham tried to claim that Democrats are downplaying the Black Lives Matter movement during their convention , even though the message of racial justice has been prominent throughout the event .
Since the convention began on Monday , the conservative network has been fumbling for a line of attack against the Democrats .
On the first night , Fox complained that there were `` problems '' with First Lady Michelle Obama 's speech .
One `` problem '' cited was that Michelle Obama understated the death toll from the coronavirus , because her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her speech was aired , an additional 20,000 Americans had died as a result of the pandemic , which occurred on Donald Trump 's watch .
On night two , Fox took the Democrats to task for avoiding the issue of rising crime rates , which also occurred under Trump .
Those numbers mark a reversal of the the positive trend Trump inherited from his predecessor , President Barack Obama .
Fox News ' complaint that Democrats were avoiding the Black Lives Matter movement was a flip-flop from their broadcast on Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack Democrats for discussing the theme of `` systemic racism . ''
`` Dems Barely Mention BLM During Convention , '' the chyron on Fox read on Wednesday night , during a segment that aired at the end of the convention .
`` The Black Lives Matter group has been mentioned about six times , '' said Ingraham , who went on to allege there was a `` disconnect '' between prime time addresses and daytime caucus meetings from party activists who purportedly have mentioned the group more often .
Ingraham 's complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-CA ) had accepted the party 's nomination as its vice presidential nominee and specifically mentioned racial injustice .
`` There is no vaccine for racism .
We have got to do the work , '' said Harris .
`` For George Floyd , for Breonna Taylor , for the lives of too many others to name .
For our children , and for all of us . ''
Other speakers similarly addressed the topic of how to address racial injustices , even when they did not directly use the term `` Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , President Barack Obama noted that `` Black Lives Matter '' so `` no child in this country feels the continuing sting of racism . ''
`` Vote for justice for George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud Arbery , because Black Lives Matter , '' said Sec .
Hillary Clinton .
Discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) noted that `` both crises are falling hardest on Black and Brown families . ''
On the first night of the convention , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the convention .
Noting other victims of police violence , Philonise Floyd said , `` they should all be alive today . ''
There was also a moment of silence to honor `` souls we lost to hate and injustice . ''
First Lady Michelle Obama , referencing Donald Trump 's history of racism , noted in her keynote speech that `` stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation 's highest office . ''
In contrast to the Democrats , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` symbol of hate . ''
Fox News has bolstered Trump for years and has aired thousands of hours of racist and bigoted programming .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Wednesday, Fox News host Laura Ingraham tried to claim that Democrats are downplaying the Black Lives Matter movement during their convention, even though the message of racial justice has been prominent throughout the event.
Since the convention began on Monday, the conservative network has been fumbling for a line of attack against the Democrats.
On the first night, Fox complained that there were “problems” with First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech. One “problem” cited was that Michelle Obama understated the death toll from the coronavirus, because her comments were pre-recorded. By the time her speech was aired, an additional 20,000 Americans had died as a result of the pandemic, which occurred on Donald Trump’s watch.
On night two, Fox took the Democrats to task for avoiding the issue of rising crime rates, which also occurred under Trump. Those numbers mark a reversal of the the positive trend Trump inherited from his predecessor, President Barack Obama.
Fox News’ complaint that Democrats were avoiding the Black Lives Matter movement was a flip-flop from their broadcast on Tuesday night, when Ingraham hosted two guests to attack Democrats for discussing the theme of “systemic racism.”
“Dems Barely Mention BLM During Convention,” the chyron on Fox read on Wednesday night, during a segment that aired at the end of the convention.
“The Black Lives Matter group has been mentioned about six times,” said Ingraham, who went on to allege there was a “disconnect” between prime time addresses and daytime caucus meetings from party activists who purportedly have mentioned the group more often.
Ingraham’s complaint came soon after Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) had accepted the party’s nomination as its vice presidential nominee and specifically mentioned racial injustice.
“There is no vaccine for racism. We have got to do the work,” said Harris. “For George Floyd, for Breonna Taylor, for the lives of too many others to name. For our children, and for all of us.”
Other speakers similarly addressed the topic of how to address racial injustices, even when they did not directly use the term “Black Lives Matter.”
Earlier in the evening, President Barack Obama noted that “Black Lives Matter” so “no child in this country feels the continuing sting of racism.”
“Vote for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, because Black Lives Matter,” said Sec. Hillary Clinton.
Discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) noted that “both crises are falling hardest on Black and Brown families.”
On the first night of the convention, the family of George Floyd was featured prominently at the convention. Noting other victims of police violence, Philonise Floyd said, “they should all be alive today.” There was also a moment of silence to honor “souls we lost to hate and injustice.”
First Lady Michelle Obama, referencing Donald Trump’s history of racism, noted in her keynote speech that “stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office.“
In contrast to the Democrats, Trump has inaccurately referred to Black Lives Matter murals as a “symbol of hate.” Fox News has bolstered Trump for years and has aired thousands of hours of racist and bigoted programming.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-21--Biden uses convention speech to comfort those who lost loved ones to COVID-19

Joe Biden spoke directly to those who have lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic during his Democratic National Convention speech on Thursday .
Donald Trump has mostly refused to show empathy for coronavirus victims , instead repeatedly downplaying death totals .
He has occasionally paid tribute to his rich friends who have died from COVID-19 , but has mostly sought to minimize the mortality rates .
Earlier this month , he told Axios the death toll `` is what it is . ''
Biden noted that , due to Trump 's botched response to the pandemic , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than 170,000 have died .
He called it `` by far the worst performance of any nation on Earth . ''
He then addressed the families and friends of those who have died , invoking his own experiences with tragedy .
Joe Biden : I understand how hard it is to have any hope right now .
On this summer night , let me take a moment to speak to those of you who have lost the most .
I have some idea how it feels to lose someone you love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that opens in the middle of your chest , and you feel like you are being sucked into it .
I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes .
But I have learned two things .
First , your loved one may have left this Earth , but they 'll never leave your heart .
They will always be with you .
You will always hear them .
And second , I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose .
As God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a purpose in our lives .
We have a great purpose as a nation : to open the doors of opportunity to all Americans , to save our democracy , to be a light to the world once again , and finally to live up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents that founded this nation .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Joe Biden spoke directly to those who have lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic during his Democratic National Convention speech on Thursday. Donald Trump has mostly refused to show empathy for coronavirus victims, instead repeatedly downplaying death totals.
He has occasionally paid tribute to his rich friends who have died from COVID-19, but has mostly sought to minimize the mortality rates.
Earlier this month, he told Axios the death toll “is what it is.”
Biden noted that, due to Trump’s botched response to the pandemic, more than 5 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus and more than 170,000 have died. He called it “by far the worst performance of any nation on Earth.”
He then addressed the families and friends of those who have died, invoking his own experiences with tragedy.
Joe Biden: I understand how hard it is to have any hope right now. On this summer night, let me take a moment to speak to those of you who have lost the most. I have some idea how it feels to lose someone you love. I know that deep black hole that opens in the middle of your chest, and you feel like you are being sucked into it. I know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes. But I have learned two things. First, your loved one may have left this Earth, but they’ll never leave your heart. They will always be with you. You will always hear them. And second, I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose. As God’s children, each of us have a purpose in our lives. We have a great purpose as a nation: to open the doors of opportunity to all Americans, to save our democracy, to be a light to the world once again, and finally to live up to and make real the words written in the sacred documents that founded this nation.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.