shareblue--2020-01-15--154 House Republicans oppose bill to protect older Americans from discrimination

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill , 261-155 , to protect older Americans from job discrimination .
All Democrats present and 34 Republicans voted yes .
154 Republicans and one Independent , Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan , opposed the bipartisan measure , arguing that it might instead help discrimination-law attorneys .
Since the implementation of the 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act , most workers over the age of 40 have been protected against employment discrimination solely on the basis of age .
But a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in 2009 held that older Americans must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivating factor , not just a significant consideration , in order to sue under the law .
Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) last year called the ruling `` harmful '' and said it `` made it easier for businesses to discriminate against individuals based on age . ''
On Wednesday , the House approved a legislative fix , the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act ( H.R .
1230 ) .
It would once again allow victims of discrimination to file lawsuits in cases where there is a `` mixed-motive , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bill 's sponsor , Rep. Bobby Scott ( D-VA ) , told Virginia Public Radio last year that it was a crucial piece of legislation , because `` when older workers lose their jobs they are far more likely than other workers to join the ranks of the long-term unemployed . ''
The bill 's 91 cosponsors included longtime Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner ( R-WI ) and several other Republicans .
Rep. Virginia Foxx ( R-NC ) helped spearhead the GOP opposition .
Last June , she charged that the Committee on Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motives , among them a `` trial-lawyer payday . ''
`` It seems Committee Democrats are looking for very specific 'funding streams ' to ensure payouts to trial lawyers who specialize in [ representing older American workers ] , '' she claimed .
Like all House-passed legislation , the bill now faces an uphill battle in Mitch McConnell 's GOP-controlled Senate .
The Trump administration also put out a statement on Monday , opposing the bill .
`` Instead of protecting older workers , the bill would enrich trial lawyers and make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' it claimed , noting that if the bill passes , Trump 's senior staff would recommend a veto .
Trump has shown little concern for assisting older Americans since taking office , even undermining critical nursing home and eldercare protections under pressure from lobbyists .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill, 261-155, to protect older Americans from job discrimination.
All Democrats present and 34 Republicans voted yes.
154 Republicans and one Independent, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, opposed the bipartisan measure, arguing that it might instead help discrimination-law attorneys.
Since the implementation of the 1967 Age Discrimination in Employment Act, most workers over the age of 40 have been protected against employment discrimination solely on the basis of age. But a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in 2009 held that older Americans must prove that age discrimination was the sole motivating factor, not just a significant consideration, in order to sue under the law.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) last year called the ruling “harmful” and said it “made it easier for businesses to discriminate against individuals based on age.”
On Wednesday, the House approved a legislative fix, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (H.R. 1230). It would once again allow victims of discrimination to file lawsuits in cases where there is a “mixed-motive,” but age discrimination is significant factor.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), told Virginia Public Radio last year that it was a crucial piece of legislation, because “when older workers lose their jobs they are far more likely than other workers to join the ranks of the long-term unemployed.”
The bill’s 91 cosponsors included longtime Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and several other Republicans.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) helped spearhead the GOP opposition. Last June, she charged that the Committee on Education and Labor’s Democratic majority had ulterior motives, among them a “trial-lawyer payday.”
“It seems Committee Democrats are looking for very specific ‘funding streams’ to ensure payouts to trial lawyers who specialize in [representing older American workers],” she claimed.
Like all House-passed legislation, the bill now faces an uphill battle in Mitch McConnell’s GOP-controlled Senate. The Trump administration also put out a statement on Monday, opposing the bill.
“Instead of protecting older workers, the bill would enrich trial lawyers and make it harder to identify and address genuine discrimination,” it claimed, noting that if the bill passes, Trump’s senior staff would recommend a veto.
Trump has shown little concern for assisting older Americans since taking office, even undermining critical nursing home and eldercare protections under pressure from lobbyists.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Collins rejects new evidence in Trump trial after saying she'd welcome it

Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) said on Wednesday she does n't think newly released evidence , which happens to show Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump were deeply involved in the effort to force Ukraine to investigate the Bidens , should be allowed at the Senate impeachment trial .
`` I wonder why the House did not put that into the record and it 's only now being revealed , '' Collins said , referring to documents Democrats released on Tuesday from Lev Parnas , the indicted Giuliani aide who turned over his notes and text messages with Giuliani and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment investigation .
Parnas only just released the documents to the House Intelligence Committee because federal authorities had seized them as part of its investigation into Parnas ' political activity .
Parnas was ultimately indicted for breaking federal campaign finance law .
When reporters reminded Collins of that fact that Parnas just released documents to House investigators yesterday , she replied , `` Well , does n't that suggest that the House did an incomplete job then ? ''
Collins ' remarks ignore the fact that it was unclear whether the documents would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities had seized the documents as part of the investigation that ultimately led to Parnas ' indictment on campaign finance charges .
Parnas had to ask a judge whether he could then publicly release those same documents that prosecutors had seized .
A federal judge signed off on allowing him to release the documents only two weeks ago .
The evidence shows that Parnas , Giuliani , and Trump confidante and attorney Victoria Toensing were part of the effort to remove now-former U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch .
Some text messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was surveilling Yovanovitch , raising questions about her safety .
Collins ' position that no new evidence should be admitted in the trial would also bar Trump from submitting any evidence that his legal team thinks is exculpatory .
Collins notably said in December that hearing all of the evidence in the case against Trump was necessary to determine whether he should be removed from office .
`` I think it 's premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented and get the answers to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chief Justice to both sides , '' Collins told Maine Public Radio on Dec. 31 .
Collins is one of just a few Republicans who are open to calling witnesses at Trump 's impeachment trial .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is opposed to calling witnesses , something that has happened in every other impeachment trial in history .
The impeachment trial is expected to begin next week .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said on Wednesday she doesn’t think newly released evidence, which happens to show Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump were deeply involved in the effort to force Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, should be allowed at the Senate impeachment trial.
“I wonder why the House did not put that into the record and it’s only now being revealed,” Collins said, referring to documents Democrats released on Tuesday from Lev Parnas, the indicted Giuliani aide who turned over his notes and text messages with Giuliani and other Ukrainian officials as part of the impeachment investigation.
Parnas only just released the documents to the House Intelligence Committee because federal authorities had seized them as part of its investigation into Parnas’ political activity. Parnas was ultimately indicted for breaking federal campaign finance law.
When reporters reminded Collins of that fact that Parnas just released documents to House investigators yesterday, she replied, “Well, doesn’t that suggest that the House did an incomplete job then?”
Collins’ remarks ignore the fact that it was unclear whether the documents would ever be released at all.
Federal authorities had seized the documents as part of the investigation that ultimately led to Parnas’ indictment on campaign finance charges. Parnas had to ask a judge whether he could then publicly release those same documents that prosecutors had seized.
A federal judge signed off on allowing him to release the documents only two weeks ago.
The evidence shows that Parnas, Giuliani, and Trump confidante and attorney Victoria Toensing were part of the effort to remove now-former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Some text messages even suggest that a top Trump donor was surveilling Yovanovitch, raising questions about her safety.
Collins’ position that no new evidence should be admitted in the trial would also bar Trump from submitting any evidence that his legal team thinks is exculpatory.
Collins notably said in December that hearing all of the evidence in the case against Trump was necessary to determine whether he should be removed from office.
“I think it’s premature to decide who should be called until we see the evidence that is presented and get the answers to the questions that we senators can submit through the Chief Justice to both sides,” Collins told Maine Public Radio on Dec. 31.
Collins is one of just a few Republicans who are open to calling witnesses at Trump’s impeachment trial.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is opposed to calling witnesses, something that has happened in every other impeachment trial in history.
The impeachment trial is expected to begin next week.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Senate Republicans admit they won't be fair in impeachment trial

The House of Representatives on Wednesday morning voted to appoint managers to prosecute the impeachment trial of Donald Trump and prepared to send the two articles against him , one for abuse of power and another for obstruction of Congress , to the Senate .
Within hours , several Republican senators had made it clear they had no intention to giving those articles a fair hearing .
The House impeached Trump in December , alleging he had abused his office when he pushed Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and impeded congressional efforts to investigate those actions .
Those articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate where members , who effectively act as jurors , will be asked to weigh the charges and decide whether to remove Trump from office .
At the start of an impeachment trial , each senator takes an oath in which they `` solemnly swear '' to `` do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already made it clear he will be anything but impartial .
`` House Democrats may finally stand behind the rushed , unfair , and nakedly partisan impeachment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he tweeted on Wednesday .
In a floor speech that same day , McConnell ( R-KY ) dismissed the charges as the result of `` the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in history . ''
Other Republicans have similarly piled on .
Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( TN ) insisted the Senate would `` not resort to the petty politics of the House '' but would `` give President Trump the fair trial he deserves . ''
However in that same tweet , Blackburn called the House impeachment inquiry `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not `` trust anything in the House Democrats ' impeachment* report '' because House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff had once paraphrased a conversation between Trump and the president of Ukraine .
Sen. Jim Inhofe ( OK ) was more blunt , promising to `` take this process seriously '' before immediately acknowledging `` the president is not going to be removed from office – period . ''
Florida Sen. Rick Scott claimed that `` impeachment is just a circus , '' telling Fox News that the impeachment trial was the result of Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats were `` trying to change the 2020 election .
That 's all this is . ''
Texas Sen. John Cornyn shared a tweet in which right-wing talk show host Hugh Hewitt called the impeachment trial `` close to criminal assault . ''
Cornyn added his own comments above the tweet , quoting Romans 5:3-4 , which reads , `` [ W ] e rejoice in our sufferings , knowing that suffering produces endurance , and endurance produces character , and character produces hope . ''
The impending trial comes as the charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats released new evidence Tuesday night suggesting a Trump donor and close associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani may have spied on the former ambassador to Ukraine .
Trump ousted the ambassador last year after a coordinated smear campaign against her by Giuliani and his associates .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The House of Representatives on Wednesday morning voted to appoint managers to prosecute the impeachment trial of Donald Trump and prepared to send the two articles against him, one for abuse of power and another for obstruction of Congress, to the Senate.
Within hours, several Republican senators had made it clear they had no intention to giving those articles a fair hearing.
The House impeached Trump in December, alleging he had abused his office when he pushed Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and impeded congressional efforts to investigate those actions. Those articles will now be passed along to the Senate where members, who effectively act as jurors, will be asked to weigh the charges and decide whether to remove Trump from office.
At the start of an impeachment trial, each senator takes an oath in which they “solemnly swear” to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already made it clear he will be anything but impartial. “House Democrats may finally stand behind the rushed, unfair, and nakedly partisan impeachment that they themselves delayed for four weeks,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
In a floor speech that same day, McConnell (R-KY) dismissed the charges as the result of “the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in history.”
Other Republicans have similarly piled on.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) insisted the Senate would “not resort to the petty politics of the House” but would “give President Trump the fair trial he deserves.” However in that same tweet, Blackburn called the House impeachment inquiry “a hoax,” arguing that senators could not “trust anything in the House Democrats’ impeachment* report” because House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff had once paraphrased a conversation between Trump and the president of Ukraine.
Sen. Jim Inhofe (OK) was more blunt, promising to “take this process seriously” before immediately acknowledging “the president is not going to be removed from office – period.”
Florida Sen. Rick Scott claimed that “impeachment is just a circus,” telling Fox News that the impeachment trial was the result of Democrats’ hatred of Trump. He claimed Democrats were “trying to change the 2020 election. That’s all this is.”
Texas Sen. John Cornyn shared a tweet in which right-wing talk show host Hugh Hewitt called the impeachment trial “close to criminal assault.” Cornyn added his own comments above the tweet, quoting Romans 5:3-4, which reads, “[W]e rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
The impending trial comes as the charges against Trump continue to gain steam. House Democrats released new evidence Tuesday night suggesting a Trump donor and close associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani may have spied on the former ambassador to Ukraine. Trump ousted the ambassador last year after a coordinated smear campaign against her by Giuliani and his associates.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Who are the House's 7 impeachment managers?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has chosen seven lawmakers to prosecute the House 's case that Donald Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress ' probe into what happened .
The managers bring institutional and subject matter expertise to the task , as well as geographic diversity .
Here 's a look at Pelosi 's team of managers : The California Democrat led the impeachment investigation into Trump 's pressure on Ukraine to announce an investigation into the family of Joe Biden , even as Trump held up military aid to the U.S. ally .
Schiff is a former federal prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New York Democrat wrote the impeachment articles against Trump based on Schiff 's investigation report .
He also led hearings into former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russia 's 2016 meddling .
Pelosi noted that Nadler served as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution , Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for more than a dozen years .
The California Democrat is a veteran of three presidential impeachment inquires .
She was on the Judiciary Committee during the 1998 and 1999 proceedings against President Bill Clinton .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment inquiry against President Richard Nixon , who resigned before he could be impeached .
The Florida Democrat is a member of both Schiff 's and Nadler 's committees , making her one of the House 's foremost experts on the case against Trump .
She served in the Orlando Police Department for nearly three decades , becoming the first woman to lead it as chief .
The New York Democrat is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus , putting him in close touch with the sentiment of Pelosi 's troops and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table .
He is a corporate lawyer and former state assemblyman .
The Texas Democrat gives the team some red-state cred and is a member of the freshman class that helped flip the House from Republican control last year .
She is a former presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System and a former state senator .
The Colorado Democrat is a lawyer and veteran .
He was one of the seven Democratic freshmen with national security credentials who signed an op-ed last year calling for impeachment proceedings , clearing the way for @ @ @ @ @

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has chosen seven lawmakers to prosecute the House’s case that Donald Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress’ probe into what happened.
The managers bring institutional and subject matter expertise to the task, as well as geographic diversity.
Here’s a look at Pelosi’s team of managers:
Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, 59
The California Democrat led the impeachment investigation into Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to announce an investigation into the family of Joe Biden, even as Trump held up military aid to the U.S. ally. Schiff is a former federal prosecutor and is especially close to Pelosi.
Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler, 72
The New York Democrat wrote the impeachment articles against Trump based on Schiff’s investigation report. He also led hearings into former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s 2016 meddling. Pelosi noted that Nadler served as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for more than a dozen years.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, 72
The California Democrat is a veteran of three presidential impeachment inquires. She was on the Judiciary Committee during the 1998 and 1999 proceedings against President Bill Clinton. She was a Judiciary Committee staffer during the impeachment inquiry against President Richard Nixon, who resigned before he could be impeached.
Rep. Val Demings, 62
The Florida Democrat is a member of both Schiff’s and Nadler’s committees, making her one of the House’s foremost experts on the case against Trump. She served in the Orlando Police Department for nearly three decades, becoming the first woman to lead it as chief.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, 49
The New York Democrat is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, putting him in close touch with the sentiment of Pelosi’s troops and giving him a seat at her leadership table. He is a corporate lawyer and former state assemblyman.
Rep. Sylvia Garcia, 69
The Texas Democrat gives the team some red-state cred and is a member of the freshman class that helped flip the House from Republican control last year. She is a former presiding judge of the Houston Municipal System and a former state senator.
Rep. Jason Crow, 40
The Colorado Democrat is a lawyer and veteran. He was one of the seven Democratic freshmen with national security credentials who signed an op-ed last year calling for impeachment proceedings, clearing the way for Pelosi to launch them.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Trump silent as Puerto Rico slammed by over 2 dozen earthquakes

Donald Trump has maintained a rigid silence in the days since a massive 6.4 magnitude earthquake rippled across Puerto Rico on Jan. 7 .
In a departure from his typical frenzied social media activity , Trump has not tweeted once to offer support nor give encouragement to the island 's residents , who are still working to recover following a series of natural disasters .
Since Dec. 28 , Puerto Rico has been hit with more than two dozen magnitude 4.5 or higher earthquakes , according to the U.S. Geological Survey ( USGS ) .
The most powerful quakes occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later by a magnitude 5.9 aftershock that resulted in additional damage to the island territory .
According to the Associated Press , the quakes have caused one death , nine injuries , an estimated $ 110 million in damages , and left hundreds of people homeless .
Yet the last time Trump made mention of Puerto Rico was during a Christmas Eve video teleconference with members of the military , and only in an offhand remark .
Trump last tweeted about Puerto Rico — whose residents are American citizens — was in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landfall on the island .
Since the quakes started on Dec. 28 , Trump has tweeted or retweeted about impeachment 35 times .
During a Tuesday night rally in Wisconsin , one week after the Jan. 7 earthquake , Trump dedicated several minutes to complaining about water pressure , dishwashers , showers , sinks , and toilets .
Trump also complained about energy-efficient light bulbs , unhappy that they give his skin an orange hue .
He did not find time to discuss the earthquakes in Puerto Rico .
When asked about Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 by CNN , the White House press office insisted that its official statement about the earthquakes in Puerto Rico was sufficient , claiming such documents speak for the president .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Trump has a history of troubling behavior toward Puerto Rico .
He faced withering criticism following Hurricane Maria , which made landfall on the island in 2017 .
Trump denied the death toll , which reached into the thousands ; publicly sparred with Puerto Rican officials during the recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tossing paper towels to residents like a basketball during a brief visit to assess the hurricane damage .
The Trump administration also withheld for months billions of dollars in federal funds intended to help Puerto Rico recover from the hurricane , finally agreeing to release $ 8.2 billion in aid in January 2020 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has maintained a rigid silence in the days since a massive 6.4 magnitude earthquake rippled across Puerto Rico on Jan. 7.
In a departure from his typical frenzied social media activity, Trump has not tweeted once to offer support nor give encouragement to the island’s residents, who are still working to recover following a series of natural disasters.
Since Dec. 28, Puerto Rico has been hit with more than two dozen magnitude 4.5 or higher earthquakes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The most powerful quakes occurred on Jan. 7, followed four days later by a magnitude 5.9 aftershock that resulted in additional damage to the island territory.
According to the Associated Press, the quakes have caused one death, nine injuries, an estimated $110 million in damages, and left hundreds of people homeless.
Yet the last time Trump made mention of Puerto Rico was during a Christmas Eve video teleconference with members of the military, and only in an offhand remark. Trump last tweeted about Puerto Rico — whose residents are American citizens — was in August 2019, when Hurricane Dorian avoided making landfall on the island.
Since the quakes started on Dec. 28, Trump has tweeted or retweeted about impeachment 35 times.
During a Tuesday night rally in Wisconsin, one week after the Jan. 7 earthquake, Trump dedicated several minutes to complaining about water pressure, dishwashers, showers, sinks, and toilets. Trump also complained about energy-efficient light bulbs, unhappy that they give his skin an orange hue.
He did not find time to discuss the earthquakes in Puerto Rico.
When asked about Trump’s silence on the matter on Jan. 9 by CNN, the White House press office insisted that its official statement about the earthquakes in Puerto Rico was sufficient, claiming such documents speak for the president.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has a history of troubling behavior toward Puerto Rico.
He faced withering criticism following Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on the island in 2017. Trump denied the death toll, which reached into the thousands; publicly sparred with Puerto Rican officials during the recovery effort; and was roundly mocked for tossing paper towels to residents like a basketball during a brief visit to assess the hurricane damage.
The Trump administration also withheld for months billions of dollars in federal funds intended to help Puerto Rico recover from the hurricane, finally agreeing to release $8.2 billion in aid in January 2020.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Trump wanted to change law so US companies could bribe foreign countries

Donald Trump is painted in an extremely negative light in a new book by two top Washington Post reporters , who interviewed over 200 sources , including top Trump officials and at least one senior White House adviser who described Trump as `` dangerously uninformed . ''
The book , title `` A Very Stable Genius , '' contains numerous eyebrow-raising anecdotes , including one in which Trump demanded that now-former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson get rid of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act , which bans American companies and individuals from using bribes to secure foreign business deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol D. Leonnig — say that Trump wanted to jettison the law `` because it restricted his industry buddies or his own company 's executives from paying off foreign governments in faraway lands . ''
There are a number of other anecdotes in the book that make Trump look unintelligent , uninformed , and downright rude .
The book says Trump knew little about the attack on Pearl Harbor , which helped push the United States into World War II .
It recalls an incident in which Trump stood up for former White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fired for domestic abuse — suggesting that Porter 's ex-wife `` purposefully ran into a refrigerator to give herself bruises and try to get money out of Porter . ''
And it tells an embarrassing story in which Trump struggled to read passages aloud from the Constitution for an HBO documentary , saying the foundational document for American democracy is `` like a foreign language . ''
Ultimately , one person interviewed for the book said that Trump has forever cheapened the office of the president .
`` He 's ruined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authors .
`` The disdain he shows for our country ’ s foundation and its principles .
The disregard he has for right and wrong .
Your fist clenches .
Your teeth grate . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump is painted in an extremely negative light in a new book by two top Washington Post reporters, who interviewed over 200 sources, including top Trump officials and at least one senior White House adviser who described Trump as “dangerously uninformed.”
The book, title “A Very Stable Genius,” contains numerous eyebrow-raising anecdotes, including one in which Trump demanded that now-former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson get rid of the 1977 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bans American companies and individuals from using bribes to secure foreign business deals.
The authors — Philip Rucker and Carol D. Leonnig — say that Trump wanted to jettison the law “because it restricted his industry buddies or his own company’s executives from paying off foreign governments in faraway lands.”
There are a number of other anecdotes in the book that make Trump look unintelligent, uninformed, and downright rude.
The book says Trump knew little about the attack on Pearl Harbor, which helped push the United States into World War II.
It recalls an incident in which Trump stood up for former White House staff secretary Rob Porter — who was fired for domestic abuse — suggesting that Porter’s ex-wife “purposefully ran into a refrigerator to give herself bruises and try to get money out of Porter.”
And it tells an embarrassing story in which Trump struggled to read passages aloud from the Constitution for an HBO documentary, saying the foundational document for American democracy is “like a foreign language.”
Ultimately, one person interviewed for the book said that Trump has forever cheapened the office of the president.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Trump uses trade deal signing to hype Fox and brag about himself for over 30 minutes

On Wednesday , at a White House event billed as a signing ceremony for the first phase of a trade deal with China , Trump spent over a half-hour lurching randomly through a variety of unrelated topics as Chinese officials looked on .
The White House billed the event as `` a signing ceremony of an agreement between the United States and China . ''
Despite proclaiming that the deal is `` the biggest deal there is anywhere in the world by far , '' Trump spent little time at the event addressing the agreement itself .
Instead , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGraw of Politico , Trump `` tick [ ed ] through a long list of officials , lawmakers , and businessmen and women to offer comments , compliments , anecdotes and jokes . ''
Trump used his time to hail Fox Business host Lou Dobbs , who was in attendance .
Trump called Dobbs ' show `` very important '' and said it has a `` tremendous audience . ''
Dobbs recently scolded Americans for not praising Trump enough .
Trump also called Rupert Murdoch , the CEO of Fox News ' parent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Another detour included a riff on a purported `` 22-year '' waiting period to build highways due to environmental regulation .
As he was hailing South Dakota Republican Gov .
Kristi Noem , Trump said he would appear at Mt .
Rushmore for Fourth of July fireworks and insisted that `` nobody knows '' why a display at the monument , which is surrounded by forest land , could have a negative environmental impact .
Pointing out his frequent golfing partner and serial congressional defender Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a `` much better golfer than people would n't understand . ''
As he named several of his congressional allies in attendance , Trump thanked figures like Sen. Charles Grassley ( R-IA ) , Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) , and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , also a Republican , for defending him during the impeachment inquiry .
Trump pointed out several business executives in attendance , including the CEO of JP Morgan Asset and Wealth Management , who he urged to say `` thank you , Mr. President '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noting an official from eBay , Trump told an unverified anecdote about signing items , then seeing them on the service for auction the next day for thousands of dollars .
Trump also said that `` you do n't hear complaints about the [ Veterans Administration system ] anymore . ''
The claim is untrue .
`` The Chinese delegation stood to the president 's side as he spoke , '' noted the White House press pool report of the event .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Wednesday, at a White House event billed as a signing ceremony for the first phase of a trade deal with China, Trump spent over a half-hour lurching randomly through a variety of unrelated topics as Chinese officials looked on.
The White House billed the event as “a signing ceremony of an agreement between the United States and China.”
Despite proclaiming that the deal is “the biggest deal there is anywhere in the world by far,” Trump spent little time at the event addressing the agreement itself.
Instead, as noted by White House pool reporter Meridith McGraw of Politico, Trump “tick[ed] through a long list of officials, lawmakers, and businessmen and women to offer comments, compliments, anecdotes and jokes.”
Trump used his time to hail Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, who was in attendance. Trump called Dobbs’ show “very important” and said it has a “tremendous audience.” Dobbs recently scolded Americans for not praising Trump enough.
Trump also called Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of Fox News’ parent company News Corp., “the greatest.”
Another detour included a riff on a purported “22-year” waiting period to build highways due to environmental regulation.
As he was hailing South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump said he would appear at Mt. Rushmore for Fourth of July fireworks and insisted that “nobody knows” why a display at the monument, which is surrounded by forest land, could have a negative environmental impact.
Pointing out his frequent golfing partner and serial congressional defender Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the audience, Trump said Graham is a “much better golfer than people wouldn’t understand.”
As he named several of his congressional allies in attendance, Trump thanked figures like Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, also a Republican, for defending him during the impeachment inquiry.
Trump pointed out several business executives in attendance, including the CEO of JP Morgan Asset and Wealth Management, who he urged to say “thank you, Mr. President” for their most recent earnings announcement.
Noting an official from eBay, Trump told an unverified anecdote about signing items, then seeing them on the service for auction the next day for thousands of dollars.
Trump also said that “you don’t hear complaints about the [Veterans Administration system] anymore.” The claim is untrue.
“The Chinese delegation stood to the president’s side as he spoke,” noted the White House press pool report of the event.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Trump administration proposal would let businesses pollute half of US wetlands

The Trump administration is set to announce a dismantling of clean water protections that would allow businesses in the farming , mining , oil and gas , and real estate industry to pollute half of U.S. wetlands and millions of miles of streams , Politico reported on Tuesday .
The announcement could come as early as this weekend .
The rule will weaken the Clean Water Act , a 48-year-old law that 's helped stop the country 's water sources from being polluted , and is being proposed over the objections of Trump-appointed scientific advisers at the Environmental Protection Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter last month to EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler that weakening the law is `` in conflict with established science '' and runs counter to the Clean Water Act 's objectives .
The proposal would narrow the definition of what constitutes a protected waterway , and argues that past federal rules enacted by former President Barack Obama 's administration were executive overreach .
Politico reported that the proposal is likely to be challenged in court , and could go all the way to the Supreme Court , where the Trump administration hopes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The outlet noted that the move seemed to be a nod to U.S. farmers , who have been fighting environmental protections of U.S. waterways for years and who have been hit hard recently as a result of Trump 's trade war with China .
Trump has taken a particularly aggressive stance on water regulations of late , complaining during campaign rallies about toilet flushing and hand washing .
`` You turn on the faucet and you do n't get any water .
They take a shower and water comes dripping out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , '' Trump said in December at a roundtable with small business owners .
`` People are flushing toilets 10 times , 15 times , as opposed to once .
At a rally on Tuesday , Trump took aim at environmental regulations again , praising `` new dishwashers that give you more water so you can actually watch and rinse your dishes without having to do it 10 times . ''
It was not immediately clear to what he was referring .
Most of the dishwashing machines on the market today are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of efficiency and use far less water than their predecessors , and as both CNET and NPR have noted , are actually more environmentally friendly than handwashing , with some newer machines using as little as 3 gallons per load .
As NPR reported , the Department of Energy also `` sets standards that a full-size dishwasher can use no more than five gallons of water per cycle , and a compact dishwasher no more than 3.5 gallons . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Trump administration is set to announce a dismantling of clean water protections that would allow businesses in the farming, mining, oil and gas, and real estate industry to pollute half of U.S. wetlands and millions of miles of streams, Politico reported on Tuesday.
The announcement could come as early as this weekend.
The rule will weaken the Clean Water Act, a 48-year-old law that’s helped stop the country’s water sources from being polluted, and is being proposed over the objections of Trump-appointed scientific advisers at the Environmental Protection Agency. Trump’s scientific advisers said in a letter last month to EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler that weakening the law is “in conflict with established science” and runs counter to the Clean Water Act’s objectives.
The proposal would narrow the definition of what constitutes a protected waterway, and argues that past federal rules enacted by former President Barack Obama’s administration were executive overreach.
Politico reported that the proposal is likely to be challenged in court, and could go all the way to the Supreme Court, where the Trump administration hopes the conservative majority will side with the changes.
The outlet noted that the move seemed to be a nod to U.S. farmers, who have been fighting environmental protections of U.S. waterways for years and who have been hit hard recently as a result of Trump’s trade war with China.
Trump has taken a particularly aggressive stance on water regulations of late, complaining during campaign rallies about toilet flushing and hand washing.
“You turn on the faucet and you don’t get any water. They take a shower and water comes dripping out. Just dripping out, very quietly dripping out,” Trump said in December at a roundtable with small business owners. “People are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once.
At a rally on Tuesday, Trump took aim at environmental regulations again, praising “new dishwashers that give you more water so you can actually watch and rinse your dishes without having to do it 10 times.”
It was not immediately clear to what he was referring. Most of the dishwashing machines on the market today are vastly superior to older models in terms of efficiency and use far less water than their predecessors, and as both CNET and NPR have noted, are actually more environmentally friendly than handwashing, with some newer machines using as little as 3 gallons per load.
As NPR reported, the Department of Energy also “sets standards that a full-size dishwasher can use no more than five gallons of water per cycle, and a compact dishwasher no more than 3.5 gallons.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-15--Senate bucks precedent to restrict press access during impeachment trial

Reporters covering the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump will face unprecedented restrictions as they seek to provide first-hand coverage of the third such trial in American history , Roll Call reported on Tuesday .
While the restrictions reportedly will be put in place to protect senators , Roll Call notes that the plan `` suggests that credentialed reporters and photographers whom senators interact with on a daily basis are considered a threat . ''
The new restrictions were met with pushback from members of the press who regularly cover Capitol Hill proceedings .
`` These potential restrictions fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the way the American public expects to be able to follow a vital news event about their government in the digital age , '' the Standing Committee of Correspondents , a group representing congressional reporters , wrote in a Tuesday letter to Senate leaders .
Credentialed members of the press , who regularly walk and talk with senators on a daily basis , will be corralled into press pens and not allowed to engage in their normal back-and-forth conversations with lawmakers during the trial .
Press will also lose their freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , and will be escorted to and from the press pen .
In addition , members of the media who wish to watch the trial from the press area in the Senate chamber will have to go through an additional screening process before entering .
Electronic devices such as phones and laptops are already prohibited in the chamber , so the additional screening means reporters will have an even more difficult time quickly entering and exiting the chamber to give first-hand reports on the proceedings .
Washington Post reporter Seung Min Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the restrictions .
`` Excessive restrictions like these only hurt the public who are rightfully seeking up-to-date information on an incredibly historic event such as the third impeachment trial of a U.S. president in history . ''
Sen. Roy Blunt ( R-MO ) , chair of the Senate Rules Committee and involved in the discussions about restrictions , dismissed concerns from the press .
`` You 'll have to decide where ’ s the best place to watch ; it 's like watching a football game , '' Blunt told Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch it ? ''
Blunt said , implying reporters may be better off following the trial on television or streaming online rather than in person .
The proposed security measures `` exceed what occurred during the Clinton trial 20 years ago , with fewer ways for press to speak to senators , '' Sarah Wire , a Los Angeles Times reporter and chair of the Standing Committee on Correspondents , wrote on social media .
One of the issues centers around the historic handoff of the articles of impeachment from the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security measures prohibit all still photographers from capturing the moment , no audio recordings , and will only allow one video camera to record it , far more restrictive than in 1998 .
Roll Call re-published a still photograph from 1998 , showing House Republicans delivering the articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton to the Secretary of the Senate .
`` NO STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS allowed to document the transfer of the articles to the Senate ?
!
?
!
? ''
Mike DeBonis , a Washington Post congressional reporter , wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Standing Committee of Correspondents & scores of colleagues who cover the Capitol daily in condemning this outrageous breach of press freedom . ''
DeBonis said that for other historic occasions , including annual State of the Union addresses , the press and Capitol Hill security personnel `` have been able to balance the equities of lawmakers and media without metal detectors or reporter pens .
Completely unclear why this should be any different . ''
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expects the Senate trial to begin on Tuesday , Jan. 21 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named seven impeachment managers who will make the case to senators as to why Trump should be removed from office .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Reporters covering the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump will face unprecedented restrictions as they seek to provide first-hand coverage of the third such trial in American history, Roll Call reported on Tuesday.
While the restrictions reportedly will be put in place to protect senators, Roll Call notes that the plan “suggests that credentialed reporters and photographers whom senators interact with on a daily basis are considered a threat.”
The new restrictions were met with pushback from members of the press who regularly cover Capitol Hill proceedings.
“These potential restrictions fail to acknowledge what currently works on Capitol Hill, or the way the American public expects to be able to follow a vital news event about their government in the digital age,” the Standing Committee of Correspondents, a group representing congressional reporters, wrote in a Tuesday letter to Senate leaders.
Credentialed members of the press, who regularly walk and talk with senators on a daily basis, will be corralled into press pens and not allowed to engage in their normal back-and-forth conversations with lawmakers during the trial. Press will also lose their freedom to roam in the halls of the Senate, and will be escorted to and from the press pen.
In addition, members of the media who wish to watch the trial from the press area in the Senate chamber will have to go through an additional screening process before entering. Electronic devices such as phones and laptops are already prohibited in the chamber, so the additional screening means reporters will have an even more difficult time quickly entering and exiting the chamber to give first-hand reports on the proceedings.
Washington Post reporter Seung Min Kim wrote that she was “floored” by the restrictions. “Excessive restrictions like these only hurt the public who are rightfully seeking up-to-date information on an incredibly historic event such as the third impeachment trial of a U.S. president in history.”
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), chair of the Senate Rules Committee and involved in the discussions about restrictions, dismissed concerns from the press.
“You’ll have to decide where’s the best place to watch; it’s like watching a football game,” Blunt told Roll Call. “Where’s the best place to watch it?” Blunt said, implying reporters may be better off following the trial on television or streaming online rather than in person.
The proposed security measures “exceed what occurred during the Clinton trial 20 years ago, with fewer ways for press to speak to senators,” Sarah Wire, a Los Angeles Times reporter and chair of the Standing Committee on Correspondents, wrote on social media.
One of the issues centers around the historic handoff of the articles of impeachment from the House of Representatives to the Senate. The security measures prohibit all still photographers from capturing the moment, no audio recordings, and will only allow one video camera to record it, far more restrictive than in 1998.
Roll Call re-published a still photograph from 1998, showing House Republicans delivering the articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton to the Secretary of the Senate.
“NO STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS allowed to document the transfer of the articles to the Senate?!?!?” Mike DeBonis, a Washington Post congressional reporter, wrote on social media. “I stand with the Standing Committee of Correspondents & scores of colleagues who cover the Capitol daily in condemning this outrageous breach of press freedom.”
DeBonis said that for other historic occasions, including annual State of the Union addresses, the press and Capitol Hill security personnel “have been able to balance the equities of lawmakers and media without metal detectors or reporter pens. Completely unclear why this should be any different.”
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expects the Senate trial to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 21. On Wednesday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named seven impeachment managers who will make the case to senators as to why Trump should be removed from office.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-17--Trump lied about service members being hurt according to military

Several U.S. service members received concussions and were treated for their injuries after Iran fired missiles at the Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq earlier this month , U.S. Central Command announced Thursday evening .
The disclosure of the injuries runs counter to Donald Trump 's previous claim that `` no Americans were harmed '' in the strike .
`` While no U.S. service members were killed in the Jan. 8 Iranian attack ... several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed , '' Central Command spokesman Capt .
Bill Urban said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the vicinity of the blast `` are screened for traumatic brain injury , and if deemed appropriate , are transported to a higher level of care . ''
Eleven service members were transported to hospitals for follow-up screenings after the Iranian attack .
The attack was carried out in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike in Baghdad ordered by Trump on Jan. 2 that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the brutal leader of the Quds Force .
In a televised address to the nation the day after Iran 's retaliatory strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No Americans were harmed in last night ’ s attack by the Iranian regime .
We suffered no casualties , '' he said .
`` All of our soldiers are safe , and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases . ''
Trump echoed that sentiment in a tweet after the attack .
`` All is well !
Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq .
Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now .
So far , so good ! ''
he wrote .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to widely voiced concerns about the initial Jan. 2 strike and its ongoing fallout .
Trump and his administration , most notably Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , have repeatedly asserted that Soleimani posed an `` imminent threat '' to the United States but have never offered evidence to support the allegation .
Members of Congress indicated after briefings from the administration that they had not seen evidence to justify the claim either .
After the attack , the House of Representatives voted to curb Trump 's war powers , in an attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Senate is also considering a vote limiting Trump 's powers in the wake of the attacks .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Several U.S. service members received concussions and were treated for their injuries after Iran fired missiles at the Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq earlier this month, U.S. Central Command announced Thursday evening.
The disclosure of the injuries runs counter to Donald Trump’s previous claim that “no Americans were harmed” in the strike.
“While no U.S. service members were killed in the Jan. 8 Iranian attack … several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed,” Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement.
Urban noted that all personnel in the vicinity of the blast “are screened for traumatic brain injury, and if deemed appropriate, are transported to a higher level of care.”
Eleven service members were transported to hospitals for follow-up screenings after the Iranian attack. The attack was carried out in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike in Baghdad ordered by Trump on Jan. 2 that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the brutal leader of the Quds Force.
In a televised address to the nation the day after Iran’s retaliatory strike, Trump told a different story.
“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime. We suffered no casualties,” he said. “All of our soldiers are safe, and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases.”
Trump echoed that sentiment in a tweet after the attack.
“All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good!” he wrote.
The disclosure about injuries to the troops adds to widely voiced concerns about the initial Jan. 2 strike and its ongoing fallout.
Trump and his administration, most notably Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have repeatedly asserted that Soleimani posed an “imminent threat” to the United States but have never offered evidence to support the allegation.
Members of Congress indicated after briefings from the administration that they had not seen evidence to justify the claim either.
After the attack, the House of Representatives voted to curb Trump’s war powers, in an attempt to stave off a war with Iran. The Senate is also considering a vote limiting Trump’s powers in the wake of the attacks.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-17--Trump adds infamous Clinton impeachment leader Ken Starr to legal team

Donald Trump is bringing in two controversial lawyers to help craft his impeachment defense : Ken Starr , the prosecutor whose investigation led to former President Bill Clinton 's impeachment , and Alan Dershowitz , the scandal-plagued lawyer who faces questions over his ties to alleged child rapist Jeffrey Epstein .
Both men are regulars on Fox News , Trump 's favorite cable television network .
It 's unclear what role Starr will play on the defense team .
However , Starr 's far-reaching Whitewater investigation into Clinton is what ultimately uncovered his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affair led to Clinton 's impeachment on perjury charges , after Clinton denied the affair under oath .
Dershowitz , on the other hand , plans to focus on the constitutional argument against impeachment , he told CNBC on Friday morning .
Dershowitz was a constitutional law professor at Harvard .
`` The president asked me to do this , and the legal team asked me to do this , '' Dershowitz told CNBC .
Trump 's impeachment trial is set to begin next week in the Senate .
Senators were sworn in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors , even though a number of GOP lawmakers have explicitly said they do n't plan to be objective .
Ahead of the trial , more evidence has emerged that Trump 's scheme to force Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden by withholding military aid was illegal .
The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office on Thursday released a report saying that the withholding of aid violated the law .
And Lev Parnas , the indicted associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , released a trove of documents and evidence tying Trump directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges of abuse of power for the attempt to force Ukraine to investigate Biden and obstruction of Congress for blocking witness testimony and withholding other evidence from House investigators .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump is getting help with his impeachment defense from two controversial lawyers: Ken Starr, the prosecutor whose investigation led to former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment, and Alan Dershowitz, the scandal-plagued lawyer who faces questions over his ties to alleged child rapist Jeffrey Epstein.
Both men are regulars on Fox News, Trump’s favorite cable television network.
It’s unclear what role Starr will play on the defense team. However, Starr’s far-reaching Whitewater investigation into Clinton is what ultimately uncovered his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The GOP’s investigation of the affair led to Clinton’s impeachment on perjury charges, after Clinton denied the affair under oath.
Dershowitz, on the other hand, plans to focus on the constitutional argument against impeachment, he told CNBC on Friday morning. Dershowitz was a constitutional law professor at Harvard.
“The president asked me to do this, and the legal team asked me to do this,” Dershowitz told CNBC.
Dershowitz later clarified on “The Dan Abrams Show” that he would not be a “full-fledged” member of Trump’s legal team, but would “provide an hourlong constitutional defense of the president before the Senate as Trump goes on trial next week,” according to Mediaite.
“I think it overstates it to say I’m a member of the Trump team,” he said Friday afternoon. “I was asked to present the constitutional argument that I would have presented had Hillary Clinton been elected and had she been impeached. I was asked to present my constitutional argument against impeachment.”
He added, “I will be there for one hour, basically, presenting my argument. But I’m not a full-fledged member of the defense team in any realistic sense of that term.”
Monica Lewinsky, the intern Clinton had an affair with and whose life was turned upside down by the impeachment trial, was aghast that Trump would hire Starr.
“This is definitely an ‘are you fucking kidding me?’ kinda day,” Lewinsky tweeted.
Trump’s impeachment trial is set to begin next week in the Senate.
Senators were sworn in on Thursday, vowing to be impartial jurors, even though a number of GOP lawmakers have explicitly said they don’t plan to be objective.
Ahead of the trial, more evidence has emerged that Trump’s scheme to force Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden by withholding military aid was illegal.
The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office on Thursday released a report saying that the withholding of aid violated the law.
And Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, released a trove of documents and evidence tying Trump directly to the scheme.
Trump faces impeachment charges of abuse of power for the attempt to force Ukraine to investigate Biden and obstruction of Congress for blocking witness testimony and withholding other evidence from House investigators.
This article has been updated to include recent comments from Alan Dershowitz and to clarify his role in the impeachment trial.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-17--Andrew Yang's wife reveals OB-GYN sexually assaulted her while she was pregnant

The wife of Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang says she was sexually assaulted by an obstetrician while she was pregnant with the couple 's first child .
Evelyn Yang said in an interview televised Thursday by CNN that the assault happened in 2012 and that she was initially afraid to tell anyone .
She and 31 other women are now suing the doctor and the hospital system , saying they conspired and enabled the crimes .
Yang said she was encouraged to speak out after seeing the positive reception she and her husband had been getting on the campaign trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autism .
`` Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we 've been making already has moved me to share my own story about it , about sexual assault , '' she told CNN .
Yang said she first began seeing Dr. Robert Hadden in New York in early 2012 .
As the months went on , Yang said , Hadden began asking her inappropriate questions about her sexual activity and spent more time conducting examinations .
When she was seven months pregnant , Yang said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she was getting ready to leave when the doctor told her abruptly that he thought she might need a cesarean section .
She said Hadden pulled her to him and undressed her , then used his fingers to examine her internally .
`` I knew it was wrong .
I knew I was being assaulted , '' she said .
But Yang said she `` just kind of froze '' and did n't react .
`` I remember trying to fix my eyes on a spot on the wall and just trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was assaulting me , just waiting for it to be over , '' she told CNN .
After the doctor left the room , she left the practice and did n't return .
Hadden 's lawyer has denied Yang 's allegations in legal filings .
His attorney declined a request to be interviewed by CNN .
Yang said she initially did n't tell anyone what had happened to her .
She said she blamed herself , thinking she must have done something to `` invite this kind of behavior . ''
Months later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born , Yang got a letter in the mail saying Hadden had left the practice .
Curious , she looked him up online and saw that another woman had made a police report accusing him of assaulting her .
She said she realized then that she was n't to blame for his actions .
`` This was a serial predator , and he just picked me as his prey , '' she told CNN .
She said only then was she able to reveal the abuse to her husband .
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` proud '' of his wife and no one deserves to be treated as she was .
`` When victims of abuse come forward , they deserve our belief , support , and protection , '' Yang said .
`` I hope that Evelyn 's story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women . ''
He later tweeted , `` I love my wife very very much . ''
Evelyn Yang said several women came forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she learned the Manhattan district attorney 's office had an open case against him .
In 2016 , she said , the DA 's office agreed to a deal with Hadden in which he pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching and one count of third-degree sexual assault .
He also lost his medical license and had to register as the lowest level of sex offender .
Yang said she felt betrayed by the plea deal , which allowed the doctor to avoid jail .
The counts he pleaded to did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement to CNN , `` Because a conviction is never a guaranteed outcome in a criminal trial , our primary concern was holding him accountable and making sure he could never do this again -- which is why we insisted on a felony conviction and permanent surrender of his medical license . ''
Yang and 31 other women are now suing Columbia University , where Hadden worked , along with its affiliates and the doctor itself , saying they `` actively concealed , conspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to CNN .
The lawsuit claims that medical assistants who worked with the doctor knew of the abuse but did n't intervene because of a power imbalance and lack of training , CNN said .
Hadden has denied the additional allegations in court papers , CNN reported .
Columbia University and the hospital system are fighting the lawsuit on procedural grounds , according to CNN .
A university spokeswoman told CNN in response to a detailed list of questions that the accusations are `` abhorrent '' and they `` deeply apologize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

The wife of Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang says she was sexually assaulted by an obstetrician while she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Evelyn Yang said in an interview televised Thursday by CNN that the assault happened in 2012 and that she was initially afraid to tell anyone. She and 31 other women are now suing the doctor and the hospital system, saying they conspired and enabled the crimes.
Yang said she was encouraged to speak out after seeing the positive reception she and her husband had been getting on the campaign trail by being open about their son’s autism.
“Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we’ve been making already has moved me to share my own story about it, about sexual assault,” she told CNN.
Yang said she first began seeing Dr. Robert Hadden in New York in early 2012. As the months went on, Yang said, Hadden began asking her inappropriate questions about her sexual activity and spent more time conducting examinations.
When she was seven months pregnant, Yang said, she believed her appointment was done and she was getting ready to leave when the doctor told her abruptly that he thought she might need a cesarean section. She said Hadden pulled her to him and undressed her, then used his fingers to examine her internally.
“I knew it was wrong. I knew I was being assaulted,” she said.
But Yang said she “just kind of froze” and didn’t react. “I remember trying to fix my eyes on a spot on the wall and just trying to avoid seeing his face as he was assaulting me, just waiting for it to be over,” she told CNN.
After the doctor left the room, she left the practice and didn’t return.
Hadden’s lawyer has denied Yang’s allegations in legal filings. His attorney declined a request to be interviewed by CNN.
Yang said she initially didn’t tell anyone what had happened to her. She said she blamed herself, thinking she must have done something to “invite this kind of behavior.”
Months later, after the couple’s son was born, Yang got a letter in the mail saying Hadden had left the practice. Curious, she looked him up online and saw that another woman had made a police report accusing him of assaulting her.
She said she realized then that she wasn’t to blame for his actions.
“This was a serial predator, and he just picked me as his prey,” she told CNN.
She said only then was she able to reveal the abuse to her husband.
In a statement Thursday, Andrew Yang said he was “proud” of his wife and no one deserves to be treated as she was.
“When victims of abuse come forward, they deserve our belief, support, and protection,” Yang said. “I hope that Evelyn’s story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women.”
He later tweeted, “I love my wife very very much.”
Evelyn Yang said several women came forward with similar stories about Hadden, and she learned the Manhattan district attorney’s office had an open case against him.
In 2016, she said, the DA’s office agreed to a deal with Hadden in which he pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching and one count of third-degree sexual assault. He also lost his medical license and had to register as the lowest level of sex offender.
Yang said she felt betrayed by the plea deal, which allowed the doctor to avoid jail. The counts he pleaded to didn’t involve her case, she said.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement to CNN, “Because a conviction is never a guaranteed outcome in a criminal trial, our primary concern was holding him accountable and making sure he could never do this again — which is why we insisted on a felony conviction and permanent surrender of his medical license.”
Yang and 31 other women are now suing Columbia University, where Hadden worked, along with its affiliates and the doctor itself, saying they “actively concealed, conspired, and enabled” Hadden’s crimes, according to CNN.
The lawsuit claims that medical assistants who worked with the doctor knew of the abuse but didn’t intervene because of a power imbalance and lack of training, CNN said.
Hadden has denied the additional allegations in court papers, CNN reported. Columbia University and the hospital system are fighting the lawsuit on procedural grounds, according to CNN.
A university spokeswoman told CNN in response to a detailed list of questions that the accusations are “abhorrent” and they “deeply apologize to those whose trust was violated.”


shareblue--2020-01-17--Eric Trump's wife Lara mocks Joe Biden's stutter

Lara Trump , wife of Donald Trump 's son Eric Trump , mocked former Vice President Joe Biden 's stutter at a `` Women for Trump '' event in Iowa Thursday night , calling the speech impediment Biden has suffered with since he was a child `` sad . ''
`` I feel kind of sad for Joe Biden , and you know that 's when it 's not going well for him right ?
Because I 'm supposed to want him to fail at every turn , but every time he comes on stage and they turn to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it out ?
Let 's get the words out Joe . '
'' she said on stage .
`` You kind of feel bad for him . ''
Biden opened up about his stutter last year in an interview with a reporter from the Atlantic who also suffers from the speech impediment .
Biden talked about how he spent years trying to overcome his stutter , which he said made him feel `` shame '' in his youth .
`` Anger , rage , humiliation , '' Biden told the Atlantic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A feeling of , uh—like I 'm sure you 've experienced—it just drops out of your chest , just , like , you feel … a void . ''
This is not the first time someone in Donald Trump 's orbit has mocked someone with a disability .
Trump himself infamously mimicked a disabled reporter 's hand movements during a campaign rally during the 2016 election .
It 's also not the first time someone in Trump 's orbit mocked Biden for his stutter .
Former White House press secretary Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stutter during the Dec. 19 debate , tweeting , `` I I I I I I I I I hhhave absolutely no idea what Biden is talking about . ''
Biden responded to Sanders ' mean tweet , saying , `` I 've worked my whole life to overcome a stutter .
And it 's my great honor to mentor kids who have experienced the same .
It 's called empathy .
Look it up . ''
`` I actually did n't know that about you and that is commendable , '' Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have made my point respectfully . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Lara Trump, wife of Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump, mocked former Vice President Joe Biden’s stutter at a “Women for Trump” event in Iowa Thursday night, calling the speech impediment Biden has suffered with since he was a child “sad.”
“I feel kind of sad for Joe Biden, and you know that’s when it’s not going well for him right? Because I’m supposed to want him to fail at every turn, but every time he comes on stage and they turn to him I’m like, ‘Joe can you get it out? Let’s get the words out Joe.'” she said on stage. “You kind of feel bad for him.”
Biden opened up about his stutter last year in an interview with a reporter from the Atlantic who also suffers from the speech impediment. Biden talked about how he spent years trying to overcome his stutter, which he said made him feel “shame” in his youth.
“Anger, rage, humiliation,” Biden told the Atlantic, describing how the stutter made him feel. “A feeling of, uh—like I’m sure you’ve experienced—it just drops out of your chest, just, like, you feel … a void.”
This is not the first time someone in Donald Trump’s orbit has mocked someone with a disability.
Trump himself infamously mimicked a disabled reporter’s hand movements during a campaign rally during the 2016 election.
It’s also not the first time someone in Trump’s orbit mocked Biden for his stutter.
Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made fun of Biden’s stutter during the Dec. 19 debate, tweeting, “I I I I I I I I I hhhave absolutely no idea what Biden is talking about.”
Biden responded to Sanders’ mean tweet, saying, “I’ve worked my whole life to overcome a stutter. And it’s my great honor to mentor kids who have experienced the same. It’s called empathy. Look it up.”
Sanders ultimately deleted her tweet and apologized.
“I actually didn’t know that about you and that is commendable,” Sanders tweeted. “I apologize and should have made my point respectfully.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-17--Iran's leader calls Trump a 'clown' who only pretends to support Iranians

Iran 's supreme leader lashed out at Western countries as he led Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time in eight years , dismissing “ American clowns ” who he said pretend to support the Iranian nation but want to stick their `` poisoned dagger ” into its back .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used his rare appearance at the weekly prayers to deliver a fiery address in which he insisted Iran would not bow to U.S. pressure after months of crushing sanctions and a series of recent crises — from the killing of a top Iranian general to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Khamenei said the mass funerals for Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , who was killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this month , show that the Iranian people support the Islamic Republic despite its recent trials .
He said the “ cowardly ” hit on Soleimani had taken out the most effective commander in the battle against the Islamic State group .
In response to Soleimani 's killing , Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting U.S. troops in Iraq , without causing serious injuries .
Khamenei said the strike had dealt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as a superpower .
In the part of his sermon delivered in Arabic , he said the “ real punishment ” would be in forcing the U.S. to withdraw from the Middle East .
After the missile strike , as Iran 's Revolutionary Guard braced for an American counterattack that never came , it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian jetliner shortly after takeoff from Tehran 's international airport , killing all 176 passengers on board , mostly Iranians .
Authorities concealed their role in the tragedy for three days , initially blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it came , their admission of responsibility triggered days of street protests , which security forces dispersed with live ammunition and tear gas .
Khamenei called the shootdown of the plane a `` bitter accident '' that he said had saddened Iran as much as it made its enemies happy .
He said Iran 's enemies had seized on the crash to question the Islamic Republic , the Revolutionary Guard and the armed forces .
Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said on Friday that his country wants Iran to issue a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Canada and other nations whose citizens died in the crash have demanded Iran pay compensation to the victims ' families .
Khamenei also lashed out at Britain , France and Germany after they triggered a dispute mechanism to try and bring Iran back into compliance with the unraveling 2015 nuclear agreement .
Iran began openly breaching certain limits under the agreement last summer , more than a year after Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and began imposing sanctions .
After the killing of Soleimani , Iran said it was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These contemptible governments are waiting to bring the Iranian nation to its knees , ” Khamenei said .
“ America , who is your elder , your leader and your master , was not able to bring the Iranian nation to its knees .
You are too small to bring the Iranian nation to its knees.
” Khamenei has held the country 's top office since 1989 and has the final say on all major decisions .
The 80-year-old leader openly wept at the funeral of Soleimani and vowed “ harsh retaliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people attended the Friday prayers , occasionally interrupting his speech by chanting “ God is greatest !
” and “ Death to America !
” Tensions between Iran and the United States have steadily escalated since Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord , which had imposed restrictions on Iran 's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions .
The U.S. has since imposed crippling sanctions on Iran , including its vital oil and gas industry , pushing the country into an economic crisis that has ignited several waves of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly encouraged the protesters — even tweeting in Farsi — hoping that the protests and the sanctions will bring about fundamental change in a longtime adversary .
Khamenei mocked those efforts , dismissing “ these American clowns who falsely and despicably say that they are standing with the Iranian people.
” He did not refer to Trump by name , but was clearly referring to him and his administration .
“ You are lying , ” he said .
`` If you do stand with the Iranian people it is because you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back of the Iranian nation .
Of course you have n't been able to do that so far , and you wo n't be able to do a damn thing.
” Khamenei was always skeptical of the nuclear agreement , arguing that the United States could not be trusted .
But he allowed President Hassan Rouhani , a relative moderate , to conclude the agreement with President Barack Obama .
Since Trump 's withdrawal , he has repeatedly said there can be no negotiations with the United States .
Khamenei last delivered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he called Israel a “ cancerous tumor ” and vowed to support anyone confronting it .
He also warned against any U.S. strikes on Iran over its nuclear program , saying the U.S. would be damaged “ 10 times over .
”

Iran’s supreme leader lashed out at Western countries as he led Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time in eight years, dismissing “American clowns” who he said pretend to support the Iranian nation but want to stick their “poisoned dagger” into its back.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used his rare appearance at the weekly prayers to deliver a fiery address in which he insisted Iran would not bow to U.S. pressure after months of crushing sanctions and a series of recent crises — from the killing of a top Iranian general to the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane.
Khamenei said the mass funerals for Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier this month, show that the Iranian people support the Islamic Republic despite its recent trials. He said the “cowardly” hit on Soleimani had taken out the most effective commander in the battle against the Islamic State group.
In response to Soleimani’s killing, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting U.S. troops in Iraq, without causing serious injuries. Khamenei said the strike had dealt a “blow to America’s image” as a superpower. In the part of his sermon delivered in Arabic, he said the “real punishment” would be in forcing the U.S. to withdraw from the Middle East.
After the missile strike, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard braced for an American counterattack that never came, it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian jetliner shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s international airport, killing all 176 passengers on board, mostly Iranians.
Authorities concealed their role in the tragedy for three days, initially blaming the crash on a technical problem. When it came, their admission of responsibility triggered days of street protests, which security forces dispersed with live ammunition and tear gas.
Khamenei called the shootdown of the plane a “bitter accident” that he said had saddened Iran as much as it made its enemies happy. He said Iran’s enemies had seized on the crash to question the Islamic Republic, the Revolutionary Guard and the armed forces.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said on Friday that his country wants Iran to issue a formal document admitting its guilt. Ukraine, Canada and other nations whose citizens died in the crash have demanded Iran pay compensation to the victims’ families.
Khamenei also lashed out at Britain, France and Germany after they triggered a dispute mechanism to try and bring Iran back into compliance with the unraveling 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran began openly breaching certain limits under the agreement last summer, more than a year after Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and began imposing sanctions. After the killing of Soleimani, Iran said it was no longer bound by the nuclear deal.
“These contemptible governments are waiting to bring the Iranian nation to its knees,” Khamenei said. “America, who is your elder, your leader and your master, was not able to bring the Iranian nation to its knees. You are too small to bring the Iranian nation to its knees.”
Khamenei has held the country’s top office since 1989 and has the final say on all major decisions. The 80-year-old leader openly wept at the funeral of Soleimani and vowed “harsh retaliation” against the United States.
Thousands of people attended the Friday prayers, occasionally interrupting his speech by chanting “God is greatest!” and “Death to America!”
Tensions between Iran and the United States have steadily escalated since Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
The U.S. has since imposed crippling sanctions on Iran, including its vital oil and gas industry, pushing the country into an economic crisis that has ignited several waves of sporadic, leaderless protests. Trump has openly encouraged the protesters — even tweeting in Farsi — hoping that the protests and the sanctions will bring about fundamental change in a longtime adversary.
Khamenei mocked those efforts, dismissing “these American clowns who falsely and despicably say that they are standing with the Iranian people.” He did not refer to Trump by name, but was clearly referring to him and his administration.
“You are lying,” he said. “If you do stand with the Iranian people it is because you want to stick your poisoned dagger into the back of the Iranian nation. Of course you haven’t been able to do that so far, and you won’t be able to do a damn thing.”
Khamenei was always skeptical of the nuclear agreement, arguing that the United States could not be trusted. But he allowed President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate, to conclude the agreement with President Barack Obama. Since Trump’s withdrawal, he has repeatedly said there can be no negotiations with the United States.
Khamenei last delivered a Friday sermon in February 2012, when he called Israel a “cancerous tumor” and vowed to support anyone confronting it. He also warned against any U.S. strikes on Iran over its nuclear program, saying the U.S. would be damaged “10 times over.”


shareblue--2020-01-17--Conservative Supreme Court justices prove they don't really care about free speech

Last month , the United States Supreme Court refused to review a case , EMW Women 's Surgical Center v. Meier , that challenged Kentucky 's transvaginal ultrasound law .
That means the law , one of the most invasive anti-abortion laws on the books , is now in effect .
And while the law itself is repugnant , the court 's failure to take it up flies in the face of their ostensible concerns about free speech .
At first glance , this does n't look much like a free speech case .
Rather , it looks like yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that will severely restrict reproductive health choices .
Doctors performing abortions in Kentucky must perform ultrasounds and describe , in detail , what they see , including the development of the organs .
They also have to play sounds of what the bill calls the `` fetal heartbeat , '' but that 's misleading .
At the early stage of pregnancy , there is no heart .
There 's simply a group of cells that are pulsing and beginning to display cardiac activity .
Even worse , the ultrasound will , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's because a transvaginal ultrasound — an incredibly invasive procedure where a person is forced to have a probe inserted into their vagina and then moved around inside — is the only way to get accurate fetal development images in the first trimester .
The far less invasive transabdominal ultrasound , which does not involve penetrating the patient , is used in the second and third trimester .
is the only way to get fetal images prior to 12 weeks .
People ca n't say no to the procedure , and doctors ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smallest of mercies , people are allowed to turn their head away and cover their ears , but they ca n't make it stop .
It 's all in the name of a twisted form of `` informed consent . ''
Informed consent is a sound medical idea .
The American Medical Association defines it as patients having `` the right to receive information and ask questions about recommended treatments so they can make well-considered decisions . ''
The AMA goes on to say that `` successful communication in the patient-physician relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Instead of fostering trust , this law forces doctors to say and do things they are opposed to , and it forces patients to be present , even if they can try to avoid watching and listening .
It 's that part that makes it curious — and hypocritical — that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take the case .
In other contexts , this court has been exceedingly concerned about what is known as `` forced speech '' and how that violates the First Amendment .
In NIFLA v. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court came to the exact opposite conclusion .
NIFLA is nearly the funhouse mirror image of the Kentucky case .
The Supreme Court ruled that anti-choice `` crisis pregnancy centers '' in California could n't be required to give notice to pregnant people that the state provides free or low-cost reproductive health services , including abortions .
In his concurring opinion , then-Justice Anthony Kennedy declared , `` Governments must not be allowed to force persons to express messages contrary to their deepest convictions . ''
Apparently , that protection does n't apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do n't wish to be forced to share a message — and perform a procedure — that is `` contrary to their deepest convictions . ''
This is n't the only case where this ultra-conservative court has expressed consternation about speech far more minimal than what is now required of Kentucky doctors and their patients .
In Janus v. AFSCME , also decided in 2018 , the conservative majority held that public-sector unions run afoul of the First Amendment if they charge a `` fair share '' fee to non-union members .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and prior to Janus , people who opted out of union membership still had to pay a fee to cover that .
They were n't required to pay the portion of membership that dealt with union lobbying , precisely so none of their money went to political stances a union might take .
However , the Court decided that the mere act of having to pay any money to a union compelled Janus to engage in speech to which he was opposed .
Put another way , the court was willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to negotiate working conditions when you opposed the union 's political speech — which you were not paying for — was compelled speech .
But being forced to perform an invasive procedure on an unwilling patient is just fine , it seems .
Doctors also must engage in literal speech , by providing a `` medical description '' of the images , including the `` presence of external members and internal organs '' if viewable .
And then there 's the Masterpiece Cakeshop case , where an evangelical Christian baker , Jack Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gay couple .
Ultimately , the decision there rested on different grounds , but a concurrence by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch discussed the idea of compelled speech at length .
The justices stated that asking Phillips to make a cake for same-sex marriage would require him to `` at the very least , acknowledge that same-sex weddings are 'weddings ' and suggest that they should be celebrated—the precise message he believes his faith forbids . ''
Under the reasoning of Gorsuch and Thomas , Phillips making a cake for someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that strikes at the heart of his faith .
But apparently neither Gorsuch nor Thomas — nor any of the other conservative members of the court — found the idea of the state imposing an invasive act and forced speech on a medical patient problematic , simply because the speech being compelled is an anti-choice message .
In light of the NIFLA , Janus , and Masterpiece Cakeshop cases , the Supreme Court 's failure to take up the Kentucky case looks like a stark act of hypocrisy .
Conservatives seem to only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further a conservative agenda : They have no problem with undermining the rights the rights of people seeking abortions , and making doctors and patients engage in speech they abhor .
It 's all part of the conservative goal of making abortions harder and harder to get .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Last month, the United States Supreme Court refused to review a case, EMW Women’s Surgical Center v. Meier, that challenged Kentucky’s transvaginal ultrasound law. That means the law, one of the most invasive anti-abortion laws on the books, is now in effect. And while the law itself is repugnant, the court’s failure to take it up flies in the face of their ostensible concerns about free speech.
At first glance, this doesn’t look much like a free speech case. Rather, it looks like yet another extreme anti-abortion law was enacted, one that will severely restrict reproductive health choices. Doctors performing abortions in Kentucky must perform ultrasounds and describe, in detail, what they see, including the development of the organs. They also have to play sounds of what the bill calls the “fetal heartbeat,” but that’s misleading. At the early stage of pregnancy, there is no heart. There’s simply a group of cells that are pulsing and beginning to display cardiac activity.
Even worse, the ultrasound will, in most instances, be transvaginal. That’s because a transvaginal ultrasound — an incredibly invasive procedure where a person is forced to have a probe inserted into their vagina and then moved around inside — is the only way to get accurate fetal development images in the first trimester. The far less invasive transabdominal ultrasound, which does not involve penetrating the patient, is used in the second and third trimester. is the only way to get fetal images prior to 12 weeks.
People can’t say no to the procedure, and doctors can’t refuse to perform them. In the smallest of mercies, people are allowed to turn their head away and cover their ears, but they can’t make it stop. It’s all in the name of a twisted form of “informed consent.” Informed consent is a sound medical idea. The American Medical Association defines it as patients having “the right to receive information and ask questions about recommended treatments so they can make well-considered decisions.” The AMA goes on to say that “successful communication in the patient-physician relationship fosters trust and supports shared decision making.”
Instead of fostering trust, this law forces doctors to say and do things they are opposed to, and it forces patients to be present, even if they can try to avoid watching and listening.
It’s that part that makes it curious — and hypocritical — that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take the case.
In other contexts, this court has been exceedingly concerned about what is known as “forced speech” and how that violates the First Amendment. In NIFLA v. Becerra, decided in 2018, the court came to the exact opposite conclusion. NIFLA is nearly the funhouse mirror image of the Kentucky case. The Supreme Court ruled that anti-choice “crisis pregnancy centers” in California couldn’t be required to give notice to pregnant people that the state provides free or low-cost reproductive health services, including abortions. In his concurring opinion, then-Justice Anthony Kennedy declared, “Governments must not be allowed to force persons to express messages contrary to their deepest convictions.”
Apparently, that protection doesn’t apply to people who believe in reproductive freedom and don’t wish to be forced to share a message — and perform a procedure — that is “contrary to their deepest convictions.”
This isn’t the only case where this ultra-conservative court has expressed consternation about speech far more minimal than what is now required of Kentucky doctors and their patients. In Janus v. AFSCME, also decided in 2018, the conservative majority held that public-sector unions run afoul of the First Amendment if they charge a “fair share” fee to non-union members.
Unions negotiate on behalf of all employees, and prior to Janus, people who opted out of union membership still had to pay a fee to cover that. They weren’t required to pay the portion of membership that dealt with union lobbying, precisely so none of their money went to political stances a union might take. However, the Court decided that the mere act of having to pay any money to a union compelled Janus to engage in speech to which he was opposed.
Put another way, the court was willing to say that paying money to a union to negotiate working conditions when you opposed the union’s political speech — which you were not paying for — was compelled speech.
But being forced to perform an invasive procedure on an unwilling patient is just fine, it seems. Doctors also must engage in literal speech, by providing a “medical description” of the images, including the “presence of external members and internal organs” if viewable.
And then there’s the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, where an evangelical Christian baker, Jack Phillips, refused to bake a cake for a gay couple. Ultimately, the decision there rested on different grounds, but a concurrence by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch discussed the idea of compelled speech at length. The justices stated that asking Phillips to make a cake for same-sex marriage would require him to “at the very least, acknowledge that same-sex weddings are ‘weddings’ and suggest that they should be celebrated—the precise message he believes his faith forbids.”
Under the reasoning of Gorsuch and Thomas, Phillips making a cake for someone he disapproves of is impermissible compelled speech that strikes at the heart of his faith. But apparently neither Gorsuch nor Thomas — nor any of the other conservative members of the court — found the idea of the state imposing an invasive act and forced speech on a medical patient problematic, simply because the speech being compelled is an anti-choice message.
In light of the NIFLA, Janus, and Masterpiece Cakeshop cases, the Supreme Court’s failure to take up the Kentucky case looks like a stark act of hypocrisy. Conservatives seem to only care about compelled speech when they can further a conservative agenda: They have no problem with undermining the rights the rights of people seeking abortions, and making doctors and patients engage in speech they abhor. It’s all part of the conservative goal of making abortions harder and harder to get.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.