shareblue--2020-08-28--Trump mentions lost loved ones — then spews lies about the virus for 5 minutes

Donald Trump paid a brief tribute , during his Republican National Convention speech Thursday , to the people who have lost their lives to COVID-19 .
He then spent nearly five minutes lying about his botched response to the pandemic .
As of Thursday , America leads the world in most cases and most deaths from the coronavirus .
More than 5.8 million Americans have contracted the virus and more than 180,000 have died .
But rather than acknowledge his failure to contain the problem , Trump used his speech to brag , exaggerate , and outright lie about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Donald Trump : Many Americans , including me , have sadly lost friends and cherished loved ones to this horrible disease .
As one nation , we mourn , we grieve , and we hold in our hearts forever the memories of all of those lives that have been so tragically taken , so unnecessary .
In their honor , we will unite .
In their memory , we will overcome .
And when at the China virus [ sic ] hit , we launch the largest national mobilization since World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act , we produced the world 's largest supply of ventilators .
Not a single American who has needed a ventilator has been denied a ventilator .
Good job heading the task force by our great vice president .
Thank you very much , Mike .
Please stand up .
We shipped hundreds of millions of masks , gloves , and gowns to our frontline health care workers .
To protect our nation seniors , we rushed supplies , testing kits , and [ personnel ] to nursing homes .
We gave everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still giving it because we are taking care of our senior citizens .
The Army Corps of Engineers built field hospitals and the Navy deployed our great hospital ships .
We developed from scratch the largest and most advanced testing system anywhere in the world .
America has tested more than every country in Europe put together and more than every nation in the western hemisphere combined .
Think of that .
We have conducted 40 million more tests than the next closest nation , which is India .
We developed a wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful antibody treatment known as convalescent plasma .
You saw that on Sunday night , when we announced it , that will save thousands and thousands of lives .
Thanks to advances , we have pioneered [ sic ] the fatality rates , and you look at it , and you look at the numbers .
It has been reduced by 80 % since April , 80 % .
The united states as among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country anywhere in the world .
The European Union 's case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than ours , but you do n't hear that .
They do not write about that , they do n't want to write about that .
They do not want you to know those things .
Altogether , the nations of Europe have experienced a 30 % greater increase in excess mortality than the United States .
Think of that .
We enacted the largest package of financial relief in American history .
Thanks to our Paycheck Protection Program , we have saved or supported more than 50 million American jobs .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're advancing so rapidly .
Great job .
As a result , we have seen the smallest economic contraction of any major western nation , and we are recovering at a much faster rate than anybody .
Over the past three months , we have gained over 9 million jobs , and that is a record in the history of country .
Unfortunately , from the beginning , our opponents have shown themselves capable of nothing but a partisan ability to criticize .
When I took bold action to issue a travel ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden called it hysterical and xenophobic .
Then I introduced a ban on Europe , very early again .
If we had listened to Joe , hundreds of thousands more Americans would have died .
Instead of following the science , Joe Biden wants to inflict a painful shutdown on the entire country .
His shutdown would inflict unthinkable and lasting harm on our nation 's children , families and citizens of all backgrounds .
The cost of the Biden shutdown would be measured in increased drug overdoses , depression , alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic devastation , job loss , and much more .
Joe Biden 's plan is not a solution to the virus , but rather it is a surrender to the virus .

Donald Trump paid a brief tribute, during his Republican National Convention speech Thursday, to the people who have lost their lives to COVID-19. He then spent nearly five minutes lying about his botched response to the pandemic.
As of Thursday, America leads the world in most cases and most deaths from the coronavirus. More than 5.8 million Americans have contracted the virus and more than 180,000 have died.
But rather than acknowledge his failure to contain the problem, Trump used his speech to brag, exaggerate, and outright lie about his response and Joe Biden’s criticisms of it.
Donald Trump: Many Americans, including me, have sadly lost friends and cherished loved ones to this horrible disease. As one nation, we mourn, we grieve, and we hold in our hearts forever the memories of all of those lives that have been so tragically taken, so unnecessary. In their honor, we will unite. In their memory, we will overcome.
And when at the China virus [sic] hit, we launch the largest national mobilization since World War II. Invoking the defense production act, we produced the world’s largest supply of ventilators. Not a single American who has needed a ventilator has been denied a ventilator.
Good job heading the task force by our great vice president. Thank you very much, Mike. Please stand up.
We shipped hundreds of millions of masks, gloves, and gowns to our frontline health care workers. To protect our nation seniors, we rushed supplies, testing kits, and [personnel] to nursing homes. We gave everything you can possibly give and we are still giving it because we are taking care of our senior citizens.
The Army Corps of Engineers built field hospitals and the Navy deployed our great hospital ships. We developed from scratch the largest and most advanced testing system anywhere in the world. America has tested more than every country in Europe put together and more than every nation in the western hemisphere combined. Think of that.
We have conducted 40 million more tests than the next closest nation, which is India. We developed a wide array of effective treatments, including a powerful antibody treatment known as convalescent plasma. You saw that on Sunday night, when we announced it, that will save thousands and thousands of lives.
Thanks to advances, we have pioneered [sic] the fatality rates, and you look at it, and you look at the numbers. It has been reduced by 80% since April, 80%.
The united states as among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country anywhere in the world. The European Union’s case fatality rate is nearly three times higher than ours, but you don’t hear that. They do not write about that, they don’t want to write about that. They do not want you to know those things.
Altogether, the nations of Europe have experienced a 30% greater increase in excess mortality than the United States. Think of that.
We enacted the largest package of financial relief in American history. Thanks to our Paycheck Protection Program, we have saved or supported more than 50 million American jobs. That’s one of the reasons that we’re advancing so rapidly. Great job. As a result, we have seen the smallest economic contraction of any major western nation, and we are recovering at a much faster rate than anybody.
Over the past three months, we have gained over 9 million jobs, and that is a record in the history of country.
Unfortunately, from the beginning, our opponents have shown themselves capable of nothing but a partisan ability to criticize. When I took bold action to issue a travel ban on China, very early indeed, Joe Biden called it hysterical and xenophobic. Then I introduced a ban on Europe, very early again. If we had listened to Joe, hundreds of thousands more Americans would have died.
Instead of following the science, Joe Biden wants to inflict a painful shutdown on the entire country. His shutdown would inflict unthinkable and lasting harm on our nation’s children, families and citizens of all backgrounds. The cost of the Biden shutdown would be measured in increased drug overdoses, depression, alcohol addiction, suicides, heart attacks, economic devastation, job loss, and much more. Joe Biden’s plan is not a solution to the virus, but rather it is a surrender to the virus.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Ivanka claims her dad has somehow been able to 'achieve bipartisan success'

In one of the more surreal moments of Thursday nights ' Republican National Convention speeches , Ivanka Trump bragged of Donald Trump 's ability to `` build consensus and achieve bipartisan success . ''
Of course , Trump is anything but bipartisan .
In 2019 , he stormed out of an infrastructure meeting , saying he would n't work with Democrats on any issue unless they stopped investigating him .
He left on the table a $ 2 trillion infrastructure package .
That same year , when he did n't get the border wall funding he wanted , he walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total waste of time . ''
In March of this year , Trump reportedly refused to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because he was mad at her , having Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiate instead .
More recently , he 's refused to work to find a middle ground between Democrats and Republicans on a coronavirus relief bill — hardly the mark of a master negotiator or a president who cares about the country .
And it 's not limited to Trump .
The people he surrounds himself with — chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller , for example — are known as hardliners who `` struggle to close . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In one of the more surreal moments of Thursday nights’ Republican National Convention speeches, Ivanka Trump bragged of Donald Trump’s ability to “build consensus and achieve bipartisan success.”
Of course, Trump is anything but bipartisan. In 2019, he stormed out of an infrastructure meeting, saying he wouldn’t work with Democrats on any issue unless they stopped investigating him. He left on the table a $2 trillion infrastructure package.
That same year, when he didn’t get the border wall funding he wanted, he walked out and claimed it was a “total waste of time.”
In March of this year, Trump reportedly refused to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi because he was mad at her, having Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiate instead.
More recently, he’s refused to work to find a middle ground between Democrats and Republicans on a coronavirus relief bill — hardly the mark of a master negotiator or a president who cares about the country.
And it’s not limited to Trump. The people he surrounds himself with — chief of staff Mark Meadows and senior adviser Stephen Miller, for example — are known as hardliners who “struggle to close.”
Watch Ivanka explain her father’s bipartisan abilities below:
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Giuliani complains about all the crime in New York under Trump

Rudy Giuliani , the former Mayor of New York City and Donald Trump 's personal attorney , told the Republican National Convention on Thursday that crime has never been so bad as it is now .
He neglected to mention that the problems he described all happened on Donald Trump 's watch .
`` New York City , once described as America 's crime capital , had become , by the mid-nineties , America 's safest large city , '' he said .
`` Now today , my city is in shock .
Murders , shooting , and violent crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past .
We 're seeing the return of rioting and looting . ''
While he tried to pin the responsibility for this solely on New York 's current mayor and prosecutors , the situation has happened under Donald Trump — the very man whose reelection Giuliani was attempting to support .
Trump too has made a big deal about rising crime in American cities since he took office in 2017 , oddly making this an argument for a second term .
In 2016 , he ran on a promise to end a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The crime rate is through the roof .
People ca n't walk down the street without getting shot .
I 'll stop that , '' Trump claimed at the time .
In his January 2017 inaugural address , he promised that crime and poverty in inner cities would be a thing of the past .
`` This American carnage stops right here and stops right now , '' he said .
But while most violent crime in America has been on a steady decline since the early 1990s , Trump is again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's cities are violent wastelands where `` anarchy '' reigns .
According to a recent BBC fact check , while violent crime is mostly down , there have been more murders this year in a few places , like Chicago , New York , and Philadelphia .
Much of this , experts say , could be related to the coronavirus pandemic .
And according to the New York Police Department 's own data , felony crimes in New York City have significantly declined between when Giuliani left office at the end of 2001 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Independent Foundation .

Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City and Donald Trump’s personal attorney, told the Republican National Convention on Thursday that crime has never been so bad as it is now. He neglected to mention that the problems he described all happened on Donald Trump’s watch.
“New York City, once described as America’s crime capital, had become, by the mid-nineties, America’s safest large city,” he said. “Now today, my city is in shock. Murders, shooting, and violent crime are increasing at percentages unheard of in the past. We’re seeing the return of rioting and looting.”
While he tried to pin the responsibility for this solely on New York’s current mayor and prosecutors, the situation has happened under Donald Trump — the very man whose reelection Giuliani was attempting to support.
Trump too has made a big deal about rising crime in American cities since he took office in 2017, oddly making this an argument for a second term.
In 2016, he ran on a promise to end a mostly imaginary wave of violent crime.
“The crime rate is through the roof. People can’t walk down the street without getting shot. I’ll stop that,” Trump claimed at the time.
In his January 2017 inaugural address, he promised that crime and poverty in inner cities would be a thing of the past. “This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,” he said.
But while most violent crime in America has been on a steady decline since the early 1990s, Trump is again running on mostly false claims that America’s cities are violent wastelands where “anarchy” reigns.
According to a recent BBC fact check, while violent crime is mostly down, there have been more murders this year in a few places, like Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. Much of this, experts say, could be related to the coronavirus pandemic.
And according to the New York Police Department’s own data, felony crimes in New York City have significantly declined between when Giuliani left office at the end of 2001 and 2019.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--News you might have missed: New York renames park to honor LGBTQ activist

This week , New York became the first state in the country to name a park after an LGBTQ person , a ski resort dropped an offensive term from its name , and the Milwaukee Bucks led athletes in a nationwide strike to protest racial injustice .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
On Monday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced that East River State Park in Brooklyn would be renamed to honor the late Marsha P. Johnson , an LGBTQ civil rights activist .
The park is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an LGBTQ person and transgender woman of color , according to the announcement .
`` Too often , the marginalized voices that have pushed progress forward in New York and across the country go unrecognized , '' Cuomo said in a statement .
`` Marsha P. Johnson was one of the early leaders of the LGBTQ movement , and is only now getting the acknowledgment she deserves . ''
Cuomo said , `` Dedicating this state park for her , and installing public art telling her story , will ensure her memory and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Johnson was a self-identified drag queen , performer , and survivor who participated in the Stonewall uprising in 1969 , according to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute .
She regularly stated that her middle initial stood for `` Pay It No Mind , '' which was how she responded to questions about her gender .
The park dedication was announced on Johnson 's 75th birthday .
Pennsylvania may legalize marijuana as part of economic recovery Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf called on the state Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover from the coronavirus pandemic .
Wolf 's legislative agenda , released on Tuesday , said funding grants to small businesses over time could `` be supplemented by legalizing recreational marijuana and dedicating a portion of the funding to historically disadvantaged businesses . ''
`` House and Senate Democrats have been fighting for progress to protect families and businesses in these spaces since the beginning of the pandemic , but they have been stopped at every turn by the Republican majority focused on ignoring the public health crisis , '' Wolf said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they need reform , and they need it now , '' he added .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak announced in a press release on Monday a new State of Nevada Climate Initiative .
The initiative will encourage public engagement and input from state residents regarding climate change policy through a new website , ClimateAction.nv.gov .
`` Effectively tackling climate change will require coordinated Nevada-wide efforts to minimize the harmful impacts of climate while working to foster a sustainable , resilient , climate-friendly future for Nevada , '' Sisolak said .
The site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide feedback on topics including transportation , energy-efficient homes and buildings , renewable energy , and climate justice .
California ski resort will drop offensive term from its name California 's Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will drop the term `` Squaw '' from its name sometime next year , the company announced earlier this week .
The decision came after consultation with Native American groups and the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada , as well as an examination of the word 's history .
`` While we love our local history and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place as it has been named for so long , we are confronted with the overwhelming evidence that the term 'squaw ' is offensive , '' said Ron Cohen , the company 's president and COO , noting that the term `` is widely accepted to be a racist and sexist slur . ''
The company will unveil a new name in early 2021 .
The cast of NBC 's hit series `` The West Wing '' will reunite for a special episode to promote voting , Variety reported on Tuesday .
Stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janney , Janel Moloney , Richard Schiff , Bradley Whitford , and Martin Sheen will return for the episode , which will be written by Aaron Sorkin , the show 's creator .
The show won 27 Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes during its seven seasons .
The show will benefit When We All Vote , a pro-voting organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama , who is set to make an appearance in the episode .
The special will air on HBO Max , HBO 's streaming service , later this fall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Zoo in Washington , D.C. , gave birth to a cub on Aug. 21 , the Washington Post reported .
At 22 years old , Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to give birth in the United States .
`` In the middle of a pandemic , this is a joyful moment , '' said Don Neiffer , the zoo 's chief veterinarian .
The Smithsonian , which runs the National Zoo , provides `` Panda Cams '' currently featuring Mei Xiang and her cub .
Led by players on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation refused to participate in scheduled games on Thursday , demanding more be done to end systemic racism in the country .
`` Over the last few days , in our home state of Wisconsin , we have seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha , and the additional shooting of protesters , '' Bucks players said in a statement .
`` Despite the overwhelming plea for change , there has been no action . ''
After the Bucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoff game against the Orlando Magic , all NBA games scheduled for the day were canceled .
Soon after , players in other sports , including baseball , soccer , and women 's basketball , joined the strike , refusing to play and demanding racial justice .

This week, New York became the first state in the country to name a park after an LGBTQ person, a ski resort dropped an offensive term from its name, and the Milwaukee Bucks led athletes in a nationwide strike to protest racial injustice.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that East River State Park in Brooklyn would be renamed to honor the late Marsha P. Johnson, an LGBTQ civil rights activist. The park is the first in the state to honor an LGBTQ person and transgender woman of color, according to the announcement.
“Too often, the marginalized voices that have pushed progress forward in New York and across the country go unrecognized,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Marsha P. Johnson was one of the early leaders of the LGBTQ movement, and is only now getting the acknowledgment she deserves.”
Cuomo said, “Dedicating this state park for her, and installing public art telling her story, will ensure her memory and her work fighting for equality lives on.”
Johnson was a self-identified drag queen, performer, and survivor who participated in the Stonewall uprising in 1969, according to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. She regularly stated that her middle initial stood for “Pay It No Mind,” which was how she responded to questions about her gender.
The park dedication was announced on Johnson’s 75th birthday.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called on the state Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana as a way to generate revenue to help businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Wolf’s legislative agenda, released on Tuesday, said funding grants to small businesses over time could “be supplemented by legalizing recreational marijuana and dedicating a portion of the funding to historically disadvantaged businesses.”
“House and Senate Democrats have been fighting for progress to protect families and businesses in these spaces since the beginning of the pandemic, but they have been stopped at every turn by the Republican majority focused on ignoring the public health crisis,” Wolf said in a statement.
“Pennsylvanians need relief, they need reform, and they need it now,” he added.
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced in a press release on Monday a new State of Nevada Climate Initiative.
The initiative will encourage public engagement and input from state residents regarding climate change policy through a new website, ClimateAction.nv.gov.
“Effectively tackling climate change will require coordinated Nevada-wide efforts to minimize the harmful impacts of climate while working to foster a sustainable, resilient, climate-friendly future for Nevada,” Sisolak said.
The site currently provides a survey where Nevadans can provide feedback on topics including transportation, energy-efficient homes and buildings, renewable energy, and climate justice.
California’s Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will drop the term “Squaw” from its name sometime next year, the company announced earlier this week. The decision came after consultation with Native American groups and the Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, as well as an examination of the word’s history.
“While we love our local history and the memories we all associate with this place as it has been named for so long, we are confronted with the overwhelming evidence that the term ‘squaw’ is offensive,” said Ron Cohen, the company’s president and COO, noting that the term “is widely accepted to be a racist and sexist slur.”
The company will unveil a new name in early 2021.
The cast of NBC’s hit series “The West Wing” will reunite for a special episode to promote voting, Variety reported on Tuesday.
Stars Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen will return for the episode, which will be written by Aaron Sorkin, the show’s creator. The show won 27 Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes during its seven seasons.
The show will benefit When We All Vote, a pro-voting organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama, who is set to make an appearance in the episode.
The special will air on HBO Max, HBO’s streaming service, later this fall.
Mei Xiang, a giant panda at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., gave birth to a cub on Aug. 21, the Washington Post reported. At 22 years old, Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to give birth in the United States.
“In the middle of a pandemic, this is a joyful moment,” said Don Neiffer, the zoo’s chief veterinarian.
The Smithsonian, which runs the National Zoo, provides “Panda Cams” currently featuring Mei Xiang and her cub.
Led by players on the Milwaukee Bucks, professional athletes across the nation refused to participate in scheduled games on Thursday, demanding more be done to end systemic racism in the country.
“Over the last few days, in our home state of Wisconsin, we have seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protesters,” Bucks players said in a statement. “Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action.”
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
After the Bucks refused to take the court for a playoff game against the Orlando Magic, all NBA games scheduled for the day were canceled. Soon after, players in other sports, including baseball, soccer, and women’s basketball, joined the strike, refusing to play and demanding racial justice.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Republicans completely ignore LGBTQ rights at convention

The 2020 Republican National Convention was conspicuously devoid of any mention of LGBTQ rights , even as speakers spent the week reassuring viewers that the party was a welcome place for all .
Although Trump 's actions throughout his campaign and presidency have clearly demonstrated that Trump plans to work against LGBTQ rights , Trump and those around him repeatedly sought to paint him as a champion of equality , with vague mentions of unity set alongside direct attacks on transgender people .
On Monday night , Sean Parnell , a Republican running for Pennsylvania 's 17th Congressional District , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party , no matter `` who you love , how you worship , your gender or your job . ''
Richard Grenell , former ambassador to Germany and Trump 's former acting national security adviser , who is openly gay , also did not speak specifically about LGBTQ rights , saying only that Trump 's work at home and abroad shows he cares about `` the equality and dignity of every American . ''
On Thursday , Dana White , president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , claimed , `` As Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we face the tough times head on , irrespective of your gender , race , religion , or sexual orientation . ''
The only time a speaker cited Trump 's actual policy record on LGBTQ rights was when Cissie Graham Lynch , the daughter of Franklin Graham and the granddaughter of Billy Graham , highlighted Trump 's fight against them .
Without mentioning trans people explicitly , Lynch thanked Trump for his rollbacks of Obama administration policies that protected transgender people from discrimination .
She misgendered transgender people and accused them of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's presidency , the administration has fought against LGBTQ equality by implementing a ban on trans people serving in the military , trying to gut protections for transgender patients and homeless people , and refusing to acknowledge the U.S. Supreme Court 's historic ruling on discrimination against LGBTQ people .
GLAAD has accounted for 172 attacks in total on the LGBTQ community since Trump became president .
Despite this , administration and party officials have continued to tout Trump 's supposed accomplishments on LGBTQ rights .
In July , White House press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` great record when it comes to the LGBTQ community . ''
When a reporter pressed her on whether he would reconsider his ban on transgender people serving in the military , McEnany dodged the question , responding only , `` We 're very proud of our achievements . ''
Grenell has also praised Trump 's record on LGBTQ rights , appearing in a video for the Login Cabin Republicans earlier this month , ahead of the convention , saying , `` President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ video attacked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , and included inaccuracies and distortions about both Biden 's and Trump 's records on LGBTQ rights .
As for Grenell 's `` proof '' of Trump 's `` pro-gay '' stances , the former ambassador cited a U.N. campaign to decriminalize homosexuality that Trump did n't seem to be aware of when asked about it in February last year .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The 2020 Republican National Convention was conspicuously devoid of any mention of LGBTQ rights, even as speakers spent the week reassuring viewers that the party was a welcome place for all.
Although Trump’s actions throughout his campaign and presidency have clearly demonstrated that Trump plans to work against LGBTQ rights, Trump and those around him repeatedly sought to paint him as a champion of equality, with vague mentions of unity set alongside direct attacks on transgender people.
On Monday night, Sean Parnell, a Republican running for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, said Democrats were welcome in the Republican Party, no matter “who you love, how you worship, your gender or your job.”
Richard Grenell, former ambassador to Germany and Trump’s former acting national security adviser, who is openly gay, also did not speak specifically about LGBTQ rights, saying only that Trump’s work at home and abroad shows he cares about “the equality and dignity of every American.”
On Thursday, Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, claimed, “As Americans, we work hard to overcome adversity, and we face the tough times head on, irrespective of your gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.”
The only time a speaker cited Trump’s actual policy record on LGBTQ rights was when Cissie Graham Lynch, the daughter of Franklin Graham and the granddaughter of Billy Graham, highlighted Trump’s fight against them.
Without mentioning trans people explicitly, Lynch thanked Trump for his rollbacks of Obama administration policies that protected transgender people from discrimination. She misgendered transgender people and accused them of predatory behavior in the process.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, the administration has fought against LGBTQ equality by implementing a ban on trans people serving in the military, trying to gut protections for transgender patients and homeless people, and refusing to acknowledge the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling on discrimination against LGBTQ people. GLAAD has accounted for 172 attacks in total on the LGBTQ community since Trump became president.
Despite this, administration and party officials have continued to tout Trump’s supposed accomplishments on LGBTQ rights.
In July, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed Trump has a “great record when it comes to the LGBTQ community.” When a reporter pressed her on whether he would reconsider his ban on transgender people serving in the military, McEnany dodged the question, responding only, “We’re very proud of our achievements.”
Grenell has also praised Trump’s record on LGBTQ rights, appearing in a video for the Login Cabin Republicans earlier this month, ahead of the convention, saying, “President Trump is the most pro-gay president in American history. I can prove it.”
That video attacked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, and included inaccuracies and distortions about both Biden’s and Trump’s records on LGBTQ rights.
As for Grenell’s “proof” of Trump’s “pro-gay” stances, the former ambassador cited a U.N. campaign to decriminalize homosexuality that Trump didn’t seem to be aware of when asked about it in February last year.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Democratic convention wins ratings battle with millions more viewers than GOP's

The 2020 nominating conventions for both major political parties are now in the books , and more viewers tuned in to watch Joe Biden and the Democratic Party 's messaging than they did for Donald Trump and the GOP , according to Nielsen ratings .
The Democratic National Convention beat viewership of the Republican National Convention on each of the four nights , according to Nielsen data reported by Michael Mulvihill , the executive vice president of Fox Sports .
On Night 1 , Democrats got 14.6 million viewers compared to the GOP 's 11.6 .
Night 2 saw Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.4 .
Night 3 — when Kamala Harris accepted the vice presidential nomination — saw Democrats get 16.2 million viewers compared to the GOP 's 10.5 million .
And Night 4 , when both Trump and Biden accepted their respective party 's nominations , saw Democrats get 17.5 million viewers compared to the 14.1 million for Republicans .
According to TV Line , which reports on television news , `` the 2020 Republican National Convention 's grand finale did not appear to enjoy any major Trump bump . ''
The data belies Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got `` Great Ratings & Reviews . ''
Trump , for his part , is obsessed with television ratings .
The former host of `` The Apprentice '' has tweeted about television ratings numerous times throughout the years , both for his own appearances on television , as well as for his favorite Fox News shows that he watches and then tweets about .
He often tweets about television ratings in an effort to smear news outlets he does n't like .
On Aug. 13 , Trump tweeted : `` Very poor morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe , headed by a complete Psycho named Joe Scarborough and his ditzy airhead wife , Mika , and also @ CNN , headed by complete unknowns .
Congratulations to @ foxandfriends on dominating the mornings ( thank you President Trump ! )
. ''
He 's taken credit for the ratings of Fox News ' Tucker Carlson ' program — a television show which spouts literal white supremacism .
His love of ratings even once led him to make the crass comment in 2017 that an appearance he made on CBS News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the World Trade Center came down . ''
Ultimately , it 's unclear what effect the lower viewership for the GOP convention will have .
But Trump needs a polling bump after this week 's programming .
Trump is currently trailing Biden in national polls by 9.1 % , as well as in enough state level polls that if the election were held today , Biden would score an Electoral College victory , according to FiveThirtyEight '' Whether you believe in convention bounces or not , President Donald Trump and the Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , '' Nathan Gonzales , a nonpartisan political handicapper with Inside Elections and columnist with Roll Call , wrote in an analysis piece .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The 2020 nominating conventions for both major political parties are now in the books, and more viewers tuned in to watch Joe Biden and the Democratic Party’s messaging than they did for Donald Trump and the GOP, according to Nielsen ratings.
The Democratic National Convention beat viewership of the Republican National Convention on each of the four nights, according to Nielsen data reported by Michael Mulvihill, the executive vice president of Fox Sports.
On Night 1, Democrats got 14.6 million viewers compared to the GOP’s 11.6.
Night 2 saw Democrats get 14.5 million viewers to Republicans’ 12.4.
Night 3 — when Kamala Harris accepted the vice presidential nomination — saw Democrats get 16.2 million viewers compared to the GOP’s 10.5 million.
And Night 4, when both Trump and Biden accepted their respective party’s nominations, saw Democrats get 17.5 million viewers compared to the 14.1 million for Republicans.
According to TV Line, which reports on television news, “the 2020 Republican National Convention’s grand finale did not appear to enjoy any major Trump bump.”
The data belies Trump’s claim Friday morning that his speech got “Great Ratings & Reviews.”
Trump, for his part, is obsessed with television ratings.
The former host of “The Apprentice” has tweeted about television ratings numerous times throughout the years, both for his own appearances on television, as well as for his favorite Fox News shows that he watches and then tweets about.
He often tweets about television ratings in an effort to smear news outlets he doesn’t like.
On Aug. 13, Trump tweeted: “Very poor morning TV ratings for MSDNC’s Morning Joe, headed by a complete Psycho named Joe Scarborough and his ditzy airhead wife, Mika, and also @CNN, headed by complete unknowns. Congratulations to @foxandfriends on dominating the mornings (thank you President Trump!).”
He’s taken credit for the ratings of Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’ program — a television show which spouts literal white supremacism.
His love of ratings even once led him to make the crass comment in 2017 that an appearance he made on CBS News gave the network its best ratings “since the World Trade Center came down.”
Ultimately, it’s unclear what effect the lower viewership for the GOP convention will have.
But Trump needs a polling bump after this week’s programming.
Trump is currently trailing Biden in national polls by 9.1%, as well as in enough state level polls that if the election were held today, Biden would score an Electoral College victory, according to FiveThirtyEight
“Whether you believe in convention bounces or not, President Donald Trump and the Republicans need one to salvage the elections this fall,” Nathan Gonzales, a nonpartisan political handicapper with Inside Elections and columnist with Roll Call, wrote in an analysis piece.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Rand Paul demands FBI arrest peaceful protesters for yelling at him

Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) took to Fox News and Twitter on Friday to demand that protesters in Washington , D.C. , be arrested by the FBI after peacefully demonstrating against him .
After attending Donald Trump 's nomination acceptance speech at the White House on Thursday night , Paul claimed on Twitter , he was `` attacked by an angry mob . ''
But video evidence of the encounter between Paul and protesters showed no violence or attack .
The video showed that a police officer protecting Paul was jostled and stumbled into Paul 's shoulder .
Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came about through `` criminal traffic being paid for across state lines . ''
He claimed that `` they flew here in a plane , they 've all got fresh new clothes , and they were paid to be here . ''
`` They need to be arrested , questioned , '' he told Fox , and called for the FBI to find out what hotels protesters stayed in `` and bills need to be subpoenaed '' so that the public can know `` how did you get here on a plane and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're acting like a criminal ? ''
From the Aug. 28 edition of `` Fox & Friends '' : STEVE DOOCY , co-host : Does a prominent Republican , like yourself , somebody who is very recognizable , need to have security to simply walk on the streets of Washington , D.C. ?
Or major cities in America ?
RAND PAUL : Probably , yes , from now on .
I do n't feel it at home , at home people are so friendly , I can go to the grocery store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of a normal person where I go to the grocery story and buy groceries or stop at the Minit Mart , and at home I do feel that .
But this also is n't normal .
There 's something going on here , this is like – the FBI needs to be involved here .
This is an organized interstate racket .
DOOCY : What do you mean , something 's going on ?
Senator , what do you mean 'something 's going on ' ?
You 've got a feeling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : My feeling is that there is interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines , but you wo n't know unless you arrest them .
Otherwise you just think , `` Oh , these are some normal hoodlums from a big city . ''
I promise you that at least some of the members and the people who attacked us were not from D.C. , they flew here in a plane , they 've all got fresh new clothes , and they were paid to be here .
It is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be traced , the FBI needs to investigate , but the only way you can do it is you have to arrest people .
And usually we say , `` Oh well , you did n't get hurt so we 're not going to arrest them . ''
They were inciting a riot and they would have killed us had the police not been there .
They all need to be arrested , and I 'm not saying forever , but they need to be arrested , questioned , they need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
and the bills need to be subpoenaed by a judge to say , `` Who paid for your bill , how did you get here on a plane and staying in a fancy hotel and yet you 're acting like a criminal ? ''
Something 's going on here , and it 's much bigger than people think , but the bottom line is , we ca n't let the United States become Portland , and that 's what my fear is : that the United States is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) took to Fox News and Twitter on Friday to demand that protesters in Washington, D.C., be arrested by the FBI after peacefully demonstrating against him.
After attending Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech at the White House on Thursday night, Paul claimed on Twitter, he was “attacked by an angry mob.”
But video evidence of the encounter between Paul and protesters showed no violence or attack. The video showed that a police officer protecting Paul was jostled and stumbled into Paul’s shoulder.
Without evidence, Paul alleged that the protest came about through “criminal traffic being paid for across state lines.” He claimed that “they flew here in a plane, they’ve all got fresh new clothes, and they were paid to be here.”
“They need to be arrested, questioned,” he told Fox, and called for the FBI to find out what hotels protesters stayed in “and bills need to be subpoenaed” so that the public can know “how did you get here on a plane and staying in a fancy hotel and yet you’re acting like a criminal?”
From the Aug. 28 edition of “Fox & Friends”:
STEVE DOOCY, co-host: Does a prominent Republican, like yourself, somebody who is very recognizable, need to have security to simply walk on the streets of Washington, D.C.? Or major cities in America? RAND PAUL: Probably, yes, from now on. I don’t feel it at home, at home people are so friendly, I can go to the grocery store, and I want to live the life of a normal person where I go to the grocery story and buy groceries or stop at the Minit Mart, and at home I do feel that. But this also isn’t normal. There’s something going on here, this is like – the FBI needs to be involved here. This is an organized interstate racket. DOOCY: What do you mean, something’s going on? Senator, what do you mean ‘something’s going on’? You’ve got a feeling, tell us what you think. PAUL: My feeling is that there is interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines, but you won’t know unless you arrest them. Otherwise you just think, “Oh, these are some normal hoodlums from a big city.” I promise you that at least some of the members and the people who attacked us were not from D.C., they flew here in a plane, they’ve all got fresh new clothes, and they were paid to be here. It is a crime to do that and it needs to be traced, the FBI needs to investigate, but the only way you can do it is you have to arrest people. And usually we say, “Oh well, you didn’t get hurt so we’re not going to arrest them.” They were inciting a riot and they would have killed us had the police not been there. They all need to be arrested, and I’m not saying forever, but they need to be arrested, questioned, they need to say, “Where are you staying?” and the bills need to be subpoenaed by a judge to say, “Who paid for your bill, how did you get here on a plane and staying in a fancy hotel and yet you’re acting like a criminal?” Something’s going on here, and it’s much bigger than people think, but the bottom line is, we can’t let the United States become Portland, and that’s what my fear is: that the United States is going to be on fire if we have no police.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--GOP senator spotted without mask at convention after urging people to wear them

Sen. Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) has been a vocal proponent of wearing masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus , which is transmitted through respiratory droplets when people cough , sneeze , or even talk within close proximity to one another .
However , on Thursday night , Tillis was spotted not wearing a mask during Donald Trump 's nomination acceptance speech at the White House — an event at which 1,500 people packed close together completely ignored guidelines for preventing the spread of the coronavirus .
Tillis posted a photo of himself wearing a mask just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am honored to be in Washington for President @ realDonaldTrump 's acceptance speech for the @ GOP nomination , where he will share with America our continued vision of freedom , prosperity , and opportunity to live the American Dream , '' Tillis said in the tweet .
However , Tillis can be seen in photos taken during the speech without a mask .
In the screenshot below , Tillis is in the back middle of the image not wearing a mask , 24 minutes and 51 seconds into Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen in the bottom left of this screenshot captured by journalist Joe Bruno from video posted by CNN .
Tillis ' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how long or why he was n't wearing a mask at the event .
However , according to reporter Steve Harrison in Charlotte , Tillis released a statement in which he said , `` I 've stressed the importance of mask wearing throughout this pandemic and have tried to lead by example on this issue , but last night I fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But not wearing a mask in the midst of a crowd of people who traveled from across the country to attend the convention violates directives Tillis has given his own constituents .
The day before the acceptance speech , Tillis sent out an email saying that `` wearing a facial covering not only helps saves lives , it will also help save jobs , '' and that wearing a mask is `` about looking out for our neighbors in our communities . ''
In audio of an Aug. 11 tele-town hall obtained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who do n't follow coronavirus prevention guidelines .
`` And I suspect , with the number of people that have died in this country , 163,000 , some of their deaths , we have to claim , we have to own responsibility for — or I should say , when I say we , those who are refusing to follow social distancing , '' Tillis said .
`` I mean , I do n't mean to offend anybody on this call , but it 's just logic says that if you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it wants you to do , go out in public and spread , you 're on the COVID team , and we want you on the American team fighting this virus . ''
In an April interview , Tillis said , `` I 'm trying to lead by example , do what I 'm asking others to do , and I think that that 's what every elected official must do .
The last thing I want to do is see an elected official who is responsible for imposing a stay-at-home order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not with a mask on . ''
Tillis is locked in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham .
Cunningham appears currently to have the lead , with RealClearPolitics ' average showing him up 4.8 % .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has been a vocal proponent of wearing masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus, which is transmitted through respiratory droplets when people cough, sneeze, or even talk within close proximity to one another.
However, on Thursday night, Tillis was spotted not wearing a mask during Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech at the White House — an event at which 1,500 people packed close together completely ignored guidelines for preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Tillis posted a photo of himself wearing a mask just as the event began at 8:41 p.m. EDT.
“I am honored to be in Washington for President @realDonaldTrump‘s acceptance speech for the @GOP nomination, where he will share with America our continued vision of freedom, prosperity, and opportunity to live the American Dream,” Tillis said in the tweet.
However, Tillis can be seen in photos taken during the speech without a mask.
In the screenshot below, Tillis is in the back middle of the image not wearing a mask, 24 minutes and 51 seconds into Trump’s speech.
[media-credit name=”Emily Singer screengrab” align=”alignnone” width=”696″] [/media-credit]
Tillis can also be seen in the bottom left of this screenshot captured by journalist Joe Bruno from video posted by CNN.
[media-credit name=”Twitter/Joe Bruno” link=”https://twitter.com/JoeBrunoWSOC9/status/1299363777679368193/photo/1″ align=”alignnone” width=”696″] [/media-credit]
Tillis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how long or why he wasn’t wearing a mask at the event. However, according to reporter Steve Harrison in Charlotte, Tillis released a statement in which he said, “I’ve stressed the importance of mask wearing throughout this pandemic and have tried to lead by example on this issue, but last night I fell short of my own standard.”
But not wearing a mask in the midst of a crowd of people who traveled from across the country to attend the convention violates directives Tillis has given his own constituents.
The day before the acceptance speech, Tillis sent out an email saying that “wearing a facial covering not only helps saves lives, it will also help save jobs,” and that wearing a mask is “about looking out for our neighbors in our communities.”
In audio of an Aug. 11 tele-town hall obtained by the American Independent Foundation, Tillis criticized those who don’t follow coronavirus prevention guidelines.
“And I suspect, with the number of people that have died in this country, 163,000, some of their deaths, we have to claim, we have to own responsibility for — or I should say, when I say we, those who are refusing to follow social distancing,” Tillis said. “I mean, I don’t mean to offend anybody on this call, but it’s just logic says that if you’re gonna let this virus do exactly what it wants you to do, go out in public and spread, you’re on the COVID team, and we want you on the American team fighting this virus.”
In an April interview, Tillis said, “I’m trying to lead by example, do what I’m asking others to do, and I think that that’s what every elected official must do. The last thing I want to do is see an elected official who is responsible for imposing a stay-at-home order or a wear-a-facial-mask order out in public and not with a mask on.”
Tillis is locked in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham. Cunningham appears currently to have the lead, with RealClearPolitics’ average showing him up 4.8%.
Inside Elections, a nonpartisan political handicapping outlet, rates the race a toss-up.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Trump's speech echoed past ugly attacks on critics and political rivals

Donald Trump used his Republican National Convention speech on Thursday to smear Joe Biden and other political rivals .
It was right out of his usual playbook of attacks and insults .
His top target was his 2020 opponent .
Trump baselessly called Biden a `` weak '' person who `` takes his marching orders from liberal hypocrites who drive their cities into the ground while fleeing from the scene of the wreckage . ''
He also claimed that `` China would own our country if Joe Biden got elected , '' that the former vice president is `` destroyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if given the chance , he will be the destroyer of America ’ s greatness , '' and that `` no one will be safe in Biden ’ s America . ''
( Mike Pence used an almost identical line in his own speech the night before , warning , `` The hard truth is you will not be safe in Joe Biden ’ s America . ''
) Trump also stuck with his personal brand of name-calling , blasting Biden for agreeing to a policy plan with `` far-left senator crazy Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to wild-eyed Marxists like Sanders . ''
He made a series of attacks on `` Democrat politicians , '' framing them as `` tearing down our country , '' falsely claiming they want to allow `` extreme late-term abortion of defenseless babies , right up until the moment of birth , '' and accusing them of standing with `` anarchists , agitators , rioters , looters , and flag burners . ''
Trump also directed some of his vitriol toward Black Lives Matter and the anti-racism protests that have been happening around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mocked the fact that these protesters are mostly peaceful , calling them `` violent anarchists and agitators and criminals who threaten our citizens '' and `` rioters and criminals spreading mayhem in Democrat-run cities . ''
And he praised his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani for a speech earlier that had falsely claimed that Black Lives Matter and anti-facists had `` hijacked the peaceful protest into vicious , brutal riots . ''
These kinds of Trump smears are nothing new .
Since announcing his candidacy in 2015 , he has frequently made racist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his rivals , critics , and anyone else in his way , including those in his own party .
Here are some of the most egregious : • Megyn Kelly : After facing tough questions in an August 2015 primary debate , Trump attacked then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly , saying , `` She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions .
You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes , blood coming out of her wherever .
In my opinion , she was off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , `` I have no respect for her .
I do n't think she 's very good .
I think she 's highly overrated . ''
• Serge Kovaleski : At a November 2015 campaign rally , Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski , a Washington Post reporter , for his disability .
He did a crude imitation of Kovaleski , who has a congenital joint condition called arthrogryposis , and later falsely claimed not to have known about Kovaleski 's disability .
• Heidi Cruz : In March 2016 , Trump attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R ) , his GOP primary opponent .
`` Be careful , Lyin ' Ted , or I will spill the beans on your wife ! ''
he tweeted at the time .
Trump then tweeted what he believed to be an unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz , juxtaposed with a photo of Melania Trump , with the text , `` A picture is worth a thousand words . ''
• Judge Gonzalo Curiel : Trump repeatedly attacked Indiana-born federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel as biased and demanded that he recuse himself from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , citing Curiel 's ethnicity .
`` We are building a wall .
He 's a Mexican .
We 're building a wall between here and Mexico , '' Trump falsely claimed in an interview .
Trump 's defunct `` university '' later settled the case .
• Khizr and Ghazala Khan : Trump attacked two grieving Gold Star parents in July 2016 after they appeared at the Democratic National Convention .
Muslim American Khizr Khan , alongside his wife Ghazala , spoke out against Trump 's proposed Muslim ban during that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News that Ghazala Khan was `` devoid of feeling the pain of a mother who has sacrificed her son '' and asserted that `` she had nothing to say , she probably — maybe she was n't allowed to have anything to say , you tell me . ''
• Hillary Clinton : In addition to numerous other smears of 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton , Trump famously called her `` such a nasty woman '' during their final presidential debate that October .
• Congressional Black Caucus members : Trump has frequently attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are dumb and blaming them for the failures of the city governments they represent .
He said in January 2017 that civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis ( D-CA ) was `` all talk , talk , talk — no action or results , '' and demanded he `` spend more time on fixing and helping his district , which is in horrible shape and falling apart ( not to mention crime infested ) .
`` In June 2018 , Trump called Rep. Maxine Waters ( D-CA ) `` an extraordinarily low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he called Rep. Elijah Cummings ( D-MD ) a `` racist '' and said if he `` would focus more of his energy on helping the good people of his district , and Baltimore itself , perhaps progress could be made in fixing the mess that he has helped to create over many years of incompetent leadership . ''
Trump also called Cummings ' district `` a disgusting , rat and rodent infested mess '' and a `` very dangerous & filthy place . ''
• April Ryan : Trump attacked American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April Ryan , who is Black , in April 2018 over her tough questioning at White House press conferences .
`` I watch her get up .
I mean , you talk about somebody that 's a loser .
She does n't know what the hell she 's doing .
She gets publicity and then she gets a pay raise or a contract with , I think , CNN .
But she 's very nasty , '' he told reporters .
• Christine Blasey Ford : At an October 2018 campaign rally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor who had accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault .
Trump then did an impression of her , repeatedly saying , `` I do n't remember '' after her Senate testimony about the decades-earlier events .
• E. Jean Carroll : Trump has belittled several of the dozens of women who have accused him of sexual predation over the years .
More recently , in June 2019 , he denied allegations by writer E. Jean Carroll that he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s , telling The Hill , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type . ''
• The `` Squad '' : Angered by four Democratic congresswomen of color in July 2019 , Trump tweeted that Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , Ilhan Omar of Minnesota , Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts , and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan should `` go back '' to their home countries and `` help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came . ''
Only one of the four progressive lawmakers , Omar , who immigrated to the United States as a child , was actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greta Thunberg : After 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg was selected Time 's Person of the Year over Trump in December 2019 , he bitterly tweeted that it was `` ridiculous '' and that she `` must work on her Anger Management problem , then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend .
Chill Greta , Chill ! ''
A month later , he publicly dismissed her as `` very angry . ''
• Gretchen Whitmer : Upset about Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's aggressive response to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March that he had a `` big problem with the young , a woman governor from , you know who I 'm talking about , from Michigan . ''
A day later , he tweeted to Michigan residents , `` your Governor , Gretchen 'Half ' Whitmer is way in over her head , she doesn ’ t have a clue .
Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump used his Republican National Convention speech on Thursday to smear Joe Biden and other political rivals. It was right out of his usual playbook of attacks and insults.
His top target was his 2020 opponent. Trump baselessly called Biden a “weak” person who “takes his marching orders from liberal hypocrites who drive their cities into the ground while fleeing from the scene of the wreckage.”
He also claimed that “China would own our country if Joe Biden got elected,” that the former vice president is “destroyer of America’s jobs, and if given the chance, he will be the destroyer of America’s greatness,” and that “no one will be safe in Biden’s America.” (Mike Pence used an almost identical line in his own speech the night before, warning, “The hard truth is you will not be safe in Joe Biden’s America.”)
Trump also stuck with his personal brand of name-calling, blasting Biden for agreeing to a policy plan with “far-left senator crazy Bernie Sanders,” rather than “stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Sanders.”
He made a series of attacks on “Democrat politicians,” framing them as “tearing down our country,” falsely claiming they want to allow “extreme late-term abortion of defenseless babies, right up until the moment of birth,” and accusing them of standing with “anarchists, agitators, rioters, looters, and flag burners.”
Trump also directed some of his vitriol toward Black Lives Matter and the anti-racism protests that have been happening around the country in recent months. He mocked the fact that these protesters are mostly peaceful, calling them “violent anarchists and agitators and criminals who threaten our citizens” and “rioters and criminals spreading mayhem in Democrat-run cities.” And he praised his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani for a speech earlier that had falsely claimed that Black Lives Matter and anti-facists had “hijacked the peaceful protest into vicious, brutal riots.”
These kinds of Trump smears are nothing new. Since announcing his candidacy in 2015, he has frequently made racist, sexist, and other offensive attacks on his rivals, critics, and anyone else in his way, including those in his own party.
Here are some of the most egregious:
Megyn Kelly: After facing tough questions in an August 2015 primary debate, Trump attacked then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly, saying, “She gets out and she starts asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions. You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. In my opinion, she was off base.” He told CNN at the time, “I have no respect for her. I don’t think she’s very good. I think she’s highly overrated.”
Serge Kovaleski: At a November 2015 campaign rally, Trump mocked Serge Kovaleski, a Washington Post reporter, for his disability. He did a crude imitation of Kovaleski, who has a congenital joint condition called arthrogryposis, and later falsely claimed not to have known about Kovaleski’s disability.
Heidi Cruz: In March 2016, Trump attacked the wife of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R), his GOP primary opponent. “Be careful, Lyin’ Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!” he tweeted at the time. Trump then tweeted what he believed to be an unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz, juxtaposed with a photo of Melania Trump, with the text, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Judge Gonzalo Curiel: Trump repeatedly attacked Indiana-born federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel as biased and demanded that he recuse himself from a lawsuit against Trump University in June 2016, citing Curiel’s ethnicity. “We are building a wall. He’s a Mexican. We’re building a wall between here and Mexico,” Trump falsely claimed in an interview. Trump’s defunct “university” later settled the case.
Khizr and Ghazala Khan: Trump attacked two grieving Gold Star parents in July 2016 after they appeared at the Democratic National Convention. Muslim American Khizr Khan, alongside his wife Ghazala, spoke out against Trump’s proposed Muslim ban during that convention. Trump later baselessly told ABC News that Ghazala Khan was “devoid of feeling the pain of a mother who has sacrificed her son” and asserted that “she had nothing to say, she probably — maybe she wasn’t allowed to have anything to say, you tell me.”
Hillary Clinton: In addition to numerous other smears of 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton, Trump famously called her “such a nasty woman” during their final presidential debate that October.
Congressional Black Caucus members: Trump has frequently attacked Black members of Congress, suggesting that they are dumb and blaming them for the failures of the city governments they represent. He said in January 2017 that civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-CA) was “all talk, talk, talk — no action or results,” and demanded he “spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested).”In June 2018, Trump called Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) “an extraordinarily low IQ person.”In July 2019, he called Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) a “racist” and said if he “would focus more of his energy on helping the good people of his district, and Baltimore itself, perhaps progress could be made in fixing the mess that he has helped to create over many years of incompetent leadership.” Trump also called Cummings’ district “a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess” and a “very dangerous & filthy place.”
April Ryan: Trump attacked American Urban Radio Networks reporter and CNN contributor April Ryan, who is Black, in April 2018 over her tough questioning at White House press conferences. “I watch her get up. I mean, you talk about somebody that’s a loser. She doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing. She gets publicity and then she gets a pay raise or a contract with, I think, CNN. But she’s very nasty,” he told reporters.
Christine Blasey Ford: At an October 2018 campaign rally, Trump mocked Christine Blasey Ford, a professor who had accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Trump then did an impression of her, repeatedly saying, “I don’t remember” after her Senate testimony about the decades-earlier events.
E. Jean Carroll: Trump has belittled several of the dozens of women who have accused him of sexual predation over the years. More recently, in June 2019, he denied allegations by writer E. Jean Carroll that he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s, telling The Hill, “Number one, she’s not my type.”
The “Squad”: Angered by four Democratic congresswomen of color in July 2019, Trump tweeted that Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan should “go back” to their home countries and “help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” Only one of the four progressive lawmakers, Omar, who immigrated to the United States as a child, was actually born outside of the country.
Greta Thunberg: After 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg was selected Time’s Person of the Year over Trump in December 2019, he bitterly tweeted that it was “ridiculous” and that she “must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend. Chill Greta, Chill!” A month later, he publicly dismissed her as “very angry.”
Gretchen Whitmer: Upset about Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump told Fox News in March that he had a “big problem with the young, a woman governor from, you know who I’m talking about, from Michigan.” A day later, he tweeted to Michigan residents, “your Governor, Gretchen ‘Half’ Whitmer is way in over her head, she doesn’t have a clue. Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Thousands gather to commemorate historic March on Washington

Capping a week of protests and outrage over the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin , civil rights advocates began highlighting the scourge of police and vigilante violence against Black Americans at a commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom .
An estimated thousands have gathered Friday near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , where the Rev .
Martin Luther King , Jr. delivered his historic `` I Have A Dream '' address , a vision of racial equality that remains elusive for millions of Americans .
And they are gathering on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white police officer of a Black man — this time , 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin , last Sunday — sparking days of protests and violence that left two dead .
`` I want to give space for Black people in the crowd to say they are not okay , '' said Jumaane Williams , New York City 's public advocate , who addressed march attendees shortly after the program began .
`` We are like the nameless grandmothers who got in the streets and said 'We will make you live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' Williams said .
`` We are here .
We 're not going anywhere . ''
Early on , the march was shaping up to be the largest political gathering in Washington since the coronavirus pandemic began .
Many attendees showed up wearing T-shirts bearing the image and words of the late Rep. John Lewis who , until his death last month , was the last living speaker at the original March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom , which went on to become one of the most famous political rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest gatherings at the nation 's capital with over 200,000 people advocating for social change .
The thousands of participants that were streaming in for the march late Friday morning stood in lines that stretched for several blocks , as organizers insisted on taking temperatures as part of coronavirus protocols .
Organizers reminded attendees to practice social distancing and wear masks throughout the program .
Later in the day , Martin Luther King III , a son of the late civil rights icon , and the Rev .
Al Sharpton , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network , planned Friday 's event , are expected to deliver keynote addresses that show the urgency for federal policing reforms , to decry racial violence , and to demand voting rights protections ahead of the November general election .
And to underscore the urgency , Sharpton has assembled the families of an ever-expanding roll call of victims : Blake , George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Rayshard Brooks , Ahmaud Arbery , Trayvon Martin , and Eric Garner , among others .
Arbery and Martin both were killed by white men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commemorative rally , participants will march to the Martin Luther King , Jr. memorial in West Potomac Park , next to the National Mall , and then disperse .
Turnout in Washington was expected be lighter than initially intended due to city-imposed coronavirus pandemic restrictions that limit out-of-state visitors to the nation 's capital .
To that end , the National Action Network organized a handful of satellite march events in South Carolina , Florida and Nevada , among others .
While participants march in Washington , Sharpton has called for those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators ' offices and demand their support of federal policing reforms .
Sharpton said protesters should also demand reinvigorated U.S. voter protections , in Lewis ' memory .
In June , the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act , which would ban police use of stranglehold maneuvers and end qualified immunity for officers , among other reforms .
Floyd , a Black man , died May 25 after a white police officer in Minneapolis held a knee to the man 's neck for nearly eight minutes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from coast to coast .
In July , following Lewis ' death , Democratic senators reintroduced legislation that would restore a provision of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 .
The law previously required states with a history of voter suppression to seek federal clearance before changing voting regulations .
Both measures are awaiting action in the Republican-controlled Senate .
`` We 're demanding that that be enacted , '' King told the Associated Press on Thursday .
`` The senators wo n't even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us an opportunity to say , 'OK , we gave you guys a chance , we as the people , as Black people , as white people , as Latinos and Hispanics and we 're going to vote you out . '
'' Later in the evening , the Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 Black-led organizations that make up the broader Black Lives Matter movement , will hold its virtual Black National Convention .
The convention will coincide with the unveiling of a new Black political agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer 's protests .
The platform will deepen calls for defunding police departments in favor of investments to healthcare , education , housing and other social services in Black communities , organizers said .

Capping a week of protests and outrage over the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin, civil rights advocates began highlighting the scourge of police and vigilante violence against Black Americans at a commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
An estimated thousands have gathered Friday near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic “I Have A Dream” address, a vision of racial equality that remains elusive for millions of Americans.
And they are gathering on the heels of yet another shooting by a white police officer of a Black man — this time, 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last Sunday — sparking days of protests and violence that left two dead.
“I want to give space for Black people in the crowd to say they are not okay,” said Jumaane Williams, New York City’s public advocate, who addressed march attendees shortly after the program began.
“We are like the nameless grandmothers who got in the streets and said ‘We will make you live up to what America says she is,'” Williams said. “We are here. We’re not going anywhere.”
Early on, the march was shaping up to be the largest political gathering in Washington since the coronavirus pandemic began. Many attendees showed up wearing T-shirts bearing the image and words of the late Rep. John Lewis who, until his death last month, was the last living speaker at the original March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which went on to become one of the most famous political rallies in U.S. history. and one of the largest gatherings at the nation’s capital with over 200,000 people advocating for social change.
The thousands of participants that were streaming in for the march late Friday morning stood in lines that stretched for several blocks, as organizers insisted on taking temperatures as part of coronavirus protocols. Organizers reminded attendees to practice social distancing and wear masks throughout the program.
Later in the day, Martin Luther King III, a son of the late civil rights icon, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, whose civil rights organization, the National Action Network, planned Friday’s event, are expected to deliver keynote addresses that show the urgency for federal policing reforms, to decry racial violence, and to demand voting rights protections ahead of the November general election.
And to underscore the urgency, Sharpton has assembled the families of an ever-expanding roll call of victims: Blake, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner, among others.
Arbery and Martin both were killed by white men who pursued them with guns.
Following the commemorative rally, participants will march to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in West Potomac Park, next to the National Mall, and then disperse.
Turnout in Washington was expected be lighter than initially intended due to city-imposed coronavirus pandemic restrictions that limit out-of-state visitors to the nation’s capital. To that end, the National Action Network organized a handful of satellite march events in South Carolina, Florida and Nevada, among others.
While participants march in Washington, Sharpton has called for those in other states to march on their U.S. senators’ offices and demand their support of federal policing reforms. Sharpton said protesters should also demand reinvigorated U.S. voter protections, in Lewis’ memory.
In June, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, which would ban police use of stranglehold maneuvers and end qualified immunity for officers, among other reforms. Floyd, a Black man, died May 25 after a white police officer in Minneapolis held a knee to the man’s neck for nearly eight minutes, sparking weeks of sustained protests and unrest from coast to coast.
In July, following Lewis’ death, Democratic senators reintroduced legislation that would restore a provision of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013. The law previously required states with a history of voter suppression to seek federal clearance before changing voting regulations.
Both measures are awaiting action in the Republican-controlled Senate.
“We’re demanding that that be enacted,” King told the Associated Press on Thursday. “The senators won’t even take action on it. That gives us an opportunity to say, ‘OK, we gave you guys a chance, we as the people, as Black people, as white people, as Latinos and Hispanics and we’re going to vote you out.'”
Later in the evening, the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 Black-led organizations that make up the broader Black Lives Matter movement, will hold its virtual Black National Convention.
The convention will coincide with the unveiling of a new Black political agenda intended to build on the success of this summer’s protests. The platform will deepen calls for defunding police departments in favor of investments to healthcare, education, housing and other social services in Black communities, organizers said.


shareblue--2020-08-28--Watchdog group says Trump officials broke the law at GOP convention

Two White House officials violated the Hatch Act by participating in choreographed events that were aired during this week 's Republican National Convention , according to two separate ethics complaints filed by government watchdog groups .
Chad Wolf , the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security , violated the law when he appeared during a taped naturalization ceremony on White House grounds with Donald Trump , the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , or CREW , wrote in a complaint filed Thursday .
On Wednesday , two law school professors filed a separate complaint against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he committed an `` egregious violation '' by delivering a video-taped speech from Israel .
The Hatch Act is a 1939 law that is intended to limit the commingling of political activity and government business , though it does not apply to the president and vice president .
While Wolf and Pompeo were ostensibly performing their official duties , the watchdog groups contend the events were staged and intended for use during an overtly political event — the convention — and are thus violations of the act .
The Trump White House has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and norms that guided past administrations .
And Wolf and Pompeo now join a substantive list of other Trump officials who have taken a cavalier approach specifically toward the Hatch Act .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows dismissed concern about such violations on Wednesday , telling Politico , `` Nobody outside of the Beltway really cares . ''
Past secretaries of state have gone to lengths to avoid the appearance of partisan political activity , particularly during nominating conventions for the administrations they served .
Pompeo 's speech shattered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he issued to American diplomats last month , advising that federal law prevented them from taking overt sides in the presidential campaign .
It was filmed during a diplomatic mission , using Old Jerusalem as a backdrop .
In it , he praised Trump 's foreign policy and also celebrated the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem , an issue of particular importance to white evangelicals who are a crucial voting block for Trump .
`` This video is an egregious violation of the Hatch Act , '' wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the two law school professors .
`` Secretary Pompeo at the same time as he was on a diplomatic mission to Israel gave a partisan political speech for an RNC campaign video in which he referred to the U.S. embassy in Israel , said that a candidate in a partisan election — Donald Trump — should get credit for the relocation of that embassy . ''
Wolf , meanwhile , participated in a naturalization ceremony with five newly minted citizens on White House grounds .
He stood before a podium , made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of allegiance .
Trump also appeared at the ceremony , spoke for several minutes , and handed out certificates .
`` By participating in this event that mixed official government business with support of a political party and a candidate for partisan political office , Mr. Wolf appears to have used his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election , '' Noah Bookbinder , CREW 's executive director , wrote in the complaint to the Office of Special Counsel .
`` His participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibited by law . ''
The complaint from Finkelstein , a University of Pennsylvania law professor , and Painter — George W. Bush 's former ethics lawyer , a onetime Democratic Senate candidate , and a University of Minnesota law professor — requests an inspector general investigation into Pompeo 's State Department .
They also called for a review of whether State Department employees who helped with logistics could have violated the Hatch Act as well .
The penalty for violating the Hatch Act can include removal from federal service , debarment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years , suspension , reprimand , or a civil penalty that can not be greater than $ 1,000 .

Two White House officials violated the Hatch Act by participating in choreographed events that were aired during this week’s Republican National Convention, according to two separate ethics complaints filed by government watchdog groups.
Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, violated the law when he appeared during a taped naturalization ceremony on White House grounds with Donald Trump, the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, wrote in a complaint filed Thursday.
On Wednesday, two law school professors filed a separate complaint against Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, arguing he committed an “egregious violation” by delivering a video-taped speech from Israel.
The Hatch Act is a 1939 law that is intended to limit the commingling of political activity and government business, though it does not apply to the president and vice president. While Wolf and Pompeo were ostensibly performing their official duties, the watchdog groups contend the events were staged and intended for use during an overtly political event — the convention — and are thus violations of the act.
The Trump White House has taken an ambivalent approach to the ethics rules and norms that guided past administrations. And Wolf and Pompeo now join a substantive list of other Trump officials who have taken a cavalier approach specifically toward the Hatch Act.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows dismissed concern about such violations on Wednesday, telling Politico, “Nobody outside of the Beltway really cares.”
Past secretaries of state have gone to lengths to avoid the appearance of partisan political activity, particularly during nominating conventions for the administrations they served.
Pompeo’s speech shattered that precedent and even went against the guidance he issued to American diplomats last month, advising that federal law prevented them from taking overt sides in the presidential campaign.
It was filmed during a diplomatic mission, using Old Jerusalem as a backdrop. In it, he praised Trump’s foreign policy and also celebrated the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, an issue of particular importance to white evangelicals who are a crucial voting block for Trump.
“This video is an egregious violation of the Hatch Act,” wrote Claire O. Finkelstein and Richard W. Painter, the two law school professors. “Secretary Pompeo at the same time as he was on a diplomatic mission to Israel gave a partisan political speech for an RNC campaign video in which he referred to the U.S. embassy in Israel, said that a candidate in a partisan election — Donald Trump — should get credit for the relocation of that embassy.”
Wolf, meanwhile, participated in a naturalization ceremony with five newly minted citizens on White House grounds. He stood before a podium, made introductory remarks, and administered the oath of allegiance. Trump also appeared at the ceremony, spoke for several minutes, and handed out certificates.
“By participating in this event that mixed official government business with support of a political party and a candidate for partisan political office, Mr. Wolf appears to have used his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election,” Noah Bookbinder, CREW’s executive director, wrote in the complaint to the Office of Special Counsel. “His participation in … this event constitutes political activity prohibited by law.”
The White House declined to comment.
The complaint from Finkelstein, a University of Pennsylvania law professor, and Painter — George W. Bush’s former ethics lawyer, a onetime Democratic Senate candidate, and a University of Minnesota law professor — requests an inspector general investigation into Pompeo’s State Department.
They also called for a review of whether State Department employees who helped with logistics could have violated the Hatch Act as well.
The penalty for violating the Hatch Act can include removal from federal service, debarment from federal employment for a period of under five years, suspension, reprimand, or a civil penalty that cannot be greater than $1,000.


shareblue--2020-08-28--The 8 most ridiculous lies from the GOP convention

Republicans told countless lies over the past four days of the 2020 Republican National Convention , speaking as if the pandemic that 's killed more than 180,000 people in the United States is over , suggesting Donald Trump oversaw an economic expansion in the middle of the worst recession the country has faced since the Great Depression , and blaming Democrats for violence on Trump 's watch .
A handful of those lies were so false and confusing they are worth singling out and debunking .
Here are eight of the most brazen claims .
Lara Trump , the wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of a number of Trump family members who spoke during the convention .
In her speech , she attributed a quote to former President Abraham Lincoln that Lincoln never actually said .
`` Abraham Lincoln once famously said : 'America will never be destroyed from the outside .
If we falter and lose our freedoms , it will be because we destroyed ourselves , ' '' she said Wednesday night .
Lincoln , however , did not `` famously '' say that .
That fake quote comes from a viral Facebook post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skews an actual quote from an address Lincoln gave before the Young Men ’ s Lyceum of Springfield , Illinois , in January 1838 .
`` At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected ?
I answer , if it ever reach us , it must spring up amongst us .
It can not come from abroad , '' he said .
`` If destruction be our lot , we must ourselves be its author and finisher .
As a nation of freemen , we must live through all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Guilfoyle , a former prosecutor , Fox News contributor , and the current girlfriend of Trump 's eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , gave a bizarre , angry speech on the first night of the GOP convention , in which she yelled several demonstrably false claims and suggested that her mother , who was Puerto Rican , was an immigrant .
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory .
The people who live there are American citizens and have been citizens since 1917 .
Madison Cawthorn , a North Carolina Republican who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress in November , expressed his admiration of Founding Father James Madison , whom he claimed `` was 25 when he signed the Declaration of Independence . ''
Madison did not sign the Declaration of Independence .
Cawthorn later claimed he had simply `` ad libbed '' the line in error .
However , according to reporter Ben Jacobs , that falsehood was included in Cawthorn 's prepared remarks , which were sent to reporters by the Trump campaign ahead of the speech .
Stefanik ( R-NY ) , who once fashioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since become a top defender of Trump , falsely claimed that Democrats ran an `` illegal impeachment sham . ''
Impeachment is a process enshrined in the Constitution .
Presidents can be impeached for `` high crimes and misdemeanors , '' an undefined term that effectively gives Congress the ability to impeach a president for an array of misbehavior .
Trump was impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December , after pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate his political rivals by withholding critical military aid to the country .
Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump who was charged earlier this month with insider trading , tried to rewrite history this week , lying about Trump 's response to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , in 2017 .
`` Are you going to allow the media to lie to you by falsely claiming that he said there were 'very fine white supremacists ' in Charlottesville ?
He did n't say that .
It 's a lie , '' Brewer said at the convention .
Trump did , in fact , say there were `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that rally , during which white supremacist protesters chanted `` Jews will not replace us '' and fought the removal of racist Confederate monuments .
One of the white supremacists was later convicted of murder after he drove his car through a peaceful crowd of anti-racism protesters , killing one woman and injuring several others .
Burgess Owens saying his father fought against socialists in World War II Owens , a GOP House candidate from Utah who plagiarized passages of a book he wrote in 2018 and also has ties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were fighting `` the same socialism my father fought against in World War II . ''
The United States did not fight against socialists in World War II .
The United States fought against the Nazis , who despite their name being short for `` National Socialists '' were in fact fascists .
`` The right needs to stop falsely claiming that the Nazis were socialists , '' Ronald Granieri , a professor at the University of Pennsylvania , wrote in a Washington Post op-ed in February .
`` The Nazi regime had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it being prominently included in the name of the National Socialist German Workers ' Party , '' Granieri wrote .
`` The NSDAP , from Hitler on down , struggled with the political implications of having socialism in the party name .
Some early Nazi leaders , such as Gregor and Otto Strasser , appealed to working-class resentments , hoping to wean German workers away from their attachment to existing socialist and communist parties . ''
Grenell , who served as U.S. ambassador to Germany before Trump named him acting director of National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had previously `` watched President Trump charm the Chancellor of Germany . ''
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has a well documented disdain for Trump .
On Friday morning , after being told about Grenell 's claim , Merkel appeared shocked by the assertion .
`` He what ?
Me ? ''
she said .
Trump falsely claiming for the 150th time that he signed Veterans Choice Trump asserted this week that he passed Veterans Choice , a piece of legislation that allows veterans to get care at non-VA providers .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our great veterans .
We are taking care of our veterans , '' Trump said in his speech .
Trump has told this lie over 150 times , according to CNN , but it is n't true .
Former President Barack Obama signed Veterans Choice into law in 2014 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans told countless lies over the past four days of the 2020 Republican National Convention, speaking as if the pandemic that’s killed more than 180,000 people in the United States is over, suggesting Donald Trump oversaw an economic expansion in the middle of the worst recession the country has faced since the Great Depression, and blaming Democrats for violence on Trump’s watch.
A handful of those lies were so false and confusing they are worth singling out and debunking.
Here are eight of the most brazen claims.
Lara Trump falsely attributing a quote to Abraham Lincoln
Lara Trump, the wife of first son Eric Trump, was one of a number of Trump family members who spoke during the convention.
In her speech, she attributed a quote to former President Abraham Lincoln that Lincoln never actually said.
“Abraham Lincoln once famously said: ‘America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves,'” she said Wednesday night.
Lincoln, however, did not “famously” say that. That fake quote comes from a viral Facebook post, according to Politifact.
That post skews an actual quote from an address Lincoln gave before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, in January 1838.
“At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad,” he said. “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle calling her Puerto Rican mother an immigrant
Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor, Fox News contributor, and the current girlfriend of Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., gave a bizarre, angry speech on the first night of the GOP convention, in which she yelled several demonstrably false claims and suggested that her mother, who was Puerto Rican, was an immigrant.
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. The people who live there are American citizens and have been citizens since 1917.
Madison Cawthorn claiming James Madison signed the Declaration of Independence
Madison Cawthorn, a North Carolina Republican who is poised to become the youngest member of Congress in November, expressed his admiration of Founding Father James Madison, whom he claimed “was 25 when he signed the Declaration of Independence.”
Madison did not sign the Declaration of Independence.
Cawthorn later claimed he had simply “ad libbed” the line in error. However, according to reporter Ben Jacobs, that falsehood was included in Cawthorn’s prepared remarks, which were sent to reporters by the Trump campaign ahead of the speech.
Rep. Elise Stefanik claiming Trump’s impeachment was ‘illegal’
Stefanik (R-NY), who once fashioned herself as a moderate Republican but has since become a top defender of Trump, falsely claimed that Democrats ran an “illegal impeachment sham.”
That is false.
Impeachment is a process enshrined in the Constitution. Presidents can be impeached for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” an undefined term that effectively gives Congress the ability to impeach a president for an array of misbehavior.
Trump was impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December, after pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate his political rivals by withholding critical military aid to the country.
Jack Brewer claiming Trump never called white supremacists ‘very fine people’
Jack Brewer, a member of Black Voices for Trump who was charged earlier this month with insider trading, tried to rewrite history this week, lying about Trump’s response to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
“Are you going to allow the media to lie to you by falsely claiming that he said there were ‘very fine white supremacists’ in Charlottesville? He didn’t say that. It’s a lie,” Brewer said at the convention.
Trump did, in fact, say there were “very fine people on both sides” of that rally, during which white supremacist protesters chanted “Jews will not replace us” and fought the removal of racist Confederate monuments. One of the white supremacists was later convicted of murder after he drove his car through a peaceful crowd of anti-racism protesters, killing one woman and injuring several others.
Burgess Owens saying his father fought against socialists in World War II
Owens, a GOP House candidate from Utah who plagiarized passages of a book he wrote in 2018 and also has ties to the dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory, said Republicans were fighting “the same socialism my father fought against in World War II.”
The United States did not fight against socialists in World War II. The United States fought against the Nazis, who despite their name being short for “National Socialists” were in fact fascists.
“The right needs to stop falsely claiming that the Nazis were socialists,” Ronald Granieri, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed in February.
“The Nazi regime had little to do with socialism, despite it being prominently included in the name of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party,” Granieri wrote. “The NSDAP, from Hitler on down, struggled with the political implications of having socialism in the party name. Some early Nazi leaders, such as Gregor and Otto Strasser, appealed to working-class resentments, hoping to wean German workers away from their attachment to existing socialist and communist parties.”
Richard Grenell claiming Trump ‘charmed’ German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Grenell, who served as U.S. ambassador to Germany before Trump named him acting director of National Intelligence, said in a speech that he had previously “watched President Trump charm the Chancellor of Germany.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has a well documented disdain for Trump. On Friday morning, after being told about Grenell’s claim, Merkel appeared shocked by the assertion.
“He what? Me?” she said.
Trump falsely claiming for the 150th time that he signed Veterans Choice
Trump asserted this week that he passed Veterans Choice, a piece of legislation that allows veterans to get care at non-VA providers.
“We also passed VA accountability and VA Choice, our great veterans. We are taking care of our veterans,” Trump said in his speech.
Trump has told this lie over 150 times, according to CNN, but it isn’t true. Former President Barack Obama signed Veterans Choice into law in 2014.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.