shareblue--2020-12-04--Job growth slows for 5th month in a row — but GOP still won't help anyone

The economy added just 245,000 new jobs in November , the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Friday .
That number is down from the 610,000 jobs added in October , marking the fifth month straight of slowing job growth .
The unemployment rate , which stands at 6.7 % — a full 3 percentage points higher than it did in January 2020 — was unchanged .
And the real unemployment rate is likely much higher than that , as millions of workers have dropped out of the labor force altogether .
Jason Furman , a professor of economics at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers , estimates that what he calls the `` realistic '' unemployment rate is actually 8.5 % : `` The realistic UR adjusts for a misclassification error & the unusually large decline in participation .
...
The labor market got a little bit worse in November .
And December likely to be even worse , '' he tweeted .
10.7 million people remain unemployed , with the number of people who have been unemployed for six months or longer skyrocketing .
`` We 're at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of the unemployed who have been jobless > 6 months has now risen from 19 % in February to 37 % in November , and it 's rising sharply .
As people lose contact with the labor market , they lose connections , skills , and hope , '' tweeted Justin Wolfers , an economics professor at the University of Michigan .
As has been widely reported , Senate Republicans have been refusing to pass virus relief measures for months .
Led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Republicans in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost expire in July — a boost economists said helped stave off an even worse economic crash in the early days of the pandemic .
Additional unemployment benefits are set to expire just after Christmas if Republicans refuse to act , which could cause 12 million workers to lose a critical lifeline .
House Democrats have passed two bills that extended that $ 600 weekly benefit to jobless workers and authorized new direct payments to Americans earning under a certain income threshold .
But Senate Republicans refused to vote on those measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans appear to be realizing that they need to do something , but their offer is stingy .
The GOP offer would n't revive any added boost to weekly unemployment payments nor add any new direct payments .
McConnell 's bill instead includes liability protection for businesses that operate during the pandemic , and a tax write-off for business meals , known as the `` three-martini deduction , '' a policy economists say will have no impact on the economic situation .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The economy added just 245,000 new jobs in November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Friday.
That number is down from the 610,000 jobs added in October, marking the fifth month straight of slowing job growth.
The unemployment rate, which stands at 6.7% — a full 3 percentage points higher than it did in January 2020 — was unchanged. And the real unemployment rate is likely much higher than that, as millions of workers have dropped out of the labor force altogether.
Jason Furman, a professor of economics at Harvard who served in the Obama administration as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, estimates that what he calls the “realistic” unemployment rate is actually 8.5%: “The realistic UR adjusts for a misclassification error & the unusually large decline in participation. … The labor market got a little bit worse in November. And December likely to be even worse,” he tweeted.
10.7 million people remain unemployed, with the number of people who have been unemployed for six months or longer skyrocketing.
“We’re at risk of creating more lasting problems: The share of the unemployed who have been jobless >6 months has now risen from 19% in February to 37% in November, and it’s rising sharply. As people lose contact with the labor market, they lose connections, skills, and hope,” tweeted Justin Wolfers, an economics professor at the University of Michigan.
As has been widely reported, Senate Republicans have been refusing to pass virus relief measures for months.
Led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republicans in the Senate let a $600 per week unemployment boost expire in July — a boost economists said helped stave off an even worse economic crash in the early days of the pandemic.
Additional unemployment benefits are set to expire just after Christmas if Republicans refuse to act, which could cause 12 million workers to lose a critical lifeline.
House Democrats have passed two bills that extended that $600 weekly benefit to jobless workers and authorized new direct payments to Americans earning under a certain income threshold. But Senate Republicans refused to vote on those measures.
With the economic recovery now stalling, Republicans appear to be realizing that they need to do something, but their offer is stingy.
The GOP offer wouldn’t revive any added boost to weekly unemployment payments nor add any new direct payments.
McConnell’s bill instead includes liability protection for businesses that operate during the pandemic, and a tax write-off for business meals, known as the “three-martini deduction,” a policy economists say will have no impact on the economic situation.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-05--It's Major: Pets are coming back to the White House

Major Biden is getting an early start in the spotlight as a presidential pet after a play date ended with his owner , President-elect Joe Biden , suffering a broken foot .
As if that were n't enough for one weekend , it was also confirmed that Major will have to share the White House with , of all things , a cat .
In a few weeks , Major , fellow German shepherd Champ , and the TBD feline are expected to make the move to the White House .
Presidential pets provide their owners with a source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and generally good PR .
The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration .
`` Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades , '' said Jennifer Pickens , an author who studies White House traditions .
`` It not only provides companionship to the president and their family , but I believe it also humanizes and softens their political image . ''
Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pet-loving constituents a connection with the president , added Tom Whalen , a presidential historian at Boston University .
`` When a president , the leader of the country , the leader of the free world really , is seen with a dog or a cat , you know , basically there is a bond that they have with their public , whether they 're Republican or Democrat , '' Whalen said .
President Theodore Roosevelt had Skip , who is described by the White House Historical Association as a `` short-legged Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Colorado bear hunt . ''
Warren G. Harding had Laddie Boy , who sat in on meetings and had his own Cabinet chair .
And President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had his beloved terrier Fala .
At night , Fala slept in a special chair at the foot of the president 's bed .
More recently , President George H.W .
Bush 's English springer spaniel Millie was featured on `` The Simpsons '' and starred in a bestseller , `` Millie 's Book : As dictated to Barbara Bush . ''
Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children 's book about family dog Buddy and cat Socks : `` Dear Socks , Dear Buddy : Kids ' Letters to the First Pets . ''
When he declared victory in the 2008 presidential race , Barack Obama told his daughters : `` You have earned the new puppy that 's coming with us to the White House . ''
Several months later , Bo joined the family , a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy .
A few years later , fellow Portuguese water dog Sunny would arrive to provide companionship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge 's raccoon named Rebecca .
She was given to the Coolidge family by a supporter who suggested the raccoon be served for Thanksgiving dinner , according to the White House Historical Association .
But instead , she got an embroidered collar with the title `` White House Raccoon '' and entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll .
Some notable pets belonged to first kids , including Amy Carter 's Siamese cat , Misty Malarky Ying Yang , and Caroline Kennedy 's pony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veritable menagerie , complete with dogs , cats , birds , hamsters , and a rabbit named Zsa Zsa .
President Harry Truman famously said that `` If you want a friend in Washington , get a dog . ''
It should not be a surprise that many presidents have taken him up on that advice .
The first President Bush once said , `` There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog to help you get through the rough spots . ''
`` From a presidential perspective , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're great because they 're nonjudgmental .
They 're going to give you their unqualified love .
And they 're not going to criticize what you did in Somalia or how the economy is doing , '' Whalen said .
`` The pets are always there for you .
And I think presidents , whether you 're a Democrat or Republican , need that kind of reassurance from time to time , given how things are . ''

Major Biden is getting an early start in the spotlight as a presidential pet after a play date ended with his owner, President-elect Joe Biden, suffering a broken foot. As if that weren’t enough for one weekend, it was also confirmed that Major will have to share the White House with, of all things, a cat.
It’ll get better, Major.
In a few weeks, Major, fellow German shepherd Champ, and the TBD feline are expected to make the move to the White House. Presidential pets provide their owners with a source of comfort, entertainment, occasional drama, and generally good PR.
The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration.
“Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. “It not only provides companionship to the president and their family, but I believe it also humanizes and softens their political image.”
Having a dog or cat will give some pet-loving constituents a connection with the president, added Tom Whalen, a presidential historian at Boston University.
“When a president, the leader of the country, the leader of the free world really, is seen with a dog or a cat, you know, basically there is a bond that they have with their public, whether they’re Republican or Democrat,” Whalen said.
President Theodore Roosevelt had Skip, who is described by the White House Historical Association as a “short-legged Black and Tan mongrel terrier brought home from a Colorado bear hunt.” Warren G. Harding had Laddie Boy, who sat in on meetings and had his own Cabinet chair. And President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had his beloved terrier Fala. At night, Fala slept in a special chair at the foot of the president’s bed.
More recently, President George H.W. Bush’s English springer spaniel Millie was featured on “The Simpsons” and starred in a bestseller, “Millie’s Book: As dictated to Barbara Bush.” Hillary Clinton followed Bush’s lead with a children’s book about family dog Buddy and cat Socks: “Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets.”
When he declared victory in the 2008 presidential race, Barack Obama told his daughters: “You have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.” Several months later, Bo joined the family, a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy. A few years later, fellow Portuguese water dog Sunny would arrive to provide companionship.
Among the stranger White House pets was Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge’s raccoon named Rebecca. She was given to the Coolidge family by a supporter who suggested the raccoon be served for Thanksgiving dinner, according to the White House Historical Association. But instead, she got an embroidered collar with the title “White House Raccoon” and entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Some notable pets belonged to first kids, including Amy Carter’s Siamese cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang, and Caroline Kennedy’s pony, Macaroni. The Kennedy family had a veritable menagerie, complete with dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and a rabbit named Zsa Zsa.
President Harry Truman famously said that “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” It should not be a surprise that many presidents have taken him up on that advice. The first President Bush once said, “There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog to help you get through the rough spots.”
“From a presidential perspective, you know, a dog or cat or horse, they’re great because they’re nonjudgmental. They’re going to give you their unqualified love. And they’re not going to criticize what you did in Somalia or how the economy is doing,” Whalen said. “The pets are always there for you. And I think presidents, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, need that kind of reassurance from time to time, given how things are.”


shareblue--2020-12-05--Opinion: Biden is building government back better

With the Biden-Harris transition in full gear , I ca n't help but be reminded of my time working on the Obama-Biden transition in late 2008 and early 2009 .
A quote from the mega-hit musical `` Hamilton '' keeps popping into my head .
There 's a scene in which Alexander Hamilton and George Washington are going back and forth during a Cabinet meeting , and Washington says to Hamilton , `` Ah , winning was easy , young man .
Governing 's harder . ''
President Barack Obama had just won a decisive electoral victory , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was experiencing the greatest recession in 100 years , two wars abroad , a broken health care system , and a Republican Party whose No .
1 priority was making sure we failed .
As head of personnel for the transition , it was my job to make sure we had qualified people ready to go on Day 1 .
It was no easy task then , and now , with a pandemic raging , it 's an even harder job .
It is impossible to describe the pressure and all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to the government .
First and foremost , you want people who are qualified to do the job .
While the Trump administration did not seem to care about things like experience or character when naming government officials , most administrations take those very seriously But , beyond qualifications , there are dozens of other factors .
For example , most presidential candidates make some sort of campaign promise around nominations — and those promises have to be kept .
For example , during the 2008 campaign , Obama promised that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That meant that as we were looking to staff the executive Cabinet departments , we had to find and nominate a Republican who would get confirmed ( and that promise was kept with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood ) .
Joe Biden promised to build a government that looked like America .
And , looking at his initial round of high-profile nominations and appointments , he has kept that promise .
However , one challenge that Biden may face that Obama did not is the prospect of a Republican Senate .
Hopefully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by winning both runoff elections in Georgia next month , but if we come up short , then the Republicans will control the fate of many of President-elect Biden 's nominees .
As we saw when Republicans denied Obama a Supreme Court nomination , they have no problem brazenly and hypocritically exploiting Senate rules for political gain .
And they are already signaling to us that they intend to keep up that obstructionism .
This means that Democrats are going to have to be clear-eyed about dealing with Republicans and need to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activated to pressure Republicans who want to deny Biden his right to staff the executive branch .
All that said , Biden has a deeper understanding of government than any incoming president in modern history .
He has already shown incredible judgment with regard to personnel , starting with his wise decision to choose Kamala Harris as his running mate .
After four years of seeing American institutions abused and hollowed out by the Trump administration , Americans deserve a government that will work for them — and Joe Biden is primed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do just that .
Jim Messina is CEO of The Messina Group and chief strategist for American Bridge 21st Century .
He was formerly White House deputy chief of staff under President Obama , and campaign manager for the president 's 2012 reelection campaign .

With the Biden-Harris transition in full gear, I can’t help but be reminded of my time working on the Obama-Biden transition in late 2008 and early 2009. A quote from the mega-hit musical “Hamilton” keeps popping into my head. There’s a scene in which Alexander Hamilton and George Washington are going back and forth during a Cabinet meeting, and Washington says to Hamilton, “Ah, winning was easy, young man. Governing’s harder.”
President Barack Obama had just won a decisive electoral victory, but we were now faced with governing a country that was experiencing the greatest recession in 100 years, two wars abroad, a broken health care system, and a Republican Party whose No. 1 priority was making sure we failed.
As head of personnel for the transition, it was my job to make sure we had qualified people ready to go on Day 1. It was no easy task then, and now, with a pandemic raging, it’s an even harder job.
It is impossible to describe the pressure and all of the competing considerations that go into naming people to the government.
First and foremost, you want people who are qualified to do the job. While the Trump administration did not seem to care about things like experience or character when naming government officials, most administrations take those very seriously
But, beyond qualifications, there are dozens of other factors. For example, most presidential candidates make some sort of campaign promise around nominations — and those promises have to be kept.
For example, during the 2008 campaign, Obama promised that a Republican would be in his Cabinet. That meant that as we were looking to staff the executive Cabinet departments, we had to find and nominate a Republican who would get confirmed (and that promise was kept with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood).
Joe Biden promised to build a government that looked like America. And, looking at his initial round of high-profile nominations and appointments, he has kept that promise.
However, one challenge that Biden may face that Obama did not is the prospect of a Republican Senate.
Hopefully, Democrats can take control of the Senate by winning both runoff elections in Georgia next month, but if we come up short, then the Republicans will control the fate of many of President-elect Biden’s nominees.
As we saw when Republicans denied Obama a Supreme Court nomination, they have no problem brazenly and hypocritically exploiting Senate rules for political gain.
And they are already signaling to us that they intend to keep up that obstructionism. This means that Democrats are going to have to be clear-eyed about dealing with Republicans and need to make sure that we keep voters engaged and activated to pressure Republicans who want to deny Biden his right to staff the executive branch.
All that said, Biden has a deeper understanding of government than any incoming president in modern history. He has already shown incredible judgment with regard to personnel, starting with his wise decision to choose Kamala Harris as his running mate.
After four years of seeing American institutions abused and hollowed out by the Trump administration, Americans deserve a government that will work for them — and Joe Biden is primed to give the American people a government that will do just that.
Jim Messina is CEO of The Messina Group and chief strategist for American Bridge 21st Century. He was formerly White House deputy chief of staff under President Obama, and campaign manager for the president’s 2012 reelection campaign.


shareblue--2020-12-06--Survivors of Pearl Harbor observe the anniversary at home this year

Navy sailor Mickey Ganitch was getting ready to play in a Pearl Harbor football game as the sun came up on Dec. 7 , 1941 .
Instead , he spent the morning — still wearing his football padding and brown team shirt — scanning the sky as Japanese planes rained bombs on the U.S. Pacific Fleet .
Seventy-nine years later , the coronavirus pandemic is preventing Ganitch and other survivors from attending an annual ceremony remembering those killed in the attack that launched the United States into World War II .
The 101-year-old has attended most years since the mid-2000s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from California this year because of the health risks .
`` That 's the way it goes .
You got to ride with the tide , '' Ganitch said in a telephone interview from his home in San Leandro , California .
Nearly eight decades ago , Ganitch 's USS Pennsylvania football team was scheduled to face off against the USS Arizona team .
As usual , they donned their uniforms aboard their ships because there was nowhere to change near the field .
The pigskin showdown never happened .
The aerial assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled from the ship 's living compartment to his battle station about 70 feet ( 21 meters ) above the main deck .
His job was to serve as a lookout and report `` anything that was suspicious . ''
He saw a plane coming over the top of a nearby building .
Sailors trained the ship 's guns on the aircraft and shot it down .
`` I was up there where I could see it , '' Ganitch said .
The Pennsylvania was in dry dock at the time , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many other vessels that day .
It was one of the first to return fire on the attacking planes .
Even so , the Pennsylvania lost 31 men .
Ganitch said a 500-pound ( 227-kilogram ) bomb missed him by just 45 feet ( 14 meters ) .
He did n't have time to think and did what he had to do .
`` You realize that we 're in the war itself and that things had changed , '' he said .
The USS Arizona suffered a much worse fate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly sank after being pierced by two bombs .
More than 900 men remain entombed on the ship that rests on the seafloor in the harbor .
Altogether , more than 2,300 U.S. troops died in the attack .
They 're why Ganitch likes returning to Pearl Harbor for the annual remembrance ceremony on Dec. 7 .
`` We 're respecting them by being there , and showing up and honoring them .
Cause they 're really the heroes , '' Ganitch said .
But the health risks to the aging survivors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans mean none of them will gather at Pearl Harbor this year .
The National Park Service and Navy , which jointly host the event , also have closed the ceremony to the public to limit its size .
The gathering , featuring a moment of silence , a flyover in missing man formation and a speech by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet , will be livestreamed instead .
Ganitch served the remainder of the war on the Pennsylvania , helping in the U.S. recapture of the Alaskan islands of Attu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese positions to help with the amphibious assaults of Pacific islands like Kwajalein , Saipan and Guam .
Ganitch remained in the Navy for more than 20 years .
Afterward , he briefly worked in a bowling alley before becoming the shop foreman at a fishnet manufacturing plant .
Along the way , he had four children , 13 grandchildren , 18 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren .
He and his wife , now 90 , have been married for 57 years .
Ganitch still shows glimpses of his days as a running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crouched down to demonstrate his football stance for visiting journalists .
Kathleen Farley , California chairwoman of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors , said many survivors are already talking about going to Hawaii next year for the 80th anniversary if it 's safe by then .
Farley , whose late father served on the USS California and spent three days after the attack picking up bodies , has been attending for two decades .
`` I know deep down in my heart that one of these days , we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` I honor them while I still have them and I can thank them in person . ''

Navy sailor Mickey Ganitch was getting ready to play in a Pearl Harbor football game as the sun came up on Dec. 7, 1941. Instead, he spent the morning — still wearing his football padding and brown team shirt — scanning the sky as Japanese planes rained bombs on the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Seventy-nine years later, the coronavirus pandemic is preventing Ganitch and other survivors from attending an annual ceremony remembering those killed in the attack that launched the United States into World War II. The 101-year-old has attended most years since the mid-2000s but will have to observe the moment from California this year because of the health risks.
“That’s the way it goes. You got to ride with the tide,” Ganitch said in a telephone interview from his home in San Leandro, California.
Nearly eight decades ago, Ganitch’s USS Pennsylvania football team was scheduled to face off against the USS Arizona team. As usual, they donned their uniforms aboard their ships because there was nowhere to change near the field. The pigskin showdown never happened.
The aerial assault began at 7:55 a.m., and Ganitch scrambled from the ship’s living compartment to his battle station about 70 feet (21 meters) above the main deck. His job was to serve as a lookout and report “anything that was suspicious.”
He saw a plane coming over the top of a nearby building. Sailors trained the ship’s guns on the aircraft and shot it down.
“I was up there where I could see it,” Ganitch said.
The Pennsylvania was in dry dock at the time, which protected it from the torpedoes that pummeled so many other vessels that day. It was one of the first to return fire on the attacking planes. Even so, the Pennsylvania lost 31 men. Ganitch said a 500-pound (227-kilogram) bomb missed him by just 45 feet (14 meters).
He didn’t have time to think and did what he had to do.
“You realize that we’re in the war itself and that things had changed,” he said.
The USS Arizona suffered a much worse fate, losing 1,177 Marines and sailors as it quickly sank after being pierced by two bombs. More than 900 men remain entombed on the ship that rests on the seafloor in the harbor.
Altogether, more than 2,300 U.S. troops died in the attack.
They’re why Ganitch likes returning to Pearl Harbor for the annual remembrance ceremony on Dec. 7.
“We’re respecting them by being there, and showing up and honoring them. Cause they’re really the heroes,” Ganitch said.
But the health risks to the aging survivors of the attack and other World War II veterans mean none of them will gather at Pearl Harbor this year.
The National Park Service and Navy, which jointly host the event, also have closed the ceremony to the public to limit its size. The gathering, featuring a moment of silence, a flyover in missing man formation and a speech by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will be livestreamed instead.
Ganitch served the remainder of the war on the Pennsylvania, helping in the U.S. recapture of the Alaskan islands of Attu and Kiska. The battleship also bombarded Japanese positions to help with the amphibious assaults of Pacific islands like Kwajalein, Saipan and Guam.
Ganitch remained in the Navy for more than 20 years. Afterward, he briefly worked in a bowling alley before becoming the shop foreman at a fishnet manufacturing plant.
Along the way, he had four children, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. He and his wife, now 90, have been married for 57 years.
Ganitch still shows glimpses of his days as a running guard protecting his quarterback: He recently crouched down to demonstrate his football stance for visiting journalists.
Kathleen Farley, California chairwoman of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, said many survivors are already talking about going to Hawaii next year for the 80th anniversary if it’s safe by then.
Farley, whose late father served on the USS California and spent three days after the attack picking up bodies, has been attending for two decades.
“I know deep down in my heart that one of these days, we’re not going to have any survivors left,” she said. “I honor them while I still have them and I can thank them in person.”


shareblue--2020-12-06--Women of color get leading roles on Kamala Harris' new team

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy , a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons , as her chief of staff , the transition team announced Thursday .
Flournoy 's appointment as Harris ' top staffer adds to a team of advisers led by Black women .
Harris , who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage , is the nation 's first female vice president .
Flournoy joins Ashley Etienne as Harris ' communications director and Symone Sanders as her chief spokeswoman .
Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to top posts at the Democratic National Committee , in the presidential campaigns of former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , and with the American Federation of Teachers .
Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser .
Kosoglu had served as Harris ' top adviser during the general election campaign .
McEldowney is a former ambassador to Bulgaria and has 30 years of service in various diplomatic and foreign affairs jobs .
`` Together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's appointees will work to get this virus under control , open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans , and restore and advance our country 's leadership around the world , '' Harris said in a statement .
Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops .
Matt McKenna , who was Bill Clinton 's spokesperson from 2007 to 2015 , noted the historic nature of Harris ' candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to so many people , and they 're all going to want some of her time .
She needs someone who can honor the historic nature of her candidacy and her victory and her place in the world , '' he said .
Harris has regularly joined President-elect Joe Biden and offered remarks at briefings on the economy , the coronavirus , and health care since the two won the November election .
The transition team has yet to announce whether she 'll focus on any specific issues or initiatives .
Flournoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Minyon Moore , another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoy 's , is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition .
It 's unclear if any of Harris ' former Senate staff or longtime political advisers will join the vice president 's office .

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team announced Thursday.
Flournoy’s appointment as Harris’ top staffer adds to a team of advisers led by Black women. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage, is the nation’s first female vice president. Flournoy joins Ashley Etienne as Harris’ communications director and Symone Sanders as her chief spokeswoman.
Flournoy has served as chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton since 2013. That follows a career that took her to top posts at the Democratic National Committee, in the presidential campaigns of former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and with the American Federation of Teachers.
Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser. Kosoglu had served as Harris’ top adviser during the general election campaign. McEldowney is a former ambassador to Bulgaria and has 30 years of service in various diplomatic and foreign affairs jobs.
“Together with the rest of my team, today’s appointees will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our country’s leadership around the world,” Harris said in a statement.
Former colleagues describe Flournoy as a no-nonsense operative who has both policy and political chops. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clinton’s spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time.
“(Harris) represents so many things to so many people, and they’re all going to want some of her time. She needs someone who can honor the historic nature of her candidacy and her victory and her place in the world,” he said.
Harris has regularly joined President-elect Joe Biden and offered remarks at briefings on the economy, the coronavirus, and health care since the two won the November election. The transition team has yet to announce whether she’ll focus on any specific issues or initiatives.
Flournoy has never held a position with Harris. But Minyon Moore, another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoy’s, is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition. It’s unclear if any of Harris’ former Senate staff or longtime political advisers will join the vice president’s office.


Cartoon: Peachy conspiracies

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

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


shareblue--2020-12-07--Trump silent as mob of supporters threatens Michigan election official

A group of around 30 Donald Trump supporters , some reportedly armed , gathered outside Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson 's home Saturday night to scream into megaphones and protest the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election .
According to Benson , she and her 4-year-old son were just sitting down to watch `` How the Grinch Stole Christmas '' when the protesters showed up .
In a statement issued by her office , Benson said the protesters , whom she described as `` dozens of armed individuals , '' were `` shouting obscenities '' and `` chanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son finished decorating and prepared to enjoy their holiday movie .
`` The actions of these latest protesters are an extension of the noise and clouded efforts to spread false information about the security and accuracy of our elections that we 've all endured in the month since the polls closed on Nov. 3 , '' Benson wrote .
She added that `` those unhappy with the results of the election '' have waged an `` unprecedented , dangerous , [ and ] egregious campaign '' to `` erode the public 's confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fair election .
Though the protesters were `` unambiguous , loud , and threatening , '' Benson said that their efforts to overturn the election results with `` threats of violence , intimidation , and bullying '' would not work .
`` Because our democracy is strong , '' she wrote .
`` The will of the people is clear .
And I will stand up every day in my job for all voters , even the votes of the protesters who banded together outside my home . ''
Michigan State Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that no arrests were made during the protest , although some were reportedly armed .
He estimated the crowd size around 25 to 30 .
Trump , who has repeatedly blasted Michigan 's election results since Election Day and leveled several high-profile lawsuits in the state in an effort to overturn the election , has so far been silent about the incident on social media .
Instead , Trump has spent much of the past two days tweeting lies about the election results as well as his numerous failed lawsuits aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` NO WAY WE LOST THIS ELECTION ! ''
he tweeted on Sunday .
Biden in fact beat Trump by more than 7 million votes .
The protest outside Benson 's home comes on the heels of a domestic terror plot this summer by right-wing extremists who had planned to abduct Michigan 's Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer in protest of her coronavirus lockdown measures .
The suspects in that alleged plot were arrested in early October .
Court documents later showed that the men had also allegedly discussed executing state politicians or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked inside .
Trump repeatedly attacked Whitmer in the months leading up to the attempted kidnapping plot , and has been widely criticized for allegedly inciting violence against her .
But even as Trump 's team has lost more than 40 legal battles — with the Electoral College safe harbor date set for Tuesday — and his allegations of election fraud repeatedly debunked , even by his own attorney general , violence and threats by his supporters continues unabated .
Trump has also remained silent as other officials face an onslaught of threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flames at times .
In Georgia last week , Gabriel Sterling , the Republican implementation manager of the state 's voting system , slammed Trump for his failure to condemn violent threats perpetrated by his supporters .
In a Dec. 1 press conference , Sterling said that a tech for Dominion Voting Systems — a system pinpointed by Trump for wild election conspiracy theories — had been subject to death threats with a makeshift noose .
`` Someone 's going to get hurt , someone 's going to get shot , someone 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not right .
It 's not right , '' he said .
`` Death threats , physical threats , intimidation , it 's too much . ''
He noted that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger 's wife , Tricia Raffensperger , was also `` getting sexualized threats '' via cell phone .
`` Mr. President , you have not condemned these actions or this language , '' the Georgia election official pleaded with the White House occupant .
`` Senators , you have not condemned this language or these actions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence . ''
Even one of Trump 's own attorneys , Joe diGenova , has joined in on the barrage .
During a recent appearance on `` The Howie Carr Show , '' diGenova called for Chris Krebs — a federal cybersecurity official who was fired after saying there was no evidence of voter fraud — to be violently attacked and `` shot . ''
`` Anybody who thinks the election went well , like that idiot Krebs who used to be the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class A moron , '' diGenova said .
`` He should be drawn and quartered .
Taken out at dawn and shot . ''
He later tried to characterize the statement as `` hyperbole . ''
These threats have characterized the political climate since the Nov. 3 election , as real-world , often violent repercussions of Trump 's coup have spread nationwide .
Meanwhile , Trump continues to endanger elected officials by blasting them on social media without a care .
`` The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he tweeted Monday morning , attacking Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp .
`` What ’ s wrong with this guy ?
What is he hiding ? ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A group of around 30 Donald Trump supporters, some reportedly armed, gathered outside Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s home Saturday night to scream into megaphones and protest the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election.
According to Benson, she and her 4-year-old son were just sitting down to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” when the protesters showed up.
In a statement issued by her office, Benson said the protesters, whom she described as “dozens of armed individuals,” were “shouting obscenities” and “chanting into bullhorns” as she and her son finished decorating and prepared to enjoy their holiday movie.
“The actions of these latest protesters are an extension of the noise and clouded efforts to spread false information about the security and accuracy of our elections that we’ve all endured in the month since the polls closed on Nov. 3,” Benson wrote.
She added that “those unhappy with the results of the election” have waged an “unprecedented, dangerous, [and] egregious campaign” to “erode the public’s confidence” in a safe, free, and fair election.
Though the protesters were “unambiguous, loud, and threatening,” Benson said that their efforts to overturn the election results with “threats of violence, intimidation, and bullying” would not work.
“Because our democracy is strong,” she wrote. “The will of the people is clear. And I will stand up every day in my job for all voters, even the votes of the protesters who banded together outside my home.”
Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw told CNN in a statement that no arrests were made during the protest, although some were reportedly armed. He estimated the crowd size around 25 to 30.
Trump, who has repeatedly blasted Michigan’s election results since Election Day and leveled several high-profile lawsuits in the state in an effort to overturn the election, has so far been silent about the incident on social media.
Instead, Trump has spent much of the past two days tweeting lies about the election results as well as his numerous failed lawsuits aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
“NO WAY WE LOST THIS ELECTION!” he tweeted on Sunday.
Biden in fact beat Trump by more than 7 million votes.
The protest outside Benson’s home comes on the heels of a domestic terror plot this summer by right-wing extremists who had planned to abduct Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in protest of her coronavirus lockdown measures.
The suspects in that alleged plot were arrested in early October. Court documents later showed that the men had also allegedly discussed executing state politicians or burning down the Capitol building with them locked inside.
Trump repeatedly attacked Whitmer in the months leading up to the attempted kidnapping plot, and has been widely criticized for allegedly inciting violence against her.
But even as Trump’s team has lost more than 40 legal battles — with the Electoral College safe harbor date set for Tuesday — and his allegations of election fraud repeatedly debunked, even by his own attorney general, violence and threats by his supporters continues unabated.
Trump has also remained silent as other officials face an onslaught of threats from his supporters, even fanning the flames at times.
In Georgia last week, Gabriel Sterling, the Republican implementation manager of the state’s voting system, slammed Trump for his failure to condemn violent threats perpetrated by his supporters.
In a Dec. 1 press conference, Sterling said that a tech for Dominion Voting Systems — a system pinpointed by Trump for wild election conspiracy theories — had been subject to death threats with a makeshift noose.
“Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get shot, someone’s going to get killed. And it’s not right. It’s not right,” he said. “Death threats, physical threats, intimidation, it’s too much.”
He noted that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s wife, Tricia Raffensperger, was also “getting sexualized threats” via cell phone.
“Mr. President, you have not condemned these actions or this language,” the Georgia election official pleaded with the White House occupant. “Senators, you have not condemned this language or these actions.”
To Trump, he added, “Stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence.”
Even one of Trump’s own attorneys, Joe diGenova, has joined in on the barrage.
During a recent appearance on “The Howie Carr Show,” diGenova called for Chris Krebs — a federal cybersecurity official who was fired after saying there was no evidence of voter fraud — to be violently attacked and “shot.”
“Anybody who thinks the election went well, like that idiot Krebs who used to be the head of cybersecurity. That guy is a class A moron,” diGenova said. “He should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot.”
He later tried to characterize the statement as “hyperbole.”
These threats have characterized the political climate since the Nov. 3 election, as real-world, often violent repercussions of Trump’s coup have spread nationwide.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to endanger elected officials by blasting them on social media without a care.
“The Republican Governor of Georgia refuses to do signature verification, which would give us an easy win,” he tweeted Monday morning, attacking Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “What’s wrong with this guy? What is he hiding?”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-07--Officials who met with Giuliani rush to get tested after his COVID diagnosis

Donald Trump said Monday his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani was `` doing very well '' after being hospitalized with the coronavirus as lawmakers in battleground states that Giuliani visited last week scrambled to make sure they did not contract the virus .
The 76-year-old former New York mayor , hospitalized in Washington , had traveled extensively to battleground states to press Trump 's quixotic effort to get legislators to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden and subvert the November vote .
On numerous occasions , Giuliani met with officials for hours at a time without wearing a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Arizona , Georgia , and Michigan .
Fallout from Giuliani 's diagnosis continued Monday as the Michigan House announced it had canceled its voting session scheduled for Tuesday .
Giuliani spoke for hours last week before a Republican-led committee in Lansing investigating alleged election irregularities .
Michigan 's move came after the Arizona legislature announced Sunday that it would close for a week out of an abundance of caution `` for recent cases and concerns relating to COVID-19 . ''
`` Multiple representatives have requested time to receive results from recent COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an abundance of caution , '' Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield , a Republican who met with Giuliani before the hearing , said in a statement .
`` The CDC guidelines would not consider them close contacts with anyone , even if Mayor Giuliani had been positive , but they want to go above and beyond in the interest of public safety .
With the recent spike in COVID cases nationwide , this makes sense . ''
The health department in Ingham County , where Lansing is located , said several people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani on Wednesday must quarantine at least through Saturday .
Health officer Linda Vail said she consulted with the state health department , which agrees that `` it is extremely likely that Giuliani was contagious during his testimony . ''
In Georgia , state Sen. William Ligon Jr. , chairman of the subcommittee Giuliani testified before , urged those who had come in close contact with Giuliani `` to take every precaution and follow all requisite guidelines to ensure their health and safety . ''
Giuliani on Thursday attended a hearing at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask for several hours .
Several state senators , all Republicans , also did not wear masks at the hearing .
Trump , who announced Giuliani 's positive test in a Sunday afternoon tweet , told reporters he spoke with Giuliani on Monday .
Giuliani was exhibiting symptoms when he was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center on Sunday , according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly .
`` Rudy 's doing very well , '' Trump said Monday .
`` I just spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Wednesday 's 4-1/2-hour hearing in Lansing , Giuliani did not wear a mask ; nor did lawyer Jenna Ellis , who was sitting next to him .
He asked one of his witnesses , a Detroit election worker , if she would be comfortable removing her mask , but legislators said they could hear her .
Giuliani traveled last Monday to Phoenix , where he met with Republican legislators for an hourslong hearing in which he was maskless .
The Arizona Republican Party tweeted a photo of Giuliani and several state GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign said in a statement that Giuliani tested negative twice before his visits to Arizona , Michigan , and Georgia .
Unidentified Trump team members who had close contact with Giuliani are in self-isolation .
`` The Mayor did not experience any symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 until more than 48 hours after his return , '' according to the statement .
`` No legislators in any state or members of the press are on the contact tracing list , under current CDC Guidelines . ''
Georgia state Sen. Jen Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing , expressed outrage after learning of Giuliani 's diagnosis .
`` Little did I know that most credible death threat that I encountered last week was Trump 's own lawyer , '' Jordan tweeted .
`` Giuliani — maskless , in packed hearing room for 7 hours .
To say I am livid would be too kind . ''
The diagnosis comes more than a month after Trump lost reelection and more than two months after Trump himself was stricken with the virus in early October .
Since then , a flurry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's orbit have also been sickened , including White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Ben Carson , the secretary of housing and urban development .
Trump 's wife , Melania Trump , and teenage son , Barron Trump , also contracted the virus .
The extraordinary spread in Trump 's orbit underscores the cavalier approach he has taken to a virus that has now killed more than 282,000 people in the United States alone .
Those infected also include the White House press secretary and advisers Hope Hicks and Stephen Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager and the chair of the Republican National Committee .

Donald Trump said Monday his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani was “doing very well” after being hospitalized with the coronavirus as lawmakers in battleground states that Giuliani visited last week scrambled to make sure they did not contract the virus.
The 76-year-old former New York mayor, hospitalized in Washington, had traveled extensively to battleground states to press Trump’s quixotic effort to get legislators to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden and subvert the November vote. On numerous occasions, Giuliani met with officials for hours at a time without wearing a mask, including hearings last week with state lawmakers in Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan.
Fallout from Giuliani’s diagnosis continued Monday as the Michigan House announced it had canceled its voting session scheduled for Tuesday. Giuliani spoke for hours last week before a Republican-led committee in Lansing investigating alleged election irregularities.
Michigan’s move came after the Arizona legislature announced Sunday that it would close for a week out of an abundance of caution “for recent cases and concerns relating to COVID-19.”
“Multiple representatives have requested time to receive results from recent COVID-19 tests before returning to session, out of an abundance of caution,” Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican who met with Giuliani before the hearing, said in a statement. “The CDC guidelines would not consider them close contacts with anyone, even if Mayor Giuliani had been positive, but they want to go above and beyond in the interest of public safety. With the recent spike in COVID cases nationwide, this makes sense.”
The health department in Ingham County, where Lansing is located, said several people who attended the Michigan committee meeting with Giuliani on Wednesday must quarantine at least through Saturday. Health officer Linda Vail said she consulted with the state health department, which agrees that “it is extremely likely that Giuliani was contagious during his testimony.”
In Georgia, state Sen. William Ligon Jr., chairman of the subcommittee Giuliani testified before, urged those who had come in close contact with Giuliani “to take every precaution and follow all requisite guidelines to ensure their health and safety.” Giuliani on Thursday attended a hearing at the Georgia Capitol, where he went without a mask for several hours. Several state senators, all Republicans, also did not wear masks at the hearing.
Trump, who announced Giuliani’s positive test in a Sunday afternoon tweet, told reporters he spoke with Giuliani on Monday. Giuliani was exhibiting symptoms when he was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center on Sunday, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly.
“Rudy’s doing very well,” Trump said Monday. “I just spoke to him. No temperature.”
At Wednesday’s 4-1/2-hour hearing in Lansing, Giuliani did not wear a mask; nor did lawyer Jenna Ellis, who was sitting next to him. He asked one of his witnesses, a Detroit election worker, if she would be comfortable removing her mask, but legislators said they could hear her.
Giuliani traveled last Monday to Phoenix, where he met with Republican legislators for an hourslong hearing in which he was maskless. The Arizona Republican Party tweeted a photo of Giuliani and several state GOP lawmakers standing shoulder-to-shoulder and maskless.
The Trump campaign said in a statement that Giuliani tested negative twice before his visits to Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia. Unidentified Trump team members who had close contact with Giuliani are in self-isolation.
“The Mayor did not experience any symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 until more than 48 hours after his return,” according to the statement. “No legislators in any state or members of the press are on the contact tracing list, under current CDC Guidelines.”
Georgia state Sen. Jen Jordan, a Democrat who attended Thursday’s hearing, expressed outrage after learning of Giuliani’s diagnosis.
“Little did I know that most credible death threat that I encountered last week was Trump’s own lawyer,” Jordan tweeted. “Giuliani — maskless, in packed hearing room for 7 hours. To say I am livid would be too kind.”
The diagnosis comes more than a month after Trump lost reelection and more than two months after Trump himself was stricken with the virus in early October. Since then, a flurry of administration officials and others in Trump’s orbit have also been sickened, including White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Ben Carson, the secretary of housing and urban development. Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, and teenage son, Barron Trump, also contracted the virus.
The extraordinary spread in Trump’s orbit underscores the cavalier approach he has taken to a virus that has now killed more than 282,000 people in the United States alone.
Those infected also include the White House press secretary and advisers Hope Hicks and Stephen Miller, as well as Trump’s campaign manager and the chair of the Republican National Committee.


shareblue--2020-12-07--Trump judge doesn't think transgender discrimination is 'compelling'

U.S .
Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom , appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by Donald Trump in 2017 , has refused to rehear the case of a transgender prisoner who was denied the right to dress and choose hair and makeup styles in accordance with her gender .
Reiyn Keohane is a transgender woman who is incarcerated in the men 's Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County , Florida .
She sued the Florida Department of Corrections in 2016 to receive hormone treatments that she had begun before her incarceration and choose her gender presentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Mark Walker in 2018 ruled in the case , Keohane v. Jones , `` This Court ... enters a PERMANENT INJUNCTION against Defendant requiring it to permit Ms. Keohane access to Defendant 's female clothing and grooming standards and requiring Defendant to continue to provide Ms. Keohane with hormone therapy so long as it is not medically contraindicated and while Ms. Keohane remains in Defendant 's custody . ''
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit vacated Walker 's ruling on appeal in March of this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDC 's former freeze-frame policy and its initial failure to provide her with hormone therapy are moot , and we reject on the merits her claim that the FDC violated the Eighth Amendment by refusing to accommodate her social-transitioning-related requests . ''
The panel , including Newsom , said that because Keohane was challenging a policy on the treatment of inmates with gender dysphoria that the prison had repealed , she no longer had a case .
The judges also said there was n't enough evidence to suggest the Florida Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a dissent from the panel 's ruling , Judge Charles Wilson , appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton , wrote that in its review of the Florida Department of Corrections ' removal of the `` freeze-frame policy , '' which limited treatments for inmates to those they 'd begun prior to their incarceration , the ruling in Keohane concluded that the FDC 's reversals were born of desperation , not deliberation .
And its holding stood on a host of findings : that the timing of the FDC 's concessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no explanation for its delay ; that the FDC 's positions throughout the litigation were inconsistent ; that the FDC 's decision-making was a black box ; that the FDC 's prior practices were not accidental , but deliberate and historical ; that the FDC refused to promise that it would not re-enact the freeze-frame policy ; that the FDC still was adamant that its practices were valid , even after it claimed to change its ways ; that the FDC delayed in providing Keohane 's hormone therapy , even after it agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on at least one occasion , the FDC applied the repealed freeze-frame policy to bar hormone therapy for a patient with gender dysphoria .
Keohane 's attorneys requested a rehearing by the full court of the case , but on Dec. 3 , the court ruled against them , despite a strongly dissenting opinion written by Judge Robin Rosenbaum , appointed by President Barack Obama , and joined by Wilson and by Obama appointees Judge Jill Pryor and Judge Beverly Martin .
Newsom said the dissent did n't justify rehearing the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetorical flourish , today 's dissent from denial simply does n't make a compelling argument . ''
In recent years , transgender prisoners who have been denied gender-affirming procedures and treatments have brought similar lawsuits , including Josie Mills , a trans woman in Michigan 's prison system .
Mills was denied hormone treatments and , in 2015 , she castrated herself , which resulted in her hospitalization , according to the ACLU , which represented her .
She eventually received the appropriate treatment after the Michigan Department of Corrections relented and updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
Adree Edmo , a transgender inmate in Idaho who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2012 , fought for the right to have gender affirmation surgery for years .
In July , she finally received it , which made her only the second incarcerated person in the United States to have access to the surgery .
The first inmate to receive gender affirmation surgery while in prison was Shiloh Heavenly Quine in California in 2017 .
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to `` ensure all transgender inmates in federal correctional facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care—including OBGYNs and hormone therapy '' and require the Bureau of Prison to revise to `` include protections for transgender individuals who are incarcerated , '' according to his campaign website .
During his campaign for president , Biden said there should be `` zero discrimination '' against transgender people and vowed to advocate for legislation that prohibits anti-LGBTQ discrimination .
But judges appointed by Trump will still be around to fight against LGBTQ people 's rights .
According to Pew Research Center analysis , nearly a quarter of all active federal judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two of them , Barbara Lagoa and Britt Grant , who also sit on the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit , ruled that bans on a `` conversion therapy , '' a dangerous practice that relies on the falsehood that people can change their sexual orientation and the gender identify with , were unconstitutional .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

U.S. Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by Donald Trump in 2017, has refused to rehear the case of a transgender prisoner who was denied the right to dress and choose hair and makeup styles in accordance with her gender.
Reiyn Keohane is a transgender woman who is incarcerated in the men’s Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County, Florida. She sued the Florida Department of Corrections in 2016 to receive hormone treatments that she had begun before her incarceration and choose her gender presentation in clothing and appearance.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in 2018 ruled in the case, Keohane v. Jones, “This Court … enters a PERMANENT INJUNCTION against Defendant requiring it to permit Ms. Keohane access to Defendant’s female clothing and grooming standards and requiring Defendant to continue to provide Ms. Keohane with hormone therapy so long as it is not medically contraindicated and while Ms. Keohane remains in Defendant’s custody.”
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit vacated Walker’s ruling on appeal in March of this year, concluding “Keohane’s challenges to the FDC’s former freeze-frame policy and its initial failure to provide her with hormone therapy are moot, and we reject on the merits her claim that the FDC violated the Eighth Amendment by refusing to accommodate her social-transitioning-related requests.”
The panel, including Newsom, said that because Keohane was challenging a policy on the treatment of inmates with gender dysphoria that the prison had repealed, she no longer had a case. The judges also said there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest the Florida Department of Corrections would reenact its old policy.
In a dissent from the panel’s ruling, Judge Charles Wilson, appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton, wrote that in its review of the Florida Department of Corrections’ removal of the “freeze-frame policy,” which limited treatments for inmates to those they’d begun prior to their incarceration, the ruling in Keohane
concluded that the FDC’s reversals were born of desperation, not deliberation. And its holding stood on a host of findings: that the timing of the FDC’s concessions was suspect; that the FDC had no explanation for its delay; that the FDC’s positions throughout the litigation were inconsistent; that the FDC’s decision-making was a black box; that the FDC’s prior practices were not accidental, but deliberate and historical; that the FDC refused to promise that it would not re-enact the freeze-frame policy; that the FDC still was adamant that its practices were valid, even after it claimed to change its ways; that the FDC delayed in providing Keohane’s hormone therapy, even after it agreed that she needs it; and that, on at least one occasion, the FDC applied the repealed freeze-frame policy to bar hormone therapy for a patient with gender dysphoria.
Keohane’s attorneys requested a rehearing by the full court of the case, but on Dec. 3, the court ruled against them, despite a strongly dissenting opinion written by Judge Robin Rosenbaum, appointed by President Barack Obama, and joined by Wilson and by Obama appointees Judge Jill Pryor and Judge Beverly Martin.
Newsom said the dissent didn’t justify rehearing the case, writing, “For all its rhetorical flourish, today’s dissent from denial simply doesn’t make a compelling argument.”
In recent years, transgender prisoners who have been denied gender-affirming procedures and treatments have brought similar lawsuits, including Josie Mills, a trans woman in Michigan’s prison system. Mills was denied hormone treatments and, in 2015, she castrated herself, which resulted in her hospitalization, according to the ACLU, which represented her. She eventually received the appropriate treatment after the Michigan Department of Corrections relented and updated its policy on transgender prisoners’ health care.
Adree Edmo, a transgender inmate in Idaho who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2012, fought for the right to have gender affirmation surgery for years. In July, she finally received it, which made her only the second incarcerated person in the United States to have access to the surgery. The first inmate to receive gender affirmation surgery while in prison was Shiloh Heavenly Quine in California in 2017.
President-elect Joe Biden has promised to “ensure all transgender inmates in federal correctional facilities have access to appropriate doctors and medical care—including OBGYNs and hormone therapy” and require the Bureau of Prison to revise to “include protections for transgender individuals who are incarcerated,” according to his campaign website. During his campaign for president, Biden said there should be “zero discrimination” against transgender people and vowed to advocate for legislation that prohibits anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
But judges appointed by Trump will still be around to fight against LGBTQ people’s rights. According to Pew Research Center analysis, nearly a quarter of all active federal judges were appointed by Trump. Last month, two of them, Barbara Lagoa and Britt Grant, who also sit on the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, ruled that bans on a “conversion therapy,” a dangerous practice that relies on the falsehood that people can change their sexual orientation and the gender identify with, were unconstitutional.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-07--GOP congressman can't believe Justice Department didn't help Trump win

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert ( TX ) over the weekend lamented that the delay of special counsel John Durham 's report on the Russia probe had somehow prevented the Nov. 3 election from being a `` free and fair one . ''
`` Justice delayed is justice denied , and in this case , it 's an election that has been denied , a free and fair one anyway , '' Gohmert told the conservative-leaning Newsmax TV on Saturday , adding that `` what concerns me most is the Justice Department has not been handling it in a way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr first tasked Durham , a former U.S. attorney , to investigate the origins of the nearly two-year long Russia probe in May 2019 , with a particular focus on agents who worked on that probe , dubbed `` Crossfire Hurricane . ''
Trump has long insisted that the Russia investigation , which ultimately found numerous ties between the Trump campaign and Russia , as well as at least 10 possible instances of obstruction by Trump himself , was nothing more than a politically motivated witch-hunt meant to undermine his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that , in October , Barr had elevated Durham to the role of special counsel overseeing the investigation , making it difficult for President-elect Joe Biden to dismiss him from the position .
Gohmert claimed on Saturday that a report from that probe should have been released six months ago .
`` As I 've said since June , every day that Durham delayed in bringing forth indictments was another day he was having a profound effect on this election , '' he claimed .
Although the Texas lawmaker admitted that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the November election votes now , he claimed baselessly that a Durham report would have shown how `` the Biden family was involved . ''
`` ...
It would help show the public that there was wrongdoing by the very people that are now claiming that their people should be president , '' he said .
There is no evidence currently of any widespread misconduct with regard to the Russia investigation .
One former FBI lawyer involved with the probe pleaded guilty in August to falsifying an email used to obtain surveillance documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed `` he thought at the time he was inserting truthful information , '' according to the Washington Post .
Gohmert slammed Durham and Barr earlier this month , telling them to `` do your jobs '' at a House Freedom Caucus news conference on Dec. 3 .
`` We 're coming down to the wire , and we have not had a proper job done by the Department of Justice , and certainly not by the FBI , '' he said .
`` There 's been widespread evidence of fraud because people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr had announced one day earlier that the Justice Department had found zero evidence to support claims of widespread voter fraud that would overturn Trump ’ s election defeat .
Trump has since refused to say whether he has confidence in the attorney general , sidestepping questions on the matter publicly .
A staunch Trump ally , Gohmert has pushed a number of false and repeatedly debunked election fraud claims for weeks .
In November , he told Fox News that the election was `` stolen '' from Trump , insisting without proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead people confirmed in Michigan to have voted .
That 's outrageous ! ''
`` And we 're not talking about allegations .
We 're talking about — it 's been confirmed that many , more than 10,000 dead people , '' Gohmert continued .
The Republican congressman appeared to have been referring to an online rumor that claimed 14,000 dead people were found to have voted in Wayne County , Michigan , an area which includes Detroit .
However that claim has since been definitively debunked by Michigan 's secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died are rejected in Michigan , even if the voter cast an absentee ballot and then died before Election Day .
Those who make claims otherwise are wrong , and the lists circulating claiming to show this is happening are not accurate , '' Jocelyn Benson wrote in a statement .
As early as February , Gohmert was peddling lies about `` illegal votes '' in Texas that could end up hurting Trump .
`` We do n't know how many tens of thousands of people will vote illegally in Texas , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference .
Election officials from both the Democratic and Republican Parties have so far found zero evidence of widespread voter fraud .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX) over the weekend lamented that the delay of special counsel John Durham’s report on the Russia probe had somehow prevented the Nov. 3 election from being a “free and fair one.”
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and in this case, it’s an election that has been denied, a free and fair one anyway,” Gohmert told the conservative-leaning Newsmax TV on Saturday, adding that “what concerns me most is the Justice Department has not been handling it in a way that has brought people to justice.”
Attorney General William Barr first tasked Durham, a former U.S. attorney, to investigate the origins of the nearly two-year long Russia probe in May 2019, with a particular focus on agents who worked on that probe, dubbed “Crossfire Hurricane.” Trump has long insisted that the Russia investigation, which ultimately found numerous ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as at least 10 possible instances of obstruction by Trump himself, was nothing more than a politically motivated witch-hunt meant to undermine his presidency.
Earlier this month it was revealed that, in October, Barr had elevated Durham to the role of special counsel overseeing the investigation, making it difficult for President-elect Joe Biden to dismiss him from the position.
Gohmert claimed on Saturday that a report from that probe should have been released six months ago.
“As I’ve said since June, every day that Durham delayed in bringing forth indictments was another day he was having a profound effect on this election,” he claimed.
Although the Texas lawmaker admitted that it was “too late” to change the November election votes now, he claimed baselessly that a Durham report would have shown how “the Biden family was involved.”
“…It would help show the public that there was wrongdoing by the very people that are now claiming that their people should be president,” he said.
There is no evidence currently of any widespread misconduct with regard to the Russia investigation. One former FBI lawyer involved with the probe pleaded guilty in August to falsifying an email used to obtain surveillance documents for Trump associate Carter Page, but claimed “he thought at the time he was inserting truthful information,” according to the Washington Post.
Gohmert slammed Durham and Barr earlier this month, telling them to “do your jobs” at a House Freedom Caucus news conference on Dec. 3.
“We’re coming down to the wire, and we have not had a proper job done by the Department of Justice, and certainly not by the FBI,” he said. “There’s been widespread evidence of fraud because people haven’t done their jobs.”
Barr had announced one day earlier that the Justice Department had found zero evidence to support claims of widespread voter fraud that would overturn Trump’s election defeat. Trump has since refused to say whether he has confidence in the attorney general, sidestepping questions on the matter publicly.
A staunch Trump ally, Gohmert has pushed a number of false and repeatedly debunked election fraud claims for weeks.
In November, he told Fox News that the election was “stolen” from Trump, insisting without proof that there were “more than 10,000 dead people confirmed in Michigan to have voted. That’s outrageous!”
“And we’re not talking about allegations. We’re talking about — it’s been confirmed that many, more than 10,000 dead people,” Gohmert continued.
The Republican congressman appeared to have been referring to an online rumor that claimed 14,000 dead people were found to have voted in Wayne County, Michigan, an area which includes Detroit. However that claim has since been definitively debunked by Michigan’s secretary of state.
“Ballots of voters who have died are rejected in Michigan, even if the voter cast an absentee ballot and then died before Election Day. Those who make claims otherwise are wrong, and the lists circulating claiming to show this is happening are not accurate,” Jocelyn Benson wrote in a statement.
As early as February, Gohmert was peddling lies about “illegal votes” in Texas that could end up hurting Trump.
“We don’t know how many tens of thousands of people will vote illegally in Texas,” he said at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Election officials from both the Democratic and Republican Parties have so far found zero evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-07--Republicans are still denying Biden won — but it's becoming more difficult

Sen Ted .
Cruz ( R-TX ) took to Twitter Monday morning to urge Americans to come together to reelect Georgia Republican Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue — in order to save the Republican Senate majority .
But Cruz 's urgent push to protect the majority only makes sense if he admits Donald Trump lost the Nov. 3 presidential election , something he has refused to do .
`` We HAVE to work hard to ensure @ perduesenate and @ kloeffler win their races in # GASen , '' Cruz tweeted Monday .
`` Why ?
Because if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi will dictate the agenda in Congress . ''
Accompanying his tweet , he posted a clip of himself speaking on a Dec. 4 episode of a podcast , `` The Verdict '' , on which he is a series regular .
`` The reason majority matters so much is ball control , '' Cruz said in the clip .
`` So in the majority you 're the chairman of every committee , and you can control what bill are voted on and what are not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate is at stake .
If both Perdue and Loeffler lose to their Democratic opponents , Jon Ossoff and the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , respectively , then control of the upper chamber will be split 50-50 .
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would then have the authority to decide all tie-breaking votes — giving Democrats an effective Senate majority .
But Cruz — who has refused to concede Biden 's win — should n't feel any particular urgency to maintain control of the Senate if he believes Vice President Mike Pence will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cruz urged the Supreme Court to hear false claims of widespread voter fraud in the Pennsylvania election .
More than a week after Election Day , Cruz protested that the media had `` called it for Joe Biden . ''
`` Wait and let the process play out , the legal process .
These results are still being contested in court , '' he said .
`` The media has now called it for Joe Biden .
They want everyone to shut up , and they say if you dare disagree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermining democracy .
Well , that ’ s not actually how our Constitution works . ''
Loeffler , too , was put on the spot during a debate with opponent Warnock at the Atlanta Press Club Sunday night .
Asked repeatedly if her plea to preserve the Senate majority meant that she acknowledged President-elect Biden 's win , she stalled .
`` You know , President Trump has every right to use every legal recourse available , '' she said .
Loeffler added that `` investigations '' needed to be completed before determining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to hold folks accountable involved in these investigations to make sure that they move more quickly because everything is at stake on Jan. 5 for the future of our country , '' she said .
`` If everything is at stake on Jan. 5th , that would presume that President Trump has lost , '' the moderator asked .
`` Is that what you 're saying ? ''
`` You know , what 's at stake is the Senate majority , '' Loeffler responded , skirting the question .
She then noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy ] locked down '' and want `` to radically change our country . ''
`` And their agent of change is radical liberal Raphael Warnock , '' Loeffler concluded , without actually answering the question .
`` Loeffler is not doing a great job of explaining whether the Senate majority is actually in play because Trump lost , '' he tweeted Sunday night .
`` It ’ s one thing for something like that to be an awkward line at a rally , but she ’ s been unable to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as Trump and Pence campaigned for Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia last weekend , they were forced to grapple with contradictory positions .
Pence attended a `` Save the Majority '' rally on Friday to urge Georgians to vote for the Republican incumbents .
`` The Republican Senate Majority could be the last line of defense , preserving all that we 've done to defend this nation and revive our economy and preserve the God-given liberties we hold dear , '' Pence said .
But he did n't explain why the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the Nov. 3 election .
And Trump himself bulldozed through Georgia last weekend , his call to Republicans to vote muddied by mixed messages .
`` You must go vote and vote early starting December 14 .
You have to do it , '' he said at Saturday 's rally in Valdosta , Georgia .
`` They cheated and they rigged our presidential election , but we will still win it . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen Ted. Cruz (R-TX) took to Twitter Monday morning to urge Americans to come together to reelect Georgia Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue — in order to save the Republican Senate majority.
But Cruz’s urgent push to protect the majority only makes sense if he admits Donald Trump lost the Nov. 3 presidential election, something he has refused to do.
“We HAVE to work hard to ensure @perduesenate and @kloeffler win their races in #GASen,” Cruz tweeted Monday. “Why? Because if the Democrats get a majority in the Senate, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi will dictate the agenda in Congress.”
Accompanying his tweet, he posted a clip of himself speaking on a Dec. 4 episode of a podcast, “The Verdict”, on which he is a series regular.
“The reason majority matters so much is ball control,” Cruz said in the clip. “So in the majority you’re the chairman of every committee, and you can control what bill are voted on and what are not.”
It’s true control of the Senate is at stake. If both Perdue and Loeffler lose to their Democratic opponents, Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, respectively, then control of the upper chamber will be split 50-50.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would then have the authority to decide all tie-breaking votes — giving Democrats an effective Senate majority.
But Cruz — who has refused to concede Biden’s win — shouldn’t feel any particular urgency to maintain control of the Senate if he believes Vice President Mike Pence will remain in his current role.
Last week, Cruz urged the Supreme Court to hear false claims of widespread voter fraud in the Pennsylvania election.
More than a week after Election Day, Cruz protested that the media had “called it for Joe Biden.”
“Wait and let the process play out, the legal process. These results are still being contested in court,” he said. “The media has now called it for Joe Biden. They want everyone to shut up, and they say if you dare disagree with their call, that you’re somehow undermining democracy. Well, that’s not actually how our Constitution works.”
Loeffler, too, was put on the spot during a debate with opponent Warnock at the Atlanta Press Club Sunday night.
Asked repeatedly if her plea to preserve the Senate majority meant that she acknowledged President-elect Biden’s win, she stalled.
“You know, President Trump has every right to use every legal recourse available,” she said.
Loeffler added that “investigations” needed to be completed before determining the election’s outcome.
“We need to hold folks accountable involved in these investigations to make sure that they move more quickly because everything is at stake on Jan. 5 for the future of our country,” she said.
The moderator had a follow-up question.
“If everything is at stake on Jan. 5th, that would presume that President Trump has lost,” the moderator asked. “Is that what you’re saying?”
“You know, what’s at stake is the Senate majority,” Loeffler responded, skirting the question.
She then noted that Democrats “want to keep [the economy] locked down” and want “to radically change our country.”
“And their agent of change is radical liberal Raphael Warnock,” Loeffler concluded, without actually answering the question.
Jake Lahut, Business Insider politics reporter, noted that Loeffler’s position was baffling.
“Loeffler is not doing a great job of explaining whether the Senate majority is actually in play because Trump lost,” he tweeted Sunday night. “It’s one thing for something like that to be an awkward line at a rally, but she’s been unable to avoid it in this debate.”
And even as Trump and Pence campaigned for Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia last weekend, they were forced to grapple with contradictory positions.
Pence attended a “Save the Majority” rally on Friday to urge Georgians to vote for the Republican incumbents.
“The Republican Senate Majority could be the last line of defense, preserving all that we’ve done to defend this nation and revive our economy and preserve the God-given liberties we hold dear,” Pence said.
But he didn’t explain why the Senate majority is in danger if Donald Trump won the Nov. 3 election.
And Trump himself bulldozed through Georgia last weekend, his call to Republicans to vote muddied by mixed messages.
“You must go vote and vote early starting December 14. You have to do it,” he said at Saturday’s rally in Valdosta, Georgia. “They cheated and they rigged our presidential election, but we will still win it.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-07--13 ways Gov. Ron DeSantis botched Florida's coronavirus response

Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ' response to the coronavirus crisis has involved suppressing facts , spreading misinformation , and denying science , among other actions that defied public health and safety .
A new investigation from the Florida Sun-Sentinel released last week revealed troubling findings on DeSantis , who is overseeing a state that has reported 1.06 million COVID-19 cases and 19,000 deaths at the time of publication .
The resulting report revealed a damning pattern of mismanagement by DeSantis and his administration reaching back to the beginning of the pandemic , adding to his already poor track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida governor botched his state 's coronavirus response .
Around two months ahead of the Nov. 3 election , spokespersons at the county level of the Florida Department of Health were ordered to halt public statements , including social media posts and news releases on the virus , until after Election Day , the Sun-Sentinel 's investigation found .
They were instead asked to discuss other health topics , such as flu shots or hearing loss screenings , sources from the health department told the Sun-Sentinel .
A senior health department official anonymously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` all part of the top-down control of messaging from the governor 's office . ''
Despite evidence that the coronavirus was spreading from person-to-person ( community spread ) in early March , the DeSantis administration denied its existence and concealed critical details about the first suspected cases in the state , according to the investigation .
The investigation 's findings also revealed that the DeSantis administration withheld information about infections in schools , prisons , hospitals , and nursing homes .
But legal action taken by family members , advocacy groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports on the facilities .
Attorney Mark Caramanica , who represented media outlets in the state , slammed DeSantis 's actions , telling the paper : `` The media and public should not have to rely on engaging attorneys to get this information .
...
The Department of Health should be as proactive as they can about giving out the data and allowing people to make informed choices . ''
The DeSantis administration sidelined many of his state 's medical experts on infectious diseases .
They had advocated for COVID-19 approaches that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor 's policies , which favored fewer restrictions .
It 's a move that Dr. Glenn Morris , who directs the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida , called a `` tragedy '' in many ways .
`` Unfortunately , they 're not drawing on the best science , they 're drawing on political needs , '' the doctor was quoted saying in the investigation .
For instance , Dr. Scott Rivkees , a Florida surgeon who runs the state 's department of health , was `` pulled off of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April after saying social distancing could be needed well into 2021 , Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith told the paper .
`` That leaves the public with the perception that our state surgeon general is being muzzled by the governor , '' he added .
Instead , DeSantis surrounded himself with a select group of advisers who backed his positions , the paper noted .
In August , he invited former Trump virus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas , who has no medical expertise in infectious diseases , to tour Florida with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficacy of masks and pushed for the reopening of states .
As the Sun-Sentinel found , the governor ’ s chief spokesman , Fred Piccolo Jr. , routinely posted misleading tweets and misinformation about the coronavirus on the social media platform .
As an example , he tweeted that COVID-19 was less deadly than the flu , an patently false claim Donald Trump also previously pushed , but researchers have said COVID-19 is more deadly , the investigation noted .
DeSantis strove to point out statistics and figures that would paint what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' about the disease .
He additionally tried to sow doubt about the state ’ s increasing number of virus deaths , with his administration pushing for `` blue sky '' messaging to distract from any bad news about the virus , according to the investigation .
Even now , DeSantis continues to publicly question science .
When speaking to a group of donors and executives in Orlando last Thursday , he called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's studies on the coronavirus outbreak `` ridiculous , '' according to Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet obtained .
DeSantis then reportedly added that the studies from the CDC were less about science and more to reinforce the `` bureaucrats '' ' positions .
On the issue of contact tracing , DeSantis claimed in the same speech that most people become infected in their homes , the Politico report said .
He also doubted medical authorities ' ability to find the source for infections .
Despite virus cases surging in his state , he has still not issued a statewide mask mandate .
A University of Washington health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States found that Florida is the only state that has not imposed at least some significant safety restriction .
The Sunshine State is also one of 13 that has not implemented a statewide masking order .
Last month , DeSantis hired Kyle Lamb , a sports blogger who has an anti-science , anti-mask bias , to compile data on the coronavirus in Florida .
As the Washington Post noted , he does not have any experience in public health , epidemiology , or data analysis .
He has also admitted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' In September , DeSantis lifted restrictions on businesses across the state amid rising virus cases , allowing them to operate at full capacity .
The decision went against the CDC 's safety guidelines .
In August , DeSantis urged people to physically embrace the elderly amid a raging pandemic , which also goes against the CDC 's social distancing guidelines .
`` Look , I 'm comfortable with the PPE , '' he said .
`` Hell , hug 'em !
I mean , come on . ''
12 .
Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Republican governor refrained from closing gyms due to COVID-19 , even though they are considered high risk , because people who go there are `` in good shape . ''
In April , he refused to ban spring breakers in the state , saying that he was n't aware that kids could contract the virus .
`` This particular pandemic is one where I do n't think nationwide there 's been a single fatality under 25 .
For whatever reason it just doesn ’ t seem to threaten , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
However , the CDC reported that at least five people under 25 years old in the United States have died of COVID-19 .
DeSantis 's office , meanwhile , has defended his pandemic response .
`` As Pew Research showed , the messaging on prevention and COVID-19 has reached saturation , '' Piccolo told the Sun-Sentinel .
`` People are doing all they can to mitigate risk . ''
But as the paper noted , the poll Piccolo referred to only asked participants whether they 've worn a face covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about prevention messaging .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the coronavirus crisis has involved suppressing facts, spreading misinformation, and denying science, among other actions that defied public health and safety.
A new investigation from the Florida Sun-Sentinel released last week revealed troubling findings on DeSantis, who is overseeing a state that has reported 1.06 million COVID-19 cases and 19,000 deaths at the time of publication.
The resulting report revealed a damning pattern of mismanagement by DeSantis and his administration reaching back to the beginning of the pandemic, adding to his already poor track record. Here are 13 ways the Florida governor botched his state’s coronavirus response.
1. No more public statements
Around two months ahead of the Nov. 3 election, spokespersons at the county level of the Florida Department of Health were ordered to halt public statements, including social media posts and news releases on the virus, until after Election Day, the Sun-Sentinel’s investigation found.
They were instead asked to discuss other health topics, such as flu shots or hearing loss screenings, sources from the health department told the Sun-Sentinel.
A senior health department official anonymously told the paper that the orders were “all part of the top-down control of messaging from the governor’s office.”
2. Conceal and deny
Despite evidence that the coronavirus was spreading from person-to-person (community spread) in early March, the DeSantis administration denied its existence and concealed critical details about the first suspected cases in the state, according to the investigation.
3. Withhold information
The investigation’s findings also revealed that the DeSantis administration withheld information about infections in schools, prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes. But legal action taken by family members, advocacy groups, and journalists eventually forced him to produce reports on the facilities.
Attorney Mark Caramanica, who represented media outlets in the state, slammed DeSantis’s actions, telling the paper: “The media and public should not have to rely on engaging attorneys to get this information. … The Department of Health should be as proactive as they can about giving out the data and allowing people to make informed choices.”
4. Ignore public health experts
The DeSantis administration sidelined many of his state’s medical experts on infectious diseases. They had advocated for COVID-19 approaches that were conventional but didn’t necessarily support the governor’s policies, which favored fewer restrictions. It’s a move that Dr. Glenn Morris, who directs the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida, called a “tragedy” in many ways.
“Unfortunately, they’re not drawing on the best science, they’re drawing on political needs,” the doctor was quoted saying in the investigation.
For instance, Dr. Scott Rivkees, a Florida surgeon who runs the state’s department of health, was “pulled off of the dais by the governor’s team” in April after saying social distancing could be needed well into 2021, Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith told the paper.
“That leaves the public with the perception that our state surgeon general is being muzzled by the governor,” he added.
Instead, DeSantis surrounded himself with a select group of advisers who backed his positions, the paper noted. In August, he invited former Trump virus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas, who has no medical expertise in infectious diseases, to tour Florida with him. Atlas had publicly doubted the efficacy of masks and pushed for the reopening of states.
5. Spread misinformation
As the Sun-Sentinel found, the governor’s chief spokesman, Fred Piccolo Jr., routinely posted misleading tweets and misinformation about the coronavirus on the social media platform. As an example, he tweeted that COVID-19 was less deadly than the flu, an patently false claim Donald Trump also previously pushed, but researchers have said COVID-19 is more deadly, the investigation noted.
6. Paint a different picture
DeSantis strove to point out statistics and figures that would paint what the Sun-Sentinel called “the rosiest picture possible” about the disease. He additionally tried to sow doubt about the state’s increasing number of virus deaths, with his administration pushing for “blue sky” messaging to distract from any bad news about the virus, according to the investigation.
7. Deny science
Even now, DeSantis continues to publicly question science. When speaking to a group of donors and executives in Orlando last Thursday, he called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s studies on the coronavirus outbreak “ridiculous,” according to Politico, citing a recording of his speech the outlet obtained. DeSantis then reportedly added that the studies from the CDC were less about science and more to reinforce the “bureaucrats”‘ positions.
On the issue of contact tracing, DeSantis claimed in the same speech that most people become infected in their homes, the Politico report said. He also doubted medical authorities’ ability to find the source for infections.
8. Don’t implement safety rules
Despite virus cases surging in his state, he has still not issued a statewide mask mandate. A University of Washington health metrics institute that tracks COVID-19 mandates across the United States found that Florida is the only state that has not imposed at least some significant safety restriction. The Sunshine State is also one of 13 that has not implemented a statewide masking order.
9. Hire an anti-science person
Last month, DeSantis hired Kyle Lamb, a sports blogger who has an anti-science, anti-mask bias, to compile data on the coronavirus in Florida. As the Washington Post noted, he does not have any experience in public health, epidemiology, or data analysis. He has also admitted that he is “not an ‘expert.'”
10. Lift safety restrictions
In September, DeSantis lifted restrictions on businesses across the state amid rising virus cases, allowing them to operate at full capacity. The decision went against the CDC’s safety guidelines.
11. Hug grandma
In August, DeSantis urged people to physically embrace the elderly amid a raging pandemic, which also goes against the CDC’s social distancing guidelines.
“Look, I’m comfortable with the PPE,” he said. “Hell, hug ’em! I mean, come on.”
12. Let people go to the gym
In July, the Republican governor refrained from closing gyms due to COVID-19, even though they are considered high risk, because people who go there are “in good shape.”
13. Embrace spring breakers
In April, he refused to ban spring breakers in the state, saying that he wasn’t aware that kids could contract the virus.
“This particular pandemic is one where I don’t think nationwide there’s been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn’t seem to threaten, you know, kids,” he said at the time.
However, the CDC reported that at least five people under 25 years old in the United States have died of COVID-19.
DeSantis’s office, meanwhile, has defended his pandemic response.
“As Pew Research showed, the messaging on prevention and COVID-19 has reached saturation,” Piccolo told the Sun-Sentinel. “People are doing all they can to mitigate risk.”
But as the paper noted, the poll Piccolo referred to only asked participants whether they’ve worn a face covering in the past month, and not about prevention messaging.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.