shareblue--2020-08-11--Kamala Harris makes history as first Black woman on a major presidential ticket

Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday , making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party 's presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat Donald Trump .
In choosing Harris , Biden is embracing a former rival from the Democratic primary who is familiar with the unique rigor of a national campaign .
Harris , a 55-year-old first-term senator , is also one of the party 's most prominent figures and quickly became a top contender for the No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House campaign ended .
Harris joins Biden in the 2020 race at a moment of unprecedented national crisis .
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in the United States , far more than the toll experienced in other countries .
Business closures and disruptions resulting from the pandemic have caused an economic collapse .
Unrest , meanwhile , has emerged across the country as Americans protest racism and police brutality .
Trump 's uneven handling of the crises has given Biden an opening , and he enters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president .
In adding Harris to the ticket , he can point to her relatively centrist record on issues such as health care and her background in law enforcement in the nation 's largest state .
Harris ' record as California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco was heavily scrutinized during the Democratic primary and turned off some liberals and younger Black voters who saw her as out of step on issues of systemic racism in the legal system and police brutality .
She tried to strike a balance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive prosecutor '' who backs law enforcement reforms .
Biden , who spent eight years as President Barack Obama 's vice president , has spent months weighing who would fill that same role in his White House .
He pledged in March to select a woman as his vice president , easing frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would center on two white men in their 70s .
Biden 's search was expansive , including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a leading progressive , Florida Rep. Val Demings , whose impeachment prosecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karen Bass , who leads the Congressional Black Caucus , former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , whose passionate response to unrest in her city garnered national attention .
A woman has never served as president or vice president in the United States .
Two women have been nominated as running mates on major party tickets : Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008 .
Their party lost in the general election .
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vice presidential pick carries increased significance this year .
If elected , Biden would be 78 when he 's inaugurated in January , the oldest man to ever assume the presidency .
He 's spoken of himself as a transitional figure and has n't fully committed to seeking a second term in 2024 .
If he declines to do so , his running mate would likely become a front-runner for the nomination that year .
Born in Oakland to a Jamaican father and Indian mother , Harris won her first election in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district attorney .
In the role , she created a reentry program for low-level drug offenders and cracked down on student truancy .
She was elected California 's attorney general in 2010 , the first woman and Black person to hold the job , and focused on issues including the foreclosure crisis .
She declined to defend the state 's Proposition 8 , which banned same-sex marriage and was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court .
As her national profile grew , Harris built a reputation around her work as a prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , she quickly gained attention for her assertive questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings .
In one memorable moment last year , Harris tripped up Attorney General William Barr when she repeatedly pressed him on whether Trump or other White House officials pressured him to investigate certain people .
Harris launched her presidential campaign in early 2019 with the slogan `` Kamala Harris For the People , '' a reference to her courtroom work .
She was one of the highest-profile contenders in a crowded Democratic primary and attracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oakland .
But the early promise of her campaign eventually faded .
Her law enforcement background prompted skepticism from some progressives , and she struggled to land on a consistent message that resonated with voters .
Facing fundraising problems , Harris abruptly withdrew from the race in December 2019 , two months before the first votes of the primary were cast .
One of Harris ' standout moments of her presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden .
During a debate , Harris said Biden made `` very hurtful '' comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate in the 1970s .
`` There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools , and she was bused to school every day , '' she said .
`` And that little girl was me . ''
Shaken by the attack , Biden called her comments `` a mischaracterization of my position . ''
The exchange resurfaced recently one of Biden 's closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodd , still harbors concerns about the debate and that Harris had n't expressed regret .
The comments attributed to Dodd and first reported by Politico drew condemnation , especially from influential Democratic women who said Harris was being held to a standard that would n't apply to a man running for president .
Some Biden confidants said Harris ' campaign attack did irritate the former vice president , who had a friendly relationship with her .
Harris was also close with Biden 's late son , Beau , who served as Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post in California .
But Biden and Harris have since returned to a warm relationship .
`` Joe has empathy , he has a proven track record of leadership and more than ever before we need a president of the United States who understands who the people are , sees them where they are , and has a genuine desire to help and knows how to fight to get us where we need to be , '' Harris said at an event for Biden earlier this summer .
At the same event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` drug pusher '' for his promotion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus , which has not been proved to be an effective treatment and may even be more harmful .
After Trump tweeted `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts '' in response to protests about the death of George Floyd , a Black man , in police custody , Harris said his remarks `` yet again show what racism looks like . ''
Harris has taken a tougher stand on policing since Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June that would ban police from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants , set a national use-of-force standard and create a national police misconduct registry , among other things .
It would also reform the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability .
The list included practices Harris did not vocally fight to reform while leading California 's Department of Justice .
Although she required DOJ officers to wear body cameras , she did not support legislation mandating it statewide .
And while she now wants independent investigations of police shootings , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would have required her office to take on such cases .
`` We made progress , but clearly we are not at the place yet as a country where we need to be and California is no exception , '' she told The Associated Press recently .
But the national focus on racial injustice now shows `` there 's no reason that we have to continue to wait . ''

Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat Donald Trump.
In choosing Harris, Biden is embracing a former rival from the Democratic primary who is familiar with the unique rigor of a national campaign. Harris, a 55-year-old first-term senator, is also one of the party’s most prominent figures and quickly became a top contender for the No. 2 spot after her own White House campaign ended.
Harris joins Biden in the 2020 race at a moment of unprecedented national crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in the United States, far more than the toll experienced in other countries. Business closures and disruptions resulting from the pandemic have caused an economic collapse. Unrest, meanwhile, has emerged across the country as Americans protest racism and police brutality.
Trump’s uneven handling of the crises has given Biden an opening, and he enters the fall campaign in strong position against the president. In adding Harris to the ticket, he can point to her relatively centrist record on issues such as health care and her background in law enforcement in the nation’s largest state.
Harris’ record as California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco was heavily scrutinized during the Democratic primary and turned off some liberals and younger Black voters who saw her as out of step on issues of systemic racism in the legal system and police brutality. She tried to strike a balance on these issues, declaring herself a “progressive prosecutor” who backs law enforcement reforms.
Biden, who spent eight years as President Barack Obama’s vice president, has spent months weighing who would fill that same role in his White House. He pledged in March to select a woman as his vice president, easing frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would center on two white men in their 70s.
Biden’s search was expansive, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading progressive, Florida Rep. Val Demings, whose impeachment prosecution of Trump won plaudits, California Rep. Karen Bass, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, whose passionate response to unrest in her city garnered national attention.
A woman has never served as president or vice president in the United States. Two women have been nominated as running mates on major party tickets: Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008. Their party lost in the general election. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also lost her presidential bid to Trump in 2016.
The vice presidential pick carries increased significance this year. If elected, Biden would be 78 when he’s inaugurated in January, the oldest man to ever assume the presidency. He’s spoken of himself as a transitional figure and hasn’t fully committed to seeking a second term in 2024. If he declines to do so, his running mate would likely become a front-runner for the nomination that year.
Born in Oakland to a Jamaican father and Indian mother, Harris won her first election in 2003 when she became San Francisco’s district attorney. In the role, she created a reentry program for low-level drug offenders and cracked down on student truancy.
She was elected California’s attorney general in 2010, the first woman and Black person to hold the job, and focused on issues including the foreclosure crisis. She declined to defend the state’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage and was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
As her national profile grew, Harris built a reputation around her work as a prosecutor. After being elected to the Senate in 2016, she quickly gained attention for her assertive questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings. In one memorable moment last year, Harris tripped up Attorney General William Barr when she repeatedly pressed him on whether Trump or other White House officials pressured him to investigate certain people.
Harris launched her presidential campaign in early 2019 with the slogan “Kamala Harris For the People,” a reference to her courtroom work. She was one of the highest-profile contenders in a crowded Democratic primary and attracted 20,000 people to her first campaign rally in Oakland.
But the early promise of her campaign eventually faded. Her law enforcement background prompted skepticism from some progressives, and she struggled to land on a consistent message that resonated with voters. Facing fundraising problems, Harris abruptly withdrew from the race in December 2019, two months before the first votes of the primary were cast.
One of Harris’ standout moments of her presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden. During a debate, Harris said Biden made “very hurtful” comments about his past work with segregationist senators and slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate in the 1970s.
“There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day,” she said. “And that little girl was me.”
Shaken by the attack, Biden called her comments “a mischaracterization of my position.”
The exchange resurfaced recently one of Biden’s closest friends and a co-chair of his vice presidential vetting committee, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, still harbors concerns about the debate and that Harris hadn’t expressed regret. The comments attributed to Dodd and first reported by Politico drew condemnation, especially from influential Democratic women who said Harris was being held to a standard that wouldn’t apply to a man running for president.
Some Biden confidants said Harris’ campaign attack did irritate the former vice president, who had a friendly relationship with her. Harris was also close with Biden’s late son, Beau, who served as Delaware attorney general while she held the same post in California.
But Biden and Harris have since returned to a warm relationship.
“Joe has empathy, he has a proven track record of leadership and more than ever before we need a president of the United States who understands who the people are, sees them where they are, and has a genuine desire to help and knows how to fight to get us where we need to be,” Harris said at an event for Biden earlier this summer.
At the same event, she bluntly attacked Trump, labeling him a “drug pusher” for his promotion of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, which has not been proved to be an effective treatment and may even be more harmful. After Trump tweeted “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” in response to protests about the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody, Harris said his remarks “yet again show what racism looks like.”
Harris has taken a tougher stand on policing since Floyd’s killing. She co-sponsored legislation in June that would ban police from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants, set a national use-of-force standard and create a national police misconduct registry, among other things. It would also reform the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability.
The list included practices Harris did not vocally fight to reform while leading California’s Department of Justice. Although she required DOJ officers to wear body cameras, she did not support legislation mandating it statewide. And while she now wants independent investigations of police shootings, she didn’t support a 2015 California bill that would have required her office to take on such cases.
“We made progress, but clearly we are not at the place yet as a country where we need to be and California is no exception,” she told The Associated Press recently. But the national focus on racial injustice now shows “there’s no reason that we have to continue to wait.”


shareblue--2020-08-11--Trump's virus relief negotiator takes vacation as Americans face evictions

Donald Trump 's chief of staff , one of Republicans ' two top negotiators on a coronavirus relief package , is taking vacation this week , Politico reported , further dragging out the already stalled talks to provide critical funds to laid off workers .
According to Politico , Mark Meadows , who along with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has been trying to negotiate a deal with congressional Democrats , left town recently .
The outlet noted the Trump administration `` feels confident they have the upper hand '' in negotiations , mostly thanks to Trump 's executive actions over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether that was what prompted Meadows to take a vacation .
Trump 's actions , however , which were announced over the weekend , do n't accomplish much of anything .
An eviction moratorium Trump claimed to create is not a moratorium at all , and simply instructs to federal agencies to `` consider '' whether stopping evictions is `` reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 . ''
A payroll tax deferment announced on Saturday does n't actually cut anyone 's taxes , but rather defers them until Americans file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a number of complications that could lead to companies — which pay a portion of their employees ' payroll taxes — to opt out of the freeze altogether , deciding it 's not worth the risk , the Wall Street Journal reported .
Some have noted that making the payroll tax holiday permanent , as Trump later said he might do , would eat into Social Security benefits the tax funds , endangering the program for the 63 million Americans who use it .
And numerous state governors have since slammed one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilaterally create a $ 400-a-week unemployment insurance extension — as unworkable .
Trump 's order would put states on the hook for $ 100 of that $ 400-a-week UI payment , and some governors have said they simply do n't have the funds to make those payments .
Even as Meadows left Washington in the middle of talks , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was blaming Democrats for the lack of a deal on coronavirus relief .
`` Because of Democrats ’ obstruction , the extra federal unemployment aid expired , '' McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is closed with no second round in sight .
No new money for testing or schools .
No second round of checks to families .
Democrats held all this hostage for non-COVID-related liberal priorities . ''
House Democrats , however , passed a coronavirus relief bill on May 15 that McConnell not only refused to take up , but would n't even negotiate until just before the $ 600-a-week unemployment boost , which Congress first passed in March , expired in late July .
`` This is such an appalling , disgusting lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) tweeted Tuesday in response to McConnell .
`` Again , the House passed extensions of enhanced unemployment benefits and small business loan programs in May and Mitch McConnell blocked them .
He prevented the Senate from doing anything to help people during the pandemic all summer . ''
Senate Republicans released their own legislation , which would have slashed the weekly unemployment payments to $ 200 a week , but never put it up for a vote — a likely indicator that there were not enough GOP senators to pass their version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a deal could be reached , with Meadows out and Republicans still demanding a lower price tag for coronavirus relief .
Politico reported it could be `` weeks '' before negotiations even resume .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s chief of staff, one of Republicans’ two top negotiators on a coronavirus relief package, is taking vacation this week, Politico reported, further dragging out the already stalled talks to provide critical funds to laid off workers.
According to Politico, Mark Meadows, who along with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has been trying to negotiate a deal with congressional Democrats, left town recently. The outlet noted the Trump administration “feels confident they have the upper hand” in negotiations, mostly thanks to Trump’s executive actions over the weekend, but did not say whether that was what prompted Meadows to take a vacation.
Trump’s actions, however, which were announced over the weekend, don’t accomplish much of anything.
An eviction moratorium Trump claimed to create is not a moratorium at all, and simply instructs to federal agencies to “consider” whether stopping evictions is “reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”
A payroll tax deferment announced on Saturday doesn’t actually cut anyone’s taxes, but rather defers them until Americans file their taxes next year. It would create a number of complications that could lead to companies — which pay a portion of their employees’ payroll taxes — to opt out of the freeze altogether, deciding it’s not worth the risk, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Some have noted that making the payroll tax holiday permanent, as Trump later said he might do, would eat into Social Security benefits the tax funds, endangering the program for the 63 million Americans who use it.
And numerous state governors have since slammed one of Trump’s biggest actions — to unilaterally create a $400-a-week unemployment insurance extension — as unworkable. Trump’s order would put states on the hook for $100 of that $400-a-week UI payment, and some governors have said they simply don’t have the funds to make those payments.
Even as Meadows left Washington in the middle of talks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was blaming Democrats for the lack of a deal on coronavirus relief.
“Because of Democrats’ obstruction, the extra federal unemployment aid expired,” McConnell tweeted on Monday. “The PPP is closed with no second round in sight. No new money for testing or schools. No second round of checks to families. Democrats held all this hostage for non-COVID-related liberal priorities.”
House Democrats, however, passed a coronavirus relief bill on May 15 that McConnell not only refused to take up, but wouldn’t even negotiate until just before the $600-a-week unemployment boost, which Congress first passed in March, expired in late July.
“This is such an appalling, disgusting lie,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) tweeted Tuesday in response to McConnell. “Again, the House passed extensions of enhanced unemployment benefits and small business loan programs in May and Mitch McConnell blocked them. He prevented the Senate from doing anything to help people during the pandemic all summer.”
Senate Republicans released their own legislation, which would have slashed the weekly unemployment payments to $200 a week, but never put it up for a vote — a likely indicator that there were not enough GOP senators to pass their version of the bill.
It remains unclear when a deal could be reached, with Meadows out and Republicans still demanding a lower price tag for coronavirus relief.
Politico reported it could be “weeks” before negotiations even resume.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--Kemp refuses to mandate masks at school on same day 800 kids had to quarantine

Gov .
Brian Kemp announced on Monday that he will not require face masks in Georgia schools despite numerous coronavirus outbreaks across the state .
`` We 've given the responsibility to the schools , to the local superintendents , '' Kemp said , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
Referring specifically to schools reopening amid the pandemic , Kemp added , `` Quite honestly this week went real well , '' with the exception of a high school in Paulding County that made national news following a viral photograph of a crowded hallway .
Of Georgia 's 180 school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers to wear a mask .
Less than 1 in 4 require masks for both students and teachers , the Journal-Constitution noted .
Hours after Kemp 's announcement , the Cherokee County School District , located north of Atlanta , reported that more than 800 students and at least 43 staff had been forced to quarantine after coronavirus outbreaks at 19 of its schools .
At one high school in the county , approximately 1 in 8 students were in quarantine , Georgia Public Broadcasting reported .
The Paulding County high school Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with at least six students and three staff testing positive after the first week of school .
The school was forced to cancel in-person classes for several days following the outbreak .
Even before classes resumed , 260 teachers and staff from the state 's largest school district in Gwinnett County either tested positive for coronavirus or were forced to quarantine , the Journal-Constitution reported on Aug. 2 .
Around the nation , many schools have rushed to reopen for in-person instruction despite a sharp increase in coronavirus cases among children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of confirmed cases among children increased by 40 % , with more than 97,000 new cases in that time period .
Kemp has mostly ignored health experts ' advice during the pandemic in general .
In late July , even as experts continued to advise masks as a way to stave off infections , Kemp sued the city of Atlanta over mandate implemented by the mayor and city council that would have forced people to wear face coverings when out in public .
Kemp argued that the city had overstepped a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks , but stopped short of requiring them .
In April , Georgia was one of the first states to relax safety measures and reopen businesses , also against the advice of experts .
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases soared in late June and July , several mayors attempted to implement additional safety measures , such as mask mandates , to slow the spread of the virus .
As of Tuesday afternoon , Georgia had more than 202,000 confirmed cases and at least 4,138 people had died .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Monday that he will not require face masks in Georgia schools despite numerous coronavirus outbreaks across the state.
“We’ve given the responsibility to the schools, to the local superintendents,” Kemp said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Referring specifically to schools reopening amid the pandemic, Kemp added, “Quite honestly this week went real well,” with the exception of a high school in Paulding County that made national news following a viral photograph of a crowded hallway.
Of Georgia’s 180 school districts, only about a third require teachers to wear a mask. Less than 1 in 4 require masks for both students and teachers, the Journal-Constitution noted.
Hours after Kemp’s announcement, the Cherokee County School District, located north of Atlanta, reported that more than 800 students and at least 43 staff had been forced to quarantine after coronavirus outbreaks at 19 of its schools. At one high school in the county, approximately 1 in 8 students were in quarantine, Georgia Public Broadcasting reported.
The Paulding County high school Kemp referenced experienced a coronavirus outbreak as well, with at least six students and three staff testing positive after the first week of school. The school was forced to cancel in-person classes for several days following the outbreak.
Even before classes resumed, 260 teachers and staff from the state’s largest school district in Gwinnett County either tested positive for coronavirus or were forced to quarantine, the Journal-Constitution reported on Aug. 2.
Around the nation, many schools have rushed to reopen for in-person instruction despite a sharp increase in coronavirus cases among children. Between July 16 and July 30, the number of confirmed cases among children increased by 40%, with more than 97,000 new cases in that time period.
Kemp has mostly ignored health experts’ advice during the pandemic in general.
In late July, even as experts continued to advise masks as a way to stave off infections, Kemp sued the city of Atlanta over mandate implemented by the mayor and city council that would have forced people to wear face coverings when out in public.
Kemp argued that the city had overstepped a statewide emergency order that encouraged people to wear masks, but stopped short of requiring them.
In April, Georgia was one of the first states to relax safety measures and reopen businesses, also against the advice of experts. As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases soared in late June and July, several mayors attempted to implement additional safety measures, such as mask mandates, to slow the spread of the virus.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Georgia had more than 202,000 confirmed cases and at least 4,138 people had died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--Republicans demand students play football despite ongoing virus risks

Republicans have over the last two months repeatedly pushed for the return of high school and college football , despite evidence that the coronavirus that continues to spread across the country can kill young people or cause them long-term harm .
On Tuesday , Donald Trump told Clay Travis , a conservative sports radio host , that college football officials would be `` making a tragic mistake '' if they delayed or canceled the upcoming season .
`` These football players are very young , strong people , '' Trump said , arguing , `` So they 're not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to see people — you know , could there be , could it happen , but I doubt it — you 're not going to see people dying . ''
`` Kids , they get it , they have the sniffles , '' Trump said .
The comments from the two most senior Republicans echoed complaints other members of their party have made for months .
In June , Florida Sen. Marco Rubio appeared on Travis ' show and said football had to return `` to continue giving us a unifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts pointed out the danger of restarting athletics while millions are infected by the coronavirus , Rubio said they were part of an anti-football conspiracy .
`` Do n't be bullied by those who wanted to kill football even before Covid , '' Rubio tweeted in July .
He also said that high school football had to restart because it purportedly helps `` keep thousands of students in school & on track for graduation & college . ''
`` What about having football season ? ''
DeSantis asked .
`` We 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is their ticket to be able to go to college through athletics .
What happens to all those dreams , and all those hopes , and all those aspirations ? ''
Florida was one of the states that experienced rapid increases in virus infection rates after their governments allowed businesses to reopen earlier in the summer , against the advice of health experts .
But DeSantis remained steadfast .
`` There 's never anything that you do in life that 's risk free , '' he said on Monday .
Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
`` The ramifications are catastrophic , '' `` Fox & Friends '' co-host Brian Kilmeade said on July 16 of the decision by the schools of the Ivy League to cancel fall athletics , including football .
`` Find a way . ''
On the same day , Sen. Ben Sasse sent a letter to the presidents of the Big Ten conference .
`` This is a moment for leadership .
These young men need a season .
Please do n't cancel college football , '' Sasse wrote .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to football , school sports are already facing virus-related problems .
Before school was even in session , the Georgia High School Association reported that over 600 students and coaches had tested positive for the virus after workouts began in June .
In the town of Lewiston , Minnesota , an outbreak of COVID-19 among six high school football players prompted a warning from the county that residents should be tested for the coronavirus if they had attended certain events .
Thirteen players in the Pac-12 college football conference have threatened to opt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about inadequate safety measures and protocols that could lead to the spread of the virus .
More widespread concerns about school safety in general are emerging as the opening of the school season approaches .
Colleges such as Harvard and Georgetown have already announced that they are limiting the number of students who will be on campus in the fall , with the rest required to do courses online .
North Paulding High School in Georgia was forced to close down after a COVID-19 outbreak among students .
In the world of professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in funding available to spend on safety measures , the virus has also caused major disruptions .
Just two weeks into the Major League Baseball season , 29 games have ben postponed due to the virus .
Virus outbreaks have occurred among the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins .
Thus far the National Basketball Association has avoided similar problems , but the entire league is playing in a so-called bubble in Orlando , Florida , with travel and contacts with outsiders severely limited .
That option would not be available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians ' claims of immunity or mild cases of disease , children can die of the coronavirus .
At least 86 children in the United States have died of it so far , and over 2,600 have been hospitalized .
The virus can have long-term effects on heart and lung health as well .
And even if an infected child does not become sick , they can transmit the virus to family members and others whom they come into contact with .
Playing football today could have health consequences that ruin the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republicans have been pushing for are over .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans have over the last two months repeatedly pushed for the return of high school and college football, despite evidence that the coronavirus that continues to spread across the country can kill young people or cause them long-term harm.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump told Clay Travis, a conservative sports radio host, that college football officials would be “making a tragic mistake” if they delayed or canceled the upcoming season.
“These football players are very young, strong people,” Trump said, arguing, “So they’re not going to have a problem. You’re not going to see people — you know, could there be, could it happen, but I doubt it — you’re not going to see people dying.”
“Kids, they get it, they have the sniffles,” Trump said.
“America needs College Football!” Mike Pence tweeted on Monday.
The comments from the two most senior Republicans echoed complaints other members of their party have made for months.
In June, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio appeared on Travis’ show and said football had to return “to continue giving us a unifying experience as a country.”
As experts pointed out the danger of restarting athletics while millions are infected by the coronavirus, Rubio said they were part of an anti-football conspiracy.
“Don’t be bullied by those who wanted to kill football even before Covid,” Rubio tweeted in July. He also said that high school football had to restart because it purportedly helps “keep thousands of students in school & on track for graduation & college.”
His fellow Floridian Gov. Ron DeSantis shared Rubio’s concerns.
“What about having football season?” DeSantis asked. “We’ve got a lot of young kids who, this is their ticket to be able to go to college through athletics. What happens to all those dreams, and all those hopes, and all those aspirations?”
Florida was one of the states that experienced rapid increases in virus infection rates after their governments allowed businesses to reopen earlier in the summer, against the advice of health experts. But DeSantis remained steadfast.
“There’s never anything that you do in life that’s risk free,” he said on Monday.
Fox News has jumped on the college football bandwagon as well.
“The ramifications are catastrophic,” “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade said on July 16 of the decision by the schools of the Ivy League to cancel fall athletics, including football. “Find a way.”
“America needs college football,” Rep. Jim Jordan tweeted on Monday.
On the same day, Sen. Ben Sasse sent a letter to the presidents of the Big Ten conference. “This is a moment for leadership. These young men need a season. Please don’t cancel college football,” Sasse wrote.
Yet while Republicans are pushing for a return to football, school sports are already facing virus-related problems.
Before school was even in session, the Georgia High School Association reported that over 600 students and coaches had tested positive for the virus after workouts began in June.
In the town of Lewiston, Minnesota, an outbreak of COVID-19 among six high school football players prompted a warning from the county that residents should be tested for the coronavirus if they had attended certain events.
Thirteen players in the Pac-12 college football conference have threatened to opt out of the season, citing concerns about inadequate safety measures and protocols that could lead to the spread of the virus.
More widespread concerns about school safety in general are emerging as the opening of the school season approaches.
Colleges such as Harvard and Georgetown have already announced that they are limiting the number of students who will be on campus in the fall, with the rest required to do courses online.
North Paulding High School in Georgia was forced to close down after a COVID-19 outbreak among students.
In the world of professional sports, where teams have millions more in funding available to spend on safety measures, the virus has also caused major disruptions.
Just two weeks into the Major League Baseball season, 29 games have ben postponed due to the virus. Virus outbreaks have occurred among the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins.
Thus far the National Basketball Association has avoided similar problems, but the entire league is playing in a so-called bubble in Orlando, Florida, with travel and contacts with outsiders severely limited.
That option would not be available to high school or college athletes.
Despite politicians’ claims of immunity or mild cases of disease, children can die of the coronavirus. At least 86 children in the United States have died of it so far, and over 2,600 have been hospitalized.
The virus can have long-term effects on heart and lung health as well. And even if an infected child does not become sick, they can transmit the virus to family members and others whom they come into contact with.
Playing football today could have health consequences that ruin the lives of young people long after the games that Republicans have been pushing for are over.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--Sen. Ron Johnson calls failure to agree on virus relief 'very good news'

Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) told right-wing outlet Breitbart on Friday that he did not want Congress to reach any deal on pandemic relief , citing concerns about the national debt .
But in late 2017 , he voted for Donald Trump 's tax cuts for the rich with no offsets , a move projected to increase the deficit by trillions .
In the interview , Johnson cheered the lack of progress in negotiations on an emergency relief bill .
`` From my standpoint , the breakdown in the talks is very good news .
It 's very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opined .
`` I hope the talks remain broken down . ''
`` We 're already $ 26.5 trillion in debt , on our way to $ 27- or $ 28 trillion .
We do n't have an unlimited checking account .
So I 'm glad there 's not a deal , '' he added .
He reportedly opposes any new spending that will increase the debt .
Johnson has a history of selective concern about the national debt .
During his first campaign for the Senate in 2010 , Johnson ran as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts and debt reduction .
`` Robbing the bank accounts of future generations of Americans while creating unsustainable debt is a threat to our freedom and we must stand together to stop it , '' read a post on his campaign site .
That October , Johnson published an op-ed titled `` We need to balance budget and create jobs , '' writing , `` To get our economy going , it 's absolutely essential we remove the drag that excessive spending and debt put on our nation 's growth .
I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with anybody to pass measures to cap spending . ''
He did not balance the budget .
During his 2016 reelection campaign , he published another opinion piece , warning that the debt crisis `` hangs over my evaluation of every other problem America must confront '' and that it `` should be at the forefront of every campaign and policy debate . ''
Nonpartisan budget estimates projected that the Tax Cut and Jobs Act would increase the national debt by more than $ 1 trillion over 10 years .
Still , Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes for corporations and the very rich while raising them for 10 million American families , claiming that it would actually lower the deficit through increased economic growth .
Asked that December what he would do if his rosy predictions did not come true , he dismissed the possibility as `` a hypothetical . ''
As predicted , the legislation massively increased the budget deficit , which rose to $ 1 trillion annually even before the coronavirus pandemic .
Revenue dropped , while spending continued to grow .
While Johnson now celebrates the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans are hurting .
As of July , the unemployment rate nationally was over 10 % as millions of Americans have lost jobs .
More than 5 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus , and more than 161,000 of them have died .
The House of Representatives passed a bill in May that would provide $ 75 billion for enhanced coronavirus tracing , testing , and treatment , expand hazard pay and child care for essential workers , and extended temporary unemployment benefits until January .
Johnson and the rest of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the proposal , instead spending most of their time confirming Donald Trump 's judicial appointments .
Johnson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) told right-wing outlet Breitbart on Friday that he did not want Congress to reach any deal on pandemic relief, citing concerns about the national debt. But in late 2017, he voted for Donald Trump’s tax cuts for the rich with no offsets, a move projected to increase the deficit by trillions.
In the interview, Johnson cheered the lack of progress in negotiations on an emergency relief bill. “From my standpoint, the breakdown in the talks is very good news. It’s very good news for future generations,” he opined. “I hope the talks remain broken down.”
“We’re already $26.5 trillion in debt, on our way to $27- or $28 trillion. We don’t have an unlimited checking account. So I’m glad there’s not a deal,” he added. He reportedly opposes any new spending that will increase the debt.
Johnson has a history of selective concern about the national debt.
During his first campaign for the Senate in 2010, Johnson ran as a deficit hawk, committed to spending cuts and debt reduction. “Robbing the bank accounts of future generations of Americans while creating unsustainable debt is a threat to our freedom and we must stand together to stop it,” read a post on his campaign site.
That October, Johnson published an op-ed titled “We need to balance budget and create jobs,” writing, “To get our economy going, it’s absolutely essential we remove the drag that excessive spending and debt put on our nation’s growth. I’d support a balanced budget amendment and work with anybody to pass measures to cap spending.”
He did not balance the budget. During his 2016 reelection campaign, he published another opinion piece, warning that the debt crisis “hangs over my evaluation of every other problem America must confront” and that it “should be at the forefront of every campaign and policy debate.”
Nonpartisan budget estimates projected that the Tax Cut and Jobs Act would increase the national debt by more than $1 trillion over 10 years.
Still, Johnson backed the legislation, which massively slashed taxes for corporations and the very rich while raising them for 10 million American families, claiming that it would actually lower the deficit through increased economic growth. Asked that December what he would do if his rosy predictions did not come true, he dismissed the possibility as “a hypothetical.”
As predicted, the legislation massively increased the budget deficit, which rose to $1 trillion annually even before the coronavirus pandemic. Revenue dropped, while spending continued to grow.
While Johnson now celebrates the lack of a deal, millions of Americans are hurting. As of July, the unemployment rate nationally was over 10% as millions of Americans have lost jobs. More than 5 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus, and more than 161,000 of them have died.
The House of Representatives passed a bill in May that would provide $75 billion for enhanced coronavirus tracing, testing, and treatment, expand hazard pay and child care for essential workers, and extended temporary unemployment benefits until January.
Johnson and the rest of the Senate Republican majority have refused to even vote on the proposal, instead spending most of their time confirming Donald Trump’s judicial appointments.
Johnson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--Nevada's Republican secretary of state fights Trump campaign's mail-in ballot lawsuit

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske asked a federal court on Monday to toss out a Trump campaign lawsuit over a new law making it easier to vote in Nevada .
Cegavske is the latest Republican state official to push back against Trump 's voter suppression tactics in the run-up to the 2020 election .
The Trump campaign , joined by the Nevada Republican Party and the Republican National Committee , sued Nevada on Aug. 4 over a new law that requires the state to send all active voters a ballot for the November election , claiming it would make fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada Independent .
Monday 's motion to dismiss , filed by Attorney General Aaron Ford , who represents Cegavske , argued that the Trump campaign failed to demonstrate that the law would cause any harm .
Further , Ford noted that several other states , including Colorado , Hawai ' i , Oregon , Utah , and Washington , also planned to mail citizens ballots for the November election and the Trump campaign had not sued those states .
For months , Trump has engaged in voter suppression tactics , falsely claiming that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
Allowing people to cast mail ballots , by contrast , especially in the middle of a pandemic , would expand access and keep voters from congregating in large crowds at polling centers , risking infection As the Brennan Center for Justice notes , `` The coronavirus has made congregating in small , enclosed spaces dangerous .
At many polling places , voters — particularly of color and from poorer communities — already wait in long , crowded lines to vote .
During a pandemic , such lines would force citizens to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote . ''
Claims about mail-in ballot fraud have been repeatedly debunked by numerous outlets , including Politifact , NPR , the Associated Press , FactCheck.org , and Fox News .
Trump himself has voted by mail numerous times in the past .
`` With Universal Mail-In Voting ( not Absentee Voting , which is good ) , 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history , '' Trump tweeted on July 30 .
`` It will be a great embarrassment to the USA . ''
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee voting , though Trump and his allies have repeatedly tried to claim otherwise .
Several other state-level Republican officials in charge of elections have criticized Trump 's voter suppression efforts .
There is no `` rampant voter fraud '' in Washington , which largely votes by mail already , Secretary of State Kim Wyman told NPR on Aug. 1 .
By making such false statements , Trump `` really shatters peoples ' confidence in the process , '' she added .
Frank LaRose , Ohio 's Republican secretary of state , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible — whether it 's a Republican or Democrat — for people to create a sense , incorrectly , in the minds of voters that they ca n't trust their elections . ''
Utah Lt. Gov .
Spencer Cox , a Republican , said last month that `` anything that undermines the confidence of Americans is critical and dangerous . ''
Cox was responding to Trump 's attacks on mail-in ballots , as well as Trump 's comments about postponing the November election .
Elections are `` the foundation of the fabric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , '' said Cox .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske asked a federal court on Monday to toss out a Trump campaign lawsuit over a new law making it easier to vote in Nevada.
Cegavske is the latest Republican state official to push back against Trump’s voter suppression tactics in the run-up to the 2020 election.
The Trump campaign, joined by the Nevada Republican Party and the Republican National Committee, sued Nevada on Aug. 4 over a new law that requires the state to send all active voters a ballot for the November election, claiming it would make fraud “inevitable,” according to the Nevada Independent.
Monday’s motion to dismiss, filed by Attorney General Aaron Ford, who represents Cegavske, argued that the Trump campaign failed to demonstrate that the law would cause any harm. Further, Ford noted that several other states, including Colorado, Hawai’i, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, also planned to mail citizens ballots for the November election and the Trump campaign had not sued those states.
For months, Trump has engaged in voter suppression tactics, falsely claiming that mail-in ballots substantially increase incidents of voter fraud.
Allowing people to cast mail ballots, by contrast, especially in the middle of a pandemic, would expand access and keep voters from congregating in large crowds at polling centers, risking infection
As the Brennan Center for Justice notes, “The coronavirus has made congregating in small, enclosed spaces dangerous. At many polling places, voters — particularly of color and from poorer communities — already wait in long, crowded lines to vote. During a pandemic, such lines would force citizens to choose between their health and their right to vote.”
Claims about mail-in ballot fraud have been repeatedly debunked by numerous outlets, including Politifact, NPR, the Associated Press, FactCheck.org, and Fox News. Trump himself has voted by mail numerous times in the past.
“With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history,” Trump tweeted on July 30. “It will be a great embarrassment to the USA.”
There is no substantive difference between voting by mail and absentee voting, though Trump and his allies have repeatedly tried to claim otherwise.
Several other state-level Republican officials in charge of elections have criticized Trump’s voter suppression efforts.
There is no “rampant voter fraud” in Washington, which largely votes by mail already, Secretary of State Kim Wyman told NPR on Aug. 1.
By making such false statements, Trump “really shatters peoples’ confidence in the process,” she added.
Frank LaRose, Ohio’s Republican secretary of state, told CNN in July that it was “irresponsible — whether it’s a Republican or Democrat — for people to create a sense, incorrectly, in the minds of voters that they can’t trust their elections.”
Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, said last month that “anything that undermines the confidence of Americans is critical and dangerous.”
Cox was responding to Trump’s attacks on mail-in ballots, as well as Trump’s comments about postponing the November election.
Elections are “the foundation of the fabric of our social order, and of our government,” said Cox.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--Lindsey Graham's campaign falsely claims he always wears masks in public

Sen. Lindsey Graham 's campaign falsely claimed on Tuesday that he `` always '' wears a face mask in public .
T.W .
Arrighi , the communications director for the South Carolina Republican 's campaign , tweeted , `` Another @ harrisonjaime interview , another blatant lie .
@ LindseyGrahamSC NEVER attends events without a mandatory mask policy .
He always wears his mask in public unless speaking , and encourages others to do the same . ''
Arrighi was responding to a comment made by Jaime Harrison , the Democratic nominee challenging Graham for his Senate seat this November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and saying he does not always wear a face mask in public to help curb the spread of the coronavirus .
But a video of Graham at a fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C. , in July posted by North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn contradicts Arrighi 's claim .
In the video , an unmasked Graham steps past an unmasked Donald Trump to greet the unmasked Cawthorn .
Graham comes within inches of the House candidate 's face during their brief conversation .
Trump and Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked later about the contradiction , Graham said , `` We 're all sitting there , having dinner .
You know , you got ta eat .
We 'd all been just tested , '' though the video showed them outside of the dining area .
Pressed about whether everyone in the room had been tested , Graham answered only , `` Everybody was tested at the place I was . ''
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hotel common areas .
A city investigator was reportedly sent to inspect Trump 's hotel after the event , but recorded no violations .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s campaign falsely claimed on Tuesday that he “always” wears a face mask in public.
T.W. Arrighi, the communications director for the South Carolina Republican’s campaign, tweeted, “Another @harrisonjaime interview, another blatant lie.
@LindseyGrahamSC NEVER attends events without a mandatory mask policy. He always wears his mask in public unless speaking, and encourages others to do the same.”
Arrighi was responding to a comment made by Jaime Harrison, the Democratic nominee challenging Graham for his Senate seat this November, calling Graham an “absentee Senator” and saying he does not always wear a face mask in public to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
But a video of Graham at a fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., in July posted by North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn contradicts Arrighi’s claim.
In the video, an unmasked Graham steps past an unmasked Donald Trump to greet the unmasked Cawthorn. Graham comes within inches of the House candidate’s face during their brief conversation.
Trump and Graham had previously urged Americans to wear masks.
Asked later about the contradiction, Graham said, “We’re all sitting there, having dinner. You know, you gotta eat. We’d all been just tested,” though the video showed them outside of the dining area. Pressed about whether everyone in the room had been tested, Graham answered only, “Everybody was tested at the place I was.”
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered people to wear masks in hotel common areas. A city investigator was reportedly sent to inspect Trump’s hotel after the event, but recorded no violations.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--QAnon fan who's expressed racist and anti-Semitic views could win House seat Tuesday

Voters in Georgia head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether they want to send a GOP candidate who has made a litany of racist , anti-Semitic , and Islamophobic comments to Congress .
Marjorie Taylor Greene — a businesswoman who believes in the widely debunked and dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory that the FBI has labeled as a domestic terrorism threat — will face off with neurosurgeon John Cowan in a runoff election for Georgia 's 14th District .
It 's a safe GOP seat that Donald Trump carried by 53 points in 2016 , meaning whichever Republican emerges from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of Congress from this seat .
Greene has a good shot of emerging from Tuesday 's runoff .
She came in first in the June 9 primary , garnering 40 % of the vote in a crowded field , with Cowan in a distant second with 21 % .
Georgia election rules call for a runoff with the top-two vote recipients when a candidate does not earn 50 % of the vote .
However , Greene 's history of offensive comments could make her a pariah among her conference before she even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to videos obtained by Politico : • Muslims do `` not belong in our government . ''
• The 2018 midterms — in which a diverse class of Democratic candidates helped Democrats win control of the lower chamber — was `` an Islamic invasion of our government . ''
• Islamic nations that follow Sharia law are places where men `` marry their sisters [ and ] their cousins , '' and that Muslim men have sex with `` little boys , little girls , multiple women . ''
None of those things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of religion , meaning anyone of any religion can serve in government .
Greene 's description of the 2018 midterms as an `` Islamic invasion '' is a hateful and discriminatory trope , and the use of the racist term `` invasion '' is frequently used by anti-immigrant extremists to describe any non-white person coming into the United States .
Sharia law does not call for incest or child molestation .
Politico reported that Greene has also made numerous false and racist comments about the Black Lives Matter movement , equating anti-racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 2017 with Nazis and members of Ku Klux Klan .
Greene has also said there is no systemic racism in the United States , and that Black people are `` lazy '' and just make `` bad choices , '' according to Politico .
`` Guess what ?
Slavery is over , '' Greene said in a video obtained by Politico .
`` Black people have equal rights . ''
While Black Americans are supposedly granted equal rights under the law , data shows they face numerous hurdles that white people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer opportunities for higher-paying jobs , and higher poverty rates and less wealth , often due to systemic racism in societal structures and hiring .
Greene has also falsely claimed that `` the most mistreated group of people in the United States today are white males . ''
The Republican candidate has a history of anti-Semitic comments as well , namely about George Soros , a Holocaust survivor and prominent Democratic donor who has become a boogeyman for Republicans .
She has falsely claimed Soros was a Nazi collaborator , saying in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Soros is the piece of crap that turned in — he 's a Jew — he turned in his own people over to the Nazis . ''
( None of this is true . )
And Greene has posted videos about the debunked QAnon conspiracy theory , which falsely claims there is `` cabal '' of largely Democratic politicians and celebrities that controls the government and runs a child sex-trafficking ring , and is working to bring down Trump .
Greene has been denounced by high-ranking GOP officials , including House Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Scalise .
A spokesperson for McCarthy called Greene 's comments `` appalling , '' while Scalise called Greene 's words `` disgusting , '' according to the New York Times .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Voters in Georgia head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether they want to send a GOP candidate who has made a litany of racist, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic comments to Congress.
Marjorie Taylor Greene — a businesswoman who believes in the widely debunked and dangerous QAnon conspiracy theory that the FBI has labeled as a domestic terrorism threat — will face off with neurosurgeon John Cowan in a runoff election for Georgia’s 14th District.
It’s a safe GOP seat that Donald Trump carried by 53 points in 2016, meaning whichever Republican emerges from Tuesday’s primary runoff will be the member of Congress from this seat.
Greene has a good shot of emerging from Tuesday’s runoff. She came in first in the June 9 primary, garnering 40% of the vote in a crowded field, with Cowan in a distant second with 21%. Georgia election rules call for a runoff with the top-two vote recipients when a candidate does not earn 50% of the vote.
However, Greene’s history of offensive comments could make her a pariah among her conference before she even arrives.
Greene has said, according to videos obtained by Politico:
Muslims do “not belong in our government.”
The 2018 midterms — in which a diverse class of Democratic candidates helped Democrats win control of the lower chamber — was “an Islamic invasion of our government.”
Islamic nations that follow Sharia law are places where men “marry their sisters [and] their cousins,” and that Muslim men have sex with “little boys, little girls, multiple women.”
None of those things are true.
The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, meaning anyone of any religion can serve in government.
Greene’s description of the 2018 midterms as an “Islamic invasion” is a hateful and discriminatory trope, and the use of the racist term “invasion” is frequently used by anti-immigrant extremists to describe any non-white person coming into the United States.
Sharia law does not call for incest or child molestation.
Politico reported that Greene has also made numerous false and racist comments about the Black Lives Matter movement, equating anti-racism protesters who marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 with Nazis and members of Ku Klux Klan.
Greene has also said there is no systemic racism in the United States, and that Black people are “lazy” and just make “bad choices,” according to Politico.
“Guess what? Slavery is over,” Greene said in a video obtained by Politico. “Black people have equal rights.”
While Black Americans are supposedly granted equal rights under the law, data shows they face numerous hurdles that white people do not, including higher unemployment, fewer opportunities for higher-paying jobs, and higher poverty rates and less wealth, often due to systemic racism in societal structures and hiring.
Greene has also falsely claimed that “the most mistreated group of people in the United States today are white males.”
The Republican candidate has a history of anti-Semitic comments as well, namely about George Soros, a Holocaust survivor and prominent Democratic donor who has become a boogeyman for Republicans.
She has falsely claimed Soros was a Nazi collaborator, saying in a video obtained by Politico that, “George Soros is the piece of crap that turned in — he’s a Jew — he turned in his own people over to the Nazis.” (None of this is true.)
And Greene has posted videos about the debunked QAnon conspiracy theory, which falsely claims there is “cabal” of largely Democratic politicians and celebrities that controls the government and runs a child sex-trafficking ring, and is working to bring down Trump.
“Q is a patriot,” Greene said in a YouTube video referring to the supposed faceless “leader” of the conspiracy group, who followers claim is working to fight that cabal. “We know that for sure. …There’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it.”
Greene has been denounced by high-ranking GOP officials, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.
A spokesperson for McCarthy called Greene’s comments “appalling,” while Scalise called Greene’s words “disgusting,” according to the New York Times.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-11--What kids actually think about returning to school during a pandemic

Parents have weighed in on reopening schools .
Teachers have weighed in .
Public health experts , too , along with cities , states , and Donald Trump .
But what about the kids themselves ?
As the grown-ups fret , kindergartners to high schoolers faced with a range of scenarios for virtual and in-person classes are expressing both fear and glee over leaving home to learn .
Many said they 're most worried about fellow students breaking the rules on wearing masks and keeping their distance , especially in areas that are hot spots for the coronavirus .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said a skeptical Peter Klamka , an eighth-grader in Las Vegas , in a county that logged 95 % of new coronavirus cases reported in Nevada early last week .
The 13-year-old will return to his private school in about three weeks .
`` Some kids will be more responsible than others .
I 'm not looking forward to it but I 've got to go school so I 'd rather be there in person , '' Peter said .
Not yet 5 , kindergartner Rivington Hall in Westport , Connecticut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Zoom after finishing preschool at home .
That may change later in the year .
`` I 'd rather go to school because it has more toys and it 's more fun , '' she said as she munched on animal crackers and sipped from a juice box .
Anxious parents around the country are looking to schools that have already opened for signs of how it might go .
One , North Paulding High School in suburban Atlanta , rescinded a five-day suspension for a student who shared photos and video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks after doors opened this month .
The school has since suffered an outbreak of COVID-19 , along with other schools in hard-hit Georgia .
Nearly 50 miles away in Alpharetta , Georgia , 10-year-old Collier Evans will attend school remotely when he begins fifth grade Aug. 17 .
He could have gone in person full time or picked a blended option but said he was anxious about returning to school .
`` My parents and me , we said we do n't want to go in a classroom , get sick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and get my family sick , '' Collier said .
As for distance learning , he said : `` I hope it 's going to go better than last year .
You had to wait in a queue for like 30 minutes to ask the teacher one question . ''
In Tucson , Arizona , 10-year-old Simon Joubeaud Pulitzer returned to his private school Aug. 3 , his blue button-down uniform shirt and tie in place .
He was happy to see his friends again and have face-to-face access to his teachers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes , I felt a bit safer , '' Simon said .
`` All kids were following the rules . ''
Those rules include masks worn indoors , socially distanced desks , and only two kids per outdoor picnic table at either end for lunch .
Most American parents said it was unsafe to send their children back to school , with more than 80 % favoring school conducted at least partly online , according to a new Washington Post-Schar School survey conducted by Ipsos .
But many expressed displeasure at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds down , the mixed feelings mirror the lack of consensus around the country on how to balance virus risks and schooling .
Some Scandinavian countries with far fewer cases than in the U.S. reopened schools with new safety protocols and have had no outbreaks connected to their operations .
In Israel , schools that reopened when virus activity was low ended up shutting down a few weeks later when cases spiked .
In the U.S. , some school districts plan a mix of in-person classes and online learning to help maintain social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Miami , Houston and Los Angeles , are starting classes online only .
Ella Springer , 14 , of Kenosha , Wisconsin , will start her sophomore year of high school at home after her school board rescinded an in-class option to open the fall semester .
That could change as the year progresses .
`` At first I was wanting to go back to school in person but I feel like , watching the numbers in Wisconsin , it makes more sense to go back virtual because it 's rising , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty boring at home but what can you do ?
Last year the virtual was easier for me to slack off at home because it was a loose kind of thing , but I feel like this year will go a lot better since they 've had the whole summer to prepare . ''
Aiden Anderson , 11 , in Orlando , Florida , will begin sixth grade at home for two weeks , then happily head out to school in a state that 's among the nation 's worst hot spots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like that there 's two weeks online , '' he said .
`` At home it 's so easy to get distracted . ''
In Littleton , Colorado , 8-year-old Will Asbury is going into third grade .
School starts Aug. 24 , and he 'll be there in person .
There was a distance learning option , but Will and his little sister , Luca , wanted to go .
`` I 'm going to feel good because I get to see my friends .
Masks are a bummer but at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during recess and see them at lunch , '' he said .
Of distance learning , 6-year-old Luca got right to the point : `` I did n't like it . ''
She 's hoping for a unicorn mask to wear when she returns to the classroom .
Alec Blumberg is a high school freshman and his sister , Amelia , a high school senior in Great Neck , New York .
Their school , for now , decided on full time , at-home learning to start in September with a possible staggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half the students in at a time .
`` I really want to go back .
It would be nice to interact with people and have a more separate life at school and home , '' Alec said .
`` But if the school lays out a plan , will the kids follow it ?
I 'm really not sure . ''
Amelia , 17 , said exactly how responsible students will be is what worries her the most , based on what she 's seen among peers .
`` Some people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` They are n't following any type of safety measures , which really scares me .
But I really want to go back .
It 's the last year .
We did n't even get to say goodbye to any of our teachers when we left last year . ''
School for Indianapolis , Indiana , seventh-grader Maria Beck started July 30 .
The 12-year-old is attending online full time .
At first , her school district was going to offer some in-person instruction , then changed its mind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases in her area .
`` I 'm a big extrovert , '' Maria said of missing face-to-face school .
`` But so far , it 's been going very well .
I do hope we get to go back some day . ''
Her third-grade sister , 8-year-old Felicity , said she , too , is OK with distance learning .
Among the things she misses most about real school ?
Lunch .
`` I 'd be scared that I 'd get sick , '' she said of returning to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy that I 'd be able to go back . ''

Parents have weighed in on reopening schools. Teachers have weighed in. Public health experts, too, along with cities, states, and Donald Trump.
But what about the kids themselves? As the grown-ups fret, kindergartners to high schoolers faced with a range of scenarios for virtual and in-person classes are expressing both fear and glee over leaving home to learn.
Many said they’re most worried about fellow students breaking the rules on wearing masks and keeping their distance, especially in areas that are hot spots for the coronavirus.
“We’ll be home in a month,” said a skeptical Peter Klamka, an eighth-grader in Las Vegas, in a county that logged 95% of new coronavirus cases reported in Nevada early last week.
The 13-year-old will return to his private school in about three weeks.
“Some kids will be more responsible than others. I’m not looking forward to it but I’ve got to go school so I’d rather be there in person,” Peter said.
Not yet 5, kindergartner Rivington Hall in Westport, Connecticut, will begin her first big-kid year on Zoom after finishing preschool at home. That may change later in the year.
“I’d rather go to school because it has more toys and it’s more fun,” she said as she munched on animal crackers and sipped from a juice box.
Anxious parents around the country are looking to schools that have already opened for signs of how it might go. One, North Paulding High School in suburban Atlanta, rescinded a five-day suspension for a student who shared photos and video of crowded hallways and few students in masks after doors opened this month.
The school has since suffered an outbreak of COVID-19, along with other schools in hard-hit Georgia.
Nearly 50 miles away in Alpharetta, Georgia, 10-year-old Collier Evans will attend school remotely when he begins fifth grade Aug. 17. He could have gone in person full time or picked a blended option but said he was anxious about returning to school.
“My parents and me, we said we don’t want to go in a classroom, get sick, and then I’d bring it home and get my family sick,” Collier said.
As for distance learning, he said: “I hope it’s going to go better than last year. You had to wait in a queue for like 30 minutes to ask the teacher one question.”
In Tucson, Arizona, 10-year-old Simon Joubeaud Pulitzer returned to his private school Aug. 3, his blue button-down uniform shirt and tie in place. He was happy to see his friends again and have face-to-face access to his teachers.
Did he feel safe?
“Not the first day but after, yes, I felt a bit safer,” Simon said. “All kids were following the rules.”
Those rules include masks worn indoors, socially distanced desks, and only two kids per outdoor picnic table at either end for lunch.
Most American parents said it was unsafe to send their children back to school, with more than 80% favoring school conducted at least partly online, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School survey conducted by Ipsos. But many expressed displeasure at the quality of online instruction.
As summer winds down, the mixed feelings mirror the lack of consensus around the country on how to balance virus risks and schooling.
Some Scandinavian countries with far fewer cases than in the U.S. reopened schools with new safety protocols and have had no outbreaks connected to their operations. In Israel, schools that reopened when virus activity was low ended up shutting down a few weeks later when cases spiked.
In the U.S., some school districts plan a mix of in-person classes and online learning to help maintain social distancing. Other districts, including those in Miami, Houston and Los Angeles, are starting classes online only.
Ella Springer, 14, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, will start her sophomore year of high school at home after her school board rescinded an in-class option to open the fall semester. That could change as the year progresses.
“At first I was wanting to go back to school in person but I feel like, watching the numbers in Wisconsin, it makes more sense to go back virtual because it’s rising,” she said. “It’s pretty boring at home but what can you do? Last year the virtual was easier for me to slack off at home because it was a loose kind of thing, but I feel like this year will go a lot better since they’ve had the whole summer to prepare.”
Aiden Anderson, 11, in Orlando, Florida, will begin sixth grade at home for two weeks, then happily head out to school in a state that’s among the nation’s worst hot spots for the virus.
“I don’t like that there’s two weeks online,” he said. “At home it’s so easy to get distracted.”
In Littleton, Colorado, 8-year-old Will Asbury is going into third grade. School starts Aug. 24, and he’ll be there in person. There was a distance learning option, but Will and his little sister, Luca, wanted to go.
“I’m going to feel good because I get to see my friends. Masks are a bummer but at least we get to play with our friends during recess and see them at lunch,” he said.
Of distance learning, 6-year-old Luca got right to the point: “I didn’t like it.”
She’s hoping for a unicorn mask to wear when she returns to the classroom.
Alec Blumberg is a high school freshman and his sister, Amelia, a high school senior in Great Neck, New York. Their school, for now, decided on full time, at-home learning to start in September with a possible staggered approach in person later on, allowing half the students in at a time.
“I really want to go back. It would be nice to interact with people and have a more separate life at school and home,” Alec said. “But if the school lays out a plan, will the kids follow it? I’m really not sure.”
Amelia, 17, said exactly how responsible students will be is what worries her the most, based on what she’s seen among peers.
“Some people aren’t as careful as others,” she said. “They aren’t following any type of safety measures, which really scares me. But I really want to go back. It’s the last year. We didn’t even get to say goodbye to any of our teachers when we left last year.”
School for Indianapolis, Indiana, seventh-grader Maria Beck started July 30. The 12-year-old is attending online full time. At first, her school district was going to offer some in-person instruction, then changed its mind. There’s been a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in her area.
“I’m a big extrovert,” Maria said of missing face-to-face school. “But so far, it’s been going very well. I do hope we get to go back some day.”
Her third-grade sister, 8-year-old Felicity, said she, too, is OK with distance learning. Among the things she misses most about real school? Lunch.
“I’d be scared that I’d get sick,” she said of returning to school, “but I’d be really happy that I’d be able to go back.”


Cartoon: It's Kamala

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--2020-08-12--Trump appoints anti-LGBTQ activist to US Commission on Civil Rights

Donald Trump has appointed an anti-LGBTQ activist and writer to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights .
The Commission 's stated mission is `` to inform the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement of federal civil rights laws , '' by `` studying alleged deprivations of voting rights and alleged discrimination based on race , color , religion , sex , age , disability , or national origin , or in the administration of justice . ''
J. Christian Adams announced his appointment in a press release on Tuesday , bragging about his `` demonstrated history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of skin color '' and promising to use his `` time on the Commission to reinvigorate a broader understanding of what our great Constitution has promised is a civil right . ''
The president unilaterally gets to select four of the eight commissioners for six-year terms ; the other four are appointed by Congress .
A former Justice Department official under George W. Bush , Adams is best known for his work spreading debunked conspiracy theories about the New Black Panther Party and for serving on Trump 's failed voter suppression commission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ columnist , frequently attacking LGBTQ rights and promoting transphobia .
In an email , Adams disagreed with the assessment that his writings `` attacked inclusion , '' and asserted , `` I am an advocate of treating people with respect and dignity . ''
But his previous writing tells a different story .
August 2011 : In a column , Adams mocked a Justice Department attorney for being `` a member of GAYLAW and the Intersex Society of North America — whatever that is . ''
October 2011 : In his book `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama Justice Department , '' he expressed outrage at attempts to protect transgender kids .
The book 's official blurb notes that Adams ' revelations include , `` The Obama DOJ 's bizarre agenda , from insisting on kids ' rights to attend school dressed as transvestites , to litigating for teachers ' rights to take paid vacations to Mecca . ''
In an October 2016 tweet , he boasted his book `` Predicted radical # DOJ policies on # police # voting , # trans and # race . ''
April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Department of Justice 's `` Special Emphasis Program '' for LGBTQ outreach .
`` Tolerance and respect , these days , are apparently inadequate .
The modern Left demands more .
Stopping discrimination against gays isn ’ t enough .
Once that is accomplished , the new mission involves collective status , slogans , and using taxpayer money to institutionalize divisions among Americans , '' he lamented .
`` This is not a 'celebration of differences ' as the proponents would have you believe .
This is an organized political demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Hall , other times using less traditional methods of special-interest organizing , '' he added .
June 2013 : In a column objecting to the cost of a Department of Justice Pride Month event , Adams wrote , `` So much for the sequester crimping their style .
The Justice Department just completed an elaborate celebration of gayness , right inside the Great Hall at DOJ . ''
June 2014 : Adams again blasted the Department of Justice for hosting a `` taxpayer funded '' Pride Month celebration , deriding it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today of being gay . ''
He cited the event as proof that the `` modern left '' wants to `` publicly celebrate private choices . ''
January 2016 : After an Upstate New York wedding venue violated the state 's Human Rights Law by refusing to rent the property to a same-sex couple , Adams tweeted , `` # NYCValues : punishing # Christians who wo n't host gay wedding contrary to # religious beliefs . ''
May 2016 : When the federal government sued North Carolina over its anti-LGBTQ law preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their gender identity , Adams was outraged .
In a column , he attacked the `` radical DOJ lawyers '' behind what he called `` lawsuits aimed at North Carolina intended to create a federal civil right for men to use women ’ s bathrooms and locker rooms . ''
September 2016 : In a column titled `` Private Christian School Teaches the Joys of Transgenderism , '' Adams complained that an Alexandria , Virginia , Episcopal school was `` providing materials to students '' that taught `` 'genderqueer ' is a natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school displayed artwork in its hallways showing `` The Genderbread Person , '' a gingerbread cookie with a `` rainbow colored brain , '' `` a heart-labeled orientation , and a symbol in the genital regions labeled sex , which identifies as male , female , and both . ''
December 2017 : Adams wrote a column objecting to a bipartisan agreement to reappoint Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Commissioner Chai Feldblum .
He attacked her as a `` radical LGBT activist '' who used `` her perch to radicalize conceptions of family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which bathroom . ''
Adams also called Feldblum `` the ideological architect of all of the most radical LGBTWHATEVER agenda items of the Obama presidency : transvestites in girls locker rooms , lawless expansion of federal employment oversight , you name it . ''
In a follow-up email on Wednesday , Adams wrote : `` One of the great things that have happened in the last 15 or 20 years is that people no longer live in fear of violence like was once common , people are no longer treated like dirt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to be treated .
I also think Christians have a right not to be forced to bake cakes in ways contrary to their religious views .
That 's a civil right too . ''
He stood by his view that `` under no circumstances should males be in female locker rooms '' and his description of Feldblum as a `` radical activist , '' but he noted , `` You will never find one single quote from me criticizing someone from being gay or anything like that . ''
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry for this story .
The Supreme Court ruled in June , by a 6-3 vote , that the Civil Rights Act 's prohibition on sex discrimination applies to sexual orientation and gender identity .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has appointed an anti-LGBTQ activist and writer to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
The Commission’s stated mission is “to inform the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement of federal civil rights laws,” by “studying alleged deprivations of voting rights and alleged discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of justice.”
J. Christian Adams announced his appointment in a press release on Tuesday, bragging about his “demonstrated history of defending the civil rights of Americans regardless of skin color” and promising to use his “time on the Commission to reinvigorate a broader understanding of what our great Constitution has promised is a civil right.”
The president unilaterally gets to select four of the eight commissioners for six-year terms; the other four are appointed by Congress.
A former Justice Department official under George W. Bush, Adams is best known for his work spreading debunked conspiracy theories about the New Black Panther Party and for serving on Trump’s failed voter suppression commission.
He has also worked as a conservative columnist, frequently attacking LGBTQ rights and promoting transphobia.
In an email, Adams disagreed with the assessment that his writings “attacked inclusion,” and asserted, “I am an advocate of treating people with respect and dignity.”
But his previous writing tells a different story.
August 2011: In a column, Adams mocked a Justice Department attorney for being “a member of GAYLAW and the Intersex Society of North America — whatever that is.”
October 2011: In his book “Injustice: Exposing the Radical Agenda of the Obama Justice Department,” he expressed outrage at attempts to protect transgender kids.
The book’s official blurb notes that Adams’ revelations include, “The Obama DOJ’s bizarre agenda, from insisting on kids’ rights to attend school dressed as transvestites, to litigating for teachers’ rights to take paid vacations to Mecca.”
In an October 2016 tweet, he boasted his book “Predicted radical #DOJ policies on #police #voting, #trans and #race.”
April 2013: Adams penned a column objecting to the Department of Justice’s “Special Emphasis Program” for LGBTQ outreach. “Tolerance and respect, these days, are apparently inadequate. The modern Left demands more. Stopping discrimination against gays isn’t enough. Once that is accomplished, the new mission involves collective status, slogans, and using taxpayer money to institutionalize divisions among Americans,” he lamented.
“This is not a ‘celebration of differences’ as the proponents would have you believe. This is an organized political demonstration, sometimes using large gatherings in the Great Hall, other times using less traditional methods of special-interest organizing,” he added.
June 2013: In a column objecting to the cost of a Department of Justice Pride Month event, Adams wrote, “So much for the sequester crimping their style. The Justice Department just completed an elaborate celebration of gayness, right inside the Great Hall at DOJ.”
June 2014: Adams again blasted the Department of Justice for hosting a “taxpayer funded” Pride Month celebration, deriding it in a column as “a grand celebration today of being gay.” He cited the event as proof that the “modern left” wants to “publicly celebrate private choices.”
January 2016: After an Upstate New York wedding venue violated the state’s Human Rights Law by refusing to rent the property to a same-sex couple, Adams tweeted, “#NYCValues: punishing #Christians who won’t host gay wedding contrary to #religious beliefs.”
May 2016: When the federal government sued North Carolina over its anti-LGBTQ law preventing transgender people from accessing the bathrooms of their gender identity, Adams was outraged. In a column, he attacked the “radical DOJ lawyers” behind what he called “lawsuits aimed at North Carolina intended to create a federal civil right for men to use women’s bathrooms and locker rooms.”
September 2016: In a column titled “Private Christian School Teaches the Joys of Transgenderism,” Adams complained that an Alexandria, Virginia, Episcopal school was “providing materials to students” that taught “‘genderqueer’ is a natural self-identity.”
He added that the school displayed artwork in its hallways showing “The Genderbread Person,” a gingerbread cookie with a “rainbow colored brain,” “a heart-labeled orientation, and a symbol in the genital regions labeled sex, which identifies as male, female, and both.”
December 2017: Adams wrote a column objecting to a bipartisan agreement to reappoint Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Commissioner Chai Feldblum. He attacked her as a “radical LGBT activist” who used “her perch to radicalize conceptions of family, gender, and who should be in which bathroom.”
Adams also called Feldblum “the ideological architect of all of the most radical LGBTWHATEVER agenda items of the Obama presidency: transvestites in girls locker rooms, lawless expansion of federal employment oversight, you name it.”
In a follow-up email on Wednesday, Adams wrote: “One of the great things that have happened in the last 15 or 20 years is that people no longer live in fear of violence like was once common, people are no longer treated like dirt. I prefer people to be treated like they want to be treated. I also think Christians have a right not to be forced to bake cakes in ways contrary to their religious views. That’s a civil right too.”
He stood by his view that “under no circumstances should males be in female locker rooms” and his description of Feldblum as a “radical activist,” but he noted, “You will never find one single quote from me criticizing someone from being gay or anything like that.”
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
The Supreme Court ruled in June, by a 6-3 vote, that the Civil Rights Act’s prohibition on sex discrimination applies to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.