shareblue--2020-07-27--Teachers union: Opening schools too early is 'harmful to military readiness'

A teachers union warned the Department of Defense against reopening schools too soon , saying such action threatens the health of students and puts military readiness at risk .
On Tuesday , the Federal Education Association wrote that reopening schools for in-person instruction at the beginning of the school year `` presents unacceptable health and safety risks to students , employees , and their families '' in a letter to Tom Brady , director of the Department of Defense Education Activity .
`` We realize the important role DoDEA schools play in support of the military but a physical reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students and employees into spreaders of the virus – which would be incredibly harmful to military readiness , '' the union wrote .
Brady 's department runs 160 schools on military bases both in the United States and around the world , serving nearly 70,000 children of active duty service members and civilian staff .
The union urged Brady to opt for virtual schooling to start the year .
`` Students and spouses who become infected will bring the virus home to active military parents , thus impacting military readiness , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter .
The union also expressed concerned that Defense Department schools lacked enough personal protective equipment to reopen safely , and that schools would not follow all reopening guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment , nor did it respond to the Military Times , which first reported on the union 's letter .
`` We need to listen to our teachers and our frontline workers in the civilian world , and on these bases , '' Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government relations for VoteVets , a veterans advocacy group , said in a phone interview on Thursday .
`` If the teachers are saying it 's not safe , it 's not safe . ''
The Trump administration has pushed all schools to physically reopen this fall , with Trump himself often leading the charge .
`` Reopening our schools is also critical to ensuring that parents can go to work and provide for their families , '' Trump said on Wednesday .
In the past , Trump has threatened to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reopen for in-person learning .
`` Schools can reopen safely , and they must reopen , '' Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in early July .
`` Kids need to be in the classroom , they need to be with their peers , they need to be with their teachers , and they need to continue learning . ''
Other unions have warned about the rush to reopen without adequate funding and protective measures in place .
`` There 's a way to do this right and there 's the way Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which puts people in danger , '' Lily Eskelsen García , president of the National Education Association , said in early June .
`` Without a comprehensive plan that includes federal resources to provide for the safety of our students and educators with funding for Personal Protective Equipment , socially distanced instruction , and addressing racial inequity , we could be putting students , their families , and educators in danger , '' several education and parent groups wrote in a joint letter to Trump on July 7 .
While the administration pushes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked bipartisan concern from Congress .
`` Public health experts like those at the CDC have made clear that we need to reduce the spread of the virus and implement comprehensive preventive measures in our schools in order to reopen classrooms safely , '' Rep. Andy Levin ( D-MI ) , vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee , said Thursday in an email .
`` If the Department of Defense refuses to follow those guidelines , it can not expect to keep our service members and their children safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an issue the Committee is watching closely , '' Claude Chafin , spokesperson for Rep. Mac Thornberry ( R-TX ) , the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee , said Thursday in an email .
Chafin defended DoDEA , adding that `` it appears that the Department is taking the safety of DoDEA students and educators seriously and making responsible decisions . ''
One congressional aide noted that Congress has `` requested additional information about [ DoDEA 's ] plans for virtual and in-person instruction , '' a request that asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes but is not limited to PPE . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A teachers union warned the Department of Defense against reopening schools too soon, saying such action threatens the health of students and puts military readiness at risk.
On Tuesday, the Federal Education Association wrote that reopening schools for in-person instruction at the beginning of the school year “presents unacceptable health and safety risks to students, employees, and their families” in a letter to Tom Brady, director of the Department of Defense Education Activity.
“We realize the important role DoDEA schools play in support of the military but a physical reopening of schools under present conditions risks turning students and employees into spreaders of the virus – which would be incredibly harmful to military readiness,” the union wrote.
Brady’s department runs 160 schools on military bases both in the United States and around the world, serving nearly 70,000 children of active duty service members and civilian staff.
The union urged Brady to opt for virtual schooling to start the year.
“Students and spouses who become infected will bring the virus home to active military parents, thus impacting military readiness,” the union noted in a fact sheet accompanying the letter.
The union also expressed concerned that Defense Department schools lacked enough personal protective equipment to reopen safely, and that schools would not follow all reopening guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment, nor did it respond to the Military Times, which first reported on the union’s letter.
“We need to listen to our teachers and our frontline workers in the civilian world, and on these bases,” Will Goodwin, an Army veteran and director of government relations for VoteVets, a veterans advocacy group, said in a phone interview on Thursday. “If the teachers are saying it’s not safe, it’s not safe.”
The Trump administration has pushed all schools to physically reopen this fall, with Trump himself often leading the charge.
“Reopening our schools is also critical to ensuring that parents can go to work and provide for their families,” Trump said on Wednesday. In the past, Trump has threatened to cut off federal funding from schools that do not reopen for in-person learning.
“Schools can reopen safely, and they must reopen,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in early July. “Kids need to be in the classroom, they need to be with their peers, they need to be with their teachers, and they need to continue learning.”
Other unions have warned about the rush to reopen without adequate funding and protective measures in place.
“There’s a way to do this right and there’s the way Donald Trump is saying to do it, which puts people in danger,” Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association, said in early June.
“Without a comprehensive plan that includes federal resources to provide for the safety of our students and educators with funding for Personal Protective Equipment, socially distanced instruction, and addressing racial inequity, we could be putting students, their families, and educators in danger,” several education and parent groups wrote in a joint letter to Trump on July 7.
While the administration pushes schools to reopen, the FEA letter sparked bipartisan concern from Congress.
“Public health experts like those at the CDC have made clear that we need to reduce the spread of the virus and implement comprehensive preventive measures in our schools in order to reopen classrooms safely,” Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, said Thursday in an email.
“If the Department of Defense refuses to follow those guidelines, it cannot expect to keep our service members and their children safe,” he added.
“This is an issue the Committee is watching closely,” Claude Chafin, spokesperson for Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said Thursday in an email. Chafin defended DoDEA, adding that “it appears that the Department is taking the safety of DoDEA students and educators seriously and making responsible decisions.”
One congressional aide noted that Congress has “requested additional information about [DoDEA’s] plans for virtual and in-person instruction,” a request that asks for “plans for protective measures that includes but is not limited to PPE.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-27--39 times Trump openly promoted his own golf resorts in office

Donald Trump has used social media and public comments to promote his golf courses at least 39 times as president .
This past week , Trump got into ethical hot water yet again when it was reported that he ordered his ambassador to the United Kingdom to pressure the British government to hold the British Open tournament at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland .
Trump has denied that he did so .
But on Wednesday , Trump managed to turn even his denial into an ad for Turnberry , telling reporters , `` No , I never spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turnberry is a highly respected course , as you know , one of the best in the world . ''
In January 2016 , Trump promised during a Republican presidential debate that if he won , he would put his business interests aside and focus only on the job .
`` I built a very great company , but if I become president , I could n't care less about my company .
It 's peanuts , '' he said .
`` I have Ivanka , and Eric and Don sitting there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a good time .
I 'm going to do it for America . ''
But instead , he has frequently used his office to promote his hotels , golf resorts , and clubs .
He has spent hundreds of days at his own golf properties , held official meetings at them , and even tried to move a G-7 conference to one , keeping their names in the news and funneling hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into his companies for the logistical and security support required for the visits .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 26 times bragging about his properties or otherwise mentioning their names .
He has also made at least 13 references to his properties in speeches and interviews .
• June 26 , 2020 : Trump tweeted that he had opted not to travel to his New Jersey golf resort in the middle of a pandemic and mass anti-racist protests , saying , `` I was going to go to Bedminster , New Jersey , this weekend , but wanted to stay in Washington , D.C. to make sure LAW & ORDER is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 : Trump tweeted that he had `` Just finished dinner in Bedminster , New Jersey , with Governor Phil Murphy ( @ GovMurphy ) and his wonderful wife , Tammy . ''
• Oct. 31 , 2019 : Trump told radio host and pro-Brexit leader Nigel Farage during an interview , `` Remember I was out opening up Turnberry at the time and we had a massive amount of press , more than you would normally have for opening a club , and I said that it was going to pass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Oct. 21 , 2019 : Trump complained about opposition to his aborted scheme to host the G-7 at his Doral golf course , tweeting , `` I thought I was doing something very good for our Country by using Trump National Doral , in Miami , for hosting the G-7 Leaders .
It is big , grand , on hundreds of acres , next to MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT , has tremendous ballrooms & meeting rooms , and each delegation would have its own 50 to 70 unit building . ''
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story about a `` political fest , '' featuring Donald Trump Jr. , at the Doral .
• Sept. 9 , 2019 : Trump denied knowledge of an Air Force plane stopping over near his Scotland golf resort , tweeting , `` I know nothing about an Air Force plane landing at an airport ( which I do not own and have nothing to do with ) near Turnberry Resort ( which I do own ) in Scotland , and filling up with fuel , with the crew staying overnight at Turnberry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
• Sept. 4 , 2019 : Trump denied having any involvement in Mike Pence 's 180-mile detour during an official trip to Dublin to stay at Trump 's golf resort in Ireland , saying , `` Well , I had no involvement , other than it 's a great place .
It 's Doonbeg .
I own it .
It 's in Ireland .
It 's beautiful .
It 's wonderful .
...
I have a lot of hotels all over the place and people use them because they 're the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're the best . ''
• Aug. 27 , 2019 : Trump disputed reports of infestation at his resort , tweeting , `` No bedbugs at Doral .
The Radical Left Democrats , upon hearing that the perfectly located ( for the next G-7 ) Doral National MIAMI was under consideration for the next G-7 , spread that false and nasty rumor .
Not nice ! ''
• Aug. 26 , 2019 : Trump remarked at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron , `` I love the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
I love the UK .
I have no idea how my property is doing because I do n't care .
But I own Turnberry , and I own in Aberdeen , and I own in Ireland , as you know , Doonbeg , and great stuff . ''
• June 30 , 2019 : Trump told South Korean business leaders , `` We had , recently , the U.S. Women 's Open at my course in Bedminster , New Jersey .
And I think 9 of the top 10 finishers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ?
Nine of the top ten .
I said , 'What 's going on over here ? '
'' • July 26 , 2019 : Trump said in remarks on asylum-seekers that he travels to his New Jersey golf resort so as not to shut down Manhattan with a visit to Trump Tower , explaining , `` I go to Bedminster , which is a beautiful place , but it 's never a vacation .
It 's working , mostly .
• July 13 , 2019 : Trump retweeted his company 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • June 19 , 2019 : Trump announced via tweet that he was `` Just returning from Orlando and Doral ( Miami ) , Florida , and heading to the Oval Office . ''
• May 15 , 2019 : Trump retweeted a Trump Organization video of two professional golfers at his Ferry Point course in New York .
• March 2 , 2019 : Trump shared his company 's tweet advertising his Scottish golf resort , writing , `` Very proud of perhaps the greatest golf course anywhere in the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Feb. 2 , 2019 : Trump tweeted a photo of himself at his Jupiter , Florida , golf course with golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods .
• Aug. 31 , 2018 : Trump said in a speech on retirement savings , `` You know where my club is , right ?
Trump National .
And it 's a very big success on Lake Norman .
Beautiful .
Largest man-made lake in the world , by far .
Right ?
The electric company .
Had to be more than man-made .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for a long time . ''
• Aug. 30 , 2018 : Trump told Bloomberg News , `` I bought a lot of things when the dollar was very strong and the , you know , Ireland had crashed and Europe was crashing .
I bought a lot of great stuff , including the great Turnberry , as you know , right ? ''
• Aug. 11 , 2018 : Trump tweeted photos of `` Bikers for Trump at Bedminster earlier today . ''
• Aug. 11 , 2018 : Trump bragged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bikers for Trump just joined me at Bedminster .
Quite a scene - great people who truly love our Country ! ''
• Aug. 9 , 2018 : Trump held a prison reform roundtable at his Bedminster , New Jersey , golf resort and told attendees that it was because the White House was being renovated , claiming , `` And I said , well , I guess this would be a good place to be in the meantime .
So they 're doing a lot of work at the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be there .
But this is a good way of doing it . ''
• July 14 , 2018 : Trump announced his stop at his Scottish golf resort , tweeting , `` I have arrived in Scotland and will be at Trump Turnberry for two days of meetings , calls and hopefully , some golf - my primary form of exercise !
The weather is beautiful , and this place is incredible ! ''
• July 12 , 2018 : Trump said at a NATO summit press conference : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the meeting .
I have Turnberry in Scotland , which is a magical place — one of my favorite places . ''
• June 26 , 2018 : Trump tweeted a photo of golfer Gary Player at his Turnberry resort in Scotland .
• April 8 , 2018 : After Patrick Reed won the Masters Tournament , Trump tweeted , `` Congratulations to Patrick Reed on his great and courageous MASTERS win !
When Patrick had his amazing win at 5 years ago , people saw his great talent , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 , 2018 : Trump told interviewer Piers Morgan , `` I love the country .
I 'm in Aberdeen with a tremendous ...
I also have a great situation over in Ireland in Doonbeg over there .
And of course Turnberry ... that 's the Mona Lisa , one of the great Mona Lisas of the world in terms of sport and golf , and I own Turnberry . ''
• Dec. 29 , 2017 : Trump hosted a Coast Guard event at his Doral course in Miami .
He told attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's one of the great courses of the world as you know . ''
• Nov. 24 , 2017 : Trump tweeted that he would `` be heading over to Trump National Golf Club , Jupiter , to play golf ( quickly ) with Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson . ''
• Nov. 7 , 2017 : Trump told South Korea 's National Assembly , `` The Women 's U.S. Open was held this year at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster , New Jersey , and it just happened to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sung-hyun Park .
An eighth of the top 10 players were from Korea . ''
• Aug. 18 , 2017 : Trump tweeted that he had `` Just returned to Bedminster , NJ from Camp David . ''
• Aug. 16 , 2017 : Trump tweeted photos of himself signing a bill `` Today in Bedminster . ''
• Aug. 16 , 2017 : Trump announced in another tweet that he had `` Just landed in Bedminster , New Jersey .
# MAGA . ''
• Aug. 12 , 2017 : Trump invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live from Bedminster , New Jersey . ''
• Aug. 12 , 2017 : Trump announced in another tweet , `` Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A .
& all that we have done , and are doing , to make it better-but Charlottesville sad ! ''
• Aug. 5 , 2017 : Trump tweeted that he was , `` Working in Bedminster , N.J. , as long planned construction is being done at the White House .
This is not a vacation - meetings and calls ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced he 'd be at the U.S. Women 's Open Championship at his Bedminster property , tweeting , `` Big crowds expected & the women are playing great-should be very exciting ! ''
• May 6 , 2017 : Trump explained in a tweet , `` The reason I am staying in Bedminster , N. J. , a beautiful community , is that staying in NYC is much more expensive and disruptive . ''
• May 5 , 2017 : Trump tweeted , `` Rather than causing a big disruption in N.Y.C.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in Bedminster , N.J. this weekend .
Also saves country money ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has used social media and public comments to promote his golf courses at least 39 times as president.
This past week, Trump got into ethical hot water yet again when it was reported that he ordered his ambassador to the United Kingdom to pressure the British government to hold the British Open tournament at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Trump has denied that he did so.
But on Wednesday, Trump managed to turn even his denial into an ad for Turnberry, telling reporters, “No, I never spoke to Woody Johnson about that, about Turnberry. Turnberry is a highly respected course, as you know, one of the best in the world.”
In January 2016, Trump promised during a Republican presidential debate that if he won, he would put his business interests aside and focus only on the job. “I built a very great company, but if I become president, I couldn’t care less about my company. It’s peanuts,” he said. “I have Ivanka, and Eric and Don sitting there. Run the company, kids, have a good time. I’m going to do it for America.”
But instead, he has frequently used his office to promote his hotels, golf resorts, and clubs. He has spent hundreds of days at his own golf properties, held official meetings at them, and even tried to move a G-7 conference to one, keeping their names in the news and funneling hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into his companies for the logistical and security support required for the visits.
Since his inauguration, he has tweeted at least 26 times bragging about his properties or otherwise mentioning their names. He has also made at least 13 references to his properties in speeches and interviews.
June 26, 2020: Trump tweeted that he had opted not to travel to his New Jersey golf resort in the middle of a pandemic and mass anti-racist protests, saying, “I was going to go to Bedminster, New Jersey, this weekend, but wanted to stay in Washington, D.C. to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced.”
June 12, 2020: Trump tweeted that he had “Just finished dinner in Bedminster, New Jersey, with Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) and his wonderful wife, Tammy.”
Oct. 31, 2019: Trump told radio host and pro-Brexit leader Nigel Farage during an interview, “Remember I was out opening up Turnberry at the time and we had a massive amount of press, more than you would normally have for opening a club, and I said that it was going to pass and everybody laughed and I was right.”
Oct. 21, 2019: Trump complained about opposition to his aborted scheme to host the G-7 at his Doral golf course, tweeting, “I thought I was doing something very good for our Country by using Trump National Doral, in Miami, for hosting the G-7 Leaders. It is big, grand, on hundreds of acres, next to MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, has tremendous ballrooms & meeting rooms, and each delegation would have its own 50 to 70 unit building.”
Oct. 10, 2019: Trump retweeted a story about a “political fest,” featuring Donald Trump Jr., at the Doral.
Sept. 9, 2019: Trump denied knowledge of an Air Force plane stopping over near his Scotland golf resort, tweeting, “I know nothing about an Air Force plane landing at an airport (which I do not own and have nothing to do with) near Turnberry Resort (which I do own) in Scotland, and filling up with fuel, with the crew staying overnight at Turnberry (they have good taste!).”
Sept. 4, 2019: Trump denied having any involvement in Mike Pence’s 180-mile detour during an official trip to Dublin to stay at Trump’s golf resort in Ireland, saying, “Well, I had no involvement, other than it’s a great place. It’s Doonbeg. I own it. It’s in Ireland. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful. … I have a lot of hotels all over the place and people use them because they’re the best. I mean, you know, they’re the best.”
Aug. 27, 2019: Trump disputed reports of infestation at his resort, tweeting, “No bedbugs at Doral. The Radical Left Democrats, upon hearing that the perfectly located (for the next G-7) Doral National MIAMI was under consideration for the next G-7, spread that false and nasty rumor. Not nice!”
Aug. 26, 2019: Trump remarked at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, “I love the UK. I own great property in the UK. I love the UK. I have no idea how my property is doing because I don’t care. But I own Turnberry, and I own in Aberdeen, and I own in Ireland, as you know, Doonbeg, and great stuff.”
June 30, 2019: Trump told South Korean business leaders, “We had, recently, the U.S. Women’s Open at my course in Bedminster, New Jersey. And I think 9 of the top 10 finishers were from South Korea. Do you know that? Nine of the top ten. I said, ‘What’s going on over here?'”
July 26, 2019: Trump said in remarks on asylum-seekers that he travels to his New Jersey golf resort so as not to shut down Manhattan with a visit to Trump Tower, explaining, “I go to Bedminster, which is a beautiful place, but it’s never a vacation. It’s working, mostly.
July 13, 2019: Trump retweeted his company’s ad for three Trump golf courses.
June 19, 2019: Trump announced via tweet that he was “Just returning from Orlando and Doral (Miami), Florida, and heading to the Oval Office.”
May 15, 2019: Trump retweeted a Trump Organization video of two professional golfers at his Ferry Point course in New York.
March 2, 2019: Trump shared his company’s tweet advertising his Scottish golf resort, writing, “Very proud of perhaps the greatest golf course anywhere in the world. Also, furthers U.K. relationship!”
Feb. 2, 2019: Trump tweeted a photo of himself at his Jupiter, Florida, golf course with golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Aug. 31, 2018: Trump said in a speech on retirement savings, “You know where my club is, right? Trump National. And it’s a very big success on Lake Norman. Beautiful. Largest man-made lake in the world, by far. Right? The electric company. Had to be more than man-made. That was made with a lot of money for a long time.”
Aug. 30, 2018: Trump told Bloomberg News, “I bought a lot of things when the dollar was very strong and the, you know, Ireland had crashed and Europe was crashing. I bought a lot of great stuff, including the great Turnberry, as you know, right?”
Aug. 11, 2018: Trump tweeted photos of “Bikers for Trump at Bedminster earlier today.”
Aug. 11, 2018: Trump bragged in another tweet, “Hundreds of Bikers for Trump just joined me at Bedminster. Quite a scene – great people who truly love our Country!”
Aug. 9, 2018: Trump held a prison reform roundtable at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf resort and told attendees that it was because the White House was being renovated, claiming, “And I said, well, I guess this would be a good place to be in the meantime. So they’re doing a lot of work at the White House. I miss it. I would like to be there. But this is a good way of doing it.”
July 14, 2018: Trump announced his stop at his Scottish golf resort, tweeting, “I have arrived in Scotland and will be at Trump Turnberry for two days of meetings, calls and hopefully, some golf – my primary form of exercise! The weather is beautiful, and this place is incredible!”
July 12, 2018: Trump said at a NATO summit press conference: “I’m going to Scotland while I wait for the meeting. I have Turnberry in Scotland, which is a magical place — one of my favorite places.”
June 26, 2018: Trump tweeted a photo of golfer Gary Player at his Turnberry resort in Scotland.
April 8, 2018: After Patrick Reed won the Masters Tournament, Trump tweeted, “Congratulations to Patrick Reed on his great and courageous MASTERS win! When Patrick had his amazing win at Doral 5 years ago, people saw his great talent, and a bright future ahead.”
Jan. 28, 2018: Trump told interviewer Piers Morgan, “I love the country. I’m in Aberdeen with a tremendous … I also have a great situation over in Ireland in Doonbeg over there. And of course Turnberry … that’s the Mona Lisa, one of the great Mona Lisas of the world in terms of sport and golf, and I own Turnberry.”
Dec. 29, 2017: Trump hosted a Coast Guard event at his Doral course in Miami. He told attendees, “So enjoy the course. It’s one of the great courses of the world as you know.”
Nov. 24, 2017: Trump tweeted that he would “be heading over to Trump National Golf Club, Jupiter, to play golf (quickly) with Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson.”
Nov. 7, 2017: Trump told South Korea’s National Assembly, “The Women’s U.S. Open was held this year at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and it just happened to be won by a great Korean golfer, Sung-hyun Park. An eighth of the top 10 players were from Korea.”
Aug. 18, 2017: Trump tweeted that he had “Just returned to Bedminster, NJ from Camp David.”
Aug. 16, 2017: Trump tweeted photos of himself signing a bill “Today in Bedminster.”
Aug. 16, 2017: Trump announced in another tweet that he had “Just landed in Bedminster, New Jersey. #MAGA.”
Aug. 12, 2017: Trump invited his Twitter followers to join him “live from Bedminster, New Jersey.”
Aug. 12, 2017: Trump announced in another tweet, “Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A. & all that we have done, and are doing, to make it better-but Charlottesville sad!”
Aug. 5, 2017: Trump tweeted that he was, “Working in Bedminster, N.J., as long planned construction is being done at the White House. This is not a vacation – meetings and calls!”
July 14, 2017: Trump announced he’d be at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at his Bedminster property, tweeting, “Big crowds expected & the women are playing great-should be very exciting!”
May 6, 2017: Trump explained in a tweet, “The reason I am staying in Bedminster, N. J., a beautiful community, is that staying in NYC is much more expensive and disruptive.”
May 5, 2017: Trump tweeted, “Rather than causing a big disruption in N.Y.C., I will be working out of my home in Bedminster, N.J. this weekend. Also saves country money!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: MAGA Busy

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--2020-07-28--GOP senators try to run from FBI funding they put in new relief bill to appease Trump

A day after Republicans released their long-awaited coronavirus relief bill , GOP senators are already complaining about unrelated funding measures in it , including $ 1.75 billion demanded by the White House to build a new FBI headquarters in Washington , D.C. '' That makes no sense to me , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) said on Tuesday .
He added he would be `` fine '' if the FBI funds were taken out .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared confused about the funding when asked about it by reporters on Monday .
`` I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said during a press conference about the legislation .
McConnell later deflected responsibility for the language in his own bill , saying that the Trump administration had insisted on the provision , and `` they will have to answer the question as to why they insisted on that . ''
The content of the bill was negotiated by Senate Republicans and the White House , without input from Democratic members .
According to the Washington Post , Republican lawmakers initially resisted the White House 's repeated demands the FBI funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the provision in the final legislation .
According to the Post , Democrats have claimed Trump is acting in his own self-interest by pushing for the provision , allegedly preventing a competing hotel from potentially being built where the current FBI headquarters are located — just down the road from the Trump International Hotel .
The White House has denied Trump is functioning with his own business interests in mind .
`` As President Trump has said , the FBI desperately needs a new building and this measure provides critical funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibly near the Department of Justice , '' Judd Deere , a White House spokesperson , told the Post on Monday .
Despite his apparent agreement with the White House , McConnell told reporters on Tuesday that he opposed the funding .
`` I am opposed to non-germane amendments whether it ’ s funding for the FBI building … When we get to the end of the process I would hope all of the non-COVID-related measures are out , '' McConnell said .
In addition to funding for the FBI building , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act — would provide $ 30 billion in additional military spending .
And while the previous coronavirus relief package provided an additional $ 600 per week in unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs as a result of the virus , the Republican proposal cuts that amount to $ 200 per week .
The bill is meant to be `` just the first step toward negotiations with the Democrats , '' one Republican congressional aide wrote in an email on Tuesday .
But the seemingly unrelated funding in the bill has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are a hundred problems with the plan , '' Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) told a reporter on Tuesday when asked about the funding for the FBI headquarters .
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming told a reporter on Tuesday that money for the FBI building was `` better handled through the regular appropriations process , '' not in an emergency bill .
When a reporter asked Sen. Richard Shelby , chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee , how a new FBI headquarters was related to coronavirus relief , Shelby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that some parts of the bill `` stretch the link '' of being related to the current pandemic .
When the Democratic-led House passed a coronavirus relief package in May , Republicans attacked it for containing unrelated funding priorities .
The bill was `` a liberal wish list , '' McConnell said on May 16 , adding it was `` an unserious product from an unserious majority . ''
Shortly before the House passed that bill , McConnell said that there was no sense of `` urgency '' to act quickly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next two months , the Senate did not pass any additional relief bills .
Because of McConnell 's delay , the enhanced unemployment assistance from the previous relief package will expire at the end of July , leaving millions of Americans without the additional help in the middle of both a pandemic and a recession .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A day after Republicans released their long-awaited coronavirus relief bill, GOP senators are already complaining about unrelated funding measures in it, including $1.75 billion demanded by the White House to build a new FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“That makes no sense to me,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on Tuesday. He added he would be “fine” if the FBI funds were taken out.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared confused about the funding when asked about it by reporters on Monday.
“I’m not sure that it is [included],” he said during a press conference about the legislation. McConnell later deflected responsibility for the language in his own bill, saying that the Trump administration had insisted on the provision, and “they will have to answer the question as to why they insisted on that.”
The content of the bill was negotiated by Senate Republicans and the White House, without input from Democratic members. According to the Washington Post, Republican lawmakers initially resisted the White House’s repeated demands the FBI funds be included, but eventually relented, including the provision in the final legislation.
According to the Post, Democrats have claimed Trump is acting in his own self-interest by pushing for the provision, allegedly preventing a competing hotel from potentially being built where the current FBI headquarters are located — just down the road from the Trump International Hotel.
The White House has denied Trump is functioning with his own business interests in mind. “As President Trump has said, the FBI desperately needs a new building and this measure provides critical funding for this project that would keep the building responsibly near the Department of Justice,” Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, told the Post on Monday.
Despite his apparent agreement with the White House, McConnell told reporters on Tuesday that he opposed the funding.
“I am opposed to non-germane amendments whether it’s funding for the FBI building … When we get to the end of the process I would hope all of the non-COVID-related measures are out,” McConnell said.
In addition to funding for the FBI building, the GOP legislation — known as the HEALS Act — would provide $30 billion in additional military spending. And while the previous coronavirus relief package provided an additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs as a result of the virus, the Republican proposal cuts that amount to $200 per week.
The bill is meant to be “just the first step toward negotiations with the Democrats,” one Republican congressional aide wrote in an email on Tuesday.
But the seemingly unrelated funding in the bill has rankled Republican senators before negotiations even start.
“There are a hundred problems with the plan,” Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) told a reporter on Tuesday when asked about the funding for the FBI headquarters.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming told a reporter on Tuesday that money for the FBI building was “better handled through the regular appropriations process,” not in an emergency bill.
When a reporter asked Sen. Richard Shelby, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, how a new FBI headquarters was related to coronavirus relief, Shelby responded, “Good question,” adding that some parts of the bill “stretch the link” of being related to the current pandemic.
When the Democratic-led House passed a coronavirus relief package in May, Republicans attacked it for containing unrelated funding priorities.
The bill was “a liberal wish list,” McConnell said on May 16, adding it was “an unserious product from an unserious majority.”
Shortly before the House passed that bill, McConnell said that there was no sense of “urgency” to act quickly on additional coronavirus relief efforts. For the next two months, the Senate did not pass any additional relief bills.
Because of McConnell’s delay, the enhanced unemployment assistance from the previous relief package will expire at the end of July, leaving millions of Americans without the additional help in the middle of both a pandemic and a recession.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Watchdog group: Trump campaign hid $170 million of spending in violation of election law

Donald Trump 's reelection effort allegedly hid nearly $ 170 million in spending from mandatory public disclosure by routing payments through companies tied to his former campaign manager , a government oversight group said Tuesday .
The use of firms linked to former campaign manager Brad Parscale masked the ultimate recipients of the money , which the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center described as a `` laundering '' effort that violates election law , according to a complaint the group filed with the Federal Elections Commission .
Trump communications director Tim Murtaugh disputed the allegations and said the `` campaign complies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations . ''
Most of the payments by Trump 's campaign committees were made to American Made Media Consultants , which has received at least $ 177 million since 2018 , according to FEC records .
The other firm , Parscale Strategy , has collected at least $ 32 million during that period , the records show .
The campaign said that American Made Media Consultants was formed to purchase advertising directly — and save money by not relying on middlemen .
But records show the company instead acted as a clearinghouse for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which it was ostensibly created to avoid , the complaint states .
In at least two cases , outside firms owned by Trump 's digital director Gary Coby appeared to have been the firm tapped to make purchases or develop digital communication products , though there is no record of payments made to Coby in Trump 's campaign finance disclosures , according to the complaint .
Meanwhile , Parscale Strategy has been used to pay the salaries of some Trump reelection officials , including Lara Trump , the wife of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girlfriend of Trump 's eldest son , Don Jr. , the complaint states .
In a statement , Murtaugh did not address salaries paid through Parscale Strategies .
But he said that America Made Media Consultants is not paid a fee and does not earn a commission .
`` It builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors , '' Murtaugh said .
`` The campaign reports all payments to AMMC as required by the FEC . ''
Brendan Fischer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center , said the campaign is improperly avoiding mandatory disclosure .
`` This illegal conduit scheme leaves voters in the dark about the entities working for the Trump campaign , the nature of their services , and the full amount they are paid , '' said Brendan Fischer , an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center .
`` We do n't know all of what is being hidden by this scheme , but we do know that it violates the law . ''
In any event , it 's unlikely that the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FEC before the election .
The federal agency can take years to address complaints , and it often deadlocks along partisan lines .
Earlier this month , one longtime commissioner announced she was stepping down , denying the FEC enough members to legally meet to conduct business .
The Wall Street Journal first reported that the complaint was filed .

Donald Trump’s reelection effort allegedly hid nearly $170 million in spending from mandatory public disclosure by routing payments through companies tied to his former campaign manager, a government oversight group said Tuesday.
The use of firms linked to former campaign manager Brad Parscale masked the ultimate recipients of the money, which the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center described as a “laundering” effort that violates election law, according to a complaint the group filed with the Federal Elections Commission.
Trump communications director Tim Murtaugh disputed the allegations and said the “campaign complies with all campaign finance laws and FEC regulations.”
Most of the payments by Trump’s campaign committees were made to American Made Media Consultants, which has received at least $177 million since 2018, according to FEC records. The other firm, Parscale Strategy, has collected at least $32 million during that period, the records show.
The campaign said that American Made Media Consultants was formed to purchase advertising directly — and save money by not relying on middlemen. But records show the company instead acted as a clearinghouse for spending, while still using third-party vendors, which it was ostensibly created to avoid, the complaint states.
In at least two cases, outside firms owned by Trump’s digital director Gary Coby appeared to have been the firm tapped to make purchases or develop digital communication products, though there is no record of payments made to Coby in Trump’s campaign finance disclosures, according to the complaint.
Meanwhile, Parscale Strategy has been used to pay the salaries of some Trump reelection officials, including Lara Trump, the wife of Trump’s son Eric, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr., the complaint states.
In a statement, Murtaugh did not address salaries paid through Parscale Strategies. But he said that America Made Media Consultants is not paid a fee and does not earn a commission.
“It builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors,” Murtaugh said. “The campaign reports all payments to AMMC as required by the FEC.”
Brendan Fischer, an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center, said the campaign is improperly avoiding mandatory disclosure.
“This illegal conduit scheme leaves voters in the dark about the entities working for the Trump campaign, the nature of their services, and the full amount they are paid,” said Brendan Fischer, an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center. “We don’t know all of what is being hidden by this scheme, but we do know that it violates the law.”
In any event, it’s unlikely that the group’s complaint will be taken up by the FEC before the election. The federal agency can take years to address complaints, and it often deadlocks along partisan lines.
Earlier this month, one longtime commissioner announced she was stepping down, denying the FEC enough members to legally meet to conduct business.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that the complaint was filed.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Coronavirus is making kids sick no matter what Republicans claim

Donald Trump and his Republican allies repeatedly downplayed the risk of children catching or transmitting the coronavirus , in their push to reopen schools this fall .
But recent studies and rising numbers show it is a more dangerous problem than they care to admit .
Trump has for months promoted false claims that kids are virtually immune to the coronavirus and do not spread it .
On June 22 , he complained to Fox News that kids who test positive are inflating the case counts .
`` So they can test a kid who 's got sniffles and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours because you know , the young kids have done unbelievably well . ''
He made similar claims in an interview that same day with the Christian Broadcasting Network .
`` And again , '' he said , `` we have kids with sniffles and all of a sudden we report a case and there are no danger whatsoever . ''
On July 15 , he told a local television station , `` [ W ] e do want to get our schools open .
You know , it has virtually no impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than we are that 's all .
Their immune system or whatever it may be .
But we want the schools open . ''
Last Wednesday , Trump claimed in a press briefing that `` when you look at the statistics I just read , having to do with children and — and safety , they ’ re very impressive .
They have very strong immune systems . ''
He claimed that `` they do n't transmit very easily .
And a lot of people are saying they don ’ t transmit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
... that they don ’ t bring it home with them . ''
A day later he told Barstool Sports that kids have `` a stronger immune system '' even than his own , so it was fine to reopen schools .
`` It 's amazing .
You look at the percentage , it 's a tiny percentage of 1 % .
And in that one case , I mean , I looked at a couple of cases .
If you have diabetes , if you have , you know , problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in great shape .
So we want to open the schools and we 're opening the country , and we had great numbers announced the other day ... '' The facts are not on Trump 's side .
At least one minor , a 17-year-old in Texas , has died so far after becoming infected with the virus .
Some 550 children under age 10 have tested positive in that state alone .
Similar reports from across the country indicate that the infection rate among minors is of growing concern .
Megan Tschudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Medicine , told National Geographic last week that the initial low rates of coronavirus cases among children could be attributed to early school closures , rather that immunity .
`` In the beginning of the pandemic , there was so little that was known for all ages .
It was assumed that all ages might be equally affected , and there was a huge amount of preparation , ” she said , adding that infected kids who did not show known symptoms were likely untested .
The Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection among those under the age of 18 to be about 7.1 % .
In California and Mississippi , kids may account for about a tenth of all COVID-19 cases .
In Florida , the number of kids who 've been hospitalized or tested positive for coronavirus has surged in recent weeks .
Between July 16 and July 24 , the total number of kids 17 and under who tested positive in the state rose from 23,170 to 31,150 — a more than one-third increase in just eight days .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that period , to 303 total .
Approximately one in three tests performed on children are now coming back positive .
Outbreaks have also been reported at summer camps in Arkansas , Georgia , Missouri , and South Dakota .
More than 1,300 cases from child care facilities have been reported in Texas , affecting some 894 staff members and 441 kids .
While initial symptoms in kids often appear milder that adults , a small number have developed a potentially deadly condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children .
University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told National Geographic that the disease `` leaves lasting scars on the lungs , and can lead to more severe illness down the line , '' but added that `` those kinds of things will have to be studied on a more long-term basis with children who have recovered from the disease . ''
And while a recent study in South Korea showed that younger kids spread the coronavirus less than adults , it found children 10 and older spread it just as often .
Trump is not alone in making baselss claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other prominent conservative officials have pushed similar lies in their effort to force schools to reopen , against expert advice .
`` More and more studies show that kids are actually stoppers of the disease and they do n't get it and transmit it themselves , '' Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a July 16 radio interview .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , who has demanded all of his state 's schools reopen this fall , amid a massive spike in cases , said this month , `` The risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CDC will show statistics under 18 much more likely to be hospitalized for seasonal influenza than for this .
Fatality rate is higher for seasonal influenza amongst under 18 than this has proven to be . ''
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , who also wants to reopen schools despite the ongoing pandemic , likened the threat a few weeks ago to a mild stomach illness .
`` We 're going to have cases that break out in schools , either with personnel or perhaps students , just like you do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything else , '' he told reporters on July 17 .
`` Our schools know how to handle those situations . ''
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) also backed reopening , saying last month that children are at a low risk of serious COVID-19 side effects .
`` I think it would be crazy to not completely open up our school systems , '' he argued .
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) falsely claimed earlier this month that `` The good news is , if you look at the numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has died of coronavirus , '' adding that `` we still don ’ t know whether children can get it and transmit it to others . ''
A recent survey found that that parents are worried , despite those assertions .
Nearly two-thirds of those polled by the Kaiser Family Foundation said they would prefer schools open later `` to ensure the risk of getting coronavirus is as low as possible . ''
Just 34 % preferred that they open sooner `` so parents can work and students wo n't miss out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Still , Trump is continuing to demand a full reopening in just a few weeks , even as he himself reworks his own plans to avoid the virus .
Last Thursday , Trump announced that he was cancelling his planned in-person Republican National Convention in Jacksonville , Florida , which has seen an uptick in reported cases in recent weeks , to `` protect the American people . ''
Moments later , he opined , `` We believe many school districts can now reopen safely , provided they implement mitigation measures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers , and to protect students . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump and his Republican allies repeatedly downplayed the risk of children catching or transmitting the coronavirus, in their push to reopen schools this fall. But recent studies and rising numbers show it is a more dangerous problem than they care to admit.
Trump has for months promoted false claims that kids are virtually immune to the coronavirus and do not spread it.
On June 22, he complained to Fox News that kids who test positive are inflating the case counts. “So they can test a kid who’s got sniffles and is going to be better in about two hours because you know, the young kids have done unbelievably well.”
He made similar claims in an interview that same day with the Christian Broadcasting Network. “And again,” he said, “we have kids with sniffles and all of a sudden we report a case and there are no danger whatsoever.”
On July 15, he told a local television station, “[W]e do want to get our schools open. You know, it has virtually no impact on children. They’re just stronger than we are that’s all. Their immune system or whatever it may be. But we want the schools open.”
Last Wednesday, Trump claimed in a press briefing that “when you look at the statistics I just read, having to do with children and — and safety, they’re very impressive. They have very strong immune systems.”
He claimed that “they don’t transmit very easily. And a lot of people are saying they don’t transmit, and we’re looking at that. … that they don’t bring it home with them.”
A day later he told Barstool Sports that kids have “a stronger immune system” even than his own, so it was fine to reopen schools.
“It’s amazing. You look at the percentage, it’s a tiny percentage of 1%. And in that one case, I mean, I looked at a couple of cases. If you have diabetes, if you have, you know, problems with something, but the kids are in great shape. So we want to open the schools and we’re opening the country, and we had great numbers announced the other day…”
The facts are not on Trump’s side.
At least one minor, a 17-year-old in Texas, has died so far after becoming infected with the virus. Some 550 children under age 10 have tested positive in that state alone.
Similar reports from across the country indicate that the infection rate among minors is of growing concern.
Megan Tschudy, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told National Geographic last week that the initial low rates of coronavirus cases among children could be attributed to early school closures, rather that immunity.
“In the beginning of the pandemic, there was so little that was known for all ages. It was assumed that all ages might be equally affected, and there was a huge amount of preparation,” she said, adding that infected kids who did not show known symptoms were likely untested.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates the rate of infection among those under the age of 18 to be about 7.1%. In California and Mississippi, kids may account for about a tenth of all COVID-19 cases.
In Florida, the number of kids who’ve been hospitalized or tested positive for coronavirus has surged in recent weeks. Between July 16 and July 24, the total number of kids 17 and under who tested positive in the state rose from 23,170 to 31,150 — a more than one-third increase in just eight days.
The number of child hospitalizations also rose by 23% in that period, to 303 total. Approximately one in three tests performed on children are now coming back positive.
Outbreaks have also been reported at summer camps in Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, and South Dakota. More than 1,300 cases from child care facilities have been reported in Texas, affecting some 894 staff members and 441 kids.
While initial symptoms in kids often appear milder that adults, a small number have developed a potentially deadly condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill epidemiologist Rachel Graham told National Geographic that the disease “leaves lasting scars on the lungs, and can lead to more severe illness down the line,” but added that “those kinds of things will have to be studied on a more long-term basis with children who have recovered from the disease.”
And while a recent study in South Korea showed that younger kids spread the coronavirus less than adults, it found children 10 and older spread it just as often.
Trump is not alone in making baselss claims about the virus’ effect on children. Other prominent conservative officials have pushed similar lies in their effort to force schools to reopen, against expert advice.
“More and more studies show that kids are actually stoppers of the disease and they don’t get it and transmit it themselves,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a July 16 radio interview.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has demanded all of his state’s schools reopen this fall, amid a massive spike in cases, said this month, “The risk of corona for students is incredibly low. CDC will show statistics under 18 much more likely to be hospitalized for seasonal influenza than for this. Fatality rate is higher for seasonal influenza amongst under 18 than this has proven to be.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who also wants to reopen schools despite the ongoing pandemic, likened the threat a few weeks ago to a mild stomach illness. “We’re going to have cases that break out in schools, either with personnel or perhaps students, just like you do with a stomach bug or a flu or anything else,” he told reporters on July 17. “Our schools know how to handle those situations.”
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also backed reopening, saying last month that children are at a low risk of serious COVID-19 side effects. “I think it would be crazy to not completely open up our school systems,” he argued.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) falsely claimed earlier this month that “The good news is, if you look at the numbers, no one under the age of 20 has died of coronavirus,” adding that “we still don’t know whether children can get it and transmit it to others.”
A recent survey found that that parents are worried, despite those assertions. Nearly two-thirds of those polled by the Kaiser Family Foundation said they would prefer schools open later “to ensure the risk of getting coronavirus is as low as possible.” Just 34% preferred that they open sooner “so parents can work and students won’t miss out on learning and other services schools provide.”
Still, Trump is continuing to demand a full reopening in just a few weeks, even as he himself reworks his own plans to avoid the virus.
Last Thursday, Trump announced that he was cancelling his planned in-person Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, which has seen an uptick in reported cases in recent weeks, to “protect the American people.”
Moments later, he opined, “We believe many school districts can now reopen safely, provided they implement mitigation measures and health protocols to protect families, protect teachers, and to protect students.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Jim Jordan claims federal agents brought in to fight graffiti saved Portland courthouse

Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) suggested a federal courthouse in Portland , Oregon , would n't be standing today if Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr had n't sent in federal agents to tear gas and abduct protesters off the streets .
Jordan made the comments during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday , in which Democrats sought to question Barr about his politicization of the Department of Justice and his attempt to use the legal system to help Trump .
`` Would the federal building in Portland be standing today if you had not deployed federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't think so , '' Barr replied , saying there had been `` multiple attempts to set it on fire . ''
During the hearing , Democrats excoriated Barr for sending in federal agents to disperse protesters in Portland who are demanding racial justice in the wake of George Floyd 's death .
The Trump administration called in those agents after Trump signed an executive order in late June to protect federal properties .
The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo justifying their presence in Portland that included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Kate Brown said the presence of federal agents — some of whom abducted peaceful protesters off the streets — were only causing a backlash that could lead to real violence .
`` Trump is looking for a confrontation in Oregon in the hopes of winning political points in Ohio or Iowa , '' Brown , a Democrat , tweeted , adding that the Trump administration is `` on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes . ''
It was n't the first time Jordan sought to defend Barr for using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
Earlier in the hearing , Jordan defended Barr 's decision to send in federal agents and military police to tear gas peaceful protesters in front of the White House — all so Trump could take a photo-op with a Bible across the street .
`` Would St. John 's Church be standing today if you had n't taken action ? ''
Jordan asked Barr .
While the church faced some instances of graffiti , it was not under attack when Barr had protesters tear-gassed .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water and snacks to protesters before they were shooed off the property for Trump 's photo-op .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) suggested a federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon, wouldn’t be standing today if Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr hadn’t sent in federal agents to tear gas and abduct protesters off the streets.
Jordan made the comments during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, in which Democrats sought to question Barr about his politicization of the Department of Justice and his attempt to use the legal system to help Trump.
“Would the federal building in Portland be standing today if you had not deployed federal law enforcement?” Jordan asked Barr.
“I don’t think so,” Barr replied, saying there had been “multiple attempts to set it on fire.”
During the hearing, Democrats excoriated Barr for sending in federal agents to disperse protesters in Portland who are demanding racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The Trump administration called in those agents after Trump signed an executive order in late June to protect federal properties. The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo justifying their presence in Portland that included mostly graffiti incidents.
Atty General Barr just said under oath that without his law enforcement agents, this building would have been destroyed by rioters. pic.twitter.com/SCIHfuIGaN — Peter Sagal (@petersagal) July 28, 2020
However, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said the presence of federal agents — some of whom abducted peaceful protesters off the streets — were only causing a backlash that could lead to real violence.
“Trump is looking for a confrontation in Oregon in the hopes of winning political points in Ohio or Iowa,” Brown, a Democrat, tweeted, adding that the Trump administration is “on a mission to provoke confrontation for political purposes.”
It wasn’t the first time Jordan sought to defend Barr for using federal agents to wage violence against protesters in the United States.
Earlier in the hearing, Jordan defended Barr’s decision to send in federal agents and military police to tear gas peaceful protesters in front of the White House — all so Trump could take a photo-op with a Bible across the street.
“Would St. John’s Church be standing today if you hadn’t taken action?” Jordan asked Barr.
While the church faced some instances of graffiti, it was not under attack when Barr had protesters tear-gassed.
In fact, clergy at the church were handing out water and snacks to protesters before they were shooed off the property for Trump’s photo-op.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Barr testifies he doesn't read Trump's tweets — months after complaining about them

Attorney General William Barr testified to Congress on Tuesday that he does not read Donald Trump 's tweets .
But in February , Barr criticized Trump for tweeting about Department of Justice issues , making it clear he does read the tweets .
`` I think it 's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases , '' Barr told ABC News , referring to Trump .
Barr also said Trump 's tweets `` make it impossible for me to do my job . ''
`` I can not do my job here at the department with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Barr said .
The comments were made after prosecutors recommended a 9-year sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone .
Trump later commuted Stone 's sentence .
REP. ERIC SWALWELL ( D-CA ) : Are you familiar with the December 3 , 2018 , tweet , where Donald Trump said Roger Stone had shown `` guts '' by not testifying against him ?
WILLIAM BARR : No , I 'm not familiar with that .
SWALWELL : Well , there 's a lot of evidence in the president 's tweets , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start reading them .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Attorney General William Barr testified to Congress on Tuesday that he does not read Donald Trump’s tweets.
But in February, Barr criticized Trump for tweeting about Department of Justice issues, making it clear he does read the tweets.
“I think it’s time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,” Barr told ABC News, referring to Trump. Barr also said Trump’s tweets “make it impossible for me to do my job.”
“I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me,” Barr said.
The comments were made after prosecutors recommended a 9-year sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone. Trump later commuted Stone’s sentence.
From a July 28 congressional hearing:
REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): Are you familiar with the December 3, 2018, tweet, where Donald Trump said Roger Stone had shown “guts” by not testifying against him? WILLIAM BARR: No, I’m not familiar with that. SWALWELL: You don’t read the president’s tweets? BARR: No. SWALWELL: Well, there’s a lot of evidence in the president’s tweets, Mr. Attorney General. I think you should start reading them.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Barr says Trump's friends 'don't deserve special breaks.' Here are 6 who got them.

Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday sought to defend his politicization of the Department of Justice , wrongly claiming that he 's intervened in cases against Trump 's friends and allies to `` restore the rule of law '' rather than sully it .
`` I agree the president 's friends do n't deserve special breaks .
But they also do n't deserve to be treated more harshly than other people , '' Barr said Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing into Barr 's politicization of the Department of Justice .
Barr was speaking about his decision to drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Michael Flynn — who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Barr was slammed as `` blatantly corrupt '' for intervening on Flynn 's behalf , after Trump and Trump allies advocated for such action .
Barr also intervened to recommend a lighter sentence for longtime Trump confidante Roger Stone , who was ultimately sentenced to 40 months in prison for seven counts of obstruction of justice , witness tampering , and lying to Congress .
Barr 's comment that Trump 's friends `` do n't deserve special breaks '' flies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred during Trump 's tenure , when Trump 's friends , supporters , and those who praise him on Fox News have received pardons or commutations for their sentences .
Here 's a list of the special treatments Trump 's friends and supporters have received : Flynn was Trump 's first national security adviser , who Trump fired after Flynn lied to the FBI during the Russia investigation .
Trump has since changed his reasoning about why he fired Flynn — after Trump soured on the Russia investigation and sought to undermine it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lying to the FBI .
But he later tried to withdraw that plea .
Trump then waged a public campaign to have the charges against Flynn dropped , which Barr agreed to do , leading to accusations that Barr was interfering to help Trump 's friends .
In August of 2017 , Trump pardoned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was convicted of contempt of court after he refused to stop racially profiling Latinos despite a court order .
Arpaio was one of Trump 's earliest supporters during the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's draconian immigration and border policies .
Arpaio did not meet the traditional standards for a pardon because he never admitted responsibility for his actions .
According to the Department of Justice : `` A pardon is not a sign of vindication and does not connote or establish innocence .
For that reason , when considering the merits of a pardon petition , pardon officials take into account the petitioner 's acceptance of responsibility , remorse , and atonement for the offense . ''
In May of 2018 , Trump pardoned D'Souza , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty in 2014 to using straw donors to make illegal campaign contributions — a felony .
But D'Souza railed against the Obama administration , which prosecuted D'Souza for his crime , appealing to Trump 's desire to overturn Obama 's record .
In February of 2020 , Trump pardoned Kerik , the former New York City police commissioner who pleaded guilty to multiple charges of federal tax fraud .
Kerik was a close ally of Rudy Giuliani , the former New York City mayor who is now Trump 's personal lawyer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Illinois governor who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption , in which he tried to sell the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated when he became president .
Blagojevich was a contestant on Trump 's NBC show , `` The Apprentice . ''
His wife , Patti Blagojevich , had been advocating for Trump to grant him clemency , even appearing on Fox News to directly appeal to Trump to commute her husband 's sentence .
Trump commuted Stone 's sentence , preventing his longtime friend and ally from serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been convicted of interfering in the Russia investigation — which Trump long railed against .
Barr claimed that he told Trump he did n't agree with granting Stone clemency .
It 's unclear whether that 's true .
If it is , Trump did not take that advice to heart .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday sought to defend his politicization of the Department of Justice, wrongly claiming that he’s intervened in cases against Trump’s friends and allies to “restore the rule of law” rather than sully it.
“I agree the president’s friends don’t deserve special breaks. But they also don’t deserve to be treated more harshly than other people,” Barr said Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing into Barr’s politicization of the Department of Justice.
Barr was speaking about his decision to drop the case against former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn — who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Barr was slammed as “blatantly corrupt” for intervening on Flynn’s behalf, after Trump and Trump allies advocated for such action.
Barr also intervened to recommend a lighter sentence for longtime Trump confidante Roger Stone, who was ultimately sentenced to 40 months in prison for seven counts of obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress.
Barr’s comment that Trump’s friends “don’t deserve special breaks” flies in the face of what has actually occurred during Trump’s tenure, when Trump’s friends, supporters, and those who praise him on Fox News have received pardons or commutations for their sentences.
Here’s a list of the special treatments Trump’s friends and supporters have received:
Michael Flynn
Flynn was Trump’s first national security adviser, who Trump fired after Flynn lied to the FBI during the Russia investigation.
Trump has since changed his reasoning about why he fired Flynn — after Trump soured on the Russia investigation and sought to undermine it at every turn.
Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. But he later tried to withdraw that plea.
Trump then waged a public campaign to have the charges against Flynn dropped, which Barr agreed to do, leading to accusations that Barr was interfering to help Trump’s friends.
Joe Arpaio
In August of 2017, Trump pardoned former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of contempt of court after he refused to stop racially profiling Latinos despite a court order.
Arpaio was one of Trump’s earliest supporters during the 2016 campaign, as he approved of Trump’s draconian immigration and border policies.
Arpaio did not meet the traditional standards for a pardon because he never admitted responsibility for his actions.
According to the Department of Justice: “A pardon is not a sign of vindication and does not connote or establish innocence. For that reason, when considering the merits of a pardon petition, pardon officials take into account the petitioner’s acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and atonement for the offense.”
Dinesh D’Souza
In May of 2018, Trump pardoned D’Souza, a Trump-supporting conservative instigator.
D’Souza had pleaded guilty in 2014 to using straw donors to make illegal campaign contributions — a felony.
But D’Souza railed against the Obama administration, which prosecuted D’Souza for his crime, appealing to Trump’s desire to overturn Obama’s record.
Bernard Kerik
In February of 2020, Trump pardoned Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who pleaded guilty to multiple charges of federal tax fraud.
Kerik was a close ally of Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who is now Trump’s personal lawyer.
Rod Blagojevich
Trump granted clemency to Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, in which he tried to sell the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated when he became president.
Blagojevich was a contestant on Trump’s NBC show, “The Apprentice.” His wife, Patti Blagojevich, had been advocating for Trump to grant him clemency, even appearing on Fox News to directly appeal to Trump to commute her husband’s sentence.
Roger Stone
Trump commuted Stone’s sentence, preventing his longtime friend and ally from serving a day in prison.
Stone had been convicted of interfering in the Russia investigation — which Trump long railed against.
Barr claimed that he told Trump he didn’t agree with granting Stone clemency. It’s unclear whether that’s true. If it is, Trump did not take that advice to heart.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Teachers union supports strike over Trump's 'chaotic and catastrophic' reopening plan

One of the nation 's largest teachers union is authorizing its members to strike if their schools plan to reopen without proper safety measures in the middle of the global pandemic .
The American Federation of Teachers , which represents 1.7 million school employees , issued a resolution on Tuesday saying it will support any local chapter that decides to strike over reopening plans .
The group says school buildings should open only in areas where coronavirus infections are low enough and if schools enact certain safety measures .
In announcing the measure , the union 's president blasted Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the virus continues to surge .
Randi Weingarten called Trump 's response `` chaotic and catastrophic , '' saying it has left teachers angry and afraid .
`` We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators , '' Weingarten said in prepared remarks to the group 's annual convention .
`` But if authorities do n't protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve , as our executive council voted last week , nothing is off the table . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced it Tuesday at the group 's convention , which is being held online amid the pandemic .
For weeks , Trump has pressed for a full reopening of the nation 's schools .
Last week he acknowledged that some schools may need to delay a return to in-person instruction , but he 's still asking Congress to withhold future virus relief to schools that fail to reopen .
Some of the nation 's largest districts have opted to start the school year online , including in Los Angeles , Atlanta and Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while others are offering a mix of online and in-person instruction to reduce the number of students in school buildings .
The union 's resolution lays out conditions the group wants met for schools to reopen .
It says schools must require masks , promote social distancing and update ventilation systems , among other measures .
It also says schools should reopen only in areas with infection rates below 5 % and transmission rates below 1 % , and only if local officials have taken steps to trace and isolate cases .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to reopen safely , the group said .
It estimates the average school will need at least $ 1.2 million , amounting to $ 116 billion nationwide .
The resolution says Trump and Senate Republicans have `` have failed to negotiate and pass a new stimulus bill to address the resources vitally needed for reopening our schools . ''
In her speech , Weingarten said teachers want schools to reopen .
Children need in-person instruction , she said , adding that remote instruction is `` no substitute for it . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be kept safe .
Before Trump began pressing schools to reopen , she said , a union poll found that its members were comfortable returning if proper safeguards were in place .
`` Now they 're afraid and angry , '' she said .
`` Many are quitting , retiring , or writing their wills . ''
Along with strikes , the union said it will fight unsafe reopening plans through lawsuits and labor grievances .
The union 's Florida chapter filed a lawsuit last week attempting to block the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit called `` reckless and unsafe . ''

One of the nation’s largest teachers union is authorizing its members to strike if their schools plan to reopen without proper safety measures in the middle of the global pandemic.
The American Federation of Teachers, which represents 1.7 million school employees, issued a resolution on Tuesday saying it will support any local chapter that decides to strike over reopening plans. The group says school buildings should open only in areas where coronavirus infections are low enough and if schools enact certain safety measures.
In announcing the measure, the union’s president blasted Donald Trump for ordering schools to reopen even as the virus continues to surge. Randi Weingarten called Trump’s response “chaotic and catastrophic,” saying it has left teachers angry and afraid.
“We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators,” Weingarten said in prepared remarks to the group’s annual convention. “But if authorities don’t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table.”
Union leaders approved the resolution Friday but announced it Tuesday at the group’s convention, which is being held online amid the pandemic.
For weeks, Trump has pressed for a full reopening of the nation’s schools. Last week he acknowledged that some schools may need to delay a return to in-person instruction, but he’s still asking Congress to withhold future virus relief to schools that fail to reopen.
Some of the nation’s largest districts have opted to start the school year online, including in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Houston. Some are starting entirely online, while others are offering a mix of online and in-person instruction to reduce the number of students in school buildings.
The union’s resolution lays out conditions the group wants met for schools to reopen. It says schools must require masks, promote social distancing and update ventilation systems, among other measures.
It also says schools should reopen only in areas with infection rates below 5% and transmission rates below 1%, and only if local officials have taken steps to trace and isolate cases.
For many schools, more funding will be needed to reopen safely, the group said. It estimates the average school will need at least $1.2 million, amounting to $116 billion nationwide. The resolution says Trump and Senate Republicans have “have failed to negotiate and pass a new stimulus bill to address the resources vitally needed for reopening our schools.”
In her speech, Weingarten said teachers want schools to reopen. Children need in-person instruction, she said, adding that remote instruction is “no substitute for it.” But she said teachers need to know they’ll be kept safe.
Before Trump began pressing schools to reopen, she said, a union poll found that its members were comfortable returning if proper safeguards were in place.
“Now they’re afraid and angry,” she said. “Many are quitting, retiring, or writing their wills.”
Along with strikes, the union said it will fight unsafe reopening plans through lawsuits and labor grievances. The union’s Florida chapter filed a lawsuit last week attempting to block the state’s plan to reopen schools, which the suit called “reckless and unsafe.”


shareblue--2020-07-28--Majority of Americans support anti-racism protests despite Trump's smears

Americans overwhelmingly approve of nationwide racial justice protests taking place across the country , a new poll shows .
According to a Gallup poll released Tuesday , broad support persists even as Donald Trump repeatedly maligns the protesters as violent anarchists .
Protest support is highest among Black adults ( 92 % ) , followed closely by Asian adults ( 89 % ) , Hispanic adults ( 70 % ) , and a majority of white adults ( 59 % ) .
Younger Americans are more supportive of the protests than older generations , yet a majority of all age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of all adults responded positively about the protests .
The only outlier group in the survey was Republicans .
Only 22 % of those polled said they supported the demonstrations , compared to 95 % of Democrats and 69 % of independents .
The protests first began following the death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year .
Though most of the demonstrations have been peaceful , some have become violent , with a number of incidents linked to white supremacists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began taking to the streets , Trump has routinely smeared the majority peaceful protesters as violent , lawless anarchists .
`` You have to dominate or you 'll look like a bunch of jerks , you have to arrest and try people , '' Trump told governors on June 1 conference call about the protests , seeming to encourage violence by calling for `` retribution '' and telling governors , `` You do n't have to be too careful . ''
Later that day , federal law enforcement fired tear gas at peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clear a path so Trump could hold a photo-op in front of a nearby church .
On June 26 , Trump canceled a trip to his New Jersey resort for the weekend to stay at the White House `` to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced , '' he tweeted .
`` The arsonists , anarchists , looters , and agitators have been largely stopped , '' he wrote , claiming he was `` doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as recently as this week , even as tensions between police and demonstrators ramp up .
`` The 'protesters ' are actually anarchists who hate our Country , '' Trump tweeted on Sunday .
`` The line of innocent 'mothers ' were a scam that Lamestream refuses to acknowledge , just like they do n't report the violence of these demonstrations ! ''
Trump was referring to the `` wall of moms '' in Portland , a group of largely white mothers who used their bodies to protect Black protesters from police violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing next to our sisters because they 're fighting the fight with us , '' Shawn Roberts , who is Black , told OregonLive .
`` They 're our allies . ''
As protests continue in many cities , Gallup noted that `` Americans are more likely to say they will be helpful than harmful to racial equality . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Americans overwhelmingly approve of nationwide racial justice protests taking place across the country, a new poll shows.
According to a Gallup poll released Tuesday, broad support persists even as Donald Trump repeatedly maligns the protesters as violent anarchists.
Protest support is highest among Black adults (92%), followed closely by Asian adults (89%), Hispanic adults (70%), and a majority of white adults (59%). Younger Americans are more supportive of the protests than older generations, yet a majority of all age groups approved of them.
Approximately 65% of all adults responded positively about the protests.
The only outlier group in the survey was Republicans. Only 22% of those polled said they supported the demonstrations, compared to 95% of Democrats and 69% of independents.
The protests first began following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year. Though most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, some have become violent, with a number of incidents linked to white supremacists or outside extremist groups.
Since activists began taking to the streets, Trump has routinely smeared the majority peaceful protesters as violent, lawless anarchists.
“You have to dominate or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks, you have to arrest and try people,” Trump told governors on June 1 conference call about the protests, seeming to encourage violence by calling for “retribution” and telling governors, “You don’t have to be too careful.”
Later that day, federal law enforcement fired tear gas at peaceful protesters outside the White House in order to clear a path so Trump could hold a photo-op in front of a nearby church.
On June 26, Trump canceled a trip to his New Jersey resort for the weekend to stay at the White House “to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced,” he tweeted.
“The arsonists, anarchists, looters, and agitators have been largely stopped,” he wrote, claiming he was “doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to Justice!”
Trump has attacked protesters as recently as this week, even as tensions between police and demonstrators ramp up.
“The ‘protesters’ are actually anarchists who hate our Country,” Trump tweeted on Sunday. “The line of innocent ‘mothers’ were a scam that Lamestream refuses to acknowledge, just like they don’t report the violence of these demonstrations!”
Trump was referring to the “wall of moms” in Portland, a group of largely white mothers who used their bodies to protect Black protesters from police violence.
“I think it’s amazing standing next to our sisters because they’re fighting the fight with us,” Shawn Roberts, who is Black, told OregonLive. “They’re our allies.”
As protests continue in many cities, Gallup noted that “Americans are more likely to say they will be helpful than harmful to racial equality.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Don Jr. suspended from Twitter for pushing lies about coronavirus

Donald Trump Jr. has been temporarily suspended from Twitter , after he shared a video from Stella Immanuel , a Texas doctor who said masks are n't necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus , and that hydroxychloroquine — which the FDA now says is not an effective COVID-19 treatment — is a `` cure '' for the virus .
Twitter has since deleted the video , in which Immanuel also said there are `` fake doctors '' who `` sound like a computer . ''
Facebook also removed Immanuel 's video , causing her to issue a bizarre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my page is not back up face book will be down in Jesus name . ''
Twitter limited Trump 's ability to both tweet and retweet from his account for 12 hours , CNN 's Jeremy Diamond reported , after he promoted the video , violating the social media site 's policy against spreading misinformation about COVID-19 .
Trump called the video filled with misinformation a `` must watch , '' adding that it 's `` so different from the narrative that everyone is running with . ''
The video is `` so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration 's own public health guidance , which says that wearing masks is an incredibly effective way to slow the spread of the virus , and that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID-19 patients and may actually have adverse side effects .
Immanuel , for her part , is known for making anti-LGBTQ and other bizarre statements .
In 2015 , after the Supreme Court legalized marriage equality , she gave a sermon in which she said there was an Illuminati plot to implement the `` gay agenda '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the social fiber of America . ''
Immanuel has also claimed that doctors were using space alien DNA `` to treat people , '' and that scientists were going to make a vaccine against religion .
`` They found the gene in somebody ’ s mind that makes you religious , so they can vaccinate against it , '' she said in the 2015 sermon .
Trump was not the only one to tweet the video featuring Immanuel .
His father , Donald Trump , also tweeted it .
However , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump Jr. has been temporarily suspended from Twitter, after he shared a video from Stella Immanuel, a Texas doctor who said masks aren’t necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and that hydroxychloroquine — which the FDA now says is not an effective COVID-19 treatment — is a “cure” for the virus.
Twitter has since deleted the video, in which Immanuel also said there are “fake doctors” who “sound like a computer.” Facebook also removed Immanuel’s video, causing her to issue a bizarre threat in which she said “if my page is not back up face book will be down in Jesus name.”
Twitter limited Trump’s ability to both tweet and retweet from his account for 12 hours, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond reported, after he promoted the video, violating the social media site’s policy against spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
Trump called the video filled with misinformation a “must watch,” adding that it’s “so different from the narrative that everyone is running with.”
The video is “so different” because it goes against even the Trump administration’s own public health guidance, which says that wearing masks is an incredibly effective way to slow the spread of the virus, and that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID-19 patients and may actually have adverse side effects.
Immanuel, for her part, is known for making anti-LGBTQ and other bizarre statements.
In 2015, after the Supreme Court legalized marriage equality, she gave a sermon in which she said there was an Illuminati plot to implement the “gay agenda” to “destroy our homes, families and the social fiber of America.”
Immanuel has also claimed that doctors were using space alien DNA “to treat people,” and that scientists were going to make a vaccine against religion.
“They found the gene in somebody’s mind that makes you religious, so they can vaccinate against it,” she said in the 2015 sermon.
Trump was not the only one to tweet the video featuring Immanuel.
His father, Donald Trump, also tweeted it. However, his account was not suspended.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-28--Trump decides to accept nomination in North Carolina after trashing its virus rules

Donald Trump plans to move his 2020 nomination acceptance speech back to the place he said he was `` forced '' to leave weeks ago .
`` I 'll be in North Carolina , and that 's a very big deal because we have a lot of the delegates there and that 'll be a nomination process , '' he told a North Carolina television station on Monday night .
`` And that 's essentially where the nomination , where it 's formalized .
And I 'm really honored to do it in North Carolina . ''
But on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be unable to hold the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina — as planned — because Gov .
Roy Cooper was `` still in Shelter-in-Place Mode '' and would not let him ignore safety rules in the pandemic .
`` Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , a place I love .
Now , @ NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena , ” he tweeted , adding , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention . ''
Monday 's announcement suggests that Trump had not been `` forced '' out of North Carolina after all .
Cooper , a Democrat , responded on June 3 that he had been `` committed to a safe RNC convention in North Carolina '' but Trump had `` never agreed to scale down and make changes to keep people safe . ''
Cooper said , `` Protecting public health and safety during this pandemic is a priority . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory face masks , Trump decided on June 11 to deliver his acceptance speech in Jacksonville , Florida , instead .
But with coronavirus cases spiking in Florida , Jacksonville implemented an ordinance in late June requiring face coverings in all public indoor spaces .
In mid-July , Florida implemented a statewide order prohibiting venues from operating at more than half of their capacity , further foiling Trump 's plans .
A poll last Thursday showed the vast majority of Floridians did not believe the event could be held safely .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus , Trump announced that he was canceling the Jacksonville Republican National Convention altogether .
`` I looked at my team , and I said , 'The timing for this event is not right .
It 's just not right with what 's happened recently — the flare-up in Florida — to have a big convention .
It 's not the right time , ' '' Trump claimed at a press conference .
`` It 's really something that , for me — I have to protect the American people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's what I always will do .
That 's what I 'm about . ''
Moments later , however , he reiterated his demand that schools reopen fully this fall .
The Democratic National Committee said last month it would hold its convention almost entirely online .
The Trump administration mocked the decision at the time , with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway comparing it to `` a small second wedding . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump plans to move his 2020 nomination acceptance speech back to the place he said he was “forced” to leave weeks ago.
“I’ll be in North Carolina, and that’s a very big deal because we have a lot of the delegates there and that’ll be a nomination process,” he told a North Carolina television station on Monday night. “And that’s essentially where the nomination, where it’s formalized. And I’m really honored to do it in North Carolina.”
But on June 2, Trump angrily announced that he would be unable to hold the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina — as planned — because Gov. Roy Cooper was “still in Shelter-in-Place Mode” and would not let him ignore safety rules in the pandemic.
“Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena,” he tweeted, adding, “Because of @NC_Governor, we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.”
Monday’s announcement suggests that Trump had not been “forced” out of North Carolina after all.
Cooper, a Democrat, responded on June 3 that he had been “committed to a safe RNC convention in North Carolina” but Trump had “never agreed to scale down and make changes to keep people safe.” Cooper said, “Protecting public health and safety during this pandemic is a priority.”
Determined to have a packed convention without mandatory face masks, Trump decided on June 11 to deliver his acceptance speech in Jacksonville, Florida, instead.
But with coronavirus cases spiking in Florida, Jacksonville implemented an ordinance in late June requiring face coverings in all public indoor spaces. In mid-July, Florida implemented a statewide order prohibiting venues from operating at more than half of their capacity, further foiling Trump’s plans.
A poll last Thursday showed the vast majority of Floridians did not believe the event could be held safely.
On Thursday evening, faced with the out-of-control spread of the coronavirus, Trump announced that he was canceling the Jacksonville Republican National Convention altogether.
“I looked at my team, and I said, ‘The timing for this event is not right. It’s just not right with what’s happened recently — the flare-up in Florida — to have a big convention. It’s not the right time,'” Trump claimed at a press conference. “It’s really something that, for me — I have to protect the American people. That’s what I’ve always done. That’s what I always will do. That’s what I’m about.”
Moments later, however, he reiterated his demand that schools reopen fully this fall.
The Democratic National Committee said last month it would hold its convention almost entirely online. The Trump administration mocked the decision at the time, with White House counselor Kellyanne Conway comparing it to “a small second wedding.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.