shareblue--2020-09-17--Amy Dorris is at least the 42nd woman to accuse Trump of sexual assault

Donald Trump has been hit with yet another allegation of sexual assault , the Guardian reported on Thursday .
Amy Dorris , a former model , said Trump kissed and groped her without her consent during the 1997 US Open tennis tournament in New York .
She is at least the 42nd woman to accuse Trump of sexual assault or rape .
Dorris told the Guardian that Trump `` shoved his tongue down my throat '' and put his hands `` all over my butt , my breasts , my back , everything , '' even as she pleaded for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his grip , and I could n't get out of it , '' Dorris told the Guardian .
She added , `` I do n't know what you call that when you 're sticking your tongue just down someone 's throat .
But I pushed it out with my teeth .
I was pushing it .
And I think I might have hurt his tongue . ''
Dorris ' account was corroborated by people she told about the incident shortly after it happened , including her therapist .
Among the other women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who came forward in October of 2019 to allege that Trump kissed her without consent at a New Year 's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s .
Adult film actress Jessica Drake said in October 2016 that Trump kissed her without her consent at a Lake Tahoe golf tournament in 2006 .
And former `` Apprentice '' contestant Summer Zervos said in 2019 that Trump kissed her and touched her breasts in 2007 .
Dorris ' decision to step forward with her allegations comes as Trump is forcing taxpayers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department intervening on his behalf in a defamation lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll , who has accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s .
To date , Trump has not been convicted of any crime .
In 2016 , after the emergence of an `` Access Hollywood '' tape in which Trump said he would kiss women without consent and `` grab them by the pussy '' because he was famous and he could do anything , some Republican officials denounced him .
However , those Republicans — including then-House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working with him and defending his actions after he eked out a victory by the narrowest of margins in a handful of swing states .
In 2020 , Trump has a major problem with women voters , which a new sexual assault allegation is unlikely to help .
The Washington Post on Saturday featured stories from white women who backed Trump in 2016 but now regret it .
`` I would do anything to have him not reelected , '' Jennifer Applegate , a 42-year-old Pennsylvania woman who voted for Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Post .
`` I think this country is a hot mess right now due to him .
.
.
.
I don ’ t even think this is about politics right now .
It ’ s more of a humanity issue for me . ''
A new poll in Wisconsin shows Biden leading Trump among women 60 % to 39 % .
And a new Economist/YouGov poll found Biden leading Trump among women nationally 54 % to 38 % .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has been hit with yet another allegation of sexual assault, the Guardian reported on Thursday.
Amy Dorris, a former model, said Trump kissed and groped her without her consent during the 1997 US Open tennis tournament in New York.
She is at least the 42nd woman to accuse Trump of sexual assault or rape.
Dorris told the Guardian that Trump “shoved his tongue down my throat” and put his hands “all over my butt, my breasts, my back, everything,” even as she pleaded for him to stop.
“I was in his grip, and I couldn’t get out of it,” Dorris told the Guardian.
She added, “I don’t know what you call that when you’re sticking your tongue just down someone’s throat. But I pushed it out with my teeth. I was pushing it. And I think I might have hurt his tongue.”
Dorris’ account was corroborated by people she told about the incident shortly after it happened, including her therapist.
Among the other women have made similar allegations are Karen Johnson, who came forward in October of 2019 to allege that Trump kissed her without consent at a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s.
Adult film actress Jessica Drake said in October 2016 that Trump kissed her without her consent at a Lake Tahoe golf tournament in 2006.
And former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos said in 2019 that Trump kissed her and touched her breasts in 2007.
Dorris’ decision to step forward with her allegations comes as Trump is forcing taxpayers to pay for his defense, with the Justice Department intervening on his behalf in a defamation lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, who has accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s.
To date, Trump has not been convicted of any crime.
In 2016, after the emergence of an “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump said he would kiss women without consent and “grab them by the pussy” because he was famous and he could do anything, some Republican officials denounced him.
However, those Republicans — including then-House Speaker Paul Ryan — eventually embraced Trump, working with him and defending his actions after he eked out a victory by the narrowest of margins in a handful of swing states.
In 2020, Trump has a major problem with women voters, which a new sexual assault allegation is unlikely to help.
The Washington Post on Saturday featured stories from white women who backed Trump in 2016 but now regret it.
“I would do anything to have him not reelected,” Jennifer Applegate, a 42-year-old Pennsylvania woman who voted for Trump in 2016 but now backs Joe Biden, told the Post. “I think this country is a hot mess right now due to him. . . . I don’t even think this is about politics right now. It’s more of a humanity issue for me.”
A new poll in Wisconsin shows Biden leading Trump among women 60% to 39%.
And a new Economist/YouGov poll found Biden leading Trump among women nationally 54% to 38%.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-19--McConnell says he'll allow vote on Trump's Supreme Court pick, weeks away from election

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote on Donald Trump 's pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court , even though it 's an election year .
The Republican Senate leader issued a statement Friday night , about an hour and a half after the Supreme Court announced the liberal justice 's death from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer .
`` In the last midterm election before Justice Scalia ’ s death in 2016 , Americans elected a Republican Senate majority because we pledged to check and balance the last days of a lame-duck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept our promise , '' he stated .
He continued , `` Since the 1880s , no Senate has confirmed an opposite-party president ’ s Supreme Court nominee in a presidential election year .
By contrast , Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda , particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary .
Once again , we will keep our promise . ''
`` President Trump ’ s nominee will receive a vote on the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
When conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016 , also an election year , McConnell refused to act on President Barack Obama 's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the opening .
The seat remained vacant until after Trump 's surprising presidential victory .
Trump ended up nominating Neil Gorsuch , who was confirmed to the court .
The 2020 election is 46 days away .
McConnell had earlier said he would move to confirm a Trump nominee if there were a vacancy this year .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote on Donald Trump’s pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, even though it’s an election year.
The Republican Senate leader issued a statement Friday night, about an hour and a half after the Supreme Court announced the liberal justice’s death from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
“In the last midterm election before Justice Scalia’s death in 2016, Americans elected a Republican Senate majority because we pledged to check and balance the last days of a lame-duck president’s second term. We kept our promise,” he stated.
He continued, “Since the 1880s, no Senate has confirmed an opposite-party president’s Supreme Court nominee in a presidential election year. By contrast, Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary. Once again, we will keep our promise.”
“President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate,” he said.
When conservative Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, also an election year, McConnell refused to act on President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the opening. The seat remained vacant until after Trump’s surprising presidential victory.
Trump ended up nominating Neil Gorsuch, who was confirmed to the court.
The 2020 election is 46 days away.
McConnell had earlier said he would move to confirm a Trump nominee if there were a vacancy this year.


shareblue--2020-09-18--Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, women's rights champion, dies at 87

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a diminutive yet towering women ’ s rights champion who became the court ’ s second female justice , died Friday at her home in Washington .
She was 87 .
Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer , the court said .
Her death just over six weeks before Election Day is likely to set off a heated battle over whether Donald Trump should nominate , and the Republican-led Senate should confirm , her replacement , or if the seat should remain vacant until the outcome of his race against Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Roberts mourned Ginsburg ’ s passing .
“ Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature .
We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague .
Today we mourn , but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice , ” Roberts said in a statement .
Ginsburg announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver , the latest of her several battles with cancer .
Ginsburg spent her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unquestioned leader of the court ’ s liberal wing and became something of a rock star to her admirers .
Young women especially seemed to embrace the court ’ s Jewish grandmother , affectionately calling her the Notorious RBG , for her defense of the rights of women and minorities , and the strength and resilience she displayed in the face of personal loss and health crises .
Those health issues included five bouts with cancer beginning in 1999 , falls that resulted in broken ribs , insertion of a stent to clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after she turned 75 .
She resisted calls by liberals to retire during Barack Obama ’ s presidency at a time when Democrats held the Senate and a replacement with similar views could have been confirmed .
Instead , Trump will almost certainly try to push Ginsburg ’ s successor through the Republican-controlled Senate — and move the conservative court even more to the right .
Ginsburg antagonized Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign in a series of media interviews , including calling him a faker .
She soon apologized .
Her appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first by a Democrat in 26 years .
She initially found a comfortable ideological home somewhere left of center on a conservative court dominated by Republican appointees .
Her liberal voice grew stronger the longer she served .
Ginsburg was a mother of two , an opera lover and an intellectual who watched arguments behind oversized glasses for many years , though she ditched them for more fashionable frames in her later years .
At argument sessions in the ornate courtroom , she was known for digging deep into case records and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
She argued six key cases before the court in the 1970s when she was an architect of the women ’ s rights movement .
She won five .
“ Ruth Bader Ginsburg does not need a seat on the Supreme Court to earn her place in the American history books , ” Clinton said at the time of her appointment .
“ She has already done that.
” On the court , where she was known as a facile writer , her most significant majority opinions were the 1996 ruling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women or give up its state funding , and the 2015 decision that upheld independent commissions some states use to draw congressional districts .
Besides civil rights , Ginsburg took an interest in capital punishment , voting repeatedly to limit its use .
During her tenure , the court declared it unconstitutional for states to execute the intellectually disabled and killers younger than 18 .
In addition , she questioned the quality of lawyers for poor accused murderers .
In the most divisive of cases , including the Bush v. Gore decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the court ’ s more conservative members — initially Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O ’ Connor , Antonin Scalia , Anthony M. Kennedy and Clarence Thomas .
The division remained the same after John Roberts replaced Rehnquist as chief justice , Samuel Alito took O ’ Connor ’ s seat , and , under Trump , Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the court , in seats that had been held by Scalia and Kennedy , respectively .
Ginsburg would say later that the 5-4 decision that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush was a “ breathtaking episode ” at the court .
She was perhaps personally closest on the court to Scalia , her ideological opposite .
Ginsburg once explained that she took Scalia ’ s sometimes biting dissents as a challenge to be met .
“ How am I going to answer this in a way that ’ s a real putdown ?
” she said .
When Scalia died in 2016 , also an election year , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to act on Obama 's nomination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The seat remained vacant until after Trump 's surprising presidential victory .
McConnell has said he would move to confirm a Trump nominee if there were a vacancy this year .
Reached by phone late Friday , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the chairman of the Judiciary Committee , declined to disclose any plans .
He called Ginsburg a “ trailblazer ” and said , “ While I had many differences with her on legal philosophy , I appreciate her service to our nation.
” Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice .
Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
” Ginsburg authored powerful dissents of her own in cases involving abortion , voting rights and pay discrimination against women .
She said some were aimed at swaying the opinions of her fellow judges while others were “ an appeal to the intelligence of another day ” in the hopes that they would provide guidance to future courts .
“ Hope springs eternal , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am writing a dissent , I ’ m always hoping for that fifth or sixth vote — even though I ’ m disappointed more often than not.
” She wrote memorably in 2013 that the court ’ s decision to cut out a key part of the federal law that had ensured the voting rights of Black people , Hispanics and other minorities was “ like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.
” Change on the court hit Ginsburg especially hard .
She dissented forcefully from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to uphold a nationwide ban on an abortion procedure that opponents call partial-birth abortion .
The court , with O ’ Connor still on it , had struck down a similar state ban seven years earlier .
The “ alarming ” ruling , Ginsburg said , “ can not be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this court — and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women ’ s lives.
” In 1999 , Ginsburg had surgery for colon cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had surgery again in 2009 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and in December 2018 for cancerous growths on her left lung .
Following the last surgery , she missed court sessions for the first time in more than 25 years on the bench .
Ginsburg also was treated with radiation for a tumor on her pancreas in August 2019 .
She maintained an active schedule even during the three weeks of radiation .
When she revealed a recurrence of her cancer in July 2020 , Ginsburg said she remained “ fully able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joan Ruth Bader was born in Brooklyn , New York , in 1933 , the second daughter in a middle-class family .
Her older sister , who gave her the lifelong nickname “ Kiki , ” died at age 6 , so Ginsburg grew up in Brooklyn ’ s Flatbush section as an only child .
Her dream , she has said , was to be an opera singer .
Ginsburg graduated at the top of her Columbia University law school class in 1959 but could not find a law firm willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes against her ” — for being Jewish , female and a mother , as she put it in 2007 .
She had married her husband , Martin , in 1954 , the year she graduated from Cornell University .
She attended Harvard University ’ s law school but transferred to Columbia when her husband took a law job there .
Martin Ginsburg went on to become a prominent tax attorney and law professor .
Martin Ginsburg died in 2010 .
She is survived by two children , Jane and James , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had not entered the law as an equal-rights champion .
“ I thought I could do a lawyer ’ s job better than any other , ” she wrote .
“ I have no talent in the arts , but I do write fairly well and analyze problems clearly .
”

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women’s rights champion who became the court’s second female justice, died Friday at her home in Washington. She was 87.
Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, the court said.
Her death just over six weeks before Election Day is likely to set off a heated battle over whether Donald Trump should nominate, and the Republican-led Senate should confirm, her replacement, or if the seat should remain vacant until the outcome of his race against Democrat Joe Biden is known.
Chief Justice John Roberts mourned Ginsburg’s passing. “Our Nation has lost a jurist of historic stature. We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice,” Roberts said in a statement.
Ginsburg announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver, the latest of her several battles with cancer.
Ginsburg spent her final years on the bench as the unquestioned leader of the court’s liberal wing and became something of a rock star to her admirers. Young women especially seemed to embrace the court’s Jewish grandmother, affectionately calling her the Notorious RBG, for her defense of the rights of women and minorities, and the strength and resilience she displayed in the face of personal loss and health crises.
Those health issues included five bouts with cancer beginning in 1999, falls that resulted in broken ribs, insertion of a stent to clear a blocked artery and assorted other hospitalizations after she turned 75.
She resisted calls by liberals to retire during Barack Obama’s presidency at a time when Democrats held the Senate and a replacement with similar views could have been confirmed. Instead, Trump will almost certainly try to push Ginsburg’s successor through the Republican-controlled Senate — and move the conservative court even more to the right.
Ginsburg antagonized Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign in a series of media interviews, including calling him a faker. She soon apologized.
Her appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1993 was the first by a Democrat in 26 years. She initially found a comfortable ideological home somewhere left of center on a conservative court dominated by Republican appointees. Her liberal voice grew stronger the longer she served.
Ginsburg was a mother of two, an opera lover and an intellectual who watched arguments behind oversized glasses for many years, though she ditched them for more fashionable frames in her later years. At argument sessions in the ornate courtroom, she was known for digging deep into case records and for being a stickler for following the rules.
She argued six key cases before the court in the 1970s when she was an architect of the women’s rights movement. She won five.
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg does not need a seat on the Supreme Court to earn her place in the American history books,” Clinton said at the time of her appointment. “She has already done that.”
On the court, where she was known as a facile writer, her most significant majority opinions were the 1996 ruling that ordered the Virginia Military Institute to accept women or give up its state funding, and the 2015 decision that upheld independent commissions some states use to draw congressional districts.
Besides civil rights, Ginsburg took an interest in capital punishment, voting repeatedly to limit its use. During her tenure, the court declared it unconstitutional for states to execute the intellectually disabled and killers younger than 18.
In addition, she questioned the quality of lawyers for poor accused murderers. In the most divisive of cases, including the Bush v. Gore decision in 2000, she was often at odds with the court’s more conservative members — initially Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O’Connor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy and Clarence Thomas.
The division remained the same after John Roberts replaced Rehnquist as chief justice, Samuel Alito took O’Connor’s seat, and, under Trump, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the court, in seats that had been held by Scalia and Kennedy, respectively.
Ginsburg would say later that the 5-4 decision that settled the 2000 presidential election for Republican George W. Bush was a “breathtaking episode” at the court.
She was perhaps personally closest on the court to Scalia, her ideological opposite. Ginsburg once explained that she took Scalia’s sometimes biting dissents as a challenge to be met. “How am I going to answer this in a way that’s a real putdown?” she said.
When Scalia died in 2016, also an election year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to act on Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to fill the opening. The seat remained vacant until after Trump’s surprising presidential victory. McConnell has said he would move to confirm a Trump nominee if there were a vacancy this year.
Reached by phone late Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, declined to disclose any plans. He called Ginsburg a “trailblazer” and said, “While I had many differences with her on legal philosophy, I appreciate her service to our nation.”
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer tweeted: “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
Ginsburg authored powerful dissents of her own in cases involving abortion, voting rights and pay discrimination against women. She said some were aimed at swaying the opinions of her fellow judges while others were “an appeal to the intelligence of another day” in the hopes that they would provide guidance to future courts.
“Hope springs eternal,” she said in 2007, “and when I am writing a dissent, I’m always hoping for that fifth or sixth vote — even though I’m disappointed more often than not.”
She wrote memorably in 2013 that the court’s decision to cut out a key part of the federal law that had ensured the voting rights of Black people, Hispanics and other minorities was “like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”
Change on the court hit Ginsburg especially hard. She dissented forcefully from the court’s decision in 2007 to uphold a nationwide ban on an abortion procedure that opponents call partial-birth abortion. The court, with O’Connor still on it, had struck down a similar state ban seven years earlier. The “alarming” ruling, Ginsburg said, “cannot be understood as anything other than an effort to chip away at a right declared again and again by this court — and with increasing comprehension of its centrality to women’s lives.”
In 1999, Ginsburg had surgery for colon cancer and received radiation and chemotherapy. She had surgery again in 2009 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and in December 2018 for cancerous growths on her left lung. Following the last surgery, she missed court sessions for the first time in more than 25 years on the bench.
Ginsburg also was treated with radiation for a tumor on her pancreas in August 2019. She maintained an active schedule even during the three weeks of radiation. When she revealed a recurrence of her cancer in July 2020, Ginsburg said she remained “fully able” to continue as a justice.
Joan Ruth Bader was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1933, the second daughter in a middle-class family. Her older sister, who gave her the lifelong nickname “Kiki,” died at age 6, so Ginsburg grew up in Brooklyn’s Flatbush section as an only child. Her dream, she has said, was to be an opera singer.
Ginsburg graduated at the top of her Columbia University law school class in 1959 but could not find a law firm willing to hire her. She had “three strikes against her” — for being Jewish, female and a mother, as she put it in 2007.
She had married her husband, Martin, in 1954, the year she graduated from Cornell University. She attended Harvard University’s law school but transferred to Columbia when her husband took a law job there. Martin Ginsburg went on to become a prominent tax attorney and law professor. Martin Ginsburg died in 2010. She is survived by two children, Jane and James, and several grandchildren.
Ginsburg once said that she had not entered the law as an equal-rights champion. “I thought I could do a lawyer’s job better than any other,” she wrote. “I have no talent in the arts, but I do write fairly well and analyze problems clearly.”


shareblue--2020-09-18--News you might have missed: Sarah McBride could be highest-ranking trans official in US

This week , transgender activist Sarah McBride came one step closer to becoming a state senator , Nevada took steps to prepare for a potential coronavirus vaccine , and actor Paul Rudd encouraged his `` fellow millennials '' to wear a mask to prevent coronavirus spread .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Sarah McBride won the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat in Delaware on Tuesday , bringing her a step closer to being voted in as the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the country , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist defeated one challenger in the primary and is expected to easily win the solidly Democratic district in November .
`` My hope is that this result can help reinforce for a young kid trying to find their place in this world , here in Delaware or anywhere else in this country , that this democracy is big enough for them , too , '' McBride said .
`` Right now in America , we are seeing voices that for so long were pushed to the margins and to the shadows finally being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four openly transgender individuals serve in their states ' lower legislative chamber .
McBride would be the first to serve in a state Senate .
New Jersey to spend millions helping residents enroll in Obamacare New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday that the state will spend $ 3.5 million to help residents sign up for health insurance under Obamacare during this year 's open enrollment period .
`` Our current public health emergency has underscored the importance of our efforts to ensure that as many residents as possible have access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The funding will go toward outreach , education , and enrollment assistance during New Jersey 's open enrollment period from Nov. 1 , 2020 , through Jan. 31 , 2021 .
On Thursday , the House of Representatives passed H.R .
2694 , the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act , by a 329-73 margin .
The bill would ensure reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers so that `` no worker is forced to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy , '' according to a press release from the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` is a bipartisan proposal that would finally establish clear , nationwide protections that guarantee pregnant workers the basic right to reasonable accommodations , '' Rep. Bobby Scott ( D-IL ) , chair of the committee , said before the bill passed .
`` It would also grant victims of pregnancy discrimination the same remedies as victims of discrimination on the basis of race , color , religion , sex , or national origin under federal civil rights laws . ''
The bill was supported by such groups as the ACLU , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women 's Law Center .
Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak signed legislation on Monday to help the state prepare for a potential coronavirus vaccine , Carson Now reported .
The new law , supported by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy , will allow pharmacy technicians to give vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist .
`` This emergency regulation is one common sense strategy to help prepare Nevada to ensure that a COVID-19 vaccine can be deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible when it becomes available , '' Sisolak said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday allowing residents of South Carolina to vote by mail without an excuse this November , the Associated Press reported .
Before the law was enacted , South Carolina voters had to provide an excuse to be allowed to vote by mail .
The state will also allocate additional funds for personal protective equipment for poll workers .
The AP reported that lawmakers were also discussing providing bonuses for poll workers .
Real-life couple Ben Lewis and Blake Lee will star in Lifetime 's first holiday movie centered on a gay couple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Christmas Setup '' is part of Lifetime 's effort to `` to redefine the traditional holiday movies in its slate with diverse talent in front of , and behind , the camera , '' the website noted .
The movie will also star Ellen Wong and Fran Drescher .
Movie star Paul Rudd combined humor and sincerity in a two-minute video urging millennials to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
`` A few days ago , I was talking on my iPhone with my homie Gov .
Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s-era skateboarder , says .
`` And he 's just going off about how us millennials need to wear masks because , get this : Apparently a lot of COVID is transmitted by us millennials . ''
After a few minutes of misusing phrases like `` slide into your DMs '' and `` I wan na stan you , '' Rudd turns serious .
`` Just wear a mask , just wear a mask , '' he says , becoming increasingly exasperated .
`` It 's easy .
It 's simple .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dying .
Hundreds of thousands of people are dying .
And it 's preventable . ''
`` Just wear a mask .
I should n't have to make it fun , '' Rudd implores .
`` It 's science . ''

This week, transgender activist Sarah McBride came one step closer to becoming a state senator, Nevada took steps to prepare for a potential coronavirus vaccine, and actor Paul Rudd encouraged his “fellow millennials” to wear a mask to prevent coronavirus spread.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
Sarah McBride won the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat in Delaware on Tuesday, bringing her a step closer to being voted in as the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the country, the New York Times reported.
The transgender activist defeated one challenger in the primary and is expected to easily win the solidly Democratic district in November.
“My hope is that this result can help reinforce for a young kid trying to find their place in this world, here in Delaware or anywhere else in this country, that this democracy is big enough for them, too,” McBride said. “Right now in America, we are seeing voices that for so long were pushed to the margins and to the shadows finally being heard.”
Across the nation, four openly transgender individuals serve in their states’ lower legislative chamber. McBride would be the first to serve in a state Senate.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday that the state will spend $3.5 million to help residents sign up for health insurance under Obamacare during this year’s open enrollment period.
“Our current public health emergency has underscored the importance of our efforts to ensure that as many residents as possible have access to health coverage,” Murphy said in a statement.
The funding will go toward outreach, education, and enrollment assistance during New Jersey’s open enrollment period from Nov. 1, 2020, through Jan. 31, 2021.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, by a 329-73 margin.
The bill would ensure reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers so that “no worker is forced to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy,” according to a press release from the House Education and Labor Committee.
The bill “is a bipartisan proposal that would finally establish clear, nationwide protections that guarantee pregnant workers the basic right to reasonable accommodations,” Rep. Bobby Scott (D-IL), chair of the committee, said before the bill passed. “It would also grant victims of pregnancy discrimination the same remedies as victims of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin under federal civil rights laws.”
The bill was supported by such groups as the ACLU, the March of Dimes, and the National Women’s Law Center.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed legislation on Monday to help the state prepare for a potential coronavirus vaccine, Carson Now reported.
The new law, supported by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, will allow pharmacy technicians to give vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist.
“This emergency regulation is one common sense strategy to help prepare Nevada to ensure that a COVID-19 vaccine can be deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible when it becomes available,” Sisolak said.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed legislation on Wednesday allowing residents of South Carolina to vote by mail without an excuse this November, the Associated Press reported.
Before the law was enacted, South Carolina voters had to provide an excuse to be allowed to vote by mail.
The state will also allocate additional funds for personal protective equipment for poll workers. The AP reported that lawmakers were also discussing providing bonuses for poll workers.
Real-life couple Ben Lewis and Blake Lee will star in Lifetime’s first holiday movie centered on a gay couple, TV Line reported on Monday.
“The Christmas Setup” is part of Lifetime’s effort to “to redefine the traditional holiday movies in its slate with diverse talent in front of, and behind, the camera,” the website noted.
The movie will also star Ellen Wong and Fran Drescher.
Movie star Paul Rudd combined humor and sincerity in a two-minute video urging millennials to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“A few days ago, I was talking on my iPhone with my homie Gov. Cuomo,” Rudd, dressed as a 1990s-era skateboarder, says. “And he’s just going off about how us millennials need to wear masks because, get this: Apparently a lot of COVID is transmitted by us millennials.”
After a few minutes of misusing phrases like “slide into your DMs” and “I wanna stan you,” Rudd turns serious.
“Just wear a mask, just wear a mask,” he says, becoming increasingly exasperated. “It’s easy. It’s simple. Please — it’s not hard. People are dying. Hundreds of thousands of people are dying. And it’s preventable.”
Certified young person Paul Rudd wants you to wear a mask. Listen up: pic.twitter.com/GTks5NUBmR — Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) September 14, 2020
“Just wear a mask. I shouldn’t have to make it fun,” Rudd implores. “It’s science.”


shareblue--2020-09-18--Trump actually said he's the 'best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico'

Donald Trump on Friday claimed he was the `` best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico , '' despite personally blocking funding to the U.S. territory for years , even as the island tried to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017 .
At a White House news conference , Trump announced a new aid package supposedly intended to help Puerto Rico 's recovery process .
The money , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement earlier on Friday , will be used to `` replace thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , office buildings and make other grid improvements '' and `` will focus on restoring school buildings and educational facilities across the island . ''
`` I have to say in a very nice way , very respectful way , I ’ m the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico , '' Trump said during the afternoon press conference .
`` Nobody even close . ''
But Trump has not been good for — or to — to Puerto Rico .
In November 2018 , nearly a year after Hurricane Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already ailing power grid , Trump told congressional leaders he did n't want any more aid being sent , even though the island was still in bad shape and needed critical help in its recovery .
Trump has also suggested that Puerto Ricans are n't even Americans .
Puerto Ricans have in fact been U.S. citizens since 1917 .
In April 2019 , Trump called a request for nutrition assistance for the people of Puerto Rico `` excessive and unnecessary . ''
That same month , he accused the island of `` only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its leaders of `` hurt [ ing ] our Farmers and States ! ''
Months later , in June 2019 , after Congress finally passed additional Puerto Rico disaster funding , Trump demanded credit for the relief even though he had spent years trying to block it .
Trump even once mused about selling the island of Puerto Rico , according to Miles Taylor , former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security , who has since denounced Trump and endorsed Joe Biden for president .
`` He wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if we could swap Puerto Rico for Greenland , because in his words , Puerto Rico was 'dirty ' and the people were poor , '' Taylor said in an interview on MSNBC .
And it was n't until January of 2020 that the Trump administration finally released billions in aid to the island , months after it was supposed to .
Reporters and political experts have questioned the timing of Friday 's announcement , 46 days before an election , where the Puerto Rican vote could help decide the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of Puerto Ricans relocated to Florida following the hurricane in 2017 , and Trump is now vying for their vote .
Without winning Florida , Trump 's paths to an Electoral College victory are slim .
`` I heard you many times over the past couple of years say that Puerto Rico got too much money , '' ABC News ' Jonathan Karl said to Trump at the briefing .
`` Just last year you said Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on earth .
... You said 'never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much money to Puerto Rico .
Why now ? ''
Trump responded by claiming again that Puerto Rico was corrupt , before pivoting and claiming he was simply `` building that up as a great medical , pharmaceutical , manufacturing area . ''
`` ... We 're going to be taking back a lot of the business that we let go for years , '' he claimed .
`` We 're gon na bring it back , they were very good at it . ''
He added , `` You have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grid .
Their grid is a disaster . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Friday claimed he was the “best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico,” despite personally blocking funding to the U.S. territory for years, even as the island tried to rebuild from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
At a White House news conference, Trump announced a new aid package supposedly intended to help Puerto Rico’s recovery process. The money, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement earlier on Friday, will be used to “replace thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines, electrical substations, power generation systems, office buildings and make other grid improvements” and “will focus on restoring school buildings and educational facilities across the island.”
“I have to say in a very nice way, very respectful way, I’m the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico,” Trump said during the afternoon press conference. “Nobody even close.”
But Trump has not been good for — or to — to Puerto Rico.
In November 2018, nearly a year after Hurricane Maria decimated the island and took out its already ailing power grid, Trump told congressional leaders he didn’t want any more aid being sent, even though the island was still in bad shape and needed critical help in its recovery.
Trump has also suggested that Puerto Ricans aren’t even Americans. Puerto Ricans have in fact been U.S. citizens since 1917.
In April 2019, Trump called a request for nutrition assistance for the people of Puerto Rico “excessive and unnecessary.” That same month, he accused the island of “only tak[ing] from USA” and its leaders of “hurt[ing] our Farmers and States!”
Months later, in June 2019, after Congress finally passed additional Puerto Rico disaster funding, Trump demanded credit for the relief even though he had spent years trying to block it.
Trump even once mused about selling the island of Puerto Rico, according to Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, who has since denounced Trump and endorsed Joe Biden for president.
“He wanted to see if we could sell Puerto Rico, if we could swap Puerto Rico for Greenland, because in his words, Puerto Rico was ‘dirty’ and the people were poor,” Taylor said in an interview on MSNBC.
And it wasn’t until January of 2020 that the Trump administration finally released billions in aid to the island, months after it was supposed to.
Reporters and political experts have questioned the timing of Friday’s announcement, 46 days before an election, where the Puerto Rican vote could help decide the outcome of the critical swing state of Florida.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans relocated to Florida following the hurricane in 2017, and Trump is now vying for their vote. Without winning Florida, Trump’s paths to an Electoral College victory are slim.
“I heard you many times over the past couple of years say that Puerto Rico got too much money,” ABC News’ Jonathan Karl said to Trump at the briefing. “Just last year you said Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on earth. … You said ‘never again.’ You said Congress gave too much money to Puerto Rico. Why now?”
Trump responded by claiming again that Puerto Rico was corrupt, before pivoting and claiming he was simply “building that up as a great medical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing area.”
“…We’re going to be taking back a lot of the business that we let go for years,” he claimed. “We’re gonna bring it back, they were very good at it.”
He added, “You have to do something about their [power] grid. Their grid is a disaster.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--Lt. Gov. Dan Forest crusades against masks for kids the day CDC calls them critical

North Carolina Lt. Gov .
Dan Forest hosted a press conference Wednesday in which he demanded public schools reopen immediately and denied that masks can help stop the spread of COVID-19 — the same day that Director Robert Redfield of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called them critical .
On the subject of face masks , Forest , who is also the GOP nominee for the state governor race , said , `` I do n't think that there 's any science that backs that up . ''
He noted that if elected governor , he would lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state should not require public school students and teachers to wear masks .
Also invited to speak was Michele Morrow , a nurse and known QAnon and COVID-19 conspiracy theorist .
Teachers have an `` immune system of steel '' and the mortality rate of coronavirus is similar to that of the flu , Morrow claimed in her press conference remarks .
But according to the CDC 's most recent data , coronavirus death rates remain roughly six times that of the seasonal flu .
“ We have to open our schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The decisions that have been made over the last four months specifically considering what facilities can and can not function are not only illogical , they ’ re also inconsistent.
” The comments were first flagged by American Bridge 21st Century , a liberal opposition research group .
Morrow has a lengthy history of backing COVID conspiracies and other misinformation in the public sphere .
In a Facebook video dated Sept. 16 , Morrow told followers that the virus seems to have been mutated by the CDC , Dr. Fauci , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a video posted to a public Facebook group , she touted hydroxychloroquine as a cure-all treatement for COVID-19 ; on July 2 , she posted a call to protest the medical community for withholding hydroxychloroquine as a treatment option .
On July 3 , Morrow instructed her Facebook followers , `` Do NOT volunteer to be tested for COVID-19 .
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !
!
! ''
Morrow has also reposted QAnon myths on her social media , including an erroneous claim about sex trafficking victims found locked in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Europe .
QAnon , which alleges many prominent Democrats and celebrities are involved in a cabal of Satan worship and child sex trafficking , has been labeled by the FBI as a domestic terrorist threat .
Forest 's and Morrow 's comments came on the same day CDC Director Redfield told lawmakers that masks are critical and `` the most powerful public health tool '' the public has to combat coronavirus — perhaps even more powerful than a vaccine .
Redfield noted that there is clear scientific evidence that masks work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year would only have about a 70 % effectiveness rate .
“ If I don ’ t get an immune response , the vaccine ’ s not going to protect me , '' said Redfield .
`` This face mask will . ''
Wednesday 's press conference is n't the first time Forest has spread anti-science propaganda surrounding masks .
In an August campaign stop in Lexington , he said , `` There 's a lot of scientists and science ... says masks are n't effective during these viruses . ''
And , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest wrongly asserted that multiple experts `` have all said for decades , masks do not work with viruses . ''
Such misinformation has led to broader pushback from Republicans on mask wearing .
According to a late August Pew Research poll , 92 % of Democrats and left-leaning respondents said they regularly wear a mask in public spaces and businesses , while only 76 % of Republicans and right-leaning respondents said they did .
In June , only 53 % of Republicans and other conservatives said they did .
North Carolina Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words about his opponent 's press conference .
`` It 's stunning that these elected leaders want to fill up our classrooms today without a safety plan , take away the statewide mask requirement and put our children at risk all to try and make a political splash , '' said a spokesperson .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest hosted a press conference Wednesday in which he demanded public schools reopen immediately and denied that masks can help stop the spread of COVID-19 — the same day that Director Robert Redfield of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called them critical.
On the subject of face masks, Forest, who is also the GOP nominee for the state governor race, said, “I don’t think that there’s any science that backs that up.”
He noted that if elected governor, he would lift the statewide mask mandate, adding that the state should not require public school students and teachers to wear masks.
Also invited to speak was Michele Morrow, a nurse and known QAnon and COVID-19 conspiracy theorist.
Teachers have an “immune system of steel” and the mortality rate of coronavirus is similar to that of the flu, Morrow claimed in her press conference remarks. But according to the CDC’s most recent data, coronavirus death rates remain roughly six times that of the seasonal flu.
“We have to open our schools for in-school instruction,” Morrow said. “The decisions that have been made over the last four months specifically considering what facilities can and cannot function are not only illogical, they’re also inconsistent.”
The comments were first flagged by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal opposition research group.
Morrow has a lengthy history of backing COVID conspiracies and other misinformation in the public sphere.
In a Facebook video dated Sept. 16, Morrow told followers that the virus seems to have been mutated by the CDC, Dr. Fauci, and Bill Gates. On July 30, in a video posted to a public Facebook group, she touted hydroxychloroquine as a cure-all treatement for COVID-19; on July 2, she posted a call to protest the medical community for withholding hydroxychloroquine as a treatment option.
On July 3, Morrow instructed her Facebook followers, “Do NOT volunteer to be tested for COVID-19. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!”
Morrow has also reposted QAnon myths on her social media, including an erroneous claim about sex trafficking victims found locked in a Delaware Port shipping container on its way to Europe. QAnon, which alleges many prominent Democrats and celebrities are involved in a cabal of Satan worship and child sex trafficking, has been labeled by the FBI as a domestic terrorist threat.
Forest’s and Morrow’s comments came on the same day CDC Director Redfield told lawmakers that masks are critical and “the most powerful public health tool” the public has to combat coronavirus — perhaps even more powerful than a vaccine.
Redfield noted that there is clear scientific evidence that masks work and that any potential vaccine rolled out this year would only have about a 70% effectiveness rate.
“If I don’t get an immune response, the vaccine’s not going to protect me,” said Redfield. “This face mask will.”
Wednesday’s press conference isn’t the first time Forest has spread anti-science propaganda surrounding masks. In an August campaign stop in Lexington, he said, “There’s a lot of scientists and science … says masks aren’t effective during these viruses.”
And, at a campaign event July 4, Forest wrongly asserted that multiple experts “have all said for decades, masks do not work with viruses.”
Such misinformation has led to broader pushback from Republicans on mask wearing. According to a late August Pew Research poll, 92% of Democrats and left-leaning respondents said they regularly wear a mask in public spaces and businesses, while only 76% of Republicans and right-leaning respondents said they did. In June, only 53% of Republicans and other conservatives said they did.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s campaign had choice words about his opponent’s press conference.
“It’s stunning that these elected leaders want to fill up our classrooms today without a safety plan, take away the statewide mask requirement and put our children at risk all to try and make a political splash,” said a spokesperson.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--These cities keep trying to ban abortion even though the Constitution says they can't

Lubbock is the latest city in Texas to try to declare itself a `` sanctuary city for the unborn . ''
It 's one of several municipalities that are openly defying the Constitution by functionally enacting a complete abortion ban within their borders .
Since mid-2019 , at least 13 cities in Texas have considered such ordinances , and 11 cities in East Texas passed an anti-abortion sanctuary city law .
None of those cities had an abortion clinic .
Almost immediately , seven of those East Texas cities were sued by the American Civil Liberties Union Each city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' attempting to criminalize a constitutional right .
The ACLU dropped the lawsuit after all the municipalities removed the criminal entity language .
The East Texas Right to Life association , which is behind the sanctuary city movement , spun the language change as a victory that would `` further ensure that the abortion industry had no chance of convincing a judge to entertain their weak accusations '' and said that labeling abortion providers `` criminal organizations '' was still accurate .
The ACLU indicated the language change was `` far from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the language in the ordinances .
Another lawsuit is still in the works , however .
Three organizations that support abortion rights — the Afiya Center , the Lilith Fund , and the Texas Equal Access Fund — sued both East Texas Right to Life and its leader , Mark Dickson .
The organizations allege Dickson and East Texas Right to Life defamed their organizations by calling them criminals when they know that is not the case .
Dickson bragged that getting sued was a victory .
He said that defaming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a statement `` rooted not in my own imagination , but in the law written on all of our hearts , in the Constitution of the United States of America , in the Texas Constitution , and in the laws of the great State of Texas . ''
Of course , abortion has been enshrined as a constitutional right for nearly 50 years , regardless of what Dickson believes .
Dickson is not the only person pursuing this quixotic line of reasoning , though .
Twelve Texas residents have sued the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defamation lawsuit is a `` deliberate campaign to muzzle the voices of those who support life . ''
Their logic ?
Since Texas did n't repeat its pre-Roe v. Wade statutes criminalizing abortion , it 's still a crime in Texas .
That ignores the fact that the Constitution trumps any state law Texas might want to claim is still in effect .
Meanwhile , Lubbock is soldiering onward with an equally misguided attempt , led once again by Dickson , to ban abortion there .
The proposed ordinance would make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion in Lubbock .
It would also make it illegal for someone to drive someone to an abortion , give someone money to use for an abortion , or give instructions about self-administered abortions .
Further , it would provide members of the fetus 's family the right to sue the provider for emotional distress .
Lubbock is the epicenter of the latest fight because , unlike the small East Texas cities already sued by the ACLU , a health center that offers abortion will be coming to Lubbock .
Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new facility in Lubbock , though an opening date is not yet set .
Many elected officials in Lubbock are not excited about the idea of the ban ordinance .
The city 's `` unequivocally pro-life '' mayor , Dan Pope , said that telling businesses , including Planned Parenthood , what they can do is `` not the lane we need to be in .
We need to do the things we were elected to do : provide police and fire services , make sure that our parks are maintained , make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets . ''
Other officials are equally worried .
Lubbock 's city manager said that he has `` no ability to enforce an ordinance like this without exposing the city to significant legal and financial risk . ''
This concern is warranted .
A city in Tennessee , Mt .
Juliet , just settled a case with an abortion clinic after that city approved a zoning scheme designed to prevent carafem , an abortion provider , from operating there .
After the city passed the zoning laws , the ACLU sued on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the ordinance , saying carafem was likely to prevail at trial .
With the settlement , Mt .
Juliet has to allow carafem to perform abortions anywhere the city otherwise allows medical services .
Moreover , the city had to agree to pay $ 225,000 in legal fees , which the city attorney referred to as `` a bitter pill to swallow . ''
The ACLU has stated it will not back down on these lawsuits .
They 're monitoring the language in the Texas sanctuary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Beck , of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project , warned lawmakers , saying , `` if you attack your constituents ' constitutional right to abortion , we will see you in court .
And we will win . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Lubbock is the latest city in Texas to try to declare itself a “sanctuary city for the unborn.” It’s one of several municipalities that are openly defying the Constitution by functionally enacting a complete abortion ban within their borders.
Since mid-2019, at least 13 cities in Texas have considered such ordinances, and 11 cities in East Texas passed an anti-abortion sanctuary city law. None of those cities had an abortion clinic.
Almost immediately, seven of those East Texas cities were sued by the American Civil Liberties Union Each city’s ordinance declared abortion providers “criminal entities,” attempting to criminalize a constitutional right. The ACLU dropped the lawsuit after all the municipalities removed the criminal entity language.
The East Texas Right to Life association, which is behind the sanctuary city movement, spun the language change as a victory that would “further ensure that the abortion industry had no chance of convincing a judge to entertain their weak accusations” and said that labeling abortion providers “criminal organizations” was still accurate. The ACLU indicated the language change was “far from perfect,” and they would keep monitoring the language in the ordinances.
Another lawsuit is still in the works, however. Three organizations that support abortion rights — the Afiya Center, the Lilith Fund, and the Texas Equal Access Fund — sued both East Texas Right to Life and its leader, Mark Dickson. The organizations allege Dickson and East Texas Right to Life defamed their organizations by calling them criminals when they know that is not the case.
Dickson bragged that getting sued was a victory. He said that defaming the organizations by calling them “criminals” is a statement “rooted not in my own imagination, but in the law written on all of our hearts, in the Constitution of the United States of America, in the Texas Constitution, and in the laws of the great State of Texas.”
Of course, abortion has been enshrined as a constitutional right for nearly 50 years, regardless of what Dickson believes. Dickson is not the only person pursuing this quixotic line of reasoning, though. Twelve Texas residents have sued the three women’s health organizations, saying that the defamation lawsuit is a “deliberate campaign to muzzle the voices of those who support life.” Their logic? Since Texas didn’t repeat its pre-Roe v. Wade statutes criminalizing abortion, it’s still a crime in Texas. That ignores the fact that the Constitution trumps any state law Texas might want to claim is still in effect.
Meanwhile, Lubbock is soldiering onward with an equally misguided attempt, led once again by Dickson, to ban abortion there. The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful to “procure or perform” an abortion in Lubbock. It would also make it illegal for someone to drive someone to an abortion, give someone money to use for an abortion, or give instructions about self-administered abortions. Further, it would provide members of the fetus’s family the right to sue the provider for emotional distress.
Lubbock is the epicenter of the latest fight because, unlike the small East Texas cities already sued by the ACLU, a health center that offers abortion will be coming to Lubbock. Planned Parenthood has said it is hiring for a new facility in Lubbock, though an opening date is not yet set.
Many elected officials in Lubbock are not excited about the idea of the ban ordinance. The city’s “unequivocally pro-life” mayor, Dan Pope, said that telling businesses, including Planned Parenthood, what they can do is “not the lane we need to be in. We need to do the things we were elected to do: provide police and fire services, make sure that our parks are maintained, make sure that we take care of our streets.”
Other officials are equally worried. Lubbock’s city manager said that he has “no ability to enforce an ordinance like this without exposing the city to significant legal and financial risk.”
This concern is warranted. A city in Tennessee, Mt. Juliet, just settled a case with an abortion clinic after that city approved a zoning scheme designed to prevent carafem, an abortion provider, from operating there. After the city passed the zoning laws, the ACLU sued on behalf of carafem. In May, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the ordinance, saying carafem was likely to prevail at trial.
With the settlement, Mt. Juliet has to allow carafem to perform abortions anywhere the city otherwise allows medical services. Moreover, the city had to agree to pay $225,000 in legal fees, which the city attorney referred to as “a bitter pill to swallow.”
The ACLU has stated it will not back down on these lawsuits. They’re monitoring the language in the Texas sanctuary city cases. And in Tennessee, Andrew Beck, of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, warned lawmakers, saying, “if you attack your constituents’ constitutional right to abortion, we will see you in court. And we will win.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--GOP's scheme to make it harder to vote defeated in 4 states in just a week

Republicans faced a series of defeats this week in their efforts to make it harder for Americans to vote , as both state and federal courts ruled against them in lawsuits and struck down laws they 'd passed .
Donald Trump 's campaign has pledged to spend $ 20 million to fight the expansion of absentee ballot use amid the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to try to block measures that make it easier for voters to return those ballots , such as adding ballot collection boxes and allowing states to count ballots that were postmarked on Election Day but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Postal Service delays .
But the efforts of Trump and other Republicans to make it harder to vote were dealt a series of blows in the critical swing states of Michigan , Nevada , and Pennsylvania , and in Illinois .
On Friday , voting rights advocates notched a win in Michigan when the state Court of Claims ruled that ballots postmarked by Nov. 2 , one day before the election , and received by Nov. 17 will be counted .
That means if voters ' ballots are delayed due to changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump donor-turned-Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , they will still be counted .
The court also ruled that voters can receive `` assistance in returning an absent voter ballot '' to a ballot drop box .
One day earlier , the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan struck down a law that made it a misdemeanor to `` hire a motor vehicle or other conveyance , or cause the same to be done , for conveying voters , other than voters physically unable to walk , to an election . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies like Uber and Lyft to offer discounts or free rides for voters on Election Day .
The court ruled that the Michigan law violated a federal law that `` gave citizens the right to spend money on transporting voters to the polls . ''
In Illinois , a federal judge ruled against the Cook County Republican Party , which had filed a lawsuit against a state law that made it easier to vote .
The law made Election Day a state holiday , expanded hours for early in-person voting , improved signature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote-by-mail applications to all recent voters .
In Pennsylvania , the state Supreme Court ruled that all ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted if they arrive within three days after the election — a move that will ensure voters wo n't be disenfranchised by Postal Service delays .
The court also ruled that ballot drop boxes are allowed , despite GOP efforts to ban them , and that any poll watchers must be residents of the county in which they are watching , which would block outsiders from coming into Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of casting ballots .
And in Nevada , a judge ruled against a GOP effort to block a state law mandating that absentee ballots are sent to all registered voters , said Marc Elias , a voting rights lawyer .
`` WE ARE NOT DONE WINNING ! ''
Elias tweeted Thursday night after the series of court victories .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans faced a series of defeats this week in their efforts to make it harder for Americans to vote, as both state and federal courts ruled against them in lawsuits and struck down laws they’d passed.
Donald Trump’s campaign has pledged to spend $20 million to fight the expansion of absentee ballot use amid the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to try to block measures that make it easier for voters to return those ballots, such as adding ballot collection boxes and allowing states to count ballots that were postmarked on Election Day but were received by election officials late due to Postal Service delays.
But the efforts of Trump and other Republicans to make it harder to vote were dealt a series of blows in the critical swing states of Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, and in Illinois.
On Friday, voting rights advocates notched a win in Michigan when the state Court of Claims ruled that ballots postmarked by Nov. 2, one day before the election, and received by Nov. 17 will be counted. That means if voters’ ballots are delayed due to changes made recently to Postal Service operations by Trump donor-turned-Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, they will still be counted.
The court also ruled that voters can receive “assistance in returning an absent voter ballot” to a ballot drop box.
One day earlier, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan struck down a law that made it a misdemeanor to “hire a motor vehicle or other conveyance, or cause the same to be done, for conveying voters, other than voters physically unable to walk, to an election.” That law made it illegal for ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft to offer discounts or free rides for voters on Election Day.
The court ruled that the Michigan law violated a federal law that “gave citizens the right to spend money on transporting voters to the polls.”
In Illinois, a federal judge ruled against the Cook County Republican Party, which had filed a lawsuit against a state law that made it easier to vote. The law made Election Day a state holiday, expanded hours for early in-person voting, improved signature verification on mail-in ballots, and sent vote-by-mail applications to all recent voters.
In Pennsylvania, the state Supreme Court ruled that all ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted if they arrive within three days after the election — a move that will ensure voters won’t be disenfranchised by Postal Service delays.
The court also ruled that ballot drop boxes are allowed, despite GOP efforts to ban them, and that any poll watchers must be residents of the county in which they are watching, which would block outsiders from coming into Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia to intimidate voters out of casting ballots.
And in Nevada, a judge ruled against a GOP effort to block a state law mandating that absentee ballots are sent to all registered voters, said Marc Elias, a voting rights lawyer.
“WE ARE NOT DONE WINNING!” Elias tweeted Thursday night after the series of court victories.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--Trump vows to stop Americans from learning about racism

Trump announced Thursday he would sign an executive order forming a commission to promote `` patriotic education '' and create a `` pro-American '' curriculum — an ostensibly revisionist history that does n't acknowledge systemic racism .
It 's the latest in a long line of White House efforts to combat anti-racism .
Trump 's `` 1776 Commission '' seems to be a direct response to the New York Times 's Pulitzer-winning `` 1619 Project , '' an initiative outlining an alternate American history perspective beginning in 1619 when the first slave was brought to the colonies .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Critical race theory , the 1619 Project , and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda , ideological poison that , if not removed , will dissolve the civic bonds that bind us together .
It will destroy our country . ''
At the same time , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is praising an alternative curriculum to the 1619 project called `` 1776 Unites , '' an effort by conservative leaders and right-wing think tank the American Enterprise Institute to combat the 1619 Project .
Although the curriculum was launched on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House did not immediately respond for comment on whether Trump has this curriculum specifically in mind .
`` 1619 claims that America was founded as a slaveocracy , not a democracy , '' AEI Resident Fellow Ian Rowe , one of the curriculum 's chief proponents alongside conservative activist Robert Woodson Sr. , told the Western Journal .
`` It also claims America 's founding ideals were false when they were written .
We reject those ideas . ''
Rowe has said the curriculum 's focus is telling the stories of African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as victims '' and who `` ( embraced ) the principles of education , family , free enterprise , faith , hard work and personal responsibility . ''
Such a depiction plays right into centuries-old racist stereotypes lifting up the `` model minority '' — those who meekly comply with white expectations and work toward economic advancement within an oppressive system .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the curriculum `` sounds like a wonderful idea . ''
The most recent developments follow closely on the heels of Trump 's open disdain for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet , Trump threatened to withhold funding from California public schools following reports that some were teaching lesson plans based on the 1619 Project .
Pulling funding from schools is a baseless threat , National Education Policy Center William Mathis told USA Today in July .
`` It 's a constitutional issue , '' he said .
`` The purse is controlled by Congress . ''
Earlier this month , Trump also sent a memo to federal agencies banning workplace anti-racism training .
Calling such programs `` divisive , un-American propaganda training sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any program discussing `` white privilege '' or `` critical race theory . ''
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought tweeted about the decision , saying , `` The days of taxpayer funded indoctrination trainings that sow division and racism are over . ''
On Sept. 5 , Trump called anti-racism training a `` sickness that can not be allowed to continued , '' instructing followers to `` report any sightings '' so his administration can `` extinguish '' them .
In a slew of racist dog whistles over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter protesters `` disgraceful '' and `` thugs '' and belittled efforts of the movement as `` a symbol of hate . ''
In May , Trump threatened to unleash the National Guard on Minneapolis and start `` shooting '' protesters , earning a Twitter cautionary notice for violating rules about glorifying violence .
In August , Trump denounced the NBA as a `` political organization '' for supporting Black Lives Matter .
Trump and his allies have long rejected efforts to call out and confront racism .
In 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage a walkout of an NFL game when protesters took a knee to protest systemic police brutality and racism .
Back in 2015 , when a protester was savagely beaten for interrupting a Trump rally in Birmingham , Alabama with shouts of `` Black lives matter !
`` , Trump commented on Fox News that `` maybe '' that protester `` should have been roughed up '' for being a `` trouble-maker . ''
Trump 's opposition to anti-racism was clear long before he was tapped as the GOP nominee .
Asked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have supported Japanese American internment during World War II , his response was telling .
`` I would have had to be there at the time to tell you , to give you a proper answer , '' he said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trump announced Thursday he would sign an executive order forming a commission to promote “patriotic education” and create a “pro-American” curriculum — an ostensibly revisionist history that doesn’t acknowledge systemic racism.
It’s the latest in a long line of White House efforts to combat anti-racism.
Trump’s “1776 Commission” seems to be a direct response to the New York Times’s Pulitzer-winning “1619 Project,” an initiative outlining an alternate American history perspective beginning in 1619 when the first slave was brought to the colonies.
In his remarks Thursday, Trump claimed, “Critical race theory, the 1619 Project, and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda, ideological poison that, if not removed, will dissolve the civic bonds that bind us together. It will destroy our country.”
At the same time, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is praising an alternative curriculum to the 1619 project called “1776 Unites,” an effort by conservative leaders and right-wing think tank the American Enterprise Institute to combat the 1619 Project. Although the curriculum was launched on the eve of Trump’s remarks, the White House did not immediately respond for comment on whether Trump has this curriculum specifically in mind.
“1619 claims that America was founded as a slaveocracy, not a democracy,” AEI Resident Fellow Ian Rowe, one of the curriculum’s chief proponents alongside conservative activist Robert Woodson Sr., told the Western Journal. “It also claims America’s founding ideals were false when they were written. We reject those ideas.”
Rowe has said the curriculum’s focus is telling the stories of African Americans who “did not view themselves as victims” and who “(embraced) the principles of education, family, free enterprise, faith, hard work and personal responsibility.”
Such a depiction plays right into centuries-old racist stereotypes lifting up the “model minority” — those who meekly comply with white expectations and work toward economic advancement within an oppressive system.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the curriculum “sounds like a wonderful idea.”
The most recent developments follow closely on the heels of Trump’s open disdain for the 1619 Project.
In a Sept. 6 tweet, Trump threatened to withhold funding from California public schools following reports that some were teaching lesson plans based on the 1619 Project.
Pulling funding from schools is a baseless threat, National Education Policy Center William Mathis told USA Today in July. “It’s a constitutional issue,” he said. “The purse is controlled by Congress.”
Earlier this month, Trump also sent a memo to federal agencies banning workplace anti-racism training.
Calling such programs “divisive, un-American propaganda training sessions,” Trump called for an end to any program discussing “white privilege” or “critical race theory.”
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought tweeted about the decision, saying, “The days of taxpayer funded indoctrination trainings that sow division and racism are over.”
On Sept. 5, Trump called anti-racism training a “sickness that cannot be allowed to continued,” instructing followers to “report any sightings” so his administration can “extinguish” them.
In a slew of racist dog whistles over the past several months, Trump has called Black Lives Matter protesters “disgraceful” and “thugs” and belittled efforts of the movement as “a symbol of hate.” In May, Trump threatened to unleash the National Guard on Minneapolis and start “shooting” protesters, earning a Twitter cautionary notice for violating rules about glorifying violence.
In August, Trump denounced the NBA as a “political organization” for supporting Black Lives Matter.
Trump and his allies have long rejected efforts to call out and confront racism. In 2017, Trump instructed Vice President Mike Pence to stage a walkout of an NFL game when protesters took a knee to protest systemic police brutality and racism.
Back in 2015, when a protester was savagely beaten for interrupting a Trump rally in Birmingham, Alabama with shouts of “Black lives matter!”, Trump commented on Fox News that “maybe” that protester “should have been roughed up” for being a “trouble-maker.”
Trump’s opposition to anti-racism was clear long before he was tapped as the GOP nominee. Asked in a 2015 Time magazine interview if he would have supported Japanese American internment during World War II, his response was telling.
“I would have had to be there at the time to tell you, to give you a proper answer,” he said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--Biden calls on Trump to resign for his failures on coronavirus

Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday night called for Donald Trump to `` step down '' from the presidency , citing Trump 's deception on the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We have to be honest with the American people , '' Biden said in a town hall on CNN , criticizing Trump for repeatedly downplaying the severity of the virus that has killed nearly 200,000 Americans .
In comments to journalist Bob Woodward in February , Trump said he intentionally downplayed the virus , even though he knew at that point that it was airborne and deadly .
JOE BIDEN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about one thing : the stock market .
He does n't want to see anything happen , it 's all about his reelection .
It should be about the American people .
And they 're in trouble .
And if we do n't do it—and by the way , his own CDC director contradicted him recently , he said if in fact you just wore this mask , nothing else but this mask , you would save between now and January another 100,000 lives .
And so , we have to be honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough .
They know it , as Franklin Roosevelt said , `` things get worse and worse before they get better and better , but you 've got to level with the American people , shoot from the shoulder . ''
There 's never been a time they 've not been able to step up .
This president should step down .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday night called for Donald Trump to “step down” from the presidency, citing Trump’s deception on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to be honest with the American people,” Biden said in a town hall on CNN, criticizing Trump for repeatedly downplaying the severity of the virus that has killed nearly 200,000 Americans.
In comments to journalist Bob Woodward in February, Trump said he intentionally downplayed the virus, even though he knew at that point that it was airborne and deadly.
From a Sept. 17 CNN “Presidential Town Hall with Joe Biden”:
JOE BIDEN: And look, this is all about one thing: the stock market. He doesn’t want to see anything happen, it’s all about his reelection. It should be about the American people. And they’re in trouble. And if we don’t do it—and by the way, his own CDC director contradicted him recently, he said if in fact you just wore this mask, nothing else but this mask, you would save between now and January another 100,000 lives. And so, we have to be honest with the American people. We’re tough. They know it, as Franklin Roosevelt said, “things get worse and worse before they get better and better, but you’ve got to level with the American people, shoot from the shoulder.” There’s never been a time they’ve not been able to step up. This president should step down.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-18--Fox News tries to talk GOP congressman out of doomed attempt to remove Pelosi

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday tried to talk Rep. Chip Roy ( R-TX ) out of proposing a procedural vote intending to remove Speaker Nancy Pelosi from her position in the House of Representatives .
The House Freedom Caucus , the most conservative faction of Republicans in the House , is pressuring House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to support a floor vote to `` vacate the chair '' with the goal of removing Pelosi .
Republicans would need to get a majority of the House to back the unusual move , but Democrats currently hold a 232-198 majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy has said he does not support the action .
`` Congressman , it 's all symbolism , '' Kilmeade told Roy .
`` I understand your sentiment , but I think the last thing we need now is another symbolic vote . ''
Roy insisted that there was hope for the plot , claiming without evidence that Democrats `` are starting to break from the speaker . ''
Democrats currently maintain a 6-point lead in an average of polling when voters are asked who should be in control of the House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ News ' `` Fox & Friends '' : REP. CHIP ROY : She needs to go .
This is n't just wait until November , this is n't just waiting until January .
Yes , we should vote her out and vote Democrats out now ... BRIAN KILMEADE , co-host : But congressman , it 's all symbolism .
It 's all symbolism .
If you want to motivate people , November 3 is the time to put a minority .
You know , I understand your sentiment , but I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbolic vote , right ?
ROY : Well , but this is n't a symbolic vote .
Here 's what you do : You bring to the floor , you vacate the chair .
Let 's have a vote on who stands with Nancy Pelosi , who stands with the leadership of the Democratic leadership of the House ?
KILMEADE : They all do , but they all do .
KILMEADE : They all do .
All the Democrats stand with her .
We 've already seen the drill .
ROY : No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not entirely true , if you watch some of the quotes this week , there 's a bunch of freshman Democrats that are starting— ROY : — to break from the speaker .
And also , we know that AOC and some of the radical left do n't like the speaker , that she 's not radical enough .
Let 's force them to vote .
Let 's see where they stand and then on November you 're going to know when you go to the polls who stands with Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who wants to stand up for America versus standing up for a Democratic Party that refuses to stand with law enforcement .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday tried to talk Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) out of proposing a procedural vote intending to remove Speaker Nancy Pelosi from her position in the House of Representatives.
The House Freedom Caucus, the most conservative faction of Republicans in the House, is pressuring House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to support a floor vote to “vacate the chair” with the goal of removing Pelosi.
Republicans would need to get a majority of the House to back the unusual move, but Democrats currently hold a 232-198 majority after winning the 2018 midterm election. McCarthy has said he does not support the action.
“Congressman, it’s all symbolism,” Kilmeade told Roy. “I understand your sentiment, but I think the last thing we need now is another symbolic vote.”
Roy insisted that there was hope for the plot, claiming without evidence that Democrats “are starting to break from the speaker.”
Democrats currently maintain a 6-point lead in an average of polling when voters are asked who should be in control of the House.
From the Sept. 18 edition of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”:
REP. CHIP ROY: She needs to go. This isn’t just wait until November, this isn’t just waiting until January. Yes, we should vote her out and vote Democrats out now … BRIAN KILMEADE, co-host: But congressman, it’s all symbolism. It’s all symbolism. If you want to motivate people, November 3 is the time to put a minority. You know, I understand your sentiment, but I think the last thing we need now is another symbolic vote, right? ROY: Well, but this isn’t a symbolic vote. Here’s what you do: You bring to the floor, you vacate the chair. Let’s have a vote on who stands with Nancy Pelosi, who stands with the leadership of the Democratic leadership of the House? KILMEADE: They all do, but they all do. ROY: What was that? KILMEADE: They all do. All the Democrats stand with her. We’ve already seen the drill. ROY: No, but you know what? That’s not entirely true, if you watch some of the quotes this week, there’s a bunch of freshman Democrats that are starting— KILMEADE: Moderates. ROY: — to break from the speaker. And also, we know that AOC and some of the radical left don’t like the speaker, that she’s not radical enough. Let’s force them to vote. Let’s see where they stand and then on November you’re going to know when you go to the polls who stands with Nancy Pelosi, who stands with the American people. Who wants to stand up for America versus standing up for a Democratic Party that refuses to stand with law enforcement.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-19--Oklahoma knew it was dangerous to host a Trump rally. It did it anyway.

Oklahoma 's former state epidemiologist warned that Donald Trump 's rally in Tulsa in June could lead to as many as nine deaths and 228 new cases of COVID-19 , according to documents released Wednesday .
The documents released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health in response to an open records request show that the state 's former epidemiologist , Aaron Wendelboe , warned state and Tulsa health officials of the dire consequences if the rally were held , though his projection was based on it drawing an estimated 19,000 Trump supporters , and only about 6,200 actually showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for clear communication of the risk of holding a mass gathering , '' Wendelboe wrote in an email to Dr. Bruce Dart , the director of the Tulsa Health Department , five days before Trump 's June 20 rally at a downtown Tulsa arena .
`` I 'm not sure of any instance where we would hold a public event and say '…and by the way , there is a chance that attending this could lead to a minimum of two deaths . '
'' In another email to two of his former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wendelboe expressed reservations about how forcefully he should share his concerns .
`` As the state epidemiologist , I feel I have a responsibility to speak out and warn of the estimated risk , '' Wendelboe wrote in a different June 15 email .
`` However , that responsibility also lies with the health commissioner and the secretary of health ; both with whom I have shared my concerns .
I am acutely aware that Governor ( Kevin ) Stitt has invited President Trump to the state . ''
The existence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill .
Wendelboe 's contract expired this summer and he no longer works for the state health department .
He declined to comment Wednesday on his findings .
The Tulsa Health Department does not publicly identify where potential virus transmissions occurred , so it 's not clear how many people contracted the coronavirus at Trump 's rally .
But among those who attended was former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain , who was photographed not wearing a mask and sitting close to other people who were n't wearing them either .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cain tested positive for the disease on June 29 , nine days after the rally , and died on July 30 .
Dart publicly urged the Trump campaign to cancel or postpone the rally , but neither he nor Mayor G.T .
Bynum had that authority , spokeswomen for both men said Wednesday .
Dart has said that Trump 's rally and large protests held in Tulsa surrounding the event `` likely contributed '' to a surge in cases in the following weeks .
A spokesman for the Republican governor , who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask , acknowledged that members of Stitt 's cabinet were briefed on Wendelboe 's projections ahead of the rally .
`` The governor has reviewed models from several epidemiologists throughout the pandemic .
Each one has projected scenarios far more severe than reality , often multiple times more extreme , '' Stitt spokesman Charlie Hannema said .
`` The governor takes all modeling input seriously as he makes decisions and recommendations . ''
Stitt was the first U.S. governor to publicly acknowledge testing positive for the coronavirus , although he has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally .
Wendelboe 's estimates , which ranged from between two and nine deaths , were based on a projection that 19,000 Trump supporters would pack into Tulsa 's BOK Center for the rally .
The rally ultimately drew an unexpectedly low crowd of about 6,200 people after Trump 's campaign bragged that more than a million people had requested tickets .
Trump 's former campaign manager , Brad Parscale , was replaced less than a month later .

Oklahoma’s former state epidemiologist warned that Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa in June could lead to as many as nine deaths and 228 new cases of COVID-19, according to documents released Wednesday.
The documents released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health in response to an open records request show that the state’s former epidemiologist, Aaron Wendelboe, warned state and Tulsa health officials of the dire consequences if the rally were held, though his projection was based on it drawing an estimated 19,000 Trump supporters, and only about 6,200 actually showed up.
“I am advocating here for clear communication of the risk of holding a mass gathering,” Wendelboe wrote in an email to Dr. Bruce Dart, the director of the Tulsa Health Department, five days before Trump’s June 20 rally at a downtown Tulsa arena. “I’m not sure of any instance where we would hold a public event and say ‘…and by the way, there is a chance that attending this could lead to a minimum of two deaths.'”
In another email to two of his former colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, Wendelboe expressed reservations about how forcefully he should share his concerns.
“As the state epidemiologist, I feel I have a responsibility to speak out and warn of the estimated risk,” Wendelboe wrote in a different June 15 email. “However, that responsibility also lies with the health commissioner and the secretary of health; both with whom I have shared my concerns. I am acutely aware that Governor (Kevin) Stitt has invited President Trump to the state.”
The existence of the documents was first reported Wednesday by the Hill.
Wendelboe’s contract expired this summer and he no longer works for the state health department. He declined to comment Wednesday on his findings.
The Tulsa Health Department does not publicly identify where potential virus transmissions occurred, so it’s not clear how many people contracted the coronavirus at Trump’s rally. But among those who attended was former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, who was photographed not wearing a mask and sitting close to other people who weren’t wearing them either. According to a statement on his Twitter account, Cain tested positive for the disease on June 29, nine days after the rally, and died on July 30.
Dart publicly urged the Trump campaign to cancel or postpone the rally, but neither he nor Mayor G.T. Bynum had that authority, spokeswomen for both men said Wednesday. Dart has said that Trump’s rally and large protests held in Tulsa surrounding the event “likely contributed” to a surge in cases in the following weeks.
A spokesman for the Republican governor, who also attended Trump’s rally without wearing a mask, acknowledged that members of Stitt’s cabinet were briefed on Wendelboe’s projections ahead of the rally.
“The governor has reviewed models from several epidemiologists throughout the pandemic. Each one has projected scenarios far more severe than reality, often multiple times more extreme,” Stitt spokesman Charlie Hannema said. “The governor takes all modeling input seriously as he makes decisions and recommendations.”
Stitt was the first U.S. governor to publicly acknowledge testing positive for the coronavirus, although he has said he did not contract it at the Trump rally.
Wendelboe’s estimates, which ranged from between two and nine deaths, were based on a projection that 19,000 Trump supporters would pack into Tulsa’s BOK Center for the rally. The rally ultimately drew an unexpectedly low crowd of about 6,200 people after Trump’s campaign bragged that more than a million people had requested tickets. Trump’s former campaign manager, Brad Parscale, was replaced less than a month later.