theroot--2020-10-27--Jamie Harrison Is Going to Beat the Brakes off Sen. Lindsey Graham (Votingly) and 4 Other Down Ballo

Jamie Harrison Is Going to Beat the Brakes off Sen. Lindsey Graham (Votingly) and 4 Other Down Ballot Races We Need to Watch

My mother taught English in D.C. Public Schools for more than 50 years .
One day , I went to her class to help her carry some boxes down to her car when I saw “ Let ’ s get that pizza ” written on the chalkboard .
I laughed because my mother , who is a wizard of words and a waste of time to play Scrabble against ( seriously , I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever beaten my mother in Scrabble ) had to know that this was incorrect English .
She saw that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she notified me that it was in quotes , so she wrote it the way it was said .
She explained that it was a mantra for one of her classes which had some big test coming up and she ’ d promised the class pizza if they did well .
I asked her if she was worried about the class being bummed out if they didn ’ t do well enough to get pizza .
She informed me that the pizza was a given no matter what .
If the kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they bombed they ’ d get pizza to cheer them up .
I thought that was some cheesy ( see what I did there ?
Pizza ... cheese..forget it ) participation trophy garbage that adds to the softening of America ’ s children .
Why should they get pizza for failing , I asked .
She explained that some of her children don ’ t come from homes where they have enough to eat and that the pizza had nothing to do with the test , it was just a chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go hungry over the weekend , which , is why she always got more pizza than she needed so some of them—the ones she knew weren ’ t doing well—could have slices to take home .
She said that the other teachers always thought that her kids tested well because she bribed them with food .
She explained that the kids testing well didn ’ t have anything to do with food incentives but everything to do with a trick she learned a while ago .
Days before the test was to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids up with the ones who were struggling and have them work through a practice test .
Yes , those who had the right answers got rewarded with candy , but the secret she told me is that some kids just learn better from other kids .
So she ’ d walk around the classroom and observe the teachings of kids seeing if she could learn any tips to add to her arsenal .
“ Sometimes you just have to meet people right where they are , ” she told me .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be learned from each other , I say : “ Let ’ s get that pizza.
” Below are five down-ballot races to watch in the upcoming election .
If an empty carryout container stained with a week ’ s worth of old mumbo sauce was running against shaky-voiced Susan Collins I would be carrying signs urging people to “ Vote C arryout C ontainer 2020 !
” Collins prides herself as being the Republican with strong words against Republicans .
She ’ s the woman who chastises Republicans , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in the end continues to cozy up to , kick it with , tag in her IG photos , and vote with Republicans .
Never forget the mess she pulled during Brett Kavanaugh ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing in which she acted as if she was having a conflict of conscience , like she was really contemplating voting against Kavanaugh only to stand on the floor of the Senate and ramble during her 45-minute speech that ended with : “ Mr .
President , I will vote to confirm Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where , and I don ’ t know how , but it ’ s time for Susan Collins to go .
I don ’ t care if she ends up on a street corner where she is paid a dollar by Trump supporters to get a video of her saying “ I ’ m deeply concerned , ” but she needs to get out of Congress , ASAPly .
The funny thing is that everyone is tired of her .
She ’ s annoyed the right and the left , equally .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a political centrist , which would be great .
She can use her new centrist position to end arguments in her home because she ’ s no longer needed in Congress .
And if anyone can do it , it ’ s Sara Gideon , the Democratic speaker of Maine ’ s House of Representatives .
While she ’ s been in local politics for a bit , she ’ s not as widely known as Collins .
But that hasn ’ t stopped Gideon from outraising Collins including one three-month stint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
All Gideon needs to do is hold serve .
If Collins is going to be defeated it will be her own undoing and “ I ’ m deeply concerned about that.
” President Trump ’ s third testicle Sen. Lindsey Graham made his bed and then he asked the president to sleep in it while he slept on the floor next to him .
Graham sold his soul and possibly his Congressional seat by aligning with Trump and now the chickens are coming home to roost .
And by chickens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has punishingly outraised Graham to the point that Trump ’ s favorite booty pimple can ’ t stop whining about how much money Harrison has raised .
Seriously , listen to Graham begging , with his begging ass : And then his begging ass did it again at Amy Coney Barrett ’ s hearing , which led to two ethics complaints because he knows he ’ s in serious trouble and he should be .
Jaime Harrison has been on Lindsey ’ s tail from the time he announced that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
He ’ s got Graham so shook that the current South Carolina senator ( emphasis on current ) has canceled two of three scheduled debates in October .
The first debate was canceled because Graham refused to take a COVID-19 test .
The second was recently canceled because Graham claims he ’ s not coming back to S.C. until Amy Coney Barrett is a confirmed Supreme Court Justice .
“ The last debate was canceled because Lindsey Graham refused to take a COVID test ; now he ’ s too busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of South Carolina hear from him , ” Harrison said .
“ South Carolinians statewide are suffering from the ongoing pandemic , and the people of the Palmetto State deserve to hear from both candidates on the issues that matter most .
I ’ m ready and willing to debate , while Lindsey Graham runs from the people of South Carolina.
” In the words of guys from my neighborhood : “ He scared.
” Let me explain how the spine works : OK , I don ’ t know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you screw with your spine it ’ s a wrap .
You know who else you don ’ t mess with ?
Black women .
Black women are the spine of the Democratic party and when Doug Jones was in a tough race against a pedophile ( because Alabama ) it was B lack women who came out to save Jones .
And then once Jones got to Congress , what did he do ?
Nothing that I can think of .
Not one thing .
Well , he did sign that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back many of the regulations imposed on banks and lenders .
The Root senior staff writer Michael Harriot explains it as just one way Jones screwed over B lack folks .
But Jones did say that “ Black Lives Matter ” so I guess there is that .
But understand this : I don ’ t care what the polls say or where they say former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is slated , Alabama is a football state and one thing they love more than President Trump is watching their quarterback take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who knows what Tommy Tuberville believes but he loves Trump and he loves football and that means he ’ s got a chance .
It ’ s time for Mitch McConnell ’ s neck balloon to inflate and carry him off into the clouds only for his neck balloon to be clipped by a buzzard that follows him to the ground to pick over his destroyed neck balloon .
Seriously , it ’ s a tie between Lindsey Graham and McConnell between whom I hate more , and right now , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a throwback to the good ole boy Strom Thurmond Congress of yesteryear .
Not only does McConnell pride himself on being the person who kept then-President Obama ’ s Supreme Court pick , Merrick Garland , off the court , but he ’ s currently in the process of shoving Amy Coney Barrett down America ’ s throat as the election is underway .
He ’ s also done nothing to reign in the president and he ’ s currently the reason that we don ’ t have a new stimulus bill as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work across the aisle to keep all of America from sliding deeper into poverty .
Oh , and Moscow Mitch is Russia ’ s little puppet because he ’ s doing exactly what Russia and Trump want him to do .
Also , he ’ s got something really weird going on with his hands .
If Amy McGrath is going to beat McConnell she ’ s going to have to overcome a lot .
First , she ’ s not racist and if she ’ s going to win in Kentucky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to work on that .
Seriously , a place like Kentucky doesn ’ t just accidentally end up with someone like McConnell unless they are jacked up too .
Currently , with a week of voting remaining , McConnell is leading McGrath by 9 points coming off arguably his worst year and McGrath is no slouch ; she ’ s a Marine fighter pilot !
McGrath has raised some $ 46 million ( and counting ) and if money was the sole factor in determining who would win the race , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , money ain ’ t votes and if I had to put my chips on a balloon-necked-man running in a fundamentally blue state where he ’ s won six times , sadly , I don ’ t think this is the year that McConnell leaves Congress .
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Mike Espy .
Current White House squatter President Trump has issued a Twitter shout- out to Cindy Hyde-Smith .
I don ’ t know if two candidates could be more opposite .
One is hoping to become the first black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the other is Cindy Hyde-Smith .
Hyde-Smith and Espy faced off in a special election to take over the last two years of former Sen. Thad Cochran ’ s ( R ) term .
Espy lost .
Now the two meet again for a chance at full term and Espy ’ s swimming in cash .
He ’ s raised some “ $ 4 million in the third quarter of 2020 , while Hyde-Smith raised nearly $ 815,000.
” But who are we kidding , Mississippi is racist AF .
Other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be more racist .
Doesn ’ t help Espy that President Trump “ won by 18 percent in 2016 and is expected to handily carry again this year.
” But that doesn ’ t mean all hope is lost .
People hate Trump all across the country and that ’ s bringing out a record number of voters and this could help Espy .
While voting for Biden , there is bound to be some down-ballot trickle-down effect and hopefully , that ’ s enough to push Espy to victory .
Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Perdue ( R ) and Raphael Warnock vs. Kelly Loeffler ( R )

My mother taught English in D.C. Public Schools for more than 50 years. One day, I went to her class to help her carry some boxes down to her car when I saw “Let’s get that pizza” written on the chalkboard. I laughed because my mother, who is a wizard of words and a waste of time to play Scrabble against (seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever beaten my mother ) had to know that this was incorrect English. She saw that I was fixing my mouth to correct her when she notified me that it was in quotes, so she wrote it the way it was said. She explained that it was a mantra for one of her classes which had some big test coming up and she’d promised the class pizza if they did well. I asked her if she was worried about the class being bummed out if they didn’t do well enough to get pizza. She informed me that the pizza was a given no matter what. If the kids aced the test they got pizza and if they bombed they’d get pizza to cheer them up.
I thought that was some cheesy (see what I did there? Pizza...cheese..forget it) participation trophy garbage that adds to the softening of America’s children. Why should they get pizza for failing, I asked. She explained that some of her children don’t come from homes where they have enough to eat and that the pizza had nothing to do with the test, it was just a chance to feed some kids who she knew might go hungry over the weekend, which, is why she always got more pizza than she needed so some of them—the ones she knew weren’t doing well—could have slices to take home. She said that the other teachers always thought that her kids tested well because she bribed them with food. She explained that the kids testing well didn’t have anything to do with food incentives but everything to do with a trick she learned a while ago. Days before the test was to be given she’d pair the smart kids up with the ones who were struggling and have them work through a practice test. Yes, those who had the right answers got rewarded with candy, but the secret she told me is that some kids just learn better from other kids. So she’d walk around the classroom and observe the teachings of kids seeing if she could learn any tips to add to her arsenal.
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“Sometimes you just have to meet people right where they are,” she told me.
So in honor of that kid and lessons that can be learned from each other, I say: “Let’s get that pizza.”
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Below are five down-ballot races to watch in the upcoming election.
Maine: Sara Gideon (D) vs. Susan Collins (R)
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If an empty carryout container stained with a week’s worth of old mumbo sauce was running against shaky-voiced Susan Collins I would be carrying signs urging people to “Vote Carryout Container 2020!”
Collins prides herself as being the Republican with strong words against Republicans. She’s the woman who chastises Republicans, who acts like she’s against Republicans, and in the end continues to cozy up to, kick it with, tag in her IG photos, and vote with Republicans. Never forget the mess she pulled during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing in which she acted as if she was having a conflict of conscience like she was really contemplating voting against Kavanaugh only to stand on the floor of the Senate and ramble during her 45-minute speech that ended with: “Mr. President, I will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
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I don’t know where, and I don’t know how, but it’s time for Susan Collins to go. I don’t care if she ends up on a street corner where she is paid a dollar by Trump supporters to get a video of her saying “I’m deeply concerned,” but she needs to get out of Congress, ASAPly.
The funny thing is that everyone is tired of her. She’s annoyed the right and the left, equally. So now Collins is trying to reshape herself as a political centrist, which would be great. She can use her new centrist position to end arguments in her home because she’s no longer needed in Congress.
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And if anyone can do it, it’s Sara Gideon, the Democratic speaker of Maine’s House of Representatives. While she’s been in local politics for a bit, she’s not as widely known as Collins. But that hasn’t stopped Gideon from outraising Collins including one three-month stint in which she raised some $39.4 million. All Gideon needs to do is hold serve. If Collins is going to be defeated it will be her own undoing and “I’m deeply concerned about that.”
South Carolina: Jaime Harrison (D) vs. Lindsey Graham (R)
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President Trump’s third testicle Sen. Lindsey Graham made his bed and then he asked the president to sleep in it while he slept on the floor next to him. Graham sold his soul and possibly his Congressional seat by aligning with Trump and now the chickens are coming home to roost. And by chickens, I mean donations to Jaime Harrison, who has punishingly outraised Graham to the point that Trump’s favorite booty pimple can’t stop whining about how much money Harrison has raised.
Seriously, listen to Graham begging, with his begging ass:
And then his begging ass did it again at Amy Coney Barrett’s hearing, which led to two ethics complaints because he knows he’s in serious trouble and he should be.
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Jaime Harrison has been on Lindsey’s tail from the time he announced that he was running and he hasn’t let up. He’s got Graham so shook that the current South Carolina senator (emphasis on current) has canceled two of three scheduled debates in October. The first debate was canceled because Graham refused to take a COVID-19 test. The second was recently canceled because Graham claims he’s not coming back to S.C. until Amy Coney Barrett is a confirmed Supreme Court Justice.
“The last debate was canceled because Lindsey Graham refused to take a COVID test; now he’s too busy playing political games in Washington to let the people of South Carolina hear from him,” Harrison said. “South Carolinians statewide are suffering from the ongoing pandemic, and the people of the Palmetto State deserve to hear from both candidates on the issues that matter most. I’m ready and willing to debate, while Lindsey Graham runs from the people of South Carolina.”
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In the words of guys from my neighborhood: “He scared.”
Alabama: Doug Jones (D) vs. Tommy Tuberville (R)
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Let me explain how the spine works: OK, I don’t know how a spine works but I know that if you screw with your spine it’s a wrap. You know who else you don’t mess with? Black women. Black women are the spine of the Democratic party and when Doug Jones was in a tough race against a pedophile (because Alabama) it was Black women who came out to save Jones.
And then once Jones got to Congress, what did he do? Nothing that I can think of. Not one thing. Well, he did sign that one piece of legislation that helped roll back many of the regulations imposed on banks and lenders.
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The Root senior staff writer Michael Harriot explains it as just one way Jones screwed over Black folks.
Among other things, the legislation passed by the Senate on Wednesday strips away for some banks the requirement to report the race, ethnicity and gender of their mortgage customers. Under the new proposal, only the largest banks will have to report demographic data, which means that it will be impossible to find out if the other banks discriminate. If the law passes, these banks will be able to deny black customers without fear of repercussion or lawsuits.
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But Jones did say that “Black Lives Matter” so I guess there is that. But understand this: I don’t care what the polls say or where they say former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is slated, Alabama is a football state and one thing they love more than President Trump is watching their quarterback take a three-step drop and burn a cover three. Who knows what Tommy Tuberville believes but he loves Trump and he loves football and that means he’s got a chance.
Kentucky: Amy McGrath (D) vs. Mitch McConnell (R)
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It’s time for Mitch McConnell’s neck balloon to inflate and carry him off into the clouds only for his neck balloon to be clipped by a buzzard that follows him to the ground to pick over his destroyed neck balloon. Seriously, it’s a tie between Lindsey Graham and McConnell between whom I hate more, and right now, McConnell is in the lead.
McConnell is a throwback to the good ole boy Strom Thurmond Congress of yesteryear. Not only does McConnell pride himself on being the person who kept then-President Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Merrick Garland, off the court, but he’s currently in the process of shoving Amy Coney Barrett down America’s throat as the election is underway. He’s also done nothing to reign in the president and he’s currently the reason that we don’t have a new stimulus bill as the Senate Majority Leader has refused to work across the aisle to keep all of America from sliding deeper into poverty. Oh, and Moscow Mitch is Russia’s little puppet because he’s doing exactly what Russia and Trump want him to do. Also, he’s got something really weird going on with his hands.
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If Amy McGrath is going to beat McConnell she’s going to have to overcome a lot. First, she’s not racist and if she’s going to win in Kentucky, well, she’s going to have to work on that. Seriously, a place like Kentucky doesn’t just accidentally end up with someone like McConnell unless they are jacked up too. Currently, with a week of voting remaining, McConnell is leading McGrath by 9 points coming off arguably his worst year and McGrath is no slouch; she’s a Marine fighter pilot! McGrath has raised some $46 million (and counting) and if money was the sole factor in determining who would win the race, then McGrath would be a lock. Sadly, money ain’t votes and if I had to put my chips on a balloon-necked-man running in a fundamentally blue state where he’s won six times, sadly, I don’t think this is the year that McConnell leaves Congress.
Mississippi: Mike Espy (D) vs. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)
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Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Mike Espy. Current White House squatter President Trump has issued a Twitter shout-out to Cindy Hyde-Smith. I don’t know if two candidates could be more opposite. One is hoping to become the first Black person in a century to represent Mississippi and the other is Cindy Hyde-Smith. Hyde-Smith and Espy faced off in a special election to take over the last two years of former Sen. Thad Cochran’s (R) term. Espy lost. Now the two meet again for a chance at full term and Espy’s swimming in cash. He’s raised some “$4 million in the third quarter of 2020, while Hyde-Smith raised nearly $815,000.” But who are we kidding, Mississippi is racist AF. Other states call Mississippi for tips on how they can be more racist. Doesn’t help Espy that President Trump “won by 18 percent in 2016 and is expected to handily carry again this year.”
But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. People hate Trump all across the country and that’s bringing out a record number of voters and this could help Espy. While voting for Biden, there is bound to be some down-ballot trickle-down effect and hopefully, that’s enough to push Espy to victory.
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Other notable races to watch:
Michigan: Gary Peters (D) vs. John James (R)
Georgia: Jon Ossoff (D) vs. David Perdue (R) and Raphael Warnock vs. Kelly Loeffler (R)


theroot--2020-10-27--Exclusive: Alvin Ailey Presents a Stirring Tribute to Rep. John Lewis, Choreographed by Jamar Robert

Exclusive: Alvin Ailey Presents a Stirring Tribute to Rep. John Lewis, Choreographed by Jamar Roberts

It ’ s nearly impossible to adequately express the range of feelings and emotions that occur when we lose someone as pivotal to our history as the late Rep. John Lewis .
For creatives , it ’ s a type of block usually dissolved by expressing oneself in another way—through art .
This is certainly the case with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater ’ s first resident choreographer Jamar Roberts ( Ode , Members Don ’ t Get Weary , Cooped ) , who presents In Memory , a dance film crafted in tribute to the late civil rights icon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s March On Washington Film Festival .
The Root has exclusively obtained the video tribute footage for your viewing : Incorporating beautifully composed music by Kwami Coleman , In Memory is described best via its press release sent to The Root : The film opens with a scene of a young man that has fallen - stumbled on the ‘ long road to freedom ’ .
As he presses forward he happens upon a place that reminds him of the trauma and brutalities inflicted on himself and his fellow ‘ foot-soldiers ’ at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is visceral .
Cut to the final scene .
A solo inspired by the words of John Lewis from the 2020 documentary , John Lewis : Good Trouble .
“ There are forces in America today that want to take us back .
But we ’ re not going back .
We ’ ve come too far .
We ’ re going forward.
” The heart of this work attempts to capture the essence and the power of a movement and a man that will forever live in our hearts and will echo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow dance communities , Ailey has become dedicated to upholding Lewis ’ legacy by participating in voting amplification campaigns such as # NYCDANCEUNITES and # DANCE2VOTE .
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater ’ s first-ever virtual season takes place Dec. 2-31 and will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of Ailey masterpiece Revelations .
During the upcoming virtual season , Roberts will be premiering , “ A Jam Session for Troubling Times , ” inspired by and featuring the music of the revolutionary saxophonist and composer Charlie “ Bird ” Parker ( to honor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bird100 ) .

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

It’s nearly impossible to adequately express the range of feelings and emotions that occur when we lose someone as pivotal to our history as the late Rep. John Lewis. For creatives, it’s a type of block usually dissolved by expressing oneself in another way—through art.
This is certainly the case with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s first resident choreographer Jamar Roberts (Ode, Members Don’t Get Weary, Cooped), who presents In Memory, a dance film crafted in tribute to the late civil rights icon. Lewis, commissioned for this year’s March On Washington Film Festival.
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The Root has exclusively obtained the video tribute footage for your viewing:
In Memory In Memory (2020) / Courtesy of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Incorporating beautifully composed music by Kwami Coleman, In Memory is described best via its press release sent to The Root:
The film opens with a scene of a young man that has fallen - stumbled on the ‘long road to freedom’. As he presses forward he happens upon a place that reminds him of the trauma and brutalities inflicted on himself and his fellow ‘foot-soldiers’ at hands of law enforcers. His reaction is visceral. Cut to the final scene. A solo inspired by the words of John Lewis from the 2020 documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble. “There are forces in America today that want to take us back. But we’re not going back. We’ve come too far. We’re going forward.” The heart of this work attempts to capture the essence and the power of a movement and a man that will forever live in our hearts and will echo on into the future.
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Joining other fellow dance communities, Ailey has become dedicated to upholding Lewis’ legacy by participating in voting amplification campaigns such as #NYCDANCEUNITES and #DANCE2VOTE.
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s first-ever virtual season takes place Dec. 2-31 and will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of Ailey masterpiece Revelations. During the upcoming virtual season, Roberts will be premiering, “A Jam Session for Troubling Times,” inspired by and featuring the music of the revolutionary saxophonist and composer Charlie “Bird” Parker (to honor and celebrate Parker’s centennial, dubbed Bird100).


theroot--2020-10-28--Kentucky Postal Worker Charged After Tossing Mail in Dumpster, Including 100 Absentee Ballots

A postal worker in Kentucky was hit with federal charges after it was found he allegedly dumped a large amount of mail in the dumpster , including over 100 absentee ballots .
CBS News reports that U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced on Monday that DeShawn Bojgere , a 30-year-old from Louisville , Ky. , was charged with the delay or destruction of mail .
The charge is a federal crime that is punishable by up to five years in prison , a $ 250,000 fine , and a year of supervised release , should Bojgere be convicted .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly threw a large amount of mail into a dumpster at a construction site around Oct. 5 and Oct. 15 .
The mail included 69 pieces of mixed class mail , 320 pieces of second class mail , and 111 absentee ballots sent out by the Jefferson County Clerk ’ s Office to be filled .
All the discarded mail was from one delivery day across a single route .
The discarded mail was recovered and put back in the system for delivery , with copies being made for the purpose of evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works for the postal service , admitted to special agents that he was the one responsible for disposing of the mail .
Man , imagine being interrogated by special agents for the U.S .
Postal Service .
I can only imagine the process went something along the lines of this : It ’ s still unclear why , exactly , Bojgere tossed out the mail .
Crazily enough , this was not the first or even second mail/ballot- related incident to occur in recent weeks .
In Pennsylvania , two separate postal workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Last week , ballot boxes were found to have been set ablaze in both California and Massachusetts .

A postal worker in Kentucky was hit with federal charges after it was found he allegedly dumped a large amount of mail in the dumpster, including over 100 absentee ballots.
CBS News reports that U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced on Monday that DeShawn Bojgere, a 30-year-old from Louisville, Ky., was charged with the delay or destruction of mail. The charge is a federal crime that is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a year of supervised release, should Bojgere be convicted.
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According to Coleman’s press release, Bojgere allegedly threw a large amount of mail into a dumpster at a construction site around Oct. 5 and Oct. 15. The mail included 69 pieces of mixed class mail, 320 pieces of second class mail, and 111 absentee ballots sent out by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office to be filled. All the discarded mail was from one delivery day across a single route.
The discarded mail was recovered and put back in the system for delivery, with copies being made for the purpose of evidence. Bojgere, who obviously no longer works for the postal service, admitted to special agents that he was the one responsible for disposing of the mail.
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Man, imagine being interrogated by special agents for the U.S. Postal Service. I can only imagine the process went something along the lines of this:
It’s still unclear why, exactly, Bojgere tossed out the mail.
Crazily enough, this was not the first or even second mail/ballot- related incident to occur in recent weeks. In Pennsylvania, two separate postal workers were found with undelivered mail earlier this month. Last week, ballot boxes were found to have been set ablaze in both California and Massachusetts.


theroot--2020-10-27--Arizona Man Arrested After Being Caught on Camera Telling Black Man He’s in a ‘No N-Word Zone’

Having lived in Arizona for the last 17 years , I can safely testify that Scottsdale is the fucking worst .
I ’ m currently apartment hunting and I haven ’ t even looked in Scottsdale because it ’ s , empirically , The Worst ™ .
Think I ’ m being hyperbolic ?
Well , a Scottsdale man was arrested this weekend after telling a Black man he was in a “ no nigger zone.
” If that ’ s not peak Scottsdale , I don ’ t know what is .
AZ Central reports that Andre Abram , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Instagram , was making a video in Old Town Scottsdale when he was approached by Paul Ng .
Ng began taking pictures of Abram and asking him what he was doing in the area .
Abram began to record Ng , which is when Ng told Abram “ I ’ m a racist , ” and added , “ this is a no nigger zone.
” The video quickly went viral , with over 250,000 views on Instagram .
“ I would say my first response was shock , ” Abram told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in disbelief that I was hearing the words that I was actually hearing .
It was a moment that really boggled my mind — and it still does even to this moment.
” Abram , who has 94,000 subscribers on YouTube , told the Arizona Republic that many Black men experience incidents like these on a daily basis .
He ’ s happy that , unlike most folks , he actually had a platform to show why this kind of behavior is unacceptable .
“ I just really want Paul to understand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone , ” Abram said .
“ We weren ’ t there to cause any destruction.
” I ’ m honestly amazed at the confidence with which Ng said “ no nigger zone.
” There was zero hesitation and none of the crazed hysteria that tends to be a feature of videos like these .
Dude just casually dropped a slur like it wasn ’ t entirely possible that he would get both run up and done up .
The video has also left me incredibly curious about what permits are needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ng didn ’ t have them as he was arrested for disorderly conduct on Saturday night .
After receiving calls from business owners about the incident , an officer visited Ng at his home and questioned him about what had occurred later that evening , according to a police report .
Ng told the officers that he was suspicious of Abram and Tinkham because they had an expensive looking camera and the car they arrived in had a Michigan license plate , so he took photos of the two and texted them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ng told the officer that he watches over the neighborhood before talking about the Black Lives Matter movement and “ Antifa ” — short for anti-fascists , the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists — while pointing at a picture of Abram he had taken on his phone .
He then told the detective that he expects bad things will happen beginning Nov. 1 and that he was “ just getting ahead of the game , ” the report states .
Ng went on to tell the officer during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of a “ recon team ” who were sent to “ map out the area.
” “ I asked if Paul understood how there could be fallback from the comments and Paul stated that he understood but did not see why there was so much energy wasted on the incident , ” the officer wrote in his report .
“ Paul was certain that the incident would be gone and forgotten within a week.
” Clearly , Ng doesn ’ t understand that nothing is temporary on the internet .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” as the next part of this story , congrats !
You don ’ t win anything , but I ’ m still proud of you for paying attention .
Shortly after the video went viral , it was revealed that Ng worked for Russ Lyon Sotheby ’ s International Realty , a luxury real estate firm .
The firm released a statement on Instagram on Sunday , confirming Ng had been fired .
“ An independent contractor was filmed recently making racist comments , ” the statement reads .
“ Russ Lyon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condone in any way shape or form this type of behavior .
This person has been terminated effective immediately.
” In a second post , the company revealed it took the further step of recommending the Arizona Department of Real Estate revoke Ng ’ s real estate license .
Ng should ’ ve taken a page out of Boosie ’ s book and realize that maybe he just needed to shut the fuck up .
Now he ’ s got a criminal record , he ’ s out of a job , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new career .
You hate to see it .
Now , if you ’ ll excuse me , I ’ m going to listen to “ That ’ s What You Get , ” by Paramore for no particular reason at all .

Having lived in Arizona for the last 17 years, I can safely testify that Scottsdale is the fucking worst. I’m currently apartment hunting and I haven’t even looked in Scottsdale because it’s, empirically, The Worst ™ . Think I’m being hyperbolic? Well, a Scottsdale man was arrested this weekend after telling a Black man he was in a “no nigger zone.”
If that’s not peak Scottsdale, I don’t know what is.
AZ Central reports that Andre Abram, a content creator who goes by LILAJDRE on Instagram, was making a video in Old Town Scottsdale when he was approached by Paul Ng. Ng began taking pictures of Abram and asking him what he was doing in the area. Abram began to record Ng, which is when Ng told Abram “I’m a racist,” and added, “this is a no nigger zone.”
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The video quickly went viral, with over 250,000 views on Instagram. “I would say my first response was shock,” Abram told The Arizona Republic. “I was in disbelief that I was hearing the words that I was actually hearing. It was a moment that really boggled my mind — and it still does even to this moment.”
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Abram, who has 94,000 subscribers on YouTube, told the Arizona Republic that many Black men experience incidents like these on a daily basis. He’s happy that, unlike most folks, he actually had a platform to show why this kind of behavior is unacceptable.
“I just really want Paul to understand that we weren’t there to harm anyone,” Abram said. “We weren’t there to cause any destruction.”
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I’m honestly amazed at the confidence with which Ng said “no nigger zone.” There was zero hesitation and none of the crazed hysteria that tends to be a feature of videos like these. Dude just casually dropped a slur like it wasn’t entirely possible that he would get both run up and done up.
The video has also left me incredibly curious about what permits are needed to declare such a zone. Clearly, Ng didn’t have them as he was arrested for disorderly conduct on Saturday night.
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From AZ Central:
After receiving calls from business owners about the incident, an officer visited Ng at his home and questioned him about what had occurred later that evening, according to a police report. Ng told the officers that he was suspicious of Abram and Tinkham because they had an expensive looking camera and the car they arrived in had a Michigan license plate, so he took photos of the two and texted them to local business owners. The report says Ng told the officer that he watches over the neighborhood before talking about the Black Lives Matter movement and “Antifa” — short for anti-fascists, the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists — while pointing at a picture of Abram he had taken on his phone. He then told the detective that he expects bad things will happen beginning Nov. 1 and that he was “just getting ahead of the game,” the report states.
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Ng went on to tell the officer during a second interview that he thought Abram was a part of a “recon team” who were sent to “map out the area.”
“I asked if Paul understood how there could be fallback from the comments and Paul stated that he understood but did not see why there was so much energy wasted on the incident,” the officer wrote in his report. “Paul was certain that the incident would be gone and forgotten within a week.”
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Clearly, Ng doesn’t understand that nothing is temporary on the internet.
If you guessed “dude loses his job” as the next part of this story, congrats! You don’t win anything, but I’m still proud of you for paying attention. Shortly after the video went viral, it was revealed that Ng worked for Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury real estate firm.
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The firm released a statement on Instagram on Sunday, confirming Ng had been fired. “An independent contractor was filmed recently making racist comments,” the statement reads. “Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty does not condone in any way shape or form this type of behavior. This person has been terminated effective immediately.”
In a second post, the company revealed it took the further step of recommending the Arizona Department of Real Estate revoke Ng’s real estate license. Ng should’ve taken a page out of Boosie’s book and realize that maybe he just needed to shut the fuck up. Now he’s got a criminal record, he’s out of a job, and he might have to find a whole new career.
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You hate to see it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to listen to “That’s What You Get,” by Paramore for no particular reason at all.


theroot--2020-10-27--Get an Early Start on Your Black Friday Shopping in Amazon’s Holiday Dash Sale

Prime Day might be done , but the savings haven ’ t stopped .
Amazon ’ s Holiday Dash sale collects all sorts of bargains from across the site , from headphones to smartphones , toys , candy , DNA tests , and plenty more .
Each day brings new deals , and we ’ ll be updating this space daily to bring you the best of the sales in the weeks ahead .
Whether you ’ re starting your holiday shopping early or just want to keep an eye out for serious savings , be sure to check back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Star Wars Toys and Apparel If you ’ ve got a Star Wars fan ( or a few ) in the house and want to snag some solid deals on toys and apparel for the holidays , Amazon has a selection of stuff on sale today .
There are action figures , t-shirts , socks , collectible pins , and even a sick Boba Fett NERF gun , all up to 46 % off .
Hit the link for the full selection , or catch our picks below .
Save Up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grill Are your non-stick pans starting to stick ?
Make an upgrade today during this T-fal sale at Amazon , where you can get a two-pack of Excite ProGlide pans for $ 24 or a 12-inch Titanium Nonstick pan for $ 27 .
There ’ s also an indoor electric grill for $ 90 , a 31 % savings over the usual $ 130 list price .
If you ’ re willing to invest a bit more cash , an OLED TV can seriously impress with its deeper black levels and dazzling contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CX 55 ” 4K HDR set is an excellent option , and right now it ’ s down to $ 1,497 on Amazon—a 25 % savings .
Save Up to 40 % off Vantrue Dash Cams It ’ s not a bad idea to have a camera in your car to record any interactions , whether it ’ s with other cars or the police , or even to see what happens when the car is parked .
Vantrue has a few dash cams discounted up to 40 % off today , starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dash Cam model and ranging up to $ 130 for a higher-end 4K camera .
Save nearly half-off the regular price of Bio Bidet ’ s SlimEdge toilet attachment , which easily hooks up to your existing throne with no plumbing necessary , adding rear-end spitzing capabilities with minimal fuss .
Save on toilet paper and get a more refreshing finish by adding a bidet attachment to your toilet .
Save Up to 40 % off Le Creuset Cookware Le Creuset ’ s cast iron cookware and stoneware is serious business and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luckily , Amazon has a bunch of it on deep discount right now , including 40 % off of an Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven , now $ 180 , plus a cast iron grill pan for $ 100 and $ 20 stoneware salt and pepper shakers .
Motorola makes some of the best budget Android smartphones around , and right now Amazon is carving down prices even further on several of those handsets .
Hit the link above for the full range , but you can get a 2019 Moto G7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 off ) , a Motorola One Action for $ 230 ( $ 120 off ) , and a 2020 Moto G Stylus ( shown ) for just $ 244 ( $ 56 off ) Got questions about your heritage ?
You ’ re certainly not alone , as the millions of folks sending away saliva to DNA testing services demonstrate .
Seek answers with the 23andMe ancestry and traits DNA test , one of the most popular kits around .
It only takes a few minutes to spit into the tube and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a couple of weeks , you ’ ll have a detailed and extensive look into your ancestry , along with the ability to connect with DNA relatives .
It ’ s $ 10 off at Amazon right now .
Active noise-canceling headphones don ’ t have to total wallet-drainers .
Anker ’ s Soundcore Life Q20 headphones feature hybrid active noise canceling smarts at a fraction of the price of big-name rivals , priced at just $ 45 right now—a 25 % savings off of the already-low list price .
These Bluetooth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge , making them ideal for use just about anywhere and with any device .
Looking for a serious clean for your teeth ?
Right now , Amazon has this Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7500 electric toothbrush for $ 30 off the list price .
Available in black , white , and pink versions , this feature-rich tooth-scrubber has a pressure sensor that alerts you if you ’ re brushing too hard , plus it syncs via Bluetooth to a smartphone app to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Black Friday weekend hit a little different this year, and for your sake and everyone’s, we hope you did all of your deals shopping online. Luckily, retailers far and wide served up fantastic deals all weekend long, and they’re not stopping.
We’ve seen loads of great Cyber Monday deals, ranging from cheap earbuds and bath towels to PS4 games, cookware, apparel, cosmetics, and more. Here are some of the best deals around right now, updated daily through the rest of this weekend to bring even more can’t-miss bargains.
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This isn’t a deal in terms of price, but if you’re still looking to secure a Nintendo Switch before Christmas, Amazon has the standard console with red and blue Joy-Con controllers up for grabs at $300. It’s currently listed as being in stock on December 15 as of this writing, although that’s sure to change as people snap ‘em up.
Meanwhile, Best Buy has the newly-announced Fortnite Wildcat Bundle in stock, which comes with a specially-branded console along with the free-to-play game pre-downloaded on the system, plus 2,000 V-Bucks and exclusive in-game content. That’s also $300. And lastly, it won’t ship until January, but Amazon also has the adorable Animal Crossing-themed Switch console available for purchase at regular price.
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Amazon has a big Cyber Monday sale on smartphones that includes models from a variety of brands and is mostly focused on budget-friendly hardware. But there are a few big discounts on flagship phones here, too.
Standouts include the new OnePlus 8T for $630, a $120 savings from the list price, as well as the higher-end OnePlus 8 Pro for $750—that’s $250 off. Other bargains include the Moto G Power for $175, Google Pixel 3a XL for $299, and even a Tracfone Apple iPhone 7 for $130. Check out the full deal listing for several sub-$100 phones, as well.
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Got a Nintendo Switch or is someone you love getting it as a holiday gift? If you haven’t already played Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Party, they’re two of the must-play multiplayer gems on the console. And right now, Target is slashing $40 off the combined price for these hits with this discounted bundle. Now that’s a heck of a deal.
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JACHS NY dropped prices up to 70% off for Black Friday, but the deals are even more serious for Cyber Monday, with items now up to 90% off without a coupon or code. JACHS NY primarily specializes in men’s apparel and accessories, but also has a handful of women’s pieces in the mix. Whether you’re looking to stock up for winter or grab some cheap bargains for the rest of the year, now’s the time to save big.
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Clip coupon and use code D3O7SXCN at checkout
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Looking for affordable wireless earbuds that won’t break the bank? You won’t find a much better deal than Mpow’s M5 wireless earbuds for just $30 at Amazon right now. This deal is exclusively for Prime members, mind you, and you’ll have to clip the coupon and use code D3O7SXCN at checkout. These earbuds have a strong 4.4-star rating at Amazon and deliver up to 6 hours of battery life per charge, with an additional 36 hours of charge available in the case.
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If you grew up in a certain era (say, the early-to-mid ‘90s), then you might remember these classic Tiger Electronics handheld video games. They were cheap, featured great licenses, and were a fun way to kill some time. Well, they’re back: these X-Men and Transformers games have been revived exactly as they were back when, and right now they’re $10 each at Amazon. Stuff one of these in a nostalgic fan’s stocking.
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If your dull blades aren’t slicing through proteins like butter these days, then it might be time for a kitchen upgrade. Luckily, Macy’s has these color-coded Cuisinart knives for just $15 right now, a savings of $25. You get five stainless steel blades here, each with a cover for safe storage, ranging from a lil’ 3.5” paring knife up to an 8” chef’s knife.
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Get your game on from essentially anywhere with the Acer Nitro 5, a notebook primed for high-quality PC gaming. This portable beast has an Intel Core i5 chip alongside a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, plus the 15.6” screen has a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and there’s a hefty 1TB hard drive here and a speedy 256GB SSD alongside too. It’s $300 off the list price at Walmart right now.
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If it’s high time to upgrade your entertainment center, especially ahead of the long winter ahead, then scope out this massive deal on a massive Samsung 4K TV from Best Buy. Right now, you can save $600 off the list price of this 82” Class 8 set, which will look super crisp in Ultra HD glory. Whether paired with a new game console or even just for streaming Netflix, it’s bound to be a beauty. Just make sure you have something large enough to hold it!
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Apple’s latest Macs are powered by its own brand new M1 chips, which are shockingly more powerful than the old Intel-driven models. Amazingly, you can already save $100 off the list price of either the base 256GB or larger 512GB models of the super-thin MacBook Air, which are now $899 and $1,149 respectively at Adorama. They’re significantly more powerful than the old Air laptops, making them more capable options for content creation.
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Clip coupon and use promo code KINGSO456G at checkout
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If your old artificial tree isn’t looking the part anymore, or if you’re finally ready to be done with buying a real tree each year, KingSo is offering discounts on fake Christmas trees at Amazon. A 7.5-foot tree is $60 when you clip the coupon on the page and use promo code KINGSO456G at checkout. A snow-flecked version of the same tree comes out to $72 when you clip the coupon and put in the same code.
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AirPods-like wireless earbuds don’t have to break the bank or even stress your wallet much at all. Amazon has these Boltune wireless earbuds for $26 right now, a savings of $14 from the already-low list price. They have a 4.5-star rating from Amazon customers and provide about 4 hours of playback per charge, with another 34 hours’ worth of charges available in the case.
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Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an incredible value, delivering 100+ playable games for Xbox One/Series X/Series S and PC players, including all of the company’s own big first-party games and lots of other gems large and small. It’s usually $15 a month, which includes an Xbox Live Gold subscription, but right now Target is offering a three-month subscription card for a mere $20. Check it out now if you haven’t, or add extra time to keep gaming through the winter.
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If you need a cheap and easy way to transform a “dumb” TV into a smart one, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite can do the trick. This tiny lil’ stick plugs right into an HDMI port and provides easy access to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon’s own video offerings. It comes with a remote, too, and is marked down 40% to just $18 right now.
Looking for something that can hit 4K resolution? The Fire TV Stick 4K is also 40% off at $30 today.
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Home ownership may seem forever out of reach for some of us, but right now you can bestow such a wondrous gift on your feline friend(s) for a mere $39 from Chewy. FRISCO’s 33” faux fur cat tree and condo has a couple of cubbies, a big laying platform at the top, and a dangly ball to bat around. The full savings will show up in your cart.
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Paper Mario: The Origami King was one of the standout releases in a relatively quiet year for the Nintendo Switch, so if you didn’t check it out earlier in 2020, now’s the time to dive in. This role-playing adventure is currently $10 off at Amazon—a rare discount indeed.
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If you have a die-hard Dragon Ball fan on your list, then you can ensure an enormous grin on their face this holiday with the Dragon Ball Z Complete Box Set. Currently half off the list price from Amazon, this set comes with 26 (!) paperback books that tell the entire saga—and thankfully without the added filler of the anime adaptation.
Clip the coupon on the page
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If sitting all the time at your home desk isn’t doing any favors for your back, then you might want to consider upgrading to a standing desk. Flexispot’s adjustable desk converts from sitting to standing heights with the simple buttons, and right now Amazon is slashing $100 off the list price. Reap the potential health benefits with this affordable standing setup. Just clip the coupon on the page to snag the savings.
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If you need a beautiful new screen for your stay-at-home cinematic exploits, check out this Sony X800H 65-inch 4K HDR set. This LED display is sure to be a stunner, and would undoubtedly pair well with the new PlayStation 5… or Xbox Series X or S, even. Save $202 at Amazon.
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Looking for one of those infrared thermometers that scans someone’s temperature without actually touching their forehead? You’re in luck: Amazon has iHealth’s forehead thermometer for just $20 , a 6 0% savings over the list price, when you clip the coupon.
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Some might scoff at the idea of an adult cruising around on an electric scooter, but we bet you’d feel pretty boss roaming around town on this thing. Segway’s Ninebot ES4 electric kick scooter is a premium model and priced accordingly, but right now it’s $270 off the list price — that’s just $500 at Amazon right now.
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If you’ve been curious about Apple’s famed wireless earbuds but didn’t want to pay full price, here’s your chance: Amazon has the AirPods for just $110 right now. That’s a $49 savings off the regular list price. Or you can snag the version with a wirelessly-chargeable case for $140, which is $59 off list. In either case, you get compact ‘buds that charge within the case, pair easily with iOS devices and Macs (but work with others too), and last up to 5 hours per charge.
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Snag one of the season’s hottest new video games for the adventurer in your family. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla shifts the action to the Viking conquest of England, with dazzling terrain, brutal action, and captivating storytelling. Right now, you can save $10 off the list price on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or Xbox (works on Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One) at Amazon.
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If you’re looking to bring the Amazon Alexa voice assistant into your home, whether it’s for the first time or you’re expanding into new rooms and spaces, now’s the time. Amazon is offering up to 60% off various models, including $30 off the brand new globe-shaped Echo, $21 off the smaller new Echo Dot, and half-off the screen packing Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8.
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Right now is a rough time for spotty home Wi-Fi connectivity, especially for those of us working from home and doubly so for those of us with kids doing remote learning. If your old Wi-Fi router isn’t cutting it anymore, consider an Eero mesh router. These handy whole-home systems use multiple access points to blanket your entire space with seamless, smooth internet access. Right now, Amazon has multiple sets and devices for 20% off the list price.
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Snag the heart of your next gaming rig with this 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K Coffee Lake processor, which is marked down $230 right now from the original list price at Newegg. Along with a powerful chip for your new desktop, you’ll also get an Intel software bundle—valued at $150—which has creativity and productivity tools alongside some in-game goodies for titles like Fortnite and Auto Chess.
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Rev up your next quiet afternoon or evening with a LEGO Speed Champions building kit. These officially-licensed sets let you create blocky recreations of iconic sports cars and other rides, including the McLaren Senna, Ferrari F40 Competizione, and Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0, along with many others, and several sets are marked down 20% right now at Amazon.
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If you need a better streaming solution for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or any of your other favorite services, why not snag a Roku? The company’s most popular devices are on sale right now, with the Roku Ultra down to $69 (from $100), the Roku Streaming Stick+ for just $30 (down from $50), and the Roku Premiere for $24 (usually $40). They all have 4K video support, but otherwise have various features.
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Use code SUPERSALE at checkout
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The Always Pan is a recent cookware sensation: a well-designed, attractive, multi-function ceramic non-stick pan that can potentially replace all of the old pots and pans in your kitchen. Whether braising, steaming, frying, boiling, and more, it’s a super-handy addition that includes a modular lid, steaming basket and colander, easy-pour spouts, and beech wood spatula with a built-in rest. It’s not cheap, but right now you can save $50 off the list price directly from Our Place with the promo code SUPERSALE. Some color options won’t ship until late December, however, so be sure to check if you need it sooner.
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Secure virtual private network (VPN) service into early 2023 with this great NordVPN Black Friday bargain. You’ll save 68% off the regular price for two years of service, and then they’ll toss in another three free months on top of that. All told, you’ll get 27 months of VPN service for just $89 right now, and the popular provider has 5,400+ global servers to connect through and lets you use up to six simultaneous devices.
Use promo code 4STUDENT at checkout + mail-in rebate
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Save $300 total off of a powerful MSI GL75 Leopard 17.3-inch gaming laptop at Newegg right now with this promotion. This beast has a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 chip with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, 16GB RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and 512GB SSD. There’s $100 instant savings and the promo code 4STUDENT will knock another $100 off, and then the last $100 savings comes via a mail-in rebate (don’t forget!).


theroot--2020-10-27--Put Your Ear to the Best Smart Speakers Worth Buying, According to Reviewers

I ’ m nostalgic for many things old tech .
I miss the Game Boy Advance SP ’ s nifty clamshell design .
I long for my Motorola Droid ’ s slide-out keyboard , despite the fact I ’ m probably faster at typing on my touch screen at this point .
Far from my list of most missed tech are the days before controlling my speaker from my phone .
Having an iPod tied to a home stereo via tattered aux cables was fine , but it meant you couldn ’ t really move around too much , lest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the song before everyone hears your most guilty pleasures blasting at 11 .
Luckily , with new wireless protocols like Bluetooth speakers and AirPlay or Chromecast , your smartphone can control all your favorite bops without the mess of cables .
Take it a step further and you ’ ll wind up with a smart speaker , a voice-controlled jukebox linked to all your music services for maximum tunes .
There ’ s plenty to choose from , though , and it can be a big investment from both a price and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take the time to make sure you ’ re getting the one that hits the right marks for you .
We did the dirty work and found the best ones you can get right now , according to our friends at Gizmodo , with a little help from Amazon reviews .
If you ’ re stuck between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa , the second-generation Sonos One comes with both built-in so you don ’ t have to choose right away .
On top of that , it also sounds great .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it among the best sounding smart speakers , praising it for its well-balanced sound capable of filling a room .
Marry that to the two best voice assistants on the market , and you ’ ve got a pretty unbeatable combo .
Speaking of combos , you can pair a couple of these speakers together for maximum tuneage .
Amazon ’ s latest Echo Dot revision scraps the familiar puck-like design in favor of a small globe , but the end result is pretty much the same .
This is an affordable smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like any other Echo , albeit with less-impressive audio chops .
That makes sense for a compact $ 50 speaker , so it ’ s not the one to buy if you want booming bass and crystal-clear streaming .
However , if you want something that ’ s relatively small and unobtrusive for a modest-sized room and don ’ t want to spend much cash , this is the way to go .
Right now , you can grab two of them for $ 80 when you use promo code DOT2PACK at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Echo Dot Kids Edition has been given a globe-like makeover… and it has a face now .
Whether you opt for a tiger or a panda , you ’ ll get an adorable animal face to drop into your kid ’ s playroom or bedroom , giving him or her an easy way to listen to music and more .
You get a year of Amazon ’ s Kids+ service bundled with the device , giving you access to loads of kid-friendly music , podcasts , and more , plus you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is controllable from the Echo Dot—for $ 10 extra .
Like the standard Dot above , you can save $ 20 on a Kids Edition two-pack ( $ 100 ) with promo code DOT2PACK at checkout .
Looking for a capable smart speaker that won ’ t break your budget ?
Google ’ s newly-released Nest Audio is the best you can get for just under $ 100 , delivering a significant aural upgrade over other smart speakers in this price range .
It ’ s not going to beat dedicated bookshelf speakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it ’ s a marked improvement over the earlier Google Home : The Google Assistant feels snappier than in past speakers , too , although it still doesn ’ t play friendly with Apple Music .
You can get around that by playing music via Bluetooth from your phone , however .
That ’ s a small concession , though , and the price is certainly right for a great , affordable smart speaker .
If you need a speaker that ’ s as good for controlling your lights and answering trivia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite playlists , you should buy a Google Home Max .
At $ 300 , it ’ s not cheap , but for you ’ re money you ’ re getting the smartest voice assistant available according to this article last year over at Gizmodo .
You can speak to the assistant from any Google device , like an Android phone or a Chromebook .
If you want to control your music while you ’ re strutting about your apartment during your regularly scheduled weekend deep clean , this is the way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Max can get pretty loud , it ’ s good to know you won ’ t have to shout just to change tracks .
Although , Gizmodo notes that this speaker is quite bass-heavy , if that ’ s a concern .
For those who don ’ t mind skipping the extra decibels , there ’ s the Nest Hub , which keeps all the smarts of the Home Max , but trades the high volumes for a big ol ’ display you can use for showcasing your best family photos , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
At $ 90 , it ’ s a lot cheaper than the Home Max , so it ’ s just a matter of how loud you like to crank the volume ( but please , take care of your ears ) .
If it were available , this section would be about the regular Amazon Echo , so if you can find it , snag that one instead .
Until then , the next step up , the Echo Studio , is still available .
Like the Echo , the Echo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart assistant , which means you ’ ll get more capabilities than Apple ’ s Siri-powered HomePod , but fewer than Google Assistant .
That said , Alexa ’ s integrated with a ton of smart home products , and if you ’ re already invested in the Amazon ecosystem , it might be more cost-effective to just upgrade your existing speakers .
The Studio might be costly , but it ’ s cheaper than Google ’ s comparable Home Max .
And with five speakers inside , it gets plenty loud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews noted issues with this speaker ’ s music playback , and there are valid privacy concerns you may want to into consideration before hitting that buy button .
If you ’ re absolutely tied to iOS or macOS , and certain you ’ re going to stay within the Apple ecosystem , you may want to consider the Apple HomePod .
According to Adam Clark Estes over at Gizmodo , the HomePod is fine for Apple die-hards , but just isn ’ t that useful for most people .
The Sonos offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get more smarts out of Google Assistant or Alexa .
Still , the HomePod isn ’ t a bad sounding speaker if you ’ re serious about your music .
In his review , Estes says the HomePod ’ s sound is comparable to the Sonos One , though Apple ’ s speaker has a slight advantage in the bass and treble departments , and its mids leave something to be desired .
Aside from that , Estes says there isn ’ t much utility to be found in the HomePod you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skip this one unless you ’ re all-i n on Apple .

Jordan McMahon and Andrew Hayward on Roundups, shared by Gabe Carey to The Root

Featured Product: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | $60 | Best Buy
At this point in time, it’s easier than any other point in history to not only listen to music, but to do so with a genuinely high quality of sound. It’s something that’s easy to forget when you’re just listening to your favorite band through your headphones, but it’s true. Music sounds incredible now, and while some people may favor things like vinyl, it’s natural for most to move more towards more high-tech ways of filling their homes with sound.
The most accessible of this modern-day tech has to come in the form of the smart speaker. It’s absolutely incredible to get home from a walk, unplug your headphones, and then hook your phone up to a smart speaker to keep listening to your music. There’s something bordering on magical about it.
The thing is, the market’s pretty hectic out there, and finding the right one for you can be tough. Should you go with the one featuring your AI assistant of choice, or would you be better off breaking away from that to go for quality instead? Well, have a gander at these options, and then you’ll be able to know for sure.
Best Overall Smart Speaker: Sonos One
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Our first pick is not only our pick for the best overall smart speaker, but also one that works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which is quite a feat in and of itself. It means you’re far more likely to be able to use the Sonos One smart speaker without having to properly commit to one or the other, which is nice, because commitment is hard. The sound quality here is incredible too, and Gizmodo even ranked it among the best sounding smart speakers back in 2018. Plus, you can even pair two of these powerhouses together to make for an even more enveloping blanket of sound.
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Remember the original Pringles can-like tube that was the Amazon Echo? The device that popularized the smart speaker has shifted in design over the years, and the latest now takes the form of a globe instead. Shape aside, the new Echo isn’t a dramatic departure from the previous model, but it brings a number of enhancements, including much better sound, Zigbee smart hub capabilities, and a more responsive Alexa thanks to Amazon’s new AZI Neural Edge processor.
Gizmodo’s Victoria Song reviewed the latest model and came away impressed by the modest enhancements, even if the design is by far the most significant of them. Still, it’s the best version yet:
“If you’re on an OG Amazon Echo or a second-generation Echo, you could probably do with the boost in audio quality. Other than the improved audio quality and the new round design, many of the upgrades just aren’t that noticeable. At the end of the day, I’m left feeling, like, ‘Well, this is the round Echo with surprisingly decent audio that does pretty much what my other Echo speakers do.’ Like I said, it’s round. That’s the story.”
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If you’re looking for a new orb to ponder, then you could do far worse than the rather adorable little Amazon Echo Dot. While it doesn’t have the same sound quality as the standard Amazon Echo, it still manages to do a good job of spreading your music or podcasts about the room. It makes for an excellent choice if there’s a room you spend less time in, but still want to make sure you can have Alexa chilling on standby, or just like to know there’ll always be music when you go to the toilet. Plus, despite only being $50 normally, it sees sales fairly regularly which drop it down to $35.
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We said the echo dot was cute, but it doesn’t really hold a candle to the Echo Dot Kids Edition, which comes in a few different designs, our favorite of which has to be this adorable little panda. As this is designed for children, it means it features some solid parental controls to keep them away from things you think they’re too young to hear about. Not only that, but it comes with a years subscription to Amazon Kids+, which allows them to access loads of Audible books and educational games too. It’s an excellent choice for getting in a little bit of help for homework, especially if you’re not ready for the commitment that trigonometry demands of you.
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Looking for a capable smart speaker that won’t break your budget? Google’s newly-released Nest Audio is the best you can get for just under $100, delivering a significant aural upgrade over other smart speakers in this price range. It’s not going to beat dedicated bookshelf speakers, but Gizmodo’s Andrew Liszewski says it’s a marked improvement over the earlier Google Home:
“Knowing what’s going on under the hood, I’m still surprised at how good the old Google Home sounds, but the Google Nest Audio does a much better job at pumping out cleaner, crisper, room-filling sound that’s more natural, particularly on the lower end. The clever tricks used to make the Google Home sound as large as it did came with compromises; the bass felt a little artificial and overly boosted. But with the new Google Nest Audio it’s hard to complain about the device’s larger footprint when the dual speakers sound so much better.”
The Google Assistant feels snappier than in past speakers, too, although it still doesn’t play friendly with Apple Music. You can get around that by playing music via Bluetooth from your phone, however. That’s a small concession, though, and the price is certainly right for a great, affordable smart speaker.
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There have been many different smart speakers with screens dating back to the original Amazon Echo Show, but the new 2nd-gen Google Nest Hub is that one we’d want next to our bed at night—or pretty much anywhere else it could be useful at home.
Still, bedside brings some of the best functionality via unique sleep tracking. Rather than use a camera or rely on a wearable companion device, the Google Nest Hub uses little radar sensors that can monitor your movements at night, while other sensors listen out for snoring, disturbances, and light. Collectively, they serve up a report with insights and suggestions of how you might be able to rest easier at night.
Gizmodo’s Andrew Liszewski called it the “perfect alarm clock,” but the Nest Hub and its 7” screen are also handy for pumping tunes into your home, controlling smart home devices, viewing recipes in the kitchen, and other tasks around your space. At $100 normally ($80 as of this writing), you might consider more than one so you can take advantage of all of its myriad benefits.
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Best Portable Smart Speaker: Sonos Roam
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They’ve finally done it: with the Sonos Roam, the high-end audio giant has released a properly compact, portable speaker that you can take anywhere. And if you want one speaker that can pull double duty around the home and on the go, the Roam is it.
It works over Wi-Fi when at home and lets you use Alexa and the Google Assistant for voice commands, and then uses Bluetooth to pull tunes from your smartphone when elsewhere. Gizmodo reviewer Victoria Song says the feature isn’t always as seamlessly executed as advertised, but that the Roam sounds great—and as the cheapest Sonos speaker on the market, it’s an ideal way to dip a toe into that ecosystem and see what you think.
“If you’re intrigued but unsure you want to commit to this pricey speaker ecosystem, I’d say the Roam is the best option to see if the whole Sonos thing is your vibe. Not only is it relatively affordable, but even if the smart features aren’t your jam, at least you still have a great portable Bluetooth speaker.”
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Best Smart Speaker for Smart Homes: Amazon Echo Studio
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If you’re already up to your eyeballs in Alexa-infused smart products, then it might make the most sense for you to just go ahead and grab the Echo Studio. Because Amazon have so many smart products, and a lot of companies tend to make sure Alexa plays nice with their own devices, it’s hard to deny the power of having a device like this in your home. It also features fairly good sound quality thanks to five speakers within it. As with any Alexa product though, it’s worth keeping in mind the privacy concerns some have about the whole smart assistant thing. That being said, if you’re this far down the rabbit hole, you’re probably already fine with it.
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The original HomePod has been discontinued, but that’s OK: here’s an even better option for Apple fans who aren’t as fussy about sound quality and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a smart speaker: the newer HomePod Mini. It scales down the design to a compact ball and keeps the easy compatibility with Apple devices and support for HomeKit smart home gadgets, but it’s only $100. That’s much more appealing.
Here’s what Gizmodo reviewer Alex Cranz had to say about it:
“The HomePod Mini does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and does so at a price that is actually pretty affordable. If you’ve shied away from smart speakers in the past, this isn’t a bad one to try out, and if you’re like me and have found yourself already embracing the Apple smart home ecosystem, it’s the perfect complementary device. Previous smart home overlords have left me wanting. The HomePod Mini gave me exactly what I need.”
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Sure, you’ve seen waterproof speakers before—but how about a Bluetooth speaker that’s actually part of your showerhead? Plumbing giant Kohler is the brand behind this curious concoction, and the Moxie is truly a unique offering.
Essentially, it’s a showerhead that has a large recess at the center, which is where the speaker pops in and out. It’s easy to install, the sound quality is pretty good, and having the Alexa voice assistant in the shower helps with controlling tunes, getting random queries answered, and perhaps even controlling smart home devices. It’s not cheap at $200 and you don’t get multiple spray modes, but it’s a smart premise if you’re willing to spend for it.
Gizmodo’s Victoria Song writes in her review:
“It’s very easy to both upgrade your showerhead and get a decent shower speaker for under $100. But if you’re willing to splurge just a little bit, or can split the cost with roommates/a significant other? The Kohler Moxie is actually a convenient way to get a nicer showerhead and a good quality shower speaker in one easily installed package.”
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This deal was originally published by Jordan McMahon in October 2020 and updated with new information by Andrew Hayward on 06/24/2021.


theroot--2020-10-27--Police Department Costs Ohio City $475,000 Because They Couldn’t Stop Being Racist

For some reason , white people haven ’ t made the correlation that racism often comes at a hefty price these days .
Columbus , Ohio , learned this lesson the hard way after the city voted to settle a former officer ’ s discrimination suit against the Columbus Division of Police for nearly half a million dollars .
CNN reports that the Columbus City Council voted on Monday to pay Karl Shaw , a Black officer who is a 28-year veteran of the force , $ 475,000 due to discrimination and retaliation from a superior .
The settlement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the part of the police , includes a provision that will make discriminatory retaliation a fireable offense .
According to Shaw ’ s attorney , Fred Gittes , Shaw wouldn ’ t have taken the payout if the provision wasn ’ t included .
There are currently three other discrimination lawsuits filed against the department , including one from Shaw ’ s former partner .
Mayor Andrew Gitner said through a spokeswoman that racism in the CDP was “ systemic.
” “ Officer Shaw went through the proper internal channels when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim of retaliation .
An extensive Internal Affairs Bureau investigation gave the offending officer a written reprimand , ” the mayor said in a statement .
“ This case represents the status quo and the past .
It can not represent our future and underscores the need for civilian oversight and independent investigations.
” “ Black police officers who take an oath to protect the life and liberty of their communities far too often are muted , voiceless , subjugated and marginalized if they courageously speak their truth , ” Columbus City Councilwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a tragedy for our city .
It is our duty to create a safe space for every resident who seeks justice and reform.
” Shaw joined the force in 1992 and experienced discrimination right off the bat .
He competed in his college swim team , was a diver in the Navy , but the department said he was unqualified to join the division ’ s dive team .
His lawsuit stemmed from an incident that occurred in 2014 when he sought a position in the narcotics division after his unit was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the narcotics division had a history of racism , with Shaw being aware that he had a “ negative attitude about ‘ black officers and African-Americans in general , ’ ” according to the lawsuit .
The lawsuit also goes on to say that the sergeant made “ violent racist threats ” to Shaw ’ s former partner , Eric Cornett , as well as Shaw ’ s supervisor .
According to the lawsuit , another officer alleged that the sergeant “ used the N-word and the terms ‘ ape ’ and ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Shaw ] and said that if something was not done ‘ about those two monkeys , he was going to take them out back and kill them.
’ ” The threats were so bad that Cornett took a $ 70,000 pay cut , sold his home for substantially under market value , and moved to South Carolina so he could obtain safer employment .
“ We ’ re still terrified every single day , ” Cornett told CNN “ Every single day , my wife knows she best carry that weapon when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2014 , Shaw told internal affairs he was aware of the hiring sergeant ’ s reputation and had heard about his “ racial jokes , ” epithets and threats , according to the lawsuit .
When Shaw was passed over for the narcotics post — for a White officer with less seniority — then-Chief Kim Jacobs removed the White officer from the post and put a lieutenant in charge of filling it anew , the lawsuit says .
Shaw was offered the narcotics job in February 2015 , but before he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had found out about his internal affairs interview .
He further heard that , referring to Shaw and another Black officer as “ the brothers , ” the sergeant warned a colleague that Shaw and the other officer “ better not take my job , ” referring to the narcotics post , according to the lawsuit .
Fearing retribution , Shaw turned down the job .
Running out of time for reassignment , he applied for a second narcotics position , but it was filled by a White officer with more seniority , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more allegations against the sergeant , including that a Latino officer had accused him of menacingly gesturing toward his gun during a confrontation .
As if the racism wasn ’ t enough , the sergeant was also under investigation for overtime abuses and mishandling department property .
While the sergeant was eventually fired , he was reinstated after arbitration , because , apparently , cops are incapable of committing fireable offenses .
Oh , and for the racism , the sergeant only received a written reprimand .
Shaw ’ s story is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Systemic racism has long been built into the fabric of the CDP , with Gittes telling CNN that he ’ s been representing cops against the department since 1978 , when he filed a class-action discrimination suit on behalf of former officers .
Lt. Melissa McFadden , the highest-ranking Black woman in the CDP , has also filed a lawsuit against the department , and wrote a book about the discrimination she faced during her time in the police force .
The settlement comes on the heels of a study that found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than white ones .
I don ’ t mean to be flippant , but if there was one workplace I just assumed was racist , it ’ s the police department .
Shaw hopes the lawsuit , particularly the provision making discrimination a fireable offense , will improve things for young Black people who may consider joining the force .
“ He did this for younger officers , and he would like to see more B lack officers , ” Gittes told CNN .
“ Karl really believes in police work , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in law enforcement , ” he added .
“ The department and command structure makes that extraordinarily difficult because they don ’ t take racism seriously .
”

For some reason, white people haven’t made the correlation that racism often comes at a hefty price these days. Columbus, Ohio, learned this lesson the hard way after the city voted to settle a former officer’s discrimination suit against the Columbus Division of Police for nearly half a million dollars.
CNN reports that the Columbus City Council voted on Monday to pay Karl Shaw, a Black officer who is a 28-year veteran of the force, $475,000 due to discrimination and retaliation from a superior. The settlement, which doesn’t admit any wrongdoing on the part of the police, includes a provision that will make discriminatory retaliation a fireable offense. According to Shaw’s attorney, Fred Gittes, Shaw wouldn’t have taken the payout if the provision wasn’t included. There are currently three other discrimination lawsuits filed against the department, including one from Shaw’s former partner.
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Mayor Andrew Gitner said through a spokeswoman that racism in the CDP was “systemic.” “Officer Shaw went through the proper internal channels when the incident occurred, but was still the victim of retaliation. An extensive Internal Affairs Bureau investigation gave the offending officer a written reprimand,” the mayor said in a statement. “This case represents the status quo and the past. It cannot represent our future and underscores the need for civilian oversight and independent investigations.”
“Black police officers who take an oath to protect the life and liberty of their communities far too often are muted, voiceless, subjugated and marginalized if they courageously speak their truth,” Columbus City Councilwoman Shayla Favor told CNN. “This is a tragedy for our city. It is our duty to create a safe space for every resident who seeks justice and reform.”
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Shaw joined the force in 1992 and experienced discrimination right off the bat. He competed in his college swim team, was a diver in the Navy, but the department said he was unqualified to join the division’s dive team. His lawsuit stemmed from an incident that occurred in 2014 when he sought a position in the narcotics division after his unit was disbanded.
The sergeant in charge of the narcotics division had a history of racism, with Shaw being aware that he had a “negative attitude about ‘black officers and African-Americans in general,’” according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also goes on to say that the sergeant made “violent racist threats” to Shaw’s former partner, Eric Cornett, as well as Shaw’s supervisor.
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According to the lawsuit, another officer alleged that the sergeant “used the N-word and the terms ‘ape’ and ‘monkey’ in reference to [Cornett and Shaw] and said that if something was not done ‘about those two monkeys, he was going to take them out back and kill them.’”
The threats were so bad that Cornett took a $70,000 pay cut, sold his home for substantially under market value, and moved to South Carolina so he could obtain safer employment. “We’re still terrified every single day,” Cornett told CNN “Every single day, my wife knows she best carry that weapon when she leaves the house.”
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From CNN:
Interviewed in December 2014, Shaw told internal affairs he was aware of the hiring sergeant’s reputation and had heard about his “racial jokes,” epithets and threats, according to the lawsuit. When Shaw was passed over for the narcotics post — for a White officer with less seniority — then-Chief Kim Jacobs removed the White officer from the post and put a lieutenant in charge of filling it anew, the lawsuit says. Shaw was offered the narcotics job in February 2015, but before he could accept it, he learned the sergeant had found out about his internal affairs interview. He further heard that, referring to Shaw and another Black officer as “the brothers,” the sergeant warned a colleague that Shaw and the other officer “better not take my job,” referring to the narcotics post, according to the lawsuit. Fearing retribution, Shaw turned down the job. Running out of time for reassignment, he applied for a second narcotics position, but it was filled by a White officer with more seniority, the lawsuit says. Shaw learned later of more allegations against the sergeant, including that a Latino officer had accused him of menacingly gesturing toward his gun during a confrontation.
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As if the racism wasn’t enough, the sergeant was also under investigation for overtime abuses and mishandling department property. While the sergeant was eventually fired, he was reinstated after arbitration, because, apparently, cops are incapable of committing fireable offenses.
Oh, and for the racism, the sergeant only received a written reprimand.
Shaw’s story is incredibly disheartening but sadly, not uncommon. Systemic racism has long been built into the fabric of the CDP, with Gittes telling CNN that he’s been representing cops against the department since 1978, when he filed a class-action discrimination suit on behalf of former officers. Lt. Melissa McFadden, the highest-ranking Black woman in the CDP, has also filed a lawsuit against the department, and wrote a book about the discrimination she faced during her time in the police force.
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The settlement comes on the heels of a study that found Black police officers were disciplined more often than white ones. I don’t mean to be flippant, but if there was one workplace I just assumed was racist, it’s the police department. Shaw hopes the lawsuit, particularly the provision making discrimination a fireable offense, will improve things for young Black people who may consider joining the force.
“He did this for younger officers, and he would like to see more B lack officers,” Gittes told CNN. “Karl really believes in police work, and he believes people of color should be involved in law enforcement,” he added. “The department and command structure makes that extraordinarily difficult because they don’t take racism seriously.”


theroot--2020-10-27--'Y’all Don’t Do This to These White Celebrities' Cardi Calls Out the Racism in Criticism of Her Birk

'Y’all Don’t Do This to These White Celebrities' Cardi Calls Out the Racism in Criticism of Her Birkin Collection

At some point , folks are gon na stop worrying about how Cardi B spends her money , and Cardi is going to stop rising to take the bait .
But today is not that day , and what y ’ all not about to do is project your racism onto her retail therapy—namely , her extensive and much-written-about collection of Birkins .
Anyone familiar with the famed Hermès bag knows they aren ’ t easy to obtain—or to afford .
Variations on the nearly 40-year-old design retail to well over $ 200,000 , making them widely considered a recession-proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe that a multi-platinum , megastar rapper—who is ( still ) married to a megastar rapper and exchanges ridiculously expensive gifts ( including Birkins ) with megastar friends like Megan Thee Stallion and Kylie Jenner—could afford the prohibitively expensive accessory , let alone an ever-increasing collection of them .
Naturally , the always social-media-savvy Cardi caught wind of the post , and decided to make one of her own , via a video on her favorite medium , Instagram .
“ I ’ ve been seeing this tweet , right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and it had other female rappers on it .
They were talking about if we could get Birkins from the Hermés store and they was also saying how we depreciate the value of a Hermés Birkin bag .
I find that really interesting because , first thing first , I definitely could get a bag .
Actually , I got four bags today from the Hermés store ; that ’ s one .
I don ’ t wan na brag , but don ’ t even try it .
“ And second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ y ’ all asking female rappers if they could get a bag from the Hermés store ?
Y ’ all don ’ t do this to these white celebrities ... so why is it that y ’ all got ta be asking us ?
What the fuck ?
It just makes you want to brag like , ‘ Bitch do you know who the fuck you ’ re talking to ?
’ But no , I ’ m not even going to take it there.
” But leave it to the woman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden to take the kids to school with some Marketing 101 .
When addressing the claim that affiliation with her—who , last time we checked , is a well-established fixture in global Fashion Week front rows and is literally hanging on the Louvre as a campaign star for Balenciaga as we speak—somehow diminished a brand ’ s value , the raptress broke it down like a fraction : “ Another thing is , when y ’ all say we depreciate the value , actually we add value , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales increases luxury labels like Balenciaga , Louboutin , Versace , and more see each time they are name-dropped in a hit single .
“ When we mention brands in hip hop , they shit go up ... Like hip hop , we start trends , ” she added .
But we all know what this was really about—and so does Cardi .
“ And another thing is , why when a Black girl , why when a Hispanic girl have a bag , y ’ all have to question it ?
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ or ‘ She ’ s a scammer ’ or ‘ She ’ s fucking a nigger for it , ’ ” she asked .
“ There ’ s a lot of boss-ass bitches out here .
There ’ s a lot of boss-ass bitches that own they own company—there ’ s realtors , there ’ s PRs , there ’ s A & Rs , there ’ s doctors , there ’ s dentists , and the list goes fucking on ...
There ’ s bitches that ’ s getting money out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be well known for an overshare , it ’ s nobody ’ s damn business how she or anyone else got their Birkin—not that she thinks a Birkin a “ bad bitch ” makes .
“ Let me tell you something : if you ’ re a regular girl you don ’ t got ta break your neck to have a Birkin .
A Birkin don ’ t make you , ” she said .
“ So don ’ t ever feel like you got ta compare yourself .
Don ’ t compare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet .
This internet shit is fake ... You still a bad fucking bitch .
Period .
”

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

At some point, folks are gonna stop worrying about how Cardi B spends her money, and Cardi is going to stop rising to take the bait. But today is not that day, and what y’all not about to do is project your racism onto her retail therapy—namely, her extensive and much-written-about collection of Birkins. Anyone familiar with the famed Hermès bag knows they aren’t easy to obtain—or to afford. Variations on the nearly 40-year-old design retail to well over $200,000, making them widely considered a recession-proof investment. But some folks simply can’t believe that a multi-platinum, megastar rapper—who is (still) married to a megastar rapper and exchanges ridiculously expensive gifts (including Birkins) with megastar friends like Megan Thee Stallion and Kylie Jenner—could afford the prohibitively expensive accessory, let alone an ever-increasing collection of them.
As reported by People:
A social media post started circulating that claimed the expensive Birkin bags (which typically range anywhere from $12,000 to $200,000) have “literally lost their value” because female Black rappers make them “easy to get” and less “exclusive.”
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Naturally, the always social-media-savvy Cardi caught wind of the post, and decided to make one of her own, via a video on her favorite medium, Instagram.
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“I’ve been seeing this tweet, right?” she began. “It had me and it had other female rappers on it. They were talking about if we could get Birkins from the Hermés store and they was also saying how we depreciate the value of a Hermés Birkin bag. I find that really interesting because, first thing first, I definitely could get a bag. Actually, I got four bags today from the Hermés store; that’s one. I don’t wanna brag, but don’t even try it.
“And second of all, why is it that y’all asking female rappers if they could get a bag from the Hermés store? Y’all don’t do this to these white celebrities...so why is it that y’all gotta be asking us? What the fuck? It just makes you want to brag like, ‘Bitch do you know who the fuck you’re talking to?’ But no, I’m not even going to take it there.”
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But leave it to the woman who held her own in interviews with both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden to take the kids to school with some Marketing 101. When addressing the claim that affiliation with her—who, last time we checked, is a well-established fixture in global Fashion Week front rows and is literally hanging on the Louvre as a campaign star for Balenciaga as we speak—somehow diminished a brand’s value, the raptress broke it down like a fraction:
“Another thing is, when y’all say we depreciate the value, actually we add value,” she explained, pointing out the massive sales increases luxury labels like Balenciaga, Louboutin, Versace, and more see each time they are name-dropped in a hit single. “When we mention brands in hip hop, they shit go up...Like hip hop, we start trends,” she added.
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But we all know what this was really about—and so does Cardi.
“And another thing is, why when a Black girl, why when a Hispanic girl have a bag, y’all have to question it? Whether, ‘Oh is it fake?’ or ‘She’s a scammer’ or ‘She’s fucking a nigger for it,’” she asked. “There’s a lot of boss-ass bitches out here. There’s a lot of boss-ass bitches that own they own company—there’s realtors, there’s PRs, there’s A&Rs, there’s doctors, there’s dentists, and the list goes fucking on...There’s bitches that’s getting money out here.”
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Damn straight—and while Cardi may be well known for an overshare, it’s nobody’s damn business how she or anyone else got their Birkin—not that she thinks a Birkin a “bad bitch” makes.
“Let me tell you something: if you’re a regular girl you don’t gotta break your neck to have a Birkin. A Birkin don’t make you,” she said. “So don’t ever feel like you gotta compare yourself. Don’t compare yourself to nobody [on] the internet. This internet shit is fake...You still a bad fucking bitch. Period.”


theroot--2020-10-27--GBI Investigating After Georgia Officer Fatally Shot 19-Year-Old Who 'Matched the Description' of Ea

GBI Investigating After Georgia Officer Fatally Shot 19-Year-Old Who 'Matched the Description' of Earlier Suspect

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into a police shooting involving a teenager that occurred in Sylvester , Ga. , Saturday .
CNN reports that 19-year-old Jakerion Shmoud Jackson was fatally shot by an unnamed officer of the Sylvester Police Department after the officer responded to a call about a man who fit the description of someone who had led police officers in a car chase earlier that night .
A police officer tried to pull over a vehicle around 2:30 a.m. Saturday , the bureau said , and “ a brief car chase ensued with the subject fleeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours later , after receiving 911 calls about someone matching the description of the man involved in the case , a Sylvester officer responded and encountered Jackson , the GBI said .
“ This encounter led to the officer discharging his firearm , resulting in Jackson being struck , ” the GBI said .
The GBI hasn ’ t released any details as to what transpired between the moments the officer—who has been placed on paid administrative leave , according to CNN—encountered Jackson and the moment shots were fired .
There also is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson was the person police were initially looking for .
In a statement , the bureau did say that Jackson was spotted in the area where the car chase suspect was last seen , that he was pronounced dead at the hospital after the shooting and that “ no officers were injured in this incident.
” Police Chief Shawn Urquhart said that the officer was wearing a body camera but that she didn ’ t know if his patrol car had a dash-cam .
A GBI medical examiner will be conducting Jackson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings will be turned over to the district attorney for the Tifton Judicial District when the investigation concludes , CNN reports .
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said that Jackson ’ s death represents the 81st shooting involving a police officer that the GBI has been called to investigate this year .

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into a police shooting involving a teenager that occurred in Sylvester, Ga., Saturday.
CNN reports that 19-year-old Jakerion Shmoud Jackson was fatally shot by an unnamed officer of the Sylvester Police Department after the officer responded to a call about a man who fit the description of someone who had led police officers in a car chase earlier that night.
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From CNN:
A police officer tried to pull over a vehicle around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, the bureau said, and “a brief car chase ensued with the subject fleeing the scene on foot.” About three hours later, after receiving 911 calls about someone matching the description of the man involved in the case, a Sylvester officer responded and encountered Jackson, the GBI said. “This encounter led to the officer discharging his firearm, resulting in Jackson being struck,” the GBI said.
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The GBI hasn’t released any details as to what transpired between the moments the officer—who has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to CNN—encountered Jackson and the moment shots were fired. There also is no word as to whether or not Jackson was the person police were initially looking for. In a statement, the bureau did say that Jackson was spotted in the area where the car chase suspect was last seen, that he was pronounced dead at the hospital after the shooting and that “no officers were injured in this incident.”
Police Chief Shawn Urquhart said that the officer was wearing a body camera but that she didn’t know if his patrol car had a dash-cam. A GBI medical examiner will be conducting Jackson’s autopsy and the bureau’s findings will be turned over to the district attorney for the Tifton Judicial District when the investigation concludes, CNN reports.
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According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said that Jackson’s death represents the 81st shooting involving a police officer that the GBI has been called to investigate this year.