usatoday--2020-11-13--Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame legend Paul Hornung dies at 84

Paul Hornung was a Vince Lombardi favorite and maybe the most important player on the famed coach ’ s early championship teams with the Green Bay Packers .
Lombardi loved Hornung for his versatile skill set and clutch play as the featured left halfback in the Packers ’ offense , as well as for his fun-loving off-field persona that helped get Hornung the nickname “ Golden Boy.
” Hornung , who also won the 1956 Heisman Trophy , died Friday in his hometown of Louisville , Kentucky at age 84 after a long battle with dementia , the Louisville Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up big rushing numbers in the NFL – his single-season high for rushing was only 681 yards – he filled the key position in Lombardi ’ s offense as a runner in the famed Lombardi sweep and option passer .
He was a big back ( 6-feet-2 and 215 pounds ) with a nose for the goal line and for much of his career also was the Packers ’ kicker .
His 176 points in the 12-game 1960 season was an NFL record that stood until 2006 , 29 years after the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was voted the NFL ’ s most-valuable player that season .
Hornung also was voted a member of the NFL ’ s all-decade team of the 1960s and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 after a nine-year career that ended in 1966 .
But perhaps the greatest tribute to him came from Lombardi himself in his two-volume book , “ Vince Lombardi on Football , ” which was published in 1973 .
“ Paul may have been the best all-around back ever to play football , ” Lombardi wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a so-called “ bonus choice , ” which was the first overall pick of the draft that rotated among the 12 teams in the league from 1947 to ’ 58 .
His career floundered for two years until Lombardi was hired as Packers coach in 1959 and built his offense around the same position that had made Frank Gifford a star when Lombardi was offensive coordinator with the New York Giants .
Hornung immediately thrived and would be a key player on offense from 1960-65 , during which time the Packers won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fourth .
He won three NFL scoring titles in that time .
He also was suspended by the NFL for one season , 1963 , after admitting to gambling on NFL games .
In an indication of the vital role he played in the Packers ’ success , the team didn ’ t advance to the championship game that season after winning the title in ’ 61 and ‘ 62 .
When former general manager Ron Wolf joined the Packers in late 1991 , he made a point of sitting down with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played or coached for the Lombardi-era Packers .
He asked each to pick the player from the Lombardi era they would take first in a draft if all were available .
There are 11 players from Lombardi ’ s teams in the Hall of Fame .
All three scouts said Hornung .
“ For them to give that kind of praise to a player , that ’ s remarkable , ” Wolf said .
“ Think about all those ( Lombardi-era ) players.
” Hornung played for the Packers from 1957-66 .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of a neck injury so his final hurrah was late in ’ 65 .
Because of the neck , knee and rib injuries , he no longer was the starter and shared time at halfback with Elijah Pitts and Tom Moore that season .
But in a key showdown in the second-to-last week of the regular season at Baltimore , their main contender for the West Division title , Hornung was the surprise starter and scored five touchdowns in the Packers ’ 42-27 win .
Then in the NFL championship game two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards on 18 carries in the Packers ’ 23-12 win .
Hornung starred in football , basketball and baseball at Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget High School and then attended college at Notre Dame .
He won the Heisman in 1956 even though Notre Dame finished 2-8 that year .
School : Notre Dame .
As a quarterback and halfback in his final two years , completed 105 of 214 passes for 1,656 yards and 12 touchdowns , and rushed for 892 yards and six touchdowns on 186 carries .
Won the Heisman Trophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Packers Hall of Fame , Class of 1975 ; Pro Football Hall of Fame , Class of 1986 .
Packers playing career : Was a halfback with the Packers from 1957-66 , with one season missed ( 1963 ) because of a gambling suspension .
In 1960 set an NFL record of 176 points , a record that stood for 29 years .
Also was NFL MVP that season .
Played on five NFL title teams .
Post playing career : Was a product pitchman , including for Miller Lite , and active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville .
Quote : “ You have to know what Hornung means to this team .
I have heard and read that he is not a great runner or a great passer or a great field-goal kicker , but he led the league in scoring for three seasons .
In the middle of the field he may be only slightly better than an average ballplayer , but inside the twenty-yard line he is one of the greatest I have ever seen .
He smells that goal line.
” – Vince Lombardi as quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Running Backs .
”

Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame legend Paul Hornung dies at 84
Paul Hornung was a Vince Lombardi favorite and maybe the most important player on the famed coach’s early championship teams with the Green Bay Packers.
Lombardi loved Hornung for his versatile skill set and clutch play as the featured left halfback in the Packers’ offense, as well as for his fun-loving off-field persona that helped get Hornung the nickname “Golden Boy.”
Hornung, who also won the 1956 Heisman Trophy, died Friday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky at age 84 after a long battle with dementia, the Louisville Sports Commission announced.
Though Hornung never put up big rushing numbers in the NFL – his single-season high for rushing was only 681 yards – he filled the key position in Lombardi’s offense as a runner in the famed Lombardi sweep and option passer. He was a big back (6-feet-2 and 215 pounds) with a nose for the goal line and for much of his career also was the Packers’ kicker.
His 176 points in the 12-game 1960 season was an NFL record that stood until 2006, 29 years after the league had moved to a 16-game schedule. He was voted the NFL’s most-valuable player that season.
Hornung also was voted a member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1960s and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 after a nine-year career that ended in 1966. But perhaps the greatest tribute to him came from Lombardi himself in his two-volume book, “Vince Lombardi on Football,” which was published in 1973.
JERSEY: Packers should retire Paul Hornung's number
“Paul may have been the best all-around back ever to play football,” Lombardi wrote.
Hornung joined the Packers in 1957 as a so-called “bonus choice,” which was the first overall pick of the draft that rotated among the 12 teams in the league from 1947 to ’58. His career floundered for two years until Lombardi was hired as Packers coach in 1959 and built his offense around the same position that had made Frank Gifford a star when Lombardi was offensive coordinator with the New York Giants.
Hornung immediately thrived and would be a key player on offense from 1960-65, during which time the Packers won three NFL championship games and played in a fourth. He won three NFL scoring titles in that time.
He also was suspended by the NFL for one season, 1963, after admitting to gambling on NFL games. In an indication of the vital role he played in the Packers’ success, the team didn’t advance to the championship game that season after winning the title in ’61 and ‘62.
When former general manager Ron Wolf joined the Packers in late 1991, he made a point of sitting down with the three scouts he inherited who had played or coached for the Lombardi-era Packers. He asked each to pick the player from the Lombardi era they would take first in a draft if all were available. There are 11 players from Lombardi’s teams in the Hall of Fame.
All three scouts said Hornung.
“For them to give that kind of praise to a player, that’s remarkable,” Wolf said. “Think about all those (Lombardi-era) players.”
Hornung played for the Packers from 1957-66. His ’66 season was mostly a washout because of a neck injury so his final hurrah was late in ’65. Because of the neck, knee and rib injuries, he no longer was the starter and shared time at halfback with Elijah Pitts and Tom Moore that season.
But in a key showdown in the second-to-last week of the regular season at Baltimore, their main contender for the West Division title, Hornung was the surprise starter and scored five touchdowns in the Packers’ 42-27 win.
Then in the NFL championship game two weeks later, Hornung rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries in the Packers’ 23-12 win.
Hornung starred in football, basketball and baseball at Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget High School and then attended college at Notre Dame. He won the Heisman in 1956 even though Notre Dame finished 2-8 that year.
PAUL HORNUNG
Born: Dec. 23, 1935 in Louisville, Ky.
School: Notre Dame. As a quarterback and halfback in his final two years, completed 105 of 214 passes for 1,656 yards and 12 touchdowns, and rushed for 892 yards and six touchdowns on 186 carries. Won the Heisman Trophy in 1956.
Hall of Fame: Packers Hall of Fame, Class of 1975; Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1986.
Packers playing career: Was a halfback with the Packers from 1957-66, with one season missed (1963) because of a gambling suspension. In 1960 set an NFL record of 176 points, a record that stood for 29 years. Also was NFL MVP that season. Played on five NFL title teams.
Post playing career: Was a product pitchman, including for Miller Lite, and active in real estate in his hometown of Louisville.
Quote: “You have to know what Hornung means to this team. I have heard and read that he is not a great runner or a great passer or a great field-goal kicker, but he led the league in scoring for three seasons. In the middle of the field he may be only slightly better than an average ballplayer, but inside the twenty-yard line he is one of the greatest I have ever seen. He smells that goal line.” – Vince Lombardi as quoted in the book, “The Great Running Backs.”


usatoday--2020-11-13--How to keep politics out of Thanksgiving 2020: Pass the turkey, not the touchy subjects.

Four years ago , around this time of year , a strange new emotional malady appeared all over America .
I call it “ Thanksgiving Derangement Syndrome.
” Since then , it has steadily increased in severity and pervasiveness .
You ’ ll probably recognize the symptoms in family members or , alas , in yourself .
TDS afflicts people who spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family members of opposite political persuasions from their own , from which few families are exempt .
Sufferers exhibit the following behaviors : Dread of Thanksgiving dinner with relatives from the other party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most ominously , an uncontrollable compulsion to engage in bruising political arguments that make everybody present miserable , embittered , and in a hurry to leave .
It ’ s also easy to catch , and hard to control once a family is infected , and it afflicts partisans of both sides equally .
What makes the syndrome so recalcitrant is that the most striking symptom is not recognizing that you have it ( of course , you think everybody on the other side does ) , but it takes a toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , a study showed that people who crossed political lines in either direction to get to a Thanksgiving dinner in 2016 spent 30 to 50 fewer minutes at the festivities than people who celebrated with like-minded relatives .
Some people surely found themselves not invited back in 2017 .
Now , after one of the most contentious elections in modern times , there ’ s every indication that tensions will be worse than ever this year .
Prevention is the best medicine Even though no vaccine for TDS has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By following a few sensible recommendations and rules of conduct , and making efforts to be self-aware and exercising a modicum of self-control , serious damage and many regrettable unfriendings on social media can be averted .
The best way to avoid a political fight is both simple and difficult : avoid discussing politics — you know who you ’ ll be talking to and you know where the conversation will inevitably go , so take charge .
Just say no , but with a smile : “ It ’ s Thanksgiving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election — I haven ’ t seen you since last year , and there ’ s so much else to say.
” Think of apolitical topics in advance , such as what has the other person and his or her family members , or you and yours , have been up to .
Some people find sports a useful antidote .
Also , feel free to intervene to stop a conversation between others that is rapidly devolving into a brawl — the other guests will thank you .
Do not think of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public service .
And if you ’ re the host or hostess , you can set the tone by requesting an embargo on political discussions for the duration , and enforcing this dictum .
Preventing a conversation among guests from getting nasty is your prerogative .
COVID-19 vaccine trials : I took a coronavirus vaccine .
Get politics out of its rollout .
But you have to do something first in order to accomplish any of this : Don ’ t drink alcohol .
Or , at very least , stop at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imbibe to excess , you ’ re sure to raise your voice when somebody from the other side makes a provocative remark , or to make one yourself .
A raised voice is universally interpreted as shouting , and rational conversation stops there .
You are not convincing anyone And don ’ t even think about bringing an article or flashing a website on your phone to show someone the light .
It has never , ever worked , and it won ’ t work for you , no matter how persuasive it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start a conversation with “ I ’ m just thrilled that Biden won ” or “ I ’ m so devastated that Trump lost.
” Gloating in triumph or grieving over defeats your interlocutor does not feel are equally offensive and off-putting .
Why court disaster ?
Sometimes , with lots of effort , it may be possible to talk about politics with someone who disagrees by making it an abstract discussion ( “ What do you think Trump should have done differently ?
” for example ) , but Thanksgiving dinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skill .
It ’ s taken me 40 years in a politically-mixed marriage to learn it .
Doctor : Settle for virtual holidays this year amid COVID-19 , starting with Thanksgiving There is a psychological truth underlying these recommendations that nobody seems to acknowledge : No matter how eloquent you think you are , or how much you are convinced that your opinions are the only correct ones , you ’ re unlikely to change human nature .
Accept that you can ’ t win any political fight ( people don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but you can ruin a dinner and seriously damage or destroy a relationship .
Is it worth it ?
Remember there is no dearth of like-minded comrades who will be delighted to talk with you about the race ad infinitem ; seek them out on another occasion .
Meanwhile , bon appétit !
Jeanne Safer has been a psychotherapist for 45 years and is author of `` I Love You , but I Hate Your Politics '' ( St. Martins Press ) .
Follow her on Twitter : @ JeanneSafer

How to keep politics out of Thanksgiving 2020: Pass the turkey, not the touchy subjects. Your Thanksgiving dinner doesn't need to be a debate. Plan discussion topics ahead of time that don't have to do with politics. And avoid the alcohol!
Four years ago, around this time of year, a strange new emotional malady appeared all over America. I call it “Thanksgiving Derangement Syndrome.” Since then, it has steadily increased in severity and pervasiveness. You’ll probably recognize the symptoms in family members or, alas, in yourself.
TDS afflicts people who spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family members of opposite political persuasions from their own, from which few families are exempt. Sufferers exhibit the following behaviors: Dread of Thanksgiving dinner with relatives from the other party, a tendency to drink too much and, most ominously, an uncontrollable compulsion to engage in bruising political arguments that make everybody present miserable, embittered, and in a hurry to leave. It’s also easy to catch, and hard to control once a family is infected, and it afflicts partisans of both sides equally.
What makes the syndrome so recalcitrant is that the most striking symptom is not recognizing that you have it (of course, you think everybody on the other side does), but it takes a toll nonetheless. Getting drawn in feels irresistible. In fact, a study showed that people who crossed political lines in either direction to get to a Thanksgiving dinner in 2016 spent 30 to 50 fewer minutes at the festivities than people who celebrated with like-minded relatives. Some people surely found themselves not invited back in 2017.
Now, after one of the most contentious elections in modern times, there’s every indication that tensions will be worse than ever this year.
Prevention is the best medicine
Even though no vaccine for TDS has yet been discovered, there is hope! By following a few sensible recommendations and rules of conduct, and making efforts to be self-aware and exercising a modicum of self-control, serious damage and many regrettable unfriendings on social media can be averted.
The best way to avoid a political fight is both simple and difficult: avoid discussing politics — you know who you’ll be talking to and you know where the conversation will inevitably go, so take charge. Just say no, but with a smile: “It’s Thanksgiving. Let’s not talk about the election — I haven’t seen you since last year, and there’s so much else to say.” Think of apolitical topics in advance, such as what has the other person and his or her family members, or you and yours, have been up to. Some people find sports a useful antidote.
Also, feel free to intervene to stop a conversation between others that is rapidly devolving into a brawl — the other guests will thank you. Do not think of this as being impolite, but as providing a public service. And if you’re the host or hostess, you can set the tone by requesting an embargo on political discussions for the duration, and enforcing this dictum. Preventing a conversation among guests from getting nasty is your prerogative.
COVID-19 vaccine trials: I took a coronavirus vaccine. Get politics out of its rollout.
But you have to do something first in order to accomplish any of this: Don’t drink alcohol. Or, at very least, stop at one glass of wine. If you imbibe to excess, you’re sure to raise your voice when somebody from the other side makes a provocative remark, or to make one yourself. A raised voice is universally interpreted as shouting, and rational conversation stops there.
You are not convincing anyone
And don’t even think about bringing an article or flashing a website on your phone to show someone the light. It has never, ever worked, and it won’t work for you, no matter how persuasive it appears to you.
Inhibit your compulsion to start a conversation with “I’m just thrilled that Biden won” or “I’m so devastated that Trump lost.” Gloating in triumph or grieving over defeats your interlocutor does not feel are equally offensive and off-putting. Why court disaster?
Sometimes, with lots of effort, it may be possible to talk about politics with someone who disagrees by making it an abstract discussion (“What do you think Trump should have done differently?” for example), but Thanksgiving dinner is no place to practice this difficult skill. It’s taken me 40 years in a politically-mixed marriage to learn it.
Doctor: Settle for virtual holidays this year amid COVID-19, starting with Thanksgiving
There is a psychological truth underlying these recommendations that nobody seems to acknowledge: No matter how eloquent you think you are, or how much you are convinced that your opinions are the only correct ones, you’re unlikely to change human nature. Accept that you can’t win any political fight (people don’t change because we want them to), but you can ruin a dinner and seriously damage or destroy a relationship.
Is it worth it? Remember there is no dearth of like-minded comrades who will be delighted to talk with you about the race ad infinitem; seek them out on another occasion. Meanwhile, bon appétit!
Jeanne Safer has been a psychotherapist for 45 years and is author of "I Love You, but I Hate Your Politics" (St. Martins Press). Follow her on Twitter: @JeanneSafer


usatoday--2020-11-14--Wayfair's Black Friday's 2020 savings event just got even better with tons of new deals

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Black Friday 2020 has yet to officially arrive but it has n't stopped major retailers from dropping their sales events early .
Many , including Best Buy , The Home Depot , Walmart and Target , are hosting mega-savings events all month long .
As one of the largest online furniture retailers around , Wayfair is another massive company that 's leaning into this year 's holiday shopping shift in a big way : It kicked off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 26 .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter .
It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any time .
While that may seem early for some , Wayfair 's Vice President of Global Brand , Creative and Curated Merchandising Liza Lefkowski tells Reviewed that the company has been planning this year 's deals strategy for some time now .
`` We plan Black Friday all year , '' she explains .
`` We are testing different things , trying to figure out what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers .
... We really wanted to give [ them ] something to get excited about . ''
Lefkowski says these early savings are also a good opportunity for the company to serve the nation 's growing demand for home goods in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We know people are trying to get more out of their homes and so they ’ re looking for this , '' she says .
`` It 's very much in the context of what 's going on in our country , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new ways to use their house , [ from ] bread-making to building a game room .
[ It 's ] very of the moment and we want to be there with a great deal . ''
The company has certainly come through on its goal : Its second wave of exclusive savings , which dropped today , November 13 , features discounts of up to 80 % on all kinds of nest-worthy items , including living room furniture , bedroom furniture , GE appliances , accent pillows and décor and much , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Wednesday , November 25 , with even more markdowns set to drop thereafter .
While the retailer will showcase different kinds of discounts throughout the month , Lefkowski says there 's no need to hold out on your purchases in fear of missing out on a better deal .
`` [ You ] don ’ t need to wait , '' she assures .
`` We have deals on thousands and thousands of goods and we feel very good about the inventory position against those deals .
...
There ’ s really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event has started . ''
As for whether the early savings strategy will continue for future Black Fridays to come , the Wayfair executive says she fully expects the holiday shopping event to move forward with its path of evolution .
`` You 're not going to see the Black Friday of 10 years ago , where people are lining up at 3 o'clock in the morning , '' she predicts .
`` There ’ s just no need for it . ''
Below , find the best Wayfair Black Friday 2020 deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands and more .
The best Wayfair Black Friday 2020 deals to shop right now • Get the LuxDecorCollection 23-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set from $ 16.99 ( Save $ 33.01 ) • Get the Miusco 5-Piece Nonstick Silicone Cooking Spoon Set for $ 25.99 ( Save $ 58 ) • Get the Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel Whistling Stovetop Kettle from $ 74.95 ( Save $ 65.01 ) • Get the NutriBullet Rx Smart 45-Ounce Personal Countertop Blender for $ 121.99 ( Save $ 58 ) • Get the Henckels Graphite 13-Piece Knife Block Set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • Get the Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer for $ 199.95 ( Save $ 165.05 ) • Get the Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Eldon Sheet Set from $ 22.99 ( Save $ 58.76 to $ 99 ) • Get the Three Posts Landsdale Luxury Blanket from $ 34.99 ( Save $ 45 to $ 55 ) • Get the Rosdorf Park Tierra 2-Piece Comforter Set from $ 44.99 ( Save $ 19 to $ 27 ) • Get the Alwyn Home 600 All-Season Goose Duvet Insert from $ 118.99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • Get the Willa Arlo Mildred Polyester Upholstered Standard Bed from $ 204.74 ( Save $ 600.14 to $ 765.25 ) • Get the Mercer41 Boswell Upholstered Platform Bed from $ 276.18 ( Save $ 208.34 to $ 251.81 ) • Get the Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Medium Hybrid Mattress from $ 235.99 ( Save $ 29.87 to $ 48.01 ) • Get the Wayfair Sleep 13-Inch Plush Pillow-Top Innerspring Mattress from $ 279.99 ( Save $ 37 to $ 71 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Rectangular Pillow Insert from $ 8.68 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Solid Room-Darkening 54-Inch by 63-Inch Thermal Rod Pocket Single Curtain Panel from $ 9.02 ( Save $ 15.97 to $ 22 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Solid Room-Darkening 54-Inch by 108-Inch Thermal Rod Pocket Single Curtain Panel from $ 9.02 ( Save $ 15.97 to $ 22 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Solid Room-Darkening 54-Inch by 84-Inch Thermal Rod Pocket Single Curtain Panel for $ 9.83 ( Save $ 15.16 to $ 22 ) • Get the Millwood Pines 6-Piece Schall Decorative Balls for Bowls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • Get the House of Hampton Asaad Square Pillow Cover and Insert for $ 31.99 ( Save $ 70.01 ) • Get the August Grove Sunflowers Jar Floral Arrangement for $ 31.99 ( Save $ 22 ) • Get the Beachcrest Home Foliage Tree in Basket for $ 57.99 ( Save $ 28.41 ) • Get the Birch Lane Daughtry Bar and Counter Stool from $ 64.53 ( Save $ 46.42 ) • Get the Foundstone Camron Upholstered Side Chair , 2-pack , from $ 109.99 ( Save $ 80 ) • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair , 2-pack from $ 129.99 ( Save $ 67 to $ 70 ) • Get the Andover Mills Morano 3-Piece Dining Set from $ 175.99 ( Save $ 51.96 ) • Get the Charlton Home Doylan Rubberwood Solid Wood Dining Table from $ 180.24 ( Save $ 67.26 to $ 189.75 ) • Get the Kelly Clarkson Home Baker 66-Inch Wide 3-Drawer Sideboard from $ 819.99 ( Save $ 215.01 to $ 235.01 ) • Get the Ebern Designs Kaul 19.5-Inch Table Lamp Set from $ 63.99 ( Save $ 25 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dimmable Vanity from $ 86.99 ( Save $ 65.01 to $ 87.01 ) • Get the Andover Mills Danica 23-Inch Table Lamp from $ 88.99 ( Save $ 31 ) • Get the Joss & Main Alina 25-Inch Table Lamp from $ 164.99 ( Save $ 182.01 to $ 187.01 ) • Get the Bungalow Rose Mika 20-Inch Round Abstract Pouf Ottoman from $ 59.99 ( Save $ 25.01 $ 47.01 ) • Get the Latitude Run Large Classi Bean Bag from $ 99.98 ( Save $ 8.01 to $ 30.02 ) • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 255.99 ( Save $ 490 to $ 494 ) • Get the Winston Porter Canion Manual Recliner for $ 344.99 ( Save $ 105 ) • Get the AllModern Norah Velvet 84-Inch Recessed Arms Sofa for $ 859.99 ( Save $ 739.01 ) • Get the Zipcode Design Collapsible Hamper from $ 16.96 ( Save $ 3.03 ) • Get the Honey Can Do 3-Piece Plastic Basket Set from $ 18.99 ( Save $ 2 to $ 14 ) • Get the Rebrilliant 4-Tier 24-Pair Shoe Rack from $ 17.97 ( Save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basics Wood Non-Slip Hanger , 24-pack from $ 19.99 ( Save $ 22 to $ 24 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Riddleville Folding Drying Rack for $ 33.99 ( Save $ 13.01 ) • Get the Dotted Line Esther 41-Inch W Mobile Garment Rack from $ 81.99 ( Save $ 17 to $ 28 ) • Get the eModern Décor 2-Tier Dish Rack from $ 108.99 ( Save $ 12 to $ 30 ) • Get the Hashtag Home Allegra TV Stand up to 60-inches from $ 113.99 ( Save $ 171.51 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three Posts Kerlin End Table with Storage from $ 136.99 ( Save $ 50 ) • Get the Three Posts Lorraine TV Stand for TVs up to 60-inches from $ 147.99 ( Save $ 142 ) • Get the Allegra TV Stand for TVs up to 65 inches from $ 177.99 ( Save $ 253.01 to $ 270.51 ) • Get the Beachcrest Home Kearney 9-Foot Market Umbrella for $ 49.99 ( Save $ 80 ) • Get the Mireya Patio Sofa with Cushions for $ 255.99 ( Save $ 40 ) • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 303.99 ( Save $ 56 ) • Get the Lark Manor Joliet 4-Piece Sofa Seating Group with Cushions from $ 363.99 ( Save $ 786.01 to $ 812.01 ) • Get the Charlton Home Shipp 5-Piece Dining Set with Cushions for $ 419.99 ( Save $ 130 ) • Get the Fleur De Lis Living Thibodeau 7-Piece Dining Set for $ 929.99 ( Save $ 140 ) • Get the GE Appliances HTX24EASKWS Hotpoint 6.2 Cubic-Feet Electric Dryer with Reversible Door in White for $ 431.10 ( Save $ 287.40 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ready 14.1 Cubic-Feet Frost-Free Upright Freezer for $ 719.10 ( Save $ 79.90 ) • Get the Hashtag Home Elkland Mesh Task Chair from $ 40.99 ( Save $ 9 to $ 28.99 ) • Get the Gracie Oaks Drumm Corner Bookcase for $ 48.99 ( Save $ 11 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Mesh Task Office Chair for $ 54.99 ( Save $ 105.02 ) • Get the Zipcode Design Annie Secretary Desk with Hutch for $ 62.99 ( Save $ 35 ) • Get the Zipcode Design Nickelsville L-Shape Executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 66 to $ 223.99 ) • Get the Ivy Bronx McKibben 51-inch by 49-inch Geometric Bookcase from $ 153.99 ( Save $ 82.01 to $ 85.01 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics Rectangular Pillow Insert from $ 8.68 ( Save $ 5 to $ 8.31 ) • Get the Wayfair Basics 30-Inch by 55-Inch Tree Storage from $ 16.99 ( Save $ 2.05 to $ 8.05 ) • Get the Three Posts Kaye 24-Inch Lighted Wreath for $ 39.99 ( Save $ 20 ) • Get the Holiday Aisle Christmas 24-Inch Plastic Wreath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • Get the Beachcrest Home Norwood Fir Green Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree with White Lights from $ 66.99 ( Save $ 53 to $ 285.05 ) • Get the Holiday Aisle Nativity Scene Lighted Display for $ 75.99 ( Save $ 73 ) The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

Shayna Murphy and Nicole Briese, Reviewed.com

Wayfair's Black Friday 2020 savings event just got even better with tons of new deals
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Editor's Note: These deals may have changed since publication. For the most recent top deals at Wayfair check out our new story here.
Black Friday 2020 has yet to officially arrive but it hasn't stopped major retailers from dropping their sales events early. Many, including Best Buy, The Home Depot, Walmart and Target, are hosting mega-savings events all month long. As one of the largest online furniture retailers around, Wayfair is another massive company that's leaning into this year's holiday shopping shift in a big way: It kicked off its first round of deals back on October 26.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
While that may seem early for some, Wayfair's Vice President of Global Brand, Creative and Curated Merchandising Liza Lefkowski tells Reviewed that the company has been planning this year's deals strategy for some time now. "We plan Black Friday all year," she explains. "We are testing different things, trying to figure out what’s gonna be be most delightful to consumers. ... We really wanted to give [them] something to get excited about."
Lefkowski says these early savings are also a good opportunity for the company to serve the nation's growing demand for home goods in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We know people are trying to get more out of their homes and so they’re looking for this," she says. "It's very much in the context of what's going on in our country, in the world. People are looking for new ways to use their house, [from] bread-making to building a game room. [It's] very of the moment and we want to be there with a great deal."
The company has certainly come through on its goal: Its second wave of exclusive savings, which dropped today, November 13, features discounts of up to 80% on all kinds of nest-worthy items, including living room furniture, bedroom furniture, GE appliances, accent pillows and décor and much, much more. These savings will run through Wednesday, November 25, with even more markdowns set to drop thereafter.
While the retailer will showcase different kinds of discounts throughout the month, Lefkowski says there's no need to hold out on your purchases in fear of missing out on a better deal. "[You] don’t need to wait," she assures. "We have deals on thousands and thousands of goods and we feel very good about the inventory position against those deals. ... There’s really no need to hold back. The event has started."
As for whether the early savings strategy will continue for future Black Fridays to come, the Wayfair executive says she fully expects the holiday shopping event to move forward with its path of evolution. "You're not going to see the Black Friday of 10 years ago, where people are lining up at 3 o'clock in the morning," she predicts. "There’s just no need for it."
Below, find the best Wayfair Black Friday 2020 deals on bedding, office furniture, TV stands and more.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-11-12--Soldier jumps out of box to surprise daughter

Soldier jumps out of box to surprise daughter 3-year-old Allison Mendoza has always wanted to be surprised with a military @ @ @ @ @ .
Then one day , her parents made her dream come true .

Soldier jumps out of box to surprise daughter
3-year-old Allison Mendoza has always wanted to be surprised with a military homecoming by her Army dad. Then one day, her parents made her dream come true.
Militarykind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-13--COVID-19: More than 100 Secret Service agents were either infected or quarantined

COVID-19 : More than 100 Secret Service agents were either infected or quarantined The outbreak is reported following the close @ @ @ @ @ featured Trump rallies and lower-profile Biden events prior to Election Day .

COVID-19: Secret Service battle reported coronavirus outbreak
The outbreak is reported following the close of a campaign season that featured Trump rallies and lower-profile Biden events prior to Election Day.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-13--Trump: No COVID-19 lockdown for this administration, 'time will tell' about the future

Trump : No COVID-19 lockdown for this administration , 'time will tell ' about the future President Trump said his @ @ @ @ @ a national COVID-19 lockdown while speaking from the Rose Garden .

President Trump rules out a COVID-19 lockdown for his administration
President Trump said his administration would not go to a national COVID-19 lockdown while speaking from the Rose Garden.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-13--Obama says he's 'troubled' Republicans are backing Trump in his refusal to concede to Biden

WASHINGTON – Former President Barack Obama says Donald Trump 's refusal to concede to Joe Biden is concerning but that he was even more troubled by prominent members of the Republican party echoing Trump 's baseless claims of election fraud , saying they are heading down a `` dangerous path . ''
`` I 'm more troubled more by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this , are humoring him in this fashion , '' Obama told CBS ' 60 Minutes in a clip from an interview scheduled to air Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegitimizing not just the incoming Biden administration but democracy in general .
And that 's a dangerous path . ''
In a separate interview with CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King as part of a tour to promote his new book , `` A Promised Land '' , the former president also took aim at Trump for not accepting the results of the Nov. 3 election and refusing to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect .
`` His margin of victory over Hillary Clinton ( in 2016 ) was n't greater than Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` But if you 're listening to some of the talk radio that Trump voters are listening to , if you 're watching FOX News , if you 're getting ( Trump 's ) tweets , those allegations are presented as facts . ''
`` So you 've got millions of people who think there must be cheating because the president says so , '' Obama said in the clip of an interview the network shared Friday .
The full interviewwill air on Sunday .
Obama 's remarks come as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are challenging the outcome in several states that helped deliver the win for Biden , including Nevada , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
Most of those challenges have been rejected by various courts although a hand recount in Georgia , where Biden beat Trump by 14,072 votes , is underway .
Most Republicans on Capitol Hill are following the president 's lead in claiming the election remains in doubt even as Biden won the national vote by more than 5 million and is leading in states Trump is challenging including Michigan ( 146,123 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin ( 20,540 ) .
The vast majority of independent analysts do n't see any path to victory for Trump .
Biden 's dominance in the Electoral College was further strengthened when his 11,434-vote lead in Arizona became insurmountable after more ballots were counted Thursday .
Obama , who campaigned for his former vice president , called Trump 's refusal to aknowledge the loss `` disappointing . ''
He recalled his own 2:30 a.m. phone call to Trump the morning after the election four years ago congratulating the president-elect .
More : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president-elect amid Trump 's refusal to concede '' There 's damage to this because what happens is that the peaceful transition of power , the notion that any of us who attain an elected office , whether it 's dog catcher or president , are servants of the people , '' he told King in his first television interview since the election .
`` It 's a temporary job .
We 're not above the rules .
We 're not above the law .
That 's the essence of our democracy . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the party , particularly ahead of a Jan. 5 runoff election for two Senate seats in Georgia that will determine control of the upper chamber .
So far , the Trump administration has blocked the new administration from using federal office space and gaining access to government agencies that they 'll soon take over .
Biden also has not received a daily classified briefing on national security threats that are given to incoming presidents .
Key Republicans on Capitol Hill have begun signaling this week that Biden should be treated as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Trump 's refusal to concede as he mounts legal challenges in several states and alleges widespread election fraud without evidence .
More : Biden 's team has office space two blocks from the White House .
Is it enough for a smooth transition ?
GOP lawmakers now say Biden should be at least allowed to participate in different aspects of the transition , including receiving the same daily intelligence briefings provided to the president , while Trump 's challenges play out .
In the interview , Obama recalled how then-Sen. John McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incoming president after their bruising election battle .
`` Could n't have been more gracious , '' Obama said of his political rival .

Obama says he's 'troubled' Republicans are backing Trump in his refusal to concede to Biden
Show Caption Hide Caption Former Pres. Obama slams Trump's COVID-19 responses at Biden rally Former President Barack Obama took aim at President Donald Trump's COVID-19 response at a rally in Philadelphia for Joe Biden. USA TODAY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Former President Barack Obama says Donald Trump's refusal to concede to Joe Biden is concerning but that he was even more troubled by prominent members of the Republican party echoing Trump's baseless claims of election fraud, saying they are heading down a "dangerous path."
"I'm more troubled more by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this, are humoring him in this fashion," Obama told CBS' 60 Minutes in a clip from an interview scheduled to air Sunday. "It is one more step in delegitimizing not just the incoming Biden administration but democracy in general. And that's a dangerous path."
In a separate interview with CBS This Morning co-host Gayle King as part of a tour to promote his new book, "A Promised Land", the former president also took aim at Trump for not accepting the results of the Nov. 3 election and refusing to recognize Joe Biden as the president-elect.
"His margin of victory over Hillary Clinton (in 2016) wasn't greater than Joe Biden's margin over him," he said. "But if you're listening to some of the talk radio that Trump voters are listening to, if you're watching FOX News, if you're getting (Trump's) tweets, those allegations are presented as facts."
"So you've got millions of people who think there must be cheating because the president says so," Obama said in the clip of an interview the network shared Friday. The full interview will air on Sunday.
Obama's remarks come as Trump campaign lawyers and their GOP allies are challenging the outcome in several states that helped deliver the win for Biden, including Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Most of those challenges have been rejected by various courts although a hand recount in Georgia, where Biden beat Trump by 14,072 votes, is underway.
Most Republicans on Capitol Hill are following the president's lead in claiming the election remains in doubt even as Biden won the national vote by more than 5 million and is leading in states Trump is challenging including Michigan (146,123 votes), Pennsylvania (60,057), and Wisconsin (20,540).
The vast majority of independent analysts don't see any path to victory for Trump. Biden's dominance in the Electoral College was further strengthened when his 11,434-vote lead in Arizona became insurmountable after more ballots were counted Thursday.
Obama, who campaigned for his former vice president, called Trump's refusal to aknowledge the loss "disappointing." He recalled his own 2:30 a.m. phone call to Trump the morning after the election four years ago congratulating the president-elect.
More: Republicans begin to treat Biden like a president-elect amid Trump's refusal to concede
"There's damage to this because what happens is that the peaceful transition of power, the notion that any of us who attain an elected office, whether it's dog catcher or president, are servants of the people," he told King in his first television interview since the election. "It's a temporary job. We're not above the rules. We're not above the law. That's the essence of our democracy."
But GOP is looking to avoid fissures in the party, particularly ahead of a Jan. 5 runoff election for two Senate seats in Georgia that will determine control of the upper chamber.
So far, the Trump administration has blocked the new administration from using federal office space and gaining access to government agencies that they'll soon take over. Biden also has not received a daily classified briefing on national security threats that are given to incoming presidents.
Key Republicans on Capitol Hill have begun signaling this week that Biden should be treated as the next president even as they continue to support Trump's refusal to concede as he mounts legal challenges in several states and alleges widespread election fraud without evidence.
More: Biden's team has office space two blocks from the White House. Is it enough for a smooth transition?
GOP lawmakers now say Biden should be at least allowed to participate in different aspects of the transition, including receiving the same daily intelligence briefings provided to the president, while Trump's challenges play out.
In the interview, Obama recalled how then-Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., conceded in 2008 to the incoming president after their bruising election battle.
"Couldn't have been more gracious," Obama said of his political rival.


usatoday--2020-11-13--Texas AG Ken Paxton sued for allegedly abusing office, retaliating against whistleblowers

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton abused his office to benefit himself , a high-end campaign donor and a woman with whom he was reportedly having an affair before retaliating against seven top aides who reported him to the FBI , a lawsuit by four former senior employees claims .
The whistleblower lawsuit , filed Thursday in state District Court in Travis County , is the latest issue to beset Paxton in the past month after seven agency executives notified him in early October that they believed he engaged in several crimes , including bribery and improper influence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their report to federal agents touched off weeks of political fallout for Paxton , including calls for his resignation by some fellow Republicans , and an ongoing investigation .
The suit accuses Paxton not only of abuse of office but also says he responded to the allegations by attempting to destroy the careers of his top brass .
“ Paxton falsely smeared the whistleblowers publicly in the manner calculated to harm them most , threatened them , tried to intimidate them , and engaged in all manner of retaliation ranging from serious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit said .
In a statement this week , Paxton denied wrongdoing and said he had a legitimate involvement with Paul .
“ I have always fought to protect the interest of Texans , and to use this office to uphold the laws of our great state ... To be clear , I have never been motivated by desire to protect a political donor or to abuse this office , nor will I ever , ” the statement said .
The four plaintiffs are Blake Brickman , former deputy attorney general for policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former deputy attorney general for criminal justice ; Ryan Vassar , deputy attorney general for legal services ; and David Maxwell , former director of the law enforcement division .
Vassar is the only one of seven whistleblowers still employed with the agency , but he was placed on leave .
The others have resigned or were fired .
The suit includes multiple allegations involving Paxton ’ s friendship with Paul that have been the subject of ongoing media scrutiny .
But it also contains claims that have not previously been made public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave $ 25,000 to Paxton ’ s campaign and frequently met privately with Paxton in recent months without Paxton ’ s staff or security .
It also claimed that , based on a recent anonymously sourced report by the Associated Press , that Paul employed a woman with whom Paxton had an affair and who Paxton recommended for a job with Paul .
“ Paxton began taking more interest in legal matters involving Nate Paul and applying more pressure on the plaintiffs and other whistleblowers to use the personnel , legal authority and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal and personal interests of Nate Paul , ” the suit said .
Among the most serious claims the suit makes is that Paxton became improperly involved in Paul ’ s complaint that federal agents violated his Constitutional rights in searching his property as part of an investigation .
Paxton pushed back on his staff when they told Paul that they investigated and found no wrongdoing by law enforcement , according to the suit .
Paxton then hired an outside attorney to investigate .
In a claim that has not been publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul attempted to obtain information about the raid from the Texas Department of Public Safety , which also was involved , Paxton told staff to “ find a way to release the information ” under the Texas Public Information Act .
Related : Texas AG Ken Paxton took bribes and abused office , top aides say in call for federal investigation Agencies frequently cite an exemption in the law to refuse to release information that is part of an investigation to protect a potential case .
“ Vassar struggled with this directive because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Paul would overturn decades of settled expectations among sister law enforcement agencies , compromise the OAG ’ s own law enforcement information and likely spark innumerable lawsuits challenging the newly announced application off the law , ” the suit said .
As the American-Statesman , part of the USA TODAY Network , was first to report last month , the suit also claimed that Paxton ordered his staff to intervene in a lawsuit involving Paul and the nonprofit Mitte Foundation .
Paxton said in his statement that he became concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated and sued by the agency in 2009 .
“ I have a legal duty as the Attorney General , on behalf of the public interest in charities and as the enforcement authority over charitable corporations , to consider and address all lawsuits affecting charitable organizations , ” Paxton ’ s statement said .
“ Some members of my staff ignored my deeply held concerns.
” The Statesman also was first to report on the whistleblowers ’ claims that Paxton demanded his staff issue a legal opinion about in-person foreclosures sales during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s properties .
That claim also is included in the whistleblowers ’ suit .
After the group ’ s allegations surfaced in October , they said Paxton released untruthful statements to the media aimed at discrediting them .
Internally , the employees said they faced a hostile environment that included being ejected from meetings , being asked to leave their personal cell phones in their cars and having crucial duties removed from their assignments .
The suit also accused Paxton of misleading lawmakers about agency operations , including in communications with state Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence .
Instead of including comments the whistleblowers provided the agency for a letter to Leach , Paxton ’ s office submitted “ a barely two page , self-aggrandizing letter that failed to respond to Rep. Leach ’ s inquiry in any substantial respect.
” The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages based on lost wages and harm to their reputations , the suit said .
“ The adverse actions would not have been taken against them had they not made good faith reports to law enforcement , @ @ @ @ @

Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman

Texas AG Ken Paxton sued for allegedly abusing office, retaliating against whistleblowers
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton abused his office to benefit himself, a high-end campaign donor and a woman with whom he was reportedly having an affair before retaliating against seven top aides who reported him to the FBI, a lawsuit by four former senior employees claims.
The whistleblower lawsuit, filed Thursday in state District Court in Travis County, is the latest issue to beset Paxton in the past month after seven agency executives notified him in early October that they believed he engaged in several crimes, including bribery and improper influence in dealings with Austin investor Nate Paul. Their report to federal agents touched off weeks of political fallout for Paxton, including calls for his resignation by some fellow Republicans, and an ongoing investigation.
The suit accuses Paxton not only of abuse of office but also says he responded to the allegations by attempting to destroy the careers of his top brass.
“Paxton falsely smeared the whistleblowers publicly in the manner calculated to harm them most, threatened them, tried to intimidate them, and engaged in all manner of retaliation ranging from serious to petty and pathetic,” the 37-page suit said.
In a statement this week, Paxton denied wrongdoing and said he had a legitimate involvement with Paul.
“I have always fought to protect the interest of Texans, and to use this office to uphold the laws of our great state...To be clear, I have never been motivated by desire to protect a political donor or to abuse this office, nor will I ever,” the statement said.
The four plaintiffs are Blake Brickman, former deputy attorney general for policy and strategy initiatives; Mark Penley, former deputy attorney general for criminal justice; Ryan Vassar, deputy attorney general for legal services; and David Maxwell, former director of the law enforcement division.
Vassar is the only one of seven whistleblowers still employed with the agency, but he was placed on leave. The others have resigned or were fired.
The suit includes multiple allegations involving Paxton’s friendship with Paul that have been the subject of ongoing media scrutiny. But it also contains claims that have not previously been made public.
According to the document, Paul gave $25,000 to Paxton’s campaign and frequently met privately with Paxton in recent months without Paxton’s staff or security. It also claimed that, based on a recent anonymously sourced report by the Associated Press, that Paul employed a woman with whom Paxton had an affair and who Paxton recommended for a job with Paul.
“Paxton began taking more interest in legal matters involving Nate Paul and applying more pressure on the plaintiffs and other whistleblowers to use the personnel, legal authority and other resources of the OAG to advance the legal and personal interests of Nate Paul,” the suit said.
Among the most serious claims the suit makes is that Paxton became improperly involved in Paul’s complaint that federal agents violated his Constitutional rights in searching his property as part of an investigation.
Paxton pushed back on his staff when they told Paul that they investigated and found no wrongdoing by law enforcement, according to the suit. Paxton then hired an outside attorney to investigate.
In a claim that has not been publicly disclosed, the suit contends that when Paul attempted to obtain information about the raid from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which also was involved, Paxton told staff to “find a way to release the information” under the Texas Public Information Act.
Related: Texas AG Ken Paxton took bribes and abused office, top aides say in call for federal investigation
Agencies frequently cite an exemption in the law to refuse to release information that is part of an investigation to protect a potential case.
“Vassar struggled with this directive because allowing the disclosure of the information requested by Paul would overturn decades of settled expectations among sister law enforcement agencies, compromise the OAG’s own law enforcement information and likely spark innumerable lawsuits challenging the newly announced application off the law,” the suit said.
As the American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network, was first to report last month, the suit also claimed that Paxton ordered his staff to intervene in a lawsuit involving Paul and the nonprofit Mitte Foundation.
Paxton said in his statement that he became concerned about the litigation because the foundation previously had been investigated and sued by the agency in 2009. “I have a legal duty as the Attorney General, on behalf of the public interest in charities and as the enforcement authority over charitable corporations, to consider and address all lawsuits affecting charitable organizations,” Paxton’s statement said. “Some members of my staff ignored my deeply held concerns.”
The Statesman also was first to report on the whistleblowers’ claims that Paxton demanded his staff issue a legal opinion about in-person foreclosures sales during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect Paul’s properties. That claim also is included in the whistleblowers’ suit.
After the group’s allegations surfaced in October, they said Paxton released untruthful statements to the media aimed at discrediting them.
Internally, the employees said they faced a hostile environment that included being ejected from meetings, being asked to leave their personal cell phones in their cars and having crucial duties removed from their assignments.
The suit also accused Paxton of misleading lawmakers about agency operations, including in communications with state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, who chairs the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.
Instead of including comments the whistleblowers provided the agency for a letter to Leach, Paxton’s office submitted “a barely two page, self-aggrandizing letter that failed to respond to Rep. Leach’s inquiry in any substantial respect.”
The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages based on lost wages and harm to their reputations, the suit said.
“The adverse actions would not have been taken against them had they not made good faith reports to law enforcement,” the suit concluded.
Follow Tony Plohetski on Twitter: @tplohetski.


usatoday--2020-11-13--Drug ballot measures pass. Peaceful transfer of power endangered? | States of America

Five states pass ballot measures decriminalizing drugs , including heroin in Oregon .
A Trump appointee puts peaceful transfer of @ @ @ @

Drug ballot measures and the peaceful transfer of power
Five states pass ballot measures decriminalizing drugs, including heroin in Oregon. A Trump appointee puts peaceful transfer of power on hold.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-11-14--Donald Trump wants to run the Republican party even if he leaves office. Can he?

WASHINGTON – Donald Trump may not be president much longer , but he still wants to run the Republican Party for the foreseeable future .
If he can .
From setting up a political action committee to suggesting he might run again in 2024 , Trump is already working to keep his hold on the GOP after his term ends – but he also faces formidable obstacles in his future drive to stay relevant , according to advisers and other members of the Republican Party .
`` He 'll be the head of the party , no matter what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who like others spoke on condition of anonymity because the president still believes he will prevail in his election lawsuits .
Other Republicans say it wo n't be so easy for Trump to control the party once he loses the power of the presidency .
That will almost surely happen on Jan. 20 , after his various legal challenges to the election won by Democrat Joe Biden are exhausted .
`` Yes , he has a big following in the GOP , '' said Republican strategist Liz Mair .
`` But the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidacy . ''
Many Republicans , however , expect Trump to continue swinging a big stick within the party for months and maybe years to come .
Republican strategist Brad Todd said the president is beloved among the party ’ s base , especially among right-leaning populist voters who flocked to the GOP in 2016 and turned out in high numbers for him in this election .
`` They tend to like Donald Trump better than most Republicans , but they don ’ t always vote , '' he said .
What 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say a 2024 run is possible “ There ’ s only one political sun in the solar system and it ’ s him , ” Todd said .
“ Some voters – a very big chunk – value his brand and it seems completely logical that he would want to continue to that .
I think he will want to be relevant , and that he will be relevant .
Yet Trump will also face pushback from Republicans who want the party to move past the divisions that marked his tenure .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser , said he does n't think Republican voters will uniformly follow him once he is no longer president .
For one thing , Trump will lose the ability to `` intimidate '' people into backing him , said Bolton , whose book , `` The Room Where It Happened , '' painted a searing picture of the president as an incompetent commander-in-chief .
Bolton predicted that Republicans would ultimately look for new leaders .
`` I think his power to influence will diminish dramatically once he leaves the Oval Office on Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's a completely different ballgame ... the dynamic will change dramatically.
” And Trump could face legal troubles after he leaves office .
Authorities in New York are investigating Trump over accusations ranging from tax avoidance to alleged violations of campaign finance laws by paying hush money to keep ex-mistresses quiet during his 2016 presidential race .
What will Trump 's role be in Georgia ?
History is also working against continuing relevance for Trump .
Most presidents fade from the political scene after they leave office , often by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape events quickly faded .
One exception : Former President Bill Clinton worked on Hillary Clinton 's presidential campaigns , but with mixed success at best .
One test of Trump 's continuing political strength comes early : Two Jan. 5 runoffs in Georgia that will decide whether Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate or cede it to the Democrats .
Trump is publicly backing the two Georgia Republican incumbents who are running on Jan. 5 , Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler .
Some Republicans , however , fear Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will undercut the party 's brand in Georgia , and in other states in future races .
'Call off the legal dogs ' : Some GOP donors are n't keen to help Trump with election lawsuits Supporting Trump 's intransigence is `` a mistake for the country and it ’ s a mistake for the Republican Party , '' Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan told reporters .
`` And especially as we have the Senate hanging in the balance in two runoff elections in Georgia .
Doing anything to tarnish the brand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing . ''
How Trump handles the 2024 questions may also determine his staying power , Republicans said .
Declaring a 2024 campaign right away might actually undercut his leadership , some advisers said .
Many Republicans will hold off endorsing him , waiting to see who else runs , while the Republican National Committee will be obligated to stay neutral .
If Trump keeps his options open for 2024 , aides said , more party members will look to stay on good terms with him .
Other candidates , particularly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sources of Trump 's power : his fervent followers and donors .
`` He has the base of support and the financial base of support '' to be a force in the Republican Party for a long time , said one GOP official .
Either way , however , Trump will face competition to be the nation 's top Republican .
Georgia flipped blue but it 's not over : Two Senate runoff races carry national implications At least a dozen Republicans are considering presidential bids of their own in 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek Trump 's blessing , others will seek to chart a new course for the party .
Whit Ayers , a Republican pollster and consultant , disagrees that Trump 's role will be diminished once the 2020 presidential results are finalized .
He said while former presidents typically want to retire from public life as much as possible , few expect Trump will follow that tradition .
`` Going away quietly would be very much out of character for this president , and remaining quiet would be even more out of character , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be due in part to the GOP not being as reflective after having a better than expected election overall .
Republicans have netted six House seats so far despite fears that Democrats might expand their majority .
They also fended off closely watched Senate challenges in Maine , North Carolina , Iowa and South Carolina .
'It 's an embarrassment ' : Joe Biden responds to Donald Trump 's refusal to concede presidential race Democrats also failed to flip a single state legislative chamber , which will have major ramifications on redrawing congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's no formal autopsy needed because this is not exactly a sign of weakness or failure , and they won most of what they wanted below the presidency , '' Ayers said .
Whether Republicans view Trump sticking around in the form of a PAC or 2024 candidate as good or bad depends on their opinion of the president currently , but most recognize he is n't going away .
`` I think Republicans of all persuasions view Donald Trump 's continuing involvement in politics as inevitable , '' Ayers said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , from William Jennings Bryant to Huey Long to George Wallace , but we 've never had one achieve the presidency before Donald Trump , '' he added .
`` We have no historical basis for determining his long-term legacy or value at this point . ''
Trump family will stay in the spotlight Mair , an outspoken `` Never Trumper , '' said Trump 's desire to keep running the Republican Party `` won ’ t matter '' in the long term .
The party tends to move on whenever its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush , or losing election nominees like Bob Dole and Mitt Romney .
Trump , however , is discussing ways to stay in the public eye , aides said , from staging more rallies to creating a digital media channel that would stream conservative and pro-Trump content online .
Members of Trump 's family also plan to stay involved in politics , particularly Donald Trump Jr .
The younger Trump denied news reports that he plans to seek a leadership position with the Republican Party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak out on behalf of GOP candidates and his father 's legacy .
Election 2020 updates : Bolton says Republicans 'coddling ' Trump , Georgia will do hand recount Ivanka Trump , the president 's high-profile daughter , has not said whether she will pursue a political career after her father leaves office .
Trump is in the process of forming his own `` leadership political action committee , '' ostensibly to give money to state and federal Republican candidates who share his views .
The PAC could also be a vehicle for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aides said they fully expect Trump to at least flirt with the idea of running again , if only to freeze out rivals for the title of top Republican .
Trump could just as easily use his leadership PAC to pay his legal bills , or set up his children for political life , said Mair and others .
`` He might run , just to give him a pretext for doing the rallies he loves , '' Mair said .
`` That said , he has two kids who appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritizes his kids ahead of everything else , and he ’ s pretty old and unhealthy – so he just may not be up to it or in that frame of mind by 2024 . ''

David Jackson and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY

Donald Trump wants to run the Republican party even if he leaves office. Can he?
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump rules out a COVID-19 lockdown for his administration President Trump said his administration would not go to a national COVID-19 lockdown while speaking from the Rose Garden. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump may not be president much longer, but he still wants to run the Republican Party for the foreseeable future.
If he can.
From setting up a political action committee to suggesting he might run again in 2024, Trump is already working to keep his hold on the GOP after his term ends – but he also faces formidable obstacles in his future drive to stay relevant, according to advisers and other members of the Republican Party.
"He'll be the head of the party, no matter what happens," said one Trump aide, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity because the president still believes he will prevail in his election lawsuits.
Other Republicans say it won't be so easy for Trump to control the party once he loses the power of the presidency. That will almost surely happen on Jan. 20, after his various legal challenges to the election won by Democrat Joe Biden are exhausted.
"Yes, he has a big following in the GOP," said Republican strategist Liz Mair. "But the GOP tends to shift direction after every presidency/losing candidacy."
Many Republicans, however, expect Trump to continue swinging a big stick within the party for months and maybe years to come.
Republican strategist Brad Todd said the president is beloved among the party’s base, especially among right-leaning populist voters who flocked to the GOP in 2016 and turned out in high numbers for him in this election.
"They tend to like Donald Trump better than most Republicans, but they don’t always vote," he said.
That gives Trump leverage.
What's Trump's next act? Some advisers say a 2024 run is possible
“There’s only one political sun in the solar system and it’s him,” Todd said. “Some voters – a very big chunk – value his brand and it seems completely logical that he would want to continue to that. I think he will want to be relevant, and that he will be relevant.
Yet Trump will also face pushback from Republicans who want the party to move past the divisions that marked his tenure.
John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, said he doesn't think Republican voters will uniformly follow him once he is no longer president.
For one thing, Trump will lose the ability to "intimidate" people into backing him, said Bolton, whose book, "The Room Where It Happened," painted a searing picture of the president as an incompetent commander-in-chief.
Bolton predicted that Republicans would ultimately look for new leaders.
"I think his power to influence will diminish dramatically once he leaves the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2021,” Bolton said. "It's a completely different ballgame ... the dynamic will change dramatically.”
And Trump could face legal troubles after he leaves office.
Authorities in New York are investigating Trump over accusations ranging from tax avoidance to alleged violations of campaign finance laws by paying hush money to keep ex-mistresses quiet during his 2016 presidential race.
What will Trump's role be in Georgia?
History is also working against continuing relevance for Trump.
Most presidents fade from the political scene after they leave office, often by choice but also because their ability to shape events quickly faded. One exception: Former President Bill Clinton worked on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns, but with mixed success at best.
One test of Trump's continuing political strength comes early: Two Jan. 5 runoffs in Georgia that will decide whether Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate or cede it to the Democrats.
Trump is publicly backing the two Georgia Republican incumbents who are running on Jan. 5, Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Some Republicans, however, fear Trump's refusal to concede the presidential election will undercut the party's brand in Georgia, and in other states in future races.
'Call off the legal dogs': Some GOP donors aren't keen to help Trump with election lawsuits
Supporting Trump's intransigence is "a mistake for the country and it’s a mistake for the Republican Party," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told reporters. "And especially as we have the Senate hanging in the balance in two runoff elections in Georgia. Doing anything to tarnish the brand and cost us votes is a pretty significant thing."
How Trump handles the 2024 questions may also determine his staying power, Republicans said.
Declaring a 2024 campaign right away might actually undercut his leadership, some advisers said. Many Republicans will hold off endorsing him, waiting to see who else runs, while the Republican National Committee will be obligated to stay neutral.
If Trump keeps his options open for 2024, aides said, more party members will look to stay on good terms with him. Other candidates, particularly in the 2022 congressional elections, will want access to the sources of Trump's power: his fervent followers and donors.
"He has the base of support and the financial base of support" to be a force in the Republican Party for a long time, said one GOP official.
Either way, however, Trump will face competition to be the nation's top Republican.
Georgia flipped blue but it's not over: Two Senate runoff races carry national implications
At least a dozen Republicans are considering presidential bids of their own in 2024. While many of these candidates will seek Trump's blessing, others will seek to chart a new course for the party.
Whit Ayers, a Republican pollster and consultant, disagrees that Trump's role will be diminished once the 2020 presidential results are finalized. He said while former presidents typically want to retire from public life as much as possible, few expect Trump will follow that tradition.
"Going away quietly would be very much out of character for this president, and remaining quiet would be even more out of character," Ayers said.
One reason might be due in part to the GOP not being as reflective after having a better than expected election overall.
Republicans have netted six House seats so far despite fears that Democrats might expand their majority. They also fended off closely watched Senate challenges in Maine, North Carolina, Iowa and South Carolina.
'It's an embarrassment': Joe Biden responds to Donald Trump's refusal to concede presidential race
Democrats also failed to flip a single state legislative chamber, which will have major ramifications on redrawing congressional maps after the 2020 census.
"There's no formal autopsy needed because this is not exactly a sign of weakness or failure, and they won most of what they wanted below the presidency," Ayers said.
Whether Republicans view Trump sticking around in the form of a PAC or 2024 candidate as good or bad depends on their opinion of the president currently, but most recognize he isn't going away.
"I think Republicans of all persuasions view Donald Trump's continuing involvement in politics as inevitable," Ayers said.
"We've had populists through American history, from William Jennings Bryan to Huey Long to George Wallace, but we've never had one achieve the presidency before Donald Trump," he added. "We have no historical basis for determining his long-term legacy or value at this point."
Trump family will stay in the spotlight
Mair, an outspoken "Never Trumper," said Trump's desire to keep running the Republican Party "won’t matter" in the long term. The party tends to move on whenever its leaders lose power, whether it is ex-presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, or losing election nominees like Bob Dole and Mitt Romney.
Trump, however, is discussing ways to stay in the public eye, aides said, from staging more rallies to creating a digital media channel that would stream conservative and pro-Trump content online.
Members of Trump's family also plan to stay involved in politics, particularly Donald Trump Jr. The younger Trump denied news reports that he plans to seek a leadership position with the Republican Party, but friends said he will continue to speak out on behalf of GOP candidates and his father's legacy.
Election 2020 updates: Bolton says Republicans 'coddling' Trump, Georgia will do hand recount
Ivanka Trump, the president's high-profile daughter, has not said whether she will pursue a political career after her father leaves office.
Trump is in the process of forming his own "leadership political action committee," ostensibly to give money to state and federal Republican candidates who share his views.
The PAC could also be a vehicle for another Trump presidential campaign in 2024. Aides said they fully expect Trump to at least flirt with the idea of running again, if only to freeze out rivals for the title of top Republican.
Trump could just as easily use his leadership PAC to pay his legal bills, or set up his children for political life, said Mair and others.
"He might run, just to give him a pretext for doing the rallies he loves," Mair said. "That said, he has two kids who appear to be interested in running. We know he prioritizes his kids ahead of everything else, and he’s pretty old and unhealthy – so he just may not be up to it or in that frame of mind by 2024."


usatoday--2020-11-14--The spread of conspiracy theories like QAnon threatens our politics: GOP congressman

By now , we ’ re all keenly aware of the threat posed by the novel coronavirus and we all know firsthand how our race to meet that threat head-on has altered the way we learn , do business and interact with each other .
But another sea change is coming .
The stupendous rise in the popularity and prevalence of conspiracy theories threatens to undermine the basis for civil discourse in America .
Conspiratorial paranoia is spreading like a psychological virus through the American population .
If we can ’ t stop that virus from festering in the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of normal American politics is at stake .
To see why , you have to get into the mindset of a conspiracy theorist .
Conspiracy theories are outlets for paranoia and suspicion Major conspiracy theories like QAnon have been making headlines in recent weeks and months , and it ’ s all too obvious why .
What could be more interesting or even alarming in an election year than that 56 % of Republicans and about half of Trump supporters believe the claims by QAnon that senior Democrats and political officials are leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is the only one who can stop them ?
Like most other conspiracy theories , QAnon is less like a set of fixed beliefs and more like a symptom of a mental disease .
The claims advanced by conspiracy theorists may be baseless , even outrageous and grotesque at times , but that ’ s a feature , not a bug .
The temptation is to think that conspiracy theories are well-meaning attempts , however deranged , at explaining reality .
Quite to the contrary , conspiracy theories are far less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more about finding an outlet for a seething morass of paranoia , suspicion and distrust .
They are weaponized stupidity and monetized myth .
Conspiracy theories feed , not on facts , but on fantasy .
That means most conspiracy theories are incredibly malleable and amorphous at their core .
Take the anti-Semitic conspiracy behind the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as an example .
The belief that Jewish people somehow command and control political , social and economic realities has taken a variety of different forms over the decades , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hardly anyone today believes in all of the literal claims of the original Protocols document .
But that hasn ’ t stopped the same pattern of thinking , the same psychology , from recurring again and again in new forms .
In many respects , QAnon itself is a modern day rehashing of this same old anti-Semitism .
That flexibility and malleability makes it difficult , if not impossible , to defeat a conspiracy theory for good .
Almost anything that increases feelings of uncertainty , distrust and confusion can act as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection by conspiratorial thinking .
Digital media only exaggerates this feature of conspiracy theories .
Today ’ s prophets are no longer flesh and blood , but anonymous posters .
This anonymity , coupled with the power of digital media to reach anyone at any time , massively increases the resilience and life-span of conspiracy theories .
Conspiracy theories in America : Evangelicals need to address the QAnoners in our midst QAnon is perhaps the paradigmatic example of this .
QAnon isn ’ t surging in popularity because people are unearthing more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true .
Rather , people feel more and more scared and paranoid , and QAnon provides an outlet .
The digital prophet behind QAnon can capitalize off of uncertainty and ignorance to get more and more people to drink the Kool-Aid .
In our post-truth world rife with uncertainty , misinformation , and doubt , conspiracy theories capture the imagination of the paranoid and the fearful with incredible ease .
But QAnon is not alone .
Across the political spectrum , conspiracy theories abound .
And while they may seem silly or too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from harmless .
The danger of conspiracy theories that dehumanize groups Many conspiracy theories explicitly and unashamedly dehumanizes whole groups of people .
Yet above and beyond the very real threat of violent extremism and domestic terrorism posed by a dehumanizing conspiracy , widespread paranoia erodes the possibility of civil discourse in our society today .
You can ’ t have a conversation about facts , policies , or positions if one side of the debate is fundamentally convinced that the other is satanic and evil .
At that point , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; instead , we have moral and spiritual warfare .
When paranoid fantasy takes the place of reality in the minds of millions of Americans , we can ’ t expect politics as usual to function for very long .
Healing the division : How schools can help America move past its bitter partisan divide What ’ s more , there are no quick and easy fixes for the threat to our politics and social welfare posed by conspiracies .
In a digital age , conspiracy theories will always have ample room to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there ’ s an incredibly destructive power latent in collective stupidity weaponized by digital media .
If you ban the QAnon posters from YouTube or Twitter , they will simply move to Bitchute and Parler .
Nothing short of a comprehensive effort both to stifle misinformation and reeducate the conspiratorial will do .
But such an effort will be hard to mobilize and even harder to implement .
In the meantime , ordinary Americans have their work cut out for them dealing with friends , family members and coworkers who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only advice is that we , as a nation , have to practice an unprecedented degree of courage to speak out against conspiracy theories and challenge misinformation whenever and wherever we find it .
I can ’ t say whether that will be enough .
But I know that if we don ’ t get courageous now , pretty soon it will be too late .
Rep. Denver Riggleman , R-Va. , is a subject matter expert on data analytics for the Office of Secretary of Defense and author of “ Bigfoot… It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.S Air Force Intelligence Officer supporting the global war on terror .
Follow him on Twitter : @ RepRiggleman

The spread of conspiracy theories like QAnon threatens our politics: GOP congressman Collective stupidity weaponized by digital media is incredibly destructive. We need unprecedented courage to speak out against conspiracy theories.
By now, we’re all keenly aware of the threat posed by the novel coronavirus and we all know firsthand how our race to meet that threat head-on has altered the way we learn, do business and interact with each other.
But another sea change is coming. The stupendous rise in the popularity and prevalence of conspiracy theories threatens to undermine the basis for civil discourse in America. Conspiratorial paranoia is spreading like a psychological virus through the American population. If we can’t stop that virus from festering in the American consciousness, the fate and the future of normal American politics is at stake. To see why, you have to get into the mindset of a conspiracy theorist.
Conspiracy theories are outlets for paranoia and suspicion
Major conspiracy theories like QAnon have been making headlines in recent weeks and months, and it’s all too obvious why. What could be more interesting or even alarming in an election year than that 56% of Republicans and about half of Trump supporters believe the claims by QAnon that senior Democrats and political officials are leading a satanic cabal of pedophiles and that Donald Trump is the only one who can stop them?
Like most other conspiracy theories, QAnon is less like a set of fixed beliefs and more like a symptom of a mental disease. The claims advanced by conspiracy theorists may be baseless, even outrageous and grotesque at times, but that’s a feature, not a bug. The temptation is to think that conspiracy theories are well-meaning attempts, however deranged, at explaining reality. Quite to the contrary, conspiracy theories are far less about making sense of the world and far more about finding an outlet for a seething morass of paranoia, suspicion and distrust. They are weaponized stupidity and monetized myth.
Conspiracy theories feed, not on facts, but on fantasy. That means most conspiracy theories are incredibly malleable and amorphous at their core. Take the anti-Semitic conspiracy behind the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as an example. The belief that Jewish people somehow command and control political, social and economic realities has taken a variety of different forms over the decades, even centuries, of its existence. Hardly anyone today believes in all of the literal claims of the original Protocols document. But that hasn’t stopped the same pattern of thinking, the same psychology, from recurring again and again in new forms. In many respects, QAnon itself is a modern day rehashing of this same old anti-Semitism.
That flexibility and malleability makes it difficult, if not impossible, to defeat a conspiracy theory for good. Almost anything that increases feelings of uncertainty, distrust and confusion can act as a viral vector for a new and mutated infection by conspiratorial thinking. Digital media only exaggerates this feature of conspiracy theories. Today’s prophets are no longer flesh and blood, but anonymous posters. This anonymity, coupled with the power of digital media to reach anyone at any time, massively increases the resilience and life-span of conspiracy theories.
Conspiracy theories in America: Evangelicals need to address the QAnoners in our midst
QAnon is perhaps the paradigmatic example of this. QAnon isn’t surging in popularity because people are unearthing more and more evidence that its central contentions are true. Rather, people feel more and more scared and paranoid, and QAnon provides an outlet. The digital prophet behind QAnon can capitalize off of uncertainty and ignorance to get more and more people to drink the Kool-Aid. In our post-truth world rife with uncertainty, misinformation, and doubt, conspiracy theories capture the imagination of the paranoid and the fearful with incredible ease.
But QAnon is not alone. Across the political spectrum, conspiracy theories abound. And while they may seem silly or too outlandish to be significant, they are far from harmless.
The danger of conspiracy theories that dehumanize groups
Many conspiracy theories explicitly and unashamedly dehumanizes whole groups of people. Yet above and beyond the very real threat of violent extremism and domestic terrorism posed by a dehumanizing conspiracy, widespread paranoia erodes the possibility of civil discourse in our society today. You can’t have a conversation about facts, policies, or positions if one side of the debate is fundamentally convinced that the other is satanic and evil. At that point, we don’t have political disagreements anymore; instead, we have moral and spiritual warfare. When paranoid fantasy takes the place of reality in the minds of millions of Americans, we can’t expect politics as usual to function for very long.
Healing the division: How schools can help America move past its bitter partisan divide
What’s more, there are no quick and easy fixes for the threat to our politics and social welfare posed by conspiracies. In a digital age, conspiracy theories will always have ample room to grow and plenty of space to fester, and there’s an incredibly destructive power latent in collective stupidity weaponized by digital media. If you ban the QAnon posters from YouTube or Twitter, they will simply move to Bitchute and Parler. Nothing short of a comprehensive effort both to stifle misinformation and reeducate the conspiratorial will do. But such an effort will be hard to mobilize and even harder to implement.
In the meantime, ordinary Americans have their work cut out for them dealing with friends, family members and coworkers who have been sucked in by conspiracies. My only advice is that we, as a nation, have to practice an unprecedented degree of courage to speak out against conspiracy theories and challenge misinformation whenever and wherever we find it. I can’t say whether that will be enough. But I know that if we don’t get courageous now, pretty soon it will be too late.
Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Va., is a subject matter expert on data analytics for the Office of Secretary of Defense and author of “Bigfoot… It’s Complicated.” He served as a U.S Air Force Intelligence Officer supporting the global war on terror. Follow him on Twitter: @RepRiggleman